I know, I know, a trip report from Japan is not exactly novel; but in a crowded field I hope this report will offer something for those interested in family winter travel in Japan without sliding down any slopes. I hope to mainly complete this TR as we travel, but we’ll see if I can keep up.
First to set the scene. Around this time last year we decided we would like to spend some time in Japan in the winter. None of us ski, but we do love winter travel and snowy areas. By we, I mean myself, Mr ShelleyB and ShelleyB-son. Mr ShelleyB has the sort of job that limits the amount of school-holiday time available for leave and also means we never really know what holiday he’ll be allocated until much closer to the time. The upshot of all that was we decided to look for points flights for myself and ShelleyB-son and Mr ShelleyB could purchase revenue flights once he’d been allocated leave.
This time last year JAL were regularly releasing economy and premium economy award seats around 360 days out, with some business class. Without too much hassle, beyond making sure I checked availability at seat release time, I snagged 2 PE seats from MEL to NRT for New Year’s Eve, and back again 24 days later using Qantas points. Would have preferred J for the return as that is a night flight, but no luck. But happy to have PE, as especially for the day flight feel it is the sweet spot for points use for a daytime flight that’s only 10 hours. Total cost for all flights (there and back) for 2 passengers was 280200 points and around $1400 taxes.
With flights sorted, spent some time considering where to go and what to do. The schedule also needed to account for meeting up with Mr ShelleyB who would be joining us 2 weeks into the trip then staying a little longer for some solo travel. The itinerary also needed to be a combination of likely snowy regions, with a combination of smaller towns and bigger cities. As much as possible we wanted to visit places we had not been before.
With all that in mind, we finally settled on the following itinerary, mainly in the Tohoku region where we have not visited before.
2 nights Tokyo
3 nights Morioka
2 nights Hirosaki
4 nights Hachinohe
3 nights Yokohama
1 night Tokyo (to meet with Mr ShelleyB)
5 nights Sendai
3 nights Nagano
After Nagano I and ShelleyB-son fly home, and Mr ShelleyB goes onto to Hiroshima and Fukuoka before flying home on CI via Taipei.
Each of the locations we have chosen is of interest in themselves and will work as a base for side trips, which will become apparent as we go along.
All travel will be by train. After spending some time with a spreadsheet, we have chosen to purchase Japan Rail passes. As we are there for over 3 weeks, the JR pass works out slightly cheaper than booking all tickets separately, and if purchased directly on the JR website (which we have) seats can be booked in advance of collecting the pass. Useful when all Tohoku shinkansen are reserved seat, and the New Year is a peak time for people in Japan to travel to visit family. We plan to make good use of Ta-Q-Bin services and travel with a small wheelie bag between us plus a day pack which should make train travel easy.
Similarly, have booked all accommodation well in advance and very happy with the pricing. All the hotels are either attached to or within a few minutes walk of train stations to minimise traipsing back and forth through potential slush or snow.
So now the fun begins of packing and ensuring I have everything sorted for myself and ShelleyB-son. Of course last I checked they have shops in Japan, so really as long as I have credit card and passport we are good to go. Looking forward to spending 2 weeks of one on one time with ShelleyB-son. He is rapidly approaching 13, a very experienced traveller and great company. He loves Japan, and enjoys the cultural experiences. I think we’ll have a blast.
First to set the scene. Around this time last year we decided we would like to spend some time in Japan in the winter. None of us ski, but we do love winter travel and snowy areas. By we, I mean myself, Mr ShelleyB and ShelleyB-son. Mr ShelleyB has the sort of job that limits the amount of school-holiday time available for leave and also means we never really know what holiday he’ll be allocated until much closer to the time. The upshot of all that was we decided to look for points flights for myself and ShelleyB-son and Mr ShelleyB could purchase revenue flights once he’d been allocated leave.
This time last year JAL were regularly releasing economy and premium economy award seats around 360 days out, with some business class. Without too much hassle, beyond making sure I checked availability at seat release time, I snagged 2 PE seats from MEL to NRT for New Year’s Eve, and back again 24 days later using Qantas points. Would have preferred J for the return as that is a night flight, but no luck. But happy to have PE, as especially for the day flight feel it is the sweet spot for points use for a daytime flight that’s only 10 hours. Total cost for all flights (there and back) for 2 passengers was 280200 points and around $1400 taxes.
With flights sorted, spent some time considering where to go and what to do. The schedule also needed to account for meeting up with Mr ShelleyB who would be joining us 2 weeks into the trip then staying a little longer for some solo travel. The itinerary also needed to be a combination of likely snowy regions, with a combination of smaller towns and bigger cities. As much as possible we wanted to visit places we had not been before.
With all that in mind, we finally settled on the following itinerary, mainly in the Tohoku region where we have not visited before.
2 nights Tokyo
3 nights Morioka
2 nights Hirosaki
4 nights Hachinohe
3 nights Yokohama
1 night Tokyo (to meet with Mr ShelleyB)
5 nights Sendai
3 nights Nagano
After Nagano I and ShelleyB-son fly home, and Mr ShelleyB goes onto to Hiroshima and Fukuoka before flying home on CI via Taipei.
Each of the locations we have chosen is of interest in themselves and will work as a base for side trips, which will become apparent as we go along.
All travel will be by train. After spending some time with a spreadsheet, we have chosen to purchase Japan Rail passes. As we are there for over 3 weeks, the JR pass works out slightly cheaper than booking all tickets separately, and if purchased directly on the JR website (which we have) seats can be booked in advance of collecting the pass. Useful when all Tohoku shinkansen are reserved seat, and the New Year is a peak time for people in Japan to travel to visit family. We plan to make good use of Ta-Q-Bin services and travel with a small wheelie bag between us plus a day pack which should make train travel easy.
Similarly, have booked all accommodation well in advance and very happy with the pricing. All the hotels are either attached to or within a few minutes walk of train stations to minimise traipsing back and forth through potential slush or snow.
So now the fun begins of packing and ensuring I have everything sorted for myself and ShelleyB-son. Of course last I checked they have shops in Japan, so really as long as I have credit card and passport we are good to go. Looking forward to spending 2 weeks of one on one time with ShelleyB-son. He is rapidly approaching 13, a very experienced traveller and great company. He loves Japan, and enjoys the cultural experiences. I think we’ll have a blast.
