Winter Japan 2026
Itinerary
Day 1 Singapore - Fukuoka [Fukuoka Blossom, $156]
Day 2 Fukuoka - Takasaki [APA Takasaki $101]
Day 3 Takasaki - Sendai [Mitsui Garden] $215 2 nights]
Day 4 Sendai
Day 5 Sendai - Naruko Onsen [Naruko Fugu $151]
Day 6 Naruko Onsen - Tokyo [Super Hotel]
Day 7 Tokyo - Tokushima [JR Hotel]
Day 8 Tokushima [Temple stay ]
Day 9 Tokushima - Izu [Atami Onsen Yuyado $161]
Day 10 Izu - Yokohama [Toyoko Inn $75]
Day 11 Yokohama - Tokyo [Fontaine]
Day 12 Tokyo - Singapore
14 JR rail pass : $667.65
Day 1
Singapore - Fukuoka
Activated the 14 days JR pass purchased and collected from Changi Airport before boarding the flight
Since it was quite a last-minute decision and with changes to the itiernary because of the severe snow storm on the Sea of Japan side of Japan, I bought the 14-day JR pass with collection at Changi Airport, as it was too late by post (which I would have gotten a discount)
Took the Nozomi Shinkansen (not included in JRpass), and needed to get off.
Ibusuki Sand Onsen , fukuoka
Day 2
Fukuoka - Takasaki
Fukuoka - Mojika - Kannon Tunnel - Shimonoseki
Shin Yamaguchi - Tokyo (Nozomi +7600yen) - Takasaki)
Day 3
Takasaki , Syorinzan Darumaji (taxi 2500 x 2)
Tomioka Silk Mill (Unesco)
Takasaki - Omiya - Sendai
Hakutaka Shinkansen for Omiya was very crowded and late arrival (from the snow storm in Kanazawa)
Yamabiko Shinkansen for Sendai Station
Day 4
Day tour - Ginzan Onsen and Zao Ropeway $161
Very heavy snow and cold
Cable car ride - the snow was so heavy that momentarily I wondered why the cable car has stopped moving.
The day tour was supposed to include lunch but it was cancelled with a small refund.
Dinner : Sendai specialty - Grilled beef tongue
Sendai's winter lighting
Day 5
Freezing morning with sunny weather
Morning visit to Sendai Castle and Sendai Market (taxi ~1500yen x 2)
Sendai -> Furukawa -> Naruko Onsen
Naruko Onsen
Famous for the Kokeshi dolls. It has snowed heavily the day before, but was sunny and cold on day of arrival.
Nice Hotel, A small onsen town with outdoor footbath, public Waseda Sajikiyu onsen and Taki no Yu Onsen (free fo hotel guest)
Lunch - set lunch in a family-run restaurant 2050 yen
dinner - ramen (900 yen)
Overdose of onsen and got a bit of difficulty getting to sleep
Day 6
Naruko Onsen - Tokyo
Tokyo - Ryogoku District
Day 7
Tokyo - Okayama(Nozomi with added cost) - Tokushima
Visited the Henro Office, bought
Train to Temple 1, walk to temple 2 and temple 3
Train back to Tokushima
Day 8
Tokushima
Taxi pick up at Tokushima to temple 4, temple 5 and temple 6 (4450 yen)
Left the luggage at temple 6, walk to temple 7, and walked back to temple 6
Temple stay - 8500 yen including dinner and breakfast, and a small onsen.
Total of 6 guests and 2 foreigners (me , the only female guest)
Running out of cash, and almost all transaction are in cash.
Day 9
Tokushima - Atami
shopping street
Cherry blossom, sea front, supermarket, and dinner
Day 10
Atami: walked to the see the ~2100 year old sacred tree at Kinomiya Shrine
Seven hot speings, Atami Ginza Street
Took the Odoriko train from Atami - Shimoda
Met with Pam and her friend, dinner at Yokohama Chinatown.
Day 11
Yokohama Minato Mall, Lunch
Tokyo Senso-ji temple
Day 12
Walking Togoshi Ginza
Flight home.