Traveler Spotlight: Carol & Chris’s Return to Japan
In 2019, Carol and Chris reached out to R. Crusoe & Son to assist with planning arrangements in Kyoto and Tokyo after a separately booked cycling adventure. Like so many travelers, they realized that there are an infinite number of spots to explore in this iconic destination! Five years later, they decided to return and pedal their way through Nagano prefecture for 3 nights and spend extended time exploring parts of the country they missed on the first go-around. We were thrilled to assist once again!
Wisely, owing to the current and continued popularity of traveling in Japan, Carol and Chris planned well in advance of their September dates and although a return to Tokyo was a “must,” their other locations led them to less-traveled destinations.
Most of their travels were spent on the northernmost island in Japan, Hokkaido, where they began their active adventure in Asahikawa. Owing to its latitude, this part of Japan experiences seasonal changes earlier than other parts of the country and the fall foliage and crisp temperatures created an autumnal atmosphere for their outdoor pursuits, including hiking Mount Kurodake which, in their words, was “not for the meek.
They explored the cities of Sapporo and Otaru before heading to Lake Toya where they cruised its waters. With their private guide, Carol and Chris learned more about the island’s Ainu culture while also experiencing Hokkaido’s non-stop geothermal activity of Hokkaido via its sulfur springs, as well as opportunities for nature walks. Both agreed that it was having diverse activities each day that made the itinerary especially enjoyable.
Because of the nature of journey, Carol and Chris spent nights at traditional ryokan accommodations, as well as onsen-style hotels. Seasonally coursed dinners were included nightly and rooms featured private bathing facilities.
Among their favorites? Bourou Noguchi in Hakodate. Here they enjoyed having their own private onsen for a soak and were served stellar meals with a staff that took Carol’s dietary requirements in mind while preparing their food.
Hakodate is linked via a 4-hour bullet train with Tokyo and makes a great stop to/from touring the island. However, instead of heading back to Tokyo, Carol and Chris headed to a less-frequently visited prefecture, Aomori, perched on the northern end of the island of Honshu. The region is famous for annual winter snowfalls and is still a developing portion of the country from a tourism perspective. Accommodation was basic and although rain put a damper on their scheduled hikes, their guide found them a modern art museum which turned into a highlight.
To cap off their return trip to Japan, Carol and Chris spent a few more days in Tokyo where they visited lesser-known temples and sights before returning to the US.
Would you like to visit the Japan?
The details of each R. Crusoe journey are unique and special — much like an architect’s renderings or a chef’s secret sauce. Have one of our real human travel planners send you your own private copy of the fully customizable itinerary via the form below, including day-by-day activities, accommodations and base pricing. Don’t hesitate to ask them your questions—they’ll also be your personal travel concierge from the moment you get in touch.
Check out our Japan overview page where you can also find more information about visiting Hokkaido!
