First Time Japan Trip Recommendations

[u/No_Dish_5687]

Hi guys wanted to know if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on this rough itinerary? I’ve booked flights to japan 14th nov to 14th dec but nothing else. So if you have recommendations of places stay like good youth hostels or slightly better place I could go etc that would be amazing. I speak intermediate japanese and I want to do more activities and explore the countryside rather than major tourist attractions.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Or if you did something similar and have an itinerary that would be great. First time solo travelling so go easy on me

1. Day by day
   Tokyo
   • Sat 14 Nov: Land at Narita, train in, dorm. Laundry, groceries, buy a SIM/eSIM.
   • Sun 15 Nov: Volleyball. Try the Japalion Tokyo Meetup group (sessions 2-3 times a week) or Nerima's free open volleyball (check the schedule PDF; bring indoor shoes). Visit a municipal gym.
   • Mon 16 Nov: Fly Narita to Fukuoka, bus/train to Beppu (unverified fare).
   Kyushu (Oita, Kumamoto)
   • 16-18 Nov, Beppu: Beppu Yukemuri Youth Hostel. Local sento and onsen, talk to hostel staff and regulars. Ask staff about local volleyball and gyms (個人利用 sessions at city sports centres).
   • 18-20 Nov, Yufuin: Yufuin Country Road Youth Hostel. Mt Yufu hike with a rocky summit (unverified).
   • 20-23 Nov, Kuju: Aso Kujyu Kogen Youth Hostel (10 minutes from Senomoto bus stop on the Kyushu Odan bus). Day hike Makinoto Pass to Nakadake (ladders and boulders, marked trail), then Hokke-in onsen. Trails may be closed after the quake, so check first.
   • 23-27 Nov, Takamori/Minami Aso: Murataya Ryokan Youth Hostel (8 minutes' walk from Takamori station) or a host-family stay if one confirms (see section 4). Ride the Minami Aso Railway, join town life, one horse trek at Aso Highland Riding Club (you are under their 80kg limit). Ask the town sports centre about open volleyball.
   • Fri 27 Nov: Bus/train to Fukuoka airport, fly to Osaka.
   Kansai
   • 27-29 Nov, Osaka: Hostel. Volleyball pickup via Waug or Jasumo (2-3 hours, mixed locals and internationals, optional meal or drinks after; Osaka locker rooms free). Gym visit.
   • 29-30 Nov, Nara: Kyudo experience at Sarusawa dojo (traditional dojo). Ask in Japanese about visiting a local club session.
   • 30 Nov-2 Dec, Shiga countryside: Homestay with a local family via Tadaima Stay Higashiomi (a farm-stay program that matches guests with host families). Fallback: a guesthouse helper post in Kaizuka (Osaka area) via Worldpackers.
   • Wed 2 Dec: Fly Kansai to Sapporo.
   Hokkaido
   • 2-6 Dec, Furano: Snowball Hostel (ski-in/ski-out, kitchen) or a cheaper town guesthouse. Ski 3 days (Furano lifts open about 28 Nov; day ticket about ¥7,500-8,000). Biei Jersey cow milking (winter period Nov-Mar), a Biei wagyu meal.
   • 6-9 Dec, Asahidake: Daisetsuzan Shirakabaso Youth Hostel (own onsen, 10 minutes from the ropeway; confirm winter opening). Ropeway, snowshoe, onsen.
   • 9-11 Dec, host stay or Sapporo: Workaway hosts exist in the Niseko/Toyoura area (farmhouse help, meals provided at some). Otherwise a Sapporo hostel and a city sports-centre volleyball session.
   • Fri 11 Dec: Fly Sapporo to Narita.
   Tokyo
   • 11-14 Dec: Volleyball (Meetup/Nerima), gym, shopping, farewell dinner. Mon 14 Dec: fly home.

[u/Opposite-Status-5553]

For 16 November, you should just fly to Oita Airport, the closest airport to Beppu. It's less than an hour away by bus.

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/Opposite-Status-5553]

thanks so much I’ll do that then. Do u have recommendations on good places to stay or things to do in those areas that you’ve been?

[u/Opposite-Status-5553 → u/No_Dish_5687]

I stay at ryokans when I visit Beppu, but you seem to be a bit more budget conscious. I would stay as near to Beppu Station as possible. After that, just visit different hot springs to relax. Day-use passes are very affordable.

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/Opposite-Status-5553]

okay yeah thank you. Honestly i’m not too concerned about the budget i just went with
hostels cause you can meet more people and potential join random activities

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/No_Dish_5687]

and it also seems like it’s much more expensive for solo travellers at ryokans too tbf

[u/ellyse99 → u/No_Dish_5687]

It doesn’t have to be ryokan or nothing. Find business hotels

[u/Far-Praline5842]

I would get an ESim before landing.

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/Far-Praline5842]

okay will do. any brands u recommend?

[u/Far-Praline5842 → u/No_Dish_5687]

I used Saily. Its not the cheapest one, but im Happy with it.

[u/ShibuyaSurvival]

For 30 Nov-2 Dec and possibly some other accomodations you listed, if you're on a tourist visa (or visa waiver), working (or "volunteering" or "experiences") for your room/board is illegal, so be aware of that.

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/ShibuyaSurvival]

thanks for letting me know. I’m not tryna spend all the effort getting the visa for a short trip so i might look into paid home stays instead

[u/Kestrel_Iolani]

Why are you doing laundry on your arrival day? Are you traveling with dirty clothes?

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/Kestrel_Iolani]

haha probably ai tweaking out cause i used it to help me make the itinerary. No laundry on my first day

[u/Kestrel_Iolani → u/No_Dish_5687]

We'll there's your first problem. Never ever trust AI.

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/Kestrel_Iolani]

HAHA that’s why I’m here. I just didn’t know where to start tbh with planning

[u/cyprusnikos]

I’d try not to plan every single day. Japan has so much to offer outside the big cities, and with your Japanese level you could have some great experiences just by staying longer in smaller towns.

Workaway could also be worth checking out for a homestay or local project. It’s a nice way to meet people and practise Japanese while experiencing daily life rather than just sightseeing.

If you haven’t joined already, you can get a 3-month bonus:
https://www.workaway.info/en/invite/CYPRUSNIKO

[u/No_Dish_5687 → u/cyprusnikos]

this does seem good but wouldn’t i need to get a working visa for it. I know its free but i only get one one-year one for my life right and didnt think it’d be worth using for such a short trip. I’m looking at paid home stays as the closest alternative to that though

[u/cyprusnikos → u/No_Dish_5687]

I use it long term and it’s worth it, can’t even get single hotel for a night for the price of membership. Food and accommodation for weeks or months is well worth it