Tony - Japan 2025 Planning - Take One

[Tony Galiani]

I have been happily following all the recent travel threads and thinking I will start one as I work on my next trip.  Hoping for travel this Spring and then, possibly, another Fall trip.  As is usual for me, scheduling a decent time slot will be a challenge.  Pricing seems better for April though not sure I can work that out.

 

My plan/hope is to get to Kyushu on my next trip.  Current thinking is direct to Fukuoka and then on to Nagasaki or Fukuoka on to Beppu.  I think the latter would allow me to connect with a daytime ferry to Shikoku.  From there some railway travel along the north coast of Shikoku or into the Shimanto River area.  I had been thinking we could kayak on the river but the trips I have seen so far call for spending half the time on orientation and training and the set up requirements - are discouraging that plan.  Also thinking I would like to ride the Shimabara Railway in Kyushu and the Yodo Line in Shikoku - though that may depend on finding fabric and/or cat themed stores in the area to distract my wife!

 

As usual for us, we would end up back in Tokyo for a few days to round out the trip.  And, as always, suggestions welcome!

 

Ciao,

Tony

[Kingmeow]

So excited to see you have started a "2025" trip.  We will definitely be back this year but have absolutely NO idea of when or what locations at this time.  We may do a 5 week trip with a 2 week side trip to Taiwan since we're "already there".

 

The biggest thing, as you already know, is to find good priced airfares.  On our last trip in Oct/Nov, half the cost was for the airfare!  😲

[Tony Galiani]

Well - if we happen to be over there at the same time, we will need to meet up.  Despite the price of cabbage!

 

We had friends just come back from Taiwan and they really liked it.  We have talked about Taiwan, as well as Singapore and Bangkok, but not sure if we can work any of that out.

 

Not seeing any let up in airfares for the near future but who knows.  United's sale for Mileage Plus members only featured places in Europe which was a big disappointment.  Icelandair had a good sale but, again, in the wrong direction.  Of course, if I get any more sale emails, I will let you know.

 

Tony

[RS18U]

How long are you going for?  We did Kyushu last March and had a great time, used the train system to circumnavigate the island in about 2 weeks of a 3 week trip (the rest was Hiroshima to visit relatives and Tokyo).

[Tony Galiani]

@RS18U - Not sure as to how long as yet.  Hoping for several weeks but a lot will depend on my music schedule and timing around visits to Germany and Greece to see family and friends.  Whatever I work out I am pretty sure it will not be long enough.  We keep talking about doing a month long trip but I am not sure that will ever happen.

Cheers,

Tony

[Kingmeow]

Funny thing Tony, my wife brought up Taiwan/Japan during lunch.  Looks like she wants Sep/Oct/Nov time frame.  First Japan and then Taiwan as Taiwan is warmer so going there on the second leg of the trip makes more sense.  We were thinking the Nagasaki area too so maybe dinner in Nagasaki this time instead of Tokyo!  😁  Duration is still up in the air but I'm thinking minimum 2 weeks for Taiwan and at least that many for Japan.  But of course, the more the merrier.  🙂

 

We really don't have anything getting in the way like other trips or music, etc.

[Gunzel]

The All Shikoku Rail Pass and the JR Kyushu Rail Passes are still reasonable value, and for Kyushu you’d just need the north one. 
 

There’s also the “Travel Master Kyushu Enjoyment” ticket that works for local trains on all railways in Kyushu that can make sense for some itineraries, it works a bit like the Seishun 18 used to withs three person days of validity, so can be used by one person on three separate days, or two people together on one day and one person the other day (or three together on one day probably not so relevant for you). https://www.jrkyushu-kippu.jp/fare/ticket/396

 

There’s a heap of other JR Kyushu offers https://www.jrkyushu-kippu.jp/fare/ticket/

 

And of course depending on when you travel there’s the Seishun 18 itself. 

[Tony Galiani]

@Gunzel - I was wondering about those passes so that info is really helpful.  I sometimes find figuring out the best options to be a challenge so having this input is a relief.

Cheers,

Tony

[Gunzel]

No worries. They are less of a no-brainer now than they used to be. 
 

The other thing I meant to mention is that the All Shikoku Rail Pass does not include seat reservations, but they can be purchased in blocks of four for Y1200.