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Hotel Courtland, Nagano:
Stayed here for one night in November 2025
- Pros:
- 1) The hotel is located bang opposite to the JR railway station. Getting in and out is very easy. Zenkoji is a short taxi ride away.
- 2) There are plenty of eating options at the JR station, right across the road. There is a convenient store right next door.
- 3) The front desk staff was courteous and the check-in/check-out process was very smooth.
- 4) The room and bathroom were very clean.
- 5) The WIFI was free with good connectivity.
- 6) The tariff was reasonable.
- 7) The place was quiet at night and the sleep quality was great.
- Cons:
- 1) The room size was small.
- Nikko Station Hotel II, Nikko:
We stayed here for one night in November 2025.
- Pros:
- 1) The hotel is located a short walk away from the Tobu station.
- 2) There is a large supermarket right across the street.
- 3) There are several eateries within a couple of minutes of walking distance.
- 4) The front desk staff were polite, courteous and helpful. The check-in/check-out process was quick and smooth.
- 5) The rooms and bathrooms were very clean and comfortable.
- 6) The place is very quiet at night and the sleep quality was great.
- 7) The WIFI was free with good speed and connectivity.
- 8) The tariff was reasonable.
- 9) The breakfast had good spread and there were vegetarian choices. The breakfast was served early.
- Cons:
- 1) The rooms are quite small.
- Iris Yu, Hiraizumi: We stayed here for one night in November 2025. Note that this is a Ryokan style hotel with futons and not bed.
- Pros:
- 1) The hotel is about 5 to 10 minute walk away from the train station. Close enough for people with light luggage.
- 2) The front desk staff was very helpful and courteous.
- 3) Chusonji is about 30 minutes walk away and Motsuji is right next door.
- 4) There are some eateries close to the station.
- 5) The tariff is reasonable.
- 6) The WIFI is free and the speed and connectivity is good.
- 7) The rooms and bathrooms were very clean, comfortable and of adequate size.
- 8) The place is quiet at night and sleep quality is good.
- Cons:
- 1) There are no convenient stores nearby. The closest is over 30 minutes walk away.
- Sotetsu Fresna Inn, Kamakura :
Stayed here for one night in November 2025. Note that there are two hotels with the same name within a few minutes of walk from each other. We stayed at the one that was opposite to the Starbucks.
- Pros:
- 1) The hotel is very close to the Ofuna train station. There are plenty of eating and shopping options nearby. Kamakura a couple of stations away.
- 2) The front desk staff was courteous and the check-in and check-out process were quick and smooth.
- 3) The room and bathroom were clean and the bed was comfortable.
- 4) The tariff was reasonable.
- 5) The place is quiet at night and sleep quality is good.
- 6) The WIFI is free and the speed and connectivity is good.
Cons:
Ueno Touganeya Hotel, Ueno, Tokyo:
Stayed here for five nights in November 2025.
- Pros:
- 1) The location is fantastic. The Ueno station, Ueno Park and the Narita Skyline stations are all just a hop, skip and a jump away.
- 2) There are plenty of eating options close by. There are two convenient stores right below the hotel.
- 3) The rooms and bathrooms were clean. Bed was comfortable.
- 4) There is a laundry machine next to the lobby and it worked well.
- 5) The WIFI is free and the speed and connectivity were good.
- 6) The front desk staff was polite and efficient. The check-in and check-out process was fast and smooth.
- 7) The place is quiet at night and the sleep quality was great.
- 8) The tariff was reasonable.
- Cons:
- 1) The rooms and bathrooms were small.
- 2) There is just one washer and one drier.
Japan has the best public transportation on the planet. The trains are frighteningly punctual and we could easily make 5 minute transfers. Tokyo metro is crowded during peak hours, but not impossible to negotiate. We just about broke even with the 7-day JR pass.
English knowledge is pretty limited, especially outside of Tokyo. All items in supermarket are labelled only in Japanese. Even a rudimentary understanding of the language would be immensely useful.
- Tokyo
- Tokyo Tower: Of course, a Must see. The view from top is better at night. The best views of the tower are from the Zojo-ji temple and top of the Mori Tower in Roppongi.
- Skytree: Must See. It offers a completely different views to that of other towers because this is higher up and to one end of the town. Night views are better.
- Shibuya Sky: Must See and this is the only tower/building that needs prior booking. This gives you the best view of the Shibuya Crossing.
- Mori Tower: Must See. It offers the best view of the Tokyo Tower.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck: Can skip this one if you have been to others. But this one is free.
- Sunshine City Obervation Deck: Can skip this one as well (assuming you have been to others).
- Senso-ji: Must See. If you go at dawn, you can avoid the crowd. 30 mins to an hour is sufficient.
- Meiji Jingu: Must See for the historic value. At least an hour as it is quite a bit of a walk.
- Nezu Jinja: Should See. It has the tiny torii tunnel. 30 mins.
- Hie Jinja: Can skip this one if you have been to the other shrines.
- Yasukuni jinja: Must See especially during autumn. The ginko trees are spectacular. 30 mins.
- Zojo-ji: Must See especially for the views of the Tokyo Tower. 30 mins.
- Fukagawa Fudo Do: Time your visit here to catch the Goma fire ceremony.
- Imperial Palace: Must See. The gardens are a pleasure to walk around. You cannot enter the buildings. You have to see them from the outside. 30 mins to an hour.
- Ueno Park: Must See. You can easily spend a day here especially if you are visiting all the museums here.
- Shinjuju Gardens: Must See. 30 mins to an hour. The autumn foliage are decent.
- Hamarikyu Gardens: Must See in spring, autumn foliage was not impressive.
- Koishikawa Koraku-en: Must See especially in autumn.This had the best foliage. 30 mins.
- Kitanomaru / Hibiya Gardens: Can skip these if you have been to others. These are free though.
- Tokyo International Forum Building: Must See. The main lobby is spectacular. Climb to the seventh floor for the best views.
- Nikko
- Tosho-gu: Must see. Head here at the opening time to avoid the crowd. Don't miss the actual mausoleum on the top of the hill. 30 mins to an hour.
- Rinno-ji: Must see. Get here at the opening time to witness the sutra chanting. 20 mins.
- Futarasan Jinja: Should See. It is a quick in and out.
- Taiyuin: Must See. It has many impressive gates. 30 mins to an hour.
- Akechidaira: Must See. It is spectacular during peak foliage but is worth a visit at all times.
- Gamman-ga-Fuji abyss: This can be skipped, the pretty array of statues of Jiun-ji notwithstanding.
- Hakone: Hakone Jinja, Opean-air Museum, Hakone Museum of Art (during autumn) and Gora Park (during spring) are the must-sees. All of these can be covered in a day.
- Hiraizumi: Must See during autumn. We saw the best foliage of the trip here. Chuson-ji, Motsu-ji and Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo are the must-sees. All of these can be covered in little over half a day.
- Nagano: Zenko-ji and Matsumoto Castles are the must-sees. Both can be covered in a day.
- Kamakura: The must sees are Kotoku-in, Hachimangu and Hesa-dera temples. In autumn, Engakku-ji is a must see. In spring Meigetsu-in is a must-see. Kencho-ji and Enno-ji can be covered if you have the time.
TRIP ITINERARY