Tokai

I visited Atami with my girlfriend on a day trip on a Thursday in late January. The bus from Atami Station has a capacity of 22 people, but there were only four seats left when it departed, so it's probably best to line up early on weekends. We took the bus to the high-altitude Soga Sengen Shrine, then walked back down, which was a physically easy and enjoyable experience. The various photo spots were beautifully decorated for the Pink Festa, so we were able to take lots of photos! On the way back, we took a special shuttle bus to Kinomiya, and we arrived just before the last bus, so they quickly arranged a shuttle for us, and even dropped us off right in front of the plum garden, which we were very grateful for. If you're visiting Kinomiya Shrine or the plum garden, I highly recommend using this bus!

I redeemed the JR Tokyo Wide Pass directly at Narita Airport this time. The process was smooth and the instructions were clear, which was a big plus as I didn't have to go to a counter in the city. For someone who had just landed and still had luggage, less travel meant less expense, so the overall first impression was that it was "friendly to beginners." 🧳🗺️ In actual use, the biggest advantage is the wide range of routes covered. Places near Tokyo like Karuizawa, Kawaguchiko, and Nikko can all be covered in one trip. 🚄 As long as the itinerary is planned in advance, taking JR trains for long distances over several consecutive days quickly recoups the cost, making it very cost-effective. Seating arrangements and transfers were also smooth, requiring minimal planning. 📍 Overall, this pass is suitable for "itinerary-oriented" travelers. Those who plan their routes in advance and focus on key destinations will benefit the most. It's not for impromptu, random travel, but as long as the direction is clear, transportation costs can be kept very low. 💡

This tour is inexpensive. From Nagoya, it starts with a one-hour drive to Hachiman, where you'll see some very plump koi fish and enjoy beautiful scenery. Then, a half-hour drive to Hida Takayama for shopping. Although we had two hours of free time, it wasn't enough; to maximize our sightseeing, we didn't have lunch, just some Hida beef sushi. Finally, we took another hour to Shirakawa-go. The snow had melted a bit, so it wasn't the most beautiful spot, but it was still worth a visit. Finally, we took a two-and-a-half-hour drive back to Nagoya. The transportation was smooth throughout. It didn't feel like such a long drive, and the tour guide provided a brief overview of the key points. I highly recommend this tour.