Carrot Travel - A Quick Guide to Planning Epic Trips
Since my recent trip to Japan in May-June of 2023, I’ve been badly bitten by the travel bug and have planned yet another long trip at the end of the year. Travelling to a foreign country solo is something that I really enjoy and the proverbial “carrot” (i.e. a sweet reward) after working hard every semester. I don’t know about you, but when you have something like this to look forward to, it makes shouldering your responsibilities a lot less burdensome.
Although this guide is mostly based on my personal experience in Japan, it would apply to anywhere you’re planning to go.
Beautiful, and very foggy Hakodate. One of my favourite places in Hokkaido.
Making the big decisions…
Apart from deciding on the country of travel, the next biggest decision would be to decide on the amount of area to be covered in that trip. Will it be city-specific, region-specific or spanning multiple locations across considerable distances? These decisions will impact plane ticket choice (one way vs. return trips).
For my June trip, I decided to leverage on the cheaper JR Pass before the price hike and did a tour that spanned Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and a good portion of Honshu. There were time constraints since I was visiting friends as well, which meant that I had to synchronise my dates with theirs. This may not be the case for everyone, and if it isn’t, it makes planning a lot easier.
Lake Hill Farm, Toyako, Hokkaido with a view of Mount Yotei in the background.
Planning an itinerary…
Begin by pinning landmarks, cafes and shops of interest on a maps app. This will create a substantial pool of places to visit. Even if you don’t make it to every location, you’ll still have a good repository for your next trip. On the spectrum between excessive planning and totally go-with-the-flow, I sit somewhere in the middle. I like to know where I’ll be throughout my trip, but what I plan to do each day is really up to how I feel that day. At each location, I’ll have a loose plan of where I intend to be and what I intend to do in that city. It’s fine if activities get shuffled around. If I don’t get to something on the first day, I can make time for it another day. My aim, primarily, is to get to the places I’ll regret not going to.
Apart from where, it’s also important to know how to get to each location. In Japan, I highly recommend the Japan Travel App. It uses public transport (trains, buses, cabs) to tell you how to get to your next destination. Google Maps also works for this, but I tend to check with both, just to be sure. With detailed transport information, routes can be planned logically rather than zigzagging across the entire city. For locations in the countryside, buses may be available, but it’s probably best to rent a car if possible.
Somewhere in Hokkaido. Road trips are the best, but they require rental cars. And a driver of course.
Some other tips…
Don’t expect to stick to your plan down to the last second. It’s impossible. Things happen and there may be delays especially when it’s crowded.
Make sure you have a working internet connection at all times. It’s very useful!
Note down ticket prices for various attractions. Save some money using websites such as Klook.
Book accommodation in advance especially during peak seasons (school holidays in June and December, more so December). You don’t want to be caught out with nowhere to stay and/or blowing your budget.
On that note, have a budget. Travelling can get expensive if you’re not careful. Reserve your money for special food and experiences. You don’t have to eat at restaurants for every meal nor stay at super luxurious hotels. Do what works for you.
Hope this helps you in planning your next trip! I’ll be sharing more tips on Japan travel in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned!
