For two years we planned to start our trip in a sunny location. At the last minute, we switched it to Japan, since that routing saved us $800.
It will be cold! The temperature is unlikely to get above freezing, even during the day. We will stay in inexpensive hotels and hostels --no tent camping in this weather!
The exciting part is that we will visit the Sapporo Snow Festival. That is an amazing festival that attracts two million people from all over the world to see ice sculptures, including statuary and even buildings!
It is really too cold in January and February to camp in Japan. Too bad --it is a wonderful area. Check out the National Camping Association of Japan, www.camping.or.jp (link expired). Rod sent them email, and they said it is possible to camp in southern Honshu below 1,000 meters, but above that is snow. We will see if Fran agrees to that!
Trains are amazing. To get an idea, look at www.japanrail.com link expired). We anticipate making extensive use of the trains. Rod spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out the potential costs of the trains, and the Japan Rail pass is both expensive and a great deal. We bought them, and are on our way!
