So far we have booked our flights and some hotels. A friend is on a cruise in June but it doesn't cover the cities that we want to go to. So we are considering a roadtrip with a couple of bullet trains thrown in.
Options are:
- Hire a car and book accommodation
- Hire a motorhome (and occasional accommodation.
Obviously the upside of a motorhome is that we save on (expensive) accommodation costs and can be more flexible with our itinerary and timing.
The downsides with motorhomes Japan are:
- They are small, tight and with 5 people, there could be some tension. We will try to alleviate that with some nice accommodation bookings along the way.
- They don't seem to have good air-conditioning, especially in the night. We expect the low's to be in the early 20's which could be a challenge to our cool weather temperament. Should be OK as long as there is airflow.
- The motorhomes don't have built in toilets but that can be managed as 24 hour rest-stops are plentiful and have toilets. Can get a portable toilet in a small cubicle in the motorhome but not too keen on that.
- The motorhomes don't have showers. That is a major problem. The culture in Japan is to use Onsens/public baths. We are definitely not keen on that. So are investigating which rest-stops on our tentative route have coin operated showers.
- The motorhomes don't seem to have big engines. So with 5 people some of the uphills could be a problem. Should be ok on the highways but since we want to go to through some coastal routes, it may slow us down somewhat.
