Where should we go, July 3 to 5?
The long weekend is Friday to Sunday. Two options, the same questions for each — read across, then we'll settle it in the chat.
Kurobe
a hot-spring gorge town reached by one direct shinkansen, and a high alpine route beyond it
Atami
a hot-spring town on the coast, one of the closest to Tokyo
getting there
about 2 hr 48 min
about 1 hr
cost per adult
about ¥12,510
about ¥2,190
weather
Normally rainy season, and the mountain is cold
Normally rainy season, warm and humid by the sea
where to stay
Four ryokan in Unazuki, about ¥24–85k/person with two meals — private family baths are common, a 2–5 min walk from the station.
Four stays, about ¥21–39k/person — family resorts and buffet hotels, most a short shuttle or taxi from the station.
with a three-year-old
Plenty of easy things in the onsen town — free museums, footbaths, a ranch with animals. The alpine route is the optional hard day, not a must.
Easy — an indoor pool, the castle play floor, and a flat seafront to stroll.
food
Sparse — white shrimp and the kamameshi at Kajika; the best sushi is in Toyama, on the way.
A dense, rain-proof food-walking scene by the station — seafood, himono, kissaten, pudding.