5 days Japan
Jul 2nd, 2015, 01:05 PM
#1
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5 days Japan
Hi all
I will be going to Japan for 5 days.
I'ld like to do Tokyo and Kyoto. How would you suggest ordening my days?
Where should I spend the most time?
Thanks for any help!
I will be going to Japan for 5 days.
I'ld like to do Tokyo and Kyoto. How would you suggest ordening my days?
Where should I spend the most time?
Thanks for any help!
Jul 2nd, 2015, 02:01 PM
#2
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Depends on your interests! If traditional Japan is what you most want to see, put more time into Kyoto. If modern Japan is your goal, Tokyo.
http://www.japan-guide.com
http://www.japan-guide.com
Jul 2nd, 2015, 09:08 PM
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I would spend one long day seeing Tokyo, then on the following two days, I would take day trips to Nikko and then to Mt. Fuji, both based out of Tokyo. Then, on the following two days, I would see Kyoto (including a half day trip to Nara).
That way, you get a nice, varied trip. I would take a very early morning, or evening train between Tokyo and Kyoto so that you don't waste a day.
That way, you get a nice, varied trip. I would take a very early morning, or evening train between Tokyo and Kyoto so that you don't waste a day.
Jul 2nd, 2015, 09:10 PM
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Whether you go to Kyoto first, or Tokyo depends on your arriving and departing airports, and the flight times. If you list those, then people here will give you recommendations on how to handle the logistics.
Be sure and use the Hyperdia website for train schedules.
Be sure and use the Hyperdia website for train schedules.
Jul 2nd, 2015, 09:37 PM
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Wow -- I really have to disagree with CaliforniaLady on this one! Unless you have a VERY strong interest in a specific place outside of Tokyo or Kyoto, I would NOT recommend a day trip for this rushed a trip. But as I said, it all depends on YOUR interests....
Jul 2nd, 2015, 09:50 PM
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I'm with kja.
You have such a short time that I would definitely not try and fit in day trips on top of Tokyo and Kyoto.
If you are very keen to do both, I'd go for it, though you'll lose a chunk of your precious time to travelling.
Weight them as kja says, for modern favour Tokyo, for traditional favour Kyoto.
Or, pick just one of them, and then you could if you liked do a day trip from the place you chose. E.g. Kyoto + Nara or Kyoto + Osaka or Tokyo + Nikko.
You have such a short time that I would definitely not try and fit in day trips on top of Tokyo and Kyoto.
If you are very keen to do both, I'd go for it, though you'll lose a chunk of your precious time to travelling.
Weight them as kja says, for modern favour Tokyo, for traditional favour Kyoto.
Or, pick just one of them, and then you could if you liked do a day trip from the place you chose. E.g. Kyoto + Nara or Kyoto + Osaka or Tokyo + Nikko.
Jul 2nd, 2015, 10:07 PM
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Thank you all for your help
Arriving in HND, 6am
Departing KIX, 9:30pm
Allowing me 4 nights and 5 (about) full days.
I most certainly love big cities like New York and Dubai. But after searching the internet for a while I can't manage to form a proper image of what Tokyo is all about. That being said, as someone who has never been in to Japan I'ld like to most certainly find out about it's culture and history.
Basically I am just a bit of a stereotype citytripper, wanting to see the highlites. Eg: rushed Bangkok in 3 days as well (Was heavy but still doable imho) I want do do 2 + 3 but I'm not quite sure where the 3rd day would be the best. Or would you suggest it is possible in 2+2 adding an extra day trip to Osaka or something like that?
Arriving in HND, 6am
Departing KIX, 9:30pm
Allowing me 4 nights and 5 (about) full days.
I most certainly love big cities like New York and Dubai. But after searching the internet for a while I can't manage to form a proper image of what Tokyo is all about. That being said, as someone who has never been in to Japan I'ld like to most certainly find out about it's culture and history.
Basically I am just a bit of a stereotype citytripper, wanting to see the highlites. Eg: rushed Bangkok in 3 days as well (Was heavy but still doable imho) I want do do 2 + 3 but I'm not quite sure where the 3rd day would be the best. Or would you suggest it is possible in 2+2 adding an extra day trip to Osaka or something like that?
Jul 2nd, 2015, 10:20 PM
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With your flights, you should see Tokyo first, and Kyoto second. Yes, Bangkok has tons of must-see temples, and the palace, which are so ornate that they cause visual overload. However, most of the historical sites in Tokyo were destroyed in WWII. You may like Tokyo better than I do, but for me, it's not the most fascinating city in Japan, which is why I recommended the two day trips to Mt. Fuji and Nikko.
Are you travelling alone? If so, you may not have to decide in advance when to leave Tokyo. If you have young children in tow, then that is a different story.
Osaka is not worth your time. Just go to Tokyo, and maybe Kyoto, but be flexible on the days once you get there.
Are you travelling alone? If so, you may not have to decide in advance when to leave Tokyo. If you have young children in tow, then that is a different story.
Osaka is not worth your time. Just go to Tokyo, and maybe Kyoto, but be flexible on the days once you get there.
Jul 2nd, 2015, 10:34 PM
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"after searching the internet for a while I can't manage to form a proper image of what Tokyo is all about."
Yes, Tokyo is a unique mix ... but have you checked the japan-guide link I posted above? What questions remain?
"I am just a bit of a stereotype citytripper"
That's fine -- but not all cities are well suited to that style of travel. IMO -- and it is just that, just my opinion -- Kyoto is not well suited to a very fast, in-and-out visit. Since you are already committed to flying out of Kansai, you might, indeed, prefer to visit Osaka. Again, you need to do some research and decide what makes most sense for YOU.
Yes, Tokyo is a unique mix ... but have you checked the japan-guide link I posted above? What questions remain?
"I am just a bit of a stereotype citytripper"
That's fine -- but not all cities are well suited to that style of travel. IMO -- and it is just that, just my opinion -- Kyoto is not well suited to a very fast, in-and-out visit. Since you are already committed to flying out of Kansai, you might, indeed, prefer to visit Osaka. Again, you need to do some research and decide what makes most sense for YOU.
Jul 3rd, 2015, 07:20 AM
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If you have 4 nights, you really only have three full days and a bit of two more.
Do you know what you want to see in Tokyo? In such a short time, I'd see whatever my main goal in Tokyo is on that first day, then leave for Kyoto as early as possible on the next day. That will give you three nights - two days in Kyoto. Choose carefully what you want to see, as you will miss about 90% of what there is to see in Kyoto. This will give you a very brief introduction to Japan so you can plan what you want to do upon your return.
Do you know what you want to see in Tokyo? In such a short time, I'd see whatever my main goal in Tokyo is on that first day, then leave for Kyoto as early as possible on the next day. That will give you three nights - two days in Kyoto. Choose carefully what you want to see, as you will miss about 90% of what there is to see in Kyoto. This will give you a very brief introduction to Japan so you can plan what you want to do upon your return.
Jul 4th, 2015, 05:21 AM
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lots of good advice here.
Culture : more in Toyo for nowadays culture
History : Kyoto and Nara
Tokyo is indeed a new city, rebuild after WW2 (Tokyo was a house of wood houses and burned very well when raids were largely pouring incendiary bombs).
Culture : more in Toyo for nowadays culture
History : Kyoto and Nara
Tokyo is indeed a new city, rebuild after WW2 (Tokyo was a house of wood houses and burned very well when raids were largely pouring incendiary bombs).
Jul 9th, 2015, 10:14 AM
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It is quite hard to get a handle on Tokyo because it is so many things in one city.
To be honest, I got to thinking of it as more like 7 cities rolled into one - each with one or two core aspects that were of interest to me as a tourist.
Asakusa for historic temple and nearby neighbourhood + kitchen equipment shopping.
Shinjuku for department store shopping + a lovely shrine amidst the modern buildings that dominate + piss alley.
Harajuku/ Omotesando for teen shopping + very high end international shopping + large serene park and temple.
And so on.
I grouped all the things I wanted to see according to these mini-cities and organised my time that way. As is always the case, we only got to a fraction of all the things I listed as possibles, but that's how we travel!
To be honest, I got to thinking of it as more like 7 cities rolled into one - each with one or two core aspects that were of interest to me as a tourist.
Asakusa for historic temple and nearby neighbourhood + kitchen equipment shopping.
Shinjuku for department store shopping + a lovely shrine amidst the modern buildings that dominate + piss alley.
Harajuku/ Omotesando for teen shopping + very high end international shopping + large serene park and temple.
And so on.
I grouped all the things I wanted to see according to these mini-cities and organised my time that way. As is always the case, we only got to a fraction of all the things I listed as possibles, but that's how we travel!
Jul 10th, 2015, 11:46 PM
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There is so much to see in Tokyo that it'll easily take up 5 days. I think you can squeeze in Kyoto as well but it'll be rushed since the journey there and back takes a while even on the Shinkansen.
My husband and I went to Tokyo and Kyoto but we spent about 10 days there. I wrote a trip report with pictures, our itinerary, recommendations, and tips:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...and-kyoto.html
Hope this helps you with planning. It'll help you to figure out what you want to do so you can see which neighborhoods you'll need to visit. They have a different feel and you can spend hours wandering around. Kavey wrote a great description of several neighborhoods. Good luck!
My husband and I went to Tokyo and Kyoto but we spent about 10 days there. I wrote a trip report with pictures, our itinerary, recommendations, and tips:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...and-kyoto.html
Hope this helps you with planning. It'll help you to figure out what you want to do so you can see which neighborhoods you'll need to visit. They have a different feel and you can spend hours wandering around. Kavey wrote a great description of several neighborhoods. Good luck!
