rdpesq

I just booked our airline tickets to Tokyo from Southern California. We are scheduled to arrive on April 15 and will be in Japan for 1 week. I hope to visit Tokyo and Kyoto. My wife and I are traveling with our 2 children ages, 15 and 12. My oldest is studying Japanese in high school.

I initially need help with a hotel or vacation rental. I noticed many of the hotel rooms have a 3 person maximum occupancy rate. Are there hotels anyone can recommend that can accommodate 4 guests in 1 room or do I need to book two room? We typically stay in 4 star hotels but we occasionally splurge for 5-star hotels. Also, does anyone have experience with vacation rentals in Tokyo or Kyoto? Would a vacation rental be a good idea for a first time visitor.

I am also trying to create an iteniary. I though we would stay 3 - 1/2 days in Tokyo and 2 - 1/2 days in Kyoto. Is that good division of time. Is it wise to try to do 2 cities?

Finally, is it a good idea to hire a guide in one or both cities or are the areas easy to tour alone.

Thanks in advance for your help.

kja

If you haven't already done so, I strongly urge you to consult japan-guide.com. Actually, I strongly encourage you to SCOUR it!

For hotels, check booking.com -- you should be able to screen for key criteria.

As for your split of time, it depends on what you want -- traditional Japan (Kyoto) or high-tech Japan (Tokyo). (Obviously, there is some overlap.) For a first time trip, many of us would recommend more time for Kyoto than Tokyo. Your call.

If you do your homework, there's no need to hire a guide unless that's your preference. Some people like to work with free Goodwill Guides, made available through the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
I believe there are other entities that organize them as well. If you are going to rely on one, please pay attention to the relevant norms, e.g., <b><u>no tipping</b></u>, pay their admission fees and the cost of any shared meals, perhaps a truly nominal memento of your home (but NOTHING of value)....

Hope that helps!

kalihiwai2

Agree with kja, Use Japan Guide to mark the spots you really want to see
Also Youtube Tokyo Eye 2020 and Journies in Japan give some good advice

I just checked booking.com for a few places I might recommend and noticed they were already sold out. I'd try and make a cancelable reservation right away to lock something in. I've heard mixed reviews with vacation rentals airbnb etc. You have limited time and full service hotels may fit your needs better. Two large hotels in Odaiba that cater to family groups are the Hilton and Grand Nikko, right on the Yurikamome elevated train line.

The two cities are doable but you'll have limited time in each but that might be enough for a quick taste. One thought is with your budget, 4-5 star hotels, you might consider using a travel/tour service that can maximize your time with hotel/transport/guide.?
Other forum members have used Art of Travel and said it was a good service.
April is a super busy season in Japan and while I think self guided touring is great, if you can afford it why not let the experts plan the itinerary of your choice, especially with such a limited time?
In any case have a great time.

--

lcuy

If you want the full Japanese experience, and want all four of you in one room, I'd book Japanese style rooms. i.e. tatami floors with futons, aka "floor beds".

You don't have to go to a high end ryokan to find these; even some western style hotels have Japanese rooms. Until my kids were at an age where they wanted to split us up, we almost always did this.

When we used to have Japanese exchange students, we always joked that they were like puppies, they love to sleep together. Often whole groups will travel in Japan and cram into one or two rooms. Japanese hotels think nothing of this, as they typically charge by the head, not by the room.

BigRuss

<<Are there hotels anyone can recommend that can accommodate 4 guests in 1 room or do I need to book two room?>>

Oakwood residences and suite hotels. Various exist (Citadines, other chains). Your description of 4* and 5* is meaningless - outside the US most such descriptions are based primarily upon amenities available.

The nightly at an Oakwood for a 2 br flat will exceed $400 and probably lean toward $500-600. Only certain Oakwood properties will rent for < 30 days.

There are hundreds of vacation rentals available on airbnb, homeaway, vrbo, travelmob, etc. Homeaway owns vrbo and travelmob but the listings don't necessarily overlap. This is fish+barrel+shotgun type stuff.

Do you have six nights or seven? If seven, consider 3-1-3 with a stop in Matsumoto because that castle is great and it's a classic. Don't fret over dragging your stuff - you can send your bags to your Kyoto lodging for cheap and pack a daybag for Matsumoto. Your arrival day in Tokyo will be crappy anyway. Thus if you have six nights, then just 3-3 and figure that next time you'll do more Kyoto.

Note that if your flight home leaves in the evening, you do NOT have to stay in Tokyo the night before. You can EASILY get to either of Tokyo's airports from Kyoto and you can set your watch by the shinkansen because they average deviating from their schedules by 36 seconds per train per year - 1930s European fascists couldn't make the trains run on time better than free Japanese.

If you'd selected May, there would have been a sumo tournament in Tokyo.

Yes, read Japan Guide.

Don't EVER tip in Japan.

Kathie

You might want to consider some of the American chain hotels in Japan, like Hyatt. They usually will have some rooms that would accommodate a family group like yours. One of the great things about staying in a hotel (over an apartment rental) is the assistance you can get from the front desk staff or concierge. We had our concierge write down the places we wanted to visit each day, so we had something to show the taxi driver. And, os course, we always carried a hotel card with us.

Also, while I am someone who loves using local public transportation, In Kyoto, we used taxis. It was more time efficient, and with 4 of you won't be a lot more expensive than public transport. Taxis in Japan are very clean (white seat covers, and the driver usually wears white gloves) and there is no worry about the driver "taking the long way" to raise the cost. And, as mentioned above, don't tip. Trying to tip is seen as insulting.

Also, read about the luggage forwarding system in Japan. It was wonderful and we did't have to struggle with out luggage on the train.

rdpesq

Thank you so much for the insight. I will consult Japan-guide.com. We have booked Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba and the Hyatt Regency Kyoto. The reservations are refundable so if anyone has any experience with either property please let me know. (Thanks for the suggestions about a Ryokan.) I will research it but wanted to get something booked in the meanwhile.)

We will be in Japan 7-nights. I have planned 3 1/2 days in Tokyo and 2 and 1/2 days in Kyoto. We plan to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train. I am pretty excited about the possibility of forwarding luggage so I will research. We actually depart Tokyo for Los Angeles at 5:05 p.m. on a Saturday evening. Is is doable ad advisable to leave Kyoto the morning of our Tokyo flight and comfortably get to the airport by the time our flight depart? Also, is it worth it to buy a 7-day rail pass.

Finally, a friend told me we should try to visit Hakone while we are in Japan. Given the amount of time we are in Japan, is a good use of time and a worthwhile side trip.

Thanks so much for the feedback. We are getting excited.

BigRuss

Hmm.

Go to Hyperdia.com and price out your train travel. If you're going to use the Narita Express (N'Ex) to and from the airport to Tokyo, JR passes MAY be useful. But in all likelihood, the delta between JR passes and going a la carte will be minimal and if you go without the JR pass, you can use the fastest shinkansen (Nozomi) between Kyoto and Tokyo. The JR pass means you CANNOT ride Nozomi trains unless you pay full freight on top of your pass charges.

You have time to decide - you can't get a JR pass exchange voucher for another 4.5 months (must buy a voucher in the US, can only exchange within 90 days of purchase, must exchange in Japan).

kja

Japan's excellent luggage-forwarding option is called takuhaibin; here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

With as little time as you have, I, personally, would not try to fit Hakone in. As suggested above, I'd be inclined to 4 days in Kyoto / Nara and 2 days in Tokyo, but really, it's your call based on your preferences.

lcuy

With everyone saying the trains are ALWAYS on time in Japan, I have to caution you that this is not exactly true. Twice, we have had trains that were late is a major way.

Once it was due to some sort of accident on the line, stopping all trains heading north for about 2 hours, and we arrived too late for dinner at our ryokan.

The other time was a few years ago, when lit was very windy, the trains from Tokyo to Narita stopped running for a half day. We were lucky that when our train from Hakone arrived at Tokyo station, we asked for directions to the Narita train. A station employee grabbed my bag and RAN us out to the street where the last airport limo bus was about to leave. We would have missed out flights, as the limo takes longer than the train, but luckily flights were delayed too. The trains were still not running when our flights took off about 6 hours later...about half the seats were empty.

So it's unlikely that it will happen, but it can!

Mara

I agree with lcuy....s--- can even happen with trains in Japan. The last couple of weeks during the typhooon season I have read about delays and cancellations in trains and flights. Not so likely, of course, in April.

I had a long delay once in Shikoku, I think it was, never found out what the problem was and I wasn't in any particular hurry...

But in all my trips for Japan I never spend the last night away from Tokyo....the day before I went to the airport this June there was a delay on the Keisei line that I was taking - only fifteen or twenty minutes but one never knows....

kalihiwai2

Tokyo Grand Daiba is in fun location, close to Science Museum, multiple shopping centers with special events and Gundam statue. Take the Yurikamome line for central Tokyo metro links, try to get the lead car seats for panoramic views. When we were there there was an early Octoberfest (much beer) and Nikufest (much meat) going on and it seemed like most of Tokyo teens were heading to Odaiba.
We thought the Grand Daiba meal options weren't that good but they do have convenience stores downstairs and food options nearby.
Also check to see what is on at Tokyo Big Site Convention center to see if anything fun is happening.
If the budget is there get the seven day pass and don't worry about leaving money on the table . Also think about getting four Suica cards with at least $50.00 each, good for metro, busses, convenience stores, vending machines and work in Kyoto too. Like a pre paid credit card.
Don't think you have time for Hakone but in Odaiba there is an onsen theme park, Ooedo Monogatari that is fun, watch out if you have tattoos,
Hope you have a great time

Kathie

We stayed at the Hyatt in Kyoto and very much enjoyed it. There is a fascinating temple "next door" to the Hyatt.

We loved our time in Hakone, but you don't have time for it. This trip will be rushed anyway, no reason to make it worse. If it were me (and it isn't), I'd got on the rain to Kyoto as soon as I arrive from my international flight. Spend 4 nights in Kyoto so you get three full days, then take the train to Tokyo for your last three nights.

We bought individual train tickets. I wouldn't bother with a JR pass, as it's a wash price-wise and as Russ says, it means you cannot take the fastest trains.

We found the Suica cards not very useful for us, and we came home having used almost none of the value. Whether the Suica card is worthwhile depends on what you do in Tokyo and Kyoto. And you probably won't know that before you get there and have some experience. Many people find the cards very useful.

rdpesq

Thanks so much for your feedback. It sounds like it is a bad idea to leave Kyoto early in the morning to catch a 5:00 p.m. flight out of Tokyo. I will revise our travel plans to ensure we are in Tokyo the night before.

I did think about going to Kyoto first upon arrival. I wonder if that creates a really (intolerably?) long day when you include the west coast to Tokyo flight with a teen and tween?

Thanks again for all of the insight.

Kathie

Are you flying non-stop to Tokyo from the west coast?

We are all different, so I can only report my experience. We flew from Seattle to Narita. I could easily have done the train ride to Kyoto right after arriving at Narita. In fact, it might have aided in getting over the jet lag. Your teen and tween are likely to have less difficulty with the time change than you will.

Mara

I'm a solo traveler so can't speak to your exact issue but I travel from the east coast, NYC, and have a couple of times gone directly to Kyoto upon landing at NRT.....

Since in your case a JR Pass probably isn't worthwhile you don't have to waste time exchanging your vouchers for the pass at the travel center which I have read can be slow going.

You would just go on the other ticket line across the way and buy your tickets. Plus you can take the faster train, Nozomi, which will save you about 20 minutes or so....

mjs

If you are flying in/out of Tokyo I would take a train upon arrival if possible for Kyoto and return to Tokyo and Fly out. Never, even in Japan would I chance a problem getting to my overseas flight so I am always in the city of my departure at least the day before. Are you flying into Haneda or Narita?
Open jaw would make things easier. The Westin in Kyoto used to have Japanese style rooms in the back that would fit four.

rdpesq

Thanks for the replies. I am flying non stop from LAX to Narita. I am considering heading to Kyoto first and ending the trip in Tokyo. Can we squeeze in the Nakasendo Highway or is that to ambitious? Thanks.

kja

You have one week, which is, IMO, the absolute bare minimum for Tokyo and Kyoto. (Actually, I think it's a bit too little for just those two places, but that depends on priorities and travel preferences....) IMO, trying to fit ANYTHING else in would be too ambitious. unless whatever it is -- the Nakasendo Highway or whatever -- is your <b>main</b> reason for visiting Japan. JMO.

MinnBeef

I would hop on the Shinkansen the moment you land in Tokyo and head to Kyoto. With 7 nights, I'd much prefer to have 4 nights in Kyoto (which gives you 3 full days) and 3 night in Tokyo. I flew from Minneapolis to Tokyo, which was an almost 13 hour flight and could easily have gone on to Kyoto. I was certainly jet lagged but in a wired sort of way. And by the time you they to Kyoto, you'll be able to go straight to bed anyway. I vote for the 4 nights in Kyoto.