Japan - 12 days Nov itin help please! RT Osaka
Oct 31st, 2013, 09:10 AM
#1
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Japan - 12 days Nov itin help please! RT Osaka
We are traveling RT from Osaka arriving on Monday Nov the 18th and departing Saturday the 30th. We would like to do the following trips
- Fukuoaka for the Sumo Tournament
- Hiroshima and Miyajama
- DisneySea on a weekday (Tues/Weds for least crowds I read)
- Kobe/Kyoto
While spending four or five days in Tokyo. I can't figure out how best to do this with a 1 week JR Pass and might have to get the 2week. Any suggestions are apprecitated.
Also, where would we find a good Roykan? or a co-ed Onsen? Thank you in advance!!
- Fukuoaka for the Sumo Tournament
- Hiroshima and Miyajama
- DisneySea on a weekday (Tues/Weds for least crowds I read)
- Kobe/Kyoto
While spending four or five days in Tokyo. I can't figure out how best to do this with a 1 week JR Pass and might have to get the 2week. Any suggestions are apprecitated.
Also, where would we find a good Roykan? or a co-ed Onsen? Thank you in advance!!
Oct 31st, 2013, 10:14 AM
#2
How much time are you planning to spend in Fukuoka and Hiroshima? And Kyoto? Is visiting Kobe a vague idea or do you have a firm plan or interest there?
There are a few options for your travel, including domestic flying, but they pretty come out to the cost of a 14-day pass, if I understand your itin.
You could consider using a Sanyo Area pass:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_04.html
Are you planning to go from Osaka airport straight to Fukuoka? If so, then I would consider using a 4-day Sanyo pass with a 7-day JR Pass. KIX- Fukuoka- Hiroshima- Shin Osaka on the Sanyo pass and then, at Shin Osaka, switch to the JR Pass for Shin Osaka- Tokyo- Kyoto. Or just buy Nozomi tickets for Shin Osaka- Tokyo- Kyoto. These options would add up to a bit more than a 14-day pass and not cover the trip to the airport (or Kobe or Nara).
Getting a 14-day pass would keep it simple.
There are a few options for your travel, including domestic flying, but they pretty come out to the cost of a 14-day pass, if I understand your itin.
You could consider using a Sanyo Area pass:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_04.html
Are you planning to go from Osaka airport straight to Fukuoka? If so, then I would consider using a 4-day Sanyo pass with a 7-day JR Pass. KIX- Fukuoka- Hiroshima- Shin Osaka on the Sanyo pass and then, at Shin Osaka, switch to the JR Pass for Shin Osaka- Tokyo- Kyoto. Or just buy Nozomi tickets for Shin Osaka- Tokyo- Kyoto. These options would add up to a bit more than a 14-day pass and not cover the trip to the airport (or Kobe or Nara).
Getting a 14-day pass would keep it simple.
Oct 31st, 2013, 11:38 AM
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Thank you very much for your response! I too am leaning towards the 14 day pass...
We are doing Fukuoka just for the sumo, so maybe we don't even need an overnight? but it ends on the 24th, which is tricky for planning around. I really don't know much about what to do in Hiroshima other than the Peace park and that my grandfather was there during WWII.
Kobe is where the hotel we booked for our first night is, I don't think we need much more than that.
I keep hearing that Kyoto requires multiple days, however we don't plan to visit more than one temple and maybe the palace/castle. what else is a must do there?
We are doing Fukuoka just for the sumo, so maybe we don't even need an overnight? but it ends on the 24th, which is tricky for planning around. I really don't know much about what to do in Hiroshima other than the Peace park and that my grandfather was there during WWII.
Kobe is where the hotel we booked for our first night is, I don't think we need much more than that.
I keep hearing that Kyoto requires multiple days, however we don't plan to visit more than one temple and maybe the palace/castle. what else is a must do there?
Oct 31st, 2013, 05:11 PM
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I encourage you to read more about all your intended destinations at japan-guide.com
"we don't plan to visit more than one temple and maybe the palace/castle" … Hmmm. In that case, I must admit that I don't understand why you want to visit Kyoto.
"we don't plan to visit more than one temple and maybe the palace/castle" … Hmmm. In that case, I must admit that I don't understand why you want to visit Kyoto.
Oct 31st, 2013, 06:45 PM
#5
ANA has Experience Japan fares for $108.80 one-way during the time you will be in Japan.
You can buy train tickets to Hiroshima and then Hakata (Fukuoka), fly Fukuoka to Tokyo, buy tickets for Tokyo->Kyoto. That is probably what I would do to avoid backtracking. Cost about the same as a 14-day pass. Get to use Nozomi shinkansen. Fukuoka airport is pretty easy to get to.
Your question about Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, suggests that you have some homework to do at the website that kja suggested.
You can buy train tickets to Hiroshima and then Hakata (Fukuoka), fly Fukuoka to Tokyo, buy tickets for Tokyo->Kyoto. That is probably what I would do to avoid backtracking. Cost about the same as a 14-day pass. Get to use Nozomi shinkansen. Fukuoka airport is pretty easy to get to.
Your question about Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, suggests that you have some homework to do at the website that kja suggested.
Nov 1st, 2013, 10:52 AM
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That is a fantastic fare! I will look into that immediately, thank you.
I agree I do need to do more research, however from what I have read Kyoto is the best place to see the historical aspects of Japan. Often on these boards I have seen people say that one day is not enough time in Kyoto however if I am not interested in seeing multiple historical buildings is it still a multiple day visit?
I agree I do need to do more research, however from what I have read Kyoto is the best place to see the historical aspects of Japan. Often on these boards I have seen people say that one day is not enough time in Kyoto however if I am not interested in seeing multiple historical buildings is it still a multiple day visit?
Nov 2nd, 2013, 08:36 AM
#7
Yes, multiple days. Or none. It is up to you. The same can be said for the other stops on your itin.
You can find some good, brief, descriptions of your destinations using the links here: www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/
See the pdfs for Hiroshima/Miyajima, Fukuoka, and Kyoto Walks. There is also one for Kobe. Also, take a look under the Special Interests column.
You can find some good, brief, descriptions of your destinations using the links here: www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/
See the pdfs for Hiroshima/Miyajima, Fukuoka, and Kyoto Walks. There is also one for Kobe. Also, take a look under the Special Interests column.
Nov 18th, 2013, 10:22 AM
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Hi "bethkersten"--we'll be in Japan at the same time, but we arrive a few days later. Have you settled a bit more what you're doing? I'm so curious! We are a family of four and we'll be doing the following:
21st--arrive late afternoon, get settled
22-Heart of Tokyo tour by Travelience
23--watching an FC Tokyo game (so excited) and then need something to do this afternoon.
24--in the afternoon, we'll go to the Harajuku district to see the kids all dressed up, I think my kids would love this. Need to sort out which sites near there we might see that morning.
25--plan to travel early morning to Kyoto and jump straight into seeing the town when we've arrived.
26--more Kyoto, details to be determined--possibly a tour as we get our bearings?
27--more Kyoto, debating taking a day trip to Iga-ryu Ninja Museum on this day
28--will leave for Tokyo at some point on this day; I really need to do some more research on what we will see in Kyoto, there seem to be so many neat and beautiful things that it's hard to decide!..
29--hoping to enroll in a "Ninja Experience" course for the kids on this day, do a bit of souvenir shopping, etc.
30--catch what last bits we can and sadly, fly back to California!
I'd really love to see more and go to more remote towns but it's a bit of a balancing act--I don't want to spend the WHOLE time on trains!
I'm very excited for our trip and researching it has been a thrill--can't wait!
21st--arrive late afternoon, get settled
22-Heart of Tokyo tour by Travelience
23--watching an FC Tokyo game (so excited) and then need something to do this afternoon.
24--in the afternoon, we'll go to the Harajuku district to see the kids all dressed up, I think my kids would love this. Need to sort out which sites near there we might see that morning.
25--plan to travel early morning to Kyoto and jump straight into seeing the town when we've arrived.
26--more Kyoto, details to be determined--possibly a tour as we get our bearings?
27--more Kyoto, debating taking a day trip to Iga-ryu Ninja Museum on this day
28--will leave for Tokyo at some point on this day; I really need to do some more research on what we will see in Kyoto, there seem to be so many neat and beautiful things that it's hard to decide!..
29--hoping to enroll in a "Ninja Experience" course for the kids on this day, do a bit of souvenir shopping, etc.
30--catch what last bits we can and sadly, fly back to California!
I'd really love to see more and go to more remote towns but it's a bit of a balancing act--I don't want to spend the WHOLE time on trains!
I'm very excited for our trip and researching it has been a thrill--can't wait!
Nov 18th, 2013, 11:36 PM
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bethkersten: "I have read Kyoto is the best place to see the historical aspects of Japan. Often on these boards I have seen people say that one day is not enough time in Kyoto however if I am not interested in seeing multiple historical buildings is it still a multiple day visit?"
Kyoto is indeed a wonderful place to enjoy historical aspects of Japan. But much of Kyoto is a vibrant modern city, just like others in Japan. The historical aspects ARE, in a large part, the temples, shrines and historical buildings. I'm not sure how you might enjoy the historical aspects of the city without seeing the very things that are historical...
You can also enjoy walking within the Gion / Higashiyama districts of Kyoto, but the attraction here is... historical buildings -- narrow streets of traditional old houses, many now home to shops, cafes, restaurants...
I think people often fear being "templed out" because they assume that the temples are all so similar but actually, they're all very different and the gardens themselves are also wonderful. The traditions and cultural aspects you can observe in these places are fascinating.
For example, look up how different Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is from Ginkaku-ji, Yasaka Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Yasui Konpiragu, Yasaka Koshin-do ... none of these are at all alike and each is beautiful and fascinating.
Just my thoughts...
Kyoto is indeed a wonderful place to enjoy historical aspects of Japan. But much of Kyoto is a vibrant modern city, just like others in Japan. The historical aspects ARE, in a large part, the temples, shrines and historical buildings. I'm not sure how you might enjoy the historical aspects of the city without seeing the very things that are historical...
You can also enjoy walking within the Gion / Higashiyama districts of Kyoto, but the attraction here is... historical buildings -- narrow streets of traditional old houses, many now home to shops, cafes, restaurants...
I think people often fear being "templed out" because they assume that the temples are all so similar but actually, they're all very different and the gardens themselves are also wonderful. The traditions and cultural aspects you can observe in these places are fascinating.
For example, look up how different Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is from Ginkaku-ji, Yasaka Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, Yasui Konpiragu, Yasaka Koshin-do ... none of these are at all alike and each is beautiful and fascinating.
Just my thoughts...
