Japan in 8 days in Nov 2010

I'd ditch the tour. I dislike tours. Japan is easy to visit independently. It's easy to get to all the places listed in your itinerary using public transport.

As for flights do you need to fly out of Tokyo? Why not look at an open jaw ticket, NYC - NRT/KIX - NYC. If you opt for an open jaw ticket I'd base myself in Tokyo and Kyoto and make day trip to the sights you want to see.

I am trying to use AA miles, so its easier to do NYC-NRT-NYC. Didn't you like the tour?

We did basically the same route two years ago. Our only problen was finding our way through the Tokyo station - who designed that place?

We stayed at the Sawanoya roykan in Tokyo and the Comfort Inn (people laugh at us but it was fine) in Kyoto. Sounds like you could use a 7 day JR rail pass, activating it on day two.

If it were me I would take the train all the way back from Hiroshima to Tokyo. It would make for a long day but the train is very comfortable.

I'll actually be in Japan at the same time as you, hellopsz, my third trip in two years.

Absolutely agree with uselessness of a tour for your purposes---travel in Japan is remarkably easy, and even very tightly scheduled trips (as yours is) are easily accomplished.

I don't think your visit coincides with a sumo tournament in Tokyo, though. There is a sumo museum at the sumo stadium, and some sumo stables permit visitors to watch practice (I've heard, though I've no first hand experience).

Oh, and agree with colduphere that there's no need to break your journey from Hiroshima to Tokyo. Depending on the time of your departure from NRT you can make it all the way from Hiroshima to NRT on the same day. And trains are indeed very comfortable.

You could use the time in Hiroshima to visit Miyajima and spend the night there.

How can we buy the rail pass - is there a way to buy it online? why is it necessary to buy it before we go to Japan? Will the one week pass cover all the areas we want to visit...

Any ideas how we can organize day trips? Or even that is not necessary?

Where do you suggest we stay in Tokyo and Kyoto?

Okay...

Before we dive into whole hog into this trip you should do some looking around on your own. Your questions have been answered here many, many times and there are also other great resources.

I suggest that you do some looking around here at Fodors and also check out http://www.japan-guide.com/ Your rail pass questions, for instance, are answered in excellent detail there and that information is kept up to date and organized.

Once you've done some looking around, and also have an idea of the sort of budget you've got (for accomodations in particular), come back and ask us some more specific questions.

I am revised my trip based on all your suggestions...does it make more sense to go to Hakone or Nikko? I have added one night in Hakone and one night in Hiroshima below..

Day 1 - NYC - Tokyo (Arrive 3:30pm)
Day 2 - Tokyo Sightseeing
Day 3 - Tokyo Sightseeing
Day 4 - Tokyo - Hakone
Day 5 - Hakone - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto
Day 7 - Kyoto - Hiroshima
Day 8 - Hiroshima - Tokyo - NYC (Flight to NYC at 7pm)

This looks good.

Nikko is in the opposite direction from Hakone/Kyoto/Hiroshima, so given your limited time I'd probably skip it this visit.

Have you figured out how to get your JR pass yet? Your next question will likely be "can I make reservations in advance?" And the answer is no, but you won't need to during this period---just show up a few minutes before your train and reserve a seat (reservations free with your JR pass) at a "Green Window" (midori no madoguchi).

I am getting a little nervous about my own advice as I don't know what kind of traveller you are. FYI, the train(s) from Hiroshima to Tokyo will take a little under five hours (unless it has changed you can't take the quickest Nozomi train on a JR pass). So you can leave Hiroshima at 9 and be in Tokyo at 2. Then to the airport...

It is so hard to advise without knowing someone's travel tolerances.

Try looking at www.hyperdia.com to play around with train schedules. Once you get used to the site it is very helpful.

Here my question. my husband and I are getting this tour for $2000 per person, is doing it myself going to be cheaper??

Day 21st Nov Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 22nd Tokyo
Morning - City tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine, set in thick woodland and considered to be one of the finest examples of Shinto Architecture. Next we visit the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Garden, where we enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead of the East Garden, including a visit to the inner moat and towering Palace walls surrounded by pine trees). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. Our tour will disband at Ginza giving you the opportunity for shopping.We also recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further.

Afternoon - free at leisure or take optional afternoon city tour, which includes Asakusa Kannon Temple and Sumida river cruise. (ask for details at time of booking).

Day 23rd Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo
Full day tour in Deluxe motorcoach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site. Nikko is a gem of Natural scenic beauty and is home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient 17th-century Architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. We will see the Five-Story Pagoda, Niomon Gate, Three Monkeys, Yomeimon Gate and Main Sacred Hall. We then travel along the scenic Irohazaka hairpin highway for Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we travel to the spectacular Kegon waterfall which is 100 metres in height. We continue our tour with a scenic drive alongside Lake Chuzenji (reported to be 161.5 metres deep) and MT Nantai. The tour disbands on arrival in Ginza & Shinjuku at around 7-8pm, where you will have ample restaurants and bars to choose from for your evening meal and entertainment, or if you prefer, you can return to your hotel. For your assistance, full information on return transportation will be provided by your tour guide.

Day 24th Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy the scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on MT Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting). Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters with sulfurous fumes and clouds of steam spiraling from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Proceed to Odawara and take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Accommodation at the New Miyako hotel or similar (includes: Lunch).

Day 25th Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto
Full day sight-seeing tour of Kyoto & Nara including a visit to the Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen garden in the world.Then to Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins.(When closed visit Ryoanji temple). We then travel to the Old Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat/Sun & national holidays visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Hagashi Honganji temple instead). Finally we explore the Kyoto Handicraft Center where we enjoy demonstrations of Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Buffet lunch is provided at the Kyoto handicraft centre. After lunch we travel to the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Our tour includes a visit to Todaiji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden buildings housing the Great Buddha. We proceed to the Kasuga Shinto Shrine the most famous and beautiful Shinto shrine in Nara with 3,000 antique stone and bronze lanterns. Finally we explore Nara Deer Park with more than 1,000 deer roaming freely around the 1,250 acres park. Return to your hotel in Kyoto (includes: Lunch).

Day 26th Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto or purchase an optional afternoon tour to the colourful Heian Shrine and inner garden and ponds, Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be prearranged at time of booking).

Day 27th Kyoto - Tokyo (possible tour of Hiroshima and back to Kyoto for bullet to Tokyo)
Unassisted transfer to your hotel in Tokyo by Bullet Train.

Day 28th Tokyo to NYC (7:20 flight so we have all afternoon)
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the Airport for departure flight.

There is also this option

http://www.insidejapantours.com/self-guided-japan-holidays/i-sga006/7-night-price-cruncher/

As a single budget traveler I never really look at tours but I just did a quick calculation (so might have made some errors) with the insidejapantours itinerary. I added the 7 nights of a double room at the 3 hotels listed, two Pasmo tickets, two bus tickets to Hakone, two Hakone free passes, two Shinkansen tickets from Odawara to Kyoto, two train tickets from Kyoto to KIX - I came out with 117,460yen or $1392 US. The price of two Japantours - 1200 GBP - is $1850 approximately so it should be cheaper to do the same trip on your own.....

If you will be doing a similar tour on your own, then when in Hakone skip the cable car ride to Owakudani Boiling Valley as well as the one-hour boat cruise on Lake Ashi. They were very boring, and wasted a precious whole afternoon in my opinion. Save your time for visiting culture sites elsewhere.

I really want to do the tour on my own and this below is the most ideal itinerary for me. Reading54, do you think I should not go to Hakone, my husband and i are really interested in culture..that's what makes Japan different.

Do we need to buy the JR or Nozomi passes before getting to Japan? Which pass do we recco we buy?

Day 1 - NYC - Tokyo (Arrive 3:30pm)
Day 2 - Tokyo Sightseeing
Day 3 - Tokyo Sightseeing
Day 4 - Tokyo - Hakone
Day 5 - Hakone - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto
Day 7 - Kyoto - Hiroshima
Day 8 - Hiroshima - Tokyo - NYC (Flight to NYC at 7pm)

As Therese and colduphere said in above posts, you can go to japan-guide.com to find out about train passes as well as hyperdia.com to price out your trip. A railpass cannot be used on the Nozomi trains, just the Hikari and Kodama - that are a bit slower and make a few more stops. You need to buy the voucher outside of Japan - then you convert the voucher into a pass in Japan. If you are in NYC there are a few places - Japanese travel agents - where you can buy the voucher in person.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

Looking at your most recent itinerary, personally I would stay longer in Kyoto and cut out Hiroshima.....a rail pass would still make sense as traveling from Tokyo->Odawara->Kyoto->Narita would cost over 31000 yen and the 7 day pass is 28300 yen....

What do you all think about this itinerary? If I stay in Nikko, Takayama and Miyajima/Hiroshima the accommodation will be cheaper and I will get to see 3 fab places. Do you see any issues with this itinerary? Feel free to recommend hotels/accommodation as well.

Nov 21. - Land in Tokyo at 4pm, see the city at night
Nov 22. - Tokyo to Nikko (if there is way to get to Takayama from there I would like to spend the night)
Nov 23. - Tokyo/Nikko to Takayama (night)
Nov 24. - Takayama to Kyoto
Nov 25 - Kyoto
Nov 26 - Kyoto half day, head to Hiroshima/Miyajima in the afternoon and spend night
Nov 27th - Hiroshima to Tokyo (via Nozomi - does Nozomi go from Hiroshima to Tokyo, if not i can come back from Kyoto)
Nov 28th - Tokyo half day, evening flight back home.

"Reading54, do you think I should not go to Hakone?"

Depending on what you plan to do in Hakone. If the main purpose is to take in the scenery, ride cable car to Owakudani Valley, and do a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, then I'd say skip Hakone and go directly to Kyoto on Day 4 instead.

If you have a 7-day JR Pass, then you may do a day-trip from Kyoto to Kobe and Osaka for sight-seeing. I think that'll be more interesting than Owakudani Valley and cruise on Lake Ashi.

> I stay in Nikko, Takayama and Miyajima/Hiroshima the accommodation will be cheaper and I will get to see 3 fab places.

Sounds to me like you will get to see a lot of the inside of trains and little of these 3 - or any of the other wonderful - places you are hoping to visit. And like Mara, I think you are short-changing Kyoto. It might be worth thinking about limiting the number of locations you are trying to visit in such a short time.

Hope that helps!

I agree with kja who agreed with me... You are planning much too much imo for that time period....you will see a lot of trains/stations.....please re-think your plans.....and if you use the railpass you cannot take the Nozomi...

Ok revised, questions in parenthesis.

Nov 21. - Land in Tokyo at 4pm, see the city at night

Nov 22. - Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo

Nov 23. - Tokyo - Takayama (How long is this travel? shall we stay in ryokan or hotel? any suggestions)

Nov 24. - Takayama - Kyoto (How long is the travel?)

Nov 25 - Kyoto

Nov 26 - Kyoto - Hiroshima/Miyajima (any suggestions for places to stay inn Miyajima?)

Nov 27th - Hiroshima to Tokyo (can we take Nozomi?)

Nov 28th - Tokyo half day, evening flight back home.

Tokyo Station to Takayama Station best time looks to be 258 minutes using Nozomi to Nagoya and Hida Wide View to Takayama. You won't get there any faster than this, but note if you are using a JR Pass you cannot ride the Nozomi so it may take you longer.

Takayama to Kyoto 194 minutes using same trains as above. If you can't ride Nozomi it will take longer.

Hiroshima to Tokyo 245 minutes on Nozomi.

www.hyperdia.com will give you train information.

You are trying to pack in too much. You will not have much time at all in anywhere you are going once you factor in the long transport times, time to get to and from stations and check in and out of hotels.

You won't see much of Tokyo at all. Won't get to your hotel much before, if at all, before 7:00, and coming from the US? you'll be wiped out tired by then even if you sleep on the plane.

What your schedule gives you is a few hours sightseeing in Takayama, A day plus a few hours in Kyoto, a few hours in Hiroshima, and a few hours in Tokyo. A lot of travel time and expense for such a limited experience.

I would pare it down and stick to two places to save the moving around time and spend it enjoying where you are.

OK, all of you seem to think the same. So here I am revising my itinerary and have removed Takayama. My questions are in parenthesis.

Nov 21. - Land in Tokyo at 4pm, see the city at night

Nov 22. - Tokyo

Nov 23. - Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo

Nov 24. - Tokyo - Kyoto (Is it possible to take Nozomi? We want to save time)

Nov 25 - Kyoto

Nov 26 - Kyoto - Hiroshima/Miyajima in the evening (gives us more time in Kyoto. Any suggestions for places to stay inn Miyajima? How do we get there?)

Nov 27th - Hiroshima/Miyajima to Tokyo (can we take Nozomi? We want to save time)

Nov 28th - Tokyo half day, evening flight back home.

Phew, I hadn't checked this thread earlier today and I'm glad I didn't; I agree with all the earlier comments about trying to do too much. Tokyo is a huge city and your previous itineraries didn't include much time there.

Based on your last post, yes, this is a doable itinerary. With only 8 days you really need to pick and choose what you want to see. I would encourage a visit to Mt Fuji, don't expect to see it from Tokyo; but if Hiroshima/Miyajima and Nikko are more of a priority to you, then stick with the itinerary in your last post. You can't see/do it all in 8 days.

For the Nozomi trains just buy a ticket in advance. You cannot use these trains with a rail pass, and if you want to take them on Nov 24 and Nov 27 a rail pass may not be a good option. Look at the links provided by the other posters and check prices and train schedules to see how much time you save using the Nozomi. I haven't bought a rail pass recently as I prefered to travel on the Nozomi trains.
Sometimes the difference in travel time isn't much, it depends on the route. Only you can deceide what is more important to you, the cost or the time saved.

Which airport are you flying into in Tokyo, I assume it's NRT; which is far from the city. Even if your flight lands at 4 pm you really won't have anytime for sightseeing on the first day.

Nov 27 is a long travel day. The last time I was in Japan, I flew from NRT to ITM the flight prices were similar to train prices. If you fly from on Nov 21 to ITM or KIX and travel to Kyoto you'll give yourself an extra sightseeing day somewhere.

Looks better. But going to Hiroshima/Miyajima from Kyoto in the evening and then leaving the next day for Tokyo gives you no time in Hiroshima or Miyajima. Not worth the time or expence.

If you use a JR Pass you can't ride Nozomi trains. If you pay for individual tickets you can ride any train you like. It is not at all cheap.

You would be wise to get to work on hotels as it is high season due to fall foliage.

No you can't use the Nozomi if you get a JR Pass. I recommend getting the pass for this itin. The Nozomi really won't save that much time (you would have to change trains at Shin Osaka if you don't take the Nozomi, on the way back. Nozomi wouldn't save much time between Tokyo and Kyoto as long as you get a Hikari train that goes the distance and don't have to change trains).

You won't get to see any of Hiroshima, really, with the last itin. You would really want to get to Miyajima by, say, 3PM, if you stay in a ryokan. This will be a little late for the peak fall colors there so you might not have trouble getting lodging there.

That weekend of Nov 27 is a holiday weekend.

The sumo tournament will be in Fukuoka during your time in Japan. It will be on TV.

I just saw that KimJapan gave some of the info in this post.

I see the point of not traveling from Hiroshima to NRT on your last day - a long train trip followed by a long flight. But you are just not going to have time in Hiroshima or Miyajima with your last itin. Something needs to give, I think.

I guess the last itin is do-able. But I think I would stay the night of the 26th in Hiroshima, e.g. at the JR hotel at Hiroshima station which is very close to the shinkansen tracks. I think it is a Granvia.

Next day, leave luggage at the hotel or in a locker below the shinkansen tracks. Then go out for a day of sightseeing and back to the station and on to Tokyo. It will be a busy day if you try to do both Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Why can't I use JR railpass from Tokyo to Kyoto/Nikko and Kyoto to Hiromshima and then Nozomi from Hiroshima to Tokyo. I rather spend the extra money and save time - especially considering the tight itinerary. Is this possible? Do any of these have to be bought before reaching Japan?

RE NIKKO:
You can use the JR Rail pass to go from Tokyo Shinkansen station to Utsunomiya on the North bound Shinkansen line, then get off, and take the little JR train that takes you to Nikko station. Its a small train ( 2 or 3 cars ) and runs every 30 minute or hour( forget exactly)
Once you get to Nikko station, you could take a taxi up the the entrance of the main shrine. If you wanted to take a bus to do the whole sircuit up the mountain and down again, add in a few more hours. If its just the main shrine, that is easliy done.
I used to live in Japan in Nagoya (1993) and Tokyo (1994-1997), so do have the experience. I would often do a day trip from my apartment in Ogikubo in Tokyo to Nikko and return

Regarding Hiroshima, I suggest that you take a train from Kyoto to Hiroshima,see the A BOMB DOME , MUSEUM, and then take a ferry across to MIYAJIMA. A couple of hours there, and then ferry back to Hiroshima.
Stay the night at Hiroshima station hotel and then take the train from Hiroshima to Tokyo the next day. From memory, the Nozomi used to take 4 hours from Hiroshima to Tokyo, and a HIKARI was 5 hours.

You may note, that there may be a train transfer at Shin Osaka. I recall that south bound HIRAKI from Tokyo will terminate at Shin Osaka,and north bound Hikari from Hiroshima will terminate at Shin Osaka as well.
Therefore, you need to start early from Hiroshima to get to Tokyo. Normally 5 hours by Hikari. Once you get to Shin Osaka , there will be a train change, but, if you allow 20 minutes to get from one platform to another, you will be safe. You will not need 20 minutes, but, allow it to be safe.

This form of travel will enable you to get the best value out of you Japan Rail Pass, which MUST be purchased otside of Japan. If you have the funds, I strongly recommend the GREEN CAR.. So peaceful and you can relax.

I covered literally all of Japan during my living there, plus associated business from 2002 to 2008, and if possible would try to get green car.

As some contributors have stated, its a pretty hectic schedule for 7 days.

You mention that you want to save time, well, the NOZOMI is faster ( one hour) from Hiroshima to Tokyo, but, you cannot use the Japan Rail Pass on a Nozomi. So, to save an hour or so, you are up for lots of money .

The question is, how much time do you want in Kyoto? I have been there on a few occasions and, my picks were GION, GOLDEN TEMPLE,and the temple up the hill from GION ( forget the name).
Note .. Getting around in Kyoto is painful. Take the bus, as its cheaper. Taxis are expensive,and will cost you a lot more, and you will not save any time. At Kyoto station, they have a big tourist information center there.

Hope this helps, and I will try answer any questions.