262runr

So far the only thing confirmed for my trip to Japan is the airfare. Will be arriving in Narita on Nov 8 & departing there as well on Nov 22. I'm hoping most of the peak season for autumn foliage is in Nov but not sure how to plan my days in making sure I'm in the right areas first. I do want to explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, & go to Hiroshima for maybe a day trip. Maybe a day trip or overnight near Mt Fuji? Would a JR Pass come in handy with all these destinations? One thing I want to try to do is limit the hotels as I don't like to keep changing around too much so maybe I can have a base in Tokyo, Osaka, & Kyoto? Any ideas would be helpful especially for maximizing the colorful autumn experience.

mrwunrfl

Peak should be around the 18th in Kyoto. Still colorful with leaves falling in Kamakura, near Tokyo, by the 22nd.

You might be leaving before the colors reach Miyajima (I am not at all sure about this). That is a particularly good place to go, I have read, because of the maple trees.

A JR Pass will probably be a good idea for your trip. Can't tell for sure until you late out the travel plan. Could be that a 7-day pass will do the job.

You can base in Tokyo and Kyoto. I recommend the overnight in Hakone, near Fuji-san. I also recommend a night in Hiroshima and then you have time to visit Miyajima and make a stop to see Himeji castle. But a day trip from Kyoto can be done.

What is your interest in Osaka?

You would like to be in Tokyo on the 15th to go to Meiji Jingu for Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3):
http://www.ginkoya.com/pages/shigosan.html
Or the 14th.

262runr

Thank you! I'm really not sure yet how to divide my time up. I'm figuring a base in Tokyo & Kyoto with 2 nights in Hiroshima. There is 2 days left open I'm not what to do with. Is 2 full days in Tokyo good or should I add an extra day. What am I not missing about Osaka? Is it worth a day trip? I think I would need a 14 day JR pass correct? Anyone familiar with the Tokoyo Inn hotel chain?

Here is a rough estimate of my trip itinerary.

11/8 - Arrive Tokyo
11/9 - Tokyo
11/10 - Tokyo (Day trip to Nikko)
11/11 - Tokyo
11/12 - Tokyo (Day trip to Mt Fuji?)
11/13 - Kyoto
11/14 - Kyoto
11/15 - Kyoto (Day trip to Nara)
11/16 - Kyoto
11/17 - Hiroshima
11/18 - Hiroshima (Day trip to Miyajima)
11/19 - Open Day (perhaps stop at Himji on way to next destination)
11/20 - Open Day
11/21 - Last night at Narita hotel
11/22 - Leave Japan

hawaiiantraveler

What about something like this

11/8 - Arrive Tokyo
11/9 - Tokyo
11/10 - Tokyo (Day trip to Nikko)
11/11 - Tokyo
11/12 - Tokyo (Day trip to Kamakura?)
11/13 - Hiroshima
11/14 - Miyajima
11/15 - Kyoto
11/16 - Kyoto
11/17 - Kyoto (Day trip to Nara)
11/18 - Kyoto
11/19 - Hakone
11/20 - Hakone
11/21 - Last night at Narita hotel
11/22 - Leave Japan

Buy a 7 day JR pass and use for 11/13 thru 11/19 then take the Odakyu trains Romance car back to Tokyo then transfer to a JR train paying the supplement to Narita or take the NEX or the Kintetsu trains Keisei Liner

http://www.japan-guide.com/ad/skyliner.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html

Do you have an early flight on the last day in Japan? If not you can stay in Tokyo your last night and commute to Narita via a limosine bus service or the trains listed above on your day of departure.

Thats one idea.....I am sure others will have more.

Aloha!

262runr

Thanks hawaiian.... is Tokyo subway & trains expensive? I'm trying to figure out subway costs in Tokyo for 2 people. I know it'll cost $66 on the NEX getting from the airport. The cost between a two 7 & 14 day JR pass is $378 so I'm trying to see if there really is a need there. I'm thinking maybe Tokyo on the back end? Head south first after 1 night in Tokyo using a 7 day pass. Are there lockers at most stations big enough for luggage? Thinking of stopping at Hemeji and will need to store our luggage somewhere. Ugh, I this itinerary is stressing me out! I haven't even started looking into lodging yet.

hawaiiantraveler

Don't stress too much. It's not all that bad. You can store your luggage at the stations in lockers if there are any available or the better idea is to use the takuhaibin service which will deliver your luggage for you allowing you to travel on the trains stress free. I have used the service many times and love it.See here for details

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html

Here is a helpful hint.....When you get to Himeji station and need to store your bags there are more lockers downstairs in the basement if the ones upstairs are full.

The big lockers upstairs next to the JR shinkansen trains are usually taken if you arrive too late on busy days but do not despair as there are usually a bunch available downstairs that everyone seems to bypass.

If you opt for the NEX tickets, pick up the ones that have the Suica and NEX special. That way you can save on Tokyo metro travel. See here for detailed info

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

Info on Tokyo subway system and a great subway map

http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/index.html





Aloha!

Alec

Subway and commuter train fares in Tokyo are quite modest. Most you'd pay for a ride in Central Tokyo is around 200 yen (just over $2), and shorter rides are 130 to 160 yen (70 to 80 cents). Budget around 500-600 yen max a day, per head, provided you don't stray far from the JR Yamanote loop line.
Don't leave your reservation for accommodation too late. November is the busiest tourist month in Kyoto and hotels of all categories book up. If you have an eye for a particular hotel or ryokan, I'd get them soon.

mrwunrfl

No need to stress. ht gave you a a very good option of how/when to get by with a 7-day pass. Or on your itin, the same days, the 13th to 19th.

If you are interested in going to Nikko then you could go up there on the 12th. Then use the JR Pass leaving Nikko for Kyoto or Hiroshima.

Statia

Bookmarking.

262runr

Ok, I think I've got this planned out here.

11/8, Arrive - overnight in Tokyo
11/9, Train to Hiroshima in AM/sightseeing (Start JR Pass)

11/10, Sightseeing & Miyajima after lunch until sunset

11/11, Train to Kyoto, stop at Himeji. Maybe go up Mt Shosha??

11/12, Kyoto
11/13, Kyoto
11/14, Kyoto - Nara
11/15, Kyoto - Train back to Tokyo. (End JR Pass)

11/16 - Tokyo
11/17 - Tokyo
11/18 - Tokyo - Kamakura
11/19 - Tokyo
11/20 - Tokyo - Nikko
11/21 - Tokyo
11/22 - Leave Japan

We will head south on the 2nd day to get Hiroshima & most of Kyoto areas during the week because there are probably more crowds on the weekend. I'll save Tokyo for the last week. I think 7 day JR Passes will be good enough. I know the itinerary is wide open but I don't want to plan everything to a T, just want to relax and go with the flow while there. Just a few Q's:

Will it be possible to see Himeji & go up Mt Shosha on a stopover? I see it's closer to Kyoto so maybe a daytrip from there or stick with the stopover?

I see the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay on priceline and thinking about trying to bid for it. Would this be a good location? A nice hotel would be good to relax in the last week.

Besides the NEX to/from the airport... I see deals with the airport bus (1 day metro pass)$35 & skyliner (2 day metro pass)$28. Sounds like a good deal to me as I'm considering day metro passes to get around the last week. $6.72 & $10.98 for 1 & 2 day passes. Can you just get around Tokyo with the Metro other than that other subway line and trains? I see the Suica card for $38 which includes NEX from airport & card w/ 500 yen deposit. Not sure this is worth getting since it's just a rechargeable day trip pass you can use up to 10 yrs and u can't use a credit card to recharge with. Your still paying single trip fares.

Why do most hotels not have fitness centers? Most hotels have no mention on their site? Are there fitness centers around Tokyo visitors use? I will be doing running for sure, hence the screen name

Anyone else going to Japan this year?? I keep reading Gards trip report over and over. Just got some JTB brochures in the mail today! Still searching for hotels, hope to get them booked soon but the ones that arent a big hotel chain don't come available until 3-6 months prior.