LakesideChick

Hi everyone,
In the midst of planning our Japan trip (first visit) in October and have a question about the Hakone area and the pass that lets you do the loop of the area via cable car / boat etc.
I am mostly wanting to go there in the hope of seeing Mt Fuji.
We have the time that we could stay overnight, which I'd prefer over a potentially rushed day trip from Tokyo.
My question is- is this area scenic / pretty and does it make an enjoyable trip? Is it worth 2 days of a 13 day itinerary? I have read the 5 Lakes area is also nice but perhaps not as accessible for tourists.
Also, Takayama looks like an interesting place to visit but would need to be at least overnight - can anyone offer advice as to whether this is a good spot?
We enjoy history, photography and short hikes (up to about 4 hours).
Cheers
Cathy

lcuy

Keep in mind that Fuji is often clouded over, so go because you want to see Hakone, not to see Fujisan, and you will be less disappointed.

If you head up to Hakone in the morning, you can do the whole loop in one day. I would stay the night though, as otherwise it is a long day and a bit rushed. Leave the next morning after breakfast, and you can get at least a half day in your next destination.

Even though I love Takayama, I don't know that I'd do both Takayama and Hakone on a 13 day first-trip though. We spent a couple of days in Takayama my first time, and it takes quite a while to get there. There are several interesting museums, an park full of old Japanes homes, and some nice easy hikes, plus some good Japanese inns there.

You really can't go wrong in Japan. Any town you've seen mentioned on this site will be interesting and picturesque. It depends on if you like to hit a new place every day or two, your tolerance for traveling vs exploring smaller areas in detail, your budget, and the weather.

kja

I loved Takayama, but think you might want to consider deferring your visit there until you can give the combination of Takayama and Kanazawa about 5 days -- and I would not give the area that much time on a first trip of 13 days. JMO.

LakesideChick

Thank you both.
At this stage I am considering:
Day 1: Flying (arrive Narita 7pm)
Day 2 / 3/ 4/5 - Tokyo, leaving Tokyo late day 5.
Day 6/7 Maybe Hakone - not sure as yet though
Day 8/9/10/11 - Kyoto with a side trip to Nara (overnight?) and an evening in Osaka
Day 12/13 Back to Tokyo, flying home on the evening of day 13.
How does this sound?

kja

Sorry -- just posted on your other thread. (I knew you had asked about Takayama on this thread, but didn't realize that you had posted a full plan here.) Please see my comments on your other thread.

kja

Oh, now this is getting really irritating -- my post on that thread didn't show up, so I posted here (and let you know that I was going to add something to your other thread directing people to come here) ... and my post here disappeared, too! (Not your fault!) Trying again....

It really depends on your interests, of course, but you are spending MUCH more time in Tokyo that I wanted and LESS time in Kyoto / Nara than I wanted. (I spent 2 nights in Nara and 4 in Kyoto; many people only visit Nara as a day trip.) Your call -- but If you can find a way to switch a day -- or better yet, 2 days, to Kyoto / Nara, from Tokyo, I don't think you'd regret it, even if you have already paid for a hotel in Tokyo. (If you aren't familiar with the concept of "sunk costs," look them up to see what I mean.)

kja

(Yay! This time my post showed up! )

LakesideChick

Hey KJA, sorry for the irritation and confusion! Certainly not meaning to- just had ppl helping in two spots.
It's easy to flip some time- could do 3 full days in Tokyo (the 4 nights booked includes the night we arrive) and then leave early on day 4- and then not have 2 days at the end. The more I read about the Kyoto area the more I am falling in love I think!!
Thinking of skipping Hakone in order to spend more time there and Nara as well. Just trying to decide!

kja

No need to apologize, LakesideChick -- I appreciated that you gave a warning on the other thread and wasn't irritated with you at all! Something was going wrong at MY end, so I apologize for the weird and whining posts and regret if you thought I was complaining about you, which was certainly not my intention.

I think the ways you are thinking of shifting time from Tokyo to Kyoto / Nara make sense! I haven't been to Hakone yet, but it sounds wonderful and I think you have the time to stop there if you want. I'll be interested to see what others think.

LakesideChick

I'm glad we've got that cleared up Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it!
We could go to Hakone early when we leave Tokyo, spend the day/ night and then the next morning go to Kyoto- I think that'd work!

kja

I'll trust others to provide advice on that. I skipped Hakone, but not for lack of interest, just too many other priorities! It's high on my list for my next trip to Japan.

Kavey

I'm going to be controversial and say that we didn't love Hakone as much as we've loved other destinations. This was our third trip to Japan, we finally visited Hakone and weer not at all blown away. I realise some of that is coloured by the lack of sighting of Fuji-san but not wholly so. We thought our accommodation at Hakone Ginyu lovely, but again, not as special as we expected for the price and in comparison with other high end ryokans we visited. Hakone is often cited as gorgeous in all seasons but during our visit on 1 April, that wasn't the case. Spring seemed yet to arrive, so lots of winter-bare trees and bushes. In the right part of winter, it's meant to be stunning with snow. In the right part of spring you'll get blossoms and greenery, that greenery will go through into summer. And autumn koyo must be spectacular. But for us, our timing meant it was just rather meh in scenery terms. I feel like a heretic even admitting it!!!!!!

dgunbug

Kavey - honesty is always appreciated! I know how hard it is to speak negatively about a destination loved by other, but it gives another perspective.

Kathie

He very much enjoyed Hakone, but we had perfect timing. Fuji was very clear, we saw it from everywhere in Hakone, and we were there right at the end of koyo, so the scenery was lovely.

But more important than Hakone is Kyoto and making sure you have enough time there.

And Kavey, I think your post is exactly the kind of information other travelers need!

Kavey

Thanks Kathie and Dgunbug! Hesitated to post it. We didn't hate Hakone of course, and we made the best of exploring it, but we just didn't get the best of it, and I'd certainly say it's not quite as much of an all-year-round destination as the tourist offices like to present it as!

LakesideChick

Kavey, totally respect your post and it actually epitomises why I love this forum. Honest advice from people who have been there and want others to plan the best possible holiday. Thank you!
Kathie, the more I read, the more I agree re Kyoto. I am allocating more and more time to this area! Nara looks gorgeous too.

kja

Nara IS gorgeous! If you have enough time in the area, also consider going just outside Nara, in an area called Ikaruga, to see Horyuji (which may be even older than Todaiji) and Chuguji (with its absolutely beautiful Miroku Bosatsu).

kja

And BTW, if you are looking for a scenic area for just a day or so, you have lots of options other than Hakone and Takayama! Miyajima (perhaps combined with Hiroshima), Koya-san, Nikko.... None of these would give you a chance of seeing Mt. Fuji, though....

rhkkmk

hakone is what I have as #1 memory from my first visit to japan. we loved it---the memorable day spent getting there via 4 different transportation modes, the views of mt Fuji (often), the hyatt hotel---worth every cent...

mrwunrfl

On day 13 you can travel to Narita Airport from Hakone or Kyoto.