sockboy

I am a bit confused about how to allocate my time in Japan. We only have 5 full days, currently planned as follows:

Day 1 arrive Tokyo 4:00pm
Day 2 Tokyo
Day 3 Tokyo
Day 4 Train to Kyoto
Day 5 Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto
Day 7 depart Kansai (Osaka) airport 10:00am

My questions are:
I am concerned about the (relatively) early flight from Osaka, and would feel most comfortable staying close by the night before. I even thought of the airport hotel. This would mean travelling from Kyoto to Osaka on the evening of day 6.

Should I steal a day from Tokyo to Kyoto? We have never been to Japan before and don't need to cram in all sorts of day trips, but is there one we should do for sure?

Thank you!

glorialf

Take an early morning train on day 4 to kyoto so you have most of the day there. There is no need to stay in Osaka before the flight. It's easy to get there from kyoto. There is a huge amount to see in kyoto so the more time you spend there the better in my opinion. But Tikyo is also very interesting. Don't do day trips -- more than enough to see in the two cities. If you don't see enough that interests you in Tokyo add a day in kyoto.

DonTopaz

I can understand that you want to see as much as possible. Still, I might suggest that you spend all your time in Kyoto. Tokyo is a physically enormous city and it can be very difficult to get your bearings there -- frankly, Kyoto is a much less daunting place and easier to get a feel for. You can also take easy and wonderful day trips from Kyoto -- for example, to Nara.

It might not be such a bad idea to spend the last evening at or near the airport. The train from Kyoto takes about 1:15 -- add to that the time it will take you to get to Kyoto Station, plus the time before the flight that you must check in, and you'll be getting up very, very early on the last day. There is a hotel in the airport building (the Nikko), and there are also several less expensive hotels near the airport but outside of the airport island. (The Holiday Inn used to be one, but it might be a Ramada now).

mrwunrfl

Both of the above suggestions are good ones. I'll recommend that you take an early train on day 4 and consider a day trip to Nara.

You won't need a JR Pass for this trip. You can buy a ticket on the Nozomi shinkansen that will make the Tokyo to Kyoto trip in only 140 minutes (13720 yen).

There is a limited express train, Haruka, from Kyoto to Kansai airport. It takes 78 minutes for 3690 yen.
Depart 6:22, arrive 7:40
Depart 6:46, arrive 8:15
There is one earlier train.

Leaving from Osaka or Shin Osaka would save only about 25 minutes.

sockboy

Thank you all!

I don't want to skip Tokyo all together, I have never been and want to see at least some of it.

I like the idea of the early morning train to Kyoto on day 4. Due to ject lag, early morning travel shouldn't be too difficult! If I take the train direct from Kyoto to the airport on Day 7, where will I be let off? RIGHT in the airport? How much time would I need to allow myself to find the Singapore Airlines check in counter??

Florence

Bonjour Sockboy,

"If I take the train direct from Kyoto to the airport on Day 7, where will I be let off? RIGHT in the airport?"

Yes.

"How much time would I need to allow myself to find the Singapore Airlines check in counter??"

About 2 minutes.


If you take the 6:46 Haruka to Kansai airport, book your train tickets the day before, or the day you go to Nara (highly recommended), then take a taxi to the station on the morning you leave (around Yen 1000 from the center of the city).

sockboy

Thank you Florence! I have never been to this airport. It is these little details that are so fantastic to have ironed out before you go!

kathyl

I actually don't think you should skip Tokyo. Tokyo is just so fascinating and ALIVE! If you really want to get a feel for modern Japan then Tokyo is a must. The size and "dauntingness" of Tokyo is part of it's appeal for me. And I can't imagine running out of things to do/see in Tokyo even if I was there for 2 weeks! I think yuo'll be fine navigating the subway.

sara_feg

Definitely do Tokyo...do not skip it! I just spent a full 14 days there along with 3 days in Kyoto and still did not have enough time to see everything. Tokyo is such an amazing city that I wouldn't suggest that anyone skip it. I absolutely LOVED that place!