Japan Itinerary Help Please! 4.5-4.17
Nov 20th, 2014, 05:04 PM
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Japan Itinerary Help Please! 4.5-4.17
Hello All,
I'm traveling with three other people who are from NYC & LA 27-31 in age and we are flying into Tokyo the evening of April 5th and departing from Tokyo April 17th.
We are looking for ideas for an itinerary. We would like to travel to Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Any advice on which order we should go? I wasn't sure if we should go straight down to Kyoto then work our way up or work our way down then head back for our flight. Thoughts?
We would like to explore small towns and get out of the city and see traditional culture, any ideas?
If you have any suggestions about must sees or places that are not worth traveling to, please let me know!
Thank you!
I'm traveling with three other people who are from NYC & LA 27-31 in age and we are flying into Tokyo the evening of April 5th and departing from Tokyo April 17th.
We are looking for ideas for an itinerary. We would like to travel to Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. Any advice on which order we should go? I wasn't sure if we should go straight down to Kyoto then work our way up or work our way down then head back for our flight. Thoughts?
We would like to explore small towns and get out of the city and see traditional culture, any ideas?
If you have any suggestions about must sees or places that are not worth traveling to, please let me know!
Thank you!
Nov 20th, 2014, 05:45 PM
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Do you already have your flight reservations? If not, switching to an open jaw plan (into Narita and out of Kansai or vice versa) is worth considering so you can avoid backtracking. If you do already have your tickets, then my recommendation is to leave for your 1st destination ASAP -- you'll likely be exhausted anyway, so just go on to your next destination and save yourselves from an extra hotel stay.
With only 11 days "on the ground," trying to visit Tokyo, Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto, AND Osaka will prove extremely challenging. Coming up with an appropriate itinerary will really depend on YOUR interests. I trust you've consulted some good guidebooks and the excellent on-line japan-guide source -
http://www.japan-guide.com
IME, the single best place in Japan to see "traditional culture" is Kyoto, which is, by no means, a small town. In fact, most places where you can still see traditional culture aren't small, although there are exceptions, and those exceptions (e.g., Shirakawago) show what was traditional in only one very small part of Japan -- and Shirakawago is, IMO, best visited in a loop of at least 4 or 5 days that includes Kanazawa and Takayama.
BUT it all depends on YOUR interests. I recommend that you consult japan-guide.com and some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
Good luck!
With only 11 days "on the ground," trying to visit Tokyo, Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto, AND Osaka will prove extremely challenging. Coming up with an appropriate itinerary will really depend on YOUR interests. I trust you've consulted some good guidebooks and the excellent on-line japan-guide source -
http://www.japan-guide.com
IME, the single best place in Japan to see "traditional culture" is Kyoto, which is, by no means, a small town. In fact, most places where you can still see traditional culture aren't small, although there are exceptions, and those exceptions (e.g., Shirakawago) show what was traditional in only one very small part of Japan -- and Shirakawago is, IMO, best visited in a loop of at least 4 or 5 days that includes Kanazawa and Takayama.
BUT it all depends on YOUR interests. I recommend that you consult japan-guide.com and some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
Good luck!
Nov 20th, 2014, 05:46 PM
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Nagoya has nothing to do, really.
you should head to kyoto and osaka first,then takayama (please go to shirakawa-go if you have time), and tokyo for last. if you can, please extend to Hakone and Nikko as well
you should head to kyoto and osaka first,then takayama (please go to shirakawa-go if you have time), and tokyo for last. if you can, please extend to Hakone and Nikko as well
Nov 20th, 2014, 06:22 PM
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When I tried to make reservations in Takayama for our trip (similar April timeframe) I found out that there is a huge festival there April 14-15.
We wanted to avoid all the crowds so gave up on Takayama. You might feel otherwise, however. Just something to keep in mind.
We left out Tokyo in order to visit the smaller places like you seem interested in. We fly into Kansai near Osaka and out Hindeda (not Narita) near Tokyo.
kja gives you great advice to fly "open jaw" to eliminate a day of backtracking when you have such a short time for your trip. If you're interested, see the itinerary I just posted for review...
We wanted to avoid all the crowds so gave up on Takayama. You might feel otherwise, however. Just something to keep in mind.
We left out Tokyo in order to visit the smaller places like you seem interested in. We fly into Kansai near Osaka and out Hindeda (not Narita) near Tokyo.
kja gives you great advice to fly "open jaw" to eliminate a day of backtracking when you have such a short time for your trip. If you're interested, see the itinerary I just posted for review...
Nov 20th, 2014, 07:49 PM
#6
>>We would like to explore small towns and get out of the city and see traditional culture, any ideas?<<
>>We would like to travel to Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka<<
Ok, so why those four destinations?
>>We would like to travel to Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka<<
Ok, so why those four destinations?
Nov 21st, 2014, 07:43 AM
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There's perhaps a divide here in terms of whether it's better to visit Takayama during or not during the festival.
I can only comment on visiting during the festival (in autumn rather than spring, though I understand they're very similar) as I've only visited that one time.
While Takayama is no doubt far more crowded that it normally is, those crowds are actually minuscule compared to what we experienced in Kyoto's historical districts, where it was properly thronged with people.
The only real crowds in Takayama were when the floats did their slow parade around town, and those crowds were fun, and then for the events at the shrine the next morning, and again, they were not everyone squished for space kind of crowds.
When we walked through the historical districts, we didn't find them crowded at all. This was for autumn festival 2012.
That said, with only 12 nights, I'd be wary of trying to see too much, and resulting in having too little time in any of the places you visit.
It's easy to spend days and days in Kyoto, let alone the places nearby such as Osaka, Nara, Uji, Yamazaki, and slightly further afield, Koya-san.
Also, I understand your desire to see small towns but if you've never been to Tokyo, don't dismiss it entirely.
I can only comment on visiting during the festival (in autumn rather than spring, though I understand they're very similar) as I've only visited that one time.
While Takayama is no doubt far more crowded that it normally is, those crowds are actually minuscule compared to what we experienced in Kyoto's historical districts, where it was properly thronged with people.
The only real crowds in Takayama were when the floats did their slow parade around town, and those crowds were fun, and then for the events at the shrine the next morning, and again, they were not everyone squished for space kind of crowds.
When we walked through the historical districts, we didn't find them crowded at all. This was for autumn festival 2012.
That said, with only 12 nights, I'd be wary of trying to see too much, and resulting in having too little time in any of the places you visit.
It's easy to spend days and days in Kyoto, let alone the places nearby such as Osaka, Nara, Uji, Yamazaki, and slightly further afield, Koya-san.
Also, I understand your desire to see small towns but if you've never been to Tokyo, don't dismiss it entirely.
Nov 22nd, 2014, 11:38 AM
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We had a similar number of nights and April dates for our first trip to Japan. At that time our FF miles would not allow for open jaw flights so, like you we had RT tickets to NRT. But this itinerary worked out great. One thing to consider is a 7 day rail pass and when to activate so you get the most from your pass. The advice we got on this forum was to save most of our Tokyo visit and shopping for the end of the trip, staying only one night in Tokyo on arrival. Although we preferred the quaint and more affordable Asakusa area of Tokyo, you might prefer to be closer to the action. Also, try to be sure you are in Tokyo on a Sunday when you might see weddings at the Meji Shrine and enjoy strolling the Omotosando Dori afterwards. Don't bother with Nagoya or Osaka. But Do go to Takayama including the Hida Folk Village I cannot advise about the Takayama festival. It might be fun. We only saw the floats in storage afterwards. Kyoto is marvelous but we could not see it all on this itinerary. If you want more of Kyoto, the skip the Fuji-Hakone circuit below. But from Kyoto, definitely take a day trip to Nara:
Day 1 arrive Tokyo Narita Airport. At airport exchange JR rail vouchers for passes at the airport, having pre-determined your activation date. Take the JR Narita Express train from Airport to central Tokyo. Stay near this area so you can go to bed early and wake up before dawn to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, taking a taxi at like 5:00 am. Check times.
Day 2 head to Fuji-Hakone to stay overnight in a hotel with an onsen, taking Hikari train from Tokyo station to Odawara (40 minutes). Buy 3-day Hakone Free Passes. Take Hakone Tozan Line to Myanoshita, drop overnight bags at your hotel and continue to Gora. Change to Cable Car at Gora. Visit the open air sculpture museum. At Owakudani stop for lunch and change to ropeway and go to Togendai. Board dragon boat on Lake Ashi going to Hakone-machi. Walk to Hakone check point, then along Cedar Ave to Moto-Hakone. Take bus to Miyanoshita (via Ashinoyu). Check into hotel and relax. Hot springs?
Day 3 to Kyoto (activate JR Pass this day at Odawara Station) Use Free Pass on train to Odawara. Then take Shinkansen (bullet) train to Kyoto. Pick a hotel near the east part of town or near Gion.
Day 4 Kyoto – see: Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, Gion district, Chion-in temple, Maruyama Park.
Day 5 Kyoto (day trip by train to Nara) See Todai-ji temple, Nara Park, Deer in park, Five Storied Pagoda.
Day 6 Kyoto – see: Ryoanji Temple, Zen Garden & Kinkakuji (Golden) Temple, Ginkaku-ji (Silver) Temple and walk along Philospher’s path to Heian Shrine and Nishiki Market. Evening: get tickets to Geisha Cherry Blossom performance at the Gion Theatre.
Day 7 Takayama - definitely stay in a Ryokan, not a western hotel.
Day 8 Takayama (morning market), Folkcraft Museum
Day 9 Return to Tokyo by bullet train to Ueno Station, then Ginza line to Asakusa– stay in Asakusa (we liked Ryokan Shigetsu). Visit Ginza, Tokyo Museum, Edo Museum, Kabukiza theatre. Imperial Gardens. Also stroll Asakusa.
Day 10 Tokyo - Kabukiza theatre. Imperial Gardens, boat trip on the Sumida River back to Asakusa. Maybe a day trip to Kanazawa (we didn't have time for this)
Day 11 Tokyo - for us, this was a Sunday. Meiji Shrine at Harajuku. We saw two traditional wedding parties! Lunch and shop along the Omotesando-dori.
Day 12. Depart to home
Day 1 arrive Tokyo Narita Airport. At airport exchange JR rail vouchers for passes at the airport, having pre-determined your activation date. Take the JR Narita Express train from Airport to central Tokyo. Stay near this area so you can go to bed early and wake up before dawn to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, taking a taxi at like 5:00 am. Check times.
Day 2 head to Fuji-Hakone to stay overnight in a hotel with an onsen, taking Hikari train from Tokyo station to Odawara (40 minutes). Buy 3-day Hakone Free Passes. Take Hakone Tozan Line to Myanoshita, drop overnight bags at your hotel and continue to Gora. Change to Cable Car at Gora. Visit the open air sculpture museum. At Owakudani stop for lunch and change to ropeway and go to Togendai. Board dragon boat on Lake Ashi going to Hakone-machi. Walk to Hakone check point, then along Cedar Ave to Moto-Hakone. Take bus to Miyanoshita (via Ashinoyu). Check into hotel and relax. Hot springs?
Day 3 to Kyoto (activate JR Pass this day at Odawara Station) Use Free Pass on train to Odawara. Then take Shinkansen (bullet) train to Kyoto. Pick a hotel near the east part of town or near Gion.
Day 4 Kyoto – see: Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, Gion district, Chion-in temple, Maruyama Park.
Day 5 Kyoto (day trip by train to Nara) See Todai-ji temple, Nara Park, Deer in park, Five Storied Pagoda.
Day 6 Kyoto – see: Ryoanji Temple, Zen Garden & Kinkakuji (Golden) Temple, Ginkaku-ji (Silver) Temple and walk along Philospher’s path to Heian Shrine and Nishiki Market. Evening: get tickets to Geisha Cherry Blossom performance at the Gion Theatre.
Day 7 Takayama - definitely stay in a Ryokan, not a western hotel.
Day 8 Takayama (morning market), Folkcraft Museum
Day 9 Return to Tokyo by bullet train to Ueno Station, then Ginza line to Asakusa– stay in Asakusa (we liked Ryokan Shigetsu). Visit Ginza, Tokyo Museum, Edo Museum, Kabukiza theatre. Imperial Gardens. Also stroll Asakusa.
Day 10 Tokyo - Kabukiza theatre. Imperial Gardens, boat trip on the Sumida River back to Asakusa. Maybe a day trip to Kanazawa (we didn't have time for this)
Day 11 Tokyo - for us, this was a Sunday. Meiji Shrine at Harajuku. We saw two traditional wedding parties! Lunch and shop along the Omotesando-dori.
Day 12. Depart to home
Nov 23rd, 2014, 03:23 PM
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Thank you everyone for your comments and great ideas!
Here is what we came up with:
Arrive in Tokyo 4.5 evening
4.5-4.7 Tokyo
4.7-4.11 Kyoto
4.11-4.13 Osaka
4.13-4.16 Takayama
4.16-4.17 Tokyo
Depart Tokyo evening of 4.17
Thanks again
Here is what we came up with:
Arrive in Tokyo 4.5 evening
4.5-4.7 Tokyo
4.7-4.11 Kyoto
4.11-4.13 Osaka
4.13-4.16 Takayama
4.16-4.17 Tokyo
Depart Tokyo evening of 4.17
Thanks again
Dec 17th, 2014, 05:20 AM
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LeslieC's Day 10: Kanazawa should be Kamakura. Kamakura (an old capital of Japan succeeding Nara and Kyoto) can be done from Tokyo as a day trip.
However, in coming March, Nagano Shinkansen will be extended up to Kanazawa as Hokuriku Shinkansen. With this, Takayama-Kanazawa-Tokyo could be a more attractive route to choose.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_nagano.html
However, in coming March, Nagano Shinkansen will be extended up to Kanazawa as Hokuriku Shinkansen. With this, Takayama-Kanazawa-Tokyo could be a more attractive route to choose.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_nagano.html
Jul 7th, 2015, 11:09 AM
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Hello All! This reply is a little late but here is what we did on our trip and where we stayed:
Travel Dates April 4th-17th
4.5.15-4.7.15 arrived late into Narita airport took train into Tokyo and stayed at Hotel Montery Ginza.
-easy to get to
-good location
-small but clean rooms with everything you need
Train and Ferry to Miyajima
4.7-4.8 Hotel Kikunoya
-Traditional Japanese breakfast
-nice rooms they have western or Japanese style rooms
-one of my favorite places we visited
4.8-4.9 Hiroshima
Washington Hotel Hiroshima
Modern, clean hotel room with great view overlooking city. Best spa like shower room!
4.9-4.13 Kyoto
Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto Hotel
-Apartment style hotel room with kitchen and living room
-helpful english speaking front desk staff
-great location, walked to/from train station
-walked to restaurants, shopping, Nishiki Market
4.13 Matsui-Honkan Ryokan in Kyoto
-above and beyond friendly staff
-amazing multi course traditional breakfast and dinner. Dinner was amazing and a must here.
-slept on mats, rooms were divided my air-wall
-Clean and beautiful rooms, two bathrooms, spa bathroom
4.14 Hotel Montery Kobe
-Kobe steak! Don't miss it. Go to a fine dining restaurant and splurge!
4.15 Mt. Fuji (Really long train but we had to fit everything in we wanted to see)
Mizuno Hotel (Kawaguchiko)
-Room was great. You could lay in bed and Mt. Fuji was staring you in the face. The view is truly unbelievable and doesn't even look real its so big.
-private hot tub on the roof. Make a reservation with the front desk. Overlooking Mt. Fuji in a hot tub!
4.16 Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-Minamiguchi
We had an amazing time in Japan. The people were so nice and welcoming. The food was great and all of the hotels we stayed in were nice. I would recommend this itinerary to those we want to see it all and don't mind traveling by train a lot, moving place to place. Having Kyoto half way through the trip was a relaxing time, but you are there to explore.
Travel Dates April 4th-17th
4.5.15-4.7.15 arrived late into Narita airport took train into Tokyo and stayed at Hotel Montery Ginza.
-easy to get to
-good location
-small but clean rooms with everything you need
Train and Ferry to Miyajima
4.7-4.8 Hotel Kikunoya
-Traditional Japanese breakfast
-nice rooms they have western or Japanese style rooms
-one of my favorite places we visited
4.8-4.9 Hiroshima
Washington Hotel Hiroshima
Modern, clean hotel room with great view overlooking city. Best spa like shower room!
4.9-4.13 Kyoto
Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto Hotel
-Apartment style hotel room with kitchen and living room
-helpful english speaking front desk staff
-great location, walked to/from train station
-walked to restaurants, shopping, Nishiki Market
4.13 Matsui-Honkan Ryokan in Kyoto
-above and beyond friendly staff
-amazing multi course traditional breakfast and dinner. Dinner was amazing and a must here.
-slept on mats, rooms were divided my air-wall
-Clean and beautiful rooms, two bathrooms, spa bathroom
4.14 Hotel Montery Kobe
-Kobe steak! Don't miss it. Go to a fine dining restaurant and splurge!
4.15 Mt. Fuji (Really long train but we had to fit everything in we wanted to see)
Mizuno Hotel (Kawaguchiko)
-Room was great. You could lay in bed and Mt. Fuji was staring you in the face. The view is truly unbelievable and doesn't even look real its so big.
-private hot tub on the roof. Make a reservation with the front desk. Overlooking Mt. Fuji in a hot tub!
4.16 Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-Minamiguchi
We had an amazing time in Japan. The people were so nice and welcoming. The food was great and all of the hotels we stayed in were nice. I would recommend this itinerary to those we want to see it all and don't mind traveling by train a lot, moving place to place. Having Kyoto half way through the trip was a relaxing time, but you are there to explore.
Jul 9th, 2015, 10:03 AM
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Japan is beautiful! We ended up changing our itinerary back in December. We have a cousin who lived in Nagoya and moved to Kobe so we changed that part to see him. Also, decided not to go to Takayama during the festival. I would rather be there when its quiet. I'll have to go back sometime in my life to see and do more!
