janddstone

We are planning a trip to Japan for my brothers wedding. He lives in Nagano, and we will be flying into Narita, then spending the night and next day in Tokyo before heading to Nagano.

So....we will be in Nagano Sunday evening, then will have Mon-Fri to sightsee before the wedding on Saturday.

I've been reading through guidebooks and it seems that Kyoto is a "must see". We want to get the most out of this trip, and could really use some tips.

We will be in Japan for a total of 9 days. I'm not quite sure which pass to get, should I get the 7 day and pay to get back to Narita when we are ready to leave, or should we get the 14 day pass. Money is an object, so we want to do what is most economical.

As you can tell by my ramblings, I need a lot of help.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

j

thursdaysd

Why are you going to Nagano Sun evening, if you're then planning to spend Mon-Fri somewhere else? If you are flying back the following Sun (not clear from your post), spend the first Sun in Tokyo and then activate a 7-day pass on Mon.

DonTopaz

I;m always amazed at how many people plan their Japan trip by first getting a rail pass and then deciding at which places on the rail pass route they ought to stop.

Kyoto is a very nice place, but it's not near or especially convenient to Nagano. And, there are some wonderful places closer to Nagano that are well worth visiting. Karuizawa, for example, is a beautiful area, well worth a couple of days' visit.

janddstone

sorry, I know my post was rather scattered.

We arrive in Narita Saturday evening and will meet my brother in Tokyo and spend the night and Sunday in Tokyo before heading to my brothers home in Nagano. My sister and I are going to venture out by ourselves Mon-Thurs while my brother is at work.

If we get the 7 day pass activated on Monday how would we get from Narita to Tokyo??

lcuy

So you arrive on Friday, and go to Nagano on Sunday, then again the next Saturday? You could activate the 7 day pass when you arrive in narita, use it for the trip into Tokyo, up to Nagano, to Kyoto, and back to Nagano on Friday. You'll only have to pay the final return from Nagano to Narita, and I'm pretty sure that will be less than the additional cost of the 14 day pass.

hawaiiantraveler

You definitely do not need a 14 day pass with the places you mention. As rizutto is saying upthread, figure an itinerary first, then figure out what pass or passes you may need. There are better ways to get into and out of Tokyo than wasting two days on your JR pass. What hotel are you staying at in Tokyo? You can also take the limo bus from Narita to direct to your hotel in Tokyo if you stay at the right one with info here:

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

Here is some information on the types of train passes and how to use them.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html

If you cut out Kyoto and explore the areas around Nagano and Matsumoto you could use the JR East Pass and save.....
More info for you:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6000.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6050.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6030.html

Come back with more specific questions when you figure out what you want to do .....or whenever you feel the need,lol

Aloha!

panda2ac

My suggestion would be to get a Narita Express and Suica combo card to get you from Narita to Tokyo and which also gives you 1500 Suica card that you can use in Tokyo and then get a 7day JR pass that you can activate when you leave Tokyo to Nagano. You can get more information at the following link: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
You can then use the JR pass for any day trips that you want to take from Nagano.

janddstone

thanks for the suggestions.

I got tickets for this trip at the last minute, so I didn't really expect to be going. Hence, my lack of a plan. My brother had mentioned the JR Railpass, so I just assumed that I had to get one.

In looking at the links, I think we can find all we would be able to do in the Nagano area since we are avid hikers. It looks like there will also be plenty of local culture to enjoy.

Thanks again

someotherguy

Take a look at the Nagano guide on the JNTO web site--it'll give you lots of ideas for places to visit: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/index.html . Other places listed under the Chubu region would also be within reach.

DonTopaz

I'll say this one more time: decide where to go first, then think about what type of pass (if any) you need.

If I'm arriving at Narita, staying in Tokyo for a short period, then heading to Nagano, I'm gonna stay in the Ueno district of Tokyo. Nice area, lots to do/see on foot, and very reasonably-priced accommodation. Plus, Ueno is on the Shinkansen line to Nagano, and it's ultra-simple to get from Narita to Ueno.

If you stay in Ueno, you won't take Narita Express (you take a different train), and you can't use a JR pass on that train. All problems solved.

panda2ac

If you just plan to mostly stay around the Nagano area, you won't need the JR pass. Like rizzuto mentioned above, decide where you'd like to go, and if you do decide to do day trips, you can check the prices and times thru hyperdia and see what's cost effective for you. http://www.hyperdia.com/

janddstone

thanks for the tips.

took your advice rizzuto and decided exactly what we were going to while there.

going to go to Tokyo straight from Narita and spend 2 days before going to Nagano where we will spend the rest of the trip. It looks like there is plenty to keep us busy in that area.

thanks again, all

BigRuss

Take a day trip to Matsumoto as HT suggested (one hour by train from Nagano) and see the castle. It's probably the best one that you can actually SEE in Japan (Himeji Castle is covered whilst undergoing renovations).

janddstone

Matsumoto is on my list as well as the monkeys. We're open to other suggestions in the Nagano area. Thanks

mrwunrfl

From Matsumoto go up to Kamikochi. Hiking there. Then maybe Takayama and to Toyama and then the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route back to the east.

janddstone

Japan Trip Report:

We had an awesome time on our trip to Japan. We flew into Narita, hoped on the Narita Express to Tokyo (piece of cake) and met up with my brother. We made our way to the Homeikan Ryokan in Ueno, which was a great experience. They served us an authentic Japanese breakfast in the morning and treated us like royalty. Headed to Ueno, and Ueno Park, then Ameyayokocho Black Market. It was hard to get away from the train stations, they were like huge malls with so many enticing treats.

Made our way to Nagano,then took day trips to Ueda, Matsumoto, the Nagano Rose Garden and the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The food was fabulous, and the people were always anxious to practice their english with us.