Sudden holiday to Japan

Old Jun 28th, 2017, 02:33 PM
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Sudden holiday to Japan

Hi! Need some advice urgently! Good news is that I suddenly have a 2 week window to holiday in Japan in mid July. I've been to Hokkaido on holiday ; and Tokyo for business. Though I know the weather will be hot and muggy, have decided to go rather that NOT travel. I'm planning on doing Tokyo, Kyoto/Nara ; but I have to admit it's the Japan Alps I'm the most excited about. Keen on nature, eager to get out of the city ; and would love to hike/bike (for the average traveler .. not hardcore).

I'm going solo, doing the back pack way. Planning to stay in hostels , sharing dorm rooms . I am also open to travel overnight to maximize my exploring time and save on accomodation costs.

What do you think about my itinerary below ? And any recommendations on travel passes I should consider ? I'm still trying to figure out the most practical (time/money saving) way of traveling from place to place. Not considering renting a car.

Day 1 Saturday 9am Arrive in Narita. Head to Tokyo hotel
Day 2 Sun Tokyo
Day 3 Mon Tokyo
Day 4 Tue Tokyo Take overnight bus to Kamikochi
Day 5 Wed Arrive in Kamikochi in the morning.
Day 6 Thur Kamikochi
Day 7 Fri Head to Shina kawago via Takayama. Overnight in Shina kawago
Day 8 Sat Head to Takayama in the afternoon
Day 9 Sun Takayama
Day 10 Mon Head to Kyoto (any overnight bus???)

Day 11 Tue Kyoto
Day 12 Wed Kyoto
Day 13 Thu Head to Nara in the afternoon. Overnight
Day 14 Nara then catch the 6pm flight out of Osaka

Thank you!!
Eric_Bal is offline  
Old Jun 28th, 2017, 06:22 PM
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kja
 
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So many options, so many choices!

If the Japanese Alps are your highest priority, you might consider at least 5 nights for the pair of Kanazawa and Takayama, with Shirakawago as a stop in between. And, of course, time for Kamikochi….

Much as I loved Nara – and I did! -- with so little time in Kyoto, you might want to consider visiting Nara as a day trip from Kyoto.

If you haven’t already done so, spend LOTS of time with japan-guide.com – it isn’t perfect, but it is, IMO, the best single source of information on travel to Japan.

Enjoy!
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Old Jun 28th, 2017, 08:39 PM
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Karuizawa is one of the popular towns in the Alps area, known for nature and some wildlife too.
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Old Jun 29th, 2017, 08:07 AM
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That's a good plan, but besides avoiding the backtracking to Takayama, I have several reasons (none decisive but they add up) why you should just stay in Takayama before Shirakawago.

You might be better off taking the bus from Shirakawago to Kanazawa to get an overnight bus to Kyoto.

One reason for going to Kyoto from Kanazawa is that it will probably be a straight shot. From Takayama, my guess is that you would have to change buses in Nagoya.

Staying overnight in Ogimachi, Shirakawago, in a gassho zukuri might be a bit above your daily lodging budget, but it would be worth it. Maybe Gokayama would have a better price but going there would complicate your travel, adding a bus leg or two. S-go fits better, I think, but you can consider Gokayama.

If Shirakawago is not a splurge for you then consider splurging for a train from Kanazawa to Kyoto. Unreserved it would cost ¥6,380 on a limited express train.

I get it that you are on a backpacker budget but that doesn't mean that you need to actually use a backpack. You aren't going anywhere that a roll-aboard won't go.
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Old Jun 29th, 2017, 08:21 AM
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>>That's a good plan

By that, I mean that you have a plan that fits your interests and it doesn't really need any additions or subtractions or changes in lengths of stay. You could skip the Takayama backtrack and take the train from Kanazawa.

But, your plan assumes that those overnight buses exist.

You will want to get a seat reservation for the bus from Kamikochi to Takayama (I think you would have to make a connection in Takayama if you go on to S-go). Get that seat res no later than on arrival at Kamikochi.
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