Nywoman

This might need some tweaking, and would appreciate any and all suggestions. I did try to fit in a trip to Naoshima and the triennial but it just seemed too much. At first I was going to make Osaka a day/evening excursion but where I am staying in Kyoto is a 20 minute bus ride from the station and it seemed simpler to stay the night before going on to Hiroshima and spending the night in Miyajima.
Is there a luggage check in Hiroshima I am catching a late train from there to Narita to catch a flight the next morning.



29-Sep Tokyo arrive late p.m.
30 Tokyo
1-Oct Tokyo Kamakura
2 Tokyo
3 Tokyo Nikko
4 Matsumoto
4 Kanazawa
5 Kanazawa
6 Kanazawa
7 Gero Onsen
8 Gero Onsen
9 Gero Onsen Takayama
10 Kyoto
11 Kyto
12 Kyoto Nara
13 Kyoto
14 Kyoto
15 Kyoto
16 Osaka
17 Miyajima Hiroshima
18 Narita
19 NYC

mrwunrfl

Why do you have so much time in Gero?

I assume that Nikko is a day trip. Otherwise Matsumoto wouldn't fit.

Moving to Osaka for the night makes sense. I'd consider the Granvia Hotel at Shin-Osaka - just a thought, not a recco.


There are coin lockers for luggage just down from the shinkansen platform at Hiroshima station. There might be more on the city side of the station. I'd ship some luggage from Kyoto or Osaka to the Narita lodging in order to travel lightly those last few days.

Have you considered just flying from Hiroshima to Narita Airport? There are nonstops and you could get a low visitors fare or low cost carrier.

Nywoman

Thank you mrwunrfl
I have been vacillating re my time in Gero, I arrive at noon on the 7th, spend the 8th there, where I could do a day trip somewhere, the next day is devoted to Takayama and the festival.
Then I leave early on the 10th for Kyoto.

No I had not thought about a flight from Hiroshima, what a good idea. Resarching have only found 1 flight to Narita, and it's approx. $190. I will have purchased the JR pass so I think that is more economical even if it is a 5 hour trip.

I basically only travel with carry on so it was more about not having to drag it along for my day trip. Then again who knows what I will acquire, so sending my luggage ahead is not a bad idea either.

someotherguy

Hiroshima is closer to Seoul than Narita and connecting there for your flight home can be easier and is usually much cheaper.

Kathie

Hello, Nywoman! Have a great time in Japan. The itinerary looks good. Glad to see you back here on the Asia Forum!

thursdaysd

Hi Nywoman - looks like we will be in Kyoto at the same time! Will email you.

Don't miss the Art Nouveau museum in Takayama.

Nywoman

Hi Kathie, am really glad to be going back to Asia. And of course posting to the board.

kja

A few things to consider:

Nikko: Many people visit Nikko as a day trip. I spent overnight there, as I also wanted to visit Kegon-no-Taki and a bit of Lake Chuzenji and walk a bit of the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. I think it would be difficult to see the highlights of Nikko AND see these other sites in a single day-trip. Whether you visit as a day trip or not, if you have any interest in Japanese screens and sliding doors, consider making time for the stunning collection at the Nikko Toshogu Museum of Art.

Takayama: It seems you aren't planning to visit Takayama? If you have any time there, I second thursdaysd's recommendation to visit the Hida Takayama Museum of Art, with its amazing collection of Art Nouveau.

Nara: Again, although many people visit Nara as a day trip, I thought Nara easily merited 2 full days. Your call.

Luggage: Most, if not all, train stations in Japan have luggage lockers and some have manned desks as well.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html
Or you can take advantage of Japan's excellent luggage-forwarding option so you only need to take an overnight bag with you. Luggage-forwarding is called takuhaibin; here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Enjoy!

Nywoman

Thanks kja for your suggestions. Yes I am visiting Takayama, actually the whole itinerary has been built around going there for the autumn festival oct.9 and 10. The hotel rooms, if any were available, were so expensive that's why I am staying in Gero Onsen which is 1 hour away by train.

May actually add a night in Nara and cut a night from Kyoto
am still tweaking.

mrwunrfl

Maybe there is something of interest in Gero for the 8th. A good option for that day would be to visit Takayama without the matsuri crowds. Visit Hida no Sato, the Takayama Jinja, etc.

kja

Aah, I should have figured that one out! In that case, I'll second the recommendations for the Hida no Sato and Takayama Jinja and also recommend a visit to the morning markets and Old Town.