travel to shirakawago from kyoto

Old Apr 17th, 2017, 03:11 AM
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travel to shirakawago from kyoto

1st time visit to japan and we plan to visit shirakawago from kyoto coming 30/4, what is the best transportation and route we should take? if we can't book any ryokan there (fully booked) for best experience as recommended, is it adviceable to stay in shirakawa which shown to be option for stay from some hotel booking website. However we need to travel back to osaka the next day eventhough if we stay overnight in shirakawago. Any advice? Our trip rough itinery is as followbr />
Day1&2 kyoto
day 3 shirakawago (stay in shirakawa or day trip and stay in kanazawa/ takayama)
day 4-6 osaka (day 5, day trip to kobe)

We wish to get more advice to the above itinery, thanks.
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 06:55 AM
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Why so much time in Osaka? I'd cut Osaka (or at the very least, take it down to one night) and spend more time in Kyoto.

Where do you fly out of? Your current itinerary makes little sense, as you are in Kyoto, then you go all the way across the country to Kanazawa, then back to Osaka (which is right next to Kyoto). Shirakawago doesn't really work as a day trip from Kyoto/Osaka. Is this your full itinerary in Japan? What are the other countries tagged in your post? Are you going there, too? If you give us the whole picture, we can be more helpful.
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 08:39 AM
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The best route would be a limited express train to Kanazawa, about 2 hr 15 min, and then a bus, about 1 hr 15 min, to Shirakawago. So it would be about 4 hours if you figure in some transfer time in Kanazawa. Add a half hour for the return trip to Osaka. Figure it costs 8 hours or so in travel time.

Here is a bus timetable:
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/shirakawago.html

The cost in yen would be about 14,000 for the two train rides if you don't have a JR Pass and 3300 for the return bus ticket.

April 30 will be during Golden Week, which might affect you, especially if you travel on the 29th.

You could instead visit Miyama which is much closer to Kyoto:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3985.html
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 09:44 AM
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Agree with Kathie. Plus, if this is your first trip you could easily spend all that time in Kyoto. Or overnight in Nara, much closer.
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 04:07 PM
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I agree with Kathie and thursdaysd, but perhaps I don't understand the interests that have led to this itinerary.
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 08:04 PM
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Hi all,

I reach on 28th afternoon and take off from kansai airport back to home country on 4th may morning. Basically we have no idea to plan for this itinery. Meantime we have paid kyoto airbnb for 1st 2 night and the rest is booked under free cancellation which we still can adjust based on ideal recommendation. Shirakawago is place that recommended to visit by a friend. Hope can have ideal plan to advice for our itinery here..
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Old Apr 17th, 2017, 08:06 PM
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You might want to do a bit more research, perhaps using japan-guide.com

Good luck!
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Old Apr 19th, 2017, 05:00 AM
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In my opinion there are so many places around Kyoto that are more worthwhile especially given your limited time.

Shirakawago is a village with thatched roofs and not much else to see or do there.

Totally agree with Mrwunrfl go to Miyama either a daytrip or stay overnight
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Old Apr 19th, 2017, 05:58 AM
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You only have five full days. Stay in Kyoto and do a couple of day trips.
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Old Apr 19th, 2017, 06:03 PM
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Or stay in Kyoto, without day trips! JMO.
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Old Apr 20th, 2017, 07:43 AM
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If I only had 5 days in Japan, I'd spend the whole time in Kyoto.
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Old Apr 20th, 2017, 07:51 AM
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Or go to Shirakawago, if it is worth 8+ hours of travel time and 14,000 JPY to you. But, given the time you have, I suggest that it needs to be a burning desire for you and not just because of a recommendation from a friend.

Or skip Kyoto and spend the time in Kanazawa, Shirakwago, Takayama. This would give better value for your costs to travel to that region.

IOW, as kja put it, I don't understand the interests that have led to this itinerary. And you need to do more research.
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