1 or 2 nights Koyasan
Aug 17th, 2019 | 09:16 AM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2003
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1 or 2 nights Koyasan
Still finalizing our Japan trip in March. This has been rough planning and as per our trip planning style, we keep tweaking....
A must for us is a temple stay at Koyasan but unsure if one night would be adequate coming from Kyoto after a 6 night stay. We are slow travelers and hate one nighters. We would like to walk through the cemetery as well as the Women’s Pilgrimage Trail. But as in all things, adding something takes away something else.
Thus far, this is the itinerary we keep coming back to:
Tokyo - 6
Nara - 2 (Omizutori
Kyoto - 6 (Hanatouro) (house rental is fixed)
Koyasan - 1 or 2
Miyajima - 2 (day trip Hiroshima)
Kanazawa -4 (long train trip)
Takayama - 3
After Takayama we have 1 or 2 nights (depending on the Koyasan stay) before flying out of Narita.
With a 1 night Koyasan stay we would consider a Hakone ryokan for our last 2 nights or 1 night Tokyo and second night Hakone. With a 2 night stay at Koyasan, a 1 night stay in Hakone or Tokyo. Our flight leaves at 6:05pm and with using Hyperdia it looks as if we would have enough time to make the flight from either choice. It seems like a ryokan might be a nice way to spend our last day in Japan......
Any further suggestions appreciated..
A must for us is a temple stay at Koyasan but unsure if one night would be adequate coming from Kyoto after a 6 night stay. We are slow travelers and hate one nighters. We would like to walk through the cemetery as well as the Women’s Pilgrimage Trail. But as in all things, adding something takes away something else.
Thus far, this is the itinerary we keep coming back to:
Tokyo - 6
Nara - 2 (Omizutori
Kyoto - 6 (Hanatouro) (house rental is fixed)
Koyasan - 1 or 2
Miyajima - 2 (day trip Hiroshima)
Kanazawa -4 (long train trip)
Takayama - 3
After Takayama we have 1 or 2 nights (depending on the Koyasan stay) before flying out of Narita.
With a 1 night Koyasan stay we would consider a Hakone ryokan for our last 2 nights or 1 night Tokyo and second night Hakone. With a 2 night stay at Koyasan, a 1 night stay in Hakone or Tokyo. Our flight leaves at 6:05pm and with using Hyperdia it looks as if we would have enough time to make the flight from either choice. It seems like a ryokan might be a nice way to spend our last day in Japan......
Any further suggestions appreciated..
Aug 17th, 2019 | 01:22 PM
#4
Joined: Sep 2014
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I stayed one night at Koyasan, and spent most of 2 days there - it was plenty for me. There is little you'll get with a 2nd overnight that you won't get on the first, and the temple stays are not cheap. No matter what though, be sure to see the Okunoin Cemetery. At night is another great experience there, but for that, be sure to pick a place with no 9 PM curfew. If you find yourself with extra time, why not see Himeji? The castle is the best in the country, and the Kokoen Garden nearby is really nice.
Aug 17th, 2019 | 03:14 PM
#5
Joined: Mar 2015
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I think it depends on what you want. Koyasan is a longish trip, and I think two nights is about right.
however, one night is definitely shortchanging Hakone. So if the choices are 2 nights koyasan or two nights in a Hakone ryokan, Hakone .
however, one night is definitely shortchanging Hakone. So if the choices are 2 nights koyasan or two nights in a Hakone ryokan, Hakone .
Aug 17th, 2019 | 07:11 PM
#6
Joined: Dec 2006
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I had one night in Koyasan and for me, that was a perfect amount of time -- but that meant that I had about 24 hours there. As with every location, the number of nights you need depends on what you want to see and experience. Have you plotted your time out?
Aug 18th, 2019 | 12:05 AM
#7
Joined: May 2004
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I think that in making the decision whether to spend one or two nights there you need to factor in your arrival and departure time from your previous and next destinations and what you want to do/ achieve from your visit.
It is a long time ago but as I recall we arrived mid afternoon from Kyoto, an interesting but longish train journey. On arrival we took a long soak in their Onsen, explored Okonuin at night (spooky but amazing) and had the most amazing multi course vegetarian dinner.
Next day we joined in the early morning temple ceremony. Absolutely incredible experience and the best drumming I have seen since Ginger Baker at Cream’s reunion concert!
The rest of the day we explored Koyasans’s many temples with a free guide arranged in advance. A highlight was Goyan, the main temple which also apparently has largest rock garden in Japan.
Another fantastic dinner that night. We missed the temple ceremony the next morning in favour of a day time return visit to Okonuin which was very different to the night visit.
It is a long time ago but as I recall we arrived mid afternoon from Kyoto, an interesting but longish train journey. On arrival we took a long soak in their Onsen, explored Okonuin at night (spooky but amazing) and had the most amazing multi course vegetarian dinner.
Next day we joined in the early morning temple ceremony. Absolutely incredible experience and the best drumming I have seen since Ginger Baker at Cream’s reunion concert!
The rest of the day we explored Koyasans’s many temples with a free guide arranged in advance. A highlight was Goyan, the main temple which also apparently has largest rock garden in Japan.
Another fantastic dinner that night. We missed the temple ceremony the next morning in favour of a day time return visit to Okonuin which was very different to the night visit.
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Aug 19th, 2019 | 05:18 AM
#8
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Thank you for your thoughts on this dilemma. After digesting them, I think 2 nights would work best for us as slow travellers considering the 3+ hours it takes to get there. We have narrowed our choice to Eko-in or Shoshin-in. Eko-in does have a curfew but it is 22:00. I don’t think that will be a problem for us. The shared bath at Shojoshin may be.....
I would be curious which temple was your choice and if you had any strong opinions about it.
We will then have another choice to make:
1. Miyajima (2) with stop in Himeji and day trip to Hiroshima.
2. Miyajima (2) etc.with overnight in Osaka to make easier travel days.
Either plan that includes a 2 night stay in Hakone will mean cutting back on Takayama to 1 or 2 nights instead of 3. We would like to keep the 4 nights in Kanazawa.
You can see I have the travel planner’s dilemma: Wanting it all!
P.S. I am finding a 2 night stay in a ryokan in Hakone VERY pricey. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
I would be curious which temple was your choice and if you had any strong opinions about it.
We will then have another choice to make:
1. Miyajima (2) with stop in Himeji and day trip to Hiroshima.
2. Miyajima (2) etc.with overnight in Osaka to make easier travel days.
Either plan that includes a 2 night stay in Hakone will mean cutting back on Takayama to 1 or 2 nights instead of 3. We would like to keep the 4 nights in Kanazawa.
You can see I have the travel planner’s dilemma: Wanting it all!
P.S. I am finding a 2 night stay in a ryokan in Hakone VERY pricey. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Aug 19th, 2019 | 08:01 AM
#9
Joined: May 2004
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We stayed at Eko In. It was a while ago now but I doubt much has changed! We really enjoyed our time there, the baths were single sex (but sharing wouldn’t have been a problem anyway for us anyway). The food was amazing, even for a confirmed carnivore like me - I barely noticed the absence of meat.
Location was good and the people were wonderful. How it compares with Shoshin-in I don’t know .
Location was good and the people were wonderful. How it compares with Shoshin-in I don’t know .
Aug 19th, 2019 | 06:47 PM
#10
Joined: Dec 2006
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I stayed at Shojoshin-in and loved it! The shared bath for women could have held two people, three at most. When I was there, another woman was just leaving when I got there (so we crossed in the changing area, not in the tub itself) and I had the wonderful cedar bath to myself for the rest of my soak. Shojoshin-in is right across the road from an entrance to Ukono-in, so I was easily able to include a walk at dusk (so evocative!) as well as a walk after breakfast, and I'm very, very glad I went a second time, as the different lighting made for a very different experience. I'm not vegetarian, but the dinner and breakfast I had were each among the best meals I had while in Japan -- and that says a LOT! I loved Shojoshin-in's gardens, and the rooms in which one dined, and the room in which I slept, and the privilege of attending an early morning prayer service, and the courtesy and grace and gentleness of the monks with whom I interacted. I haven't been to Eko-in, and so can't comment.
IMO, Himeji and Hiroshima are both extraordinary sites that are well worth visiting. I didn't visit Osaka, and while I'm sure I'd find things to enjoy there, it simply is not in the same class of sites as Himeji or Hiroshima.
FWIW, I think a 5 night loops with 3 nights in Kanazawa and 2 in Takayama or v.v. close to ideal for most purposes. YMMV.
IMO, Himeji and Hiroshima are both extraordinary sites that are well worth visiting. I didn't visit Osaka, and while I'm sure I'd find things to enjoy there, it simply is not in the same class of sites as Himeji or Hiroshima.
FWIW, I think a 5 night loops with 3 nights in Kanazawa and 2 in Takayama or v.v. close to ideal for most purposes. YMMV.
Aug 21st, 2019 | 11:14 AM
#11
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,781
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The Miyajima to Kanazawa trip is also 5+ hours but less complicated, so I would be less concerned about that than you seem to be, especially considering that you will be there for 4 nights. You have 5+ hours to Miyajima, 2 nights, and then 5+ hours to Kanazawa.
I don't understand the "day trip" to Hiroshima part. Your plan would be to go to Miyajima, spend a night, and the next day go to Hiroshima and return to Miyajima? If you stop in Hiroshima for a night then you could visit there in the morning and head to Miyajima in the afternoon.
You could visit Himeji as a day trip from Kyoto. You'd be able to do it without concern for luggage, and spend as much time there as you like with no real schedule pressure. Maybe stop in Osaka on the way back to Kyoto.
That last night or two in Hakone is a good idea.
Aug 22nd, 2019 | 12:36 AM
#12
Joined: May 2004
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Mrwunfl . You suggest visiting Osaka on the way back from Himeji. As we have been to Himeji before, I am undecided on that one ( but it was a long time ago!) . However, do you think Osaka is worth giving up one of our four days in Kyoto for? If so, what to see?
Aug 22nd, 2019 | 06:36 AM
#13
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Thank you so much for all the feedback. Hearing from actual boots,that have been on the ground is very helpful. After digesting it all, it seems this may be a better plan with easier transportation.
Tokyo - 6
We have more than we could ever see planned. We have a reservation at Asakusa View for a triple.
Nara - 2
Oak Hostel
We decided on 2 nights to give ourselves time to explore and to just have an easy walk back to the hotel after Omizutori.
Kyoto - 6
Rental house
Miyajima - 2
Sakuraya
Switching the dates means an early start to Hiroshima is possible from Kyoto for visiting the Peace Park, etc and then on to Miyajima to spend the night and enjoy the area the next day before leaving for Koyasan.
Koyasan -2
Still debating between Shojoshin or Ekoin.
Kanazawa - 4
No booking yet. Any ideas?
Takayama -3
Wondering about a ryokan stay for at least one night in Takayama
Tokyo -1
Returning to Tokyo for our last night and staying more centrally before our early evening flight the next day. This would make it a possibility to attend a baseball game on our last day if the game time works out. My research show the first game in Tokyo as 31 March.
We would be leaving out Hakone and so would like to incorporate a ryokan stay at some point on the trip. Any specific suggestions would be appreciated. If a good weather day presents itself, we could take a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone.
i have inquired about tickets for the Sumo Tournament in Osaka held during our stay in Kyoto. If we are able to get tickets, that would be a time to see a bit of Osaka as a day trip, perhaps with a Himeji stop.
This rework feels better to us. I have used the Japan Pass calculator and it appears a 21 day pass would save us a little money and might be easier for us than purchasing separate tickets.
We are still looking for hotel/ryokan for Kanazawa and Takayama as well as our last night in Tokyo so would love recommendations.
Also I am wondering if we could use luggage forwarding Kyoto to Miyajima as we will be in a private residence in Kyoto. Is there a service in Kyoto for forwarding? The same question for Hiroshima to Koyasan - can luggage be forwarded to the temple from Miyajima? I will do some more research on this question but so far that whole system has eluded me.
Again, thank you for taking the time to help me clarify.
Tokyo - 6
We have more than we could ever see planned. We have a reservation at Asakusa View for a triple.
Nara - 2
Oak Hostel
We decided on 2 nights to give ourselves time to explore and to just have an easy walk back to the hotel after Omizutori.
Kyoto - 6
Rental house
Miyajima - 2
Sakuraya
Switching the dates means an early start to Hiroshima is possible from Kyoto for visiting the Peace Park, etc and then on to Miyajima to spend the night and enjoy the area the next day before leaving for Koyasan.
Koyasan -2
Still debating between Shojoshin or Ekoin.
Kanazawa - 4
No booking yet. Any ideas?
Takayama -3
Wondering about a ryokan stay for at least one night in Takayama
Tokyo -1
Returning to Tokyo for our last night and staying more centrally before our early evening flight the next day. This would make it a possibility to attend a baseball game on our last day if the game time works out. My research show the first game in Tokyo as 31 March.
We would be leaving out Hakone and so would like to incorporate a ryokan stay at some point on the trip. Any specific suggestions would be appreciated. If a good weather day presents itself, we could take a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone.
i have inquired about tickets for the Sumo Tournament in Osaka held during our stay in Kyoto. If we are able to get tickets, that would be a time to see a bit of Osaka as a day trip, perhaps with a Himeji stop.
This rework feels better to us. I have used the Japan Pass calculator and it appears a 21 day pass would save us a little money and might be easier for us than purchasing separate tickets.
We are still looking for hotel/ryokan for Kanazawa and Takayama as well as our last night in Tokyo so would love recommendations.
Also I am wondering if we could use luggage forwarding Kyoto to Miyajima as we will be in a private residence in Kyoto. Is there a service in Kyoto for forwarding? The same question for Hiroshima to Koyasan - can luggage be forwarded to the temple from Miyajima? I will do some more research on this question but so far that whole system has eluded me.
Again, thank you for taking the time to help me clarify.
Aug 22nd, 2019 | 10:06 AM
#14
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
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In Takayama we stayed at Sumiyoshi and loved it. A few photos of our time there on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2008/04...ans-miso-sake/ . Wonderful hosts and excellent food.
Aug 22nd, 2019 | 04:44 PM
#15
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,720
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Luggage forwarding in Japan is simple and convenient. Its called takuhaibin, and here's the info you need:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html
Aug 23rd, 2019 | 11:33 AM
#16
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,781
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Osaka-jo was pretty interesting to me. It is a reconstruction and is a nice regional museum inside. The castle had an important role in the history of Japan. I recommend reading about the events that led to its destruction, the relationships among the people involved, the seige, and find the prints that depict the battle then you might get more out of it. Today, it is an impressive structure in a nice park.
I also recommend visiting Spa World.
Crellston, I suggest that January would not be the best time for a second visit to Himeji.
The OP has a longer stay in Kyoto and I think a Himeji day trip with maybe a stop in Osaka is worthwhile.
Aug 23rd, 2019 | 12:04 PM
#17
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,781
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>> If we are able to get tickets, that would be a time to see a bit of Osaka as a day trip, perhaps with a Himeji stop.
Ok, sumor tournaments are fun. It will start in the morning but you don't really need to arrive before noon. Getting there at 1PM would be good (if I knew I couldn't get there by 2PM then I probably would not go). You need to stay until it ends at 6PM.
To get to the sumo arena by 1PM you would need to leave Himeji by 11:30. You'd need to be at the castle entrance when it opens at 9AM. So, leave your lodging by 7AM or 7:30. That is a bit of a rush.
You could visit Uji, south of Kyoto station, in the morning and then go on to Osaka for sumo in the afternoon.
Ok, sumor tournaments are fun. It will start in the morning but you don't really need to arrive before noon. Getting there at 1PM would be good (if I knew I couldn't get there by 2PM then I probably would not go). You need to stay until it ends at 6PM.
To get to the sumo arena by 1PM you would need to leave Himeji by 11:30. You'd need to be at the castle entrance when it opens at 9AM. So, leave your lodging by 7AM or 7:30. That is a bit of a rush.
You could visit Uji, south of Kyoto station, in the morning and then go on to Osaka for sumo in the afternoon.
