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I just saw your last post. Good, you have a plan. Just post the hyperlink to the klook webpage and I will go there.
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Originally Posted by mannequin_yeo
(Post 16893095)
any sharing what is interesting in Kyoto which you spend weeks?
Most first-time visitors to Japan who are there for a couple of weeks probably spend most of their time in Tokyo and Kyoto, with maybe one or two other places (plus some day trips). I'm not sure what it is you want to see and do but your itinerary has you jumping around from place to place in quick succession and you're likely to spend more time travelling around than you spend actually enjoying where you are. Based on what you currently have, I would stick to (at most) Kyoto, Hakone, Tokyo, Kanazawa and back to Kyoto (Osaka). If I wanted more time somewhere, I'd drop Hakone. That 'loop' is fairly easily (and quickly) done by train. Places like Takayama, Matsumoto, the Alpine Route, Shirakawa-Go and many more are certainly worthwhile but I'm not sure I would ever recommend them to a first time visitor with (only) two weeks. As I already commented, I find Osaka of little interest and unless there's something specific you want to see and do there, I would give it a miss entirely; Osaka Castle is good but Himeji Castle (less than an hour from Kyoto) is far better and Nijo Castle in Kyoto is excellent, both inside and outside. There are no 'right and wrong' answers on where to go and what to do but I wouldn't try and cover too many places/cities - take the time to explore and enjoy where you are, without rushing on to the next destination. |
Originally Posted by tt7
(Post 16893593)
Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. It has 1,000+ years of history and is the cultural heartland of Japan. It has more temples, shrines and gardens than you can imagine (supposedly 1,700+) and plenty of shops, restaurants and other attractions. Thanks to the excellent train system, it's easy to do day trips from Kyoto to lots of places, including Nara, Arashiyama, Himeji, Hiroshima etc. Try this Kyoto site for some suggested itineraries.
Most first-time visitors to Japan who are there for a couple of weeks probably spend most of their time in Tokyo and Kyoto, with maybe one or two other places (plus some day trips). I'm not sure what it is you want to see and do but your itinerary has you jumping around from place to place in quick succession and you're likely to spend more time travelling around than you spend actually enjoying where you are. Based on what you currently have, I would stick to (at most) Kyoto, Hakone, Tokyo, Kanazawa and back to Kyoto (Osaka). If I wanted more time somewhere, I'd drop Hakone. That 'loop' is fairly easily (and quickly) done by train. Places like Takayama, Matsumoto, the Alpine Route, Shirakawa-Go and many more are certainly worthwhile but I'm not sure I would ever recommend them to a first time visitor with (only) two weeks. As I already commented, I find Osaka of little interest and unless there's something specific you want to see and do there, I would give it a miss entirely; Osaka Castle is good but Himeji Castle (less than an hour from Kyoto) is far better and Nijo Castle in Kyoto is excellent, both inside and outside. There are no 'right and wrong' answers on where to go and what to do but I wouldn't try and cover too many places/cities - take the time to explore and enjoy where you are, without rushing on to the next destination. |
Your current plan includes a lot of natural beauty and less time in the big city stops that make up most or all of a typical 1st time visit to Japan. I like it. If you drop the Toyama (Alpine) stop then you could just go by bus: Matsumoto, Norikura, (Kamikochi or other stops in the Alps), Takayama at least 2 nights, Shirakawago for a night, and then Kanazawa.
You didn't mention Himeji, Nara, or Hiroshima. If you were to add those to your itinerary then you could use Osaka as a base instead of Kyoto. You can get better loding costs in Osaka. Yes, you can get to Himeji in less than an hour from Kyoto on the shinkansen in 46 minutes for ¥ 4,750 unreserved. But from Osaka on a JR rapid train it is 63 min for ¥ 1,490. A JR Pass would change the math. |
I don't know anything about the flower park that you mentioned other than I think it is in Ibaraki prefecture and would take a bit of travel time. Given that interest, though, that I should mention Hama Rikyu garden in Tokyo. Among other things it has a peony garden. I am pretty sure they bloom there in May.
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa should be on your radar too. |
Besides the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden make time to visit the Omicho Market if possible. A real fresh produce market and interesting to wander around with many reasonable seafood lunch options. I feel it is much better than the Nishiki Market in Kyoto which is overrun with tourists and too many shops selling trinkets and souvenirs rather than food and produce. |
Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
(Post 16892982)
That is about US$ 60 and I see that fare at klook but it is for Osaka to Nagoya. The Tokyo price is US$ 133 which would be about SG$ 180. That is the regular fare from Shin-Osaka. Your fare from Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka would be about SG$ 37. The travel time by train from KIX to Tokyo would be a bit under 4 hours.
Instead of going to Tokyo you could just go to Odawara. It is on the way to Tokyo - about a half-hour less travel time. And it is a gateway to Fuji-Hakone National Park. From Odawara it is just 12 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto. There are a couple of travel passes that you could use for this part of your trip. It sounds like you are planning to travel from Takayama to Kanazawa and then go to Shirakawago from there. But, Shirakawago is between Takayama and Kanazawa by bus. |
Why are you stopping over in Shinjuku? Why do you need to get the pass a day in advance?
On your way to Shinjuku you would pass through Odawara (likely without stopping). Your travel route would be: Osaka - via Odawara - Tokyo - Shinjuku - Kawaguchiko - Odawara - Shinjuku. Instead of that, you could go: Osaka - Odawara - Kawaguchiko - Shinjuku. You can get the Fuji Hakone Pass at Odakyu Odawara station. The 11th, being a Saturday, would be the busiest day of the week in Fuji-Hakone area as people would be getting away for the weekend or the day from Tokyo, Yokohama, etc. There is a reason why you might want to spend two nights (10th, 11th) in Osaka - day trip to Himeji or Nara or visit Osaka on the 11th - and then on the 12th go to Odawara for Hakone and Fuji Goko. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_014.html https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html |
Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
(Post 16894269)
Why are you stopping over in Shinjuku? Why do you need to get the pass a day in advance?
On your way to Shinjuku you would pass through Odawara (likely without stopping). Your travel route would be: Osaka - via Odawara - Tokyo - Shinjuku - Kawaguchiko - Odawara - Shinjuku. Instead of that, you could go: Osaka - Odawara - Kawaguchiko - Shinjuku. You can get the Fuji Hakone Pass at Odakyu Odawara station. The 11th, being a Saturday, would be the busiest day of the week in Fuji-Hakone area as people would be getting away for the weekend or the day from Tokyo, Yokohama, etc. There is a reason why you might want to spend two nights (10th, 11th) in Osaka - day trip to Himeji or Nara or visit Osaka on the 11th - and then on the 12th go to Odawara for Hakone and Fuji Goko. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_014.html https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html |
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