Hey everyone!

It's been a dream of mine since I was little to visit Japan - especially during the cherry blossom festival. My boyfriend and I have started to discuss this trip, and since I'm such a planner, I like to work out exactly where we'll be staying, for how long, and an idea of the attractions we'll visit.

Our hopeful dates for the trip are March 27, 2014 to April 30, 2014.

We intend on each purchasing a 21-day JR pass and a 14-day JR pass, since we want to see a lot of the country.

To save money, we were looking into staying at hostels for the majority of our trip. I found a hostel chain that seem pretty nice - does anyone have anything good or bad to say about K's House? I know we also get a discount for staying at more than three of their locations. The only city that doesn't have a K's House hostel that we want to visit is Fukuoka - does anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive hotels to stay there?

I would also like some advice on our itinerary:
Depart 3/27, arrive in NRT on 3/28. Stay the night at Tokyo hostel.
Day 1: Train to Fukuoka
Day 2: Fukuoka, side trip to Dazaifu
Day 3: Fukuoka
Day 4: Train to Hiroshima
Day 5: Hiroshima, side trip to Miyajima
Day 6: Hiroshima
Day 7: Train to Kyoto
Day 8-11: Kyoto (there's just so much to see in Kyoto alone!)
Day 12: Day trip to Yoshinoyama cherry blossom viewing spot, back to Kyoto
Day 13: Day trip to Amanohashidate, back to Kyoto
Day 14: Day trip to Osaka, back to Kyoto
Day 15: Day trip to Nara, back to Kyoto (or would it be better to do two day trips to Nara, instead of Osaka? I've heard Osaka is pretty boring in comparison)
Day 16: Day trip to Himeji, back to Kyoto
Day 17: Train to Fujisan
Day 18-20: Fujisan
Day 21: Train to Takayama
Day 22: Takayama
Day 23: Train to Ito in Izu Peninsula (I know this is closer to Fujisan than Takayama is, but the rooms at this hostel are more expensive than in Takayama, and I get a higher discount for staying in Takayama first)
Day 24: Day trip to Shimoda
Day 25: Either going to the 7 waterfalls trail or staying Ito enjoying the onsen at the hostel
Day 26: Train to Tokyo
Day 27-34: Tokyo
Day 35: Fly home

Does this seem like a reasonable itinerary, or does it seem too rushed to work well?

One last thing, since this was a little long: I'm quite a picky eater - I have a no-seafood diet, and I know seafood makes up the majority of Japanese cuisine. From those who have been to Japan, is there enough Western-style food (burgers, chicken, etc.) to get by? I know it's part of travel to sample the local cuisine (and I plan to sample a little bit), I just prefer to learn about culture in other ways beside food.

Thanks everyone!

It is ambitious. You must like to ride trains.

The first change to the plan I suggest is to fly from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka. This will save you a great deal of time. Sounds like taking the train might be fun, but spending your first day in Japan on shinkansen probably won't be.

Then activate a 21-day JR Pass on Day 4. That would be good through your day trip to Shimoda. Then you just pay the 4200 JPY to get from Ito to Tokyo on Day 26.

If you really do want to take the train on Day 1 then a 21-day pass would end when you arrive in Takayama. The way to get around this (problem is extra train cost after that point) is to go from Kyoto to Takayama and then to Ito or Fujisan. Then pay as you go as you are in the Kanto region.

Two 14-day passes would probably not be economical but would cover your itinerary as-is.

With Takayama after Fujisan you are backtracking an extra 3 or 4 hours of unnecessary and uninteresting train travel (two extra trips between Atami and Nagoya).

But, you don't mind backtracking as your Kyoto hub and day-trip spokes plan tells me. Might not be that you like train travel a lot but you like not having to change lodging more.

Others may give you (good) advice about cutting out some of the stops. I would urge cutting out some of the backtracking. I suggest dropping Amanohashidate for that reason - it will cost you over 4 hours of travel that day to get there from Kyoto and back to Kyoto. I would make it an overnight trip and then go to Osaka the next day. Day trip to Nara from there (probably Yoshino from there too).

Or go from Amanohasidate (if you don't skip it) to Nara. Visit Hoshino from there. You can then decide whether to day trip to Osaka or just stay in Nara.

Definitely try to keep Yoshino on your itinerary for that time of year. Sorry, this rambles some, I don't have time to fix it. One more thought is that you seem to have a lot of interest in Japan, citing so many places to visit, that you are likely going to be one who returns. In which case you don't need to cram so much into one trip.

Ah, I didn't realize Amanohashidate was that far away! That one will likely be cut. I don't mind backtracking, and my boyfriend actually prefers it so we're not constantly moving our luggage around and whatnot.

Thanks for the advice about taking a plane to Fukuoka, I'll look more into that!

And I know that going to Takayama before Ito will cost me a bit of time, but with the discounts I'll be saving from each hostel in that order, I'll end up saving $500, and since Ito and Tokyo are the two most expensive, I would prefer to get the largest discounts in those ones, even if it requires a little bit more backtracking.

I think I'll consider cutting Osaka as well - Osaka doesn't seem to have as many of the attractions that we're interested in seeing, and we could probably use that extra day elsewhere.

Thanks so much!

Sounds exciting and long! You are so lucky.

JoBro:
Seems like Fukuoka, being such a long way from Tokyo, can be cut, or at least take a plane. Having not visited there since right after WW II, I can't judge what would interest you in Fukuoka City, except closeby Dazaifu which is a very small version of Kyoto with it's shrines and temples. It was partially off-limits to GI's at the time I was in Fukuoka on a pass from Beppu on the other side of Kyushu.

As for cutting out Osaka and just doing one daytrip to Nara, I would agree, and suggest taking one of those days to visit the exceptionally unique (I.M.Pei, architect) Miho Museum, a very colorful half-day to full day trip from Kyoto (see pix).
Miho Museum is in a rural region...15-minute train ride from Kyoto, followed by a 40-minute bus trip.

After a little more gymnastics, you'll tweak this plan to be one great trip. And as MrWunrfl noted, you'll be back. It took me 60 years to revisit (2007)....don't wait that long!

stu

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...hoMuseumIMPei#

The artistic offerngs at Miho is on the sparse side but much more may have been added....it's the setting which is the greatest attraction.

A few suggestions.....

Agree with mrw about flying into FUK from HND and avoiding that first long train ride. You can find cheap domestic flights for ¥10,000
Day 5 - Hiroshima
Day 6 - over night on Miyajima
Day 7 - Why waste your money on expensive digs in Kyoto(the most expensive hotel city in Japan)when all you are doing are day trips from Kyoto? Use that JR Pass and overnight in Kinosaki Onsen after stopping by and looking through your legs at Amanohashidate. Then travel on to Yoshino
Day 8 Stay in or near Yoshino
Day 9-10 Osaka
Day 11-14 Kyoto Forget day trips to Himeji or you can stop over on your way to Hiroshima

Your train to Fujisan means what exactly? Do you mean to overnight in Kawaguchi ko?

The seven daru on Izu in Kawazu are a sight and an easy hike along the trail. Very steep in the beginning and slippery when wet but worth the trip imho. We stayed two nights here:
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/shizuoka/amagiso.htm

As you know the cherry blossoms will be the focus during the times you are there. You should probably put another night into Yoshino and Kyoto for just that purpose. I might also think about putting a few days at the beginning of your trip into Tokyo to view the blossoms. Great cb viewing venues there and they will be long gone by the end of your trip. Looks like a great trip if you can tweak your times and places a bit. Don't worry too much about not liking seafood. The Japanese eat all seafood and everything on the land and then some. I don't eat much seafood at all, can't stand fish, but have been back ten times and going for number 11 this fall.

Aloha!

a few more thoughts and some answers to questions

Looking at the K's house locations I now see the genesis of your itinerary. We have never done hostels in Japan but you may find some good information here
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/cmap-JP...?linkid=980028

The business hotels in Japan may also fit into your budget range. Business hotels are very clean, small, ensuite, and usually include breakfast. We like the Toyoko, Comfort and Sunroute chains the best but there are many others with locations all throughout Japan.

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/

http://www.comfortinn.com/sitemap-japan-JP

http://www.sunroute.jp/english/index.html

I like to keep day trip destinations an hour or less by train if possible. That way you don't waste your day times on trains and have more time to explore your destination. Do more over nights rather than day trips.

Here are a couple of great sites if you haven't seen already for Japan travel with generally great information on all practical matters concerning Japan travel.

http://www.japan-guide.com/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/japan/

Aloha!

Looks like an exciting trip. Good you are doing some early planning. One suggestion I would make would be to take some time on arrival to rest and aclimate yourself, then after 3 or four days head outward either by train or plane. This would also make your rail pass time frame work better as mrwurfl pointed out. You are making a long journey and it would be good to get used to the time change with a few easy days rather than hitting the ground running and maybe wearing yourself down for the next week.

Hey everyone, thanks for all of the suggestions! I have adjusted the itinerary so far as follows:

Depart 3/27, arrive in NRT on 3/28. Stay the night at Tokyo hostel.
Day 1-4: Tokyo to get aclimated
Day 5: Fly to Hiroshima
Day 6: Hiroshima, side trip to Miyajima (potentially stay the night in Miyajima, depending on costs)
Day 7: Hiroshima
Day 8: Train to Kyoto
Day 9-12: Kyoto (there's just so much to see in Kyoto alone!)
Day 13: Day trip to Yoshinoyama cherry blossom viewing spot, stay the night in Yoshino
Day 14: Relax at Yoshino ryokan, stay one more night here
Day 15: Travel from Yoshino to Nara, night in Nara
Day 16: Nara
Day 17: Train to Fujisan (the hostel we plan on staying in is in Fujikawaguchiko town)
Day 18-20: Fujisan
Day 21: Train to Takayama
Day 22: Takayama
Day 23: Train to Ito in Izu Peninsula (I know this is closer to Fujisan than Takayama is, but the rooms at this hostel are more expensive than in Takayama, and I get a higher discount for staying in Takayama first)
Day 24: Day trip to Shimoda
Day 25: Day trip to the 7 waterfalls trail, evening enjoying the onsen
Day 26: Train to Tokyo
Day 27-34: Tokyo
Day 35: Fly home


With this plan, we wouldn't have to activate the rail pass until day 8 (since the train and ferry to Miyajima would only cost about 600 yen), when we have to take the train to Kyoto.

Also, about how much should we put in a food budget (staying to 100 yen shops and cheap restaurants)?

I don't see, myself, the point of flying to Hiroshima once you have already debarked from your overseas flight. You'll have to commute to the airport (the closest airport, Haneda would take 45 minutes to an hour to commute from your hostel, then's there's, check in - that's over two, two and a half hours just to get to the plane.

I would train to Kyoto from Tokyo in about the same amount of time. Remember, you can't time cherry blossoms exactly, and nothing is guaranteed. However, 1 April isn't a bad timing for the start of your trip to Kyoto (it would have been perfect this year, but who knows for 2014.) Book your hostel well in advance, Kyoto is very, very popular in early April for sakura season. Spend your time in Kyoto for the first week of April.

Then head to Hiroshima. April 6, 7,8

Then return to Nara; this is your second chance for cherry blossoms: April 9,10. If you're having separate stays Kyoto and Nara, you might as well split them and cover your odds better. Sakura season could be late next year.

Personally I'd never go anywhere just for cherry blossoms: I'd treat the blossoms as a bonus, not the main event, because Nature may foil the best laid plans. I am not as seasoned a Japan traveler as other folks here, but Yoshinoyama strikes me as a bit too blossom focused. Sure, there are temples there - but there are temples galore in Japan.

I'd head to Takayama next(April 11, 12), and then - I'm probably unique on this board - but I'd put in nights in Nagoya (April 13), in between Takayama and Ito. Yes, I'd do this in lieu of Yoshinoyama. It breaks your travel down into shorter segments, and you get to see the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. A must-see in my view (Japan isn't just about temples, the whole economy turns on its industry.)

Then head to Ito on the 14th day of your pass - days 14, 15, 16 in Izu then 17, 18, 19, 20 in Kawaguchiko. I will defer to those with experience, but I hope you're not planning on climbing Fujisan - even late April is way, way too early!

Note hyperdia.com tells me that you virtually have to return to Yokohama, at the least, from Ito/Izu in order to get to Kawaguchiko. So consider that in Ito/Izu, a lot of the trains are private and not covered by JR. It might be worthwhile to get a 14 day pass, pay cash in Izu, cash for return to Tokyo or Yokohama; consider taking the bus from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, or a smaller rail pass just for this area.

Oh man, I just thought of another reason to skip Yoshinoyama. Your itinerary would otherwise have you arrive in Takayama for April 13 and 14. Takayama Spring festival is the 14th and 15th. Yeah, the festival could be fun to see. But the place will be packed, and prices for accommodation go through the roof. (We actually took steps to avoid the festival and weren't sorry. Takayama is a great place for onsen - you can buy a pass from the hotels that offer them, you don't need to stay at the hotel in question. But onsen are more fun if they're not crowded.

The revised schedule as I read it puts them in Nara on April 13/14.....
It's not as bad a thing as you imagine it would be. I have been smack dab in the middle of matsuri's, festivals, peak cherry blossoms viewing, peak koyo viewing and find it lots of fun to be in the thick of it all. Its all in the mindset I guess.

Since you have cut out Fukuoka, I too would take the train to Hiroshima and not fly to save time as Sue mentions. There are other rail passes you can get in lieu of the 7,14,21 day varieties. There is a JR East Kanto pass that might help you in combo with a 14-day pass. See here for more pass option details if you haven't already.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html

The town in the Fuji Five Lakes region(Fujigoko) you are referring to is called Kawaguchiko or Lake Kawaguchi. Ko in Japanese means lake. Jo in Japanese is castle(Matsumotojo), gawa is river. There are five lakes at the base of Fujiyama(yama means mountain in Japanese)or Mt Fuji. Kawaguchiko is the biggest of the five and has the most lodgings, etc for the visitors. The best train and only direct train to Kawaguchiko is out of Shinjuku station in Tokyo though you can transfer to it as Sue mentions. There is a supplement to pay on this train as it uses private rail lines for part of the journey. We had to transfer trains in a small hill town iirc to the private line. Beautiful sights of Fujisan from Kawaguchiko if she is showing herself that day. Going there later in your schedule will enhance your chance of being there during their peak cherry blossom time as being at altitude will call for a later bloom. I am one who wholeheartedly recommends being at a place for peak cherry blossom times and totally recommend doing so.

I like the looks of your revised schedule a lot more than your first......your almost there.

Don't know if this place is within your budget but many here have overnighted on Miyajima at this minshuku and loved it. Located right along the main hiking trail and just below the gondola lift in the middle of the forest....well, it doesn't get much better for location.

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/miyajima/momijiso.htm

Aloha!

Re Food Budget, I imagine you could get by on $35. per day per person. That is sticking to the low budget chain places, looking for the special "set" meal deals in the high population areas. Large Dept. Store basements have assortments of take out items so a 6.50 chicken caesar salador bento for lunch with a 1.30 vending machine green tea could be taken to a scenic setting for a nice picnic. Another strategy would be to eat your main meal as a late lunch. You could get a $20 set lunch at a restaurant floor establishment that would charge $50 dollars for the same meal at dinner.
We enjoy Japanese Italian places, they do noodles very well.
Large bakery chains have quiche and savory goods that make for a good low cost lunch as well.
I saw a Anthony Bourdain special recently where an American chef in Japan was extolling the quality of take out foods at a local Lawson which is the Japanese version of a 7-11, which are also present in Japan as well as Family-Marts and others. Using these places could cut your budget even further. Don't worry about not liking fish, there will be plenty of choices when it comes to getting something to eat.
You can use the internet to see what the choices are in your area of interest. Trip Advisor has lists by geographic area as well as the Japanese Tabelog site (use Chrome for translation feature),
bento.com is good for both Tokyo and Kyoto and also has a good sister site for visitor information.
You're going to have a great time!

I know the cherry blossoms can't be timed exactly, which is why we're trying to go for as long as possible, so we hopefully see as much of them as possible. If we were to go any other time of year either due to money or work issues, I would choose to skip Yoshinoyama, but if I'm going to Japan during the cherry blossom season, I might as well see the most famous viewing spot!

That ryokan in Miyajima would be perfect, but it appears to be booked already, or perhaps they haven't started booking for that time period yet. I'll keep an eye on it and see if it opens up, though!

Revised Itinerary:

Depart 3/27, arrive in NRT on 3/28. Stay the night at Tokyo hostel.
Day 1-4: Tokyo to get acclimated
Day 5: Train to Kyoto
Day 6-9: Kyoto
Day 10: Train to Hiroshima
Day 11: Hiroshima
Day 12: Trip to Miyajima, likely stay the night
Day 13: Train to Nara
Day 14: Nara
Day 15: Travel to Yoshino from Nara, night in Yoshino
Day 16: Yoshino
Day 17: Train to Takayama
Day 18: Takayama
Day 19: Train to Ito
Day 20: Day trip to Shimoda
Day 21: Day trip to 7 waterfalls trail, evening at onsen
Day 22: Train to Fujikawaguchiko
Day 23-25: Fujikawaguchiko
Day 26: Train to Tokyo
Day 27-34: Tokyo
Day 35: Fly home


I'm wondering, since I have so many days in Tokyo, if I should spend a day or two longer in an area, or perhaps do a couple of day trips from Tokyo? Any recommendations for day trips/where in the trip we should stay longer?

And thanks so much for the food a

one way I see this working is if you change up a little for something like this.....there are other ways of course

3/28-3/31 Tokyo
4/1 - Hiroshima -Start 7 day JR Pass here
4/2 - Hiro
4/3 - Miyajima
4/4 - Yoshiyama
4/5 - Yoshi
4/6 - Nara
4/7 - Nara - 7 day pass expires today
4/8 - Train to Kyoto (depending on which line you take it will cost about ¥700-1100)
4/9-4/11 - Kyoto
4/12 - Takayama(Start 2nd 7 day JR Pass here) Using a 7-day JR pass here would about break even with paying train fares of the next 7 days. Or if you decide to spend more time in Kyoto then go to Ito first then Takayama if you want to avoid the spring festival.
4/13 Taka
4/14-17 - Ito(Izu Peninsula)
4/18 - Kawaguchiko (7-day JR Pass expires today)
4/19 - Kawaguchiko
4/20 - Train back to Tokyo (¥2200-¥4000 depending on train taken)

You do have lots of time in Tokyo there at the end and you could add easily another two days or more in Kyoto and not affect your pass situation. You might want to catch up to the sakura line with your last days and travel north to Tohoku and this little town of Kakunodate along with Hirosaki for their sakura viewing times....one of the treasured sights to behold in all of Japan. A four day JR east Pass would do the trick.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_02.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3701.html

Japan is your oyster (I know you don't like seafood) just figure out how want to eat it.

Aloha!

You know now that I look it over again maybe the 21-day JR pass would be a better deal on my itinerary

I've heard of Kakunodate and Hirosaki before, and when I was making up a huge list of places I wanted to see (25 places in total, I had to cut back! lol) they were on the list - my only concern with them is that Kakunodate is a 3-hour trip one way from Tokyo, Tokyo to Hirosaki is a 4.5-hour trip one way, and I had a difficult time finding hostels north of Tokyo until Hokkaido. Although, if it were just for a night or two, staying at a relatively cheap hotel would work too.

But I really like that itinerary! Thanks so much for your help!!

A three hour shinkansen ride is a snap.

The Folkloro right next to Kakunodate station is a neat little place with a lovely staff. English is almost non-existent here but they will take care of you like one of their own. Cheap prices in immaculately clean accommodations. If you do stay here say hi to Akiyamasan from hawaiiantraveler.

http://www.jre-hotels.jp/e/folkloro/523.html

In Hirosaki the Toyoko Inn or Best Western are two business hotels right next to the JR train station and provide cleans rooms at reasonable rates with breakfast included. We stayed at the BW but you might be more interested in Toyoko Inn's rates.

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00164/index.html

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=78516

If you have interest in these areas, I have done a couple of trip reports you can wade through to see if your interests are piqued.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ossom-tour.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...japan-2007.cfm

If you hit these two towns right at the end of your trip you might be rewarded with seeing the best cherry blossom sites in Japan all on one trip (which is hard to do because of the length of trip) Kyoto, Tokyo, Yoshinoyama, Kakunodate and Hirosaki.

Aloha!