5 weeks in Japan
Nov 25th, 2015, 02:19 PM
#21
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Okayama 2 nights (Himeji)
Kanazawa 3 nights (Shirakawago, Takayyama (3 nights)
Tokyo (straight to Nikko for 2 nights)
back to Tokyo for 7 nights (Hakone,Kamakura,Yokohama)
I hope this looks more concise than my original plan and I continue to welcome any recommendations/ suggestions anytime.
I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!!
Kanazawa 3 nights (Shirakawago, Takayyama (3 nights)
Tokyo (straight to Nikko for 2 nights)
back to Tokyo for 7 nights (Hakone,Kamakura,Yokohama)
I hope this looks more concise than my original plan and I continue to welcome any recommendations/ suggestions anytime.
I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!!
Nov 25th, 2015, 02:27 PM
#22
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Your trip is shaping up nicely!
I trust you are aware of options for renting a phone once in Japan?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223_top.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html
"spend 3 nights in Miyajima"
Much as I loved my time on Miyajima, that would be a bit much for me. But if you want a place to just relax, hike a bit, etc., I suppose you could stretch your stay out that long.
"Kyoto 10 Nights (...Nara)"
Two of my favorite temples in the area are just outside Nara in Ikaruga -- Horyuji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4104.html
and Chuguji, which is actually inside Horyuji and covered in that same link.
If you have the time and interest, they are well worth considering IMO.
I trust you are aware of options for renting a phone once in Japan?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223_top.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html
"spend 3 nights in Miyajima"
Much as I loved my time on Miyajima, that would be a bit much for me. But if you want a place to just relax, hike a bit, etc., I suppose you could stretch your stay out that long.
"Kyoto 10 Nights (...Nara)"
Two of my favorite temples in the area are just outside Nara in Ikaruga -- Horyuji:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4104.html
and Chuguji, which is actually inside Horyuji and covered in that same link.
If you have the time and interest, they are well worth considering IMO.
Nov 25th, 2015, 05:46 PM
#24
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Yes, I agree with kja - shaping up well. My comments - I also think three nights in Miyajima is too much....and what do you plan to do with three nights in Nagoya? Are all the 10 nights in Kyoto in one accommodation? You do already have reservations - I think you said so in your original post...
Nov 26th, 2015, 01:16 PM
#25
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Thank you both for being so kind.
@kja- I saw that there is free wifi in Kansai airport so I might be able to use Skype/Wechat. *fingers crossed*
I will still try to get a prepaid sim card for my phone.
I'm really glad I have a generous amount of time in Kyoto.
@Mara I booked my accommodation to Nagoya on impulse when I had three days open between Kyoto and Hiroshima. This was before I done more research, and before I came on the forum to ask for help. (lesson learned) I'll need to do more reading before I decide which place I should stick with.
I will be staying at the same guesthouse in Kyoto for 10 days, it's a shared room in a large house so it's more affordable and meeting other travelers can be fun.
@kja- I saw that there is free wifi in Kansai airport so I might be able to use Skype/Wechat. *fingers crossed*
I will still try to get a prepaid sim card for my phone.
I'm really glad I have a generous amount of time in Kyoto.
@Mara I booked my accommodation to Nagoya on impulse when I had three days open between Kyoto and Hiroshima. This was before I done more research, and before I came on the forum to ask for help. (lesson learned) I'll need to do more reading before I decide which place I should stick with.
I will be staying at the same guesthouse in Kyoto for 10 days, it's a shared room in a large house so it's more affordable and meeting other travelers can be fun.
Nov 26th, 2015, 01:46 PM
#26
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Nagoya is an excellent place to visit--not so much for the town itself but as a convenient base for day trips. There's a splendid route from Kyoto to there via Lake Biwa (major temples around Otsu, original castle at Hikone).
In town, the Atsuta shrine is worth visiting (same architecture as Ise...maybe). And day trips to Gifu (cormorant fishing), Meiji-mura, Kiso valley, the Ise shrines (and Meoto-Iwa). And the natural route onward to Takayama and Kamikochi.
In town, the Atsuta shrine is worth visiting (same architecture as Ise...maybe). And day trips to Gifu (cormorant fishing), Meiji-mura, Kiso valley, the Ise shrines (and Meoto-Iwa). And the natural route onward to Takayama and Kamikochi.
Nov 26th, 2015, 02:37 PM
#27
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"Gifu (cormorant fishing)"
Isn't March too early for cormorant fishing (ukai)? I went to Gifu specifically to see it and specifically because in May (when I was there), the ONLY place I could locate where it had (just) begun for the season was Gifu.
Isn't March too early for cormorant fishing (ukai)? I went to Gifu specifically to see it and specifically because in May (when I was there), the ONLY place I could locate where it had (just) begun for the season was Gifu.
Nov 27th, 2015, 01:54 AM
#29
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I've got a single night in Nagoya in my March/April 2016 itinerary. We'll be taking the train from Hakone to Nagoya. We'll take a rental car from there for a day and go to Miho Museum, a few other places, probably also Lake Biwa / Otsu.
The current tentative plan is a night in a location North of Kyoto but I'm waiting to hear on that.
Then we're 7 nights in an apartment in Kyoto.
The current tentative plan is a night in a location North of Kyoto but I'm waiting to hear on that.
Then we're 7 nights in an apartment in Kyoto.
Nov 27th, 2015, 01:31 PM
#30
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@someotherguy Is it possible to see Lake Biwa, Otsu, and Hikone in one day enroute to Nagoya from Kyoto? Although I will have my luggage with me... I did check to see that Hikone is only 50mins from Kyoto so maybe I can go there as a day trip.
I had to look up what cormorant fishing in Gifu entails. very interesting, but after a quick search it seems that the fishing season starts from May-October.
@Kavey looks like we both will be in Japan around the same time.
I also found a company called PuPuRu that rents pocket wifi and cell phones. Might be the way to go!
I had to look up what cormorant fishing in Gifu entails. very interesting, but after a quick search it seems that the fishing season starts from May-October.
@Kavey looks like we both will be in Japan around the same time.
I also found a company called PuPuRu that rents pocket wifi and cell phones. Might be the way to go!
Nov 27th, 2015, 04:26 PM
#32
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You could do that trip in a day, but I think it'd be hard with luggage in tow: it's a tough slog up to Hikone Castle. I sent my luggage on to Nagoya by Takkubin (it's only $10 or so for a rollaboard) and took just a daypack and overnighted in Gifu. But then I also went to Inuyama and Meji Mura and the cormorant fishing.
It's also a bit of a walk to Ishiyamadera, the most interesting of the temples near Otsu: it's claimed to be where Murasaki Shikibu wrote the first chapters of Gengi Monogatari and there's a nice tableau of her at work in one of the rooms. It also has beautiful gardens.
There's another fine garden below Hikone castle. And Inuyama castle has a famous tea hut (Jo-an) nearby, though I think these are hard for nonspecialists (like me) to appreciate.
The trains around Nagoya are run by Meitetsu and a JR pass won't work on those (but they're local trains so not expensive). I don't know what sort of places you are staying at, but business hotels in Gifu (or anywhere really) are very inexpensive, and good for solo travelers--under $50 including breakfast. There are lots of chains and I've tried most of them. I prefer Toyoko Inns but some like Dormy Inns (they usually have a bath--ofuro--on the roof).
It's also a bit of a walk to Ishiyamadera, the most interesting of the temples near Otsu: it's claimed to be where Murasaki Shikibu wrote the first chapters of Gengi Monogatari and there's a nice tableau of her at work in one of the rooms. It also has beautiful gardens.
There's another fine garden below Hikone castle. And Inuyama castle has a famous tea hut (Jo-an) nearby, though I think these are hard for nonspecialists (like me) to appreciate.
The trains around Nagoya are run by Meitetsu and a JR pass won't work on those (but they're local trains so not expensive). I don't know what sort of places you are staying at, but business hotels in Gifu (or anywhere really) are very inexpensive, and good for solo travelers--under $50 including breakfast. There are lots of chains and I've tried most of them. I prefer Toyoko Inns but some like Dormy Inns (they usually have a bath--ofuro--on the roof).
Nov 27th, 2015, 05:37 PM
#33
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By all means, take advantage of Japan's fabulous luggage forwarding options whenever it suits your purposes! Luggage-forwarding is called takuhaibin; here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html
I also visited Inuyama for its castle and Jo-an in Urakuen and Meiji Mura. I enjoyed them all, but the main appeal of Meiji Mura for me was the preserved section of Frank Lloyd Wright's Tokyo hotel. If that hadn't been a specific interest of mine, I think I would have found the day pleasant, but not particularly memorable. It might, however, give a nice contrast to punctuate a long visit to more traditional settings.
I took the opportunity to visit Urakuen with a "goodwill guide," and so had the value of her input about various special features of that garden and of Jo-an, and my visit was shortly after a visit to Katsura Rikyu, so I had a bit of an idea of the features to which I should attend.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html
I also visited Inuyama for its castle and Jo-an in Urakuen and Meiji Mura. I enjoyed them all, but the main appeal of Meiji Mura for me was the preserved section of Frank Lloyd Wright's Tokyo hotel. If that hadn't been a specific interest of mine, I think I would have found the day pleasant, but not particularly memorable. It might, however, give a nice contrast to punctuate a long visit to more traditional settings.
I took the opportunity to visit Urakuen with a "goodwill guide," and so had the value of her input about various special features of that garden and of Jo-an, and my visit was shortly after a visit to Katsura Rikyu, so I had a bit of an idea of the features to which I should attend.
Nov 27th, 2015, 07:03 PM
#36
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Well, it depends what you are interested in: Meiji-Mura also has one of Lafcadio Hearn's houses (the others are in Matsue and Kumamoto).
Takuhaibin is the generic name, but the one you are most likely to encounter is takkubin/takkyubin by Yamato (its actual name is Ta-Q-Bin) which is the one with the black cat logo. I'm constantly amazed that no matter how remote the place I'm in, I'll always encounter their vans (or handcarts in towns).
If your hotel clerk doesn't understand your pronunciation of one word, try the other, or just tell them you want to send you bag to wherever ("nimotsu o wherever ni okuritai n'desu"). Your hotel will have the necessary forms and an arrangement with one of the companies, so go with whoever they deal with. They'll fill the forms in for you if you explain you cannot write Japanese ("zannen desu ga....Nihongo o kakemasen") but you need to provide the destination address to them in Japanese (you can print this out or grab a screenshot from the website of wherever you are going).
I fear some of this makes it look difficult...it's not, and all the places mentioned are pleasant and interesting. Just go with what works for you.
Takuhaibin is the generic name, but the one you are most likely to encounter is takkubin/takkyubin by Yamato (its actual name is Ta-Q-Bin) which is the one with the black cat logo. I'm constantly amazed that no matter how remote the place I'm in, I'll always encounter their vans (or handcarts in towns).
If your hotel clerk doesn't understand your pronunciation of one word, try the other, or just tell them you want to send you bag to wherever ("nimotsu o wherever ni okuritai n'desu"). Your hotel will have the necessary forms and an arrangement with one of the companies, so go with whoever they deal with. They'll fill the forms in for you if you explain you cannot write Japanese ("zannen desu ga....Nihongo o kakemasen") but you need to provide the destination address to them in Japanese (you can print this out or grab a screenshot from the website of wherever you are going).
I fear some of this makes it look difficult...it's not, and all the places mentioned are pleasant and interesting. Just go with what works for you.
Nov 28th, 2015, 07:04 AM
#37
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someotherguy, you are a wonderful source of info - I will now be sure to include Meiji Mura when I go to Japan in the spring - I have been to the other Lafcadio Hearn homes...
I have filled out the Takuhaibin forms in English even when I had the address written out in Japanese to show the clerk in case he/she wanted to write it in Japanese....
I have filled out the Takuhaibin forms in English even when I had the address written out in Japanese to show the clerk in case he/she wanted to write it in Japanese....
Nov 28th, 2015, 05:44 PM
#38
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No wonder people make numerous trips back to Japan, there are so much to see!
I will be able to add Hikone, Ostu as a day trip from Kyoto. I'm playing with the idea of taking out Nagoya in favor of 3 nights in Nara. (In the perfect world, I would prefer two nights in Nara and one night in Miyajima, but that will require more running around).
Although Meiji Mura did strike my interest! (decisions, decisions.)
Thank you for the tip and link regarding takkubin services, I will keep my eyes out for them!
I am wondering if there is a more straight forward way to visit Okayama, Kanazawa,shirakawago,Takayama,Tokyo?
I believe it take about 3.5 hours from Okayama to Kanawzwa and 2.5 hours getting to Takayama.
Do I need to go back to Kanazawa from Takayama to take the train to Tokyo? that seems to require the least amount of time by train. (but it still takes 2.5 hours none the less). If I'm not mistaken...
I will be able to add Hikone, Ostu as a day trip from Kyoto. I'm playing with the idea of taking out Nagoya in favor of 3 nights in Nara. (In the perfect world, I would prefer two nights in Nara and one night in Miyajima, but that will require more running around).
Although Meiji Mura did strike my interest! (decisions, decisions.)
Thank you for the tip and link regarding takkubin services, I will keep my eyes out for them!
I am wondering if there is a more straight forward way to visit Okayama, Kanazawa,shirakawago,Takayama,Tokyo?
I believe it take about 3.5 hours from Okayama to Kanawzwa and 2.5 hours getting to Takayama.
Do I need to go back to Kanazawa from Takayama to take the train to Tokyo? that seems to require the least amount of time by train. (but it still takes 2.5 hours none the less). If I'm not mistaken...
Nov 28th, 2015, 06:26 PM
#39
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I was disappointed in Okayama. Maybe it was the time of the year.
If you visit Takayama, and spend some time at the outdoor park there -- Hida-no-Taki -- Shirakowago may seem redundant. I skipped S'go; other people find it a valuable stop.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.h...tion_whatToSee
No, you do not need to return to Kanazawa to go to Tokyo. What sources are you using to plan your travel routes?
(same site as above, but click on "getting there and around" near the top).
There's more than enough, IMO, to keep one happily busy in Nara for 3 nights, but I would urge you not to sacrifice Miyajima, which is a lovely place and would give you the chance to see Hiroshima.
Takuhaibin can be arranged from just about any lodging -- no need to find a special office.
If you visit Takayama, and spend some time at the outdoor park there -- Hida-no-Taki -- Shirakowago may seem redundant. I skipped S'go; other people find it a valuable stop.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.h...tion_whatToSee
No, you do not need to return to Kanazawa to go to Tokyo. What sources are you using to plan your travel routes?
(same site as above, but click on "getting there and around" near the top).
There's more than enough, IMO, to keep one happily busy in Nara for 3 nights, but I would urge you not to sacrifice Miyajima, which is a lovely place and would give you the chance to see Hiroshima.
Takuhaibin can be arranged from just about any lodging -- no need to find a special office.
Nov 28th, 2015, 07:50 PM
#40
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Okayama is a major rail hub between the main Tokkaido/Shinkansen lines and the lines down to Shikoku and up to the San'in coast. A radical suggestion (and my recommendation) is to drop Kanazawa and instead go from Okayama up to Matsue. Matsue is far more interesting than Kanazawa: it has an original castle, samurai houses, Lafcadio Hearn's house, two beautiful lakes, a major garden at the Adachi museum (which I've not been to), a famous tea house, and the awesome Gesshoji temple. Just down the coast is the Izumo shrine, second after the Ise shrines, and a really interesting place to visit. A bit further is Hagi, center of the Meiji restoration, with an excellent shrine/museum to Shoin Yoshida and the guys who led Japan into the 20th century, and the magnificent Toko-ji temple.
On the way to Matsue, you can stop at Bitchutakahashi, which has an excellent Zen garden and the only mountaintop castle among the original 12.
Takayama and Shirakawago (actually, Gokayama is far more attractive) are conveniently visited from Nagoya. Then go on to Tokyo from there.
3 nights in Nara is good as several of the major sites are well out of town.
On the way to Matsue, you can stop at Bitchutakahashi, which has an excellent Zen garden and the only mountaintop castle among the original 12.
Takayama and Shirakawago (actually, Gokayama is far more attractive) are conveniently visited from Nagoya. Then go on to Tokyo from there.
3 nights in Nara is good as several of the major sites are well out of town.
