lhenry

Hello everybody,

I just got some incredibly low fares to Japan yesterday, but the catch is I have basically have 6 full days there. I leave on March 22nd and arrive into HND at 5:00am on the 24th and leave out of NRT at around 6:00pm on the 30th. I really want to visit both Tokyo and Kyoto but I don't know if I have enough time to do that. I thought about going to Kyoto right when I get to Japan, am I able to get there from Haneda? What are you guys' thoughts on this?

Thanks

mrwunrfl

You can visit one or the other or both. It would be easy to get from Haneda to Kyoto.

mrwunrfl

These are the trains to use: http://tinyurl.com/hktt5d4
You can do the roundtrip for around JPY 22,000 using this: http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK1/

japanican also offers rail/hotel packages.

Also, ANA has one-way fares for USD 98.70 that morning from Haneda to Osaka Itami airport. Then you can get a bus to Kyoto: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2433.html?aFROM=2158_2433

kja

You can get at best only a taste of both Tokyo and Kyoto in that time -- but you can get a taste. Your call whether to stay in Tokyo, with a day trip or two (perhaps Nikko and / or Kamakura?) OR try to visit Kyoto, too. (FWIW, given that you have so little time, and are already committed to flying into and out of Tokyo, I'd stay in Tokyo with an overnight in Nikko and, perhaps, a day in Kamakura. Just my opinion....)

Scour japan-guide.com for all the information you can get!

You should have some great experiences no matter what you choose.

mrwunrfl

You must have bought one of those under- $500 US-Tokyo roundtrip fares. A simple good reason to not go to Kyoto is the $200 roundtrip cost.

trebex

Absolutely have enough time for both. If you don't think you'll ever get back to Japan, definitely do both.

russ_in_LA

As kja so rightly indicated, you could spend all your time in Tokyo, along with day trips; however, it is only 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, and 3 hours back to Haneda Airport from Kyoto station, so I would not rule out a Kyoto trip if you really want to go. Check out this link to see train schedules between various points in Japan:

http://www.hyperdia.com/

Here are a couple other links that will help you decide if you want to spend all your time in Tokyo with side trips, or Kyoto as well.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950.html

Note that the Kyoto suggested itineraries will take longer than indicated here. If you decide to go to both cities, I would break up my time with 2 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto. With a little luck, you'll see the cherry blossoms starting to open up toward the end of your trip. Have a great time!

CaliforniaLady

Yes, it is possible to go to both Tokyo and Kyoto, but it will be rushed. I would cut way down on day trips in both cities, except for Nara when in Kyoto, and Odaiba when in Tokyo. I am going to assume here that you are young, energetic, healthy, and don't suffer from jet lag. If so, go for it.

Maybe three nights in each city, with a very early morning transfer between cities so that you don't waste the day?