Hi, my wife and I are planning our first trip to Japan in late Sept, and we're really excited! We're thinking of spending 3nts in Kyoto and 5nts in Tokyo, with 1nt in Hakone in between where we hope to stay at a nice ryokan as a splurge.

day 1 - kyoto, arrival
day 2 - kyoto
day 3 - kyoto
day 4 - kyoto -> hakone
day 5 - hakone -> tokyo
day 6 - tokyo
day 7 - tokyo
day 8 - tokyo
day 9 - tokyo
day 10 - depart

I was wondering:

1) is it better to start in kyoto or tokyo? is the ratio of time in the two cities appropriate?

2) any suggestions for a ryokan? particularly one with its own onsen or heated bath, and/or special meal? I'm open to other towns beside Hakone to do this 1-nt stop?

3) any suggestions for possible day trips for this length of stay? my wife definitely wants to go to the Ghibli Museum

Thanks in advance everyone!!

Hi, xephalon -

> is the ratio of time in the two cities appropriate?

It depends on whether you want to see more of traditional Japan (Kyoto) or modern Japan (Tokyo).

Enjoy!

I generally like to do the busier things first and the relaxing things toward the end of a trip, so I guess that is why I would suggest Tokyo first. My energy is higher at the beginning. In Tokyo I used subways (busy and exciting). In Kyoto I used taxis and buses to get around (easier).

The time ratio is about right. You could move a day to Kyoto. But if you keep the ratio this way, then I think that it would be better to go to Tokyo first. As you have it now a good part of prime time on day 4 is going to be spent getting from your hotel in Kyoto to your place in Hakone. From Kyoto, it would be easier to get to Hakone.

The September Sumo Tournament in Tokyo is from Sept 14 thru the 28th. I highly recommend going.

It will also be the end of baseball season.

I would add one night to Kyoto

I would go to Tokyo first and Kyoto last for the reasons mrw gives above

Here are a few nice ryokan splurges in the area

http://tinyurl.com/5chont

http://tinyurl.com/5da98y

http://tinyurl.com/5nl9tn

check out this site for more ryokan in the area

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm
Aloha!

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll start with Tokyo and end with Kyoto as you guys suggested. I've also booked the Mikawaya Ryokan (http://www.hakone-mikawaya.com/) since the other ones were all sold out. I'm really excited!

Mikawaya looks great! Please let us know how it all went when you get back.....enjoy!

Aloha!

Mikawaa looks nice.

I just noticed an that I made a typo above. It should read:
From <b>Tokyo</b> <s>Kyoto</s>, it would be easier to get to Hakone.

xephalon:

Check out my web page on our recent trip to Japan. Although it was a group tour, it still might help you in your planning.

I'm sure you'll love Japan. We did!

http://www.travel.stv77.com/japan/japan.htm

I would probably add one more day to Kyoto esp if you're arriving to KIX instead of NRT. You have only two full days in Kyoto, as days 1 and 4 are for rather long transport.

Hi

My wife and I went to Tokyo and Kyoto a couple of years back. Maybe you can find some useful info in our trip reports: http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_tokyo.htm and http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_kyoto.htm . Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures