also what side of train is best for views on hida limited express to takayama? are we best to reserve a seat on this? you had mentioned we did't need to

Doesn't matter which side of train on Takayama Line. At least, not on the southern part (from Nagoya) and probably true on the northern part (from Toyama)

I answered your second question yesterday:
>> are you sure i wont need a reserved seat on the second leg?
No, am not sure. I said "probably".

But definitely just get the reserved seats.
(esp. if there is a disruption on the line)

Are you shipping luggage from HND to Takayama?
How are you getting from HND to Sawanoya?

Oh, from HND you will go via JR Ueno Station. You could get your Takayama tix there if you didn't get them at the airport. (or at Shinagawa if u go that route)

When you get to Takayama go directly to the coin lockers to stash your bag(s) and then get the bus up to Hida no Sato. Or leave bags at lodging and maybe taxi. It is flat and then uphill walk to Hida no Sato.

I never thought of shipping from airport but it might be a good idea. But I think we might just take a taxi to Sawanoya. And then a taxi from Sawanoya to train station next morning. Good idea?

Our first hotel in Takayama for one night is right near train station and they will store our luggage.

originally we were landing on a saturday but now we land on monday and worried about rush hour. since the taxi is a fixed price it might make it much easier for us. seems a better use of $ than to ship luggage unless you feel otherwise. this is all new to me!!

What is your taxi price from Haneda to Sawanoya?

Hotel said about 10,000 yen

Haneda Airport to JR Ueno Station by rail will cost less than five bucks (700 yen or less). I would guess the taxi fare would be about 700, maybe 1000 yen from the station to your lodging (well worth it). The trains, unlike the taxi, will not be subject to traffic.

Luggage shipping in Japan is a great deal, especially at today's exchange rate. I would spend my $ on that instead of the taxi. Send luggage from the airport on Monday and it will be at your lodging on Wednesday. Travel wirh just the essentials you need for the two nights and the next day. Maybe just one small backpack or rollaboard.

If there are two of you with one bag each, then combine stuff for the two nights into one bag and travel with that. Ship the other. Or combine into one backpack and ship the two bags. You could even ship one bag from the airport and the other from Sawanoyu on the day you travel to Takayama (though this might be complicated if you leave very early).

Luggage shipping was a worthy luxury when 3000 yen was $28, but today that 3000 yen is $19,27 (USD).

Just saw this.

Two rail fares plus taxi would be 2,100 to 2,400.

So we each have a carry on with wheels and backpack. How hard will that be to navigate on train to Tokyo from airport? Could taxi from Uneo easily too. We are going to use the luggage shippping a few times. We are just fully packed now and I don't have the energy to repack now.

FWIW, shipping one bag would probably be about 2500, maybe less or up to 3000.
Your luggage sounds ok for taking on the trains into Tokyo. The thing in Japan is to be considerate of others.

totally udnerstand about being polite and manners. again, many thanks for all your help.

Whatever connection times you get will be enough. Just go from one conveyance to another without a bio break or anything and you will make it. If you don't, no worries, take the next one. It is Japan so not much bad will happen. I figure that 20,000 yen in my wallet will fix any issues.

Have a wonderful trip!