Confused about train passes for Japan. Which one do I need?
Jan 14th, 2011, 05:34 PM
#21
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see my post above of Jan. 10 at 10:25 am for info on traveling in Tokyo using Suica card.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html - towards the bottom of this page is info about Kyoto transportation...
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3115.html - info about traveling to Kamakura
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html - towards the bottom of this page is info about Kyoto transportation...
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3115.html - info about traveling to Kamakura
Jan 14th, 2011, 06:27 PM
#22
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Travelling in Kyoto.... Use buses, not taxis or subway.
Traffic there is horrendous, and its easier to get a bus to travel around.
I haven't been to Kyoto for maybe 8 years now, but, from memory, there was some sort of bus pass available at the tourist center near the train station.
Personally (and my opinion only ), I cant understand how people want to spend so much time in Kyoto. A couple of days, but, thats enough.
Please dont shoot me down for stating this, but, there are other things to see as well.
Even if you swapped Day 3 and 4 around, how do you plan to get back to Tokyo from Kyoto? You would be using the Kamakura trip as Day #1, and you would run out of days.
Looking at your schedule, and starting JR Pass on Day #4, you are now on Day #8 of a seven (7) day pass.
Start using the pass to go to NIKKO for a day trip. Return to Tokyo that evening, and then check out and go to Kyoto the next day.
To get to Nikko, you can take the bullet train to UTSONOMIYA ( northern line), then walk down stairs and take the little JR train to NIKKO station, Its a bit of a hike up to the temples and , seeing there are three of you, take either a bus or a taxi up the hill. Its about 1 .5 kilometers from memory. I know people recommend the TOBU line, bus , thats extra $$$.
My suggested schedule gets you the best value out of the JR Pass.
You may want to consider another day in Hiroshima, so that you can take in Miyajima properly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine
You could also use the JR pass to go to IWAKUNI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwakuni,_Yamaguchi
Check out the special bridge there .. Kintai Bridge.
I think you should revert back to my plan as shown
on Jan. 10th. It will be the least expensive for you. Try to utilize the JR pass to get your family out of Japan as well.
Traffic there is horrendous, and its easier to get a bus to travel around.
I haven't been to Kyoto for maybe 8 years now, but, from memory, there was some sort of bus pass available at the tourist center near the train station.
Personally (and my opinion only ), I cant understand how people want to spend so much time in Kyoto. A couple of days, but, thats enough.
Please dont shoot me down for stating this, but, there are other things to see as well.
Even if you swapped Day 3 and 4 around, how do you plan to get back to Tokyo from Kyoto? You would be using the Kamakura trip as Day #1, and you would run out of days.
Looking at your schedule, and starting JR Pass on Day #4, you are now on Day #8 of a seven (7) day pass.
Start using the pass to go to NIKKO for a day trip. Return to Tokyo that evening, and then check out and go to Kyoto the next day.
To get to Nikko, you can take the bullet train to UTSONOMIYA ( northern line), then walk down stairs and take the little JR train to NIKKO station, Its a bit of a hike up to the temples and , seeing there are three of you, take either a bus or a taxi up the hill. Its about 1 .5 kilometers from memory. I know people recommend the TOBU line, bus , thats extra $$$.
My suggested schedule gets you the best value out of the JR Pass.
You may want to consider another day in Hiroshima, so that you can take in Miyajima properly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine
You could also use the JR pass to go to IWAKUNI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwakuni,_Yamaguchi
Check out the special bridge there .. Kintai Bridge.
I think you should revert back to my plan as shown
on Jan. 10th. It will be the least expensive for you. Try to utilize the JR pass to get your family out of Japan as well.
Jan 15th, 2011, 05:38 PM
#23
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Mara: Thanks for your response. I will check out those links.
Gearsau: Thanks for the detailed reply. I cannot use your plan from Jan 10th since we have to be well-rested before our flight back to the US. Travelling with a 5-yr old can be a challenge!
Thus, we plan to stay in Tokyo, the night before our flight. But thanks for clarifying the 7-day activation about my itinerary. I will post a detailed itinerary as a separate thread and look forward to your helpful replies.
Gearsau: Thanks for the detailed reply. I cannot use your plan from Jan 10th since we have to be well-rested before our flight back to the US. Travelling with a 5-yr old can be a challenge!
Thus, we plan to stay in Tokyo, the night before our flight. But thanks for clarifying the 7-day activation about my itinerary. I will post a detailed itinerary as a separate thread and look forward to your helpful replies.
Jan 16th, 2011, 09:01 AM
#24
Oh, I didn't realize Nikko was a day trip. I assumed it was an overnight. I see at least three day trips to places that would be well worth an overnight, at least for one of the three: Nikko, Miyajima/Hiroshima, and Hakone. I understand that there are challenges (that I will never fully understand) when traveling with a 5 y.o. and that some people like to base themselves in one place, but this itinerary (a good one) is a bit hit-and-run.
