AskOksena

>>>Robert, th las for the input. We are thinking about the MO in Tokyo, we stayed at the Shangrila last trip on a one free night package. Hoping to hear about your Bhutan adventure.<<<


You are most welcome, FromDC, pleasure; and warm Tuesday morning greetings from Seoul.

Topping this thread, as was in Tokyo last week for meetings (corporate stay at that cherished, iconic and soon-to-be *renovated* Hotel Okura Tokyo). One evening entailed a work-related reception at the Aman, Tokyo. Given your prior positive stay at the Amanjiwo, perhaps you would appreciate a bit of that Aman 'DNA' in an urban setting. (Our most recent Aman experience was in the above-mentioned Bhutan. My profile page review of the Amankora and her various lodges just touches on that lovely holiday. Such gracious people; also exceptionally fortunate with the weather. A perfect conclusion to a memorable Nepal reunion with some climbing Sherpas and friends. Any Bhutan / Nepal questions, honoured to assist.)

[And concerning my current business travel location of Seoul, pleased to inform the Four Seasons, Seoul is ~ five weeks away from opening her doors to the general public. A couple of good friends and long-time FS managers are involved with this project; she should be a fine addition to the Seoul lodging scene. Advance reservations now being accepted.]

Savour your planning, FromDC. Warm wishes to you and all from Seoul,

robert

FromDC

Thanks everyone for your input, very interesting reading, lots of ideas for this trip and the next one!
Robert, will take a look at your review of Amankora.

Happy for continued feedback although I'm beginning to suspect the Moss festival is not such a big event, as I've not received any comments about it!

kanazawan

if you go to the Northern Alps area just after Golden Week, you might be able to see the scenery like http://blog.goo.ne.jp/comdigi-photo/...6d197e58a2d4c4 (typical early May in Oide area of Hakuba --- north of Matsumoto)

FromDC

Beautiful. I've put planning aside for the time being because of an upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand. Will pick this up in earnest in December.

FromDC

Resurrecting this thread as I am now in full planning mode. FYI, Australia and New Zealand were amazing, we had a really incredible time. I will post a TR in the coming weeks.

The OZ/NZ trip reinforced our notions about 2 night minimums so I have reworked the itinerary. Knowing that we had to eliminate at least one stop, I asked DH, who had strong feeling about tossing Koyasan. Well, I'll work on him for the 3rd Japan trip. So here goes for where I am thinking now:

5/9 - 5/12 Tokyo (probably at least one day trip, depends on weather). Sumo while there
5/13&14: Matsumoto (maybe one night of those nights in Shibu Onsen but I'm having trouble finding a ryokan I like and it's not clear what the snow monkey situation will be, otherwise, one day walk in alpine park)
5/15&16: Takayama (looks like there is a BUS that goes direct from Matsumoto and takes only 2.5 hours-train takes a lot longer)
May 17&18: Noto Peninsula (stay at Flatts, no availability on the 19th/20). Will take the train to Kanazawa then rent a car or maybe train to Nanao and rent a car
May 19-21: Kanazawa (drop off car at station)
May 22-25: Kyoto (Hotel Mume reserved)
May 26: Osaka airport hotel at night but will spend most of the day in Kyoto
May 27: connect thru Narita for trip back to DC

I also toyed with the idea of dropping Matsumoto, and flying to Noto from Haneda (not sure if Flatt's is available on the 13/14). If I did this, I'd have 2 extra days to allocate, probably add a day to Tokyo or Kanazawa or maybe stay at a ryokan the first night in Kyoto. But I'm not sure this will give me as varied experiences as I would like.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

kja

Please explain your "notions about 2 night minimums," as they mean different things to different people, and in particular, these things mean different things in Japan, with its very efficient and reliable luggage forwarding option. (I'm not trying to contest your decision -- just trying to understand it!)

russ_in_LA

Taking the lead from kja's comment on luggage forwarding, I will say that we took full advantage of it and it was fantastic. Keeping in mind that same day delivery was never an option for our destinations, we used that as an excuse for a 1 night stop in places where we felt that one night would be enough, such as Hakone and Koyasan. It was great to travel to these places with only an overnight bag, and we didn't feel compelled to stay longer than we wanted to. Of course, you have to do what's best for you, but just thought I would point out another angle as it pertains to our experiences in Japan.

FromDC

Russ and Kja, for us, it's more about having time in one place instead of getting oriented, rushing to fit everything in and moving around from place to place. DH usually needs a little rest when we arrive at a new spot before going out and sightseeing (less energy when you are 72, it wasn't always this way).I was thinking I might use the luggage forwarding service for this itinerary anyway, from Tokyo to Takayama. When we went to Hakone last year, we stayed only one night and really didn't get to see everything we wanted - - once we got to the ryokan, we just wanted to plop down and enjoy it (we traveled with backpacks, it was great!).

Anyway, the itinerary isn't set in stone yet and if a one nighter makes sense somewhere, I would do it. KimJapan is helping with some hotel reservations so I am getting close!

jdc26

FromDC, from your itinerary, it looks like we'll be crossing each other, particularly, I'll be in Takayama 3 nights 20-23, Kanazawa also 3 nights 23-26 and Kyoto 6 nights 14-20 and you're leaving Japan on the 27th, while I leave on June 1. It would've been nice if we could've meet up. I've never met any Fodorites while travelling, especially, judging from your screen name, it looks like we probably in the same area.

Looking forward to reading your OZ/NZ trip report since they're my next destination.

Happy travels!
jdc

FromDC

Jdc, yes, that too bad that we will miss each other. Will you not be in Tokyo? I've done meet ups with fodorites in Asia and it's a lot of fun. Maybe we can catch up in DC, I live in Cleveland Park.
Where are you staying in takayama and Kanazawa? I'm still in the process of finding accommodations that I'm happy with.
I wrote very detailed emails to family and friends while traveling to OZ/NZ, need to edit them for a trip report so the basics are there.

jdc26

FromDC, Yes, I'll be in Tokyo on the 28th, so you'll be gone. In Takayama I'm tentative booked at Country Hotel and Kanazawa at Mystays Kanazawa. They fit my budget and get good reviews so I plan to stick with them. For Kyoto being my longest stay, I'm renting an apartment.

I live in Maryland, so we're definitely close.

Looking forward to reading about OZ/NZ.

jdc

FromDC

Looking for hotel recommendations in Kanazawa. I'd like to stay near the castle and gardens, not near the train station. Don't think we want a ryokan at this stop but I would like mid-range or better? Any recent experiences to recommend or avoid?

russ_in_LA

We really liked the Hotel Trusty, which seemed new or recently renovated. Great location although small rooms. Worth paying for their largest ones. Best hotel breakfasts of the trip.