First time trip to Japan in September
Jul 10th, 2014, 04:39 PM
#21
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"What is the best part of Kyoto to stay in?" -- I was glad I selected the Kawaramachi district. Others prefer elsewhere.
"1/2 of ... tour on Japan-Guide" -- It took me more than half a day for each of the "1/2 day" tours listed on the Japan-Guide web-site -- closer to 6 hours, on average.
"Can I have you opinion on how many temples to go see? Are they all vastly different to warrant seeing several?" Yes, they are vastly different from one another. I never tired of visiting temples; other people only want to do a few a day. Here's my recommendation: Decide on your priorities, mark them on a map, and then estimate where you want to be when. If at some point, you that you are "tiring" of seeing temples, and know that one of your priorities is last along your route, adjust your plan accordingly.
'Any recommendations for where to have afternoon tea?" -- not in the area you plan to visit on the day for which you pose this question, but on your day in Arashiyama, you might consider the Okochi Sanso Villa.
"Sanjusangendo Hall" -- This temple is, I believe, closer to Kiyumizodera and Fushimi Inari, so you might want to see if you can visit it when you are in that area.
"OR Do Mt. Koya and stay at temple lodging" - I'm very glad I spent a night on Koyasan, but I don't think you have time for it, as it takes quite a while to get there and -- at least for most temples (as I understand it) you absolutely MUST be there at the time the temple specifies (often around 5 p.m., I think) or your reservation WILL be cancelled.
BTW, I don't think you plan to visit Nijo-jo in Kyoto? One of my favorite places there (although I have a LOT of favorites there!
)
"1/2 of ... tour on Japan-Guide" -- It took me more than half a day for each of the "1/2 day" tours listed on the Japan-Guide web-site -- closer to 6 hours, on average.
"Can I have you opinion on how many temples to go see? Are they all vastly different to warrant seeing several?" Yes, they are vastly different from one another. I never tired of visiting temples; other people only want to do a few a day. Here's my recommendation: Decide on your priorities, mark them on a map, and then estimate where you want to be when. If at some point, you that you are "tiring" of seeing temples, and know that one of your priorities is last along your route, adjust your plan accordingly.
'Any recommendations for where to have afternoon tea?" -- not in the area you plan to visit on the day for which you pose this question, but on your day in Arashiyama, you might consider the Okochi Sanso Villa.
"Sanjusangendo Hall" -- This temple is, I believe, closer to Kiyumizodera and Fushimi Inari, so you might want to see if you can visit it when you are in that area.
"OR Do Mt. Koya and stay at temple lodging" - I'm very glad I spent a night on Koyasan, but I don't think you have time for it, as it takes quite a while to get there and -- at least for most temples (as I understand it) you absolutely MUST be there at the time the temple specifies (often around 5 p.m., I think) or your reservation WILL be cancelled.
BTW, I don't think you plan to visit Nijo-jo in Kyoto? One of my favorite places there (although I have a LOT of favorites there!
)
Jul 14th, 2014, 11:01 AM
#22
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Thank you to everyone who gave advice for this trip. I'm most appreciative! I took your feedback into account and am following a lot of your recommendations.
Sunday 9/21/2014
Land at Narita in the evening
Head into Tokyo
Eat a late dinner in Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Monday 9/22/2014 Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market / Daiwa Zushi for breakfast (Chuo) Akihabara (electronics, anime, manga stores) Sumo wrestling match at Ryōgoku Kokugikan (tournament going on from the 14TH -28TH)
Tuesday 9/23/2014 Tokyo
Rent bikes at Yoyogi Park - check out Harajuku bridge (right off the park) Shibuya Crossing at Shibuya station (not far from hotel) Roppongi Hills / Mori Tower 52nd floor observation deck (late afternoon or maybe before dinner)
Wednesday 9/24/2014 Tokyo to Kyoto first thing
Eastern Kyoto- Kiyomizudera Temple, Higashiyama District, Sanjusangendo Hall, Gion- including a walk along the river bank
Thursday 9/25/2014 Kyoto
Easterm Kyoto- Philosopher's Path, Nanzenji, Keage Incline, Heian Shrine + Zenrinji-temple, Eikan-do
Friday 9/26/2014 Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine- short train ride out of the city (southern kyoto) - two stops from Kyoto station Arashiyama (western kyoto)- Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Monkey Park- Okochi Sanso Villa (afternoon tea)
Saturday 9/27/2014 Kyoto to Hiroshima (morning) to Miyajima
Visit the A-bomb dome, Peace Park, and Peace Museum (reserving 4-5 hours) Head to Miyajima to see the Itsukushima Shrine
Sunday 9/28/2014 Miyajima to Hiroshima to Kyoto
See Itsukushima Shrine again at different tide Miyajima Ropeway to Mt. Misen Walk up Daisho-in course (temple w/ prayer cylinders on the stairways and the 500 Buddha statues)
Head back to Kyoto late afternoon
Monday 9/29/2014 Kyoto to Hakone (late afternoon)
Northern Kyoto - Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji, Nijo-jo
Tuesday 9/30/2014 Hakone
Hakone Loop
Staying at an onsen
Wednesday 10/1/2014 Hakone to Tokyo (evening)
Hike in am Staying in Shinjuku district Have a drink at the Lost in Translation hotel (Park Hyatt)
Thursday 10/2/2014 Tokyo
Shinjuku Garden Shopping
Friday 10/3/2014
Fly home from Narita in the afternoon
Thanks very much for your time and advice!
Sunday 9/21/2014
Land at Narita in the evening
Head into Tokyo
Eat a late dinner in Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Monday 9/22/2014 Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market / Daiwa Zushi for breakfast (Chuo) Akihabara (electronics, anime, manga stores) Sumo wrestling match at Ryōgoku Kokugikan (tournament going on from the 14TH -28TH)
Tuesday 9/23/2014 Tokyo
Rent bikes at Yoyogi Park - check out Harajuku bridge (right off the park) Shibuya Crossing at Shibuya station (not far from hotel) Roppongi Hills / Mori Tower 52nd floor observation deck (late afternoon or maybe before dinner)
Wednesday 9/24/2014 Tokyo to Kyoto first thing
Eastern Kyoto- Kiyomizudera Temple, Higashiyama District, Sanjusangendo Hall, Gion- including a walk along the river bank
Thursday 9/25/2014 Kyoto
Easterm Kyoto- Philosopher's Path, Nanzenji, Keage Incline, Heian Shrine + Zenrinji-temple, Eikan-do
Friday 9/26/2014 Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine- short train ride out of the city (southern kyoto) - two stops from Kyoto station Arashiyama (western kyoto)- Bamboo Groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, Monkey Park- Okochi Sanso Villa (afternoon tea)
Saturday 9/27/2014 Kyoto to Hiroshima (morning) to Miyajima
Visit the A-bomb dome, Peace Park, and Peace Museum (reserving 4-5 hours) Head to Miyajima to see the Itsukushima Shrine
Sunday 9/28/2014 Miyajima to Hiroshima to Kyoto
See Itsukushima Shrine again at different tide Miyajima Ropeway to Mt. Misen Walk up Daisho-in course (temple w/ prayer cylinders on the stairways and the 500 Buddha statues)
Head back to Kyoto late afternoon
Monday 9/29/2014 Kyoto to Hakone (late afternoon)
Northern Kyoto - Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji, Nijo-jo
Tuesday 9/30/2014 Hakone
Hakone Loop
Staying at an onsen
Wednesday 10/1/2014 Hakone to Tokyo (evening)
Hike in am Staying in Shinjuku district Have a drink at the Lost in Translation hotel (Park Hyatt)
Thursday 10/2/2014 Tokyo
Shinjuku Garden Shopping
Friday 10/3/2014
Fly home from Narita in the afternoon
Thanks very much for your time and advice!
Jul 14th, 2014, 05:19 PM
#23
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Better!
It is still a very full itinerary, so I again encourage you to think through your priorities so you can be prepared to see your highest priorities even if you get behind schedule.
Should be a great trip!
It is still a very full itinerary, so I again encourage you to think through your priorities so you can be prepared to see your highest priorities even if you get behind schedule.
Should be a great trip!
Jul 15th, 2014, 07:50 AM
#24
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Point noted, kja! This itinerary is pretty loose at this point.
If we don't get to all the sites scheduled for one particular day, my husband and I are pretty laid back, and we'd be fine with that.
If we don't get to all the sites scheduled for one particular day, my husband and I are pretty laid back, and we'd be fine with that.
