First Trip to Japan - Need Advice
 

My girlfriend and I are planning our first trip to Japan. We are planning to go for about 2 weeks in either September or October. We have done some reading/research, and here is our rough itinerary so far. We plan to get a JR Pass.<BR><BR>Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, probably mid-afternoon. Nothing scheduled except maybe a nice Japanese dinner.<BR><BR>Days 2-4: Tokyo<BR><BR>Day 5: trip to Kamakura (return overnight Tokyo)<BR><BR>Day 6: Hakone (overnight Hakone)<BR><BR>Days 7 - 9: Kyoto<BR><BR>Day 10: trip to Nara (return overnight Kyoto)<BR><BR>Day 11: Hiroshima??? (w/stop in Himeji along the way)(this is where we're not sure)<BR><BR>Day 12: Hiroshima?? (maybe visit island of Miyajima)<BR><BR>Day 13: ????<BR><BR>Day 14: return to Tokyo/Narita<BR><BR>Day 15: flight home<BR><BR>Basically, are we spending too much time in Tokyo and/or Kyoto? Are there other areas we should consider besides Hiroshima (such as Takayama perhaps)? My girlfriend has a thing for hot-springs but we felt that Beppu might be too far off the path. <BR><BR>Any and all suggestions welcome. <BR>

Bonjour Jay,<BR><BR>Just a few suggestions: <BR><BR>if possible, try to book a flight to Osaka (KIX) and leave through Tokyo (Narita). Start your trip with a few days in Kyoto, with daytrips to Nara, Himeji, etc. Kyoto is much easier to navigate than Tokyo for the first time visitor.<BR><BR>You will never spend too much time in Kyoto ;-) I'm returning there in 3 weeks for the 20th time at least, and I already know the planned 10 days will be too short ...<BR><BR>Unless you really can't face the prospect of (some) improvisation, try not to plan too much in advance: rely on the TIC (tourist information center) for lots of suggestions and help in booking hotels, hotsprings, etc.<BR><BR>For hotspring, there's a new complex opening on March 1 in Tokyo, a recreation of a Edo-era town complete with inns and hotsprings in Odaiba. See http://www.msnbc.com/news/873570.asp?cp1=1#BODY for details

Thanks for the reply, Florence. The way the flights look, there are direct flights from DC to Tokyo, which would be preferable for us. Of course, nothing is booked yet so we can still change our minds and fly to Osaka instead.

I am an expat living in Tokyo from Michigan. I'd be glad to give you specific directions on how to see different sites around Tokyo and in Tokyo if you'd like. My email is [email protected]<BR> Myszka

Hi Jay. I went with my husband and four other friends to Japan 18 months ago. We flew from Dulles to Osaka via Vancouver on Air Canada. We spent 3 nights in Kyoto with day trips to Kobe and Nara using our Japan rail pass which we activated at the Osaka airport. Then we stayed with friends at Yokosuka naval base near Yokohama-with a side trip to Kamakura, spent a night at Lake Kawaguchi near Mt Fuji (where two of our group climbed Mt. Fuji) and then three nights at Tokyo. Overall I would say I liked Kyoto best and it was a lot easier to navigate than Tokyo with more to see. Also the street signs were in English as well. One tip is that we took half day tours of Kyoto and Tokyo. Two of us also took some Japanese lessons ahead of time which helped us ask basic questions which got us lots of help. Japanese people were great and I would definitely go back. We all still talk about the trip. Let me know if you need more details.

jay,<BR><BR>i am travelling to japan in middle of march and will be staying for 14 days.<BR><BR>the only things in my itinerary and not yours are a visit to Nikko and Beppu.<BR>i think these are must see.<BR><BR>

Topping for more advice.

Japan is beautiful but bring plenty of money and beware of earthquakes.

We spent about 5 days in Tokyo almost 8 years ago because we could do a free stop-over there. We loved it and although totally on our own, had very few problems finding our way around and totally enjoying ourselves. We're thinking of going back for about a week to 10 days on our way to China next year and doing some of the other areas mentioned, Kyoto in particular.<BR><BR>How much was the rail pass marywhitcomb and how did you purchase it? What you did sounds about perfect to me. And the two that climbed Mount Fuji (one of those things I've always thought I should do before I die), did they go at night for the sunrise? How rough was the climb and how long did it take?

Just noticed your post, Hirochei. How does one &quot;beware of earthquakes&quot;? Got any suggestions? LOL.

I have not yet made my trip to Japan, but based on advice from Florence some time ago, I'd say you might consider a visit to Kurashiki, enroute to Hiroshima &amp; Miyajima. I believe this, plus the stop at Himeji, could be done in the time you have. Kurashiki sounds like a wonderful town.

Bonjour Patrick,<BR><BR>The railpass costs are listed here http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/Exist/index.html along with a list of discounts and bargains on intra-Japan travel.<BR><BR>You must buy it in your country before you leave. JNTO provides a list of retailers in almost every countries ( www.jnto.go.jp - getting around)<BR><BR>As for earthquakes, you should definitely beware: &quot;they&quot; say it is hiding around the corner ... ;-)

Patrick, you asked some questions about climbing Mt. Fuji. I climbed it last summer and would be glad to share the experience. We left at noon one day and returned at about noon the next day. We spent the night at the ninth station and then finished the climb to see the sunrise. Other groups started later in the day and climbed through the night to arrive at the summit for sunrise. The ascent is more of a rigorous hike than a mountain climb. Most of the way it is a groomed trail of volcanic rock, though a few spots require you to scramble over boulder fields. Let me know if you want more detail.

Jay- I definitely think that you should consider stopping in Takayama if you have the time. My husband and I went to Japan last September (Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Takayama) and Takayama was by far the most memorable and peaceful place we visited. Lots of traditional architecture, lovely streets and walks, and great food! We stayed at the Sumiyoshi ryokan, which is old but comfortable and right on the river. Highly recommended.

Thanks. We've been considering whether to add Takayama or Mt. Koya to our itinerary.

Kathyl - How was the weather in Takayama in September? We will be there in late April. Will it be cold?

<BR>One thing about your itinerary is that the order of things is not quite right. <BR><BR>On day 6, you plan to overnight in Hakone and go to Kyoto the next day. Travelling from Hakone is going to mean leaving from Odawara to get to Kyoto. At Odawara, you will only get the Kodama shinkansen which is a &quot;local&quot; shinkansen, meaning your trip to Kyoto could involve a dozen stopos and a change of trains. <BR><BR>There are Hikari shinkansen from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama that make it to Kyoto with only one stop in Nagoya.<BR><BR>You can visit onsen in Atami on your day trip to Kamakura. Onsen to be found in Hakone and elsewhere, pretty much everywhere. The thing in Beppu are the hells pools which are not bathing springs but kind of curiosities. I went to an onsen in Beppu, nothing special.<BR><BR>On days 12 &amp; 13, as you originally set them out, you could add a hydrofoil trip from Hiroshima through the inland sea nat. park to Matsuyama. Visit Matsuyama castle and Dogo onsen.<BR><BR>If you end up arr/dep from NRT, then I advise just going on to Kyoto on day 2, if not day 1. Do the Tokyo area stuff at the end of the tour.<BR><BR>

mrwnrfl - I am curious about your statement that the Hikari Shinkansen does not run from Odawara to Kyoto. But I have checked the schedules and it says Odawara to Kyoto, 126 minutes, eight stops by JR/Shinkansen-Hikari. Are you sure about your info?

Thanks for the info. I checked the schedules briefly and didn't see any Hikari Shinkansen, only Kodama. If we're planning to go in September, when should we start booking places to stay?

LeslieC-<BR><BR>Weather in Takayama last September (mid-to late) was very pleasant during the day (about 75F) and cool at night (50sF). it was a nice change from the hotness of Kyoto. April might be a bit cooler, but if you're staying at a Ryokan, they'll probably give you down comforters and the short robe (forgot what their called) to wear over the yukata (sp?). I hope you have a great time. Don't forget to visit the morning market along the river, get some of the beek skewers sold all over town for a snack or lunch, try the &quot;sake slush&quot;, and buy a couple of bottles of sake to take home--it's great stuff! Have fun. We loved Takayama.