Help with itinerary please, 10 days Japan
 

I am meeting my daughter (early 30s) in Japan for a 10 day holiday starting 13th September. First time in Japan. We are both active, enjoy walking, nature and like a wide range of experiences. We are looking at flying into Tokyo and leaving via Osaka.
3 nights Tokyo
1 night Hakone
1 night Takayma
1 night Miyajima - visit Hiroshima
3 nights Kyota
Perhaps we have too many 1 night stays. Definitely wish to travel to Hiroshima, should we do this as a 1 day trip from Kyota?
Travel 7 day train pass?
Comments appreciated.
Thanks

after reading more info perhaps delete some one nights and go to Nagano (2 nights) then to Kyoto??

I think this itinerary has some serious problems, and not because of the number of 1-night stays (personally, I don’t mind them), but rather because I don’t see time to actually see most of the places you would plan to visit.

Here's what I recommend: Plot your wish list on a calendar. Each time you propose to change locations, pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting lost/oriented, etc.). Use realistic estimates of your travel time (e.g.,Takayama to Miyajima would generally take 12 hours or more).

Do some research with japan-guide.com,which isn’t perfect, but is an excellent starting resource.

For train times, consult hyperdia.com

Most of use will say that you are seriously shortchanging Kyoto and Takayama, and – depending on your interests, you are also potentially shortchanging everything else, too.

Japan can be delightful. Please come back to us once you have a better grip on what might be realistic.

A couple of things:

1) Yes, you will make a 7 day pass pay off with the one way trip provided that you take the side trip to Hiroshima and back.

2) Not sure if it was just exaggerating to make a point, but it's not going to take anything like 12 hours(!) to get down to Hiroshima - in fact, for just travel, you can do it in a bit less than 6½ hours. The rest is up to where your hotel is from the station, and other variables.
That said however - you are not going from Takayama to Hiroshima and see it and Miyajima in a day - just not going to happen. I suggest you pull a day off of Tokyo if you cannot change your route or other plans.

To be honest, with just 7 days, I really wouldn't try barnstorming the country the way you are, unless you're sure this trip is it and you know you'll never be going to Japan again. Or, if you could lengthen your trip by even a few days, it would add a lot more breathing room.

@ Adastra: If you had read carefully, you would see that I gave an estimate, based on hyperdia, for Takayama to MIYAJIMA, as the OP specified, not Takayama to Hiroshima, as you decided to check.

okay thanks for the comments.

Revised rough plan

3 nights Tokyo
4 nights Kyoto - include 1 day trip to Hiroshima.

I have 2 nights left. Hakone or Takayma or something else?

Well first, for Hiroshima, I was referring to the prefecture, and factored in the time to get to Miyajima - again, about 6½ hours. I read it just fine, and it's nothing close to 12 or more, even if you add an hour at a restaurant to relax.
For the second itinerary, given that it takes 4½ hours to get from Tokyo to Takayama (and it is getting more touristy lately anyway), I suggest something else. Take a day to see the sights of Himeji, with Japan's finest castle. Or as a day trip from Tokyo, you can go see Nikko with an early morning start - yes, 2 days is better, but you are short of time.
If you do decide to go to Hakone, get the Hakone Free Pass:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/

I'm one of many who considers 6 days reasonable for a first visit to Kyoto / Nara. So if you want to go to Hiroshima -- and I think it is a worthwhile trip -- I would think that Tokyo (3 or 4 nights, depending on your interests and including time to recover from jet lag) and Kyoto (5 or 6 nights, to include a day trip to Hiroshima) not unreasonable. JMO.

IMO, Takayama is too far and deserves too much time to be crammed into this plan.

But again, it depends on what YOU want to see and experience -- and NONE of us can tell you what YOUR priorities should be.

thanks again.
revised plan again

4 nights Tokyo - day trip to Nikko
5 nights Kyoto - include 1 day trip to Hiroshima.

Is 4 nights too long in Tokyo?
Just interested about going to Hakone to see Fuji, can this be done as a day trip from Tokyo or should we have 1 night there on the way to Kyoto?

Hi there
We went to Japan for 2 weeks last year (well, 12 days) and we concentrated on Kyoto and Tokyo, with a day trip to Nara and an evening in Osaka. To me, we could've had less Tokyo time and included Hiroshima fairly easily... but that's it. There are so many places look fascinating but it is impossible to see it all in one trip. Like others have said, decide on your priorities and work from there.
We hired a guide for a day in Kyoto and a day in Tokyo - pricey, but worth it as we saw a lot, including aspects we wouldn't have seen otherwise. I loved our Tokyo guide particularly... it was like seeing the city with a friend. I went through tours by locals and her name was Yuri.
I would also recommend getting pocket wifi (pick it up at the airport when you arrive - pre book) as having internet saved us several times!!
Enjoy your holiday!!

Fuji may or may not be visible, and if I were to bet on it, you'd probably get a partial view of it at best. So no, wouldn't go to Hakone just for that. The main reason for the free pass is to do the loop trip, during which you might see Fuji, but that would kill half a day alone. I'd do an overnight trip for the onsens and nature maybe though.

As someone else said, though, it depends on you. Do you like fast paced trips? I do know plenty of backpackers who do itineraries similar to your first one. I wouldn't enjoy it, but they do.

kja on Jul 25, 17 at 5:40pm
(e.g.,Takayama to Miyajima would generally take 12 hours or more)

hi kja, I think you did your query around the time of your post which would have been about 5:40 pm Pacific Time (my local zone). HyperDia defaults to today at your current local time but uses it as Japan Time. That late afternoon departure ends up being an overnight trip, chilling somewhere for 5 or 6 hours. Like getting to Miyajima around midnight and the next ferry is at 06:25

Anyway, the 6.5 hour trip from Takayama to Miyajima is too long for just a 1 night stay.

thanks for the replies, marvelousmouse good point so we will drop Hakone, we are from NZ and have beautiful scenery and mountains too. Also, where I live is a geothermal area with lots of hot pools so no need to do these in Japan.
We will do Hiroshima from Kyoto as a day trip.
Would you spend more time in Tokyo or Kyoto?
LakesideChick do you have a link for your tour guide for Tokyo? and how long did you stay in Tokyo? is 4 nights too long?

Spend more time in Kyoto. You could not see it all in several months. And if you drop Hakone, it does leave you more time. I recommend you take at least half a day to see Nara as well. It has some of Japan's very best sights.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...TIKwkioxuAKwt5

For seeing Tokyo - you really do not need any guide or joining any tour. You can do just fine on your own, and there is plenty of info online for you to browse and see what appeals to you.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...kyo/index.html

There really is nothing better than going where you want, when you want, and for how long you want.

If you still want a guide, there are lots of free ones.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...teerGuides.php
http://www.freetoursnetwork.com/tokyo-free-walking-tour

@ mrwunrfl: OMG, of course -- that would explain it! Thanks for the insight.

@ one and all: my apologies for misrepresenting the time from Takayama to Miyajima.


As Adastra has noted, there is no need for you to hire a guide unless that is your preference. You might, however, consider taking advantage of an occasional local “goodwill guide” – The Japanese National Tourism Organization coordinates free volunteer guides – “Goodwill guides” – who are generally knowledgeable and happy to guide you in return for practicing their English – which can be excellent, but it is a bit of a luck-of-the-draw.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
You pay any entrance fees and his/her meal if your time with the guide includes one . Do NOT tip these guides, or anyone else in Japan. Take note that their expertise varies.

Hi there - if you go to https://www.toursbylocals.com/ and look st their Japan tours, you'll see rough itineraries. They can be adjusted though. If you email them, you could request Yuri.
We spent about a week in Tokyo - I think you could do a lot in 4 nights. If I had the trip again I would cut Tokyo a little and add in Hiroshima which is what you are thinking!!

Thanks for all the comments.
I have now decided to divide the time between Tokyo and Kyoto.

2 further questions

We arrive in Tokyo at midnight, are there hotels by the airport for the first night? or should we go into Tokyo?

Also, the last part of our trip is at Kyoto, should we return to Tokyo airport by bullet train or go to Osaka, then fly to Tokyo on the way back to New Zealand?

<i> Also, the last part of our trip is at Kyoto, should we return to Tokyo airport by bullet train or go to Osaka, then fly to Tokyo on the way back to New Zealand? </i>

I would start your trip in Kyoto. However, I see you arrive in Tokyo late, so yes, stay at an airport hotel (I have never stayed in one but if you check tripadvisor you will find them.) Then the next day, take the bullet train to Kyoto.

so you have:
Tokyo - 1 night at airport hotel.
Kyoto - morning commute from Narita (or Haneda) airport to bullet train (exchange pass voucher for the JR pass in Tokyo; you can make your reservations for all your train trips at the same time.) Balance of day in Kyoto. That night and the next 4 nights in Kyoto, including the Hiroshima day trip. Subtotal 6 nights.

Now take the bullet train back to Tokyo for your last 3 nights. This way you are properly positioned for your return flight but will travel in a relaxed fashion.

By the way, what time does your flight from Tokyo leave? If you arrived late, perhaps you will leave late at night as well. This gives you in effect a 'free' day in Tokyo so you could plan it thus:

night 1 - morning commute from Kyoto, drop bags, explore Tokyo (perhaps the Edo museum).

night 2. day trip to Nikko (this will be a very long day. It will be the last day of your JR 1 week pass.)

night 3 - after your long day yesterday, maybe something easy and relaxing like a morning taking the chair lift up Mount Takao - a very peaceful spot surprisingly close to Tokyo. Rest in the afternoon, then out in the evening for Tokyo by night.

bonus day if your flight departs at night - morning on Odaiba island (gives you a chance to ride the monorail.) We did the Miraikan (science museum) but your interests may vary. Do some shopping, etc. before heading to the airport.

You know, it means another hotel reservation, but I wonder if you could nonetheless stop in Takayama for a night in between Kyoto and Tokyo.

n 1 airport hotel in Tokyo.
n2,3,4,5,6 Kyoto (first 5 days of JR pass)
n7 Takayama, arriving early afternoon. See the miniature replica of Nikko in the associated museum. If staying at the Associa hotel, enjoy the hot bath complex.
n8 morning in Takayama, then commute to Tokyo for 2 nights and the 'bonus' night (commute to Tokyo uses last day of pass)
n9 all day in Tokyo
"n10" on the plane if leaving late, so a bonus day in Tokyo.

Yes, this means only the Nikko mini replica, but it strikes me as more relaxing than a day trip to Nikko. Anyway, it is an option.