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-   -   Help with logistics for March trip (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/help-with-logistics-for-march-trip-1670191/)

cindyjo Aug 2nd, 2019 12:44 PM

Help with logistics for March trip
 
Now have decided to take our Japan trip in March of next year after mulling over the pros and cons of a November trip (thanks for all your input!). I have a very tentative plan for the 3-4 week trip. Some is based on the experience of our daughter's likes from her trip a few years ago.
So far it looks like this: Tokyo (6), Kyoto (6), Miyajima for 1-2 nights before a day in Hiroshima, Kanazawa (3), Takayama (4), Tsumago for a 2-3 night stay for some walking and then on to Tokyo to fly home. Google says a train from Tsumago is 14-16 hours! Could that be accurate? If so I am unsuccessfully trying to fit Tsumago into the trip where it makes more sense logistically. It would be nice to use it as a respite from the two big cities but can't figure out how to do that either. It has been difficult to plan this trip even after forums, etc. Of oourse, I want to see it all but even now this seems like quite a bit of moving around for us. The trip is put together for our interests in history, culture, as well as light hiking. And although we will probably love to go back to Japan our bucket of money and time is getting smaller! Any help is appreciated.

tt7 Aug 2nd, 2019 06:03 PM

For trains in Japan, use the Hyperdia website.

The nearest station to Tsumago is Nagiso (a short bus ride or perhaps a taxi). From there, south to Nagoya and then the Shinkansen to Tokyo - about 3 hours in total.

There are a few trains that go direct from Nagiso to Nagoya, otherwise change at Nakatsugawa (4 stops south of Nagiso). In the above link, if you click on the “Interval timetable” (underneath the name of the Nagiso - Nagoya train) it will show you the schedule for the trains that go direct. If you’re using a JR Pass, you need to untick the Nozomi box in the search criteria, as you can’t travel on a Nozomi Shinkansen with a JR Pass.

kja Aug 2nd, 2019 06:15 PM

IME, japan-guide.com is a great source of information for logistics and most other things
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6077....tion_get_there

Should be a great trip!

cindyjo Aug 10th, 2019 06:35 PM

Thanks all, I have used your suggestions and feel more in control of the logistics. I do have one other question... we have 2 extra days in our plan. We will be in Kyoto March 6 -12 (6 nights). We are interested in attending the Omiizutori Fire Festival in Nara on the 12th. I can still change our rental reservations at this point. It seems that we should stay overnight in Nara on the 12th and wondering if Nara would keep us busy for two nights. This would take up our extra two nights. Nara does sound like an interesting place.
Thank you.

kja Aug 10th, 2019 07:27 PM

I spent more than 48 very, very busy hours in Nara and could easily have used more. If you go, consider visiting some of the ancient temples just outside of Nara in Ikaruga (e.g., Horyu-ji and Chugu-ji). And Uji, between Kyoto and Nara, is worth some time IMO.

yestravel Aug 11th, 2019 02:16 PM


Originally Posted by kja (Post 16968491)
I spent more than 48 very, very busy hours in Nara and could easily have used more. If you go, consider visiting some of the ancient temples just outside of Nara in Ikaruga (e.g., Horyu-ji and Chugu-ji). And Uji, between Kyoto and Nara, is worth some time IMO.

good info, thanks!


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