How much time to allot for Miyajima and Kyoto
Apr 7th, 2004, 07:35 AM
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How much time to allot for Miyajima and Kyoto
In my trip to Japan, I have arrive into kyoto late at night, have two days in kyoto then move onto Hiroshima/Miyajima for another two days (then the trip proceeds). My question is, do you think it's worth spending two days in Hiroshima/Miyajima. One of the days will be spent getting there, I suppose (althought I'm not sure exactly how long it take to get from Kyoto to Miyajima). Also, is two full days enough in kyoto (one of the days i would want to make a trip to nara). Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Apr 20th, 2004, 06:28 PM
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Just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Japan, including Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima/Miyajima. We found 1 full day (+ overnight) in Hiroshima just right. The Peace Park and the Art Museum were impressive. Spent 1 full day (+ overnight) in Miyajima and would have enjoyed another day there (so relaxing, woodsy, very laid back). Kyoto? Spent 3 days (4 nights) there and didn't do half of what we wanted to do. It's a big city and rather exhausting. Takes a while to get the rhythm. I don't think you've allowed enough time for Kyoto. Two nights in Nara were wonderful, allowing enough time for a thorough exploration. By the way, high-speed train from Kyoto to Hiroshima takes about 2 hours. It's a treat. (Wish we had such great trains in the U.S.)
Apr 20th, 2004, 08:03 PM
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This may be a repeat of the above, but do the best you can to spend 1 day only in Hiroshima. I think with a little planning you can fit in both the peace park and Miyajima, the two main attactions, in a full day by catching an early train from Kyoto.
That will leave you with 2 days in Kyoto and 1 in Nara. (Although Kyoto-Nara is 40min by train one way, in my opinion you'll need an entire day to visit the sites in Nara.)
I agree with the above posters. Kyoto has a lot to see in a wide area. I'd plan the visits by placing a priority on those sites you must see, as you'll not be able to cover even most sites in two days.
Getting around:
Taking public transport will get you to sites, but requires more time than taxis, which will cost a lot more. And another option are local tour buses which cover many sites with ease, but you'll be on their time schedule.
Finally walking. We ended up walking a lot because the city/shops are so interesting from street level, but this cut into our time to see more sites.
Not knowing how you like to travel, your budget or interests, I hope this gives you some options to plan what you want to do.
Have a nice trip.
That will leave you with 2 days in Kyoto and 1 in Nara. (Although Kyoto-Nara is 40min by train one way, in my opinion you'll need an entire day to visit the sites in Nara.)
I agree with the above posters. Kyoto has a lot to see in a wide area. I'd plan the visits by placing a priority on those sites you must see, as you'll not be able to cover even most sites in two days.
Getting around:
Taking public transport will get you to sites, but requires more time than taxis, which will cost a lot more. And another option are local tour buses which cover many sites with ease, but you'll be on their time schedule.
Finally walking. We ended up walking a lot because the city/shops are so interesting from street level, but this cut into our time to see more sites.
Not knowing how you like to travel, your budget or interests, I hope this gives you some options to plan what you want to do.
Have a nice trip.
Apr 20th, 2004, 10:19 PM
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I think many of us have a tendancy to try to do too much in planning our travels. One sometimes forgets that it takes time and money to move from location to location and doing alot of this tends to be exhausting after awhile. You also need in my opinion to give yourself some room or time in your schedule as everything may not go as smoothly or as easily as you have planned.
Kyoto is crowded and the most interesting tourist locations are not that close to each other. You can take guided tours from your hotel which will make things easier for you but I think Kyoto is a place that requires alittle walking around at ground level to appreciate. I would do no less than 2 full days if not three days in Kyoto. Nara by itself will take at least 2/3 of a day if not the full day.
Hemiji Castle is another worthwhile option to visit from a base in Kyoto and this will take about a half day.
Adding Hiroshima and Miyajima requires at least a few more extra days due to travel time and time in Hiroshima and Miyajima.
All of this also depends on where you are coming from to get to Kyoto and where you are going to after this area.
I think you need to balance your interests, budget and time and decide on what you want to do as I would not recommend you do Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Miyajima
in four days.
Kyoto is crowded and the most interesting tourist locations are not that close to each other. You can take guided tours from your hotel which will make things easier for you but I think Kyoto is a place that requires alittle walking around at ground level to appreciate. I would do no less than 2 full days if not three days in Kyoto. Nara by itself will take at least 2/3 of a day if not the full day.
Hemiji Castle is another worthwhile option to visit from a base in Kyoto and this will take about a half day.
Adding Hiroshima and Miyajima requires at least a few more extra days due to travel time and time in Hiroshima and Miyajima.
All of this also depends on where you are coming from to get to Kyoto and where you are going to after this area.
I think you need to balance your interests, budget and time and decide on what you want to do as I would not recommend you do Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Miyajima
in four days.
Apr 21st, 2004, 06:50 AM
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thank you all for your thoughts. i have revised my itinerary and would love to hear what you guys think:
May 17th-21st: Kyoto (really three and a half full days since I arrive at night on the 17th. one of the days will be spent visiting Nara).
May 21st - leave in the afternoon for Miyajima, spend the night in a ryokan in miyajima
May 22nd - spend a night in hiroshima (i am allocating two nights to this area because i won't arrive until late on the 21st so will need all of the 22nd to visit miyajima and hiroshima).
May 23rd - leave hiroshima very early to travel to Kanazawa. Visit Himeji Castle on the way (make a stop in Himeji and leave my bag in the train station)
May 17th-21st: Kyoto (really three and a half full days since I arrive at night on the 17th. one of the days will be spent visiting Nara).
May 21st - leave in the afternoon for Miyajima, spend the night in a ryokan in miyajima
May 22nd - spend a night in hiroshima (i am allocating two nights to this area because i won't arrive until late on the 21st so will need all of the 22nd to visit miyajima and hiroshima).
May 23rd - leave hiroshima very early to travel to Kanazawa. Visit Himeji Castle on the way (make a stop in Himeji and leave my bag in the train station)
Apr 21st, 2004, 09:37 PM
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asykes1,
Your revised plan looks a lot more enjoyable. you'll have time to take a breather too, but still enough time to see things too, without feeling you missed out on so much.
Two more thoughts crossed my mind. I never stayed right on Miyajima, but one time stayed across the water from the island and had a room with a view of the Torii gate, albeit it looked very small. This saved travel time by being on the mainland and near the rail lines.
One poster suggested you stay both nights in Miyajima. (saves moving around, more quiet). Yet, if it were my trip, I would lean toward staying in Hiroshima itself, just as you're planning.
The Kyoto Station. They built this a few years ago, and it caused a sensation. It's super chic/modern with stores/restaurants galore, and since it is such a contrast to the old and traditional feeling of the city, some people called it sacrilegious in a place like Kyoto. Yet, to me it's just one more fascinating aspect Kyoto has to offer. It has a super long escalator. We enjoyed walking around there at night, after the temples and tourist sites were closed. Although this may not interest you, I just wanted to mention it.
Your revised plan looks a lot more enjoyable. you'll have time to take a breather too, but still enough time to see things too, without feeling you missed out on so much.
Two more thoughts crossed my mind. I never stayed right on Miyajima, but one time stayed across the water from the island and had a room with a view of the Torii gate, albeit it looked very small. This saved travel time by being on the mainland and near the rail lines.
One poster suggested you stay both nights in Miyajima. (saves moving around, more quiet). Yet, if it were my trip, I would lean toward staying in Hiroshima itself, just as you're planning.
The Kyoto Station. They built this a few years ago, and it caused a sensation. It's super chic/modern with stores/restaurants galore, and since it is such a contrast to the old and traditional feeling of the city, some people called it sacrilegious in a place like Kyoto. Yet, to me it's just one more fascinating aspect Kyoto has to offer. It has a super long escalator. We enjoyed walking around there at night, after the temples and tourist sites were closed. Although this may not interest you, I just wanted to mention it.
Apr 22nd, 2004, 11:37 AM
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in kyoto, i am staying in a hotel right next to the station, so i will definitely make an effort to explore the station itself before taking a day trip somewhere.
the reason i am not spending both night on miyajima is because the ryokan is only available the first night. so i will have to switch to another place....
the reason i am not spending both night on miyajima is because the ryokan is only available the first night. so i will have to switch to another place....
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