Japan - 10 day trip travel help, please
 

Hi, I would like some opinions on my planned itinerary below. Some relevant details first - I will travel with my elderly parents so I would like to make this as easy as possible for them - this is their first visit to Japan (second for me) and I'm hoping to be able to offer them a good experience.
Here's what I have in mind:
• Sept 30 (day one) - fly to Osaka and train to Kyoto
• Oct 1 to Oct 4 (days 2 to 5) - Kyoto
• Oct 5 (day 6) - travel time/train to Hakkone
• Oct 6 (day 7) - Hakkone and travel/train to Tokyo
• Oct 7 to Oct 8 (days 8 and 9) - Tokyo
• Oct 9 (day 10) - fly out from Tokyo

Now, the questions:
Should we fly in to Osaka, as planned or fly into Tokyo then take the train to Kyoto?
Should I plan for lodging in Hakkone or make it day trip(s) from Tokyo? Meaning that day 6 will be then train to Tokyo and some easy evening sightseeing in Tokyo and day 7 Hakkone full day, (with short travel Back to Tokyo)?
I'm planning to buy the 7-day rail-pass and use it at the beginning of the trip.

Thanks :-)

Fly into Osaka. You might want to take the limousine bus rather than the train.
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/index.html

Not sure a pass will be worthwhile.

How important is Hakone? You might want to do day trips to Nikko and Kamakura instead. If you are lucky you can get a good view of Fuji-san across the bay from Kamakura.

Should be a lovely trip for all of you!

Yes, fly into Osaka and out of Tokyo.

I think thursdaysd asks a good question about Hakone. If you decide to go there, I would think an overnight would suit your needs better than a day trip, but I could be wrong. Visiting Nikko rather than Hakone is, I think, worth considering, and again, it might be worth spending a night there – but that would, I think, make for a very long travel day…. If your decision is to take a single day trip from Tokyo, either Nikko or Kamakura would be well worth considering, IMO.

Enjoy!

Your itinerary is similar to what we did (except we skipped Hakone).

The train from Osaka to Kyoto was very easy (there's a station at the airport). For us, it was ideal, as we stayed at the Granvia in Kyoto, which is right in the train station.
As you might expect, it was also easy to get trains to our other destination from there.

It is a good plan. Fly into Osaka - we are assuming that you mean Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX). JR limited express to Kyoto, then taxi.

Up to you on Hakone. A night there would be worthwhile. The only issue would be with luggage, but you can use takkyubin to make that easy. You'll want a western hotel, I suppose. There is a nice one in the park which a lot of people like. There is also a Hilton at Odawara.

You don't need a JR Pass for this.

>>You don't need a JR Pass for this.

And you don't want a JR Pass - it would be more expensive and less convenient that just paying for the couple of train rides that you will be taking.

You should also look into using an airport bus - at both ends of your trip.

The Fujiya hotel in Hakone is the oldest western-style hotel in Japan. It's not particularly comfortable, but it is very interesting and attractive.

Fuji-five-lakes has better and more predictable views of Fuji-san than Hakone.

For a one way itinerary like yours, you would *lose* money on a JR Pass.
An Icoca & Haruka discount ticket can save you some money in getting into town.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_icoca_haruka.html
You really should also make at least half a day available to see Nara. The Todaiji Temple in particular is a must-see place.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...TIKwkioxuAKwt5

Going to Hakone is far easier and quicker if coming from Kyoto. Take the bullet train from Kyoto and get off at Mishima Stn., then to save money, buy a Hakone Free Pass.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html
After seeing the area, return but go to Odawara Stn., then catch the next bullet train into Tokyo. The Hakone Loop Course
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
is a common way to see the area.
For getting around Tokyo, one money saving way is getting a 2 or 3 day subway pass.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/v...dex.html#anc03
If using Narita, the cheapest way in or out is the ¥1000 yen bus.
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/

Here's the info on luggage forwarding, which is called takuhaibin:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

Thank you all so very much for your responses; this helps a lot.

The reason I was thinking about Hakkone is for a chance to see Mount Fuji, but also because I thought that the area seemed accessible with a tour bus or boat. I have to be mindful not to schedule too much walking, unfortunately.

However I am quite open to suggestions if there are better options - I will definitely look into changing to Nikko, especially if it's less crowded and easier to go around.

I would love to book a ryokan for the night in Hakkone, or Nikko for the experience (and also because I know my parents will like it but one night is probably enough for them :-) )


So, consensus is - fly into Osaka and don't bother with the JRpass - perfect! thanks.
The info about the different trains and passes is great and once I start narrowing down the "where and what" I will definitely look into Takuhaibin.

...and I'll be back with more questions in a few days :-)

IIRC, Nikko can involve a fair amount of walking, including some steep up-hill paths or stairs.

Also, castles and temples in Japan generally involve a lot of stairs.