Japan - 2 weeks in October
 

We are planning our first visit to Japan for October 4 - 20. We are looking for suggestions on places to stay and for any other comments. Our itinerary is:

Oct. 5 -- Arrive in Tokyo (overnight Tokyo)

Oct. 6-8 - Tokyo (overnight Tokyo all nights, with daytrip to Kamakura on 10/8)

Oct. 9 - Hakone (overnight in Hakone area)

Oct. 10 - 11 - Takayama (overnight Takayama both nights)

Oct. 12-15 - Kyoto (with day trip to Nara)

Oct. 16 - Mt. Koya (overnight in Mt. Koya)

Oct. 17-18 - Miyajima/Hiroshima (overnight Miyajima both nights)

Oct. 19 - Return to Narita area, with stop at Himeji castle en route (overnight near airport)

Oct. 20 - Fly back to US

So, we are looking for recommendations on places to stay in Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, Miyajima). We prefer Japanese style accomodations. Although we don't want anything extravagantly expensive, we are willing to pay a little more for nice accomodations. In Tokyo we have gotten recommendations for Ryokan Shigetsu in Asakusa. Around Hakone we have been recommended the Fujiya Hotel. But we are all ears for any other places in any of these cities. Thanks for your help.

Bump. Anyone care to comment on this itinerary? Thanks.

okay

Are the person who was planning to stay at the Holiday Inn in Narita at the beginning of your trip? Then you're picking up your 14-day JR pass at NRT the day after arrival?

When I saw you post this the other day, I was wondering if you figured out the shinkansen and Narita Express schedules for your travel on Oct 19.

Sounds like a fun trip. I don't know where Mt. Koya is. Was thinking that you might visit Nara on the return to Tokyo part of the trip. Are you planning to leave some luggage in Kyoto to pick up on your way back to Tokyo?

No, I'm not that person. We're planning on picking up the 14 day pass when we arrive at Narita and then going into Tokyo. We're hoping to travel light enough that we don't need to leave luggage in Kyoto. But that's a legitimate concern.

October 10, 11 in Takayama
During that famous festival, hotels and transportation are really tight, and I hope you'll make it.

October 16 for Mt Koya
Since you go there from Kyoto, you first take Keihan line to Yodoyabashi or JR to Osaka, Subway to Namba, then Nankai Koya line express to Gokurakubashi. I hope you'll find a good Yadobo (temple run pension.

Seahopper,

Thanks for the comments. Frankly, we were negligent in that we had no idea that the Autumn Festival was going on those dates (I believe it is 10/9 & 10/10). We will either have to rethink our schedule (so as to avoid the festival), or just try and book a room soon and enjoy the festival. Thanks for the directions to Mt. Koya. We're hoping to stay at a temple.

I believe the temple-lodgings are called 'shukubo'.

I can't put my hand on the details, but I believe I took a non-JR line directly from the centre of Kyoto (where it had a sequence of underground stations like a subway line) to its version of Namba station, and walked to the Namba station on the line to Koya-san which was right next door. Any JR tourist information centre will give you a printed hand-out explaining this better than I have.

I stayed at the Haryo-in, but that's only one of 60 temples which accept overnight guests, and fairly modest compared to to some. Nevertheless, the vegetarian food was superb. The guest book in my room contained complaints that the place wasn't more traditional--wanted the usual Japanese-style electric lamp replaced with an oil lamp, etc. But these are functioning temples, and even monks like running water, and modern conveniences rather than fire hazards. I rose (very) early to attend the morning ceremony, which the Abbott, a kindly man with good English slightly impaired by a stroke, explained to me afterwards.

Peter N-H
http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Yes, proper pronouciation is SHUKUBO. I found a website in English;
http://www.shukubo.jp/eng/index.html

My husband and I went to Japan last September and stayed in the following ryokans which we highly recommend:

Tokyo: Ryokan Shigetsu. Wonderful place, excellent location for Tokyo, lots of great shops and restaurants nearby, also good Japanese breakfast, very reasonable rates.

Kyoto: Ryokan Matsubaya. Basic but clean and pleasantly large rooms (for two people, like staying with an old aunt, no private facilities (but private use of shared facilities), great location near Kyoto station (lots of shops and restaurants), near buses.
Note: We spent our first night in Kyoto at the Sawaya Honten Ryokan--stay away from this place. For more than $200/night, the rooms were small and dank, we never saw another guest there, strong smell of chlorine in the baths, bad food. We moved to the Matsubaya after that.

Takayama: Sumiyoshi Ryokan. Great place, excellent location, our room opened out onto the river (across which is the old part of town), less than 3 minute walk to historical sights, great food, friendly service, great price for everything that is included, rooms were decorated with many antiques, quiet location, private use of shared facilities. http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/takayama/

Takayama was the highlight of my trip. Was rather disappointed by Kyoto but may need to give it one more try. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

kathyl -

Thanks for the helpful reply. We'll look into those suggestions for sure. How far in advance did you book your accomodations?

Jaydreb5-

It's been a while so I can't remember for certain, but I believe we booked about 2 months in advance. We didn't have many problems with availability--not even with the Shigetsu though it's a very popular hotel. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Here's another question about ryokans in general. Do they all have curfews at night or other restrictions about coming and going? Let's say, for example, that we want to go out at night and do whatever. Is this coming and going a problem?

Many of them do have curfews.,and they can be quite early. Some who do lock up will give you access late if you arrange a time in advance. I sort of remember Shigetsu giving us a key one night when we were going out late, but I'm not positive

I'm back with another question. Can someone recommend a nice place near Narita Airport to stay over the night before we leave? We have an 11:15 AM flight back to the U.S. on a Monday morning. Need a recommendation for somewhere to stay the night before. We will be coming from Takayama, and didn't want to first go back and stay in Tokyo and have to deal with the trip to Narita the next morning. Thanks.

Bump.

No suggestions?

Bonjour Jaydreb,

Have a look at http://www.naritakanko.jp/ohgiya/

I've stayed there years ago and heard it was still very good. In addition, have a look at this article of the Japantimes (Narita: the little town with a big name) for informations on the city of Narita:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20030905a1.htm

A few more questions. Our itinerary has changed somewhat.

10/5 - Arrive Tokyo (overnight Ryokan Shigetsu in Asakusa)
10/6 - 10/8 - Tokyo (with daytrip to Kamakura on 10/8)
10/9 - Hakone (overnight Fujiya Hotel)
10/10 - 10/13 - Kyoto (with a day trip to Nara)
10/14 - Mt. Koya (overnight Mt. Koya)
10/15 - 10/16 - Miyajima/Hiroshima (overnight in Miyajima both nights)
10/17-10/18 - Takayama (overnight Takayama both nights)
10/19 - return to Narita area (overnight near airport ????)
10/20 - Fly back home

If we buy a 14-day JR Pass, and activate it the day we arrive on 10/5, will we still be able to use it on 10/19, or will it have expired by then? I'm not sure how they count the 14 days.

Also, assuming we do not activate the JR Pass, what is the easiest way for us to get from Narita Airport to Asakusa station? I'm thinking that the Narita Express might not take us to the most convenient station. Thanks.

19 minus 4 would be 15 days. The N'Ex would be easy, but you have options:
http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport_e/access/train/

Bonjour Jayreb,

The most convenient way to go to Asakusa from Narita is via the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (Y 1920, 1 h), then 3 min on foot to subway Ginza line to Asakusa (Y 160, 5 min). You can activate your railpass and book your seats for the Shinkansen in Ueno station, where there is a lot less waiting to do than in Narita.

If you activate your railpass on the 5th already it won't be valid on the 19th anymore.

Florence,

Thanks very much. That's exactly what I was looking for.