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japan first time mid may - early june and maybe south korea?

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japan first time mid may - early june and maybe south korea?

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Old Jul 14th, 2023, 09:17 PM
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>> We'd most likely be coming from Miyajima.

ok then a half-hour to get from Miyajima to Hiroshima station.

You would have to get to the ferry port on the island, ride the ferry, walk a couple of blocks to a JR station (Miyajimaguchi) and take the local train to Hiroshima station then go over to the shinkansen side of the station.

I just wrote the stuff below, but have to say that leaving from Miyajima is no big deal, especially when you can get a an award flight at 3PM or later. For example, June 4 flights at 11:30 AM, 3PM, 8:40 PM. There are at least 4 award seats available that day at 3PM

----
(this is my preference, at least for the morning flight)
I would stay in Hiroshima that last night before flying out of Fukuoka. To get a good night's sleep in a bed and be a taxi or streetcar ride from the station. Actually, I would stay that night at one of the hotels that are right next to the shinkansen side of the station.

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel <- this was very good and 2 min to shinkansen
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima <- this was fine and might stay again and 1 min to shinkansen
there are a couple of other hotels nearby

Last edited by mrwunrfl; Jul 14th, 2023 at 09:22 PM.
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Old Jul 18th, 2023, 05:12 AM
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So how does this look? Is it too rushed? Am I missing anything too much? Does route make sense?

5/21 Fly to Tokya
5/22 arrive Haneda. 2 nights . Sawanoya with private bath and onsen
5/24- 5/27. Takanoya 3 nights. Higashiyama walking course, day trip to Shirakawago, half day HIda bike ride or Kamikochi day trip.
5/27-6/2 6 nights with day trip to Nara and Osaka
6/2-6/4 Miyajima 2 nights. Stop at Himeji castle on way.
6/4-6/5 Hiroshima
6/5 3 pm flight to Seoul from Fukeoka
6/11 home from Seoul

I had wanted to stay a bit longer but work does get in the way. Hoping the 2 nights in Miyajima will be relaxing. I so appreciate all your help here.



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Old Jul 18th, 2023, 12:56 PM
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Looks good. Yes, it makes sense. It is a good route and a good plan. It is not too rushed, but that question is a matter of personal travel style or preference. Of course, two nights in the largest metropolis in the world is insufficient, but it is a trade-off so that you can spend more time elsewhere. Tokyo will still be there next time.

5/22 arrive Haneda. 2 nights . Sawanoya with private bath and onsen

What time do you arrive at Haneda? Sawanoya looks nice! It is a ryokan (Japanese inn) but am not sure where you got the onsen part. An onsen is a natural hot spring. I didn't see it mentioned on their website. This is not a knock on the place at all. I believe that there are no hot springs in Tokyo (would be happy to learn differently). But you might have a deep, soaking, tub (often made of hinoki wood) or a common soaking bath. Maybe you are just mixing up the words ryokan and onsen.


Takayama - consider visiting Hida no Sato as a substitute for Shirakawago. It is a good substitute and can be a part of a full day sightseeing in Takayama (this could be a full day excluding the shrine walk in Higashiyama (literally eastern mountains)). I have not done that walk in my (2 or 3) visits to Takayama and don't know how that takes.

6/2 - your lodging might have a limit on how late you can check in. It is not going to be a show up at any time that night (I doubt very much). You likely will need to schedule your dinner time. There might be time slots to choose from and they do get taken.

6/4 - you should plan on spending a few hours visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. This is a must. Hopefully, there will be a Hiroshima Carp baseball game that night - worth attending even if not a baseball fan (I think the stadium is walking distance south from the station, but maybe bus or tram).

I saw a YT video that recommended Ichiran (hakata style ramen) and there is a branch in the domestic terminal at FUK. Inexpensive lunch. I might try it in October.

Came back to add that there are two routes from Tokyo to Takayama. One is shinkansen to Nagoya and then limited express north to Takayama. The other route is shinkansen to Toyama and then the l'ex south to Takayama.

From Takayama you will go south to Nagoya on your way to Kyoto.


For Takayama you could get there via Toyama from the north and leave heading south for Nagoya. Ride entire Takayama Line in the process.

That is time/schedule/cost permitting (which I think it is).

Last edited by mrwunrfl; Jul 18th, 2023 at 01:27 PM.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 06:04 AM
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Sawanoya has a hot tub and not a natural onsen. Sorry for confusion. We land at Haneda at 2;20. Would we arrive at Sawanoya around 2? What is best way from airport? I know there is an express bus but don't think this is the central area that we'd be dropped off.

On 6/2, what would our day look like re: timing? How late would we arrive at Miyajima from Kyoto? We'd be coming from Kyoto. Forgot to list that above. I don't want to arrive late. Honestly, the transportation is the most difficult part of trying to plan this trip. I think I will have to return with my husband after I have actually experienced it.

Re: 6/4 in Hiroshima, this is what we planned to do. I assume a day here is enough? We want to do a baseball game in Tokyo so if that doesn't work we can try for one in Hiroshima.

I have been thinking of Hida as a sub for Shirakawago as it seems it is so touristy and crowded and we would not be there for an overnight visit unfortunatly. There is also a half day bike tour in Hida which looks fantastic and local.

So I don't have an onsen visit which I really did want. How could I squeeze on in? I am really wanting to just stay in Japan but daughter wants to see South Korea, but she seems to be coming around to my idea of just Japan. If I had a few more days in Japan, where would you spend them and how?
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 11:49 AM
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>> We land at Haneda at 2;20. Would we arrive at Sawanoya around 2?
You probably meant land at 12:20. That is good, not going to be late for check-in, might be a bit early (no problem).

Access TOKYO RYOKAN UENO JAPANESE INN SAWANOYA RYOKAN
Take either route from the airport. Both go to JR Yamanote Line. Take that to Ueno and then taxi. Print out the map which has the "For taxi driver" info in the top left. The map also has the lodging name in Japanese. You will also want the phone number to show the driver if he doesn't get the map. Print the whole page and take it.

Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Ryokan Sawanoya (rome2rio.com)
Taxi from airport to the ryokan would be less than shown at that link.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 12:12 PM
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Sorry meant we land at 2:20 so would we arrive at Sawanoya at 4?
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 12:28 PM
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On 6/2, figure 4 hours in Himeji and 4 hours travel time. That is a generous amount of time and should cover from check-out to check-in. You can ship luggage from Kyoto to Miyajima on June 1 and travel light on the 2nd. Just a backpack that you can stash in a koin rokka at Himeji station.

6/4 leave Miyajima in the morning and you will have enough time for the must-visit to the PP&M. Check the museum open hours. You will figure out the timing once you get to Miyajima, like when you want to leave Miyajima, you might want to stay, but the PP&M is the priority that day.

There is baseball in Osaka and Kobe that you can see from Kyoto. The Osaka stadium was not particularly easy to get to. I have not seen the Buffaloes in Kobe. Your j-ball opportunity in Tokyo will be the 2nd and last night.The Swallows at Jingu Stadium would be a good choice. If I had to choose between Tokyo Dome and a game in Hiroshima then I would choose the latter. Hawks Dome in Fukuoka was a lot of tun (in right field).

I think you might be arriving Japan too late to attend the May sumo tournament in Tokyo. You would get to Kyoto too late for Kamogawa Odori.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by plambers
Sorry meant we land at 2:20 so would we arrive at Sawanoya at 4?
IDK, maybe.

Found the flat-rate taxi fare to Taito-ku is ¥8,400, so about $60 today.
Flat-rate fare taxi | Airport Access | Haneda Airport Access Guide (haneda-tokyo-access.com)
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 12:48 PM
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also Sawaonya has 2 traditional Japanese baths. I did think this was an onsen and didn't realize an onsen was fed by natural hot springs so thanks for the education!
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
On 6/2, figure 4 hours in Himeji and 4 hours travel time. That is a generous amount of time and should cover from check-out to check-in. You can ship luggage from Kyoto to Miyajima on June 1 and travel light on the 2nd. Just a backpack that you can stash in a koin rokka at Himeji station.

6/4 leave Miyajima in the morning and you will have enough time for the must-visit to the PP&M. Check the museum open hours. You will figure out the timing once you get to Miyajima, like when you want to leave Miyajima, you might want to stay, but the PP&M is the priority that day.

There is baseball in Osaka and Kobe that you can see from Kyoto. The Osaka stadium was not particularly easy to get to. I have not seen the Buffaloes in Kobe. Your j-ball opportunity in Tokyo will be the 2nd and last night.The Swallows at Jingu Stadium would be a good choice. If I had to choose between Tokyo Dome and a game in Hiroshima then I would choose the latter. Hawks Dome in Fukuoka was a lot of tun (in right field). WHY WOULD YOU PREFER A GAME IN HIROSHIMA OVER TOKYO?

I think you might be arriving Japan too late to attend the May sumo tournament in Tokyo. You would get to Kyoto too late for Kamogawa Odori.
BUMMER

So I just realized I made a mistake. We are in Tokyo for 3 nights so now, unless we don't do South Korea, we'd only have one night in Hiroshima and one night in Miyajima. This, and a Himeji visit, would be way to tight. You are an amazing wealth of information!
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 01:08 PM
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>> choose between Tokyo Dome and a game in Hiroshima then I would choose the latter.

except that a game at Tokyo Dome won't get rained out. A game at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima could get rained out.

June is rainy in Japan, moving from south to north. Probably rain in SK too.


onsen at Green Hotel in Takayama, but maybe they are piping water around town these days. There is Gero Onsen just south of Takayama. Hakone near Tokyo. Several onsen towns all over Kyushu, Matsuyama, across the Seto Nai Kai from Hiroshima has Dogo Onsen (wonderful building) and a very nice castle but Matsuyama is not a day trip. Lots of options if you extended your stay in Japan.

Am flying to Fukuoka in Oct. Planning to visit Ureshino Onsen, Unzen Onsen. Maybe take the scenic train on the way to/from Unzen. Might take the Yufuin no Mori scenic to Yufuin for onsen - look like the train is really nice. Kyushu is scenic.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
>> choose between Tokyo Dome and a game in Hiroshima then I would choose the latter.

except that a game at Tokyo Dome won't get rained out. A game at Mazda Stadium in Hiroshima could get rained out.

June is rainy in Japan, moving from south to north. Probably rain in SK too.


onsen at Green Hotel in Takayama, but maybe they are piping water around town these days. There is Gero Onsen just south of Takayama. Hakone near Tokyo. Several onsen towns all over Kyushu, Matsuyama, across the Seto Nai Kai from Hiroshima has Dogo Onsen (wonderful building) and a very nice castle but Matsuyama is not a day trip. Lots of options if you extended your stay in Japan.

Am flying to Fukuoka in Oct. Planning to visit Ureshino Onsen, Unzen Onsen. Maybe take the scenic train on the way to/from Unzen. Might take the Yufuin no Mori scenic to Yufuin for onsen - look like the train is really nice. Kyushu is scenic.
We would be in Tokyo in May and thought the rainy season started mid June when we would already be home.

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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 01:23 PM
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You could cut from Kyoto.
Your Takayama plan is good and fits your interests. No reason to cut there unless you cut it out completely.

You should/will make it home before rain gets to Tokyo in mid-June, but the June part of your trip is farther south where the rain comes earlier in the month. But it will be ok.

But you might miss the rainy season even in Kyushu (fukuoka),

Last edited by mrwunrfl; Jul 19th, 2023 at 01:32 PM.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
You could cut from Kyoto.
Your Takayama plan is good and fits your interests. No reason to cut there unless you cut it out completely.

You should/will make it home before rain gets to Tokyo in mid-June, but the June part of your trip is farther south where the rain comes earlier in the month. But it will be ok.

But you might miss the rainy season even in Kyushu (fukuoka),
I'd want to add more days to Kyoto! Initially you suggested I visit Hiroshima from Takayama and then visit Kyoto. Is that a better plan given weather concerns?
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 02:01 PM
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i could fly to hiroshima and do trip in reverse and depart from tokyo. we would not land until 7 pm though and think it would be a brutal day of flights. i could also fly to osaka but that lands at ITM airport which if farther out. it lands at 5 pm.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 02:24 PM
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>> Initially you suggested I visit Hiroshima from Takayama and then visit Kyoto. Is that a better plan given weather concerns?

I did? lol. Maybe that was to set up for the flight to SK. And you would have that long stay in Kyoto at the end of the trip. But I usually advise that Takayama to Miyajima is a long trip that should be avoided.

I don't think that plan is better given weather concerns because those concerns are not that great. You are going to get rained on in Japan.

I just checked
Grand Tournament Schedule - Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Grand Sumo Home Page
The May tournament ended on May 28 this year, so you probably can attend it next year. I went once and it was great.

Last edited by mrwunrfl; Jul 19th, 2023 at 02:39 PM.
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 02:53 PM
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You had a good plan. You could get back to that by cutting from SK.

Reversing the order is not necessary, but ime:
- connection at NRT to flight to ITM worked well, but you are using HND
- ITM to Osaka was not fun
- HIJ to Hiroshima was a bit of a pain and I would definitely take the bus to the bus center and walk to the Rihga Royal Hotel or bus to Hiroshima station and stay at one of the hotels by that station. But, yeah that would be a bit brutal.
- FUK to Fukuoka is easy.
- Connecting at HND to a flight to Sapporo was a big PITA because of the change of terninals
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by mrwunrfl
You could cut from Kyoto.
Your Takayama plan is good and fits your interests. No reason to cut there unless you cut it out completely.

You should/will make it home before rain gets to Tokyo in mid-June, but the June part of your trip is farther south where the rain comes earlier in the month. But it will be ok.

But you might miss the rainy season even in Kyushu (fukuoka),
I'd want to add more days to Kyoto! Initially you suggested I visit Hiroshima from Takayama and then visit Kyoto. Is that a better plan given weather concerns?
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Old Jul 19th, 2023, 03:16 PM
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oh, you double-posted somehow. i replied to this
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Old Jul 20th, 2023, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by plambers
We would be in Tokyo in May and thought the rainy season started mid June when we would already be home.
My thoughts of rain were about the part of your trip after 6/5 and what it might be like if you took that time and added it to Japan. It might start to get rainy in Kyushu during that last week. Or not.

>> WHY WOULD YOU PREFER A GAME IN HIROSHIMA OVER TOKYO?
I said I would prefer a game in Hiroshima over a game in Tokyo Dome. I would probably go to both. Yes, Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome would kind of be an ultimate j-ball game to go to and the game will not be bothered by weather. There are multiple teams in Tokyo. Jingu Staidum (Swallows) is supposed to be nice.

I was in Nagoya station, done sightseeing for the day, and saw there was a game at Tokyo Dome, so I used my JR Pass and took the shinkansen. My Japanese seatmate spoke English well and when we got to Tokyo he escorted to the gate for the subway that I needed to take to get to the stadium. It was pouring rain but I got to see the Sapporo team vs the Fukuoka team. Lots of fans even though neither team was in their home stadium.

I visited Hiroshima a couple of times and went to see the Carp at the old stadium. That was more of a comfortable ballpark experience than the big Tokyo Dome. One game, I saw Kenta Maeda play for the Carp before he became a Dodgers star. They chanted his last name. Years later, he appeared on and was a big fan of one of my favorite Japanese Netflix shows, Terrace House.
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