Japan for 1 week-Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
 

Dear all:

I'm planning a 1 week trip for the first time to Japan this coming October. I wanted to get your help with planning how many days I should spend in each city. I'm more of a big city big lights type of a girl but I would love to see some temples and the more calming historical sights in Kyoto as well.

If you could give me some tips, ideas and suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I would also love to get some mid-priced hotel recommendations where 2 women would feel safe in all 3 cities as well. I'm flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka so would need to hit Kyoto in the middle of my week there.

Thanks!

You will be safer anywhere in Japan than you are at home.

Start by counting how many nights you have in Japan. When you say you have a week, if that includes travel time to/from Japan, you may have a mere 5 nights. Tell us how many nights you will spend in Japan and we will be able to be more helpful. Also, tell us what mid-range means to you, and we can help more with hotels. Do you have any hotel points? Japan is a great place to use them, IMO.

Hi Kathie

Thanks for your response. I get in Oct.7th morning to Tokyo and fly out of Osaka on the 14th.

I need Tokyo hotels for Oct.7th-10th (3 nights). I need Kyoto hotel from Oct.10-12th (2 nights) and Osaka for the 13th (1 night only).

If there is an overnight train from Tokyo to Kyoto I wouldn't need a hotel in Tokyo on Friday the 9th however, I'm not sure if there is such a thing or if its a short train ride to Kyoto. How long does it take by the way for the fast train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto and from Kyoto to Osaka?

The mid-range I was thinking of was between $200-300 USD?

Please let me know if that is mid-range for Tokyo or if that is budget for that city as I know it's quite expensive there.

I assume hotels in Kyoto and Osaka are cheaper?

Thanks for your help!

One great source of information on hotels, and for booking them, is booking.com -- do check it out! You should be able to get a good sense of your options.

"I need ... Osaka for the 13th (1 night only)."

Are you flying out of Kansai? If so, depending on the time of day, you may be able to stay in Kyoto that night as well, as it is not that far and Japanese trains are notorious for their on-time performance.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2033.html

BTW, japan-guide.com is the best single source of information on Japan that I have found to date. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is also excellent.

"I'm more of a big city big lights type of a girl but I would love to see some temples and the more calming historical sights in Kyoto as well."

Sounds like you might want to tilt your time just a bit toward Tokyo, which certainly has it share of big city lights! But only you can decide for sure, and for that, I recommend that you do some research, identify the things you most want to see and experience, mark them on a calendar, and then see what make sense. With only 1 week, you will need to be selective!

Hope that helps!

We stayed at the Century Southern hotel in Tokyo. It was great! We had a superior room, and it was very comfortable and roomy. Great views, as the hotel is the upper floors of an office tower. Major train station right there (Shinjuku). In addition to a few hotel restaurants there are also restaurants on the lower floors of the building, and across the walkway in the Takashamaya store(top 3 floor, all restaurants, many options).

In Kyoto, we stayed at Ryokan Shimizu (a traditional Japanese type guest house). This was a fairly simple Ryokan (toilet was en suite and a traditional breakfast was offered at about $10pp), there are many more exotic ones. We slept on tatami mats on the floor, and they actually were quite comfortable. The staff there was very friendly and helpful. This would be way below your budget, but if you want to go for a more traditional experience, consider a Ryokan (there are many in Kyoto at different levels of luxury).

Hi 4morgan!

You can take a Nozomi train (the fastest) from Tokyo to Kyoto in 2hrs 18 min, so no need for an overnight train. I agree with kja, no need to stay in Osaka (unless you really want to). Kyoto is only 30 minutes further away from KIX than Osaka. I'd split your time 3 nights in each city.

Have fun!

The overnight trains don't stop in Kyoto and the westbound overnight trains don't stop in Osaka.

Your hotel budget is healthy and above mid-range for Tokyo. The Century Southern, for example, is available on your nights for $171, two single beds. Add $27 for breakfast included. Per night.

Thanks everyone so far for the helpful advice!

I have a train question; if I'm only using the trains twice once from Tokyo to Kyoto and then from Kyoto to Osaka is the 7 day Japan Rail Pass worth it?

I read somewhere that the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto alone is worth the price, but I wanted to get your advice.

Thank very much!