emd

sounds like the fire inside has rekindled :)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for all the wonderful information! I am really excited for my trip and you all have made it so easy to plan!

I think you are right in saying that it's better to have the Nozomi options, as I have a feeling I'll want to spend every possible second in Kyoto! And all the new links with more things to see aren't helping!

Not to be too much of a dolt, but can I buy the train tickets ahead of time?

Yes, you can buy it in advance when you get to Japan.

You can't buy the train tickets here, you need to wait til you get to Japan as mrw said. You used to be able to make train reservations online before going to Japan, but that service is no longer available. But when you get to Tokyo, you can have your concierge book your train reservations for your trip to Kyoto and back. I've always done that w/a JR pass. I don't know what happens if you don't have a JR pass and reserve a particular train and pay for a ticket, and then miss that train or just want to take a later one instead...

japan-guide has good information about buying tickets. basically, the fare ticket is good if you miss the train but you might lose the reserved seat charge (about 700 yen). something like that. try this link:
http://japan-guide.com/e/e627.html

I just got htis link emailed to me today, info on where to view autumn leaves in Nov.:

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/fallfoli...estination.htm

topping for locsin

Hi everyone! I leave on Friday and I just can't wait! I have my flights and hotels booked and confirmed. I will reconfirm the Kyoto rokyan once I get to Tokyo and have my train times confirmed. I will use the concierge at the hotel in Tokyo to help me purchase the Nozomi train tickets once I am there. I also reserved a cell phone that I will pick up at the airport since I will be on my own for several days. I've already started pre-packing and have decided that whoever made the rules about carrying liquids on board was clearly not a woman and clearly does not understand the need for "product." ;-) I've printed lots of stuff from this site with helpful hints and ideas of things to see. Any last minute advice you want to throw my way? Thanks for helping me plan this trip. I'll provide a trip report when I come back!

Do you have a plan (even generally) for what you want to see and do in Kyoto? We can give you hints and help you make efficient use of your sort time there so you aren't wasting it trying to figure out how to get from place to place, etc.

Emd and fodorites: Please provide some suggestions & tips. I am planning to spend 3 nights in Tokyo and 3 nights in Kyoto.

12/5 4pm - arriving in Tokyo
12/7 12pm - going to Kyoto
12/9 12pm - leaving Kyoto to Narita

Thanks!

Is this a layover for a few days? That is a really fast trip for both Tokyo and Kyoto. Where are you coming from (will jet lag be a factor)?

You have such a short time in each place that you are going to need to know what your interests are and what you want to see, see things in proximity to one another, and have route planned out to each place in order to maximize your time. Otherwise you will waste too much of the little time you have when you get there.

Where are you staying in Tokyo and Kyoto?

I suggest you start another post and cut and paste your question above and this reply into it, so you have your own posting.

Also, from your itinerary above, you are lonly staying in Tokyo and Kyoto 2 nights each, not 3 nights. This is a very fast trip. My preference would be to focus on either Tokyo or Kyoto, not both with this amt. of time.

I am hoping we hear from clbtx1 when she gets back; I am really wondering how her stay at that ryokan in Fushimi was, etc. She should be finishing up her trip in Kyoto today.

Still holding out hope for some feedback on how this trip went, if clbtx1 comes back around...