Japan trip Dec-Jan
Oct 2nd, 2005 | 01:38 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Japan trip Dec-Jan
I would like some advice on our itinerary and hotels. My husband and I are flying over to visit our daughter who is teaching English and has lived in Japan for two months. It will be winter so I'm not sure of the weather we will find.
We arrive Osaka Dec. 23. Spend the night at Osaka Hilton. The next day travel to Tottori by bus (4 hours -- prefecture west on the Japan Sea.) Visit with her colleagues and see her home. Spend Christmas day and 26th day there. We have reservations to go to Kyoto for 6 nights and then do day trips from there -- Nara, O'Hara. Any suggestions? We have visited Kyoto but she was only 6 and doesn't remember it. It was tough getting a reservation because we will be there for New Year's. Go to Osaka Hilton on the 2nd. Fly back to USA on 3rd. My questions:
1.The Hilton has given us a room for 2 but does not have rooms -- according to web -- to add her to our room. We would have to book 2 rooms ---60,000 yen TOO much. We are not sure if she'll be able to meet us at the airport so are torn about what to do. Can we just show up and ask for a rollaway or just have her stay in the room with us and not rock the boat?
2. Should we stay in Kyoto the last night and NOT come back to Osaka? Would it just be as easy to get to KIX from Kyoto?
3. Is there another area we should consider seeing---Kobe?-- and shorten our time in Kyoto? We are mainly interested in spending time with our daughter....so seeing Japan is second. She has been to Hiroshima, Miyajima as have we. But I would still like to enjoy the Japanese experience. She is planning on our using the bus -- which she prefers-- and because we will be doing just Osaka to Tottori to Kyoto to Osaka (with the exception of day trips from Kyoto). Though she has been there for 2 months, she is still learning the ropes about things to see and do in Japan. Any help is MOST appreciated.
We arrive Osaka Dec. 23. Spend the night at Osaka Hilton. The next day travel to Tottori by bus (4 hours -- prefecture west on the Japan Sea.) Visit with her colleagues and see her home. Spend Christmas day and 26th day there. We have reservations to go to Kyoto for 6 nights and then do day trips from there -- Nara, O'Hara. Any suggestions? We have visited Kyoto but she was only 6 and doesn't remember it. It was tough getting a reservation because we will be there for New Year's. Go to Osaka Hilton on the 2nd. Fly back to USA on 3rd. My questions:
1.The Hilton has given us a room for 2 but does not have rooms -- according to web -- to add her to our room. We would have to book 2 rooms ---60,000 yen TOO much. We are not sure if she'll be able to meet us at the airport so are torn about what to do. Can we just show up and ask for a rollaway or just have her stay in the room with us and not rock the boat?
2. Should we stay in Kyoto the last night and NOT come back to Osaka? Would it just be as easy to get to KIX from Kyoto?
3. Is there another area we should consider seeing---Kobe?-- and shorten our time in Kyoto? We are mainly interested in spending time with our daughter....so seeing Japan is second. She has been to Hiroshima, Miyajima as have we. But I would still like to enjoy the Japanese experience. She is planning on our using the bus -- which she prefers-- and because we will be doing just Osaka to Tottori to Kyoto to Osaka (with the exception of day trips from Kyoto). Though she has been there for 2 months, she is still learning the ropes about things to see and do in Japan. Any help is MOST appreciated.
Oct 2nd, 2005 | 01:55 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,943
Likes: 0
If you and DD don't mind sharing a small bed or one of you sleeping on the floor, you could probably safely sneak her in for the one night. Well, not sneak, just have her come in. You could even tell them it was unexpected and ask if it's okay. I doubt they''l toss you out.
I would not go back to Osaka for the last night unless you have a very early flight. It would be much simpler to just take the train straight from Kyoto to the airport.
Same thing on going to another city. You'll find plenty in Kyoto and day trips to keep you busy. No need to wander with only a week.
I would not go back to Osaka for the last night unless you have a very early flight. It would be much simpler to just take the train straight from Kyoto to the airport.
Same thing on going to another city. You'll find plenty in Kyoto and day trips to keep you busy. No need to wander with only a week.
Oct 2nd, 2005 | 02:50 PM
#3
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
About the Osaka Hilton...
1. They can add an extra bed to rooms, and some rooms have a pull out sofa. There is a charge for the third person. The hilton.com website does not, for some reason, allow children or 3rd people to be added to a reservation most of the time. A phone call directly to the hotel shoud sort that out. I think the charge is 5000 yen per night for the bed, but I'm not positive on that. If you are members of HiltonHonors (free, like frequent flyers), then you can use "spouse stays free" and pay the rate for one person...as the 2 person rate is often higher, could save you money. Don't just show up and ask for a rollaway. You won't save anything, and it will take time to get one. Prebook it, and it will be set up in your room upon arrival.
2. Rates...we usually pay less than this to stay at the Osaka Hilton. In fact, our rate last December 23 was 22,000 yen with an upgrade to executive floor for 3 of us. The hotel was not close to being sold out, but was very busy.
3. Weather - It will be cold. Bring hat and gloves, and a winter weight jacket. It won't be below freezing, but it is damp and raw in the winter.
4. It is just as easy to go to KIX from Kyoto as it is from Osaka. There is the Limited Express Haruka train from Kyoto station, or the limousine buses.
5. Speaking of limousine buses...when you arrive, take the limousine bus to the Hilton. Though few buses actually go to the Hilton parking area, many, many go to the Ritz Carlton/Herbis Osaka terminal next door. It's far easier than the train in my opinion, and it's cheaper too. But the bus tickets at the ticket window outside of the terminal. There are attendants all over the place who will help you get the right ticket and into the right line.
1. They can add an extra bed to rooms, and some rooms have a pull out sofa. There is a charge for the third person. The hilton.com website does not, for some reason, allow children or 3rd people to be added to a reservation most of the time. A phone call directly to the hotel shoud sort that out. I think the charge is 5000 yen per night for the bed, but I'm not positive on that. If you are members of HiltonHonors (free, like frequent flyers), then you can use "spouse stays free" and pay the rate for one person...as the 2 person rate is often higher, could save you money. Don't just show up and ask for a rollaway. You won't save anything, and it will take time to get one. Prebook it, and it will be set up in your room upon arrival.
2. Rates...we usually pay less than this to stay at the Osaka Hilton. In fact, our rate last December 23 was 22,000 yen with an upgrade to executive floor for 3 of us. The hotel was not close to being sold out, but was very busy.
3. Weather - It will be cold. Bring hat and gloves, and a winter weight jacket. It won't be below freezing, but it is damp and raw in the winter.
4. It is just as easy to go to KIX from Kyoto as it is from Osaka. There is the Limited Express Haruka train from Kyoto station, or the limousine buses.
5. Speaking of limousine buses...when you arrive, take the limousine bus to the Hilton. Though few buses actually go to the Hilton parking area, many, many go to the Ritz Carlton/Herbis Osaka terminal next door. It's far easier than the train in my opinion, and it's cheaper too. But the bus tickets at the ticket window outside of the terminal. There are attendants all over the place who will help you get the right ticket and into the right line.
Oct 2nd, 2005 | 05:04 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Thanks for the quick advice. My daughter is going to Osaka this weekend and I may have her go to the Hilton to set all this up or I may call myself. I think we will stay the last night in Kyoto and have her go home from there. Great advice on the limo. We'll do that. Now any suggestions for Kyoto day trips besides Nara and O'Hara?
