Japan Trip- Questions!
 

I am planning a trip to Japan in August and am trying to get a jump start on things.
I arrive in Tokyo with my husband and inlaws on August 2nd and have to be in Nagasaki for a cruise that leaves on August 9th.

I have written a previous post regarding itinerary and have narrowed it down to the following:
Tokyo- August 2-Aug 5
Kyoto- August 5-Aug 8
Nagasaki- August 8-August 9 (the boat doesnt leave till 8pm but want to get in night before just to be safe).

I have never been to Japan before and therefore need as much guidance as possible!

1) Can anyone recommend LUXURIOUS hotels in CENTRAL locations in the cities above.

2) Do you think this sounds like a feasible plan? Anything I should add?

3) Is it easy to use the trains to get from city to city?
I have seen quite a bit of information and resources rearding Tokyo-Kyoto train, but am having trouble finding information on trains from Kyoto-Nagasaki. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Thank you so much for your help!!!
Look forward to hearing your comments!

I'm planning vacation for next year to Tokyo. I've never been there but I've been scouring tripadvisor and reading whatever I can get my hands on. Cerulean Tower is a GORGEOUS and luxurious hotel in Shibuya (Tokyo). Right smack in the action. Expedia has a better hotel price, rather than purchasing straight through Cerulean. If you find a cheaper price, please let me know. ;)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2019.html

http://www.japanrail.com/index.html?...n-bullet-train

These websites will help some regarding transportation from Kyoto-Nagasaki. I think it is doable.

Japan looks so beautiful. We're very excited for next year!

You both can use www.hyperdia.com for train info.

To get from Kyoto to Nagasaki by train you take the shinkansen to Hakata (Fukuoka) where you change to a nice limited express train called Kamome (seagull, I think) to Nagasaki.

Tokyo to Hakata is about 3 hours, 8 minutes or so to change trains, then about 2 hours from Hakata to Nagasaki.

During part of that shinkansen ride you pass some farms and also travel through a few tunnels. It is also along that line where the shinkansen reaches highest speed.

The Kamome has wooden floors and leather seats.

Sounds like you might be interested in Green Car seats for your trip, since you are into luxury.

For this trip you would not need a JR Pass. You would pay the base fare for Tokyo-Nagasaki and the supplement for the two legs, Tokyo-Kyoto and Kyoto-Nagasaki. It comes out to be about the same as a 7-day pass but you get the benefit of using Nozomi shinkansen trains by just buying the tickets.

For a luxury hotel in Tokyo, try the Seiyo Ginza or the Peninsula. In Kyoto, the Hyatt ia lovely.If you would like a ryokan, try the Hiiragiya or the Tawaraya. Have a wonderful time.

Luxurious Tokyo hotels:
Park Hyatt
Westin Tokyo
Four Seasons Chinzan-so
Four Seasons Maronuchi
Grand Hyatt Roppongi
Mandarin Oriental
Conrad Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo

Luxurious Kyoto Hotels:
Hyatt Regency
Hotel Okura
Westin Kyoto
Hiiragiya Ryokan

Aloha!

Thank you so much for the above!
Out of these though, which would you say are the most centrally located for tourists who have never been to Japan before???

Thanks again!

Just wanted to second the Cerulean Tower, you can't beat its Shibuya location and it's very nice - especially if you get one of the rooms with the windows in the bathroom overlooking the city.

I would definitely want to be in Shibuya for my first time in Tokyo.

Hotel Okura in Kyoto is in a wonderful location, walking distance to several tourist areas and night life, great shopping and food, next to the subway also. We stayed here on our first visit to Kyoto and Japan. It is a very nice hotel with wonderful high tech bathrooms and a great western and Japanese full breakfast.

Trains, subways, buses are all easy to use. Generally have English translations either on signs, electronic boards, monitors, or over the sound system.