We are finalizing our itinerary for a 2 week trip to Japan and would like some advice. We will be there over the Emperor’s birthday, Christmas, and New Years. Our current plans call for flying into Tokyo, spending 3 nights there, then 2 nights in Nara, followed by 5 nights in Kyoto and finishing with 3 nights in Tokyo. We are considering taking one of the days in Kyoto and going to Himeji to see the castle for a few hours then on to Kurashiki for some craft shopping. Is this day trip from Kyoto reasonable and worth the effort? Does the rest of the itinerary seem sound?

Thanks for any advice!

Looks like a good plan to me,

The day trip to Himeji and Kurashiki may be a long a rushed day......depends on how motivated you guys are.

It will be cold....be ready for it and have fun!

Aloha!

Hawaiiantraveler

Thanks for the feedback. It might be a bit ambitious to see both Himeji and Kurashiki in one day but part of our thinking is that if we discover we like Kurashiki we could return the in the next day or two for a more extensive visit.

Hi, Mtneer93 -

I agree that visiting Himeji and Kurashiki on a single day trip from Kyoto would make for a long day, but both are charming, so it could be worth it.

Enjoy!

That is 7 nights away from Tokyo which means that your return to Tokyo would be on day 8 which means that a 7-day JR Pass would not work well.

Could use a 7-day pass for Narita Airport to Tokyo to Nara to Kyoto to Kurashiki/Himeji to Kyoto. I think that would come short of breaking even on the pass. And then you'd buy a one-way ticket back to Tokyo. Same thing if you start the JR Pass in Kyoto and use it until you return to the airport.

A 14-day pass would be what you need if you use it at least one way to/from the airport. Or if you had another side trip from Tokyo that you were considering.

If you are looking for an excellent Tour Guide/Driver, please let me know as I have a name and number for "the best"! in Kyoto who will make an itinerary for you for the time that you are there.

caymannie,

Always interested in a new tour guide/driver especially in Kyoto!

Would you please share some of your experiences and information about this guide to enhance their worth with us?

Thanks for all the great advice. We have not yet tried to determine the most economical way to travel around the country but the recommendation is appreciated.

We would welcome any advice on a hired guide versus one of the volunteer guides (understanding that the freebies may be of variable quality).

Also, how cold is cold? Down parka cold or insulted jacket cold? From one website it looks like lows in the 30s (F) and highs in the 50s (F) but no information on wind and humidity. Naive question: are traditional ryokan’s warm? From pictures they don’t look very insulated. We have decided to splurge with a night or two at Hiiragiya Ryokan – good choice?

Finally, what happens for the Emperor’s birthday (other than things being closed)? We’ve gotten some idea of what to expect for New Years but little about Christmas

I would most definitely splurge for one night in Hiiragiya ryokan.....I would not spend more than one night there, but that's just me.

It will be a good lined jacket cold, but remember I am from Hawaii

The Emperor's birthday is a major holiday.....and its one of only two days of the year when you can visit the Imperial Palace for real and not just walk around the outskirts. See website for info

http://tinyurl.com/6xban4

Almost forgot, here is a free guide you can read and get ideas from. Just click on the places you are interested in and it will give you some ideas on what to do in that area.

http://tinyurl.com/62u42a

If you need information regarding getting around the country by train, see these sites

http://www.japanrail.com/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

Aloha!