Nara vs. Hiroshima
Feb 19th, 2014, 07:49 PM
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Nara vs. Hiroshima
I will be traveling in Japan in April for the 1st time. My original plans was to spend 3 nights Tokyo, 6 nights Kyoto with a side trip to Nara and a day spent in Hiroshima. Plans have changed and will be in Tokyo 3 night, Kyoto 5 nights and my last night in Tokyo. While I was very interested in Hiroshima as a day trip, any thoughts on whether I am allowing enough time in Kyoto with those day trips planned?
Feb 19th, 2014, 09:15 PM
#2
Depends on your priorities. The 5 nights means two travel days and three full days. The last night is in Tokyo or would you be staying that night near Narita airport?
Have you worked out what that day trip to Hiroshima would be like? The cost is going to be in time and effort.
Have you worked out what that day trip to Hiroshima would be like? The cost is going to be in time and effort.
Feb 19th, 2014, 10:40 PM
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The plan was to return to Tokyo the day before my departure, which will be 9:30 in the evening. I am just mulling over prior posts, questioning whether I should spend my last night in Hakone, rather than Tokyo, given that I have a late flight. I also think either Nara or Hiroshima will have to be dropped this trip. Just having trouble deciding my priorities...
Feb 20th, 2014, 12:10 AM
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Oh my, such a tough call! I assume you can't add any time to this trip....
IME experience, Hiroshima is incredibly moving. I spent several hours there, visiting the A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Park, the Peace Museum, and then more time in the Peace Park. I honestly don't have words for the experience. I can't even find words to compare seeing it to a visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau (and I don't have words for that place, either). I can say that after visiting Hiroshima, I embraced the solitude and peace of a night at a ryokan on Miyajima. I spent the night at Momijiso, one of Japan's more affordable ryokan
https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/...yokan=Momijiso
I thought the night at Momijiso, and some time on lovely Miyajima, quite wonderful, and also surprisingly healing after the raw moments of Hiroshima's poignant memorials. I don't know if you will have time to take advantage of this experience.
BUT making time for Hiroshima does, as you point out, seriously limit the time you would have for Kyoto and Nara. I didn't see everything I wanted to see in Kyoto or Nara with 6 nights in the area (4 days in Kyoto, 2 full days for Nara and Ikaruga).
I skipped Hakone on my 3-week trip to Japan.
One thing I consider when planning trips: If a city is an international air hub, am I likely to pass through it again? If so, you might consider "shortchanging" it to allow more time elsewhere. So, for example, if you think you might fly through Narita again one day, cut your time in Tokyo on THIS trip since reaching Tokyo again is more likely that reaching Hiroshima again. That's just an example and might not be correct -- just something to keep in mind.
IME experience, Hiroshima is incredibly moving. I spent several hours there, visiting the A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Park, the Peace Museum, and then more time in the Peace Park. I honestly don't have words for the experience. I can't even find words to compare seeing it to a visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau (and I don't have words for that place, either). I can say that after visiting Hiroshima, I embraced the solitude and peace of a night at a ryokan on Miyajima. I spent the night at Momijiso, one of Japan's more affordable ryokan
https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/...yokan=Momijiso
I thought the night at Momijiso, and some time on lovely Miyajima, quite wonderful, and also surprisingly healing after the raw moments of Hiroshima's poignant memorials. I don't know if you will have time to take advantage of this experience.
BUT making time for Hiroshima does, as you point out, seriously limit the time you would have for Kyoto and Nara. I didn't see everything I wanted to see in Kyoto or Nara with 6 nights in the area (4 days in Kyoto, 2 full days for Nara and Ikaruga).
I skipped Hakone on my 3-week trip to Japan.
One thing I consider when planning trips: If a city is an international air hub, am I likely to pass through it again? If so, you might consider "shortchanging" it to allow more time elsewhere. So, for example, if you think you might fly through Narita again one day, cut your time in Tokyo on THIS trip since reaching Tokyo again is more likely that reaching Hiroshima again. That's just an example and might not be correct -- just something to keep in mind.
Feb 20th, 2014, 12:04 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions. I really want to go to Hiroshima. What are your thoughts going to Hiroshima for my last night and flying ANA back to Narita airport the following day? Any experience with domestic flights? I have been looking at flights that are very reasonably priced.
Feb 20th, 2014, 02:49 PM
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I have taken three or four domestic flights - on JAL, ANA and a low cost airline....
The only problem I had was flying from Kochi to ITM last year....they were announcing a delay - so I figured oy - who knows what that means - so the delay ended up being five minutes late leaving....lol...I can't tell you how many times they apologized for that.
However, I might be nervous about a domestic flight the day I was leaving but I get nervous easily....looks like there is only one flight to NRT - arriving there at 4 pm.
The only problem I had was flying from Kochi to ITM last year....they were announcing a delay - so I figured oy - who knows what that means - so the delay ended up being five minutes late leaving....lol...I can't tell you how many times they apologized for that.
However, I might be nervous about a domestic flight the day I was leaving but I get nervous easily....looks like there is only one flight to NRT - arriving there at 4 pm.
Feb 20th, 2014, 03:46 PM
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Would it be possible to switch things around so you go to Hiroshima first, then to Kyoto/Nara, and then to Tokyo? Depending on your point of origin, that could make for a very long day of travel, but it still might be worth considering. Alternatively, is your flight from Tokyo late enough to make getting there from Hiroshima by train an option? It would take a while (I think about 5.5 hours), but you might have more options than going by plane....
Feb 20th, 2014, 05:11 PM
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Just double-checked - there is an 8 am flight but that's probably too early....
Good idea, kja....maybe hnl can change things around...go to Kyoto first, then Hiroshima and then back to Tokyo...that last leg is a long trip....maybe a cheap flight then.....
Good idea, kja....maybe hnl can change things around...go to Kyoto first, then Hiroshima and then back to Tokyo...that last leg is a long trip....maybe a cheap flight then.....
Feb 20th, 2014, 06:11 PM
#11
I've flown domestic Japan flights several times on ANA. I see the Experience Japan Fare has been extended. I am going to start a thread about it. It is a great deal at $103 and I recommend using it (or a JAL equivalent discount fare) to fly to Tokyo. I haven't had a domestic flight involving NRT. You will find more flights to Haneda, but ANA does have an HIJ->NRT flight dep 14:15, arr 15:55 (e.g. April 9).
For Hiroshima airport, I recommend using the bus. Don't take the JR option even if you have a JR Pass - that involved taking a bus from HIJ to some JR station and then a local train to Hiroshima station. Turned out that the bus went to the bus center near my hotel (Rihga Royal), much closer than Hiroshima station. I saw several of those buses depart HIJ while waiting for the one to go to the JR station near (not near enough) to the airport.
For Hiroshima airport, I recommend using the bus. Don't take the JR option even if you have a JR Pass - that involved taking a bus from HIJ to some JR station and then a local train to Hiroshima station. Turned out that the bus went to the bus center near my hotel (Rihga Royal), much closer than Hiroshima station. I saw several of those buses depart HIJ while waiting for the one to go to the JR station near (not near enough) to the airport.
Feb 20th, 2014, 06:18 PM
#12
I think hnl originally was considering as a day trip from Kyoto.
You could, of course, fly from Tokyo Haneda to Hiroshima. Morning flight and spend the night, or not.
You could use a 7-day JR Pass even if you fly to/from Hiroshima. Would be about 20,000 between Kyoto and Hiroshima, another 13,500 for Kyoto-Tokyo and another 3,000 from Tokyo to NRT (more if you left from Hakone).
You could, of course, fly from Tokyo Haneda to Hiroshima. Morning flight and spend the night, or not.
You could use a 7-day JR Pass even if you fly to/from Hiroshima. Would be about 20,000 between Kyoto and Hiroshima, another 13,500 for Kyoto-Tokyo and another 3,000 from Tokyo to NRT (more if you left from Hakone).
Feb 20th, 2014, 10:19 PM
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Hi thanks for all the help, decided a few things.
Hiroshima for me is a must...still looking at flights etc.. I took kja's advice and attempted to book a night in Miyajima at Momijio's. I got an email saying they do not take single traveler's so will continue to look for a place. I did notice that the Rhiga hotel has a bus stop nearby with a direct ride the airport which would be very convenient. Thinking will probably knock one night off of Tokyo at the beginning and add it to the end. That would make 2 night Tokyo, 1 night Miyajima or Hiroshima, 5 night Kyoto, and my last night Tokyo.
Hiroshima for me is a must...still looking at flights etc.. I took kja's advice and attempted to book a night in Miyajima at Momijio's. I got an email saying they do not take single traveler's so will continue to look for a place. I did notice that the Rhiga hotel has a bus stop nearby with a direct ride the airport which would be very convenient. Thinking will probably knock one night off of Tokyo at the beginning and add it to the end. That would make 2 night Tokyo, 1 night Miyajima or Hiroshima, 5 night Kyoto, and my last night Tokyo.
Feb 20th, 2014, 10:32 PM
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"I took kja's advice and attempted to book a night in Miyajima at Momijio's. I got an email saying they do not take single traveler's so will continue to look for a place."
Oh, no! I stayed there as a single. How unfortunate that they have changed their policy!
For other options in Miyajima, check
japaneseguesthouses.com or
booking.com
Good luck!
Oh, no! I stayed there as a single. How unfortunate that they have changed their policy!
For other options in Miyajima, check
japaneseguesthouses.com or
booking.com
Good luck!
Feb 21st, 2014, 05:52 AM
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Pete and I had a lovely stay at Auberge Watanabe on Miyajima. Don't be put off by the European name, it's a traditional ryokan and the location is lovely. Meals are served downstairs, rather than in the bedrooms, but it's very much a Japanese inn, family run too.
Feb 21st, 2014, 07:26 AM
#17
Hiroshima has an advantage over Miyajima when it comes to things to do after 8PM. If you are a baseball fan, or even if you are not, you might enjoy a Hiroshima Carp baseball night game if the team is in town.
The Rihga Royal is convenient to a lot of things. Had a corner room there once that had a view to the north, across the park where the castle is, to the mountains beyond. On the west side, I had view down into the ballpark. It is that close. A bit beyond the ballpark is Genbaku Dome and the Peace Park. In the block on the south side of the hotel is an underground shopping mall and from there it is a short walk to the covered shopping street.
The Rihga Royal is convenient to a lot of things. Had a corner room there once that had a view to the north, across the park where the castle is, to the mountains beyond. On the west side, I had view down into the ballpark. It is that close. A bit beyond the ballpark is Genbaku Dome and the Peace Park. In the block on the south side of the hotel is an underground shopping mall and from there it is a short walk to the covered shopping street.
Feb 21st, 2014, 09:15 AM
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during busy season such as the one the OP will be traveling in lots of ryokan will not accept single travelers.
Personally, I like your first draft of your trip with nights in Tokyo and Kyoto doing day trips. Hiroshima would be a long day trip but certainly doable. Keeping Hiroshima as an day trip option will make your trip less hectic and much more enjoyable when not moving your hotel every two days. You can decide to do Hiroshima when you are there seeing how you are feeling at the time,daily weather, time constraints and just how much you feel you can do.
Aloha!
Personally, I like your first draft of your trip with nights in Tokyo and Kyoto doing day trips. Hiroshima would be a long day trip but certainly doable. Keeping Hiroshima as an day trip option will make your trip less hectic and much more enjoyable when not moving your hotel every two days. You can decide to do Hiroshima when you are there seeing how you are feeling at the time,daily weather, time constraints and just how much you feel you can do.
Aloha!
