Lissa2905

Hello, I'm having some trouble working out a very short Japan itinerary. The problem is that all my research has been about longer three week trips (for a trip last year that got cancelled). We are now arriving at Narita international at 7pm on 6 June and Departing in the Evening of 13 June. We need to be in Tokyo for a conference on 11 and 12 June.

I was thinking the following but don't think it is possible really. Big question I guess is the bit surrounding Mt Fuji and Hakone. I didn't want to rush through here, but I don't want to miss it either.

I was thinking:-

Sunday - Train Tokyo - Hakone - Fuji - Kyoto (Is this possible)

Monday - Kyoto

Tuesday - Kyoto

Wednesday - Kyoto - Himeji-Jo - Tokyo

Thursday - Tokyo

Friday - Tokyo

Saturday - Tokyo

Any suggestions and recs re accommodation (nice but not pricey) would be great as well as transport options and costs.

Thank you so much, Lissa

nickn

You asked whether it is possible? Of course it is.

Whether you CAN or you WANT is a different matter.

From your other posting, I take that you are flying from the U.S. Do you think you can wake up early and travel travel and arrive in Kyoto late evening on the day after your arrival?

I have thought of doing a similar route, but not the day after arrival. But I realized it would be so tiring and offered so little time in Hakone. You might want to visit Hakone on the way back from Kyoto.

To be able to see Mt. Fuji is elusive especially in rainy season. When I watched the movie "Cherry Blossoms" by Doris Dörrie, I could sympathize with the frustration of staying in Hakone yet not able to see the Mt. Fuji.

If I were to do this, I would fly into KIX and out of NRT, but it looks like you already have a roundtrip ticket to NRT.

hawaiiantraveler

What do you want or expect to see in Hakone and Mt Fuji(Fuji Five Lakes)? Are you interested in sightseeing the area or do you just want a good view of Fujisan?

About a half hour south of Tokyo on the Shinkansen, just past Odawara, you'll get a good view of Mt Fuji from the right side of the train if she is out that day. The best time for the view is considered to be in the morning hours before the mountain clouds up but can be at any time.

During the tsuyu(rainy) season, your chances are even more remote. The ideal way to see Mt Fuji is to stay overnight in Fuji Five Lakes or parts of Hakone but that does not guarantee you a sighting.....you have to have a little luck for that

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html

You will get another shot at viewing Fujisan on your return train trip, again if she is out

Aloha!

valtor

As Nick and HT said, you can not be sure that you can see Mt. Fuji. Instead, I would go directly to Kyoto.
From there, if you consider that have time, you can have one day trip to Nara.

In Kyoto visit also the Nijo castle.

I would skip Himeji and instead, from Tokyo you can have a day trip to Nara.

colduphere

We took the 11:30 am or so train from Tokyo to Odawara and then bus number four (right from the train station) up to Togendai. From there we had a good view of Mount Fuji. We then found our way back to Odawara and took the train back to Tokyo, arriving about 7pm. It was a fabulous day.

Going the other way from Odawara to Kyoto would take longer but is possible. The trains are so nice that 2.5 hours flies by.

Lissa2905

Hi, thanks everyone, Apart from 'seeing' Mt Fuji from the train, what are the other options in June?

I'm thinking to change Sunday to Tokyo to Hakone, and Monday to Hakone to Kyoto.

Would this give us an okay amount of time in Hakone and Mt Fuji, is it difficult at this non peak time to travel between?

Thanks, Lissa

hawaiiantraveler

Yes, two nights would be better but seeing your time constraints one is better than none.

See the Japan guide site I left up thread for you on Hakone. Read all the information on that page and use the links. You will see what there is a lot to do in Hakone and learn how to go about doing it via the Hakone Free Pass and the transport system throughout Hakone.

But if your main thing is to see Mt Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes(see second site above I left for you) should be your destination. The views from there, if Fujisan is out, are closer, larger, more scenic,better you get the point.

Hakone is further away from Fujisan and the sight opportunities are distant and only a few.

hawaiiantraveler

If you are pressed for time and don't want to spend the night, colduphere's plan above sounds like a nice day trip from Tokyo.

mrwunrfl

You'll need a 7-day JR Pass if you go to Himeji.

Your original itin is not good for Hakone. Could be done but wouldn't want to. Your latest idea of going to Hakone on the 7th and spending the night is a good one. Some ryokans might close on Sunday night tho. You will probably see a few weekend warriors returning on Sunday from Hakone to Tokyo and Yokohama.