mirsy

We are flying into Tokyo and want to do two day trips from there...Nikko and Kamakura. Any suggestions about tour companies or guides. I have read about the "free" guides. Would that be an option?
Second: We will end in Hiroshima. Should we fly back to the states from Osaka or Tokyo? What is the best way to get to either destination from Hiroshima? Does a train pass make sense to use from Kyoto to Hiroshima and from there to either Osaka or Tokyo?

Thank you.

someotherguy

I'll let others answer your sightseeing questions, but note that Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) is actually closer to Seoul (ICN) than Tokyo and it is quite convenient and often much cheaper (and easier to score upgrades) if you route through Seoul. This is also true of other airports in Western Japan, such as Fukuoka (FUK). You just have to play with airfare search on ITA or google/flights to see if it is worthwhile for you, or if Osaka (KIX) or Tokyo work better. Note that HIJ is a long way out of town and quite difficult to get to (but its mountaintop location is spectacular). The train will likely be a better option if you fly out of KIX, and possibly Tokyo.

To evaluate a train pass, you need to add up the cost of separate tickets using www.hyperdia.com

kja

There is no need to use a guide for either Nikko or Kamakura, unless that is your preference -- each is easily visited on one's own.
For Nikko: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
(By the way, I was glad to spend a night in Nikko, so I had time to also see Kegon-no-Taki and a bit of Lake Chuzenji, but it is certainly possible to visit Nikko as a day-trip from Tokyo.)
For Kamakura: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html

If you do want to use a guide, consider one of Japan's free "Goodwill Guides."
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
Note that if you work with these volunteers, you pay his/her admission fees and treat him/her to any meals you share.

For information about how to get to various places from Hiroshima, click on the "Getting there and around" label near the top of the Hiroshima page on japan-guide:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2160.html

And in general, scour the information on japan-guide as thoroughly as you can -- it provides a wealth of information that will make your trip easier and more pleasant.

As someotherguy mentioned, you need to consult hyperdia.com to determine ticket prices (add the fare and seat prices) and then compare them to the price of various passes.

Enjoy!

JFL

The best way to get to Osaka from Hiroshima is the Shinkansen. If you want to go back to Tokyo, I would fly. It will be cheaper and faster.

For a more first-person-perspective on what to do and see in Kyoto/Osaka:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnk...hWfi9l05QFYFJA

Hyperdia (www.hyperdia.com) is extremely useful for not only determine prices but also just figuring out what stations you should get on/off.

mrwunrfl

Good advice about flying home from Hiroshima (HIJ) or Fukuoka (FUK) and about hyperdia.

kja wrote "... (add the fare and seat prices) ..."

hyperdia does the addition, just look at the
Total:¥

kja

@ mrwunrfl -- thanks for clarifying!