Lissa2905

Can I have some advice please... We will be in Japan for 7 Days (3 Tokyo / 2 Niko / 2 Tokyo) and I'm a trifle befuddled at all the transport options. As far as I can see it we need to get into Tokyo from Narita (doesn't need to be a quick trip) around tokyo for the 3 days on the subway, out to Nikko, and then around Nikko (separate pass I know - but unsure if 'All Nikko' or 'World Heritage' is best), then back to tokyo, and around tokyo on subway for 2 days then back to Narita. I have looked at the Suica and Pasmo, but there also are a number of combo passes with Narita and a Tokyo Pass. We are looking to spend as little as we can, so I'd appreciate the wisdom of any fodorites as to the better way to go. There are two of us travelling. Thank you, Lissa

hawaiiantraveler

Topping to answer later when I have more time, meeting in two minutes

hawaiiantraveler

OK, the easiest way to get from Narita to Tokyo with your luggage for a first timer is the airport limo bus imho.

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

Your luggage is loaded for you onto and off of the bus so if your hotel is one on their route the service is door to door. They also have a special that includes a Tokyo metro pass which can be used for your Tokyo subway trips. If you take the bus to and from Narita, you are eligible for a 2 day metro pass which should be fine because you probably won't use the pass on your first day anyway. When you run out of the day passes you can purchase a Suica or Pasmo or just pay yen if you are not traveling the subways much. I usually put in 2000 yen worth in my suica and ride till that expires and refill.

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/discou.../en/index.html

For Nikko the pass would depend on what you want to visit while there and where you are traveling from in Tokyo. I would opt to take the Tobu railways and use one of their passes.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3805.html

http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pass/all_pass.html

http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/pass/w_heritage_pass.html

Most of the sites are clustered in a small area of Nikko so the bus and walking are the way to go. If you want to visit Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls(I advise doing so) you will want the All Nikko Pass. If your interests are in the temples and museums of Nikko then the Heritage Pass is probably best.

Hope I didn't confuse you

Aloha!

Lissa2905

Wow hawaiiantraveller thank you so much for your time and wonderful advice, we'll take the limousine bus and get the pass.

I'm still in a bit of a quandry about Nikko, we haven't decided on accommodation yet. We want to see the temples and the lake and the waterfall, and as it seems they are so dispersed we are thinking of hiring a car for the 2.5 days. It seems we can do this for 15000 Yen, and that way we would have the flexibility with where we stay and all the attractions.

Do you reckon this is a good idea? Thanks, LIssa

hawaiiantraveler

It's a good idea if you are comfortable with it. Hiring a car in Nikko is possible and not a bad idea depending on the time of year if the price is affordable to you. Did you check out Toocoo's rental rates?

http://www2.tocoo.jp/?file=rentcar_inbound/main

The bus system in Japan and consequently Nikko is efficient and very easy to do. As I mentioned, most of the sites as you can see on the map in the above link, are walkable or bus able in the town of Nikko. You can walk from the train station to the Shinkyo Bridge in 20 minutes or so. The temples are another 10 minute walk uphill(which is steep) or a few minute bus ride. You would need to catch the bus to and from Lake Chuzenji but that is easy to do and you will be able to appreciate the many turns and switchbacks up and around the mountain via the scenic Irohazaka Road.

Here is some information on how to use a bus in Japan.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2015.html

What is your budget for accommodations in Nikko? There are lux and a few budget options. Lots of people like the Turtle Inn and it's annex.

http://www.turtle-nikko.com/turtle/index_en.html

We have stayed in two ryokans in Nikko

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/nikko/senhime.htm

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/nikko/konishi.htm

We loved Senhime Monogatari and would return in a heartbeat. Hoshino Yado has a favourable position right next to the Sacred Bridge below the Iyaesu's Mausoleum but is a step below Senhime in quality and luckily in price.

You can check out Japanicam dot com online for rates and hotel information.....maybe call or fax them yourself for rates. I have used Japanicam before to rent a hotel but mostly use them for information about some place.

http://www.japanican.com/hotels/List...so=c#sub-title

Lissa2905

Thanks again Hawaiantraveller. I have booked the Nikko Inn. Its 10000 per night for the two of us, so that seemed pretty reasonable. I found a lot of other great places, but NONE seemd to have availability on our dates ... Oh well, I'm sure the Nikko Inn (separate cottages) will be nice.

Senhime Monogatari looks incredible, but on this trip out of our budget I'm afraid.

I'm almost sold on the rental car idea, just so we have the flexibility to get around to the places we want to see, without too much walking (DH has a bad knee). Also I think where the cottages are from the train station is a bit of a hike.

I've looked at toocoo and for three days in and out of tokyo is 15000 yen, so I'll probably book that.

Thank you for your help again, Lissa

hawaiiantraveler

Hmmmmmm I wrote hiring a car <b>in Nikko</b> might not be a bad idea. I would be wary of driving in and around Tokyo. There will also be the inevitable tolls on the highways from Tokyo to Nikko and back. It may be cheaper and definitely easier to take the train to Nikko, then rent your car. That is what I would do, but that's just me. Others will hopefully jump in soon with on opinion. What time of year are you traveling?

Lissa2905

Early June (6th to 13th). When I looked at toocoo it was more expensive to hire in Nikko for 2 days than in Tokyo for 3. But I don't want it to be a drama getting there. Perhaps yes we should think about Hiring out of Nikko. Will ponder the thought.