Hello travelers, my spouse and I have decided to try something totally new this year, traveling to Japan, a country we don't know a whole lot about thus far.

We will be using our miles to fly RT Tokyo and will be staying 14 days not including travel time.

We plan on hiring a private guide for each city using the rail in between. We already have good leads for guides from prior Fodors research.

We would like to spend about 3-4 nights in each major city and at least 3 nights in a nice beach resort area to veg out.

My spouse is interrested in War musuums, sites, and aircraft but not the actual bombing sites (saddness) and I am open to anything and mostly like gardens and museums, historical places, places of beauty.

Sorry this is so vague but if a fodorite could give us a general idea if how much time to spend in each area we'd have a general starting point. Thank you sincerely.

To begin with, what cities are you interested in visiting?When will you be traveling?I would also suggest you get a guide book like Frommers or Rough Guides which should give you a better idea of what you might like to see.Then you could be assisted in a better way.l As for beach resorts, they do not exist, as we know them.A way to veg out would be to stay in a gorgeous setting at a ryokan -an inn which could be an amazing experience.Good luck!

Also include in your information what time of the year you plan on visiting.

The time of year really makes a difference on what we recommend.

You'll probably want to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima/Miyajima, maybe Hakone or Mount Koya for starters....give us a little more info so we can be more specific.

Aloha!

Thanks for both your responses.

We plan on traveling mid July for 2 weeks or a little over. I know it is peak travel season but we are already pretty much committed for the rest of the year travel-wise.

Hawaiiantraveler, I will search attractions in the cities tou've listed and tour company itinerary websites for ideas and comment back when I get a general idea by tomorrow morning.

Thanks and as Arnie says "I'll be back"

Here, use this site for some info on the cities I mentioned and other cities in Japan. Check out the WHOLE jnto site as it is full of information

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/index.html

Aloha!

Okay, I will definitely read the link. I was hoping to do this on our own but I placed a call to our travel agent. She's worked with us for years and will put together an itinerary for us with guides.

I realized I probably really need her as I have asthma and positively can't have a smoking hotel room as I get very sick.

So as soon as I get my first rough draft I'll post it here. We are also going to try a ryokan. Yea!!!!!

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mt Fuji are the must-sees. You can Nara and whatever else that interest you.

Thanks so much JC98. We are definitely going that route. It's been tough putting an independent itinerary together, we really don't know much about the country, starting from scratch.

My FIL that was in the navy spent a few years going back and forth after the war but of course his recollections are probably much different that what it's like there today. He did say that the people were so kind.


Again, thank you Fodorites that have been assisting me, the links are also great

I think Kyoto would be a good place to spend 3-4 nights, especially if historical places, gardens,etc. You might also want to check out a tea ceremony. Even if you are not into tea, it is cool to get a sense of tradition. Most of the tea ceremonies take place in BEAUTIFUL gardens, so that would be a treat.

If you go to Kyoto, of course, do not miss out on Ginkakuji (I enjoyed their garden the most - it was a feast for the eyes).

Have fun!

Yes Manisha, thanks. What I'm doing now is looking at other tour company itineraries for what to do in each city.

I am very interrested in a tea ceremony!

We are really into gardens too, I just love to look at beautiful flowers and greenery as we live in the desert.

have you gotten an idea of where you want to go yet? here are some more ideas from the japan-guide dot com site. Check out the WHOLE site....its one of my favorites!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400.html

Aloha!

What exactly do you mean by war museums? Do you mean WW II? 20th centuray? Or could that interest include weapons and armaments from the shogun days? Samurai stuff, magnificent castles? There are quite a few castles in Japan and each one has some museum-type exhibits. At Himeji castle I saw a great showing of bonsai trees on the grounds.

In July there is a grand sumo tournament held in Nagoya.

Based on the interests you listed, you might consider visiting Kanazawa to see Kenrokuen garden. Here is a guide about Japanese gardens from the JNTO site:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-808.pdf

I see that guide mentions Ninomaru Garden at Nagoya castle. I don't remember that garden, but it may be of interest. The castle is interesting tho it is a reconstruction: it has elevators! Displays of artifacts on several floors. Between the garden, castle, sumo, and even baseball you might consider a stop in Nagoya. This is particularly tru if you want to visit a Japanese castle but are not very mobile.

Hello, here is what I'm looking at so far.

I am flexible with the first 8 days.

So far I have:

Arrive June 13pm & rest.

Tokyo 14th & 15th

Kyoto, Nara, and Hakone 16th-20th

depart for Okinawa on the 20th -24

rest up again 2 days in Tokyo before going home 24, 25, & 26th.

Hawaiian traveler, I just have to ask though I probably know the answer, are you currently in Hawaii? I must commend you on your knowledge of Japan.

Mrwunrfl, my husband's father joined the military during WWII and would like to see some historic war areas though he does not so see any bomb sites. So he would like to see Japanese Aircraft, and like WWII museums if there are any.

I really have to look into the great suggestions you've made. I enjoy looking at the aincent armory. Will definitely want to take in as many castles as possible.

Okinawa may be a bit far (2 hr. flight) but I love exotic destinations and chances to see rare species of birds, etc.

travelinwifey - I can see from some of your posts that you are a very different type of traveler than I am. However, I think you are spending too little time in the Kyoto area and adding Hakone as well. I know you said you want to go to the beach as part of your trip but I really think you are cutting out some of the best sites in Japan by shortchanging the Kyoto area.....Just my humble opinion of course...whatever, enjoy!

Mara, how many days would you suggest in Kyoto? Do you think Hakone is doing too much?

travelinwifey,

Thank you, yes we are from Hawaii.

I agree with Mara, lots to do and see in Kyoto, maybe you should save Hakone for your next visit.

I am envious of your trip to Okinawa. It is on our list to do.....maybe next yr. Tell us all about it when you return.

Looks like your trip is starting to shape up.
Have you decided on hotels/ryokans yet? What is your budget? We can make some suggestions if you like?

Aloha!

Hi Hawaiiantraveler, I just had to know because my spouse's best friend lives in Hawaii and although he originally thought it would be only a few years he now says it will his final resting place! Even the daughter that had major island fever is going to UNLV here in Las Vegas and hopes to return back to Hawaii for hotel management. We visit regularly.

Okay, so for hotels. I'm having a moral dilemma as I've involved the travel agent trying to find an itinerary for us and nothing worked out. She did a lot of work for us (still is) and I feel bad if I don't at least let her book hotels for us as we'll be doing the majority of our trip alone. The cheapest day guide she could find us was $500/day (no way) but thanks to your links and others we can choose walking tours in Tokyo and Kyoto in English.

Okay, so we can drop Hakone. And Nara seems to have activities we like, is Nara doable as a day trip from Kyoto?

Regarding price we are using our miles to get there so we consider that a huge savings and prefer 4-5* quality. In Tokyo we will probably Priceline, it looks as though we can get the Intercontinental for between $140-$200 and the location is good. So we can splurge a bit for Kyoto, but not over $500/nt (accounting for the weak $) and hopefully breakfast included. We also still want to do a night in a nice ryokan. We will dine on the cheap. Believe it or not my spouse does not eat red meat so when we are out of the country he goes on a McDonalds binge, it's the only time he really lets go. Ps, I didn't just write that, must protect the secret

I have stayed at the Granvia in Kyoto and liked it. The location in the train station is a big plus if arriving and departing by train and the station itself is a must see of Kyoto imho. You get a discount if you have a JR railpass.
See here

http://www.granviakyoto.com/

The Westin Kyoto and the Hotel Okura are well within your price range and very nice places to stay in Kyoto. The Kyoto Hyatt is also recommended.

We did a day trip to Nara from Kyoto two years back. Really easy to do, I think it only took 40 minutes or so by local train.

You may want to try the ryokan experience while in Kyoto....some such as Hiiragiya are highly recommended. See here for some info

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kyoto/hiiragiya.htm

I have used Japan guest houses before with good success. Check out the rest of their site for other ryokan locations and information.

Hope this helps!

Aloha!

I am going to suggest not dropping Hakone. You are interested in seeing beautiful places and I think the Fuji-Hakone N.P. is one. It is a good break from the cities. Fresh air. You can find a nice ryokan there and enjoy an onsen.

So it's June and not July?

What is your plan for Okinawa? Is this part of the WW2 interest or beach or both? I believe there are some beaches there but not sure about the weather when you would be there. You have three full days there and two travel days.

The only WW2-related site that I can think of in Japan besides Hiroshima and Nagasaki is the memorial to Japanese war dead. The place where the prime minister goes and lays a wreath to honor their war dead and gets the Chinese upset.

Saw a Zero fighter recently, but that was in Auckland.

Okay, I'm going to research the Kyoto suggestions more today.

Sorry Mrwunrfl, we are indeed traveling in July. We are doing so much traveling now through July I am getting my own dates mixed up!

July 12 (arrive on 13th @4pm) and depart July 26 @ 4pm.

I wanted a few days to veg out and see rare wildlife in Okinawa and a previously suggested tour suits our needs, here is the itinerary:

Day 1 / Iriomote Island
- Transfer to Haneda Airport
- Fly to Iriomote Island in Okinawa
Accommodation: Iriomote Sanctuary Resort Nirakanai

Day 2 / Iriomote Island
Day at leisure
Accommodation: Iriomote Sanctuary Resort Nirakanai

Day 3 / Iriomote Island
- Go canoeing and trekking
Accommodation: Iriomote Sanctuary Resort Nirakanai

Day 4 / Iriomote Island
- Take an excursion to Barasu Island
Accommodation: Iriomote Sanctuary Resort Nirakanai

Day 5 / Tokyo
- Transfer to Tokyo

Included in the price are:
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- 4 breakfasts,
- Airport transfer from and to your hotel in Tokyo
- Activities for Day 3 and 4
- Airfares, ferry transfer in Okinawa

On the way out we would be flying from Osaka airport to Okinawa.

Am I correct that the travel time between Kyoto and Osaka is 30 minutes?

I am really waffling about Hakone/Mt. Fuji. This may be the only time we go to Japan but I don't want to make my spouse too tired either.