visiting japan in july 2007 need advice on itinery
May 26th, 2007, 08:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
visiting japan in july 2007 need advice on itinery
I am meeting my husband in Japan June 28th. He is arriving from the US to Itamiand then Kyoto, I am arriving from Tokyo to Kyoto.
a) what is the easiest way to get from Itami to Kyoto?
b) what is the easiest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto.
We plan on spending 4 nights in Kyoto.
Then we wish to travel on the west of Japan.
We need help with creating a trip that makes sense.
Our ideas: 2/3 nights in Kanaza
2 nights in Kurashiki
2/3 nights in Hiroshima with visit
visit to Miyajima
and possible visit to Hagi
Then go to Osaka and stay overnight the night before we both return from Itami airport to the USA.
I cannot figure out the JR Rail service/ times/ when we can use/ and if it makes sense to buy for 14 days (to use from Kyoto and Itami as our trip starts up).
I cannot find hotels on "Expedia" for these cities, any suggestions? I live in Boston and wonder if IACE travel helps just book hotels.
Also how do you buy the JR tickets? And if you have JR tickets do they help you secure hotels?? We are flying ANA...do they help you secure these services?
Finally, what do you think of these cities?
Are our plans too ambitious?
Please advise. Thank you- MKB
a) what is the easiest way to get from Itami to Kyoto?
b) what is the easiest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto.
We plan on spending 4 nights in Kyoto.
Then we wish to travel on the west of Japan.
We need help with creating a trip that makes sense.
Our ideas: 2/3 nights in Kanaza
2 nights in Kurashiki
2/3 nights in Hiroshima with visit
visit to Miyajima
and possible visit to Hagi
Then go to Osaka and stay overnight the night before we both return from Itami airport to the USA.
I cannot figure out the JR Rail service/ times/ when we can use/ and if it makes sense to buy for 14 days (to use from Kyoto and Itami as our trip starts up).
I cannot find hotels on "Expedia" for these cities, any suggestions? I live in Boston and wonder if IACE travel helps just book hotels.
Also how do you buy the JR tickets? And if you have JR tickets do they help you secure hotels?? We are flying ANA...do they help you secure these services?
Finally, what do you think of these cities?
Are our plans too ambitious?
Please advise. Thank you- MKB
May 26th, 2007, 01:46 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Itami to Kyoto, limousine bus.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Narita Express to shinkansen...but easier to fly into KIX instead or get a connecting flight to Itami so you don't have to hassle changing trains with luggage. Or you could send your luggage ahead.
Best site for train info is www.hyperdia.com. You get times and prices easily.
You aren't going to find much at all on expedia for Japan, and what you will find will be grossly overpriced. With the exception of rakuten, I've found booking sites in English charge waaayyy more for hotels in Japan than a direct booking with the hotel. http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ Direct booking you do not need to pay in advance.
Tokyo to Kyoto, Narita Express to shinkansen...but easier to fly into KIX instead or get a connecting flight to Itami so you don't have to hassle changing trains with luggage. Or you could send your luggage ahead.
Best site for train info is www.hyperdia.com. You get times and prices easily.
You aren't going to find much at all on expedia for Japan, and what you will find will be grossly overpriced. With the exception of rakuten, I've found booking sites in English charge waaayyy more for hotels in Japan than a direct booking with the hotel. http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ Direct booking you do not need to pay in advance.
May 26th, 2007, 03:57 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your response.
I still feel lost about finding train connections and what JR is good for.
Also, KIMJAPAN, could you comment on the cities that we are looking at and the time of the year. We need some sense in our journey. Thank you
I still feel lost about finding train connections and what JR is good for.
Also, KIMJAPAN, could you comment on the cities that we are looking at and the time of the year. We need some sense in our journey. Thank you
May 26th, 2007, 04:23 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mkb---perhaps you would like to come to our fodors GTG on oct 13 in cambridge?
if so please send me an email at:
[email protected]
i also am from the boston area....there will be lots of people at the GTG with asia experience...
if so please send me an email at:
[email protected]
i also am from the boston area....there will be lots of people at the GTG with asia experience...
May 26th, 2007, 07:17 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Early July weather is a crapshoot...rainy season, and sometimes it rains a lot and sometimes not at all. In any case, it's hot and humid.
Your general itinerary is very doable. We quite like Hiroshima and really enjoyed Miyajima very much. We hiked to the top of the "mountain" there rather than taking the cable car and it was lovely....we were the only people hiking and the trail was good and peaceful.
We've meant to go to Kurashiki, but haven't yet.
I see you are including Kanazawa...we live there (and we lived in Boston 12 years ago before moving to Kanazawa). It's a nice small city I think. There is plenty to do to keep you busy for 3 days.
Your general itinerary is very doable. We quite like Hiroshima and really enjoyed Miyajima very much. We hiked to the top of the "mountain" there rather than taking the cable car and it was lovely....we were the only people hiking and the trail was good and peaceful.
We've meant to go to Kurashiki, but haven't yet.
I see you are including Kanazawa...we live there (and we lived in Boston 12 years ago before moving to Kanazawa). It's a nice small city I think. There is plenty to do to keep you busy for 3 days.
