We are two seniors in our late 60s, making our second visit to Japan, this time for 26 days in October, having spent 11 days there two years ago. Our schedule is tentative although we have made hotel reservations for most days. We are undecided whether to get JR passes or buy Nozomi tickets for distant travel. Locally in Tokyo and Yokohama we will likely buy Suica cards for convenience. (The NEX-Suica combo ticket is not an option for us due to baggage!) We would appreciate any comments and suggestions as to our October schedule!

Friday 1st: Arrive Narita, Limo bus to Shin-Yokohama Hotel
Saturday 2nd: at Shin-Yokohama Prince
Sunday 3rd: Train to Tokyo; stay The Prince Tokyo: visit Akihabara and Ginza
Monday 4th: The Prince Tokyo: visit Asakusa, boat to Odaiba (HIMIKO) - Shinbashi (YURIKAMOME)
Tuesday 5th: The Prince Tokyo: Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Imperial Hotel
Wednesday 6: Return to Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel
Thursday 7th: Trip to Hakone via Odawara; Hakone Free Pass; stay Hakone Prince Friday 8th: Return from Hakone to Shin-Yokohama Prince
Saturday 9th: Shin-Yokohama Prince: Musashi-Koyama & Himonya Daiei
Sunday 10th: Shin-Yokohama Prince: Mass 10:00am @ Yamate Cathedral & then visit Foeigners Cemetery and Port Hill, Yokohama
Monday 11th: Shin-Yokohama Prince: explore locally
Tuesday 12th: Train to Kyoto; stay Century Hotel Kyoto
Wednesday 13th: Century Hotel Kyoto: In Kyoto, day tour includ
Thursday 14th: Century Hotel Kyoto: In Kyoto
Friday 15th: Train to Hiroshima. Hiroshima Hotel TBA
Saturday 16th: In Hiroshima. Hotel TBA, Day in Miyajima
Sunday 17th: in Hiroshima. Hotel TBA local sightseeing
Monday 18th: Train to Shin-Yokohama. Stay Prince Hotel
Tuesday 19th: stay Minato Mirai: visit Takashimaya, Chelsea Café, Motomachi
Wednesday 20th: stay Minato Mirai: Drive to Mt. Fuji
Thursday 21st: Minato Mirai: Kamakura and Hase Giant Budda and Enoden Railway
Friday 22nd: stay Minato Mirai: Red Shoes Bus Tour
Saturday 23rd: stay Minato Mirai: Red Brick Warehouse, Landmark Tower and Queen's Plaza
Sunday 24th: stay Minato Mirai: Mass 10:00am @ Yamate Cathedral & then visit Motomachi
Monday 25th: stay Minato Mirai; no plans
Tuesday 26th: depart Narita
Most plans other than hotel arrangements are tentative.
We really would appreciate comments, suggestions, etc.

Thank you!

Your days are too spread out for a JR Pass to be effective for you......

I have been to Yokohama once but need to go back and discover the Chinatown area again.

Do an overnight on Miyajima in a ryokan if you can. There is a lot to see on the island and the town takes on a different atmosphere when the day trippers go home. Have a nice trip!

Aloha!

While in Tokyo, I would strongly recommend visiting the Yanaka neighborhood. It isn't far from Asakusa, especially by taxi. the neighborhood is home to over 70 temples, Tokyo's most famous cemetery, and a host of charming local shops and restaurants. All of the people I have shown around this area loved it.

The easiest entry point is the Yanaka Ginza (also an excellent place to do some souvenir shopping) from the north gate at Nippori station. It would be easy to visit this area in the morning before you go to Asakusa.

A few other thoughts:

Asakusa--Be sure to wander the back streets as that's where the most interesting shops and buildings are.

Hakone--Definitely worth visiting, but it helps to buy train tickets for the Romance Car (the express to Hakone) a few days in advance.

Miyajima--I second HT. Miyajima is well worth a relaxing night's stay. Just keep food and paperbacks away from the deer.

Enjoy your trip!

rcmorel, could you please give more specific directions to the Yanaka neighborhood? I tried to find it using Google maps, and the only hit seemed to be near the south entrance of Nippori station.

On my first trip to Tokyo in 2004 I stayed in the Yanaka area - it was a great introduction to Tokyo imo. If you google Yanaka walking tour you will get a couple of links that may help...

Rizzuto,

The easiest way to get to Yanaka is to go out the North Gate of Nippori Station, turn left to go out the West Exit. From there, just follow the road up a small hill. When the road forks, take the right fork and you'll be at the top of the stairway that leads into the Yanaka Ginza street.

Going out the South Gate at Nippori will put you in the confusing backstreets near the Yanaka Cemetery.

For more info on Yanaka, I recommend
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...rhoods/yanaka/

Thanks, rcmorel!