I'm staying in Tokyo in October and want to visit Kyoto for 2 days. In order to fit this in, I need to cut one of the day trips I initially planned. Which one would you cut? I don't have an obvious preference so need some advice.

(1) Hakone/Mt Fuji (2) Nikko (3) Kamakura

ALSO, what would be the 2nd one you would cut to add a 3rd day to a Kyoto trip (and would you do this)?

Thanks all!

The obvious choice for thechop would be Kamakura and/or Nikko, as they are both chiefly historical temple/shrine sites and Kyoto offers plenty of both. ut then again, if the day you happen to go to Mount Fuji area happens to be clouded, then you won't get much of a view.
I personally would spend more in Kyoto, as it's packed with attractions and offers so much.

Hi, jenniferhaywardtx -

I agree with Alec: Spend the time in Kyoto! I didn't visit Hakone because the chance of NOT seeing Mt. Fuji is apparently high. I enjoyed both Nikko and Kamakura, but if my time were limited (as yours is), I would put the time into Kyoto instead.

Hope that helps!

Just got back from Japan yesterday. Loved Hakone (3 days). I would spend more time in Kyoto than Tokyo (we aren't big city lovers). Didn't go to Nikko because it seemed to much travel time for what it is. Nara (from Kyoto) deer park was fun. Hiroshima day trip was worth it. Trains are great!! Bring MONEY!! lots of it.

My choice would be also to skip Kamakura and Nikko. You would easily need 3 full days in Kyoto, possibly 4 if you want to do Nara. (Personally I would focus on Kyoto but many Fodories seem to enjoy Nara. Well, I get to see as many deers as I want in London parks!)

Though it greatly depends on weather forecast--most of attractions in both Nikko and Hakone are outdoors, so obviously not much if it rains heavily. Kamakura is mainly flat surface (and also more urban), perfectly doable in rain.

Re: Nara, W9London wrote: "Personally I would focus on Kyoto but many Fodories seem to enjoy Nara. Well, I get to see as many deers as I want in London parks!" Nara has MUCH more than the deer park!

W9London also wrote: "Kamakura is mainly flat surface," but a visit to Kamakura could also involve walking down the hill from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura to see the temples and shrines along the way.

In any case, I still think that spending more time in Kyoto makes most sense.

I just came back from my trip to Japan and visited all places. I think all comments posted here are very valid. In the end, it depends on your personal preferences and also the kind of weather you are going to get.

1. Hakone. I had to give it a shot to get a good view of Mt. Fuji. Bad luck. Got a very cloudy day and could not even enjoy a decent view at Owakudani (the site of the volcanic black eggs). It is a great trip if you have good weather. You can visit onsen, ride on cable cars, boats, ropeways.

2. Nikko. Probably the longest day trip as far as distance from Tokyo. The site has its historic importance (it is a world heritage location after all) but so is Nara and Kyoto.

3. Kamakura. The easiest to get from Tokyo. It will require a train or bus commute to hop between attractions as mentioned above. The daibutsu (big Buddha) is impressive (I saw a smaller replica in Maui years ago and of course noticed the difference). The one in Nara is more impressive though. If you go to Kamakura, do not go on a weekend. It looks like it is a popular destination during the weekend and it was packed.

Anyway: If you can, leave your options open. I suggest going to Hakone/Mt. Fuji to get out of the temple/shrine routine but if you don't get good weather, you will not enjoy it. The first I would sacrifice would be Kamakura then Hakone. The other alternative, as mentioned, would be a day trip to Nara, from Kyoto, but be prepared. The park where most of the main attractions are located has lots of hills.

I guess I just threw in more confusion but it is not an easy decision.

jennifer,

I see you are traveling in October. The fall colors in Hakone and Nikko should be very nice towards the end of October.

For that reason I would drop Kamakura first, Nikko then Hakone in that order.

Keep in mind that Hakone is a long day trip from Tokyo if you plan to do all the sights in Hakone. Plan on using a whole day for this.

I assume you want to see Fujisan which you can from some points in Hakone but the weather must cooperate and the early morning time is best so it would be better if you were there overnight but.....

just my 2 cents

Aloha!

I lived in Japan (Tokyo area) for 12 years and have been to all the places you mention several times over. I returned from a nostalgic re-visit this past April. I think 3-4 days in Kyoto, to do it right ie not rushing around, enjoying the temples, etc in a leisurely fashion, is preferable. If you only visit Tokyo and Kyoto on this trip, you won't regret it. If you want to do a day trip during your stay in Tokyo, Kamakura is closest. If you're feeling more adventuresome, Hakone is do-able in a full day and the outdoor museum there is wonderful. As far as Fuji-san is concerned, if you are lucky, you will see it from the train on the way to - and maybe back from - Kyoto! My vote is spend your days in Kyoto! You don't say how much time you have in Tokyo...?

I disagree with some other posters.

I think if you can manage 2 full days in Kyoto, that is enough time to see it... with the hope that if you liked it you will be able to see more someday!

But it depends on what you like. If you are absolutely mad about temples and shrines, you will only be able to get a small sampling in in Kyoto in 2 days.

I haven't been to Hakone or Kamakura/Nikko yet, but from what I've read, Hakone sounds lovely and Kamakura sounds rather touristy (not that Hakone isn't.. just in a different way, and probably more for local tourists). And I disagree with the person who said you often can't see Fuji from Hakone so it's not worth going. Certain times of year you have a better chance of being able to see it than others, but I think it would be lovely even if you couldn't! There is a website that shows the number of days/month Fuji is visible on average, which is useful... I think it was Japan-Guide maybe.

Have you thought of stopping in Hakone on your way to or from Tokyo? It is possible if you're not bound by JR Passes (which incidentally, I always find is more expensive and limiting than buying individual train tickets).

Good luck. I'm pretty sure whatever you decide, you will have a great time. Japan is such a fascinating and interesting place!