Yet another Fodorite is going to Japan in November! help please
 

So, i have just booked flights from LHR to NRT for November. It will be a short trip as Muffin wants some sun, so we plan to head to Thailand after Japan and then leave from my favourite stopover BKK at the end of the month.
Therefore we will have 8 nights in Japan (I know, not nearly enough time) but thought we could do a "taster" trip and hopefully revisit another time.

I know there are a gazillion threads on Japan at the moment and I really have been trying to keep up with them but in all honesty it's making my head hurt! Like Filmwill I cannot believe the amount of places that are already sold out... so can you help me plan some of this. My idea was this
3 nights Tokyo
1 night ??? -this night i would like to be between Tokyo and Kyoto, maybe at a scenic traditional Ryokan out of a big city (but not one i have to remortgage my house and ideally one i would travel using my JR pass - I realise I sound like one of those newlyweds on those TV shows who want a 5 bedroom detached house with a pool and Garage for £250,000)
3 nights - Kyoto
1 night - Osaka

again, i know its only 8 short nights but it's better than nothing and anyway the flights are booked now... does the intinerary in theory sound ok to you guys?

So which area would you pick to stop off and enjoy a more scenic/less city type part of Japan (but it needs to be between Tokyo and Kyoto!!)

We are really excited to be meeting up with FW and D on this trip ( I hope he doesn't think we are stalking him :) )
Really appreciate any guidance.

S x

Wow - another Fodorite going to Japan!

Oh I should add I have booked my hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto ( all cancel able) just in case availability gets really crazy.......

Exciting! When in November are you going?

You don't need a JR Pass for this itinerary.

Tokyo - Kyoto would be your biggest expense at ¥13,500 stopping somewhere in between will figure into about the same fare.

Kyoto-Osaka as little as ¥540 to ¥ 3,500 depending on what type of train you take. And its so close you can take any train.

The 7-day JR 2nd class Rail Pass would set you back ¥28,500 p/p.

You might consider a ryokan stay in Hakone. Really nice and scenic area with lots to do and see.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

http://www.lalaca.com/English.html

I have never been here but this place seems reasonably priced in an old famous onsen town I am meaning to visit in the future. Maybe you can give us your take on it after your stay ;)

http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/gifu/suihouen.htm

Sounds like a fun 8 nights. Let us know if we can help you with anything else.

Aloha!

Warm greetings Smeagol and congratulations on future Japan / Thailand adventure; warms my heart. And, big thanks to you for your years of travelling to our fine home of Singapore. Hope you return to SIN soon; we're there to welcome you (and your cheque book) with open arms.

(And one of these days, will finally entice you and your beloved into flying upfront with those sensational Singapore Airlines crews, LHR-SIN, return. Not too many months back, savoured those same sectors via some of SQ's A380s; serene rides. It would be my honour to offer flight, seating, dining suggestions for you.)

Now, as with filmwill and Kathie (and what appears to be an illustrious and rapidly growing collection of first time Japan travellers), will give my ongoing promotions of the Tokyo Peninsula (all-too-brief leisure visit) and the Tokyo Park Hyatt (work). So many lovely Tokyo lodgings; hope to experience a new holiday weekend rendezvous property within the next few weeks, should a scheduled Tokyo business trip hold to form.

Others will have the best Tokyo suggestions for you, as my brief business trips largely consist of office buildings, the hotel and the airport. (And time and weather permitting, a favoured park not too far from the Park Hyatt.)

Concerning Kyoto, the ongoing praise of Kita Antiques and her wondrous proprietor, the younger Mr. Kita; I gave the Kita address to filmwill. Such cherished history and times with that family and mine, going back ~ six decades.

Now, concerning your flight from NRT to BKK, I've experienced some sweet ones, particularly TG677 F. In the past, when flying from Narita to Bangkok for work, have successfully used miles to fly first for free on 677. Have the same set-up for the impending Tokyo and Bangkok meetings, and unless there is the odd 'equipment swap', it will be on a TG A380. I've had the privilege of flying up front on SQ's A380s for work and leisure, so it should be a pleasure to experience TG's offering. (And that always appreciated TG meet and greet upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi.)

Upon arrival at beloved Bangkok, will suggest you lure your beloved into springing for a few nights at The Siam. What a place, and what special staff and friends; my review doesn't begin to do her justice. If nothing else, consider dining at her signature restaurant, Chon Thai. Every visit has been quite special. As of not too many weeks back, The Siam was still operating her own 'speed boat' to and from the Taksin pier. (And, will give praise to the old grande dame herself, the Mandarin Oriental. Until late last December, had not stayed with her for quite some time. Still as special as ever.)

I am very happy for you; you are venturing off to a beautiful part of the world. Savour your planning and early and warm weekend wishes to you and all from Asia,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

You can search the Japanese Guesthouses site by location:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm

I trust you've found the amazing japan-guide website:
http://www.japan-guide.com/

Enjoy!

Your OP strongly implies, but does not say, that you will be flying out of Osaka to Thailand. Is that the case?

Hakone, as ht mentioned, is a good option esp. if you want to soak in hot springs.

You should consider Kiso Valley:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-408.pdf

That JNTO practical travel guide isn't very sexy. Here is a Kiso Valley page with some photos:
http://injapan.gaijinpot.com/play/tr...o-kiso-valley/

Mr W - yes plan to fly from Osaka to Thailand... That flight is not yet booked still trying to figure out if we will suck up the outrageous Thai Airlines one way cost or go via KUL on AA.! Many thanks for the great links. I hadn't found the Japan guide but that is perfect. I have also ordered my guidebook, so armed with the above and my guidebook, hopefully I can make sense of it all!

HT - thanks for clearing that up ref the JR pass, I was wondering, but when I checked it out I ended up confusing myself.
Hopefully I will, have a bit more time over the next week to sort the final couple of hotels.

And of course the ever growing list of threads re Japan is VERY helpful!

Craig - we arrive in Tokyo on 15th. At the moment I am planning 8 days and will then fly to Thailand.

Oh one more question, as we plan to fly to Thailand on Labor day (23rd) should I be booking this early? Is this likely to sell out quickly ( again assuming I go with the TA flight)?

Thanks again everyone.

Robert, I really wish I could spring for SQ biz class.. Maybe one day. At the moment I do have the Park Hyatt booked in Tokyo. ( why is it I want to weep when I see the prices? ;) )

Of course any advice re didn't etc is gratefully received.

Unfortunately no trip planned to Sin this year, but I will,be back next year to visit K.

Why all of a sudden all this interest in going to Japan? Seems curious that so many are going there.

Maybe because we have been to a lot of other places in SE Asia and this is an obvious ( to me anyway) next visit. Also I am going because the airline I am going with are doing a great price to Japan and maybe the other threads I read subconsciously made me pick Japan. Also I think a few people had trips planned in 2011 , when of course the Tsunami happened so of course people put off their journey. Either that or just a massive coincidence......

Herd mentality, mostly... :-)

Enjoy. I'll be interested to hear about the great adventures in Japan. We will be doing Israel this year.