1 Month Trip, advice needed!

[ZenZeZ]

Planning to make a trip to Japan and transit to S.Korea later on.

I'm looking to visit Tokyo, Hokkaido and Osaka. Then visit Seoul, Busan and Jeju. Would that be feasible in a span of 1 month? Afraid it might be a little rushed. First time going to both countries, advice would be appreciated!

 

[thwysg]

Depends on whether you're visiting any festival or special events. Everything can be possible. You need to plan the number of days for each country first.

I visited Chubu region and Tokyo for 3 weeks last year but it wasn't even enough. Alternatively you could just do one country and have a more relaxed itinerary.

 

[s7460597]

A month in each country isn't excessive especially if you want to have a more relaxed itinerary.

Pro and cons visit to many places and a lot of time is spent traveling and gets very rushed. Have to check in and out of more hotels which I don't like the hassle of.

Shortlist where you want to go and what you want to do. Hard to plan without these in mind. After that do your budgeting.

 

[Entropy]

Sounds like a grand vacation! Enjoy!

Not sure if its possible to get burnt out on such a long trip.

 

[evilerniex]

i suggest sticking to just 1 country. both country have enuf places to go to fill up an entire month... although i cant imagine eating kimchi for a month

 

[ZenZeZ]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll see how it goes. Any advices for domestic flights, places to visit and best deals for landmarks?

 

[s7460597]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll see how it goes. Any advices for domestic flights, places to visit and best deals for landmarks?

Why don't you put together itinerary of places you want to go and what interests you? Japan it's a big place. No point talking about flights and etc when you don't know where you're going. Look at the sample itinerary thread for ideas.

 

[deodorant]

I don't know Korea, but for me two weeks in Japan ideally you do only two of the three places eg tokyo and kansai/osaka (but not hokkaido). if you want to do all three places also can, but it'll be very rushed and a little touch n go.

 

[silencer000]

last year i went 1 week jp, 1 week korea

1 week in tokyo
1 week in seoul

not enough to walk finish

 

[ZenZeZ]

How about should I go around it if I have the intention of visiting hokkaido, tokyo and osaka? Would it be cheaper to book a direct flight to the cheapest city and get a domestic flight package?

 

[evilerniex]

How about should I go around it if I have the intention of visiting hokkaido, tokyo and osaka? Would it be cheaper to book a direct flight to the cheapest city and get a domestic flight package?

hokkaido is very far from tokyo and osaka, so u shld be taking domestic, unless there are places along the way that u want to visit.

a typical route will be:
sg -> tokyo (international flight)
tokyo -> hokkaido (domestic)
hokkaido -> osaka (domestic)
osaka -> tokyo (shinkansen/domestic/overnight bus)
tokyo -> sg (international flight)

or if u have open jaw tickets, then fly back from osaka to sg.

 

[purpleberry]

I might be wrong but is it true that domestic flights are quite costly if you book there? Perhaps TS can consider shinkansen all the way up.

 

[evilerniex]

I might be wrong but is it true that domestic flights are quite costly if you book there? Perhaps TS can consider shinkansen all the way up.

got cheap domestic airlines such as Peach. but dunno if buying there got difference.
shinkansen to hokkaido really not worth lah... unless there are places in tohoku u want to visit. 8-9 hours of train ride, and so much more expensive than flight

 

[ZenZeZ]

hokkaido is very far from tokyo and osaka, so u shld be taking domestic, unless there are places along the way that u want to visit.

a typical route will be:
sg -> tokyo (international flight)
tokyo -> hokkaido (domestic)
hokkaido -> osaka (domestic)
osaka -> tokyo (shinkansen/domestic/overnight bus)
tokyo -> sg (international flight)

or if u have open jaw tickets, then fly back from osaka to sg.

Thanks for giving me a picture in my head. I have been reading this guide, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html. Any advice on purchasing domestic flight routes?

Since these are short flights, would taking a budget airline be a good idea? I would like a pass so there are no fix flight dates so its free and easy for my itinerary.

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks for giving me a picture in my head. I have been reading this guide, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html. Any advice on purchasing domestic flight routes?

Since these are short flights, would taking a budget airline be a good idea? I would like a pass so there are no fix flight dates so its free and easy for my itinerary.

budget for short flight is ok. i have taken Peach airline a few times in japan, so far so good.

dun think there is any pass for no fix date. but i can try buying air tickets on the day itself at the airport. not sure about the price though... could be more expensive as mentioned by purpleberry.
and how about ur accom... going to book on the spot also? cheap accom not easy to find in japan. usually they are booked way in advance.

 

[ZenZeZ]

I will probably book flight tickets and accommodations in advance in that case. I'm looking to spend <90 a night for 2 since I'll be there for quite a number of days. Would you recommend airbnb in japan?

Would this be cheaper?

SG -> Sapporro (Int)
Sapporo -> Tokyo(Domestic)

And from tokyo taking an overnight coach or bullet train to Osaka & Kyoto.

I have not booked open jaw tickets before, how do I go about making the arrangement and how are they usually priced? It'll be nice if I could fly out from my last destination back to singapore.

 

[cpuer]

I will probably book flight tickets and accommodations in advance in that case. I'm looking to spend <90 a night for 2 since I'll be there for quite a number of days. Would you recommend airbnb in japan?

Would this be cheaper?

SG -> Sapporro (Int)
Sapporo -> Tokyo(Domestic)

And from tokyo taking an overnight coach or bullet train to Osaka & Kyoto.

I have not booked open jaw tickets before, how do I go about making the arrangement and how are they usually priced? It'll be nice if I could fly out from my last destination back to singapore.

Airbnb is only legal by some limited locations. But most folks still go for airbnb anyway.

As for bus, take a look at this
http://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/buspass/
There are non passes rides too. see which one best suit you. Overnight buses are an good option to travel as it save you the lodging cost of one night. But you have to fall asleep in a bus in the first place. Most of the times your fellow bus passengers will decide for you(for being boisterous or super quiet)

 

[Ruriel]

I have not booked open jaw tickets before, how do I go about making the arrangement and how are they usually priced? It'll be nice if I could fly out from my last destination back to singapore.

Does multi-city airtickets considered open jaw? If you know your return date, you can go directly to the airline websites to see if they fly to and from your destinations. Do a multi-city booking instead of the usual "return". Tickets will use be slightly more expensive as promotions usually don't apply.

 

[evilerniex]

I will probably book flight tickets and accommodations in advance in that case. I'm looking to spend <90 a night for 2 since I'll be there for quite a number of days. Would you recommend airbnb in japan?

Would this be cheaper?

SG -> Sapporro (Int)
Sapporo -> Tokyo(Domestic)

And from tokyo taking an overnight coach or bullet train to Osaka & Kyoto.

I have not booked open jaw tickets before, how do I go about making the arrangement and how are they usually priced? It'll be nice if I could fly out from my last destination back to singapore.

there is no direct flight from SG to sapporo, except for seasonal ones by SQ, which is very expensive. so u will still have to transit in osaka or tokyo.

 

[ZenZeZ]

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Gonna update my itinerary!

I'll be extending my trip to 37-39 days varying on the prices of flight tickets on the days itself! I'm looking to include Seoul in my itinerary since I'll have more days. Are there airlines that include domestic flights and flights to korea? Will need some advice on spreading out my itinerary.

After researching, I'll be interested in covering Tokyo, Yokohoma, Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Seoul. I plan to cover most of the main attraction sites in these cities. Advice on how I should spread out my days would be great! So far these is what I'm looking at. Im not entirely sure what kind of transportation or passes I should be using in japan yet.

SG --International Flight ---> Tokyo (8 Days)
Tokyo ---????-----------------> Yokohoma (4 Days)
Tokyo ---Domestic Flight ---> Sapporo/Hokkaido (5 Days)
Sapporo--Domestic Flight --> Osaka (4 Days)
Osaka ----?????--------------> Kyoto (4 Days)
Kyoto -------?????------------> Nara (4 Days)
Nara --Shinseiken-----------> Hiroshima (3 Days)
Hiroshima --Intl Flight-------> Seoul (7 Days)
Seoul-International Flight---> SG

I'm not entirely sure if there's budget flights from Hiroshima to Seoul, if I have to fly out from Osaka I'll probably skip visiting hiroshima.