December Trip 2015

[TehCow]

Hi all, thanks to a few bros advice here, my last 2014 trip to tokyo was quite good and fulfilling.

This year December planning to go Japan again with my gf.

18 Dec - Singapore > Osaka (Night Flight, reach 19 Dec morning)
19 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
20 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
21 Dec - Kobe (Full day trip from Osaka)
23 Dec - Himeji (Full day trip from Osaka)
24 Dec - Osaka > Hiroshima (Full Day)
25 Dec - Hiroshima (Full Day)
26 Dec - Hiroshima > Nagoya (Stay at Nagoya)
27 Dec - Nagoya > Shirakawago (Stay at Shirakawago)
28 Dec - Shirakawago > Osaka (Stay at Osaka)
29 Dec - Nara (Full day trip from Osaka)
30 Dec - Osaka > Kyoto (Stay at Kyoto)
31 Dec - Kyoto
01 Jan - Kyoto
02 Jan - Kyoto > Osaka
03 Jan - Osaka
04 Jan - Osaka
05 Jan - Osaka > Singapore

This is just a brief one for now.
Would need advise on the train pass to get, and the layout of the itinerary.

Thanks

 

[evilerniex]

u can get the Takayama-Hokuriku area pass to cover the trip to Nagoya:
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

and Kansai-Hiroshima pass for the trip to Hiroshima:
JR West Rail Pass - Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass

looks like u have many days for Osaka, have u planned wat u going to do for all those days? if not, maybe reduced the number of days and add in some other places that are covered by the train passes to fully utilize the passes.

for example, u can visit Okayama and Kurashiki using the Kansai-Hiroshima pass. can also stay another day in Hiroshima and make a day trip to Iwakuni.

 

[TehCow]

u can get the Takayama-Hokuriku area pass to cover the trip to Nagoya:
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

and Kansai-Hiroshima pass for the trip to Hiroshima:
JR West Rail Pass - Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass

looks like u have many days for Osaka, have u planned wat u going to do for all those days? if not, maybe reduced the number of days and add in some other places that are covered by the train passes to fully utilize the passes.

for example, u can visit Okayama and Kurashiki using the Kansai-Hiroshima pass. can also stay another day in Hiroshima and make a day trip to Iwakuni.

Thanks bro, planning to give up some days on Osaka to visit other places as well, but yet to decide. What is it in for Iwakuni, Okayama and Kurashiki?

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks bro, planning to give up some days on Osaka to visit other places as well, but yet to decide. What is it in for Iwakuni, Okayama and Kurashiki?

Iwakuni is known for Kintaikyo bridge:
Iwakuni Travel Guide

I haven't been to Okayama and Kurashiki, but u can read up on them from japan-guide

 

[TehCow]

Iwakuni is known for Kintaikyo bridge:
Iwakuni Travel Guide

I haven't been to Okayama and Kurashiki, but u can read up on them from japan-guide

Thanks! Nice bridge. Think will squeeze in 1 more day for Hiroshima

 

[IchisainaRinGo]

wa! i also going w my bro thinking from 23 dec to 3 jan. you already book air ticket?

 

[TehCow]

wa! i also going w my bro thinking from 23 dec to 3 jan. you already book air ticket?

ya, sq promo now, quickly grab

 

[Nalgene123]

TS...i see that you would only be spending only one day in Central Japan at Shirakawa-Go....to spend your time more efficiently...it would be better to spent a few more days in region....there's Takayama,Kanazawa and Matsumoto (base for the Northern Alps) to consider...its a very region of Japan famous for their sights....

To put into perspective....the Hida Wide View ride from Nagoya to Takayama will be a 2-3hrs ride..and the earliest train to depart Nagoya is 7am or 8am so you would reach Takayama 10am earliest...from Takayama...the bus schedule to Shirakawa-Go (you might need to reserve the seats) comes hourly...the bus ride is an hour..so earliest you will reach Shirakawa-go is midday at around 11am departing from Nagoya...the journey to Osaka..would be longer as you need to take the connection to Osaka from Nagoya

 

[TehCow]

TS...i see that you would only be spending only one day in Central Japan at Shirakawa-Go....to spend your time more efficiently...it would be better to spent a few more days in region....there's Takayama,Kanazawa and Matsumoto (base for the Northern Alps) to consider...its a very region of Japan famous for their sights....

To put into perspective....the Hida Wide View ride from Nagoya to Takayama will be a 2-3hrs ride..and the earliest train to depart Nagoya is 7am or 8am so you would reach Takayama 10am earliest...from Takayama...the bus schedule to Shirakawa-Go (you might need to reserve the seats) comes hourly...the bus ride is an hour..so earliest you will reach Shirakawa-go is midday at around 11am departing from Nagoya...the journey to Osaka..would be longer as you need to take the connection to Osaka from Nagoya

thanks! very nice place!

Is it enough say for me to put 2 days Nagoya, 1 day Shirakawa-go and 1 day each at Takayama, Kanazawa and Matsumoto? I saw side trips Alpine Route is from Takayama de, and maybe add 1 more day for this?

 

[TehCow]

Any recommendations on where to stay in Nagoya?

Will be there from 1st Jan - 6th Jan

Thanks

 

[evilerniex]

I stayed in Nagoya Hotel L'ouest few years back.
quite ok, breakfast provided

 

[Nalgene123]

thanks! very nice place!

Is it enough say for me to put 2 days Nagoya, 1 day Shirakawa-go and 1 day each at Takayama, Kanazawa and Matsumoto? I saw side trips Alpine Route is from Takayama de, and maybe add 1 more day for this?

You can probably can make a round trip this way.... Shirakawa-Go - Takayama - Matsumoto - Alpine Route - Kanazawa...

The fatest way to get to the Alpine route is via train from Matsumoto

2 days in Nagoya is probably too much if you just plan to do the usual stuff and especially so if you intend to visit our cities such as Tokyo or Osaka....probably can use the second day to do day trip...the last time I was in Nagoya..i visited the city for half a day..visited one of the Toyota Museum, the Castle and had dinner at Sakae..second day I went to Korankei for the autumn leaves

 

[TehCow]

You can probably can make a round trip this way.... Shirakawa-Go - Takayama - Matsumoto - Alpine Route - Kanazawa...

The fatest way to get to the Alpine route is via train from Matsumoto

2 days in Nagoya is probably too much if you just plan to do the usual stuff and especially so if you intend to visit our cities such as Tokyo or Osaka....probably can use the second day to do day trip...the last time I was in Nagoya..i visited the city for half a day..visited one of the Toyota Museum, the Castle and had dinner at Sakae..second day I went to Korankei for the autumn leaves

Hi bro,

Thanks

Actually planning to drop by Toyota Museum and maybe the Railway Museum.

Will one day each at Shirakawa-Go - Takayama - Matsumoto - Alpine Route - Kanazawa suffice? Will be staying at Nagoya.

 

[TehCow]

updated itinerary, dont know if its ok

18 Dec - Singapore > Osaka (Night Flight, reach 19 Dec morning via JAL)
19 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
20 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
21 Dec - Himeji (Full day trip from Osaka)
22 Dec - USJ
23 Dec - Kyoto (Full day trip from Osaka)
24 Dec - Kyoto (Full day trip from Osaka)
25 Dec - Kyoto (Full day trip from Osaka)
26 Dec - Kyoto (Full day trip from Osaka)
27 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
28 Dec - Osaka (Full Day)
29 Dec - Nara (Full day trip from Osaka)
30 Dec - Kobe (Full day trip from Osaka) (change hotel to Nagoya)
31 Dec - Nagoya
01 Jan - Shirakawago
02 Jan - Takayama
03 Jan - Matsumoto
04 Jan - Alpine Route
05 Jan - Kanazawa
06 Jan - Nagoya - (Night flight from Nagoya Chubu > Singapore via JAL)
07 Jan - Reach Singapore

 

[Nalgene123]

Hi bro,

Thanks

Actually planning to drop by Toyota Museum and maybe the Railway Museum.

Will one day each at Shirakawa-Go - Takayama - Matsumoto - Alpine Route - Kanazawa suffice? Will be staying at Nagoya.

I don't recommend you to do day trips from Nagoya to those places you mentioned...the traveling time will be horrendous..you will be stuck at least 4-5hrs in the train for to and fro journey..and for Alpine Route and Kanazawa..the journey will be even longer as it's up North...in fact..i don't tink it's even practical..time concern.. to go to Alpine Route to Nagoya for day trips...

You can check out the travelling time needed at HyperDia |

 

[TehCow]

I don't recommend you to do day trips from Nagoya to those places you mentioned...the traveling time will be horrendous..you will be stuck at least 4-5hrs in the train for to and fro journey..and for Alpine Route and Kanazawa..the journey will be even longer as it's up North...in fact..i don't tink it's even practical..time concern.. to go to Alpine Route to Nagoya for day trips...

You can check out the travelling time needed at HyperDia |

wow..didnt expect it to be so far away..

like that for side trips to the mentioned places, where do you recommend we should stay? that is convenient to travel to and fro? because our departing flight back to Singapore will be at nagoya

 

[Nalgene123]

wow..didnt expect it to be so far away..

like that for side trips to the mentioned places, where do you recommend we should stay? that is convenient to travel to and fro? because our departing flight back to Singapore will be at nagoya

If i'm planing the route ...i will probably do tis..

Nagoya - Takayama (one night in Takayama)
Takayama - Shirakawa-Go - Hida Furukawa (optional if staying for the night in Takayama) (one night in Shirakawa-Go or Takayama)
Shirakawa Go - Matsumoto (one night in Matsumoto)
Matsumoto - Alpine Route (one night at Alpine Route or Kanazawa)
Kanazawa - Nagoya

 

[TehCow]

If i'm planing the route ...i will probably do tis..

Nagoya - Takayama (one night in Takayama)
Takayama - Shirakawa-Go - Hida Furukawa (optional if staying for the night in Takayama) (one night in Shirakawa-Go or Takayama)
Shirakawa Go - Matsumoto (one night in Matsumoto)
Matsumoto - Alpine Route (one night at Alpine Route or Kanazawa)
Kanazawa - Nagoya

Hmm there's 4 luggage in total that we 2 will be moving around with loots from osaka.

If say in a more central area within this few areas, wad might be a better choic e?

 

[evilerniex]

Hmm there's 4 luggage in total that we 2 will be moving around with loots from osaka.

If say in a more central area within this few areas, wad might be a better choic e?

the alpine route will be difficult coz the start and end point is very far apart and u will have problem getting back to the starting point within the same day. tt is the reason why they have same-day luggage forwarding service from one end to the other

 

[TehCow]

the alpine route will be difficult coz the start and end point is very far apart and u will have problem getting back to the starting point within the same day. tt is the reason why they have same-day luggage forwarding service from one end to the other

ahh..bb alpine route..

In 2015, the entire route is scheduled to be open from April 16 to November 30.

bro, is it advisable to stay at Shinsaibashi area in Osaka?

Understand it isnt JR line. How to manage the railpass?