Help with my trip!

[yjlasher22]

Hello all,

Going to Japan from 4th April to 26th(~23 days). Flying to and fro NRT.

Some info about me: Backpacking and on a budget. Looking to spend ~1500-2500 SGD. Willing to spend on things that are worthwhile. Mostly staying in hostels but will stay in ryokans for a few days(currently only 1 at kinosaki) Have time to spend so okay to spend time on transport etc to save costs(overnight buses for example). First time on a solo trip so I don't want to squeeze in too many things and rushing myself.

Interests include various anime(mostly mecha and esp gundam), technology, video games and photography. Like to eat cha soba, ramen, takoyaki.

Here's my plans thus far, questions in brackets.

4/4 - ARV NRT 1100hrs - transfer to Tokyo to purchase essentials. Rest for a night. (Also looking to get a 2nd hand film camera!) (where in Tokyo should I transfer to? Essentials include toothbrush/paste, data sim card, Suica card)
5/4 - Overnight bus to Hiroshima
6/4 - ARV Hiroshima. Check into lodging, peace park memorial museum and shopping arcade.
7/4 - Check out. Miyajima Island. Overnight bus to Osaka
8/4-10/4 - Osaka (Worth going to Mt. Koya?)
11/4 - Using Kansai WIDE area pass. Day trip in Kobe.
12/4 - Morning trip to Himeiji. Afternoon travel to Kinosaki Onsen. (lunch at Himeiji or Kinosaki?) Check in at 1500 and spend the rest of day in town.
13/4 - Check out, spend some time in town and head back to Osaka in the evening.
14/4 - Check out from Osaka. Daytrip to Nara. Check in for the night at Kyoto
15/4-17/4 - Kyoto. Overnight transfer to Tokyo
18/4-20/4 - ARV Tokyo. Will be meeting with a friend and sharing lodgings etc.
20/4-26/4 - Tokyo. (any side trips suggestions? Considering squeezing one in if possible) 12pm Flight out.


Current lodgings:
Osaka: J-hoppers hostel
Kinosaki Onsen: Morizuya
Kyoto: K's house Kyoto
Tokyo:
Hiroshima:

Any advice will be appreciated. Any must eat foods?

Thank you!

 

[[M]aiev]

I recommanded Piece Hostel. It's one of the best compare to the rest of accomodation at Kyoto.

Sent from GAGT Android App

 

[Nalgene123]

I recommanded Piece Hostel. It's one of the best compare to the rest of accomodation at Kyoto.

Sent from GAGT Android App

I'm pretty sure that piece hostel is already booked out for April which is considered peak for the cherry blossom season...the hostel especially for the single an double rooms are usually fully booked six mths b4 oncr they start taking in reservation

 

[koicafex]

see rakuten travel
some of the hotel that are fully booked on website or agoda are available there idk why

booked a twin room for sunroute at kyoto through there
and apa hotel midosuji for osaka

 

[yjlasher22]

I recommanded Piece Hostel. It's one of the best compare to the rest of accomodation at Kyoto.

I'm pretty sure that piece hostel is already booked out for April which is considered peak for the cherry blossom season...the hostel especially for the single an double rooms are usually fully booked six mths b4 oncr they start taking in reservation

Just checked and its booked out for a few days so not possible. Currently looking at K's house Kyoto for Kyoto's accommodation.

 

[evilerniex]

first few days looks quite tiring... overnight flight, then overnight buses. so it is 3 consecutive nights without a proper bed. may be too draining for some ppl, and u will not be also to enjoy the day.
y not spend a night at Hiroshima and have more time to explore the area, such as visiting the peace park and peace memorial, and Hiroshima castle. can even make a day trip to iwakuni

 

[yjlasher22]

first few days looks quite tiring... overnight flight, then overnight buses. so it is 3 consecutive nights without a proper bed. may be too draining for some ppl, and u will not be also to enjoy the day.
y not spend a night at Hiroshima and have more time to explore the area, such as visiting the peace park and peace memorial, and Hiroshima castle. can even make a day trip to iwakuni

Hmm just came out of the army so quite accustomed to sleeping on flights/ buses actually haha but yes thanks for the suggestion.

My current plan will mean the first day spent on stocking up essentials/ getting everything working while getting accustomed to the place and getting some rest where I can.

Yes planning to visit peace park, the memorial museum and the castle. The trip to Miyajima was added in later so I'm not sure if it's too rush.

Aight, I will check out Iwakuni and see what's there. Should be able to take a night off from Osaka and stay in Hiroshima.

If I plan on staying a night, any suggestions of the itinerary for these two days in Hiroshima? Not exactly sure which order should I go about visiting the places.

 

[evilerniex]

Hmm just came out of the army so quite accustomed to sleeping on flights/ buses actually haha but yes thanks for the suggestion.

My current plan will mean the first day spent on stocking up essentials/ getting everything working while getting accustomed to the place and getting some rest where I can.

Yes planning to visit peace park, the memorial museum and the castle. The trip to Miyajima was added in later so I'm not sure if it's too rush.

Aight, I will check out Iwakuni and see what's there. Should be able to take a night off from Osaka and stay in Hiroshima.

If I plan on staying a night, any suggestions of the itinerary for these two days in Hiroshima? Not exactly sure which order should I go about visiting the places.

maybe first day stick to hiroshima city, visit peace park, castle, shopping etc. so u can get ur essentials, and u can pop back to ur accom if u are tired. second day then visit miyajima

u can get a 2-day pass which include tram, ferry to miyajima, and cable car to mt misen. but this is only worth it if u are going mt misen in miyajima

 

[flame_angel]

Mount Misen offers a nice view of the Seto Islands, I would recommend it. ^^

As for your itinerary, the night bus from Tokyo to Hiroshima takes a good 12 hours at least, are you sure about this? Even though I sleep very easily on buses, night buses make stops every 2-3 hours at service stations where they will turn on lights and people will suffle around. Kind of hard to have any good sleep in them unless you are a very deep sleeper. When I was considering the transport to between Hiroshima and Tokyo a few years back, I noticed that all buses are the type that has 3 single seats in one row, ie more expensive than the usual 2-2 arrangement. Air tickets were only a little more expensive so I flew instead.

4/4 - ARV NRT 1100hrs, explore Tokyo
5/4 - Tokyo
5/4 - Tokyo, Overnight bus to Osaka
6/4 - Osaka (Osaka Castle, Dotombori etc)
7/4 - Osaka (Umeda area), Overnight bus to Hiroshima
8/4 - Hiroshima City (Castle, peace museum etc)
9/4 - Miyajima, Overnight bus back to Osaka
10/4 - Reach Osaka, Day trip to Kobe (everything in Kobe is within walking distance thus easier to navigate around than Kyoto. Kobe only half an hour away and train fare is relatively cheap, don't need pass)
11/4 - Day trip to Kyoto
12/4 - Morning trip to Himeiji. Afternoon travel to Kinosaki Onsen.
12/4 - Check out, spend some time in town and head back to Osaka
13/4 - Day trip to Nara
14/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
15/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
16/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
17/5 - Day trip to Kyoto (Can consider changing one of the Kyoto days to Wakayama areas like Mt Koya)
18/5~20/4 - Tokyo
20/4~26/4 - Tokyo

Day trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Kamakura+Enoshima (whole day, can split into 2 days)
- Kawagoe (half a day)

Side trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Nikko (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Lake Kawaguchi (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Hakone (2D1N, I would say either Lake Kawaguchi or this)
- Karuizawa?

 

[dimitri_can]

Mount Misen offers a nice view of the Seto Islands, I would recommend it. ^^

As for your itinerary, the night bus from Tokyo to Hiroshima takes a good 12 hours at least, are you sure about this? Even though I sleep very easily on buses, night buses make stops every 2-3 hours at service stations where they will turn on lights and people will suffle around. Kind of hard to have any good sleep in them unless you are a very deep sleeper. When I was considering the transport to between Hiroshima and Tokyo a few years back, I noticed that all buses are the type that has 3 single seats in one row, ie more expensive than the usual 2-2 arrangement. Air tickets were only a little more expensive so I flew instead.

4/4 - ARV NRT 1100hrs, explore Tokyo
5/4 - Tokyo
5/4 - Tokyo, Overnight bus to Osaka
6/4 - Osaka (Osaka Castle, Dotombori etc)
7/4 - Osaka (Umeda area), Overnight bus to Hiroshima
8/4 - Hiroshima City (Castle, peace museum etc)
9/4 - Miyajima, Overnight bus back to Osaka
10/4 - Reach Osaka, Day trip to Kobe (everything in Kobe is within walking distance thus easier to navigate around than Kyoto. Kobe only half an hour away and train fare is relatively cheap, don't need pass)
11/4 - Day trip to Kyoto
12/4 - Morning trip to Himeiji. Afternoon travel to Kinosaki Onsen.
12/4 - Check out, spend some time in town and head back to Osaka
13/4 - Day trip to Nara
14/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
15/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
16/5 - Day trip to Kyoto
17/5 - Day trip to Kyoto (Can consider changing one of the Kyoto days to Wakayama areas like Mt Koya)
18/5~20/4 - Tokyo
20/4~26/4 - Tokyo

Day trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Kamakura+Enoshima (whole day, can split into 2 days)
- Kawagoe (half a day)

Side trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Nikko (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Lake Kawaguchi (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Hakone (2D1N, I would say either Lake Kawaguchi or this)
- Karuizawa?

what bus service did u use?

 

[dimitri_can]

Hello all,

Going to Japan from 4th April to 26th(~23 days). Flying to and fro NRT.

Some info about me: Backpacking and on a budget. Looking to spend ~1500-2500 SGD. Willing to spend on things that are worthwhile. Mostly staying in hostels but will stay in ryokans for a few days(currently only 1 at kinosaki) Have time to spend so okay to spend time on transport etc to save costs(overnight buses for example). First time on a solo trip so I don't want to squeeze in too many things and rushing myself.

Interests include various anime(mostly mecha and esp gundam), technology, video games and photography. Like to eat cha soba, ramen, takoyaki.

Here's my plans thus far, questions in brackets.

4/4 - ARV NRT 1100hrs - transfer to Tokyo to purchase essentials. Overnight bus to Hiroshima. (Also looking to get a 2nd hand film camera!) (where in Tokyo should I transfer to? Essentials include toothbrush/paste, data sim card, Suica card) (anyplace to take a shower?)
5/4 - ARV Hiroshima, spend day touring and visiting Miyajima Island. Night at shopping arcade. Overnight bus to Osaka. (any place for me to take a shower?)
6/4 - ARV Osaka
7/4-10/4 - Osaka (Worth going to Mt. Koya?)
11/4 - Using Kansai WIDE area pass. Day trip in Kobe. (should I stay here or return to Osaka for lodging)
12/4 - Morning trip to Himeiji. Afternoon travel to Kinosaki Onsen. (lunch at Himeiji or Kinosaki?) Check in at 1500 and spend the rest of day in town.
13/4 - Check out, spend some time in town and head back to Osaka(Or head straight to Kyoto? concern is that I need to lug my luggage around)
14/4 - Daytrip to Nara. Check in for the night at Kyoto
15/4-17/4 - Kyoto. Overnight transfer to Tokyo
18/4-20/4 - ARV Tokyo. Will be meeting with a friend and sharing lodgings etc.
20/4-26/4 - Tokyo. (any side trips suggestions? Considering squeezing one in if possible) 12pm Flight out.


Current lodgings:
Osaka: J-hoppers hostel
Kinosaki Onsen: Morizuya
Kyoto: K's house Kyoto
Tokyo:

Any advice will be appreciated. Any must eat foods?

Thank you!

are u going to take Scoot?
If u are, i can assure u that u will be very tired after the Scoot flight. If you want, u can sign up for my free seminar to get more info.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/j...apan-tips-tricks-17th-jan-2015-a-4923430.html

 

[flame_angel]

what bus service did u use?

I believed I was checking out JR for a while, this one. Can't remember the rest ><

Took Willer Express from Osaka to Hiroshima.

 

[dimitri_can]

ah, no wonder. if u have taken Willer Express Relax, then will be 2 by 2...

 

[yjlasher22]

maybe first day stick to hiroshima city, visit peace park, castle, shopping etc. so u can get ur essentials, and u can pop back to ur accom if u are tired. second day then visit miyajima

u can get a 2-day pass which include tram, ferry to miyajima, and cable car to mt misen. but this is only worth it if u are going mt misen in miyajima

Yes I think this is a good suggestion. Shall stay in Hiroshima for a night (didn't intend to initially as I didn't plan to go miyajima)

Mount Misen offers a nice view of the Seto Islands, I would recommend it. ^^

As for your itinerary, the night bus from Tokyo to Hiroshima takes a good 12 hours at least, are you sure about this? Even though I sleep very easily on buses, night buses make stops every 2-3 hours at service stations where they will turn on lights and people will suffle around. Kind of hard to have any good sleep in them unless you are a very deep sleeper.

Day trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Kamakura+Enoshima (whole day, can split into 2 days)
- Kawagoe (half a day)

Side trip suggestions from Tokyo
- Nikko (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Lake Kawaguchi (day trip possible, 2D1N recommended)
- Hakone (2D1N, I would say either Lake Kawaguchi or this)
- Karuizawa?

Aight, I'll be taking willer express and I just checked the schedule is a direct night bus from shinjuku(8pm) to hiroshima university(7.40am) then to hiroshima station(9am). Reason for chionging straight to hiroshima is to use only a 3 day bus pass(10k yen/ 3.3k per day) and minimise the overnight bus trips as I'm aware that they're 1. more expensive than a night in hostel actually(2.5-3.3k a night) 2. not quality rest plus no showers.

So Hiroshima before going to Osaka?

As for going to Kobe, reading from Japan-guide, it says the kansai WIDE pass is recommended if I'm going kinosaki, so I think might as well use the days. Unless there are cheaper alternatives?

Thanks for the Tokyo suggestions! Currently looking at Nikko and Hakone (one for the temples one for the views huh). Shall consider your other suggestions as well!

are u going to take Scoot?
If u are, i can assure u that u will be very tired after the Scoot flight. If you want, u can sign up for my free seminar to get more info.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/j...apan-tips-tricks-17th-jan-2015-a-4923430.html

Yes taking Scoot. Oh I see, aight thanks not much experience taking transiting flights and such. Hmm maybe I'll stay a night in Tokyo then!

OK! Will send you a PM!

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! Shall make some updates and edit my itinerary tonight!

 

[turtlezhu]

when will you be in osaka?

 

[yjlasher22]

when will you be in osaka?

Hi I'll be in Osaka from the 8th to 10th and in kyoto from the 14th night to 17th.

Updated my itinerary on the first post!