Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[evilerniex]

Due to work commitment, I just managed to secure the last min air tics by a Thai airways. I will reach on 26 Nov and end on 7 Dec morning. This is really a very last min trip so I doubt I will travellling our far. Looking at mainly the city within itself and maybe out to see the penguins at Asahiyama Zoo. Or do have any recommendations?

If it is just Sapporo city, I dun think u need 2 weeks.
U may want to plan some other places. For example, a day trip to otaru. Or maybe a night or two at some ski resort

 

[YongTaoFoo]

18Days itinerary Japan

Hi All,

I'm going to Japan for the first time from 10/12 to 27/12. Flying into KIX and returning from NRT. Solo traveler here and my very 1st time experiencing winter.

I'm more of a sightseeing/ nature person.

Can i seek some advise on my itinerary? are they doable and is there any things that i should look out for and anything i shouldn't miss?(I've not book any accommodation yet and i'm flexible to amend my itinerary)

Many thanks in advance !

Day 1 - Osaka (will reach KIX in the evening. probably just check in and explore around Shinsaibashi Suji/Dotonbori)
Day 2 - Nara (Day trip and back to Osaka)
Day 3 - Kyoto (Central/Northern Kyoto)
Day 4 - Kyoto (Southern Kyoto)
Day 5 - Kyoto (Western Kyoto)
Day 6 - Kyoto (Eastern Kyoto)
Day 7 - Himeji/Hiroshima (activating of 7 day JR pass)
Day 8 - Hiroshima/Miyajima
Day 9 - Takayama
Day 10 - Takayama/Shirakawago
Day 11 - Okuhida
Day 12 - Yamanouchi (for Jigokudani Money Park)
Day 13 to 18 - Tokyo (And probably a few day trips to Nikko/Kawaguchiko/Hakone)

 

[evilerniex]

Hi All,

I'm going to Japan for the first time from 10/12 to 27/12. Flying into KIX and returning from NRT. Solo traveler here and my very 1st time experiencing winter.

I'm more of a sightseeing/ nature person.

Can i seek some advise on my itinerary? are they doable and is there any things that i should look out for and anything i shouldn't miss?(I've not book any accommodation yet and i'm flexible to amend my itinerary)

Many thanks in advance !

Day 1 - Osaka (will reach KIX in the evening. probably just check in and explore around Shinsaibashi Suji/Dotonbori)
Day 2 - Nara (Day trip and back to Osaka)
Day 3 - Kyoto (Central/Northern Kyoto)
Day 4 - Kyoto (Southern Kyoto)
Day 5 - Kyoto (Western Kyoto)
Day 6 - Kyoto (Eastern Kyoto)
Day 7 - Himeji/Hiroshima (activating of 7 day JR pass)
Day 8 - Hiroshima/Miyajima
Day 9 - Takayama
Day 10 - Takayama/Shirakawago
Day 11 - Okuhida
Day 12 - Yamanouchi (for Jigokudani Money Park)
Day 13 to 18 - Tokyo (And probably a few day trips to Nikko/Kawaguchiko/Hakone)

Ur itinerary looks ok.
But u will need to book ur accom soon. It is holiday period, and most accommodations will already be fully booked. Especially if u want to stay ryokan in Shirakawago, hakone, or Kawaguchiko

 

[purpleberry]

Day 7 - Himeji/Hiroshima (activating of 7 day JR pass)

Have you done a comparison on cost savings for this? Usually its more worth it to and fro Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo but I might be wrong.

17 days solo trip is just nice. Do read up anyhowsaysay's threads for some photos and examples.

 

[YongTaoFoo]

Hi evilerniex,

thanks for your advise.

Hi purpleberry,

I've not done comparison yet. will compare and see if it worth it to get the 7 day JR pass. thanks.

 

[Tanchnuts]

Skiing Sapporo

Hi all. I'm very new here, so hope everyone can help. I'm planning a trip to Sapporo and everything else from day trips and itinerary is more or less settled. I only have an issue. Skiing. I searched Teine Ski Resort's website and noticed that they have ski lessons which include rental of equipment, clothes, and possibly the lift passes.

1. However, do they have English speaking instructors?

An alternative is the Kokusai Ski Resort, but the trip there is 30min longer and more expensive. But what concerns me is this.

2. Does the lesson fees include rental of equipment, clothes and lift passes?

I can't seem to find any more information online, so I'm hoping to get information here from experts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[evilerniex]

Hi all. I'm very new here, so hope everyone can help. I'm planning a trip to Sapporo and everything else from day trips and itinerary is more or less settled. I only have an issue. Skiing. I searched Teine Ski Resort's website and noticed that they have ski lessons which include rental of equipment, clothes, and possibly the lift passes.

1. However, do they have English speaking instructors?

An alternative is the Kokusai Ski Resort, but the trip there is 30min longer and more expensive. But what concerns me is this.

2. Does the lesson fees include rental of equipment, clothes and lift passes?

I can't seem to find any more information online, so I'm hoping to get information here from experts.

Thanks in advance.

sorry, i havent done skiing before, cant help u in this.

 

[Pseudomonas]

Planning a 7 day trip to Tokyo in the month of April next year.
Would appreciate recommendations on cities i can visit during this short trip.
Been to Kyoto, Kawaguchi, Hakone, Osaka and Hokkiado in the past.

Thanks!

 

[evilerniex]

Planning a 7 day trip to Tokyo in the month of April next year.
Would appreciate recommendations on cities i can visit during this short trip.
Been to Kyoto, Kawaguchi, Hakone, Osaka and Hokkiado in the past.

Thanks!

For 7 days only, maybe just based in Tokyo and visit some sakura spots within and outside tokyo if ur travel period coincide with sakura season

Can refer to Japan guide for sakura spots:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html

 

[Pseudomonas]

For 7 days only, maybe just based in Tokyo and visit some sakura spots within and outside tokyo if ur travel period coincide with sakura season

Can refer to Japan guide for sakura spots:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_where.html

Thank you!

 

[zcniu86]

Useful information!

 

[flowerpalms]

Hi everyone

First time to Japan and i am planning a solo Kyoto Autumn trip! Want to experience the Autumn colours. Will be flying to KIX from Singapore. Please offer me your opinions for my draft plan below, feel free to correct me as i may be too ambitious in my plan!!!

Period of travel: Last week of Nov 2019 to 1st week of December 2019. Tentative dates are 23/11/2018 - 30/12/2018 (for a 8d7n stay subject to airline date changes and autumn colours peak dates). Will also need accomodation options.

Day 1

Kiyomizudera temple

Sannenzaka and Ninnenzak, maruyama koen park

chion-in temple

shoren-in temple

downtown kyoto + lunch

nishiki market

daimaru basement

fushimi inari station

fushimi inari taisha shrine

dinner downtown

gion shimbashi

day 2

arashiyama district

tenryji temple

arashiyama bamboo grove

okochi sanso villa

lunch @ arashiyama

kinkakuji temple

daitokuji temple

shijo station

dinner downtown

stroll downtown

day 3

kurama/kibune

lunch

ginkaku temple

philosophy pth

nanzenji temple

day 4

nara??

day 5

Tofukuji temple

myoshin-ji temple?

day 6-8

osaka? If not, where?

Recommend kyoto autumn spots if they fit in?

- Komyoji temple (day)

-daigoji temple (day)

-eikando temple (day and night)

-kodaji temple (night)

-nanzenji temple (night)

- honen-in temple (day)

Accomodation:

Saw most hotels already fully booked for the travel periods base on recommended hotels from Inside kyoto.com

For solo traveller and above itinerary draft, is it better to stay downtown or kyoto station?

Any hotel recommendations?

 

[evilerniex]

Hi everyone

First time to Japan and i am planning a solo Kyoto Autumn trip! Want to experience the Autumn colours. Will be flying to KIX from Singapore. Please offer me your opinions for my draft plan below, feel free to correct me as i may be too ambitious in my plan!!!

Period of travel: Last week of Nov 2019 to 1st week of December 2019. Tentative dates are 23/11/2018 - 30/12/2018 (for a 8d7n stay subject to airline date changes and autumn colours peak dates). Will also need accomodation options.

Day 1

Kiyomizudera temple

Sannenzaka and Ninnenzak, maruyama koen park

chion-in temple

shoren-in temple

downtown kyoto + lunch

nishiki market

daimaru basement

fushimi inari station

fushimi inari taisha shrine

dinner downtown

gion shimbashi

day 2

arashiyama district

tenryji temple

arashiyama bamboo grove

okochi sanso villa

lunch @ arashiyama

kinkakuji temple

daitokuji temple

shijo station

dinner downtown

stroll downtown

day 3

kurama/kibune

lunch

ginkaku temple

philosophy pth

nanzenji temple

day 4

nara??

day 5

Tofukuji temple

myoshin-ji temple?

day 6-8

osaka? If not, where?

Recommend kyoto autumn spots if they fit in?

- Komyoji temple (day)

-daigoji temple (day)

-eikando temple (day and night)

-kodaji temple (night)

-nanzenji temple (night)

- honen-in temple (day)

Accomodation:

Saw most hotels already fully booked for the travel periods base on recommended hotels from Inside kyoto.com

For solo traveller and above itinerary draft, is it better to stay downtown or kyoto station?

Any hotel recommendations?

i think ur day 1 and 2 are a bit too ambitious. maybe space them out since u have so many days in kyoto.

are u planning to stay in kyoto throughout the 8 days? staying near kyoto station will be good as it is easier to get around, also for day trips out of kyoto.
since u have almost a year to go, most hotels will not be avail for bookings yet. typically hotels are only avail 3 or 6mths in advance. so it not that the hotel is fully booked, it is just not avail for booking yet.

btw, ur itinerary seems to be mostly temples and shrines. not sure if u will have temple fatigue, unless u really love temples.

 

[apeape]

you definately have to rethink your needs and wants, i see your itinerary i tired redi.

for example, fushimi inari took me half a day, and i only manage to conquer half of it, and i dare say im fit. arashiyama forest also took me half a day, because it was too beautiful. manage your expectations abit.

 

[flowerpalms]

i think ur day 1 and 2 are a bit too ambitious. maybe space them out since u have so many days in kyoto.

are u planning to stay in kyoto throughout the 8 days? staying near kyoto station will be good as it is easier to get around, also for day trips out of kyoto.
since u have almost a year to go, most hotels will not be avail for bookings yet. typically hotels are only avail 3 or 6mths in advance. so it not that the hotel is fully booked, it is just not avail for booking yet.

btw, ur itinerary seems to be mostly temples and shrines. not sure if u will have temple fatigue, unless u really love temples.

you definately have to rethink your needs and wants, i see your itinerary i tired redi.

for example, fushimi inari took me half a day, and i only manage to conquer half of it, and i dare say im fit. arashiyama forest also took me half a day, because it was too beautiful. manage your expectations abit.

Hi everyone, i revised my draft itinerary as follows, hope you all can give advice again. Have grouped them according to areas.

Tentative dates: 23/11/2019 - 30/11/2019 (8d7n)
Singapore airlines: waiting to book SIN-KIX as flight dates open for whole of Nov 2019 last checked
Purpose of trip: First time visit to Japan, want to go Kyoto. Chose Autumn to go at the same time can see autumn colours.
Accomodation: Stuck between Kyoto station/downtown central kyoto. Need advise here where is better according to my itinerary.
Transport: What type of pass is need? JR pass? or the Inoca & Haruka?

If there are any places that not worth to go to see Autumn colours, please let me know which should be removed to save time?

Day 1 Arrival to Kyoto
Travel to Downtown Kyoto
Nishiki Market downtown
Daimaru Basement Food Floor downtown
Return to Hotel for Rest
Dinner Downtown

Day 2: Southern Higashiyama and Southeast Kyoto
Take the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine Southeast Kyoto
Tofuku-ji Temple Southeast kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple southern higashiyama
Sannen-zaka and Ninnen-zaka southern higashiyama, then Maruyama-koen Park southern higashiyama
Chion-in Temple southern higashiyama
Shoren-in Temple southern higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama Temple Illuminations


Day 3: Kurama, Kibune and Northern Higashiyama
Kurama and Kibune Kurama and Kibune
Ginkaku-ji Temple northern higashiyama
Path of Philosophy northern higashiyama
Nanzen-ji Temple northern higashiyama
Honen-in Temple northern higashiyama
Southern Higashiyama Temple Illuminations

Day 4: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Daitoku-ji
Head west to Arashiyama by taxi, train or bus
Tenryu-ji Temple Arashiyama
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Arashiyama
Okochi-Sanso Villa Arashiyama
Lunch in Kameyama-koen Park Arashiyama
Taxi to Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple Northwest kyoto
Taxi to Daitoku-ji Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple Northwest kyoto


Day 5: Daytrip to Nara (1 day itinerary)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/nara-itineraries


Day 6 and 7: Daytrip to Osaka (2 days itinerary)
https://insideosaka.com/osaka-2-day-itinerary/


Day 8: Return to Singapore

 

[evilerniex]

accommodation: staying near kyoto station will be good. easier to get aroun kyoto and also to make day trips to nara and osaka.

transport: consider getting the 1-day bus pass for 500yen for getting around kyoto.
for osaka, there are various subway passes with discounts to attractions. u can calculated and see if any of the passes suits the places u are going.
JR pass is not worth it for the ur itinerary.
icoca + haruka discount ticket is good since u are heading straight fr KIX to kyoto.

your day 1-5 are all about temples. personally i find it overwhelming to visit so many temples day after day. but it is a matter of personal preference. u can also consider visiting other places like kobe and himeji. or hit some koyo spots in other parts of kansai:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_where.html

 

[flowerpalms]

accommodation: staying near kyoto station will be good. easier to get aroun kyoto and also to make day trips to nara and osaka.

transport: consider getting the 1-day bus pass for 500yen for getting around kyoto.
for osaka, there are various subway passes with discounts to attractions. u can calculated and see if any of the passes suits the places u are going.
JR pass is not worth it for the ur itinerary.
icoca + haruka discount ticket is good since u are heading straight fr KIX to kyoto.

your day 1-5 are all about temples. personally i find it overwhelming to visit so many temples day after day. but it is a matter of personal preference. u can also consider visiting other places like kobe and himeji. or hit some koyo spots in other parts of kansai:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_where.html

1. Is staying near kyoto station more convenient for getting around kyoto, day trips to nara and osaka? If i can recall, i read somewhere that staying kyoto downtown is more convenient for visiting those temples?

2. Is the 1 day bus pass required for going to those temples in the itinerary? Not by train? How do i buy the bus pass and i have to buy it everyday?

 

[evilerniex]

1. Is staying near kyoto station more convenient for getting around kyoto, day trips to nara and osaka? If i can recall, i read somewhere that staying kyoto downtown is more convenient for visiting those temples?

2. Is the 1 day bus pass required for going to those temples in the itinerary? Not by train? How do i buy the bus pass and i have to buy it everyday?

in general, kyoto station is the transport hub with trains and buses serving both kyoto and to surrounding cities like osaka and kobe.

but it will also depends on the places u are visiting. if most of the place u are going is in downtown and central kyoto, then maybe it will be more convenient to stay there.

most temples in kyoto are not so accessible by train. bus will be more convenient for getting to those places. bus fare cost 220yen, so it is very easy to break even for getting the 500yen pass. the bus pass is available at the bus ticket counter outside kyoto station. not sure if there are multi-day version available

 

[flowerpalms]

in general, kyoto station is the transport hub with trains and buses serving both kyoto and to surrounding cities like osaka and kobe.

but it will also depends on the places u are visiting. if most of the place u are going is in downtown and central kyoto, then maybe it will be more convenient to stay there.

most temples in kyoto are not so accessible by train. bus will be more convenient for getting to those places. bus fare cost 220yen, so it is very easy to break even for getting the 500yen pass. the bus pass is available at the bus ticket counter outside kyoto station. not sure if there are multi-day version available

Given my itinerary, looks like is more convenient to stay downtown?

 

[evilerniex]

Given my itinerary, looks like is more convenient to stay downtown?

i am not familiar with all the places u are going, so u may have to do research on how to get to those places and see which is more convenient.


my sensing is that kyoto station would still be a better choice. coz u can probably get to anywhere in kyoto and have direct train to places outside kyoto. whereas for downtown kyoto, u may be nearer to some of the attractions in kyoto, but i may be a hassle to get to other places. for example, getting to arashiyama may require a change of train, and to osaka, the journey is longer compared to via JR train from kyoto station.


kyoto station will also have more choice is food and shopping