Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[alex666]

Another round of amendment considering to time the USJ visit to be on a Tue-to-Thurs (which typically should have lesser crowd). Time savings from shorter USJ queues should offset the incremental travelling time (approx 30 mins each way) of Kyoto-USJ vs Osaka-USJ.

However, as accommodation (6N Kyoto; 3N Osaka) already confirmed, I still would have to travel out to Hiroshima, Himeji, Kobe from Kyoto instead of Osaka

Lessons learnt: Not to confirm accommodations before getting valuable advice from this forum.

Day 1 (Sun) : Arrive in KIX at 9pm, Check in Kyoto hotel.

Day 2 (Mon) : Himeiji Castle, Kobe

Day 3 (Tue): Hiroshima & Miyajima

Day 4 (Wed): Arashiyama Bamboo Park, Togetsukyo Bridge, Sagano Romantic Train (down the Hozu River), Tenryu-ji Temple

Day 5 (Thu): USJ

Day 6 (Fri): Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Gion Corner

Day 7 (Sat):
Check out Kyoto hotel.
Explore Nishiki Food Market.
Return to Kyoto hotel to retrieve luggage and head to Osaka.
Check in Shinsaibashi hotel. Explore Shinsaibashi.

Day 8 (Sun): Nara & Todai-ji Temple

Day 9 (Mon): Osaka Castle, Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, Dotonbori

Day 10 (Tue):
Check out Shinsaibashi hotel.
Explore Shinsekai, Kuromon Market
Return to Shinsaibashi hotel to retrieve luggage.
Depart to KIX for 11.20pm flight

IMHO, I will skip Hiroshima this time. Get Kansai wide area pass. Can do Himeji and Okayama. shift day 8 to replace Hiroshima. Day 8 & 9 get Osaka amazing pass and do aquarium and Legoland (also got cruise ride and ferris-wheel). If you want go kobe, get Hanshin Tourist Pass 1 day 500yen travel from Namba.

 

[Panerex]

Thanks for your all advice again.

I will go back to the drawing board again, and this time round, see if I can re-book the accommodation to spend more nights in Shin-Osaka area, and reduce nights in Kyoto.

probably need to spend more on accommodation since Shin-Osaka tends to more expensive and now is nearer to Dec travelling dates. But I guess could still be worth it to reduce unnecessary travelling time between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.

 

[xdivider]

Thanks for your all advice again.

I will go back to the drawing board again, and this time round, see if I can re-book the accommodation to spend more nights in Shin-Osaka area, and reduce nights in Kyoto.

probably need to spend more on accommodation since Shin-Osaka tends to more expensive and now is nearer to Dec travelling dates. But I guess could still be worth it to reduce unnecessary travelling time between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.

Staying in osaka tennoji area is cheaper....

 

[xdivider]

https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/sunrise-izumo.html

anyone took this b4? i might shift himeji to daisen instead......

 

[concreteman]

https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/sunrise-izumo.html

anyone took this b4? i might shift himeji to daisen instead......

it is quite troublesome to book

 

[xdivider]

it is quite troublesome to book

i took a look in jr west, its already fully booked for ordinary up to nearly the 30th. high chance by the time i book its going to be maxed out. so my guess is ill book a hotel in tokyo on the day i want to take it and cancel if i can get a solo berth. if not ill work the jr pass magic 1 more time and whisk myself to osaka for some shopping instead of daisen then run over to tokyo in the evening....

 

[concreteman]

i took a look in jr west, its already fully booked for ordinary up to nearly the 30th. high chance by the time i book its going to be maxed out. so my guess is ill book a hotel in tokyo on the day i want to take it and cancel if i can get a solo berth. if not ill work the jr pass magic 1 more time and whisk myself to osaka for some shopping instead of daisen then run over to tokyo in the evening....

the slots are released one month before the train date at 10am japan time , usually take quite fast to fill up especially on weekends / PH . You can try the reverse route , usually those do not fill up as fast

 

[xdivider]

the slots are released one month before the train date at 10am japan time , usually take quite fast to fill up especially on weekends / PH . You can try the reverse route , usually those do not fill up as fast

im doing yonago to toyko....

 

[xdivider]

update:

I managed to book the sleeper train online. you choose the room only fare so you pay only for the solo/single/twin from start to destination. your jr pass already is the base fare. if u are chionging the free berth only then u are going to have to pray ...lots.......

 

[cyprusblade]

Should I buy the JR Setouchi pass and where should I go with 2 seniors (can walk but need to hv stops to rest)

 

[wwh5210]

Some tips for those who are visiting Kawaguchiko and Shimoyoshida:

1. Get high speed bus tix from https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/index 30 days in advance if u wish to travel from Shinjuku.
2. Highly recommended to store your luggage at Shinjuku the night before you depart. Just pack those essential items into a backpack to Kawaguchiko and Shimoyoshida. It will make your journey much simpler.
3. Alight at Chuodo Shimo Yoshida 中央道下吉田 (it's just a tiny stop in the middle of the express way) if you wish to visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine and the famous Mount Fuji street view first.
4. Get the bundle pass R at Kawaguchiko Station for 2 day bus pass + cable car + boat ride.
5. Please book your hotel 90 days in advance if u wish to stay a night in Kawaguchiko. Do remember to select those packages with dinner and breakfast as most of the shops are close at night.

My Itinerary for 02 Dec to 10 Dec (just sharing)

1. 2nd Dec, Narita Airport > Shinjuku > Hotel
2. 3rd Dec , Shinjuku > Kawaguchiko and Shimoyoshida > Shimoyoshida day trip
3. 4th Dec, Kawaguchiko day trip > Shinjuku > Asakusa (Airbnb)
4. 5th Dec, Asakusa (Airbnb) > Shinjuku > Nikko day trip via Klook.
5. 6th Dec, Asakusa (Airbnb) > Kamakura day trip
6. 7th Dec, Tokyo city tour (Tokyo Tower and nearby attractions)
7. 8th Dec, Kimono photo shooting > Explore Asakusa + shopping
8. 9th Dec, City tour in Shibuya + shopping > Shibuya Sky
9. 10th Dec, no specific plan just packing and had lunch at Asakusa > Narita airport

 

[aaronmoses]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must? and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

 

[hkchew03]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must? and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

Depends on what you prefer. Personally feel Kyoto is a great place to visist for minimum 2 days. If you are flying/returning from Tokyo, stick with most day in Tokyo or even completely ignore Kansai, unless this is your last trip to Japan. 9-10 days really isn't a lot in Japan.

 

[evilerniex]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must? and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

my preference will be to just keep to Tokyo, with some side trips to nearby places, since u only have 9-10 days.

where to go really depends on personal preference, no such thing as a 'must'.
maybe u can visit Japan Guide website, there shld be some standard itineraries there, especially got tokyo, osaka, and kyoto. there are also some sample itineraries in the first few pages of this thread, and u can visit the trip report thread as well.

 

[rrr2015]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must?

japan-guide, cheapo & even klook have sample itineraries which u could refer for your planning

and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

tokyo is in kanto region & osaka in kansai region.

no hard fast rules, if unsure just do little of everything. am sure u have better idea what u like after that.

 

[s7460597]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must? and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

I agree with others to focus on Osaka & Kyoto or Tokyo. Going to both regions will be very much touch and go. If that's your style go for it. Regardless do your homework. We won't know what's your interests.

First timers need time to familiarize to traveling in Japan. Transportation, food, etiquette etc. most people I know who travel to Japan will want to visit again.

IMHO traveling from Osaka to Tokyo or vice versa isn't cheap, not forgetting traveling time and trouble of checking in and out of hotel.

 

[wwh5210]

guys i am going 9 to 10 days japan tokyo and osaka. u all got any recommendation how i can plan? i feel confused reading so much. is it osaka go to kyoto is a must? and usually kyoto shld spend how many days? is it spend more days in tokyo region or more days in osaka region? thank u all!

I went to both Kanto region & Kansai region. Each region has their own unique factors. They offer different things to experience, different things to eat and different views to see. 9 days is way too rushing to cover both regions. I think 14 days should be better.

What I suggest:

1. First time to Japan can consider either Kanto region OR Kansai region.
2. There isn't such thing as "must see". It's based on what u like and your personal preferences.
3. Get some sample itineraries online.
4. Try to have some basic understanding of Japan first as Japan is a big country.

 

[mosmos]

Juz for info.

Today going back sg by scoot using KIX

Reached airport early at 12pm+ after nothing to shop at Rinku early morning, anyhow walk airport, got quite a number of restorans open, including 551, starbucks, mcd, plenty of tables, no need jiak before go airport

Check-in counter (15:50) for web check-in only open 5-10mins earlier, quite fast

Security scan also fast, less than 10pax Infront

Sg passport can use the auto gate for chop passport, i think scan face or iris.

16:07 at duty free already.

Newly open, many cosmetics bo lang, omiyage many queue

But walking down to gate 12, very far, plenty of omiyage stalls along the way, manned by tiongs and atb no much queue, same prices, same items.

Silly me go buy outside airport no tax refunds, luggage almost cannot squeeze in

Family mart many queue, find that buying cheap snacks add up might as well buy omiyage ones

 

[rrr2015]

Juz for info.

Today going back sg by scoot using KIX

Check-in counter (15:50) for web check-in only open 5-10mins earlier, quite fast

Security scan also fast, less than 10pax Infront

Sg passport can use the auto gate for chop passport, i think scan face or iris.

can't check-in with scoot mobile app?
osaka crowded since noto quake?

 

[mosmos]

can't check-in with scoot mobile app?
osaka crowded since noto quake?

web check in already, still have to go counter queue get boarding pass and drop luggage

it's very crowded with kimchi ppl but go into departure security not much queue, clear very fast