Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[dungeonalley]

Hi everyone, please help me see if my itinerary is okay. too packed/too slack? First time to Japan, such a headache to plan. hahahah.

25/11
Arrive in Haneda
Activate JR Pass, Bullet train to Osaka
Check in Airbnb @ Imamiya
Namba for dinner and light shopping

26/11
USJ

27/11
Osaka Castle
Tenmagu Shine + shopping
Minami area
Dotonburi + Shinsaibashi area

28/11
Kyoto
Kiyomizudera
Fushimi-Inari
Arashiyama (Backup plan: Gion & Nishiki area)

29/11
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen
Umeda
Shinsekai + Dinner

30/11
Check out
Travel to Tokyo
Check in @ Nishi Kasai
Ginza + Yurakucho

1/12
DisneySea

2/12
Check out
Ikebukuro
Check in @ Ikebukuro
Shinjuku

3/12
Asakusa
Ueno + Ameyoko
Tokyo station

4/12
Travel to Shin-Yokohama for Ramen Mueseum
Shibuya
Ebisu

5/12
Meiji Shine/Yoyogi Park
Harajuku/Takeshita Dori
Omote-Sando
Shimo-Kitazawa
If got more time, Shinjuku/Shibuya

6/12
Check out
Last min shopping from wherever
Narita Express from Ikebukuro back

 

[evilerniex]

Hi everyone, please help me see if my itinerary is okay. too packed/too slack? First time to Japan, such a headache to plan. hahahah.

25/11
Arrive in Haneda
Activate JR Pass, Bullet train to Osaka
Check in Airbnb @ Imamiya
Namba for dinner and light shopping

26/11
USJ

27/11
Osaka Castle
Tenmagu Shine + shopping
Minami area
Dotonburi + Shinsaibashi area

28/11
Kyoto
Kiyomizudera
Fushimi-Inari
Arashiyama (Backup plan: Gion & Nishiki area)

29/11
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen
Umeda
Shinsekai + Dinner

30/11
Check out
Travel to Tokyo
Check in @ Nishi Kasai
Ginza + Yurakucho

1/12
DisneySea

2/12
Check out
Ikebukuro
Check in @ Ikebukuro
Shinjuku

3/12
Asakusa
Ueno + Ameyoko
Tokyo station

4/12
Travel to Shin-Yokohama for Ramen Mueseum
Shibuya
Ebisu

5/12
Meiji Shine/Yoyogi Park
Harajuku/Takeshita Dori
Omote-Sando
Shimo-Kitazawa
If got more time, Shinjuku/Shibuya

6/12
Check out
Last min shopping from wherever
Narita Express from Ikebukuro back

looks good.. generally ok, except 28/11 may be a bit packed. arashiyama has quite a lot to see and will usually take at least half a day.

any reason for changing accom in tokyo?

 

[dungeonalley]

looks good.. generally ok, except 28/11 may be a bit packed. arashiyama has quite a lot to see and will usually take at least half a day.

any reason for changing accom in tokyo?

Thanks! We're changing all because of the shuttle bus that the hotel provides to DisneySea. hahahha.

 

[approvois]

Hi guys,

Finally finished the planning of my trip next week. Any feedback on the itinerary? TIA

25 Nov
Arrival at Haneda 6.30pm

26 Nov
Tokyo solo adventure - wife at work

27 Nov
Tokyo solo adventure - wife at work

28 Nov (Sat)
Kuruizawa (until 2pm)
Matsumoto
Visit Matsumoto castle
Stay at Matsumoto

29 Nov (Sun)
Set off from Matsumoto to shinano-omachi
Take bus to ogizawa
Tateyama-kurobe Alpine route
Reach toyoma at 5pm
Set off for Takayama
Stay Takayama

30 Nov (morning)
Morning- Takayama
Noon- set off to shiragawa-go
Late noon- take bus to Kanazawa
Stay Kanazawa

1 Dec
- kenrokuen
- Kanazawa castle
2pm- set off to Kyoto
Evening - Gion and night kiyoshimizu
Stay Kyoto

2 Dec
Kyoto temple hopping
3pm- head back to Tokyo
Stay Tokyo

3 Dec
Disneysea

4 Dec
Odaiba

5 Dec
Noon flight back to SG

 

[evilerniex]

Hi guys,

Finally finished the planning of my trip next week. Any feedback on the itinerary? TIA

25 Nov
Arrival at Haneda 6.30pm

26 Nov
Tokyo solo adventure - wife at work

27 Nov
Tokyo solo adventure - wife at work

28 Nov (Sat)
Kuruizawa (until 2pm)
Matsumoto
Visit Matsumoto castle
Stay at Matsumoto

29 Nov (Sun)
Set off from Matsumoto to shinano-omachi
Take bus to ogizawa
Tateyama-kurobe Alpine route
Reach toyoma at 5pm
Set off for Takayama
Stay Takayama

30 Nov (morning)
Morning- Takayama
Noon- set off to shiragawa-go
Late noon- take bus to Kanazawa
Stay Kanazawa

1 Dec
- kenrokuen
- Kanazawa castle
2pm- set off to Kyoto
Evening - Gion and night kiyoshimizu
Stay Kyoto

2 Dec
Kyoto temple hopping
3pm- head back to Tokyo
Stay Tokyo

3 Dec
Disneysea

4 Dec
Odaiba

5 Dec
Noon flight back to SG

looks good!
how will u be handling ur luggage when going alpine route? coz I think the same day luggage forwarding service closed during ur period.
u may want to use normal overnight forwarding services such as Ta-Q-Bin to send ur luggage to Kanazawa instead. just pack luggage for a night to bring with u to alpine route and shirakawago. ur accom shld be able to help u arrange the forwarding service

 

[Haman]

Hi, how much is this luggage forwarding service? Let's say we got 2 29" luggage. Transferring between Kyoto-Osaka and Osaka-Tokyo? How long does it take? Is there a website? Thanks.

 

[evilerniex]

Hi, how much is this luggage forwarding service? Let's say we got 2 29" luggage. Transferring between Kyoto-Osaka and Osaka-Tokyo? How long does it take? Is there a website? Thanks.

http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/ta_q_bin/

usually the delivery is overnight, provided u send it in the morning. price is dependent on the size and weight of luggage

 

[approvois]

looks good!
how will u be handling ur luggage when going alpine route? coz I think the same day luggage forwarding service closed during ur period.
u may want to use normal overnight forwarding services such as Ta-Q-Bin to send ur luggage to Kanazawa instead. just pack luggage for a night to bring with u to alpine route and shirakawago. ur accom shld be able to help u arrange the forwarding service

I am traveling light with one haversack. Hopefully. Regards

 

[wadevva800]

Will be travelling to Japan in 6 months time and currently looking at what are the better places to stay. May I ask where should I stay in OSAKA if I am more towards food, and shopping. Of course will be having day trips to Kyoto, Nara etc.

Hope to have the pro advice. Currently looking at Namba but I will land in Tokyo and bullet train to OSAKA. better to stay near the JR train station right?

 

[evilerniex]

Will be travelling to Japan in 6 months time and currently looking at what are the better places to stay. May I ask where should I stay in OSAKA if I am more towards food, and shopping. Of course will be having day trips to Kyoto, Nara etc.

Hope to have the pro advice. Currently looking at Namba but I will land in Tokyo and bullet train to OSAKA. better to stay near the JR train station right?

yes, better to stay near train stations.
accom near Umeda/Osaka station will be good, easy access to places within Osaka, as well as to Kyoto, nara, kobe and kansai airport. lots of major malls in the area, so no lack of places to shop and eat.

 

[Haman]

Hi guys, below is my itinerary (for family of 4). Can help to review if do-able? Thanks.

Day 1 Tokyo (10 Mar, Thurs)
Reach Haneda airport @4pm. Check in hotel n dinner n shop around.
Day 2 (11 Mar, Fri)
Meiji shrine, Shibuya, Hachiko Statue (Dog), Shinjuku, Tokyo metropolitan building, Yoyogi park, Tokyo Tower.
Day 3 (12 Mar, Sat)
Hakone free pass
Day 4 (13 Mar, Sun)
Check out hotel, Tsukiji Seafood Market, Senso-ji temple, Asakusa area (shrine & shopping), Ueno park, Ginza, Check in Kyoto Ryokan.
Day 5 (14 Mar, Mon)
Higashi Hoganshi > Kiyomizu-dera > Yasaka Shrine -> Chion-in -> Maruyama-koen Park -> Pontocho Alley (evening)
Day 6 (15 Mar, Tues)
Tenryu-ji > Bamboo grove > Okochisanso villa -> Kinkaju-ji -> Koto-in -> Nijo Castle
Day 7 (16 Mar, Wed)
Check out hotel, on the way to Nara, Fushimi Inari, Osaka Castle, Check in Osaka hotel.
Day 8 (17 Mar, Thurs)
Universal Studio Japan (Harry Potter)
Day 9 (18 Mar, Fri)
Check out hotel, depart from Osaka airport@11am.

 

[evilerniex]

Hi guys, below is my itinerary (for family of 4). Can help to review if do-able? Thanks.

Day 1 Tokyo (10 Mar, Thurs)
Reach Haneda airport @4pm. Check in hotel n dinner n shop around.
Day 2 (11 Mar, Fri)
Meiji shrine, Shibuya, Hachiko Statue (Dog), Shinjuku, Tokyo metropolitan building, Yoyogi park, Tokyo Tower.
[going to be very rush to cover so many places in a day. probably need to leave Tokyo tower for another day, and wun be able to cover much in each place]
Day 3 (12 Mar, Sat)
Hakone free pass
[not sure if the hakone ropeway area is stil closed during ur visit]
Day 4 (13 Mar, Sun)
Check out hotel, Tsukiji Seafood Market, Senso-ji temple, Asakusa area (shrine & shopping), Ueno park, Ginza, Check in Kyoto Ryokan.
[u can visit Ginza after Tsukiji since it is just beside it.
wat time do u place to head to Kyoto? it is abt 3hr from Tokyo to Kyoto. u may not have time to cover all the places since u still need to cater time to return to hotel to get ur luggage]
Day 5 (14 Mar, Mon)
Higashi Hoganshi > Kiyomizu-dera > Yasaka Shrine -> Chion-in -> Maruyama-koen Park -> Pontocho Alley (evening)
Day 6 (15 Mar, Tues)
Tenryu-ji > Bamboo grove > Okochisanso villa -> Kinkaju-ji -> Koto-in -> Nijo Castle
Day 7 (16 Mar, Wed)
Check out hotel, on the way to Nara, Fushimi Inari, Osaka Castle, Check in Osaka hotel.
[too rush. I suggest u dun change hotel, just stay in Kyoto and make day trips to Osaka since it is only 30min away. save some time and avoid the hassle]
Day 8 (17 Mar, Thurs)
Universal Studio Japan (Harry Potter)
Day 9 (18 Mar, Fri)
Check out hotel, depart from Osaka airport@11am.

comments above.
7 full days is too short to properly cover Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I would suggest dropping hakone to give urself more time in Tokyo coz ur days are quite packed.
maybe can also take out some of the places in Kyoto so u can squeeze out more time for Osaka to visit places like aquarium or cup noodles museum. rushing thru too many shrines is going to give u travellers fatigue. such places requires more time to appreciate their history culture.

 

[Haman]

comments above.
7 full days is too short to properly cover Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. I would suggest dropping hakone to give urself more time in Tokyo coz ur days are quite packed.
maybe can also take out some of the places in Kyoto so u can squeeze out more time for Osaka to visit places like aquarium or cup noodles museum. rushing thru too many shrines is going to give u travellers fatigue. such places requires more time to appreciate their history culture.

Hi, thanks for your comments.

Day 1 Tokyo (10 Mar, Thurs)
Reach Haneda airport @4pm. Check in hotel n dinner n shop around.
Day 2 (11 Mar, Fri)
Meiji shrine, Shibuya, Hachiko Statue (Dog), Shinjuku, Tokyo metropolitan building, Yoyogi park, Tokyo Tower.
[going to be very rush to cover so many places in a day. probably need to leave Tokyo tower for another day, and wun be able to cover much in each place]
Day 3 (12 Mar, Sat)
Hakone free pass
[not sure if the hakone ropeway area is stil closed during ur visit] - will check again when nearer to date.
Day 4 (13 Mar, Sun)
Check out hotel, Tsukiji Seafood Market, Senso-ji temple, Asakusa area (shrine & shopping), Ueno park, Ginza, Check in Kyoto Ryokan.
[u can visit Ginza after Tsukiji since it is just beside it.
wat time do u place to head to Kyoto? it is abt 3hr from Tokyo to Kyoto. u may not have time to cover all the places since u still need to cater time to return to hotel to get ur luggage] - I will be using the luggage forwarder (either hotel or the link you gave)
Day 5 (14 Mar, Mon)
Higashi Hoganshi > Kiyomizu-dera > Yasaka Shrine -> Chion-in -> Maruyama-koen Park -> Pontocho Alley (evening)
Day 6 (15 Mar, Tues)
Tenryu-ji > Bamboo grove > Okochisanso villa -> Kinkaju-ji -> Koto-in -> Nijo Castle
Day 7 (16 Mar, Wed)
Check out hotel, on the way to Nara, Fushimi Inari, Osaka Castle, Check in Osaka hotel.
[too rush. I suggest u dun change hotel, just stay in Kyoto and make day trips to Osaka since it is only 30min away. save some time and avoid the hassle] - ok..will take that into considerations.
Day 8 (17 Mar, Thurs)
Universal Studio Japan (Harry Potter)
Day 9 (18 Mar, Fri)
Check out hotel, depart from Osaka airport@11am.

I haven gone thru the list for Kyoto, didn't know they are shrines..I will check again..Main point here is to check whether do-able so that I can book accomodations, plus USJ tickets.. Thanks.

 

[evilerniex]

I haven gone thru the list for Kyoto, didn't know they are shrines..I will check again..Main point here is to check whether do-able so that I can book accomodations, plus USJ tickets.. Thanks.

not all are shrines... but the main attractions in Kyoto and Nara are shrines and temples. so u may want to shortlist and priorities a few interesting ones in case u cant cover everything.
since u haven't book accom, I would suggest staying either Kyoto or Osaka instead of both. I personally prefer staying in Osaka, since there is much more to do at night. lots of shopping and eating places. u can usually get cheaper accom in Osaka also coz there is much more choices.
Kyoto is mainly for sightseeing, so there isn't much to do in the evening except for the mall at Kyoto station. but if u prefer peaceful and quiet or if u want to experience staying in a ryokan, then Kyoto will be better

 

[joeson]

Hi all, it's me again, 3rd time to Japan (in as many years, it's almost becoming my annual pilgrimage there). Will be bringing my family to Japan in December and showing them around, especially my parents who have not been there before, and a younger brother. Like always, appreciate any comments.

Will be flying ANA there this time since there was an offer, and thinking of getting the 3 Days Kanto area pass (Kusatsu onsen!)

Brief itinerary as follows:

3/12/2015
- Arrival in afternoon
- Shinjuku
- Onsen

4/12/2015
- Harajuku + Shibuya
- Meiji Shrine
- Tokyo City View

5/12/2015
- Tsukiji Market
- Odaiba

6/12/2015 [Day 1 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Day trip to Kamogawa Sea World

7/12/2015 [Day 2 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Movement to Kusatsu
- Kusatsu
- Stay at ryokan

8/12/2015 [Day 3 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Kusatsu to Karuizawa
- Back to Tokyo
- Tokyo Station

9/12/2015
- Disneysea: Do not change, lowest crowd forecast day

10/12/2015
- Asakusa
- Ikebukuro

11/12/2015
- Departure in the late afternoon, morning still empty

As always, thanks in advance~

 

[evilerniex]

Hi all, it's me again, 3rd time to Japan (in as many years, it's almost becoming my annual pilgrimage there). Will be bringing my family to Japan in December and showing them around, especially my parents who have not been there before, and a younger brother. Like always, appreciate any comments.

Will be flying ANA there this time since there was an offer, and thinking of getting the 3 Days Kanto area pass (Kusatsu onsen!)

Brief itinerary as follows:

3/12/2015
- Arrival in afternoon
- Shinjuku
- Onsen

4/12/2015
- Harajuku + Shibuya
- Meiji Shrine
- Tokyo City View

5/12/2015
- Tsukiji Market
- Odaiba

6/12/2015 [Day 1 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Day trip to Kamogawa Sea World

7/12/2015 [Day 2 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Movement to Kusatsu
- Kusatsu
- Stay at ryokan

8/12/2015 [Day 3 of Kanto Area Pass]
- Kusatsu to Karuizawa
- Back to Tokyo
- Tokyo Station

9/12/2015
- Disneysea: Do not change, lowest crowd forecast day

10/12/2015
- Asakusa
- Ikebukuro

11/12/2015
- Departure in the late afternoon, morning still empty

As always, thanks in advance~

looks good!
just some things to note:
- for the kamogawa sea world, the free shuttle to awa-kamogawa station ends earlier in winter at 5pm:
http://www.kamogawa-seaworld.jp/english/guide/access/

- if u are visiting some of the sightseeing spots in Karuizawa such as waterfall and observation platform, a bus pass may be worth it to get around.

 

[ShinigamiX]

Hi guys, below is my itinerary (for family of 4). Can help to review if do-able? Thanks.

Day 1 Tokyo (10 Mar, Thurs)
Reach Haneda airport @4pm. Check in hotel n dinner n shop around.
Day 2 (11 Mar, Fri)
Meiji shrine, Shibuya, Hachiko Statue (Dog), Shinjuku, Tokyo metropolitan building, Yoyogi park, Tokyo Tower.
Day 3 (12 Mar, Sat)
Hakone free pass
Day 4 (13 Mar, Sun)
Check out hotel, Tsukiji Seafood Market, Senso-ji temple, Asakusa area (shrine & shopping), Ueno park, Ginza, Check in Kyoto Ryokan.
Day 5 (14 Mar, Mon)
Higashi Hoganshi > Kiyomizu-dera > Yasaka Shrine -> Chion-in -> Maruyama-koen Park -> Pontocho Alley (evening)
Day 6 (15 Mar, Tues)
Tenryu-ji > Bamboo grove > Okochisanso villa -> Kinkaju-ji -> Koto-in -> Nijo Castle
Day 7 (16 Mar, Wed)
Check out hotel, on the way to Nara, Fushimi Inari, Osaka Castle, Check in Osaka hotel.
Day 8 (17 Mar, Thurs)
Universal Studio Japan (Harry Potter)
Day 9 (18 Mar, Fri)
Check out hotel, depart from Osaka airport@11am.

go to yoyogi park on sunday morning man.......

 

[onitsuka_1]

Quick question: to travel to Otsuki station using JR chuo line and the Fujikyu Railway line to Kawaguchiko station station will it be covered if I only use SUICA or PASMO?and can SUICA or PASMO take the buses in Fuji?if it's covered though, u all think more worth it to buy the 5600JPY Mount Fuji round trip ticket instead?

 

[evilerniex]

Quick question: to travel to Otsuki station using JR chuo line and the Fujikyu Railway line to Kawaguchiko station station will it be covered if I only use SUICA or PASMO?and can SUICA or PASMO take the buses in Fuji?if it's covered though, u all think more worth it to buy the 5600JPY Mount Fuji round trip ticket instead?

SUICA and PASMO are store-value cards and they do not have discount. u pay the same as per buying single trip tickets.

the mt Fuji round trip ticket is worth getting if u are heading to 5th station. otherwise, it is cheaper to just take the highway bus to kawaguchiko station from shinjuku

highway bus to to kawaguchiko: 1750yen x 2
or
ltd exp train to Otsuki and fujikyu rail to kawaguchiko: 3710yen x 2

bus to fifth station: 2100yen round trip

 

[Haman]

not all are shrines... but the main attractions in Kyoto and Nara are shrines and temples. so u may want to shortlist and priorities a few interesting ones in case u cant cover everything.
since u haven't book accom, I would suggest staying either Kyoto or Osaka instead of both. I personally prefer staying in Osaka, since there is much more to do at night. lots of shopping and eating places. u can usually get cheaper accom in Osaka also coz there is much more choices.
Kyoto is mainly for sightseeing, so there isn't much to do in the evening except for the mall at Kyoto station. but if u prefer peaceful and quiet or if u want to experience staying in a ryokan, then Kyoto will be better

Hi, below is my amended itinerary. Depends on that day itself, some places may be removed. Looking at my travel below, should I purchase the JR Pass for this trip? Thanks.

10 Mar - 18 Mar
Day 1 Tokyo (10 Mar, Thurs) Reach Haneda airport @4pm. Check in Shinjuku hotel n dinner n shop around.

Day 2 (11 Mar, Fri) Meiji shrine, Shibuya, Hachiko Statue (Dog), Tokyo metropolitan building, Yoyogi park, Tokyo Tower. [going to be very rush to cover so many places in a day. probably need to leave Tokyo tower for another day, and wun be able to cover much in each place]

Day 3 (12 Mar, Sat) Hakone free pass [not sure if the hakone ropeway area is stil closed during ur visit] - will check again when nearer to date.

Day 4 (13 Mar, Sun) Tsukiji Seafood Market, Ginza, Senso-ji temple, Asakusa area (shrine & shopping), Ueno park, Pokemon Mega Centre.

Day 5 (14 Mar, Mon) Early morning check out hotel, Nara Park, Todaiji temple, Fushimi Inari, Check in Ryokan in Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera, Pontocho Alley (evening).

Day 6 (15 Mar, Tues) Arashiyama and Sagano, Tenryu-ji > Bamboo grove > Kinkaju-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), Nijo Castle.

Day 7 (16 Mar, Wed) Check out hotel, USJ or Osaka Castle, city tour, Check in Osaka hotel. [too rush. I suggest u dun change hotel, just stay in Kyoto and make day trips to Osaka since it is only 30min away. save some time and avoid the hassle] - my flight is 11am departure so need to leave earlier and reach hopefully before 9am.

Day 8 (17 Mar, Thurs) Universal Studio Japan (Harry Potter) or city tour

Day 9 (18 Mar, Fri) Check out hotel, depart from Osaka airport@11am.