Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[promise]

Has anyone ever travelled to Hiroshima? Any sample itinerary to share?

i'm doing hiroshima / shirakawa-go / kanazawa / tokyo next week
will share when i'm back !

 

[sehsuan]

i'm doing hiroshima / shirakawa-go / kanazawa / tokyo next week
will share when i'm back !

SUGOI!

hiroshima and shirakawa-go sounds pretty far apart! how are you travelling this stretch - shinkansen?

i am currently planning, and journaling my cycling trip from osaka - tokyo coming end of march, the url is here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=178237&v=1w

in case the url gets eaten up... you can find it at
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/japan2011

i'm in the process of breaking down the journey though - only got the first four days up:
Day 0 - Singapore to Haneda Airport
Day 1 - Haneda to Kansai Airport
Day 2 - Kansai Airport - Koyasan (camp)
Day 3 - Koyasan - Yoshino (camp)
Day 4 - Yoshino - Nara (camp)
Day 5 - Nara - Kyoto (hostel/dormitory)
...

haven't figured out the rest, still caught up in breaking them down into daily chunks...

 

[promise]

SUGOI!

hiroshima and shirakawa-go sounds pretty far apart! how are you travelling this stretch - shinkansen?

i am currently planning, and journaling my cycling trip from osaka - tokyo coming end of march, the url is here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=178237&v=1w

in case the url gets eaten up... you can find it at
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/japan2011

i'm in the process of breaking down the journey though - only got the first four days up:
Day 0 - Singapore to Haneda Airport
Day 1 - Haneda to Kansai Airport
Day 2 - Kansai Airport - Koyasan (camp)
Day 3 - Koyasan - Yoshino (camp)
Day 4 - Yoshino - Nara (camp)
Day 5 - Nara - Kyoto (hostel/dormitory)
...

haven't figured out the rest, still caught up in breaking them down into daily chunks...

yes, the first leg is very far apart !
i'll take the 6.13am shinkensen to shin-kobe, transfer to nagoya and transfer to takayama. nohi bus from takayama train station to shirakawa-go

how do you ship your bike to japan ? or you intend to rent there ?

 

[evilerniex]

SUGOI!

hiroshima and shirakawa-go sounds pretty far apart! how are you travelling this stretch - shinkansen?

i am currently planning, and journaling my cycling trip from osaka - tokyo coming end of march, the url is here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=RrzKj&page_id=178237&v=1w

in case the url gets eaten up... you can find it at
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/japan2011

i'm in the process of breaking down the journey though - only got the first four days up:
Day 0 - Singapore to Haneda Airport
Day 1 - Haneda to Kansai Airport
Day 2 - Kansai Airport - Koyasan (camp)
Day 3 - Koyasan - Yoshino (camp)
Day 4 - Yoshino - Nara (camp)
Day 5 - Nara - Kyoto (hostel/dormitory)
...

haven't figured out the rest, still caught up in breaking them down into daily chunks...

fwah... cycle from tokyo to osaka!!!

gonna be exciting! cant wait to see ur trip report

 

[sehsuan]

yes, the first leg is very far apart !
i'll take the 6.13am shinkensen to shin-kobe, transfer to nagoya and transfer to takayama. nohi bus from takayama train station to shirakawa-go

how do you ship your bike to japan ? or you intend to rent there ?

i'll be packing up my bike, just like how bicycle shops here receive their semi-assembled bikes from the manufacturers.

fwah... cycle from tokyo to osaka!!!

gonna be exciting! cant wait to see ur trip report

haha, thanks!

i think the greatest difficulty is to plan this trip without:
1. rushing to cycle and not seeing/experiencing
2. not having enough rest, getting overuse injuries
3. missing the MAIN things i want to see (waterfalls, etc)

lots of planning, but there can only be one result... SUCCESS!

by the way, I put Day 0 as leaving SG -> JP, which Day 1 -> Haneda FLYING to Kansai... not cycle la! if i can cycle that fast, singapore will be world record holder already!

 

[kaisoz]

i'll be packing up my bike, just like how bicycle shops here receive their semi-assembled bikes from the manufacturers.



haha, thanks!

i think the greatest difficulty is to plan this trip without:
1. rushing to cycle and not seeing/experiencing
2. not having enough rest, getting overuse injuries
3. missing the MAIN things i want to see (waterfalls, etc)

lots of planning, but there can only be one result... SUCCESS!

by the way, I put Day 0 as leaving SG -> JP, which Day 1 -> Haneda FLYING to Kansai... not cycle la! if i can cycle that fast, singapore will be world record holder already!

super long biking trip! Envious siah, you have the time and energy to go on such a trip! Good luck! Await on your March trip report, which definitely is going to be very interesting.

 

[sehsuan]

super long biking trip! Envious siah, you have the time and energy to go on such a trip! Good luck! Await on your March trip report, which definitely is going to be very interesting.

haha, thanks ah! time off work means "eat wind/吃风", not too enviable if i bring up this topic. good thing however is that i am still single, so i don't get tied down. however before i go on this trip, i will have my Will done up and witnessed. i've drafted it with a wills agency as they would be more trustworthy than lawyers, who might charge an arm or a leg to do it because their hourly rates can hit 6k or so AFTER "discount". worse yet, making wills is not their main cuppa tea, so yeah, gotta get it done. i attended a talk by this same wills agency, some key things that i learnt were that most people miss out on a substitute executor for the will, and the provision of a common disaster where the hubby/wife and/or kids perish together. CHOY CHOY! i know CNY la, but since i don't go visiting one, i think sharing accurate information freely is the only way to make good friends.

oh yeah, the bike trip is just under 1200km. i'm now bashing my head to see if i want to take 3 weeks, or the max 4 weeks window given by the air ticket (which i HAVEN'T reserved/booked)... because 1200km divided by assuming 100km/day => 12 days... which i may not be able to maintain day-after-day... will need rest to recover. if i estimate at 80km/day, which is more doable - it'd take 15 days. assuming i leave singapore on a monday and back on a sunday (total 21 days), i'd need to subtract Day 0 and Day 20 from the cycling because it's both transportation days. that'd leave me with 19 days effective, with 15 days cycling... and ONLY FOUR DAYS to walk around!!!!

the best part is... how to hantam a date where i can be there for the cherry blossoms? for those who are interested, the forecast is up already here:
http://tenki.jp/sakura/

argh.. mathematics, el nino, la nina, sakura... HELP~~~!!!!

 

[Dreamrat]

After studying the posts here, I drafted my 8D/7N trip in Japan (Tokyo-Kyoto)
Kindly comments on it. I wish to go in early May. Hopefully, there will be some sakura left.


Day 1: NARITA AIRPORT - SHINJUKU (arrival)
Then, SHINJUKU - HAKONEYUMOTO thru Hakone Free Pass (3days)
Old Tokaido/ Check Point, Onsen
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 2: Hakone
Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Owakudani
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 3: Hakone
Gotemba for shopping
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 4: HAKONEYUMOTO - KYOTO
Kamo Shrines (下鴨神社), Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Philosopher's Path, Gion (祇園)
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 5: Kyoto - Nara
Nara park (day trip), Nishiki market (錦市場) if got time
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 6: Kyoto - Shinjuku
Takaosan, Akihabara, Asakusa
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 7: Shinjuku
Harajuku, Meji Shrine, Tokyo Tower (top floor), Shibuya (Tokyo Hands)
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 8: Shinjuku - Narita Airport

=======
Food (3000Yen per day per pax), Transportation(44,000Yen for 8 days), Accommodation (53,000Yen for 8 days per pax)+Airticket (Hopefully SGD$600)= approx SGD2500

Shopping by credit card (hard to gauge).

 

[evilerniex]

After studying the posts here, I drafted my 8D/7N trip in Japan (Tokyo-Kyoto)
Kindly comments on it. I wish to go in early May. Hopefully, there will be some sakura left.


Day 1: NARITA AIRPORT - SHINJUKU (arrival)
Then, SHINJUKU - HAKONEYUMOTO thru Hakone Free Pass (3days)
Old Tokaido/ Check Point, Onsen
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 2: Hakone
Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Owakudani
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 3: Hakone
Gotemba for shopping
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 4: HAKONEYUMOTO - KYOTO
Kamo Shrines (下鴨神社), Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Philosopher's Path, Gion (祇園)
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 5: Kyoto - Nara
Nara park (day trip), Nishiki market (錦市場) if got time
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 6: Kyoto - Shinjuku
Takaosan, Akihabara, Asakusa
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 7: Shinjuku
Harajuku, Meji Shrine, Tokyo Tower (top floor), Shibuya (Tokyo Hands)
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 8: Shinjuku - Narita Airport

=======
Food (3000Yen per day per pax), Transportation(44,000Yen for 8 days), Accommodation (53,000Yen for 8 days per pax)+Airticket (Hopefully SGD$600)= approx SGD2500

Shopping by credit card (hard to gauge).

day 6 seems a bit packed. u planning to do some hiking at takaosan, or sightsee at the cable car station?

for ur expenses, may wanna cater a bit more per day for things like snacks, vending machine drinks, and souvenirs

 

[Dreamrat]

day 6 seems a bit packed. u planning to do some hiking at takaosan, or sightsee at the cable car station?

for ur expenses, may wanna cater a bit more per day for things like snacks, vending machine drinks, and souvenirs

I intended to do hiking in Takaosan.

Which location should I extend more?
<Assuming 1st Day of arrival is @6am>

I am not interested in Disney. So, Tokyo was a short one.

Regarding snacks and vending machine drinks, I add 500Yen per day per person.
Revised to $2600 per pax.
Souvenir and shopping will be cater separately.

 

[evilerniex]

I intended to do hiking in Takaosan.

Which location should I extend more?
<Assuming 1st Day of arrival is @6am>

I am not interested in Disney. So, Tokyo was a short one.

Regarding snacks and vending machine drinks, I add 500Yen per day per person.
Revised to $2600 per pax.
Souvenir and shopping will be cater separately.

might be very rush. coz u are travelling from kyoto to tokyo, which already take 2-3hrs. then still need to check into hotel. plus hiking in takaosan, u might not have time to for both akiba and asakusa

 

[gutianleong]

Wa respect man. If only I could do the same......

haha, thanks ah! time off work means "eat wind/吃风", not too enviable if i bring up this topic. good thing however is that i am still single, so i don't get tied down. however before i go on this trip, i will have my Will done up and witnessed. i've drafted it with a wills agency as they would be more trustworthy than lawyers, who might charge an arm or a leg to do it because their hourly rates can hit 6k or so AFTER "discount". worse yet, making wills is not their main cuppa tea, so yeah, gotta get it done. i attended a talk by this same wills agency, some key things that i learnt were that most people miss out on a substitute executor for the will, and the provision of a common disaster where the hubby/wife and/or kids perish together. CHOY CHOY! i know CNY la, but since i don't go visiting one, i think sharing accurate information freely is the only way to make good friends.

oh yeah, the bike trip is just under 1200km. i'm now bashing my head to see if i want to take 3 weeks, or the max 4 weeks window given by the air ticket (which i HAVEN'T reserved/booked)... because 1200km divided by assuming 100km/day => 12 days... which i may not be able to maintain day-after-day... will need rest to recover. if i estimate at 80km/day, which is more doable - it'd take 15 days. assuming i leave singapore on a monday and back on a sunday (total 21 days), i'd need to subtract Day 0 and Day 20 from the cycling because it's both transportation days. that'd leave me with 19 days effective, with 15 days cycling... and ONLY FOUR DAYS to walk around!!!!

the best part is... how to hantam a date where i can be there for the cherry blossoms? for those who are interested, the forecast is up already here:
http://tenki.jp/sakura/

argh.. mathematics, el nino, la nina, sakura... HELP~~~!!!!

 

[Dreamrat]

might be very rush. coz u are travelling from kyoto to tokyo, which already take 2-3hrs. then still need to check into hotel. plus hiking in takaosan, u might not have time to for both akiba and asakusa

Noted, thanks.

I will add 1 or 2 days to Tokyo, depending on the timing for the return flight

 

[Dreamrat]

evilerniex, thank you for the comments. I revised the trip as follows:

Day 1: NARITA AIRPORT - SHINJUKU (arrival)

Visit Kudan****a to check out Sakura if any.
Then, SHINJUKU - HAKONEYUMOTO thru Hakone Free Pass (3days)
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Special Plan))​

Day 2: Hakone

AM: Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Owakudani,
PM: Old Tokaido/ Check point
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Special Plan))​

Day 3: Hakone

AM: Gotemba for shopping (Lugguage in Gotemba locker)
PM: HAKONEYUMOTO - KYOTO
Accom(Kyoto: j-hoppers)​

Day 4: Kyoto

AM: Kamo Shrines (下鴨神社), Philosopher's Path, Gion (祇園)
PM: Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Gion
Accom(Kyoto: j-hoppers)​

Day 5: Kyoto - Nara

AM: Nara park (day trip), Kasuga Taisha
PM: Nishiki market (錦市場) if got time
Accom(Kyoto: Capsule Ryokan)​

Day 6: Kyoto - Shinjuku

AM: In Train
PM: Akihabara, Ueno, Asakusa浅草
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)​

Day 7: Shinjuku

AM: Takaosan
PM: Shibuya, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)​

Day 8: Shinjuku

AM: Harajuku, Meiji Shrine
PM: <Anything, maybe Asakusa浅草 again>
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)​

Day 9: Shinjuku - Narita Airport

 

[Bullseye]

Is it possible to cover Hakone/Fuji Five Lakes in 1 day?
planning to visit Lake Kawaguchiko/Lake Yamanakako/Bat Cave/Ice Cave/Gotemba Outlet

 

[nicholaslee]

Is it possible to cover Hakone/Fuji Five Lakes in 1 day?
planning to visit Lake Kawaguchiko/Lake Yamanakako/Bat Cave/Ice Cave/Gotemba Outlet

I wish to know this too!

Btw can someone comment about my plans below

Day 1
Arrive at Narita at 6am, Buy Suica + N'EX package
Take Narita Express to Ofuna, -> Change train to Odawara
QUESTION: If I buy Hakone Free 3-Days Pass at Odawara for 4400 Yen (Does this cover train back from Hakone to Shinjuku?)
Odawara -> Hakone Yumoto
Check in Senkei Plaza Inn
Start on the classic round trip around Hakone
Onsen, Dinner, Sleep

Day 2
AM: Intend to visit Fuji Five lakes but donno is the travel time from my hotel worth it? The Hakone free pass does not cover this, how much will it cost me if purchase bus ticket separately? I understand the Fuji Hakone 3-Day Pass at 7200Yen covers, but the return leg will be from five lakes which is (very?) far from where am staying. unless I spend my 2nd night nearer to it, any recommendation?

PM: Gotemba Outlet shopping
Back to Hotel for Onsen and Dinner

Day 3
Check out -> Shinjuku with Free Pass.
Leave luggage in train station locker or check-in hotel (depends on timing, accommodation location not decided yet at Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku or EzChoiceHotels)
Shinjuku -> Kamakura -> Yokohama‎ -> Shinjuku

Day 4
Shinjuku

Day 5
Shibuya, Meji Shrine, Yogoi Park, Roppongi

Day 6
Fish Market, Central Tokyo

Day 7
Asakusa, Odaiba

Day 8
Not planned yet

Day 9
Not planned yet


Thanks

 

[daffodilz]

draft iti

hello! my mate and i will be travelling to japan during this period: 1 May to 13 May
we didnt really do research before we booked the flights hence, the 1st 5 days we are clashing into the golden week...

was reading japan-guide and it says likely to have large influx of domestic travellers from toyko out into the sub-urban areas.. we put osaka for the first 5 days but no choice, cant change because we booked hotel for tokyo at shinjuku prince from 5 may to 13 may already.. again, never really do h/w before we book... osaka accomodation hasnt book yet..

we prefer a balance of sight-seeing and shopping.. not really keen into shrines and temples ALL the way

our draft iti is as follows:-

1 May (day 1):
-reach Narita Airport via delta airlines, will proceed to osaka via tokyo
-walking ard Namba/ Shinsabashi area since presumbly, we will reach Osaka around late evening

2 May (day 2):
-Universal Studios
-walking around Shinsaibashi area at night if we end the US trip early and not tired yet

3 May:
-Osaka aqaurium (i presume this will take us around 3 hours)
-Osaka castle
-shopping in down-town osaka area or other sight-seeing places

4 May:
1 day trip to Kyoto (those usual kyoto tourist spots.. shrines.. gion street and what have you)

5 May:
check out osaka and proceed to tokyo
rest of the day.. will be gg to areas where we can make use of our JR pass without having to top up additional fare if possible

6 May:
disneyland

7 may:
disneysea (not sure if i shd put disneysea here since it's a sat but im trying to utilise my JR pass or should i go nagoya on this day?)

8 may:
mt. fuji day trip

9 may to 12 may:
shinjuku/ shibuya/ ginza/ tsukiji fish market/ sanrioland/ asakusa/ tokyo tower etc etc etc.. basically we are in tokyo.. so these days are kinda flexible..

13 may:
iirc.. my flight is around 6 plus pm... so we only have the morning and early afternoon to walk around for some last min shopping/ inhale tokyo air before we make our way to the airport

my qns:

based on the above,
-iti should be feasible? i know it's kinda rough but you get the idea
-more worthwhile that we get the JR pass for the first 7 days right?
-is universal studios very crowded generally, considering whether to get the express pass since im clashing with the golden week too..
-nagoya: should i do a day trip there from osaka or tokyo? my osaka iti seems filled already..

 

[kaisoz]

After studying the posts here, I drafted my 8D/7N trip in Japan (Tokyo-Kyoto)
Kindly comments on it. I wish to go in early May. Hopefully, there will be some sakura left.


Day 1: NARITA AIRPORT - SHINJUKU (arrival)
Then, SHINJUKU - HAKONEYUMOTO thru Hakone Free Pass (3days)
Old Tokaido/ Check Point, Onsen
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 2: Hakone
Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Owakudani
Accom(Senkei Plaza Inn (Basic Plan))
Day 3: Hakone
Gotemba for shopping
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 4: HAKONEYUMOTO - KYOTO
Kamo Shrines (下鴨神社), Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺), Philosopher's Path, Gion (祇園)
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 5: Kyoto - Nara
Nara park (day trip), Nishiki market (錦市場) if got time
Accom(Ark Hotel Kyoto (Couple Plan))
Day 6: Kyoto - Shinjuku
Takaosan, Akihabara, Asakusa
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 7: Shinjuku
Harajuku, Meji Shrine, Tokyo Tower (top floor), Shibuya (Tokyo Hands)
Accom(Nishi-shinjuku Hotel)
Day 8: Shinjuku - Narita Airport

=======
Food (3000Yen per day per pax), Transportation(44,000Yen for 8 days), Accommodation (53,000Yen for 8 days per pax)+Airticket (Hopefully SGD$600)= approx SGD2500

Shopping by credit card (hard to gauge).

Some comments, based on my experience last year:
Hakone
Hmm, maybe you should place the Hakone area in the later part of your trip. And enjoy the onsen for your tired body, legs.

Kyoto-Nara-Gion
Hm, got Aoi Matsuri festival in Kyoto in May. For temples in Nara, go to Yakushi-ji and Tōdai-ji. For Gion, go to the Yasaka (Gion) Shrine at night for the lights of the paper laterns. For information travel, can go to Kyoto City Tourist Information Office, 2F Kyoto Station Bldg. 8.30am-7pm daily; (Tel: 075 343 6655); Kyoto Prefecture Tourist Office, 9F Kyoto Station Bldg. 2nd floor is more for international tourists if I remember, or issit 9th floor

When you are in Gion or in Kiyomizudera area, try any of the tofu restaurants. Its a must try, just like if you visit Kobe, must try the Kobe beef.

For mountains, can go Arashiyama mountain area also, but its out of the way on the western outskirts of Kyoto.

Asakusa
Sanja Matsuri festival in May.

Tokyo
Not going Tsukiji Market? For street food, can go Ueno Ameyoko Flea Market area.

I ended up spending a lot on hot canned drinks/snacks from vending machines/mini-marts cos was in Japan during winter season . But seldom managed to get the discounted rice-balls and box lunches from supermarkets, cos they are snapped up quite quickly.

 

[kaisoz]

hello! my mate and i will be travelling to japan during this period: 1 May to 13 May
we didnt really do research before we booked the flights hence, the 1st 5 days we are clashing into the golden week...

was reading japan-guide and it says likely to have large influx of domestic travellers from toyko out into the sub-urban areas.. we put osaka for the first 5 days but no choice, cant change because we booked hotel for tokyo at shinjuku prince from 5 may to 13 may already.. again, never really do h/w before we book... osaka accomodation hasnt book yet..

we prefer a balance of sight-seeing and shopping.. not really keen into shrines and temples ALL the way

our draft iti is as follows:-

1 May (day 1):
-reach Narita Airport via delta airlines, will proceed to osaka via tokyo
-walking ard Namba/ Shinsabashi area since presumbly, we will reach Osaka around late evening

2 May (day 2):
-Universal Studios
-walking around Shinsaibashi area at night if we end the US trip early and not tired yet

3 May:
-Osaka aqaurium (i presume this will take us around 3 hours)
-Osaka castle
-shopping in down-town osaka area or other sight-seeing places

4 May:
1 day trip to Kyoto (those usual kyoto tourist spots.. shrines.. gion street and what have you)

5 May:
check out osaka and proceed to tokyo
rest of the day.. will be gg to areas where we can make use of our JR pass without having to top up additional fare if possible

6 May:
disneyland

7 may:
disneysea (not sure if i shd put disneysea here since it's a sat but im trying to utilise my JR pass or should i go nagoya on this day?)

8 may:
mt. fuji day trip

9 may to 12 may:
shinjuku/ shibuya/ ginza/ tsukiji fish market/ sanrioland/ asakusa/ tokyo tower etc etc etc.. basically we are in tokyo.. so these days are kinda flexible..

13 may:
iirc.. my flight is around 6 plus pm... so we only have the morning and early afternoon to walk around for some last min shopping/ inhale tokyo air before we make our way to the airport

my qns:

based on the above,
-iti should be feasible? i know it's kinda rough but you get the idea
-more worthwhile that we get the JR pass for the first 7 days right?
-is universal studios very crowded generally, considering whether to get the express pass since im clashing with the golden week too..
-nagoya: should i do a day trip there from osaka or tokyo? my osaka iti seems filled already..

No point going Nagoya if you are not into temples, and stuff. Nagoya got lots of shrines and castles and stuff.
Can get more tourist info at tourist center in JR Osaka Station.
Osaka accomodation maybe can try Hotel Villa Fontaine chain. Or just go Toyoko Inn chain.

You could go 1-2 temples in Nara during the day, and then late afternn and evening go Gion area in Kyoto. Kyoto is famous for its tofu.

Not going Ghibli museum?
Can go Ueno Ameyoko Flea market area, then from there, go Asakusa.

 

[evilerniex]

my comments in bold

hello! my mate and i will be travelling to japan during this period: 1 May to 13 May
we didnt really do research before we booked the flights hence, the 1st 5 days we are clashing into the golden week...

was reading japan-guide and it says likely to have large influx of domestic travellers from toyko out into the sub-urban areas.. we put osaka for the first 5 days but no choice, cant change because we booked hotel for tokyo at shinjuku prince from 5 may to 13 may already.. again, never really do h/w before we book... osaka accomodation hasnt book yet..

since it is still months before ur trip, u may be able to cancel or amend the hotel booking without penalty. it is going to be crowded everywhere during golden week, especially in the theme parks. and do book ur accommodation for the golden week as soon as u can... coz everywhere will be fully booked

we prefer a balance of sight-seeing and shopping.. not really keen into shrines and temples ALL the way

our draft iti is as follows:-

1 May (day 1):
-reach Narita Airport via delta airlines, will proceed to osaka via tokyo
-walking ard Namba/ Shinsabashi area since presumbly, we will reach Osaka around late evening

2 May (day 2):
-Universal Studios
-walking around Shinsaibashi area at night if we end the US trip early and not tired yet

if possible, dun go universal studio during golden week. it will be too crowded to be enjoyable. u will spend most of ur time queuing for rides

3 May:
-Osaka aqaurium (i presume this will take us around 3 hours)
-Osaka castle
-shopping in down-town osaka area or other sight-seeing places

4 May:
1 day trip to Kyoto (those usual kyoto tourist spots.. shrines.. gion street and what have you)

5 May:
check out osaka and proceed to tokyo
rest of the day.. will be gg to areas where we can make use of our JR pass without having to top up additional fare if possible

most places can be reached by yamanote line, which is covered by JR pass, so not a problem

6 May:
disneyland

7 may:
disneysea (not sure if i shd put disneysea here since it's a sat but im trying to utilise my JR pass or should i go nagoya on this day?)

i wun recommend going nagoya coz is a bit far from tokyo. and nagoya is a big city with quite a lot to offer. 1 day is not sufficient

8 may:
mt. fuji day trip

9 may to 12 may:
shinjuku/ shibuya/ ginza/ tsukiji fish market/ sanrioland/ asakusa/ tokyo tower etc etc etc.. basically we are in tokyo.. so these days are kinda flexible..

13 may:
iirc.. my flight is around 6 plus pm... so we only have the morning and early afternoon to walk around for some last min shopping/ inhale tokyo air before we make our way to the airport

my qns:

based on the above,
-iti should be feasible? i know it's kinda rough but you get the idea
-more worthwhile that we get the JR pass for the first 7 days right?
yup. the trip from tokyo to osaka and back is already enuf to make the pass worth it
-is universal studios very crowded generally, considering whether to get the express pass since im clashing with the golden week too..
dunno about USJ, but when i was in disneysea, even when using express pass, i still have to queue for 20min. without the express pass, the queue is 1-2hr. and that wasnt even during golden week!
-nagoya: should i do a day trip there from osaka or tokyo? my osaka iti seems filled already..
osaka will be nearer to nagoya. but as i mentioned, day trip is not enough