Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[klavier]

Hi,

I am in the initial phase of drawing up a rough itinerary (target to be there mid-end May). Currently thinking of either spending around 10 days in Tokyo area (preferred) or do Tokyo - Osaka - Kyoto in about 12 days (only if I can secure decent multi-city airtickets). Personally I prefer just spending the whole holiday in Tokyo as I am not too much into temples/shrines but prefer scenery and big cities. Will be traveling with a 6 year old.

Anyway this is my rough plan so far.

Day 1: Assume will arrive in Haneda around 10am. Travel to Kawaguchiko. Overnight in Kawaguchiko.

Day 2: Depart for Tokyo after lunch. Check in hotel or BnB in Shinjuku area.

Day 3: Disneyland

Day 4: Disneysea

Day 5: Tsukiji fish market, Imperial Palace Ginza, Character Street

Day 6: Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park

Day 7: Odaiba

Day 8: Yokohama day trip?

Day 9: Shopping day

Day 10: No plans as flight will be in morning.


Questions:

1) Is 10 days too much for Tokyo? Or should I just go for Kyoto + Osaka as well (i.e. extend to 12 days).

2) Would it be worth to stay at Kawaguchiko or would it be better to go on a day trip. What rail pass would I need?

Thank you.

 

[VD]

you have already pack in 10 days for Tokyo, why the suddenly shift to ask about Osaka . You can however consider putting odaiba together with day 6. Then go day 7 for Nikko day trip.

 

[klavier]

you have already pack in 10 days for Tokyo, why the suddenly shift to ask about Osaka . You can however consider putting odaiba together with day 6. Then go day 7 for Nikko day trip.

Thanks for the reply. The reason why I am asking is because after doing a brief search, it seems that others (here and in Tripadvisor) seems to think that 10 days might be too long for Tokyo and that they feel 6-7 days is sufficient. Personally I do not mind extending the holiday to visit Osaka/Kyoto but somehow I have a feeling Kyoto is not for me as I am not into temples...

Nikko is also on the radar. However, is a day trip really enough to cover Nikko? I have also thought about doing a day trip to Kawaguchiko but I am afraid it will be too rush.

 

[VD]

There are many places to explore and visit just within Tokyo, all depends on your interest. Its more economical to explore Tokyo and the areas around and leave Kansai area for another trip. Nikko for a day trip is definitely do-able.

Also noticed you have not included other places in Tokyo, I would assumed this is not your first trip to Tokyo? places like Asakusa, Shibuya, Akihabara and the likes

 

[nemo88]

Instead of Osaka/Kyoto I suggest something nearby Tokyo will do. 10 days might be on the long side for Tokyo alone but will be too short for all 3. Heck 10 days is short for Osaka/Kyoto/Kansai as it is!

 

[klavier]

There are many places to explore and visit just within Tokyo, all depends on your interest. Its more economical to explore Tokyo and the areas around and leave Kansai area for another trip. Nikko for a day trip is definitely do-able.

Also noticed you have not included other places in Tokyo, I would assumed this is not your first trip to Tokyo? places like Asakusa, Shibuya, Akihabara and the likes

Oh it would be my first trip to Tokyo. The reason why I have not included other spots is because I am not familiar with Tokyo and hence still have to read up to group them (mainly according to http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html). For now I am just figuring out whether my rough itinerary is good enough so I can just book when i see a airline promo. I am the type who usually just travel with a rough itinerary and decide when I am there if I have enough time to cover everything I had planned back home.

 

[evilerniex]

10 days is alright for tokyo. there are many side trips from tokyo that u can do, so it is easy to fill up the 10 days.
for kawaguchiko overnight is good. u may also want to have another night at hakone.

nikko i personally feel 1 day not enuf. i did 2 days, i day for world heritage shrines and temple and the other day for lake chuzenji area. still not enuf coz lake chuzenji area got quite a lot to see: waterfalls, lakes, marshland, hiking trails

 

[klavier]

Instead of Osaka/Kyoto I suggest something nearby Tokyo will do. 10 days might be on the long side for Tokyo alone but will be too short for all 3. Heck 10 days is short for Osaka/Kyoto/Kansai as it is!

Thanks. I think I have finally decided to leave Osaka/Kyoto for future trips.

10 days is alright for tokyo. there are many side trips from tokyo that u can do, so it is easy to fill up the 10 days.
for kawaguchiko overnight is good. u may also want to have another night at hakone.

nikko i personally feel 1 day not enuf. i did 2 days, i day for world heritage shrines and temple and the other day for lake chuzenji area. still not enuf coz lake chuzenji area got quite a lot to see: waterfalls, lakes, marshland, hiking trails

Hi evilerniex. I still remember reading your Germany trip report lol. Anyway assuming I would like to stay 2-3 nights at Tokyo, which areas would you suggest? 1 for Kawaguchiko and another for Hakone? I was hoping to reduce the traveling time so only thought of visiting Kawaguchiko. Will have to read more on what Nikko offers.
By the way, I see many people like to base themselves at Shinjuku. Is that a good place to stay if I want to visit Disneyland for 2-3 days?

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks. I think I have finally decided to leave Osaka/Kyoto for future trips.




Hi evilerniex. I still remember reading your Germany trip report lol. Anyway assuming I would like to stay 2-3 nights at Tokyo, which areas would you suggest? 1 for Kawaguchiko and another for Hakone? I was hoping to reduce the traveling time so only thought of visiting Kawaguchiko. Will have to read more on what Nikko offers.
By the way, I see many people like to base themselves at Shinjuku. Is that a good place to stay if I want to visit Disneyland for 2-3 days?

tt was so many years ago!

for kawaguchiko and hakone, u can stay either place so as to minimise changing accom. for example, head to hakone on day1 then stay a night, sightseeing in hakone, stay another night. head to kawaguchiko on day3, then back to tokyo

shinjuku is popular coz there are many malls in the area. it is also a major transport hub, with many connecting trains, as well as buses to kawaguchi. disneyland is located outside of tokyo city and will require a change of train from most places, including shinjuku. so it doesnt matter much unless u are willing to spend a lot for hotels near tokyo station, which have direct train to disneyland (maihama station).

 

[gentoro]

tt was so many years ago!

for kawaguchiko and hakone, u can stay either place so as to minimise changing accom. for example, head to hakone on day1 then stay a night, sightseeing in hakone, stay another night. head to kawaguchiko on day3, then back to tokyo

shinjuku is popular coz there are many malls in the area. it is also a major transport hub, with many connecting trains, as well as buses to kawaguchi. disneyland is located outside of tokyo city and will require a change of train from most places, including shinjuku. so it doesnt matter much unless u are willing to spend a lot for hotels near tokyo station, which have direct train to disneyland (maihama station).

This time round, I forsaking city and concentrating my trip karuizawa and hakone. A bit tired of the buzzering crowded and tall building.

Taking Shinkansen to Karuizawa and back to narita to rent a car to proceed to hakone for another 4-5days.

 

[IcYFl4mEz]

Can anyone cfm if Mishima shinkansen station got big lugg locker? Intend to put lugg there to visit kawaguchi n then go back take lugg proceed to tokyo. Odawara got, so maybe will visit hakone instead if mishima station dont have locker

 

[VD]

http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/station/_img/mishima_L.jpg?untiCache=1484623834577

 

[IcYFl4mEz]

http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/station/_img/mishima_L.jpg?untiCache=1484623834577

Thks! But read that not all locker got big size one hmm

 

[cpuer]

Thks! But read that not all locker got big size one hmm

yup, not all big sizes, those gigantic one for 28" is even more rare.

 

[VD]

they shld have a selection of sizes, you just have to be early. I encountered in Shirakawa, when the lockers are fully taken up, the office at the bus terminal help store the luggage for tourist/visitors (for a fee, of cos)

 

[VD]

see if you could store your luggage in Tokyo and carry a day pack.

 

[thwysg]

Can anyone cfm if Mishima shinkansen station got big lugg locker? Intend to put lugg there to visit kawaguchi n then go back take lugg proceed to tokyo. Odawara got, so maybe will visit hakone instead if mishima station dont have locker

Not a lot. Look under 大型 and 超大型.
http://locker1.exblog.jp/20133185/

 

[IcYFl4mEz]

Thanks! But im going via Osaka.... After that str8 to tokyo

 

[babycat2010]

Dear evilerniex,

I am planning my 1st trip to Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) with my family this December (2A2C). I have not book the flights and hotels and would like to seek your help to review my current plan. Do let me know if you think I need to make any adjustments.


1 Dec Fri - Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport / Haneda Airport (Check in either hotel: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinkuju / JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku / Keio Plaza Tokyo / Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku). Any comment on these 4 hotels?

2 Dec Sat - DisneySEA

3 Dec Sun – Disneyland

4 Dec Mon – Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Takayama Castle Tower and Gotemba Premium outlet (Still cannot decide whether to stay 1 night or just a day trip there)

5 Dec Tues – Osaka via Shinkanzen (Wish to try Ryokan. Looking at Kaneyoshi Ryokan, Namba Dotombori, Osaka or Drop Inn Osaka) Any comment on these 2 Ryokan? Any suggestion where to go upon check-in?

6 Dec Wed – Universal Studio

7 Dec Thurs – Yokohama, Cup noodles museum, Nara Dee Park, Yoshikien Garden, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Osaka Castle then food trip in Namba area

8 Dec Fri – Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Park (Wish to let my kids experience winter with "snow")

9 Dec Sat – Shibuya (Looking at Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya and Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo) Any comment on these 2 hotels?
Yoyogi Park, Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, Ometesando, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Dome City, Pokemon Centre Mega Tokyo at Sunshine City

10 Dec Sun – Odaiba, Return flight to Singapore (Narita)

We are not a temples or museums kind of person and may I know which type of JR pass should I buy cos I am still very confuse with the transport passes…


Many thanks in advance!

 

[VD]

Why not book your hotel at TDL/TDS for the first 2 days then go Lake kawaguchi, 4 dec takayama castle tower? I don't think u have time to cover lake kawaguchi, Mt fuji and Gotemba.