Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[igarashi]

some comments above.


I would suggest reducing the Kansai portion of the trip by 1 day so u can squeeze everything within a 7-day JR pass.
otherwise, if u are not planning to get the 7-day JR pass, then I suggest spending more time in Kansai since u have not been to Kansai and Kyoto and Osaka needs more than a day each to cover them properly

The JR pass is it inclusive of train from tokyo to osaka back and fore ?
If not getting will the travel between osaka to kyoto etc be expensive ?
i don't mind staying in Kansai for another couple more days.

 

[evilerniex]

The JR pass is it inclusive of train from tokyo to osaka back and fore ?
If not getting will the travel between osaka to kyoto etc be expensive ?
i don't mind staying in Kansai for another couple more days.

JR pass covers all JR line, including the shinkansen train between tokyo and osaka. the pass is expensive (29110yen for the 7-day version) so it is worth it only if u are using it for long train rides on shinkansen and limited express train e.g between tokyo and osaka, between osaka and hiroshima.

travelling between osaka and kyoto is relatively cheap at 560yen one way.

for the places u are going, the expensive train trips are:
1) tokyo to osaka (14000yen)
2) osaka to hiroshima (10000yen)
3) hiroshima to osaka (10000yen)
4) osaka to tokyo (14000yen)

if u can squeeze everything with 7 days, then of coz u can save a lot on transport. however, i think it is too rush and u will need to drop some places.
it is still worth it to get the 7-day JR pass even if u have more days in Kansai coz u cover 3 out of 4 of the trips and it is already worth more than the price of the JR pass

 

[igarashi]

Oh ok. So if i extend 2 more days in Kansai, below plan ok ?
So from DAY 1 i will start to activate JR Pass, expire at DAY 7
DAY 8 and 9 will be cash ?

Day 1 - 31/10/15
Singapore – Haneda
8.05am – 3.35pm
• Haneda – Osaka
• Check in Hotel

Day 2 – 1st Nov
Osaka

Day 3 – 2nd Nov
Osaka

Day 4 – 3rd Nov
Osaka - Kyoto

Day 5 – 4th Nov
Osaka – Kyoto

Day 6 – 5th Nov
Osaka - Nara

Day 7 – 6th Nov
Osaka – Mt Koya

Day 8 – 7th Nov
Mt Koya – Hiroshima / Miyajima

Day 9 – 8th Nov
Hiroshima – Tokyo

OR

Day 2 – 1st Nov
Osaka – Kyoto

Day 3 – 2nd Nov
Osaka – Kyoto

Day 4 – 3rd Nov
Osaka - Nara

Day 5 – 4th Nov
Osaka - Kobe & Himeji

Day 6 – 5th Nov
Osaka

Day 7 – 6th Nov
Osaka - Tokyo

 

[evilerniex]

activate ur JR pass on day 3 or later coz the main thing is to cover the trip to hiroshima and to tokyo on day 8 and 9.

 

[igarashi]

activate ur JR pass on day 3 or later coz the main thing is to cover the trip to hiroshima and to tokyo on day 8 and 9.

Oh ok thanks for the advise.
Will base on this to plan more detailed itinerary.

 

[jiangmingchuan]

Hi All,

Doing a last min trip to central Jap and seek advise on my itinerary.

Day 1 (14 Apr, Tue):
Arrive in Tokyo

Day 2 (15 Apr, Wed):
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Inari Shrine
Sanjusangendo

Day 3 (16 Apr, Thu):
Nijo Castle
Heian Shrine
Tetsugaku no michi
Higashiyama

Day 4 (17 Apr, Fri):
Nara/Fuji

Day 5 (18 Apr, Sat):
Mount Takao

Day 6 (19 Apr, Sun):
Tokyo to Yokohama
Pokemon Center
Cup Noodle Museum
Yokohama to Tokyo
Harajuku (Sunday cosplay day)
Meiji
Yoyogi Park
Shibuya

Day 7 (20 Apr, Mon):
Tsukiji Market
Tokyo Tower
One Piece theme park
Zojoji Temple
Akihabara
Ueno

Im still deciding if I should head to Nara/Fuji on my forth day.

Also do share with me if I can add in more places to visit for some of the days if you think its too relax.

Lastly, as im taking shinkansen to and flo to Tokyo, its advisable to buy the JR rail pass right? Does the rail pass cover the train journey from Kyoto to Nara / Fuji?

 

[evilerniex]

Hi All,

Doing a last min trip to central Jap and seek advise on my itinerary.

Day 1 (14 Apr, Tue):
Arrive in Tokyo

Day 2 (15 Apr, Wed):
Shinkansen to Kyoto
Inari Shrine
Sanjusangendo

Day 3 (16 Apr, Thu):
Nijo Castle
Heian Shrine
Tetsugaku no michi
Higashiyama
[no plans for Kinkakuji or arashiyama?]

Day 4 (17 Apr, Fri):
Nara/Fuji
[too rush to visit Nara and Mt fuji. either one is ok, or u can go Osaka instead?]

Day 5 (18 Apr, Sat):
Mount Takao

Day 6 (19 Apr, Sun):
Tokyo to Yokohama
Pokemon Center
Cup Noodle Museum
Yokohama to Tokyo
Harajuku (Sunday cosplay day)
Meiji
Yoyogi Park
Shibuya
[too rush to have yokohama, harajuku and shibuya in the same day. i suggest dropping yokohama and spend the whole day in harajuku and shibuya]

Day 7 (20 Apr, Mon):
Tsukiji Market
Tokyo Tower
One Piece theme park
Zojoji Temple
Akihabara
Ueno

Im still deciding if I should head to Nara/Fuji on my forth day.

Also do share with me if I can add in more places to visit for some of the days if you think its too relax.

Lastly, as im taking shinkansen to and flo to Tokyo, its advisable to buy the JR rail pass right? Does the rail pass cover the train journey from Kyoto to Nara / Fuji?

yes, it is worth it to get the JR pass since u are taking shinkansen from Tokyo to kyoto and back. note that the jr pass can only be bought outside japan, so make sure to buy it here before u travel

is this ur first time to japan? if so, i think ur itinerary is too packed. in fact, 7 days is just enough for Tokyo alone, with 1 or 2 day trips to nearby places. it is going to be too rush to cover tokyo and kyoto within 7 days. i would suggest dropping mt takao so u have another day for tokyo

 

[thesal]

Is there any notable attractions on the way from Kintetsu Namba station to Kintetsu Nara station?

Am thinking of adding 1 more place to the day trip

 

[lolBoy]

Hi guys/ladies, I will be heading to japan during may from 10 - 16 May. As it is the first time there, hoping for more input to my itinerary plan.

Day 1:
1400: Touch down at Narita
Go check in hotel (Sotetsu Fresa Inn Hamamatsucho Daimon, anyone stayed there or know the direction?)
Have dinner nearby?
Tokyo Tower?

Day 2:
Disneyland (presume whole day, want to catch the firework display)

Day 3:
Tsukiji Market (what time to go)
Sushi breakfast?
Shinjuku, shibuya, harajuku?

Day 4:
Akihabara?

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:
Checkout
Head to haneda airport

Any suggestion? Such as places to visit to eat and such. Also is it possible to have 1-2 Days stay in Hakone, wish to experience hot spring. (Any lodging to recommend, preferably with private in-room hot spring bath)

 

[jiangmingchuan]

yes, it is worth it to get the JR pass since u are taking shinkansen from Tokyo to kyoto and back. note that the jr pass can only be bought outside japan, so make sure to buy it here before u travel

is this ur first time to japan? if so, i think ur itinerary is too packed. in fact, 7 days is just enough for Tokyo alone, with 1 or 2 day trips to nearby places. it is going to be too rush to cover tokyo and kyoto within 7 days. i would suggest dropping mt takao so u have another day for tokyo

Its actually my second trip. Previously took a central japan tour but super short on time cause it covered Tokyo (including Disneysea), Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka.

Which is why I wanted to return to visit the places which I missed~

Cleared Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama previously and I had the most free time in Osaka hence deciding not to head back~

I'll adjust day 6 alittle, maybe push Shibuya to day 5 night after mount Takao. Wanted Takao cause it a day of doing something different from the city

Thanks for the advise!

 

[evilerniex]

Is there any notable attractions on the way from Kintetsu Namba station to Kintetsu Nara station?

Am thinking of adding 1 more place to the day trip

how about travelling further to Uji? but not on Kintetsy though

 

[evilerniex]

Its actually my second trip. Previously took a central japan tour but super short on time cause it covered Tokyo (including Disneysea), Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka.

Which is why I wanted to return to visit the places which I missed~

Cleared Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama previously and I had the most free time in Osaka hence deciding not to head back~

I'll adjust day 6 alittle, maybe push Shibuya to day 5 night after mount Takao. Wanted Takao cause it a day of doing something different from the city

Thanks for the advise!

in that case it is fine. just need space out day 6 a little.
shibuya on day 5 sounds ok coz u will be heading back before it gets dark. so u have the evening for shibuya. but provided u are not too tired after hiking

 

[evilerniex]

Hi guys/ladies, I will be heading to japan during may from 10 - 16 May. As it is the first time there, hoping for more input to my itinerary plan.

Day 1:
1400: Touch down at Narita
Go check in hotel (Sotetsu Fresa Inn Hamamatsucho Daimon, anyone stayed there or know the direction?)
Have dinner nearby?
Tokyo Tower?
[ur hotel is near Onarimon and Daimon station, but both will require a bit of transfer from narita airport. alternatively, u can walk from Hamamatsuchos station which is on the JR Yamanote line. less transfer but more walking.
Tokyo Tower on day 1 is good since it is near ur hotel. so just take it easy, visit tokyo tower, and if still got time and energy, can walk to roppongi]

Day 2:
Disneyland (presume whole day, want to catch the firework display)

Day 3:
Tsukiji Market (what time to go)
Sushi breakfast?
Shinjuku, shibuya, harajuku?
[if u want to catch the tuna auction, u probably need to there at 4am coz slots are limited. the good thing is, u can walk from ur hotel to tsukiji as there is not train at this hour
Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku in 1 day will be too rush. better to have at most 2 places.]

Day 4:
Akihabara?
[u may want to slot in ueno or asakusa in the morning coz shops usually only opens at ard 11am]

Day 5:
[how about Odaiba?]

Day 6:
[day-trip or overnight to hakone?]

Day 7:
Checkout
Head to haneda airport

Any suggestion? Such as places to visit to eat and such. Also is it possible to have 1-2 Days stay in Hakone, wish to experience hot spring. (Any lodging to recommend, preferably with private in-room hot spring bath)

comments above

 

[doubleqins]

Hi everyone! I'd like some feedback on this as well!

(12 may T)Day 1: Tokyo

(13 may W)Day 2:Tokyo

(14 may T)Day 3: Tokyo

(15 may F)Day 4: Tokyo

(16 may S)Day 5: Tokyo to Hiroshima, Explore Miyajima JRP1

(17 may S)Day 6: Hiroshima JRP2

(18 may M)Day 7: Move to Kyoto (Visit Himeji too) JRP3

(19 may T)Day 8: Kyoto JRP4

(20 may W)Day 9: Kyoto JRP5

(21 may T)Day 10: Kyoto to Nikko JRP6

(22 may F)Day 11: Nikko to Narita in evening JRP7

(23 may S)Day 12: fly out

 

[evilerniex]

Hi everyone! I'd like some feedback on this as well!

(12 may T)Day 1: Tokyo

(13 may W)Day 2:Tokyo

(14 may T)Day 3: Tokyo

(15 may F)Day 4: Tokyo

(16 may S)Day 5: Tokyo to Hiroshima, Explore Miyajima JRP1

(17 may S)Day 6: Hiroshima JRP2

(18 may M)Day 7: Move to Kyoto (Visit Himeji too) JRP3

(19 may T)Day 8: Kyoto JRP4

(20 may W)Day 9: Kyoto JRP5

(21 may T)Day 10: Kyoto to Nikko JRP6

(22 may F)Day 11: Nikko to Narita in evening JRP7

(23 may S)Day 12: fly out

looks ok. will need more details to give further comments.


note that it is about 5hr from Kyoto to Nikko, and about 3hrs from Nikko to Narita. so u dun really have much time for Nikko.


no Osaka at all?


any plans for shopping? if so, maybe it will be better to reverse ur itinerary and have Tokyo at the end so u dun have to carry the things u buy in Tokyo also over the places

 

[doubleqins]

Thanks for the reply.

I won't be doing much shopping, and i won't be visiting Osaka as well, as i've been there.

I thought so too, how's this instead?

(20 may W)Day 9: Kyoto to Tokyo JRP5

(21 may T)Day 10: Nikko JRP6

(22 may F)Day 11: Nikko back to Tokyo in evening JRP7

(23 may S)Day 12: NEX back to Narita

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks for the reply.

I won't be doing much shopping, and i won't be visiting Osaka as well, as i've been there.

I thought so too, how's this instead?

(20 may W)Day 9: Kyoto to Tokyo JRP5

(21 may T)Day 10: Nikko JRP6

(22 may F)Day 11: Nikko back to Tokyo in evening JRP7

(23 may S)Day 12: NEX back to Narita

this looks good. u can do last min shopping in tokyo on day 11 and 12

 

[doubleqins]

this looks good. u can do last min shopping in tokyo on day 11 and 12

Will you recommend i stop over in Tokyo for the night on Day 9, or just leave from Kyoto to Nikko straight away, on Day 10? The earliest Shinkansen that'll leave from Kyoto is at 6+, so the earliest i'll reach is 11am.. Is that enough time for exploring Nikko?

 

[evilerniex]

Will you recommend i stop over in Tokyo for the night on Day 9, or just leave from Kyoto to Nikko straight away, on Day 10? The earliest Shinkansen that'll leave from Kyoto is at 6+, so the earliest i'll reach is 11am.. Is that enough time for exploring Nikko?

I think it will be better to go straight to Nikko to avoid the hassle of changing hotels.

if u are planning to visit the world heritage shrines and temples in Nikko, then 1 day is enuf. if u can reach at 11+ u may even be able to finish within the same day and return to Tokyo at night.

if u intent to visit lake chuzenji area as well, then u will need another half to 1 day because of travel time. u need to take a bus to the lake, and the getting to the various waterfalls requires yet another bus.

my suggestion on how to fit in Nikko:

Option 1 (World Heritage only)
day 9: Kyoto to Tokyo in evening
day 10: day trip to Nikko
day 11: Tokyo

Option 2 (World Heritage + Lake Chuzenji)
day 9: Kyoto
day 10: Kyoto to Nikko in morning, visiting world heritage in afternoon. overnight in Nikko
day 11: Lake Chuzenji. Return to Tokyo in evening/night

 

[doubleqins]

I think it will be better to go straight to Nikko to avoid the hassle of changing hotels.

if u are planning to visit the world heritage shrines and temples in Nikko, then 1 day is enuf. if u can reach at 11+ u may even be able to finish within the same day and return to Tokyo at night.

if u intent to visit lake chuzenji area as well, then u will need another half to 1 day because of travel time. u need to take a bus to the lake, and the getting to the various waterfalls requires yet another bus.

my suggestion on how to fit in Nikko:

Option 1 (World Heritage only)
day 9: Kyoto to Tokyo in evening
day 10: day trip to Nikko
day 11: Tokyo

Option 2 (World Heritage + Lake Chuzenji)
day 9: Kyoto
day 10: Kyoto to Nikko in morning, visiting world heritage in afternoon. overnight in Nikko
day 11: Lake Chuzenji. Return to Tokyo in evening/night

Thanks. I think i'll spend 2 days in Nikko as i'm rather slow hahaha. Do you think it's a good idea to move from Nikko to Narita straight away?

Day 10: Kyoto to Nikko
Day 11: Nikko back to Narita in evening
Day 12: Expore Narita area and check-in for flight