Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[magna_strike]

just finished planning for a short trip to tokyo 18-22jan. wonder if im cramming too much daily?

day 1:
touchdown at narita 1035hrs
tokyo skytree and lunch
senso-ji
check in hostel
akihabara for yodobashi and gundam cafe
KIV rainbow bridge

day 2:
check out hostel
breakfast at tsukiji (gonna skip auction)
tokyo station
tosho-gu shrine at nikko
ikekuburo for BIC camera and kitkat store
shibuya crossing and hachiko statue
shinjuku for dinner and shopping
see tokyo tower at night

day 3:
early morning sumo training at hamacho
to kita kamakura and take daibutsu trail towards the daibutsu buddha
explore Hase awhile
pm guided tour of imperial palace
go disneyland llss
tokyo station ramen street
sento/osen

day 4:
meiji-jingu at 8am for ceremony
lake kawaguchiko for mt fuji
climb tenjo zan for more views of mt fuji
sengakuji to see 47 ronin graves & museum
KIV yasukuni shrine if free
last min shopping

Day 5:
back to sg in morning flight at 1145hrs

 

[evilerniex]

just finished planning for a short trip to tokyo 18-22jan. wonder if im cramming too much daily?

day 1:
touchdown at narita 1035hrs
tokyo skytree and lunch
senso-ji
check in hostel
akihabara for yodobashi and gundam cafe
KIV rainbow bridge
[u probably wun have time for rainbow bridge]

day 2:
check out hostel
breakfast at tsukiji (gonna skip auction)
tokyo station
tosho-gu shrine at nikko
ikekuburo for BIC camera and kitkat store
shibuya crossing and hachiko statue
shinjuku for dinner and shopping
see tokyo tower at night
[it is 2hr by Tobu train to nikko and u will still have to take a bus to get to Tosho-gu. these itself will take more than half a day. even if u drop nikko, tsukiji, tokyo station, ikebukuro, shibuya, shinjuku and tokyo tower is too much to cover in a single day.]

day 3:
early morning sumo training at hamacho
to kita kamakura and take daibutsu trail towards the daibutsu buddha
explore Hase awhile
pm guided tour of imperial palace
go disneyland llss
tokyo station ramen street
sento/osen
[it is about 1hr from tokyo to kamakura. the hike from kita-kamakura to the big buddha take 1-1.5hr according to japan-guide. so it is likely to be late afternoon or evening by the time u get back to tokyo. will be hard to squeeze the rest of the places into an evening]

day 4:
meiji-jingu at 8am for ceremony
lake kawaguchiko for mt fuji
climb tenjo zan for more views of mt fuji
sengakuji to see 47 ronin graves & museum
KIV yasukuni shrine if free
last min shopping
[wat time are u planning to head to kawaguchi? bear in mind that it takes abt 2.5hrs by bus from shinjuku to kawaguchiko, and that the sun set early it gets dark by about 5pm in winter]

Day 5:
back to sg in morning flight at 1145hrs

comments above.
try not to pack to many places into a day. and u need to factor in the travelling time to get from place to place

 

[evilerniex]

Going to Osaka in Nov. Will stay Noda area for whole vacation. Hence will be travelling back everyday.

Need help in deciding if I need any rail pass and which one. Also which days too busy/free and where else you will recommend. Many thanks.

Day 1- Arrived in Osaka at night.
Day 2- Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, Shimogamo Shrine.
Day 3- Kyoto Arashiyama, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryū-ji, Kinkaku-ji.
Day 4- Kyoto Tōfuku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Uji Ujigami Shrine, Byodoin Temple.
Day 5- Nara Tōdai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga-taisha.
Day 6- Osaka Hōzen-ji Temple, Katsuō-ji, Expo Commemoration Park.
Day 7- Universal Studios Japan.
Day 8- Himeji Castle, Dōtonbori.
Day 9- Osaka Castle Park. Will be going airport for evening flight.

u can consider getting a 1-day bus pass for day 2. maybe lump kinkakuji in day 2 also since u can take a bus there.

will be worth it to get 1-day JR West Kansai area pass to cover the trip to Himeji as mentioned by cpuer. u can consider getting 2-day also if u are planning to take the faster Haruka limited express train to the airport.

 

[cpuer]

will be really "chuan" type of itinerary.

Drop Nikko or even Kamakura lah. 3.5 days is barely enough for Tokyo only.Take this as your intro to Tokyo trip, no need squeeze so much into one shot, JP will always be there waiting for your return trip.

 

[magna_strike]

comments above.
try not to pack to many places into a day. and u need to factor in the travelling time to get from place to place

hi, thanks for the pointers! hmmm the reason i designed it that way was i think i wont be staying very long in each place. e.g day 2 estimate around 930am leave tsukiji and go tokyo station to get a kanto area pass den straight off to nikko then walk to toshogu? then the rest of the day just anyhow wander around only still not enough time?
day 3 i plan for maybe 730-830am watch the sumo training then off to kita kamakura, should be more than enough time bah? i estimate by noon time i will be back in tokyo le..
day 4 will reach mejijingu early then see ceremony and by 830 or so leave for kawaguchiko via train? is train or bus better? estimate will reach around 10plus at kawaguchiko if thats the case..

did time estimates using hyperdia app, so should be accurate? thanks for your tips btw!

 

[Illusionist_85]

Hi folks

I'm seeking for some suggestions to finalize the details especially on the day of visit. gonna fly off tonite

himeji castle (thinking to go over there straight away since my hostel book in timing is after 1500hrs and i m arriving at around 0900hrs)

Eastern kyoto full day
Ginkakuji
Philosopher path
Eikando
Nanzenji
Keage
Heian shrine
Yasaka shrines
Kodaiji
Higashiyama Street
Kiyomizudera
Gion

Arashiyama full day
Monkey Park
Togetsukyo bridge
Tenryuji
Bamboo groves
Jojakkoji
Gioji
Otagi nenbutsuji
Daikakuji


Northern kyoto
Kinkakuji
Ryoanji
Ninnaji
Daitokuji

Nara
Isuien garden
Todaiji temple
Kofukuji temple
Yoshikien garden


Osaka

USJ

Shitennoji temple
Hozen temple
Namba Park

Osaka station city
Grand front osaka
Floating garden
Hep five ferris wheel

Shinsaibashi
Dotonbori
Tenjimbashisuji shopping street
Namba Yasaka shrine

i have bought the kansai wide pass, is it worth to buy icoca and haruka package?
bo hua to activate the pass right during the arrival date?
also any other day pass to hoot for the bus? thanks in advance

 

[evilerniex]

hi, thanks for the pointers! hmmm the reason i designed it that way was i think i wont be staying very long in each place. e.g day 2 estimate around 930am leave tsukiji and go tokyo station to get a kanto area pass den straight off to nikko then walk to toshogu? then the rest of the day just anyhow wander around only still not enough time?
day 3 i plan for maybe 730-830am watch the sumo training then off to kita kamakura, should be more than enough time bah? i estimate by noon time i will be back in tokyo le..
day 4 will reach mejijingu early then see ceremony and by 830 or so leave for kawaguchiko via train? is train or bus better? estimate will reach around 10plus at kawaguchiko if thats the case..

did time estimates using hyperdia app, so should be accurate? thanks for your tips btw!

yup, hyperdia timings are very accurate. but it doesnt account for travelling to the station, getting to the platform etc.

lets say u leave tsukiji by 930, u may be able to reach tokyo by 945 and take the 10+am shinkansen to nikko. it takes about 2hr by JR because u need to change at utsunomiya station. so u will be in nikko probably ard 1230. Toshogu shrine is 2.3km from the station, so u need about 30min of walking. earliest u can be at Toshogu shrine is probably ard 1pm. if u spend only 1hr there, u can be back in tokyo at ard 430pm. it is still possible to cover ikebukuro, shibuya, shinjuku and tokyo tower.

however, i feel that it is not worth the travelling time if u are going to travel 5hrs just to spend 1hr at Toshogu shrine. there are a few other shrines and temples in nikko and it will take u at least 2-3hr to cover these places. there is also lake chuzenji and a few waterfalls, but these are even further away.

 

[Illusionist_85]

boss can help? if possible can i join the grp chat?

 

[evilerniex]

Hi folks

I'm seeking for some suggestions to finalize the details especially on the day of visit. gonna fly off tonite

himeji castle (thinking to go over there straight away since my hostel book in timing is after 1500hrs and i m arriving at around 0900hrs)

Eastern kyoto full day
Ginkakuji
Philosopher path
Eikando
Nanzenji
Keage
Heian shrine
Yasaka shrines
Kodaiji
Higashiyama Street
Kiyomizudera
Gion

Arashiyama full day
Monkey Park
Togetsukyo bridge
Tenryuji
Bamboo groves
Jojakkoji
Gioji
Otagi nenbutsuji
Daikakuji


Northern kyoto
Kinkakuji
Ryoanji
Ninnaji
Daitokuji

Nara
Isuien garden
Todaiji temple
Kofukuji temple
Yoshikien garden


Osaka

USJ

Shitennoji temple
Hozen temple
Namba Park

Osaka station city
Grand front osaka
Floating garden
Hep five ferris wheel

Shinsaibashi
Dotonbori
Tenjimbashisuji shopping street
Namba Yasaka shrine

i have bought the kansai wide pass, is it worth to buy icoca and haruka package?
bo hua to activate the pass right during the arrival date?
also any other day pass to hoot for the bus? thanks in advance

from ur itinerary, u dun really need kansai wide pass. kansai area pass is enuf to cover the trip to himeji, unless ur plan is to experience shinkansen, which the wide pass covers.

u dun need the icoca haruka package, because ur kansai wide pass already covers the haruka train to kansai airport.

u will want to activate ur pass to cover the longer trips which is to the airport and and to himeji. so if u are going himeji on first day, u will want to activate it straightaway when u reach.

there is a 1-day bus pass for kyoto which u can purchase at the bus terminal outside kyoto station. that will be useful for covering the eastern and northern kyoto part of ur itinerary

 

[evilerniex]

boss can help? if possible can i join the grp chat?

i tot u are already in the group chat?

 

[Illusionist_85]

from ur itinerary, u dun really need kansai wide pass. kansai area pass is enuf to cover the trip to himeji, unless ur plan is to experience shinkansen, which the wide pass covers.

u dun need the icoca haruka package, because ur kansai wide pass already covers the haruka train to kansai airport.

u will want to activate ur pass to cover the longer trips which is to the airport and and to himeji. so if u are going himeji on first day, u will want to activate it straightaway when u reach.

there is a 1-day bus pass for kyoto which u can purchase at the bus terminal outside kyoto station. that will be useful for covering the eastern and northern kyoto part of ur itinerary

thanks, is there a limit on the bus pass purchase per person?

i tot u are already in the group chat?

dimitri_can mentioned the grp chat is full, so i m unable to join

 

[cpuer]

No limit on the day passes purchase. Its available at the machines or manned counters

 

[starryling]

Kyoto/osaka

first time in japan, and as part of the trip, will be headed to osaka/kyoto (2 to 5 Nov). planned itinerary as below!

2 nov (day 1)
- tokyo to osaka
- check in Kaneyoshi Ryokan @ Namba area (according to hotel website, nearest station is nippombashi)
- instant ramen museum
- dotonburi

3 nov (day 2)
USJ

4 nov (day 3)
- osaka to kyoto
- Fushimi-Inari-Taisha
- gion, kiyomizu shrine
- back to osaka

qns 1: checked hyperdia and this was what they proposed.
nippombashi - namba subway - umeda subway - osaka - kyoto - inari

would it be better if i take the shinkansen to kyoto and change to another line to get to inari station, since i have the JR pass?

qns 2: can I squeeze in a few other shrines in kyoto on day 3, and any remote possibility of heading to arashiyama to see the bamboo forest? typically how long shd i set aside for bamboo forest, incl. travel time?

5 nov (day 4)
- osaka aquarium
- osaka to kyoto
- arashiyama
- approx 3pm leave for tokyo


qns 3: is it worth going to the osaka aquarium?


many thanks in advance!!

 

[evilerniex]

first time in japan, and as part of the trip, will be headed to osaka/kyoto (2 to 5 Nov). planned itinerary as below!

2 nov (day 1)
- tokyo to osaka
- check in Kaneyoshi Ryokan @ Namba area (according to hotel website, nearest station is nippombashi)
- instant ramen museum
- dotonburi

3 nov (day 2)
USJ

4 nov (day 3)
- osaka to kyoto
- Fushimi-Inari-Taisha
- gion, kiyomizu shrine
- back to osaka

qns 1: checked hyperdia and this was what they proposed.
nippombashi - namba subway - umeda subway - osaka - kyoto - inari

would it be better if i take the shinkansen to kyoto and change to another line to get to inari station, since i have the JR pass?

qns 2: can I squeeze in a few other shrines in kyoto on day 3, and any remote possibility of heading to arashiyama to see the bamboo forest? typically how long shd i set aside for bamboo forest, incl. travel time?

5 nov (day 4)
- osaka aquarium
- osaka to kyoto
- arashiyama
- approx 3pm leave for tokyo


qns 3: is it worth going to the osaka aquarium?


many thanks in advance!!

1) shinkansen only runs between shin-osaka and kyoto. it takes about the same time to get to kyoto using shinkansen compared to normal train.

if u want to minimise the hassle of transfering train, u can go by keihan line to fushimi inari station:
nippombashi -> kitahama -> fushimiinari

2) yes, u can squeeze in a few others, especially those along higashiyama.
arashiyama will be a bit of a stretch though

3) osaka aquarium is nice, especially with the whale shark. better than sentosa. but really depends if u like such stuff

 

[magna_strike]

yup, hyperdia timings are very accurate. but it doesnt account for travelling to the station, getting to the platform etc.

lets say u leave tsukiji by 930, u may be able to reach tokyo by 945 and take the 10+am shinkansen to nikko. it takes about 2hr by JR because u need to change at utsunomiya station. so u will be in nikko probably ard 1230. Toshogu shrine is 2.3km from the station, so u need about 30min of walking. earliest u can be at Toshogu shrine is probably ard 1pm. if u spend only 1hr there, u can be back in tokyo at ard 430pm. it is still possible to cover ikebukuro, shibuya, shinjuku and tokyo tower.

however, i feel that it is not worth the travelling time if u are going to travel 5hrs just to spend 1hr at Toshogu shrine. there are a few other shrines and temples in nikko and it will take u at least 2-3hr to cover these places. there is also lake chuzenji and a few waterfalls, but these are even further away.

thanks for the advice! hmmm guess i should re-tailor my trip to nikko.. nah, lake chuzenji is abit too far off for me hahah..shall see what i can do about nikko, might even scrap that in favour of other places to go..

 

[majora]

Some quick questions guys:

1)which portable internet device should I get? My trip will be 14 days with 2 devices that need internet

2)If I am staying 7 days in Osaka region and 7 days in Tokyo region, should I get a 7 days or 14 days JRpass? Current travel plan as per below:

1 Dec: Head straight to kyoto from Narita airport by train (activate JRpass)
2-5 Dec: Station in Kyoto, day/side trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara
6 Dec: Travel to Kinosaki
7 Dec: Kinosaki to Tokyo
8-14 Dec: Tokyo

Thanks for help!

 

[cpuer]

Some quick questions guys:

1)which portable internet device should I get? My trip will be 14 days with 2 devices that need internet

2)If I am staying 7 days in Osaka region and 7 days in Tokto region, should I get a 7 days or 14 days JRpass? Current travel plan as per below:

1 Dec: Head straight to kyoto from Narita airport by train (activate JRpass)
2-5 Dec: Station in Kyoto, day/side trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara
6 Dec: Travel to Kinosaki
7 Dec: Kinosaki to Tokyo
8-14 Dec: Tokyo

Thanks for help!

if 8-14 is all within the metropolitan tokyo, then 7 days will suffice. If you need to travel to nearby sights like Nikko, Mt Fuji, Kamakura, they have their own passes too.

 

[majora]

if 8-14 is all within the metropolitan tokyo, then 7 days will suffice. If you need to travel to nearby sights like Nikko, Mt Fuji, Kamakura, they have their own passes too.

alright thanks

 

[eq2addict]

first time in japan, and as part of the trip, will be headed to osaka/kyoto (2 to 5 Nov). planned itinerary as below!

2 nov (day 1)
- tokyo to osaka
- check in Kaneyoshi Ryokan @ Namba area (according to hotel website, nearest station is nippombashi)
- instant ramen museum
- dotonburi

nipponbashi train station area , got 1 huge area full of love hotels haha ...

 

[liviatan]

HIHI! planning for my 1st trip to Tokyo.
need your suggestion on my itinerary?
is it too rush or too much in a day?
Thanks in advance!


Day 1: 2nd Apr (sat)
Arrival to Tokyo 08.40 (Narita)
Check in Shinjuku
Meet up with colleagues/friends in Japan
tokyo tower

Day 2: 3rd Apr (Sun)
Northern tokyo (ueno park, Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Nakumise street, Sumida park, Tokyo Sky Tree)

Day 3: 4th apr (mon)
central tokyo (Tsukiji market , imperial palace, imperial garden, Koishikawa Korakuen)
Ghibil museum

Day 4: 5th Apr (tue)
Disneyland

Day 5: 6th Apr (wed)
Disneysea

Day 6: 7th Apr(Thurs)
Mt fuji
stay at kawaguchiko

Day 7: 8th Apr(Fri)
Hakone
Gotemba outlet
return back to tokyo or should i stay at hakone?

Day 8: 9th Apr (Sat)
western tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku gyeon nation garden, Yoyogi park, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita street)

Day 9: 10th Apr (sun)
odaiba, Depart from Narita, 5pm