Japan Sample Itinerary thread

[addicted-addiction]

IMO, cut out Osaka if you need to. But you actually spend only 2 days there, if you take out one day there, you wont be spending much time in osaka, personally I don't think you will miss out much though.

Group the Hiroshima/Himeji/Odawara(Hakone) within the 7 days, you will make the JR pass worth.

Thanks!

Will a day trip to Odawara be sufficient?

Edit: and is there any place to store luggage for a short while at the train stations?

 

[cpuer]

Thanks!

Will a day trip to Odawara be sufficient?

Edit: and is there any place to store luggage for a short while at the train stations?

a day trip to Odawara? Or you mean to hakone? hakone need one full day. many would recommend 2 days to enjoy it fully.

Heres have the details
http://jprail.com/travel-informatio...dakyu-lines.html#To_Hakone_by_Japan_Rail_Pass

Most mid to large size train stations would have lockers. But those smaller ones may not have lockers. Even they have lockers doesn't mean there are one that fit your luggage or available at the time your need it.

 

[evilerniex]

Hi guys,

I'm planning a trip to Tokyo-Osaka in late march / early april. First solo and first time to japan hence budget is rather tight. Currently this is my planned itinerary. Have yet to fix what I want to see within each day, but these are the cities I am planning to go :

Day 1 - Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Tokyo
Day 4 - Tokyo
Day 5 - Tokyo
Day 6 - Tokyo Day trip -> hakone -> Kyoto(Start of JR PASS)
Day 7 - Kyoto
Day 8 - Kyoto
Day 9 - Kyoto
Day 10 - Kyoto Day trip to Nara -> Osaka
Day 11 - Osaka Day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajuma
Day 12 - Osaka Day trip to Himeji (end of JR PASS)
Day 13 - Osaka
Day 14 - Osaka

I'm getting very confusing information from different people and I can't decide whether to take the willer express bus or get the JR pass..
Also, making the trip 13D12N is considerably cheaper than this 14D13N hence I am not sure which city to cut out if I do decide for the 13D.

I will need to book my flights by tomorrow latest.
Could someone enlighten me?

overnight bus will be cheaper than shinkansen and u save on a night of accommodation. the trade off will be that u wun have a place to wash up, and u may not have a good sleep.
so if u are those that can sleep anywhere, or can tahan a not sleeping well for a night, u can just save $$ and go for overnight bus. in this case, u dun need the 7-days JR pass. u can get the JR West Kansai Hiroshima pass instead:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_kansai_hiroshima.html



if u need to cut a night, I would suggest either from Tokyo or Kyoto. coz u only have 2 days for Osaka, and one of which is ur departure day. so u actually only have 1 full day in Osaka.


another way is to stay throughout in Osaka and make day trips to Kyoto since it is only 30min away. that way, u can visit Osaka in the evening/night since there is nothing much to do in Kyoto after dark.


I would recommend staying a night in Hiroshima so u have more time to explore Hiroshima and miyajima. and u can visit Himeji on the way back from Hiroshima to Osaka since it is along the way.

 

[addicted-addiction]

a day trip to Odawara? Or you mean to hakone? hakone need one full day. many would recommend 2 days to enjoy it fully.

Heres have the details
http://jprail.com/travel-informatio...dakyu-lines.html#To_Hakone_by_Japan_Rail_Pass

Most mid to large size train stations would have lockers. But those smaller ones may not have lockers. Even they have lockers doesn't mean there are one that fit your luggage or available at the time your need it.

Okay! I'm not intending to bring much stuff, but only necessary so just gotta hope there is space when i'm there!

overnight bus will be cheaper than shinkansen and u save on a night of accommodation. the trade off will be that u wun have a place to wash up, and u may not have a good sleep.
so if u are those that can sleep anywhere, or can tahan a not sleeping well for a night, u can just save $$ and go for overnight bus. in this case, u dun need the 7-days JR pass. u can get the JR West Kansai Hiroshima pass instead:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_kansai_hiroshima.html



if u need to cut a night, I would suggest either from Tokyo or Kyoto. coz u only have 2 days for Osaka, and one of which is ur departure day. so u actually only have 1 full day in Osaka.


another way is to stay throughout in Osaka and make day trips to Kyoto since it is only 30min away. that way, u can visit Osaka in the evening/night since there is nothing much to do in Kyoto after dark.


I would recommend staying a night in Hiroshima so u have more time to explore Hiroshima and miyajima. and u can visit Himeji on the way back from Hiroshima to Osaka since it is along the way.

I decided to go ahead and book for 14 days instead, since i felt it won't be anytime soon that I will visit Japan again so might as well spend another day.

I think I will go for the overnight bus, and then the West Kansai Hiroshima Pass when in Kansai area. The costs appears to come out to be way cheaper compared to the JR Pass which is great.

Will the pass be eligible for local buses there?

Also, would I have to get new local travel cards like ICOCA or Pasmo when in Osaka/Tokyo respectively or is there a one card for all?

 

[evilerniex]

Okay! I'm not intending to bring much stuff, but only necessary so just gotta hope there is space when i'm there!



I decided to go ahead and book for 14 days instead, since i felt it won't be anytime soon that I will visit Japan again so might as well spend another day.

I think I will go for the overnight bus, and then the West Kansai Hiroshima Pass when in Kansai area. The costs appears to come out to be way cheaper compared to the JR Pass which is great.

Will the pass be eligible for local buses there?

Also, would I have to get new local travel cards like ICOCA or Pasmo when in Osaka/Tokyo respectively or is there a one card for all?

JR pass cant be used for buses in kyoto. but there is a 1-day bus pass whcih u can purchase there.

ICOCA, Pasmo, SUICA can be used interchangeably in tokyo and osaka.

 

[addicted-addiction]

JR pass cant be used for buses in kyoto. but there is a 1-day bus pass whcih u can purchase there.

ICOCA, Pasmo, SUICA can be used interchangeably in tokyo and osaka.

Thats great to hear! Thanks!

 

[Biogentic]

Very much appreciate your help on my upcoming trip. i will get the all nikko pass.
What do you think about this fuji day tour
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/F800/?category=182&typecd=TOU&destcd=M04&ms=1&sbit=4,9

i am also planning on gg one day mt fuji trip and will be booking from the same operator as you but since i am staying at shinjuku station, i will be taking the tour that depart and return to shinjuku by bus. cheaper by 4k jpy and return to my hotel instead of taking the bullet train which is really expensive

 

[addicted-addiction]

Hi guys, could someone help me see if this itinerary would be okay? If its fine I will go ahead and book my accommodation.
Running out of options on airbnb le.. I also incorporated some suggestions from the previous posts here. Last week of March to second week April to catch sakura.

1 - Tokyo (Arr ~ 11am)
2 - Tokyo
3 - Tokyo
4 - Tokyo
5 - Tokyo (Dep ~ 8pm) overnight
6 - Kyoto (Arr ~ 6am)
7 - Kyoto
8 - Kyoto (Dep 7AM)/Hiroshima/Miyajima
[start of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
9 - Hiroshima/Himeji/Osaka (Arr 8PM)
10 - Osaka/Nara
11 - Osaka (may visit Kobe)
12 - Osaka
[end of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
13 - Osaka
14 - Osaka ( leave for airport ~ 4PM )

 

[evilerniex]

Hi guys, could someone help me see if this itinerary would be okay? If its fine I will go ahead and book my accommodation.
Running out of options on airbnb le.. I also incorporated some suggestions from the previous posts here. Last week of March to second week April to catch sakura.

1 - Tokyo (Arr ~ 11am)
2 - Tokyo
3 - Tokyo
4 - Tokyo
5 - Tokyo (Dep ~ 8pm) overnight
6 - Kyoto (Arr ~ 6am)
7 - Kyoto
8 - Kyoto (Dep 7AM)/Hiroshima/Miyajima
[start of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
9 - Hiroshima/Himeji/Osaka (Arr 8PM)
10 - Osaka/Nara
11 - Osaka (may visit Kobe)
12 - Osaka
[end of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
13 - Osaka
14 - Osaka ( leave for airport ~ 4PM )

maybe u can cover ur trip to KIX with the kansai Hiroshima pass.
something like this:
6 - Osaka
7 - Osaka
8 - Osaka (may visit Kobe)
9 - Osaka/Nara
10 - Osaka (Dep 7AM)/Hiroshima/Miyajima [start of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
11 - Hiroshima/Himeji/Kyoto(Arr 8PM)
12 - Kyoto
13 - Kyoto
14 - Kyoto (ltd exp Harukas to KIX) [end of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]


may also want to stay throughout in either Osaka or Kyoto for the kansai part, so it is easy to switch itinerary around depending on when the sakura bloom. u can probably arrange to leave ur main luggage in the hotel and bring minimum luggage to Hiroshima for a night.

 

[addicted-addiction]

maybe u can cover ur trip to KIX with the kansai Hiroshima pass.
something like this:
6 - Osaka
7 - Osaka
8 - Osaka (may visit Kobe)
9 - Osaka/Nara
10 - Osaka (Dep 7AM)/Hiroshima/Miyajima [start of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]
11 - Hiroshima/Himeji/Kyoto(Arr 8PM)
12 - Kyoto
13 - Kyoto
14 - Kyoto (ltd exp Harukas to KIX) [end of Kansai Hiroshima Pass]


may also want to stay throughout in either Osaka or Kyoto for the kansai part, so it is easy to switch itinerary around depending on when the sakura bloom. u can probably arrange to leave ur main luggage in the hotel and bring minimum luggage to Hiroshima for a night.

I wanted to stay in Kyoto to experience the different kind of housing available. I will most probably go for your revised itinerary. Seems like that would allow me to maximise my time in Osaka. Thanks!

 

[GoToSea]

Guys, my itinerary is as below.. Do I need any correction?
Flying using Delta to Narita at 2 PM.. Leaving from Narita to SG at 5 PM.

For Hakone and Kawaguchiko, is it better to buy a Hakone Fuji pass? Is the JR activation during my journey to Osaka is ok?

25 November (Tokyo)
PM: Kaminarimon, Nakamise dori, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Odaiba
Stay in Tokyo

26 November (Hakone - Kawaguchiko)
AM: open air museum, art museum, gora park,owakudani, lake ashi, hakone shrine
PM: Travel to Kawaguchiko
Stay in Kawaguchiko

27 November (Kawaguchiko)
Full day Kawaguchiko
Stay in Kawaguchiko

28 November (Osaka - Himeji) JR pass activated
AM: Travel to Osaka, check in
Noon: Day trip Himeji Temple
PM: Minami (Namba)
Stay in Osaka

29 November (Osaka - Kobe)
AM: Osaka Castle, Umeda, Peace Osaka, Shitennoji Temple
PM: Dinner Kobe beef
Stay in Osaka

30 November (Kyoto)
AM: Travel ke Kyoto
Noon: Ginkakuji, Nanzenji, Heian Shrine, Yasaka, Kodaiji Shrine
PM: Higashiyama, Kiyomizudera
Stay in Kyoto

01 December (Kyoto)
AM: Arashiyama, Tenryuji, Bamboo Groves, Jojakkoji
Noon: Saga Toriimoto street
PM: Otagi Nenbutsuji, Daikakuji
Stay in Kyoto

02 December (Kyoto)
AM: Kinkakuji, Ryoanji
Noon: Fushimi Inari
PM: (??)
Stay in Kyoto

03 December (Shirakawago)
AM: Travel to Shirakawago
Full day Shirakawago
Stay in Shirakawago

04 December (Tokyo) JR pass last day
Travel to Tokyo
AM: Meiji Shrine, Takeshita dori
Noon-PM: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara
Stay in Tokyo

05 December (Tokyo)
AM: Tsukiji Market
Noon-PM: miraikan museum, diver city (gundam), aqua city deck looking at rainbow bridge, palette town
Stay in Tokyo

06 December (Tokyo)
(anything else?)
Depart to airport

 

[evilerniex]

Guys, my itinerary is as below.. Do I need any correction?
Flying using Delta to Narita at 2 PM.. Leaving from Narita to SG at 5 PM.

For Hakone and Kawaguchiko, is it better to buy a Hakone Fuji pass? Is the JR activation during my journey to Osaka is ok?

it may be better to do kawaguchi first then hakone coz it is easier to get to osaka from hakone.

i think it is still worth it to get the fuji hakone pass, even though u wun be using the return trip. u may want to calculate and see if getting single trip tickets is cheaper.

ur 4 dec day looks very packed. it will probably be noon by the time u reach tokyo and check-in to ur accom. maybe cover harajuku on ur last day?

 

[GoToSea]

it may be better to do kawaguchi first then hakone coz it is easier to get to osaka from hakone.

i think it is still worth it to get the fuji hakone pass, even though u wun be using the return trip. u may want to calculate and see if getting single trip tickets is cheaper.

ur 4 dec day looks very packed. it will probably be noon by the time u reach tokyo and check-in to ur accom. maybe cover harajuku on ur last day?

Thanks, appreciate your advice.
in that case will do Kawaguchi first then hakone. Tokyo side will depend on my leftover energy.. lol

 

[meandyou]

Bro evil

I will be going back tml after a week plus here in Tokyo.
Everything sui sui and smoothly..
Thk you for your advices.

 

[majora]

Hi people, this is a continuation to my 14 days japan itinerary planning. Currently only plan halfway, hopefully I can finish the rest next week.

Anyway, my planning is up till Osaka/Kyoto region, perhaps we can review on that first.

1/12
Reach Narita airport
Exchange for JRpass and take bullet train to Osaka
Check-in Airbnb apartment and the rest of the day, explore and dinner at Namba

2/12
Breakfast at endo sushi
Osaka castle
Lunch at Kichi Kichi
Go Nara
Shinshibashi shopping and dinner

3/12
Head to Kyoto after breakfast
Explore and lunch at Nishiki Market (lunch @Kyoto Gogyo (Burnt Ramen))
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Head to Shinsekai for dinner
Head back to hotel

4/12
Head to Arashiyama, lunch there
(Arashiyama half day trip)
Head to Kinkakuji to visit Kiyomizudera and other temples
Explore Gion, Geisha street and dinner at Isshen Yoshoku(Can try Okonomiyaki for dinner)
Head back to hotel

5/12
USJ
Dinner at Dotonbori

6/12
Check out and head to Kinosaki Onsen and stay for a night there.

7/12
Check out at Kinosaki
Take bullet train to Super Hotel JR (Ikebukuro Nishiguchi, Tokyo)

8/12
(Western Tokyo Full day)
Breakfast and head to Meiji Shrine+Yoyogi Koen
Takeshita Dori
Omotesando and lunch there
Head to Shibuya and explore
Take a train to Shinjuku, explore and dinner there

9/12
(Northern Tokyo Full day)
Asakusa Half Day Trip
Head to Ueno Park
Ikebukuro (pokemon centre)

10/12
Visit Disneysea
Any recommendation for dinner?

11/12
Tsukiji Fish Market
Ginza and have lunch there(possible to visit Under yurakucho railway tracks?)
Head to Akihabara and spend the rest of the day there

12/12
planned for southern japan

13/12

14/12
Afternoon head back to Narita Airport


Is my itinerary okay? Any 'too free planning' or 'too rush' planning above?
As of the last 2 days, any recommendation of where should I go? Should I visit back any places(such as Shibuya/Ginza/Akihabara? Or should I go for side trip like hakone to take the tram ride?

Thanks for input!

 

[evilerniex]

Hi people, this is a continuation to my 14 days japan itinerary planning. Currently only plan halfway, hopefully I can finish the rest next week.

Anyway, my planning is up till Osaka/Kyoto region, perhaps we can review on that first.

1/12
Reach Narita airport
Exchange for JRpass and take bullet train to Osaka
Check-in Airbnb apartment and the rest of the day, explore and dinner at Namba

2/12
Breakfast at endo sushi
Osaka castle
Lunch at Kichi Kichi
Go Nara
Shinshibashi shopping and dinner

3/12
Head to Kyoto after breakfast
Explore and lunch at Nishiki Market (lunch @Kyoto Gogyo (Burnt Ramen))
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Head to Shinsekai for dinner
Head back to hotel

4/12
Head to Arashiyama, lunch there
(Arashiyama half day trip)
Head to Kinkakuji
(Philosopher's Path Half Day)
Explore Gion, Geisha street and dinner at Isshen Yoshoku(Can try Okonomiyaki for dinner)
Head back to hotel

5/12
USJ
Dinner at Dotonbori

6/12
Check out and head to Kinosaki Onsen and stay for a night there.

7/12
Check out at Kinosaki
Take bullet train to Super Hotel JR (Ikebukuro Nishiguchi, Tokyo)


Would appreciate any comments/recommendation on my above itinerary. Will update my tokyo part in days to come.

Thanks!

4/12 looks a bit packed. i find the itineraries in japan-guide a bit too optimistic. u may want to shift some of the places to 3/12 if possible (maybe kinkakuji?).

 

[majora]

4/12 looks a bit packed. i find the itineraries in japan-guide a bit too optimistic. u may want to shift some of the places to 3/12 if possible (maybe kinkakuji?).

I see,

Do you think its okay for Kinkakuji and shrine to be on the same date?

 

[evilerniex]

I see,

Do you think its okay for Kinkakuji and shrine to be on the same date?

yes, I think it is possible. but if u are planning to hike through all the tori gates in fushimi inari, then it may be a little tight.

 

[majora]

yes, I think it is possible. but if u are planning to hike through all the tori gates in fushimi inari, then it may be a little tight.

Thanks, I have edited my post with more itinerary planning and more questions

 

[evilerniex]

Thanks, I have edited my post with more itinerary planning and more questions

how about visiting odaiba on one of the free days in Tokyo? can easily spend half to a full day there.
can drop by Tokyo tower for a look on one of the nights.
can plan Shinjuku for another day also, coz probably wun have much time after harajuku and shibuya.