Japan Trip December

[awesomania]

Hi All - Will be travelling to Japan in December and would like some advise from the pros here on my itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Nagoya
Day 2 - Explore Osu Shopping District + Nabano No Sato
Day 3 - Travel to Takayama *Activate Takayama Hokuriku Travel Pass
Day 4 - Shinhotaka Ropeway
Day 5 - Shirkawago
Day 6 - Takayama to Kanawaza (Higashi Chaya District
Kenrokuen/ Kanazawa Castle)
Day 7 - Kanazawa to Osaka End of Takayama Hokuriku Travel Pass
Day 8 - Explore Osaka using Osaka Amazing Pass
Day 9 - Explore Osaka using Osaka Amazing Pass
Day 10 - Kyoto (Bamboo Forest / Fushimi / Kiyomizu / Golden Pavillon
Day 11 - Nara
Day 12 - Travel back to Nagoya for flight.

1) For day 10 and 11, is there any pass worthy to cover the travel cost? Will be basing in Osaka and making day trip to Kyoto and Nara.
2) For day 12, what the best way to travel back to Nagoya? If not in rush, I guess Nohi Bus will be good?
3) Do feel free to provide some pointers on my itinerary as it is only 70-80% completed. Hopefully could complete it within the next 2 days.
4) Any tips on visiting Shinhotaka Ropeway from Takayama?

Thanks all!!

 

[snap99]

Looks exciting ..... hopefully it’s has already snowed so that it will be pretty.

 

[thwysg]

2. Best way? Shinkansen about 1 hr. Bus about 3 hrs, it’s not by Nouhi bus.
4. What kind of tips are you looking for? It’s quite a direct path. I took the bus from Takayama Bus Center and alighted at the last stop, just at the Ropeway entrance. You can check its FB or website for picture or live camera updates.

http://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp

 

[Hinana]

1. Kyoto - maybe just the bus pass. Do you want to see many spots and spend less time? Or spend more time leisurely per location? The places you want to visit is quite a distant.

Nara - if day trip no need pass. Take Kintetsu from Namba station. Places of interest mostly walking distance from Kintetsu Nara station.

 

[Nalgene123]

day 10 seems highly improbable unless you rush through the sights cause they are all in different part of Kyoto...kiyomizu is in the north east....fushimi is in the south..and because you have to travel out of Kyoto city to reach Arashiyama..most people spent half to a day at Arashiyama

 

[VD]

why not drop Osaka/Kyoto/Nara for Nagano/Masumoto? 1 day for Kyoto is really a touch and go experience, you likely to rush. At least for Nagano, you get to visit the snow monkeys, can consider staying at yamanouchi onsen

 

[Mergui219067]

Should visit during autumn.
Winter Kansai is dead cold / no snow except Koyasan / brown leaves.

 

[awesomania]

2. Best way? Shinkansen about 1 hr. Bus about 3 hrs, it’s not by Nouhi bus.
4. What kind of tips are you looking for? It’s quite a direct path. I took the bus from Takayama Bus Center and alighted at the last stop, just at the Ropeway entrance. You can check its FB or website for picture or live camera updates.

http://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp

Thanks Thwysg. Do you remember the cost for the bus up to Ropeway Entrance? And how long it takes?

I'm quite confused by the ropeway 1 and 2. Am i right to say for both ropeway 1 and 2, it will cost 2900 for roundtrip?

Looks exciting ..... hopefully it’s has already snowed so that it will be pretty.

I'm hoping so too!!

1. Kyoto - maybe just the bus pass. Do you want to see many spots and spend less time? Or spend more time leisurely per location? The places you want to visit is quite a distant.

Nara - if day trip no need pass. Take Kintetsu from Namba station. Places of interest mostly walking distance from Kintetsu Nara station.

I see. After hearing the advice from ppl here, I might skip Nara and allocate 2 days for Kyoto instead.

day 10 seems highly improbable unless you rush through the sights cause they are all in different part of Kyoto...kiyomizu is in the north east....fushimi is in the south..and because you have to travel out of Kyoto city to reach Arashiyama..most people spent half to a day at Arashiyama

Thanks. I might skip Nara and spend 2 days in kyoto instead. Might move Nara to the last day before travelling back to Nagoya in the evening.

Should visit during autumn.
Winter Kansai is dead cold / no snow except Koyasan / brown leaves.

haha. Would like to experience the cold

 

[awesomania]

why not drop Osaka/Kyoto/Nara for Nagano/Masumoto? 1 day for Kyoto is really a touch and go experience, you likely to rush. At least for Nagano, you get to visit the snow monkeys, can consider staying at yamanouchi onsen

Hotels already booked. Should come and ask before booking. haha. Next time then, love to see the snow monkeys as well.

 

[thwysg]

Thanks Thwysg. Do you remember the cost for the bus up to Ropeway Entrance? And how long it takes?

I'm quite confused by the ropeway 1 and 2. Am i right to say for both ropeway 1 and 2, it will cost 2900 for roundtrip?

The bus to the Ropeway is by Nouhi. I used a Shoryudo Pass so the fare is included. One-way bus journey takes 1 hr 40 min. Stay on the bus when it reaches Hirayu. ¥2,160 for one way.

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/shinhotaka-line-en/

In order to reach the summit, you need to take No. 2 Ropeway. It is also the path where you get the chance to take the double deck gondola. And yes, round trip is ¥2,900. Look out for discount coupons at your hotel concierge.

http://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp.e.uk.hp.transer.com

 

[Mergui219067]

Cool spring / autumn.

Cold winter must see snow .
You should know why Kansai winters are not the peak seasons.

haha. Would like to experience the cold

 

[martin]

Day 4, after shinhotaka ropeway, you go backto Takayama? If possible, overnight at one of the onsen ryokans dotted along the route from ropeway station to takayama.

Day 5, you not staying in Shirakawago? Personally, ifeel strongly that Shirakawago should be visied with a overnight stay. After 4-5pm, when the bus loads of tourists are gone, very nice to stroll around the village, very serene. Next morning, get up early to walk up the viewing platform to see a view of the village before the tourists come in.

Which part of december going? I think sureto see snow up the ropeway of shinhotaka. Shirakawago, should have snow but this year seems very warm too. Follow the livecam here to be updated.

http://shirakawa-go.org/livecam/

 

[awesomania]

The bus to the Ropeway is by Nouhi. I used a Shoryudo Pass so the fare is included. One-way bus journey takes 1 hr 40 min. Stay on the bus when it reaches Hirayu. ¥2,160 for one way.

https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/shinhotaka-line-en/

In order to reach the summit, you need to take No. 2 Ropeway. It is also the path where you get the chance to take the double deck gondola. And yes, round trip is ¥2,900. Look out for discount coupons at your hotel concierge.

http://shinhotaka-ropeway.jp.e.uk.hp.transer.com

Wow. Didnt know so expensive to visit the ropeway. Did you spend a full day there? What else you did over there? Thanks for sharing!

Day 4, after shinhotaka ropeway, you go backto Takayama? If possible, overnight at one of the onsen ryokans dotted along the route from ropeway station to takayama.

Day 5, you not staying in Shirakawago? Personally, ifeel strongly that Shirakawago should be visied with a overnight stay. After 4-5pm, when the bus loads of tourists are gone, very nice to stroll around the village, very serene. Next morning, get up early to walk up the viewing platform to see a view of the village before the tourists come in.

Which part of december going? I think sureto see snow up the ropeway of shinhotaka. Shirakawago, should have snow but this year seems very warm too. Follow the livecam here to be updated.

http://shirakawa-go.org/livecam/

Day 4: yes going back takayama. Hotel already booked. But will be staying at a hotel spring hotel in Takayama.

Day 5: nope. Booked abit too late unable to find accommodation there

Mid December. Around 15 will be in takayama/ropeway. Yeah this year seem warm but hope will change in the next week

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[evilerniex]

if u are short on time, maybe u can base urself in osaka and make day trips to kyoto and nara.
u can cater 1 full day for attractions in osaka such as castle and aquarium.
for the other days, u can visit kyoto/nara in the day, then return to osaka in the evening for shopping/eating at umeda/namba etc.

 

[thwysg]

Wow. Didnt know so expensive to visit the ropeway. Did you spend a full day there? What else you did over there? Thanks for sharing!

Day 4: yes going back takayama. Hotel already booked. But will be staying at a hotel spring hotel in Takayama.

Day 5: nope. Booked abit too late unable to find accommodation there

Mid December. Around 15 will be in takayama/ropeway. Yeah this year seem warm but hope will change in the next week

Sent from Samsung SM-G955F using GAGT

It was supposed to be half a day at the Ropeway and half a day at Matsumoto (need to change bus at Hirayu). Probably slightly more than 2 hrs. Lunched there too. We missed the bus stop by a minute so we stayed around and headed back to Takayama with the next bus, walked around the old town again and headed back to the hotel early to soak at the bath. Was there for 5D4N.

 

[awesomania]

if u are short on time, maybe u can base urself in osaka and make day trips to kyoto and nara.
u can cater 1 full day for attractions in osaka such as castle and aquarium.
for the other days, u can visit kyoto/nara in the day, then return to osaka in the evening for shopping/eating at umeda/namba etc.

Yup that's what I will be doing. I will be based in Osaka for the last few days.

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[awesomania]

It was supposed to be half a day at the Ropeway and half a day at Matsumoto (need to change bus at Hirayu). Probably slightly more than 2 hrs. Lunched there too. We missed the bus stop by a minute so we stayed around and headed back to Takayama with the next bus, walked around the old town again and headed back to the hotel early to soak at the bath. Was there for 5D4N.

Cool. Thanks alot. Any pre booking required for bus? It will be at takayama bus station right?
Thanks thanks!

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[thwysg]

Cool. Thanks alot. Any pre booking required for bus? It will be at takayama bus station right?
Thanks thanks!

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No reservation required for this bus. But no harm getting your tickets on the day of arrival. It’s just next door of the train station. I prefer to get all my bus/ train tickets at least one day ahead.

 

[VD]

I booked online and flash the confirmation when boarding

 

[awesomania]

I booked online and flash the confirmation when boarding

Oh. But online don't have the package right? I understand there is a package that include the bus and ropeway.

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