Need help 13 Day itinerary!

[lugia88]

hmm i have encounter some problem ..

1) the buses from shinjuku station for the keio buses starts from 730-9 but the return trip is at 3pm! omg too early is there other alternatives i can travel there? and do i have to pay additional fees for the ameneities there? ((go to fuji 5th station/lake ashi cruise/ and the ropeway) or just getting a one day trip will be more visable =/ ..

2)Tokyo skytree on 22may onwards have to book online via their website and their website is in japanese lol .. so does that mean i cant book

wah this 2 really headache.. not sure what can i do

 

[feryl]

hmm i have encounter some problem ..

1) the buses from shinjuku station for the keio buses starts from 730-9 but the return trip is at 3pm! omg too early is there other alternatives i can travel there? and do i have to pay additional fees for the ameneities there? ((go to fuji 5th station/lake ashi cruise/ and the ropeway) or just getting a one day trip will be more visable =/ ..

2)Tokyo skytree on 22may onwards have to book online via their website and their website is in japanese lol .. so does that mean i cant book

wah this 2 really headache.. not sure what can i do

The notice on Tokyo Skytree is only applicable to 22 May _2012_ to 10 July _2012_. That is when it first opened. Coz the english website is fail, they didn't update information.

Headache for what? If some plans are difficult or troublesome, just change ur plans, it's not like your trip will be worthless just coz you miss out on certain things, there are plenty of other wonderful areas to visit and exciting things to do.

 

[cpuer]

The notice on Tokyo Skytree is only applicable to 22 May _2012_ to 10 July _2012_. That is when it first opened. Coz the english website is fail, they didn't update information.

Headache for what? If some plans are difficult or troublesome, just change ur plans, it's not like your trip will be worthless just coz you miss out on certain things, there are plenty of other wonderful areas to visit and exciting things to do.

yes, must keep an open mind and a few plan B and C, many things happens on the ground is outside of our plan. Like my last Nov TW trip, went there 12 days 11 days were raining. Many plans have to modify on the fly to adapt to the dreary wet weather.

 

[purpleberry]

My itinerary is quite similar to yours. Is it possible to go to Kyoto directly from Hakone or Gotemba?

 

[samtcy]

My itinerary is quite similar to yours. Is it possible to go to Kyoto directly from Hakone or Gotemba?

With or without 7day JR Pass?

From Hakone (let's take Odawara station), just take Shinkansen to Kyoto (Shinkansen Kodoma, 11750yen 1 way reserved seat, about 3hrs journey).

From Gotemba station, take JR Gotemba line train to Mishima (40mins) then transfer to Shinkansen to Kyoto (120mins). Total for this journey is 11320yen for 1way. Bear in mind that the train for JR Gotemba line is not frequent so check train schedule when planning your train journeys.

Use hyperdia.com for planning your train journeys.

 

[purpleberry]

With or without 7day JR Pass?

From Hakone (let's take Odawara station), just take Shinkansen to Kyoto (Shinkansen Kodoma, 11750yen 1 way reserved seat, about 3hrs journey).

From Gotemba station, take JR Gotemba line train to Mishima (40mins) then transfer to Shinkansen to Kyoto (120mins). Total for this journey is 11320yen for 1way. Bear in mind that the train for JR Gotemba line is not frequent so check train schedule when planning your train journeys.

Use hyperdia.com for planning your train journeys.

Thanks! Is it worth to get JR Pass? Intend to stay Tokyo for 4-5 days before venturing south to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe & Osaka.

 

[feryl]

My itinerary is quite similar to yours. Is it possible to go to Kyoto directly from Hakone or Gotemba?

It is possible to go from any place to any other place in Japan. the only issue is whether it makes sense, or is convenient, to do so.

It is all about planning your trip using a map of Japan and hyperdia.com. This is esp if you have JR pass; some routes are actually faster using non-JR trains, so again it's down to good planning to ensure you don't spend one quarter of your holiday time sitting inside a train.

 

[feryl]

Thanks! Is it worth to get JR Pass? Intend to stay Tokyo for 4-5 days before venturing south to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe & Osaka.

If you are making a round trip shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, it already covers the cost of the pass.

However, that's not the only transport mode available to you. Highway buses and even budget airlines might get you to and from Tokyo-Osaka at cheaper price than a JR pass. Therefore, if you are not using JR pass for other transportation, you can possible save more money using these modes instead of focusing on JR trains.

 

[purpleberry]

If you are making a round trip shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, it already covers the cost of the pass.

However, that's not the only transport mode available to you. Highway buses and even budget airlines might get you to and from Tokyo-Osaka at cheaper price than a JR pass. Therefore, if you are not using JR pass for other transportation, you can possible save more money using these modes instead of focusing on JR trains.

My plan is to arrive in Tokyo and depart from Osaka, so the bulk of the cost is single journey only from Tokyo to Kyoto which is around 13k Yen. Still researching nearby places to visit though like Kobe, Nara, etc.

 

[samtcy]

If budget is an issue, you can take bus (day bus or overnight bus) from willer express from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka. It's much cheaper than Shinkansen.

 

[lugia88]

if use JR pass can get to mount fuji?

 

[samtcy]

if use JR pass can get to mount fuji?

Mt Fuji 5th station? or Hakone? or Kawaguchi-ko?

If you mean 1 of the 5th stations at Mt Fuji?
Mount Fuji: Kawaguchiko 5th Station (Yoshida Trail)

If so, then no, JR Pass doesnt cover the bus nor non-JR trains.

 

[DouBleB]

Im also keen to go Kawaguchi-ko.. I think JR cant use for the trip there...

 

[samtcy]

Im also keen to go Kawaguchi-ko.. I think JR cant use for the trip there...

The journey from Shinjuku station to Otsuki can use JR Pass.
But from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko station is a non-JR line so you cannot use JR pass for this leg of the journey. It costs 1100yen (1 way) for the normal Fujikyu train from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko.

 

[lugia88]

i think bus is an easier option from shinjuku .. first day i go there and buy ticket in advance .. hopefully can get .. i realise alot starts from 7plus am but the latest bus back is like 3-5pm omg .. so early ! got other ways i can come back from there lol i wanna stay till abit later ! ><

 

[lugia88]

the theatres in japan do they screen english movies? for example star trek .. vocal is english anyone??

 

[VD]

i think bus is an easier option from shinjuku .. first day i go there and buy ticket in advance .. hopefully can get .. i realise alot starts from 7plus am but the latest bus back is like 3-5pm omg .. so early ! got other ways i can come back from there lol i wanna stay till abit later ! ><

Shops in kawaguchi close around 5pm, and practically a ghost town after that. IIRC, even the loop bus service cease around 5.30pm. I prefer to stay there for a night and enjoy the onsen while enjoying the Mt Fuji

 

[DouBleB]

TS, can share the plan for the kwaguchi please? Im going there for 1 full day

 

[lugia88]

(go to fuji 5th station/lake ashi cruise/ and the ropeway .. just wanna go there and take picturers and walk walk only la haha

tat was my plan haha now transiting at taiwan hehe ..

 

[purpleberry]

Dont forget to get the Hakone Pass if you're staying a night there. There's a good route which I took last time. Can't remember where i saw it. I think it was recommended by a free tour booklet at the airport.

1. Shinjuku to Gora via Shinkansen (Odakyu Limited Express "Romancecar" | Odakyu Electric Railway)
2. Gora to Owakudani via ropeway (scenery is fantastic, dont forget the black eggs!)
3. Take the pirate ship to travel across Lake Ashi to Motohakone (note that this is the 2nd stop)
4. At Motohakone you can take bus to go to a few onsens of your choice.
5. After staying overnight, you can visit Gotemba premium outlet if you're into shopping before you head back to Shinjuku by bus late evening (more convenient)