Need help with Tokyo & Hakone itinerary

[natgoh81]

Hi all,

Will be going to Tokyo for 9 days in late Oct and need help with the itinerary. Appreciate if you all can give me some suggestions or help to fine tune it.

Traveler: 3 adults and 1 child (6 years old)

We are planning to go Tokyo, Hakone and Disneyland & Disneysea.

My plan is as follows:-

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo around 8am. Travel to hotel in Shinjuku and place our luggage with hotel till time for check in. Shop around the area and get to know the train station etc.

Day 2: Travel to Hakone and do a round trip. Evening staying at a hotel in Hakone.

Day 3: Go to Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Waterpark and evening travel back to Shinjuku.

Day 4 & 5: Explore Tokyo (Shibuya, Ginza, etc)

Day 6: Travel to Disney and check in at one of the hotels there. Either shop around there, continue with Tokyo that we missed during day 4/5 or go to Disney. Or should we go Odaiba instead?

Day 7 & 8: Disneyland & Disneysea

Day 9: Sightseeing around Disney area or do last minute shopping. Taking bus to airport around 5pm for our flight back at 8.50pm.

Appreciate if anyone can give me any advice / ideas / suggestions to maximise our stay in Japan without burning out child and grandmom. How much money should we change? Best way to go Tokyo & Hakone?

1. What kind of transport to take from Narita Airport to Best Western Shinjuku?

2. How's the weather like during late Oct? How should we dressed?

3. What is the best alternative to have data plan usage in Tokyo?

Thank you very much for all your time!

 

[samtcy]

Hi all,

Will be going to Tokyo for 9 days in late Oct and need help with the itinerary. Appreciate if you all can give me some suggestions or help to fine tune it.

Traveler: 3 adults and 1 child (6 years old)

We are planning to go Tokyo, Hakone and Disneyland & Disneysea.

My plan is as follows:-

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo around 8am. Travel to hotel in Shinjuku and place our luggage with hotel till time for check in. Shop around the area and get to know the train station etc.

Day 2: Travel to Hakone and do a round trip. Evening staying at a hotel in Hakone.

Day 3: Go to Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Waterpark and evening travel back to Shinjuku.

Day 4 & 5: Explore Tokyo (Shibuya, Ginza, etc)

Day 6: Travel to Disney and check in at one of the hotels there. Either shop around there, continue with Tokyo that we missed during day 4/5 or go to Disney. Or should we go Odaiba instead?

Day 7 & 8: Disneyland & Disneysea

Day 9: Sightseeing around Disney area or do last minute shopping. Taking bus to airport around 5pm for our flight back at 8.50pm.

Appreciate if anyone can give me any advice / ideas / suggestions to maximise our stay in Japan without burning out child and grandmom. How much money should we change? Best way to go Tokyo & Hakone?

1. What kind of transport to take from Narita Airport to Best Western Shinjuku?
If by train, you can take the Narita Express train (also known as N'EX) from Narita Airport directly to Shinjuku JR Station. There's toilet onboard the N'EX so there's less worry about finding toilet for the 1hr+ train journey.
If you do plan to take the N'EX, you can consider getting the N'EX + Suica package from Narita Airport.
More info on the N'EX + Suica package: SUICA & NEX


2. How's the weather like during late Oct? How should we dressed?
Chilly, but not overly cold. Maybe a fleece jacket? For your kid, maybe bring along a pair of gloves, just in case.

3. What is the best alternative to have data plan usage in Tokyo?
You could probably get the 1gb bmobile's data sim card. Costs 3980yen I believe. You can't accept/make calls nor SMS, but you can use it for internet access. What I do is I bring a 2nd phone along on this trip for this data sim card. And whenever I need wifi, I will just make my 2nd phone into a hotspot.
Bmobile's website: b-mobile VISITOR SIM | b-mobile wireless internet


Thank you very much for all your time!

Tokyo's subway will be pretty confusing for 1st time visitors to Tokyo.
So it's best to try to figure out your train journeys before you actually go Japan. It will save you time trying to figure out how to get to your destination when you are over there.

Hyperdia website (for train directions/schedule/fares/duration):
Hyperdia | Timetable and Route Search in Japan.

 

[cpuer]

So you will stay in Hakone while keeping Tokyo hotel? Dont want to go straight to Hakone as your first hotel stay?

 

[natgoh81]

So you will stay in Hakone while keeping Tokyo hotel? Dont want to go straight to Hakone as your first hotel stay?

Yes, because at first we have no intention to stay at Hakone and only later part decided that will be less tired than travelling twice from Shinjuku to Hakone for 2 straight days. Also, we thought it is easier to just have some changing clothes to bring to Hakone than bringing all luggages. So in the end decided to forfeit one of the hotel nights in Shinjuku.

 

[natgoh81]

Hi Samtcy,

Is it more convenient taking NEX than taking the limousine bus from airport cos I want it to be less stressful or disruptive for my mom and child.

Noted, will be bringing more clothings for her just in case.

How do you think about going Odaiba on day 6 when we reach Disney side? Worth to make the trip? And what is the fastest way?

 

[albertchng]

1. Suica & N'EX package @ 5500yen per pax. Check timetable at their website. Journey takes approx 1 hour 30 mins to reach Shinjuku Station.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

2. Between 9-21 degree C; may coupled with light rain or shower on some days. Fleece jacket a must if you cannot tolerate chilly wind or cold. Waterproof wind breaker or umbrella for occasional showers. Gloves good to have. Keep neck, chest, tummy and hands warm for old folks and kids.
Tokyo November Weather 2013 - AccuWeather Forecast for Tokyo Japan

3. Bmobile Visitor Sim or eConnect Prepaid Sim (both for data only). Order at least 2 weeks in advance and have them delivered to your hotel.
b-mobile VISITOR SIM | b-mobile wireless internet
eConnect Japan | Prepaid SIM Card Sales, Portable WiFi Rental

4. Would suggest to book Mt. Fuji & Hakone 1-Day Tour (Return by Shinkansen, with Lunch) at 16000yen per pax; children half price.
https://www.japanican.com/tours/tourdetail.aspx?tc=GMT01TYOOF800

 

[samtcy]

Hi Samtcy,

Is it more convenient taking NEX than taking the limousine bus from airport cos I want it to be less stressful or disruptive for my mom and child.

Noted, will be bringing more clothings for her just in case.

How do you think about going Odaiba on day 6 when we reach Disney side? Worth to make the trip? And what is the fastest way?

It depends on whether the Limousine bus will drop you at your hotel or not, and also whether your child can tahan the long bus ride from airport to hotel without toilet.

That said, Shinjuku station is a large station and can be very confusing. If the Limousine bus stops at your hotel, then I'd probably recommend that you go with the Limousine bus option.

Although Narita Express train is a direct train (meaning, you don't have to make any train transfers) from Shinjuku station to Narita Airport, but you will still need to walk from your hotel to Shinjuku station itself.

 

[samtcy]

Weather's abit crazy these days, heard from someone that it was 30 degrees celcius recently, and it's already October.