tokyo in nov 2016

[deepblue_82]

i am traveling to japan for 10 days
2 pax
i am planning land at airport then take bullet train to osaka for about 3 days, then to mount fuji... for 1 day or day trip, lastly land back in tokyo for the rest of the trip.

1. how to i take the bullet train from the airport?
2. i saw a few things in osaka but what are the stuff that most ppl go to do? eat look find?
3. how to get to fuji from osaka ? and from fuji to tokyo?

please input some ideas... my first trip ever to japan.. really need all the help i can get.


thanks!

 

[TonyDelPiero]

i am traveling to japan for 10 days
2 pax
i am planning land at airport then take bullet train to osaka for about 3 days, then to mount fuji... for 1 day or day trip, lastly land back in tokyo for the rest of the trip.

1. how to i take the bullet train from the airport?
2. i saw a few things in osaka but what are the stuff that most ppl go to do? eat look find?
3. how to get to fuji from osaka ? and from fuji to tokyo?

please input some ideas... my first trip ever to japan.. really need all the help i can get.


thanks!

1) There is no bullet train services at both Haneda and Narita airport.

However, if you are arriving at Narita Airport, you can take fast train service provided by either JR NEX or Skyliner - approximately 50 mins from Narita to Tokyo Station.

If you are arriving at Haneda Airport, you can take either Toei's Asakusa line on express service or Monorail to Tokyo Station - approximately 30 mins or so. If you are using Toei's service, you just stop at Shinagawa station. Transfer to Bullet train.

You can take bullet train from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station (located outside Umeda, Osaka) - this take you around less than 3 hours. You need to transfer to normal train to reach Umeda or Namba. The bullet train for this trip should be called Tokaido-Sanyo Shinakasen. All you need is to read the electronic signboard. You may see Hakata, Nozumi, etc. These are the label for different number of stops and different numbers of cars in one train.

2) Osaka is very city place. A lot of eating places. At Umeda and Namba, there are a lot of shopping centres. Take your time to choose which one u want to go.

3) To go to Fuji, you need to return back to Tokyo. Suppose that you want to go to one of five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, namely Lake Kawaguchi. Then, take JR train to Otsuki station on Chuo line and then transfer to another train operated by Fujikyu Railway. It is easy to transfer because you can follow the signboard on the ceiling. You have to decide which station you want to stop at. Most people stop at Kawaguchiko station.

 

[gundamhamtaro]

One example of going from Osaka to Mt Fuji area

http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/9/

 

[BeHappyLo]

If u arrive at Haneda airport, take the Keikyu train to Shinagawa (21 mins) and then transfer to Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka. From Shin-Osaka transfer to Osaka (4 mins).

The Keikyu train is non-JR and cost is Yen410.

U will need this to plan your train rides:-


http://www.hyperdia.com

 

[evilerniex]

i am traveling to japan for 10 days
2 pax
i am planning land at airport then take bullet train to osaka for about 3 days, then to mount fuji... for 1 day or day trip, lastly land back in tokyo for the rest of the trip.

1. how to i take the bullet train from the airport?
2. i saw a few things in osaka but what are the stuff that most ppl go to do? eat look find?
3. how to get to fuji from osaka ? and from fuji to tokyo?

please input some ideas... my first trip ever to japan.. really need all the help i can get.


thanks!

dun have to return to tokyo to go to mt fuji. take shinkansen from shin-osaka to mishima station then bus to lake kawaguchi. from lake kawaguchi to tokyo, it is cheaper and easier to take the direct highway bus to shinjuku.

refer to this for more details:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

 

[kazuki666]

Why don't you fly straight to Kansai or Itami Airport instead? I will imagine this should be more cost and time saving, rather than flying to Narita or Haneda Airport then take shinkansen over to Osaka.

 

[deepblue_82]

so much stuff.. thanks for all the input.. keep them coming..

how about staying at osaka.. any input?

 

[jslim2]

You can find Airbnb for the region that's pretty cheap, or go for a business hotel. Consort is one that's worth considering.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Nov ar? Better settle all ur hotels early, peak period..

So many guides online to help u along the way, my first trip last year was settled using online guides, hyperdia and google map..

 

[sCuzzZy]

This is what I did last winter:

SG - Tokyo. Stayed for 4days.
Tokyo - Fuji - Highway Bus. 3days.
Fuji - Kyoto. 3days. (highway bus back to Tokyo then shinkansen)
Kyoto - Osaka (Shinkansen) (3days)
Osaka - Tokyo (Shinkansen) (4days)

I considered Fuji to Kyoto/Osaka directly too but the time taken by train directly to Kyoto and shinkansen(from Tokyo) is pretty much the same so I took the option to head back via highway bus since I bought a two way tix.

Some things i did in Osaka:

USS.
Osaka Castle.
Day trip to Nara (Could have went from Kyoto too)

Acco wise, airbnb in both Kyoto and Osaka. Onsen in Fuji. Hotel in Shinjuku(Tokyo)

 

[deepblue_82]

which way do u pros rec? ty - os - fuji - ty
or ty first?

i checked around all 200+ ... abnb.. so high?

 

[TonyDelPiero]

which way do u pros rec? ty - os - fuji - ty
or ty first?

i checked around all 200+ ... abnb.. so high?

It depends on the area and amenities you want to have for airbnb (assuming that abnb is airbnb).

For my case, I arrived Osaka first before going to Tokyo and then Mount Fuji.

It makes sense to do open jaw flight since you have 10 days.

 

[BeHappyLo]

Frankly, I see no reason why u want to cover such a vast expanse from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto.

U can travel EVERY YEAR to Japan.

For your first trip, it is probably best to make Tokyo your base.
Then travel within a 3-hour Shinkansen ride around the prefectures near Tokyo.
So much to see, eat and buy.

For the 2nd trip, you can make Osaka/Kobe your base and travel likewise a 3-hour radius in that region.

I have been travelling to Japan every year for the last 5 years. This way, you will enjoy yourself much better.

 

[raiiny]

Frankly, I see no reason why u want to cover such a vast expanse from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto.

U can travel EVERY YEAR to Japan.

For your first trip, it is probably best to make Tokyo your base.
Then travel within a 3-hour Shinkansen ride around the prefectures near Tokyo.
So much to see, eat and buy.

For the 2nd trip, you can make Osaka/Kobe your base and travel likewise a 3-hour radius in that region.

I have been travelling to Japan every year for the last 5 years. This way, you will enjoy yourself much better.

I am also travelling to Tokyo - First time in end of Dec (Xmas + New Year Period) 13D12N ... have decided to base in Tokyo (Skip Osaka and Kyoto) but then when i am planning my route... seems that i have many free days in tokyo...

1 day trip - Snow Monkey
1 day trip - Mount Fuji + Outlet
1 day - Disneyland
1 day - Disneysea
1 day trip - Cup Noodle Museum and Ramen Museum and Shopping
1 day - Tsukiji Fish Market + Shopping + Count Down

what else can i do in tokyo ??

is getting JR pass still worth buying if not going to osaka and kyoto ??

 

[TonyDelPiero]

I am also travelling to Tokyo - First time in end of Dec (Xmas + New Year Period) 13D12N ... have decided to base in Tokyo (Skip Osaka and Kyoto) but then when i am planning my route... seems that i have many free days in tokyo...

1 day trip - Snow Monkey
1 day trip - Mount Fuji + Outlet
1 day - Disneyland
1 day - Disneysea
1 day trip - Cup Noodle Museum and Ramen Museum and Shopping
1 day - Tsukiji Fish Market + Shopping + Count Down

what else can i do in tokyo ??

is getting JR pass still worth buying if not going to osaka and kyoto ??

Don't get Jr pass if you are not taking two way long distance shinkansen.

There are a lot of things in Tokyo. Consider Fuji q highland at Kawaguchiko if you can put up two days for Kawaguchiko trip

Consider visiting kamakura, 1 hour ride from Tokyo. A lot of temples attractions.

Consider visit suntory beer brewery in Tokyo area.

Visit odaiba area in Tokyo! Cross rainbow bridge, see Gundam statue, joypolis, Toyota showroom,Sony science related exhibition etc.

Go to ueno, Tokyo for museums

 

[Gixxerfied]

Frankly speaking if to Fuji(explore hakone) then to Gotemba premium outlet, one day is quite Siong..

 

[raiiny]

Oh really. So if spend 1 day in gotemba premium outlet will be ok? Is the outlet really cheap?

Frankly speaking if to Fuji(explore hakone) then to Gotemba premium outlet, one day is quite Siong..

 

[Gixxerfied]

Oh really. So if spend 1 day in gotemba premium outlet will be ok? Is the outlet really cheap?

Depends on what u're looking for..

Nike wise cheaper than SG but design similar to SG..
Adidas also cheaper with some model not available in SG..

I got 3 x AnF polo for about S$85..

If looking for Le Creuset stuff then definitely cheaper there..

But no need 1 whole day..Probably 1/2 day dilly dally..

My trip was stay one night at Lake Kawaguchiko then next morning head to Gotemba P.Outlet..Reach around 12(Left Kawaguchiko at around 930am), left Gotemba at 4-5pm..

If you can, stay a night around Hakone, slower enjoy the place then go Gotemba the next day..

Alternatively just tour Hakone and skip Gotemba then put another day for it..Got straight bus to the place from Shinjuku..

 

[raiiny]

Depends on what u're looking for..

Nike wise cheaper than SG but design similar to SG..
Adidas also cheaper with some model not available in SG..

I got 3 x AnF polo for about S$85..

If looking for Le Creuset stuff then definitely cheaper there..

But no need 1 whole day..Probably 1/2 day dilly dally..

My trip was stay one night at Lake Kawaguchiko then next morning head to Gotemba P.Outlet..Reach around 12(Left Kawaguchiko at around 930am), left Gotemba at 4-5pm..

If you can, stay a night around Hakone, slower enjoy the place then go Gotemba the next day..

Alternatively just tour Hakone and skip Gotemba then put another day for it..Got straight bus to the place from Shinjuku..

Okok thanks...

 

[BeHappyLo]

I am also travelling to Tokyo - First time in end of Dec (Xmas + New Year Period) 13D12N ... have decided to base in Tokyo (Skip Osaka and Kyoto) but then when i am planning my route... seems that i have many free days in tokyo...

1 day trip - Snow Monkey
1 day trip - Mount Fuji + Outlet
1 day - Disneyland
1 day - Disneysea
1 day trip - Cup Noodle Museum and Ramen Museum and Shopping
1 day - Tsukiji Fish Market + Shopping + Count Down

what else can i do in tokyo ??

is getting JR pass still worth buying if not going to osaka and kyoto ??

1 day - visit Yasukuni Shrine, Meiji Shrine
1 day - go and watch a Kabuki show and shop at Nihonbashi or Ginza
1 day - visit Edo museum and National Museum. Go to the free viewing galleries of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office (or the Skytree if you want a higher but fee-paying view of greater Tokyo).

1 day - visit Yokohama. Catch the fireworks if possible.It is only a short train ride away.
2 days - Since you travelling around the Mt Fuji region, you can consider the attractions around Shizuoka. Pl goggle this yourself.

3 days - in Tochigi prefecture - pl google the winter festivals of this prefecture.

http://travel.tochigiji.or.jp/en/features/winter-festivals/


Strong recommendation - Do not restrict yourself to Tokyo. I base my accommodation at Tokyo but on a daily basis, I will take the Shinkansen (max around 2-hr one-way ride) to any city or festival site. Taking the Shinkansen is a breeze, comfortable. My family can eat, drink and chitchat on the Shinkansen and time flies so fast on the rides.I easily spend 4-hours on a Shinkansen (both way rides) and 5-hours exploring the cities around Tokyo. This is only a 9-hour day during a holiday. Often, we stretch it to a 10-hour outing.

Happy planning.