Japan! - 3 questions

Calfuray

Hello!

My husband and I got married but didn't get a chance to go on honeymoon at the time, and are planning to now go in May 2015. I've wanted to go to Japan for years, so I am very excited!

Details: 2 adults, 10 days, planning to fly out mid-end of May and return early June.

After searching some threads for Japan must-sees, I have compiled a list of places, but I think I'm probably biting off more than we can chew:
- Tokyo (Day trips to Hakone and Kamakura?)
- Kyoto
- Himeji (worth it just for the castle?)
- Hiroshima
- Itsukushima (/Miyajima)
- lastly, Yakushima Island, which I'm sure is maybe a bit too far out of the way?

Few problems - since we are planning on 10 days, I'm not sure what is the best in terms of the JR pass, as this is only 7 or 14 days.
Would love some advice as to what you would suggest out of the above list.

Flights - when is the best time to book these? I've looked at the MSE guide, obviously more than 59 days early etc, but is right now as cheap as it will get, or should we wait? Looking at around £500 pp right now out of Edinburgh.

So three questions are: is my itinerary too much? What should I do about JR pass? And when should I book flights?

Thank you so much!

kerri_gt

I've been to Hakone and Kamakura. I would say you can easily do Kamakura from Tokyo in a day (we went from Yokohama). We did Hakone in a day too, althoguh many Japanese I beleive will go for longer. We took the train via Tokya, did the little switchback mountain railway, the cable car and the 'pirate' galleon - the views are apparently fantastic. We'd has three days of gorgeous sun cooped up in an office, then on a day off it p*ed with rain. Typical.

Nikko is also supposed to be amazing althoguh I haven't been personally.

In Tokyo try and visit the Bauhaus one evening, fab experience even if the music isn't your thing. I can also recommend a Robatayaki to visit and (beleive it or not) I had one of the most fantastic Italian meals I've ever had in Tokyo. PM me if you want the details of either.

Oh, and the Yodobashi in Shinjiku is certainly an experience - bit like Hamleys for electronics.

One other tip, don't try and open the taxi doors if you take a cab in Tokyo, they are automatically controlled by the driver.

I can't comment on when to book flights as my travel there has always been dictated by business travel.

Calfuray

kerri_gt wrote: »

I've been to Hakone and Kamakura. I would say you can easily do Kamakura from Tokyo in a day (we went from Yokohama). We did Hakone in a day too, althoguh many Japanese I beleive will go for longer. We took the train via Tokya, did the little switchback mountain railway, the cable car and the 'pirate' galleon - the views are apparently fantastic. We'd has three days of gorgeous sun cooped up in an office, then on a day off it p*ed with rain. Typical.

Nikko is also supposed to be amazing althoguh I haven't been personally.

In Tokyo try and visit the Bauhaus one evening, fab experience even if the music isn't your thing. I can also recommend a Robatayaki to visit and (beleive it or not) I had one of the most fantastic Italian meals I've ever had in Tokyo. PM me if you want the details of either.

Oh, and the Yodobashi in Shinjiku is certainly an experience - bit like Hamleys for electronics.

One other tip, don't try and open the taxi doors if you take a cab in Tokyo, they are automatically controlled by the driver.

I can't comment on when to book flights as my travel there has always been dictated by business travel.

Thank you so much! Have PMed you

lika_86

I don't know (I've only been to Tokyo) but that sounds very ambitious in the time you have.

glitterpuss

I'm also currently planning a trip to Japan - possibly during Cherry Blossom season 2015. I've been looking at flights from Heathrow and they do seem pretty low at the moment. Your £500pp from Edinburgh sounds OK. I think the prices won't go much lower, at the moment premium economy is about £100 more than economy. I'm guessing it is worth the extra £400 total for the 2 of us?

We prefer to do our holidays ourselves rather than travel agents, but Japan does seem mighty expensive, so I've been comparing tour companies, and individual deals.

Your itinerary does look quite full, but similar to the one I'm researching! From what I understand the JR pass will cover the bullet train as well which is quite a big expense.

Will be following the thread with interest!

kerri_gt

Calfuray wrote: »

Thank you so much! Have PMed you

I will dig up the details for you.

blindman

Calfuray wrote: »

Hello!

My husband and I got married but didn't get a chance to go on honeymoon at the time, and are planning to now go in May 2015. I've wanted to go to Japan for years, so I am very excited!

Details: 2 adults, 10 days, planning to fly out mid-end of May and return early June.

After searching some threads for Japan must-sees, I have compiled a list of places, but I think I'm probably biting off more than we can chew:
- Tokyo (Day trips to Hakone and Kamakura?)
- Kyoto
- Himeji (worth it just for the castle?)
- Hiroshima
- Itsukushima (/Miyajima)
- lastly, Yakushima Island, which I'm sure is maybe a bit too far out of the way?

Few problems - since we are planning on 10 days, I'm not sure what is the best in terms of the JR pass, as this is only 7 or 14 days.
Would love some advice as to what you would suggest out of the above list.

Flights - when is the best time to book these? I've looked at the MSE guide, obviously more than 59 days early etc, but is right now as cheap as it will get, or should we wait? Looking at around £500 pp right now out of Edinburgh.

So three questions are: is my itinerary too much? What should I do about JR pass? And when should I book flights?

Thank you so much!

Look at the Japan Guide web-site very good for planning itins and other details.

Q's
1. Possibly yes. Rushed. Base your self in Kyoto.
2. There is more than one JP rail pass-can be confusing But you may get away with just the 7 days one.
3. When you see a cheap deal !

jjlandlord

kerri_gt wrote: »

Nikko is also supposed to be amazing althoguh I haven't been personally.

It is very nice, indeed.


I haven't been to Japan for 10 years, but at the time good, cheap places to eat were Japanese 'fastfoods' (they serve typical, simple Japanese food, not burgers and chips...) and noodle (ramen) places.

chong168

10 days may be too little for your itinerary as Tokyo is massive and can easily take 3-4 days to absorb. For Hakone you should try and head there early, do the round trip, and then stay at a hotspring hotel as you will be in the volcanic area. Trust me your body will appreciate it! Kyoto can possibly take 2 days (there is no metro there and so you will need to get around by bus and English is even more limited in that city). Don't forget to drop by to Osaka too as it's only an hour away. Hiroshima and Miyajima can take 2 days. For Himeji you can do what I did and just jump off the Shinkansen and walk to the castle, explore the area, and then jump back on and head to your next destination.

For flights I guess the answer is to book early! ANA are my recommended airline

I have been to Japan many times (mostly to Tokyo), and will be returning again next March staying in the Osaka area. Give me a shout if you need more info.

Calfuray

blindman wrote: »

Look at the Japan Guide web-site very good for planning itins and other details.

Q's
1. Possibly yes. Rushed. Base your self in Kyoto.
2. There is more than one JP rail pass-can be confusing But you may get away with just the 7 days one.
3. When you see a cheap deal !

I love that website, it's so comprehensive!
Sorry to be a pain, but when you say 'cheap deal' I'm not sure what the usual price is, do you think 500pp in May is a cheap deal? Also what do you think of revised itinerary below?

jjlandlord wrote: »

It is very nice, indeed.

I haven't been to Japan for 10 years, but at the time good, cheap places to eat were Japanese 'fastfoods' (they serve typical, simple Japanese food, not burgers and chips...) and noodle (ramen) places.

Sounds tasty! Thanks

chong168 wrote: »

10 days may be too little for your itinerary as Tokyo is massive and can easily take 3-4 days to absorb. For Hakone you should try and head there early, do the round trip, and then stay at a hotspring hotel as you will be in the volcanic area. Trust me your body will appreciate it! Kyoto can possibly take 2 days (there is no metro there and so you will need to get around by bus and English is even more limited in that city). Don't forget to drop by to Osaka too as it's only an hour away. Hiroshima and Miyajima can take 2 days. For Himeji you can do what I did and just jump off the Shinkansen and walk to the castle, explore the area, and then jump back on and head to your next destination.

For flights I guess the answer is to book early! ANA are my recommended airline

I have been to Japan many times (mostly to Tokyo), and will be returning again next March staying in the Osaka area. Give me a shout if you need more info.

Ah okay, that's interesting, didn't know that about Kyoto. Thank you!

This is what I was thinking for revised itinerary:

Perhaps jaw-bone flight, fly into Osaka?

Day 1: Osaka.
Day 2: Kyoto.
Day 3: Kyoto and train down to Hiroshima, late lunch/dinner stop at Himeji Castle.
Day 4: Hiroshima.
Day 5: Miyajima. Then late evening or early morning, bullet train up to Tokyo.
Day 6: Tokyo!
Day 7: Day trip to Kamakura.
Day 8: Day trip to Hakone + Mt Fuji sightseeing.
Day 9: Tokyo.
Day 10: Tokyo - flight home

blindman

Calfuray wrote: »

I love that website, it's so comprehensive!
Sorry to be a pain, but when you say 'cheap deal' I'm not sure what the usual price is, do you think 500pp in May is a cheap deal? Also what do you think of revised itinerary below?



Sounds tasty! Thanks



Ah okay, that's interesting, didn't know that about Kyoto. Thank you!

This is what I was thinking for revised itinerary:

Perhaps jaw-bone flight, fly into Osaka?:D

Open Jaw


Day 1: Osaka.
Day 2: Kyoto.
Day 3: Kyoto and train down to Hiroshima, late lunch/dinner stop at Himeji Castle.
Day 4: Hiroshima.
Day 5: Miyajima. Then late evening or early morning, bullet train up to Tokyo.
Day 6: Tokyo!
Day 7: Day trip to Kamakura.
Day 8: Day trip to Hakone + Mt Fuji sightseeing.
Day 9: Tokyo.
Day 10: Tokyo - flight home

Yes, far better as you do not need the RP until Day 3 which will then last until you leave Tokyo.

As has been said you can get the Bullet train from Kyoto to the Himeji get off-walk around castle then get back on going to Hiroshima
(We did not do this due to building works-Finishing March 2015)

We spent about 4 hrs in Hiroshima-You must NOT miss the museum

The Iconic Bomb Dome sent shivers down my spine

Kyoto + Osaka need 3-4 days TBHO and you can get around on the local buses-metro.
The Japanese are very friendly and helpful.

Don't have my Japan itin (hard disk broke ) but we did something similar to this itin + the Japanese GP at Suzuka, 2 years ago,
Had already done a stop over in Tokyo a few years back so were not bothered this time.

Used Virgin FF miles but IIRC around £500-600 may be a good deal.