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jo5678
jo5678
almost 9 years ago
3 responses

Hi all. Would be going to Japan in November this year for the second time. I would really appreciate your comments for my itinerary - hotels has not been booked yet, so I'm open to ideas/changes! My friend and I are big foodies, so would love if we could have any recommendations. Also, we are on a very tight budget, so we are purchasing the 7 days JR pass only.

We will be based in Osaka. And probably Hiroshima for a night. And in Tokyo for rest of the nights.

Day 1 - fly into Kansai Airport
Day 2 - Osaka
Day 3 - Universal Studios Japan
Day 4 - Nara (Activate JR pass)
Day 5 - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kobe, Himeji
Day 7 - Hiroshima
Day 8 - Tokyo
Day 9 - Nikko
Day 10 - ? (Not too sure if we should do a day trip from tokyo, or stay one day more in Kansai region?) (Last day of JR Pass)
Day 11 - Disneyland
Day 12 - Hakone (we intend to buy the Hakone free pass)
Day 13 - Tokyo
Day 14 - Tokyo

I have stayed almost a week in Kyoto last year so I covered most of the main attractions previously. So I don't intend on spending much time there on this trip.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 9 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

I think you've made a very good start with this itinerary. There's much in there I love about Japan, including Hiroshima and Nikko.

Since you'll be in Tokyo on day 8 already, I would not recommend returning to Kansai. Instead you could make a day trip to Yokohama or Kamakura or just hang in Tokyo. If you are really feeling adventurous, you could head up north and maybe visit Sendai, Yamadera or Matsushima. These can all be reached with the JR Pass and you get to ride the Tohoku Shinkansen as well. An other option is to visit Disneyland on Day 10 and do 2 days 1 night in Hakone, perhaps try a local onsen with a view on Fuji :)

In Hiroshima I would recommend trying the local Ramen style it is very famous and I can certainly recommend it. If you have some free time, head to Onomichi and try the Ramen there as well. Onomichi is also a great place to explore cycling.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

jo5678
jo5678
3 posts
over 8 years ago

Thanks a lot for your response, Daniel!

Sorry I was not clear enough in my first post. But I was wondering if I should stay a day longer in the Kansai region and are there any other day trips (preferably a trip that maximises the JR pass) I should make from Osaka?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

If that means making the trip before going to Tokyo, then yes you could consider it. There's plenty to do in and around Kansai. So it ultimately comes down to what you'd like to see to most.

Let me know what kinds of things you like to see/do and I can give you some good recommendation!
Daniel

ina
ina
1 post
over 8 years ago

Hi Daniel-san

I have planned to go to Japan with my family.
Appreciate if you can advise whether my itinerary is workable or not & need JR pass for 7days.

Sat Arrive Haneda airport
Sun Shinagawa Prince Hotel Tokyo - Disney Sea
Mon Shinagawa Prince Hotel Tokyo - Japanican Hakone tour
Tue Shinagawa Prince Hotel Tokyo - Japanican City tour (Tokyo tower, Asakusa/Nakamise street, sumida river cruise)
Wed Shinagawa Prince Hotel Tokyo - Shirakawago - Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyo
Thur Toyama Excel Hotel Tokyu - Alpine route - New Hankyu Kyoto
Fri New Hankyu Kyoto - city tour
Sat New Hankyu Kyoto - Universal Studio Japan - shinsaibashi - kyoto
Sun Kyoto - Kansai Airport (flight at 11.30am)

If time is too tight, we prefer to choose Alpine route than Shirakawago.
Is it possible directly go to Kyoto after finish the Alpine route or should I go back to Tokyo first and the next day take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Sincerely yours,

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 8 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

Going to Shirakawa-go as a day trip from Tokyo, as it simply takes too long to get there. Think about 3 hours train and then an other 60-90 min by bus, just for one way. If you do want to visit, I would recommend staying there for the night, visit Shirakawago the same day if you leave Tokyo early. You could start the Alpine route the following day but again you'd have to leave early. Doing the Alpine route and traveling there from Tokyo on the same day is also as good as impossible, given the travel time involved.

You could however visit both if you stay in the area, such as in Takayama or better Toyama.

A 7 day JR Pass is not required if you travel Tokyo - Shirawago/Alpine route - Kansai but I would recommend a 7 day JR Pass if you return from Shirakawago or the Alpine route to Tokyo and then travel on the Kansai Airport.

Hope this helps,
Daniel


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