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Best order of travel

Sarah&Bobby
Sarah&Bobby
10 months ago
10 responses

Hello again!

We are heading back to Japan, with our now 5 year old. Our flights are booked, arriving at Narita on 13 October in the evening, staying for 20 nights.

We have travelled Japan before, always making use of the JRPass. Since we are travelling with a child we were hoping to get your advice for the best order of destinations for the quickest and simplest travel, using the JRPass to its fullest.

Nikko - 3 nights
Takayama - 3 nights
Hakone - 2 nights
Kyoto - 3 nights. Day trip to Nara.
Osaka - 3 nights
Tokyo - 5 nights.

Prefer to be in Tokyo/Osaka for 31st October Halloween.

Do you have any other suggestions for 1/2 night stops?

Thanks in advance.
Bobby, Sarah & Austin

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
10 months ago
Expert

Hello Bobby, Sarah & Austin,

The first thing I can recommend is learning to plan with Navitime - this will help you find the best routes at any time of day that are valid with the JR Pass (use the Japan Rail Pass search function under tourist passes).

As for your itinerary, I think the pacing is done well - especially with a child. I think it would make sense to start in Hakone after your long flight. Where you can enjoy a relaxing onsen and the beautiful views the area has to offer. After I'd go to Osaka - Kyoto - (add) Kanazawa - Takayama - Nikko - Tokyo.

Kanazawa is a fun stop with plenty of nice things to see/do/eat, such as the historic geisha quarter, Kanazawa castle and Kenrokuen Garden and an easy stop to add to Takayama. You could then spend the last days in Tokyo, have fun shopping and enjoy Halloween in Shibuya.

I can also highly recommend a side trip from Tokyo to Nokogiriyama.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

Sarah&Bobby
Sarah&Bobby
10 posts
10 months ago

Hi Daniel,

Thank you. As always, such a quick response with fabulous advice.

I have just had a look at Kanazawa. Looks to be the perfect extra stop on our holiday and somewhere new for us. I’ll be sure to use Navitime to explore the travel times for your recommended order of travel.

Nokogiriyama, a beautiful natural day trip. I’ll see how the little ones hiking legs are going. We plan to make a trip to Mount Takao-San. We know it’s busy, but worth it.

Kind regards
Sarah, Bobby & Austin

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
10 months ago
Expert

Hi Sarah, Bobby & Austin,

Both Takao-San and Nokogiri-yama have ropeways, so no need to hike.

(You can even just get a taxi to the top of both if you feel like cheating ;) )

Let me know if we can help with anything else :)
Daniel


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