Order Your JRPass
krimila
krimila
almost 9 years ago
6 responses

Hello everybody,

I would appreciate a lot if you could comment on my itinerary for my trip in Japan regarding the usage of JR pass. Especially curious regarding the Hiroshima - Beppu - Tokyo destinations.

Here are the days and cities:
14-16 Tokyo
16-18 Fujikawaguchiko
18-21 Kyoto
21-23 Osaka
23-25 Hiroshima
25-27 Beppu
27-30 Tokyo

Thank you so much for any help!

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
almost 9 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

The itinerary looks good, I like the idea of spending at least two nights in each area to get a feel of the local atmosphere and have a break between traveling. Although you could visit Kawaguchiko as a day trip from Tokyo, or maybe better spend the time in Hakone and make a day trip from there to Kawaguchiko.

Also doing Beppu - Tokyo in one go is a rather long journey. Though I don't see any problem if you are okay with it. You could also make a stop for 2-3 ours on the way at Himeji or Nagoya if you want to stop for lunch and do a bit of sightseeing on the way.

Everything else looks good to me,
Daniel

krimila
krimila
6 posts
almost 9 years ago

Thank you, Daniel, for such a quick answer and recommendations!
I feel relieved now regarding Beppu. Was a bit worried regarding the distance. Though what about using JR pass for Hiroshima - Beppu - Tokyo route? I found I cannot use the bullet trains, right?
Is the other way much longer (time wise)?

avatar
Daniel-san
18832 posts
almost 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

You can use the bullet train with the JR Pass!

Only some trains traveling along the Shinkansen, the Nozomi and Mizuho trains are not included. You can however use the Sakura and Hikari bullet trains instead.

Have a look at our how to plan with Hyperdia in order to find all bullet trains covered.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

I also agree you can make Kawaguchiko a day trip. You can use that time to see other impressive sites. A day trip to Nikko would be wonderful, or go see Kamakura/Enoshima for a day.
For the 18-23 you give yourself a good chunk of time to see the area. Since you are already seeing Tokyo, you can largely skip Osaka during the day. But at night the city comes alive and has some great places to see, such as Dotonbori, plus the night views from the Umeda Sky Bldg and Abeno Harukas Bldg are stunning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJ_MeXbeow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1wuyAGgyQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AyUZmGbW8g

You can use the time to see other nearby places like HImeji, Nara, or even go visit Koyansan for a night. It'd be a unique experience you will never forget.

Hiroshima is a nice and different break as well - although again 2 days is plenty. You could use some of that time and visit other nearby areas like Iwakuni, Onomichi, Kurashiki or Okayama.
For Beppu, there are things to do there aside from the hot springs, the Hells Tour and Takasakiyama Monkey Park/Aquarium are two examples, but you could also visit another close hot spring place, Yufuinif you wanted, or go visit the Kinosaki Peninsula, which is off the beaten path and quite nice. If you are interested in hot springs, then one of Kyushu's finest is Kurokawa which is a tranquil forested area known for its outdoor baths. It entails riding a bus and paying for it, but it will be one of the finest hot spring experiences you will ever have.

krimila
krimila
6 posts
almost 9 years ago

Thank you, Daniel. I'll definitely check Hyperdia.

Toraneko, great, thanks!
Would you suggest going to Nara from Kyoto or better from Osaka?
Also, I will have only one full day in Osaka, 22nd, you'd say that's ok for Himeji trip? How much time I need for Himeji? I see it's almost 2 hours with the train one way.
Thanks again for all the recommendations! Ill revise them again tomorrow!

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Nara is closer to Kyoto than Osaka. Going to see Himeji on the 22nd would be wonderful - and aside from the castle, be sure to see the beautiful Kokoen Gardens next to it. For HImeji you can take the bullet train there and from Osaka it is only 30 minutes.

krimila
krimila
6 posts
almost 9 years ago

Thanks, Toraneko!

Im actually super interested in staying overnight in a temple. I just couldn't find a particular place but your recommendation is amazing! What do you think, if I change the plan like this, efficient (time wise)?

14-16 Tokyo
16-18 Fujikawaguchiko (possible and worth to make a day trip to Hakone from Kawaguchiko? Any good suggestions on tour organisers for Mt. Fuji, lakes etc?)
18-21 Kyoto (trip to Nara on one of the days)
21-22 Koyasan
22-23 Osaka
23-25 Hiroshima (ferry or train better from Hiroshima to Beppu? Would you say its possible to make it to Iwakuni, Onomichi, Kurashiki or Okayama? I was intending to visit Miyajima and Mazda museum, peace park of course)
25-27 Beppu

27-30 Tokyo (trip to Nikko or Kamakura/Enoshima or Karuizawa or Nagano. which one of these you would say is most worth visiting?)

Thank you in advance!

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,

It looks better to me. It is possible to see both Hakone and the Fuji 5 Lakes area, and there are tours. See here:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html

For directions, click on "To/From Hakone".

For the 23-25, it'd be too much to put in all those places into 3 days. It's up to your interests, so look up each on a site like www.japan-guide.com and pick your favorites. Alternatively you could take time out of Osaka, since you are seeing Tokyo and don't need all those hours to see almost an exact clone. With a good connection and taking the bullet train most of the way, you can get from Hiroshima to Beppu in about 2¼ hours. I think that beats a ferry easily.
Given that you have so much time in the Tokyo area, of the side trips you mention you can easily do 3 of them (one of them perhaps during the 14-16th). The first 3 you mention are the best, and the first 2 are really must-see places.

Bon voyage!

krimila
krimila
6 posts
almost 9 years ago

Great, Toraneko, thanks!

However, I could not find any free temple lodging in Koyasan :(
Would you recommend any other places like that close to Osaka? It would really be amazing to stay in a temple, however I'm afraid to pick up the location myself and get to a boring place.

Thanks!

BR,
Kristina

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
Well, first, I NEVER said that staying at Koyasan was FREE. In fact, it can be quite a bit more than a cheap hotel, but they throw in meals and the rooms are often quite elaborate and nothing what you'd expect a spartan monk to stay in. Other than at Koyasan unfortunately I don't know of anything close to Osaka, and certainly not for free.
Only you can decide if it's for you - it certainly is immersing yourself into Japanese traditional culture. I suggest you go to Youtube and look at the many videos people have put up on, and decide for yourself.

Have a great trip.

krimila
krimila
6 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,

Oh nono, I wasnt expecting it to be free, I am just saying that all the temple lodgings are fully booked in Koyasan :) Seems like they are celebrating something important and everything is booked also in May.
Thanks again for all your help!

Best wishes,
Kristina

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hello,
Well, thanks for clarifying that. If you haven't tried it yet, look at the links on:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4905.html

if you can't find any open places, then I'm sorry I can't be of any further help.


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17323 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes