Hello,
Myself and 4 friends are traveling to Japan from March 29th to April 11th. We hope to see the highlights of the country and a few off the beaten path things as well. Also, we would love to see Cherry Blossoms if there is anywhere that is superb for their viewing that you could recommend.
I am including our itinerary below. My main questions is in the transportation to and from each place. I know there are trains, buses and subways to consider. I am downloading the app recommended on this site to help but was hoping you could put my mind at ease ahead of time that this will be simpler than I am thinking. Thank you so much for your help.
March 29- Arrive into Narita, Tokyo (I only purchased 7 days JR pass so I will have to pay for some sort of transportation from Narita into Shinjuku district in Tokyo. What is most economical but also doesn't take so long since I'm arriving from a 15 hour flight?)
March 30-Tokyo (will not have JR pass activated yet so I will need subway/bus transportation around Tokyo. What is most ecumenical for this for 3 days now and 3 days at the end of my trip)
March 31-Tokyo
April 1- Tokyo
April 2- Travel to Kyoto (Will Activate JR Pass at train station in Tokyo to use for this trip)
April 3- Kyoto
April 4- Daytrip to Nara and Back to Kyoto
April 5- Travel to Hiroshima for 1/2 day there. In evening, travel to Miyajima Island to spend night there. (I have heard the best way to do this is by bus and then ferry which are included in the JR Pass. Is this true?)
April 6- Travel from Miyajima to Osaka early morning. (What is the best and fastest way to get from Miyajima to Osaka city? Do I have to go back through Hiroshima or is there a more direct path?) Day trip from Osaka to Hemeji Castle and back and then have dinner back in Osaka and spend the night there. (Is there an easy way from Osaka to the castle?)
April 7- Travel early from Osaka to Hakone to stay at Fujiya famous hotel. (What is the easiest path from Osaka to Hakone at this hotel?)
April 8- Travel from Hakone to Tokyo Shinjuku District. (what is the easiest path from Hakone to Shinjuku station?)
April 9- Tokyo
April 10- Tokyo
April 11- Tokyo to Narita to go home. :-(
Will the 7 day JR Pass be ok for all of our travel outside Tokyo? I would leave for Kyoto on April 2nd and return to Tokyo on April 8th from Hakone. I'm hoping this is enough days and all of my travel made the pass price worth it.
Thank you again for your help!!
Athena