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freshmint224
freshmint224
almost 9 years ago
9 responses

Hi there!

I'm planning a trip to go Japan from 27th December 2015 to 5th January 2016. (10 days)

My rough itinerary sketch currently is like this.

27th-29 December: Tokyo (most likely in shinjuku and akihabara area)
29-31st January: Osaka (USJ)
31st-5th: Tokyo (Ikebukuro, +++)

Haven't really planned out my itinerary but the main spots I'm heading to is Shinjuku, Akiharaba, Ginza, USJ, J-World and Pokemon centre.

I'm wondering, Is Mount Fuji Open for viewing during that period? I've heard they will be closed for winter.
Another question would be, Would it be worth it to get 7-day/14-day JR pass? I've heard they can be used in the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka as well

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 9 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

Mount Fuji can be seen year round, however you do need good weather. The climbing season is only in summer though.

As for the JR Pass, it certainly could be an interesting option. The price of the 7 day JR Pass is about the same as a normal return ticket Tokyo - Osaka using the Shinkansen and can also be used for local travel in Tokyo and Osaka. Including access to Akihabara, Ginza and USJ.

Looks like a good way to spend the holidays!
Daniel

freshmint224
freshmint224
9 posts
almost 9 years ago

For tourist that doesn't know how to speak Japanese, how will we book the shinkansen seats using the jr pass?

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
If you are traveling at the end/start of the year, and you are sure of the trains you want to take, then reserving your seats ahead of time is a very smart thing to do. The end/start of the year is one of the busiest times to travel in Japan, and it will be harder to get seats.
You can reserve seats in any JR office. Someone in larger stations may be able to speak English at a very basic level. The truth is that few Japanese can speak English with ease. In school the goal is rote memorization and passing tests, not learning to communicate.
But that doesn't mean you are completely up the creek.
To reserve your seats, or if you get hopelessly lost, which is very easy in Japan, it is better to write out your questions in simple words. Japanese are still very poor at speaking English but are often glad to help you out. In case you don't know how to get back to your hotel, carrying a business card or matchbook with your hotel's address on it can also be a big help.

With regards to Mt. Fuji, it is a large volcano so it can't be "closed". But for climbing it the only safe times are July and August. At any rate, seeing Mt. Fuji from afar is much better than part way up it, where there is no real scenery or anything to do. Therefore, I'd suggest you go to either Hakone or the Fuji 5 Lakes Area. If the weather is good, you can have a grand view, but if not, there are still other things to see and do there. The JR Pass can only take you part way there though. So look into getting a Hakone Free Pass or a Fuji Hakone Pass.
In Tokyo a few of the best places to see are the Tsukiji Fish Market, plus the site that every last tourist goes to see, the Sensoji Temple. If you are in Tokyo on a Sunday afternoon, be sure to go visit Harajuku to see the youth with their wild fashions. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park are next to it and well worth seeing also. And be sure not to miss the Shibuya Hachiko intersection especially on a weekend when it looks like half the city is crossing the street all together. The Sky Tree offers the best view over the city but it is rather pricey.
Visiting Nikko also makes a great day trip.

Going Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo almost pays for a 7 day pass, but the difference you can cover quite easily with a side trip or two. Visiting Himeji near Kyoto to see Japan's best castle would do perfectly. Perhaps your next trip you can visit Kyoto and Nara as well - they are the crown jewels of Japanese culture.
A 14 day pass would not pay off without adding extensive travel; at the very least adding something like a side trip to Hiroshima.

Best of luck.

freshmint224
freshmint224
9 posts
almost 9 years ago

I'll keep that in mind while finalizing my itinerary! Hope I can finalize it soon and book hotel tickets in case it gets sold out during the new year

freshmint224
freshmint224
9 posts
almost 9 years ago

Sorry, is it true that JR line will be open 24 hours on new years eve? I'd like to visit Asakusa at night for the bell ringing.

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Hi,
I don't believe it is 24 hours, but New Year's Eve is a special night and active past the normal hours of closing around midnight. You should be able to hear it and still make it home.


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