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Should we get JR 7 Day Pass? And Itinerary Check.

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
about 10 years ago
7 responses

Hi, we (3 adults) will be heading to Japan in April for 12 Days 11 Night (12-23 April)
Our route would be Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo. One way journey as we will be reaching osaka and depart from tokyo. So do we still need to get the JR Pass?

Also we plan for 2 night Osaka 2 night Kyoto 1 night at Fuji Lake and balance 6 night in Tokyo. Is our plan doable? as we are all first timer to Japan don't really know the distance and stuff. And information search is too much to analyse.

Hope all expert n sinsei can help out.

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

I would recommend purchasing a normal one way ticket Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo. The JR Pass can be very nice when you travel around Japan but it does not pay for just a one way ticket Kyoto - Tokyo.

Time-wise I think you are good! There's not a lot of travel time involved and you get to see both city and nature.

Have a great trip!
Daniel

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
about 10 years ago

Thank you very much Daniel-san
As I know train is not available in midnight. When we reach Kansai at 11pm I believe after we got our luggage and stuff would be over 11.30pm. So does it mean we can only take a taxi to reach Osaka? Is it expensive?

Below is our draft, still adding in places to go as we really have no clue >.< any suggestion? we will be staying in Shinjuku. as for osaka and kyoto any suggestion where to stay?

We realise there's no direct transprt going to Fujikawaguchiko-machi. Wonder where should we go off when go from Kyoto?

Day 1 12/4- reach Osaka
Day 2 13/4- Osaka Castle
Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine Namba Shinsaibashi Day 3 14/4- Umeda Sky Building
Tempozan Head to kyoto Day 4 15/4- Fushimi Inari Shrine
Arashiyama Day 5 16/4-
Head to Fujikawaguchiko-machi Day 6 17/4- Lake Kawaguchi
Motosuko Lake Head to Tokyo Day 7 18/4- Ueno Park
Toshogu Shrine

Day 8 19/4- Meiji Shrine
Shibuya Harajuku Day 9 20/4-
Day 10 21/4- DisneyLand/DisneySea
Day 11 22/4- Imperial East Garden
Ginza

Day 12 23/4-Last Minute Shopping
Head to Narita Airport

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

Arriving at Kansai Airport is known to be a problem as trains stop riding after midnight. I would recommend staying the first night at a Hotel near to Kansai Airport and traveling on the next morning. There are multiple budget hotels in the area starting around 4,000yen/night. Alternatively you could take a Taxi to Osaka but they are very expansive and could cost over 20,000yen.

I think your plans for Kyoto and Osaka look great! I'd add a visit to Kyomizudera temple if you have to time as it is one of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto.

For travel to Kawaguchiko, take the Shinkansen from Kyoto - Mishima station. From here you can use an express but to Kawaguchiko. The route is pretty long and instead I would recommend going to Tokyo instead and make a day trip to Kawaguchiko later on from Tokyo.

As for where to stay in Osaka, look for accommodations around Namba, Shinsai Bashi, Minami. This is the best area to stay in. As for Kyoto try to stay in the city center near Kawaramachi / Shichijou / Goin.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
about 10 years ago

Thank you Daniel-San. will consider stay in kansai upon arrival.
Btw any places in Osaka and Tokyo that you will suggest Must VIsit which I miss out?
still need to tune and adjust abit on our itinerary. Thanks a lot for your help

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

What kind of things are you interested it? Tokyo is so huge and has tons to offer.

Let me know your interests and I can give you some more specific recommendations.

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
about 10 years ago

we are ok with anything. no special interest haha.. had jus add in akhibara to our itinerary oso :)
For the fish market is it worth while to visit?

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Yes Tsukiji fish markt is very interesting, only downside is that you'll have to wake up at 4 am. Something these off interest could be a visit to Odaiba or maybe a side trip to Yokohama.

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
about 10 years ago

hi daniel-san thank you very much for your infor. Since we will be staying in shinjuku so if we have to depart by 4 to reach there before 5 we'll have to catch a taxi instead right?

was looking at odaiba as well, thinking to visit the gundam >.<
Side trip to yokohama? day trip enuf for it?

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

Using the taxi would pretty much be the only option as public transport in the middle of the night stops.

Yokohama is within 60min travel of Tokyo and makes for a great day trip, of course you could spend multiple days there if you have more time. The China town is especially worth a visit.

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
about 10 years ago

if we do day trip to yokohama. is it preferable for us to get the JR pass or jus buy the return ticket there better?

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
about 10 years ago
Expert

The JR Pass is nice to use but Yokohama is not far away, so buying normal tickets is fine too (¥ 450 one way).

fuzzybearz
fuzzybearz
7 posts
almost 10 years ago

hi hi daniel-san, our inal plan below. can please help us final check and c if we need to amend?

Day 1 - Reach Kansai Osaka n check in hotel
Day 2 - Osaka Castle
Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine Namba/Minami Shinsaibashi Day 3 - Tempozan
Umeda Sky Building Head to Kyoto Day 4 - Arashiyama bamboo forest
Fushimi Inari Taisha Day 5 - Kiyomizu-dera
Kinkakuji Temple Head to Fujikawaguchiko-machi Day 6 - Lake Kawaguchi
Motosuko Lake Head to Tokyo Day 7 - Imperial East Garden
Ginza Gyoen National Garden Shinjuku Day 8 - Asasuka/Sensoji
Ueno Toshugu Shrine Akihabara Day 9 - Meiji Shrine
Yoyogi Park Harajuku Shibuya Ometasando Takeshita-dori shopping streets Day 10 - DIsneySEA
Day 11 - Yokohama Day Trip - China Town, Ramen Museum, Kirin Beer Village
Day 12 - Last Minute Shop/Eat/ walk around and depart

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again,

Yes of course, with pleasure!

I checked your route and thing it looks good, nothing I would change :) The places in Tokyo are also nicely grouped.

I think that you are ready to go, have a great time in Japan!
Daniel


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