|
Honey Moon 3 weeks itinerary - comments please :)
Hello all,
My partner and I have finally planned the 3 weeks holiday in Japan in April and need advice/comments on the below rough itinerary (we are going to get the 21 days JR pass): 9 Tokyo - City sightseeing if we are not too tired due to the jet lag. 10 Tokyo City sightseeing 11 Tokyo City sightseeing 12 Nikko 1 day tour 13 Fish market + Hakone 1 day tour 14 Takayama. Hida. Attending the Takayama Festival in the evening 15 Kyoto. 16 Kyoto City sightseeing 17 Fushimi Inari Shrine + Nara 1 day tour 18 Kyoto City sightseeing 19 Kyoto City sightseeing 20 Himeji + Miyajima 1 day tour 21 Fukuoka. 22 Beppu 1 day tour 23 Nagasaki 1 day tour 24 not decided yet 25 not decided yet 26 not decided yet 27 Tokyo check in 28 Tokyo City sightseeing 29 back home How realistic is this schedule? Are we going to be overwhelmed? Any and all advice is welcome! Thank you in advance. |
I think it is pretty realistic...but there isn't a lot of details in there.
It's when people want to see more than three things in a day in Tokyo that I get doubtful. |
LOL MMM, thanks for your answer. My husband would definitely agree with you!
Ok this is the plan for Tokyo and Kyoto: Tokyo day 1 Ueno + Asakusa Tokyo day 2 Akasaka + Ginza Tokyo day 3 Shinjuku + Shibuya Tokyo day 4 Odaiba If we have time, we will probably go to Ghibli museum too, I want a Totoro!!!! We will avoid any other museum as we want to spend our time outside. Kyoto day 1 Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple, Ryoanji temple, Kiyomizu temple Yasaka Pagoda (I think they are all close to each other...) Kyoto day 2 Arashiyama Area Kyoto day 3 Philosopher's Path Area As for April 24, 25 and 26 we have not decided yet, so we are open to any suggestion. Is this too packed? |
Your Tokyo plans are fine, you can walk from Shibuya to Shinjuku in roughly 20 minutes. Highly recomend Shibuya Station and Bus Terminal
  This is in March ;)  I was doing about 3-4 areas a day like you mentioned just walking around during the day. |
Thanks Polar! Those pictures are so bright! I really miss the sun and I hope we'll get plenty of it during our holiday in April!
|
I hope you are spending the night in Nikko...that is really the whole point.
|
Sleep in Nikko? We haven't thought about that... At the moment we are planning to have 1 day tour and go back to Tokyo for the night.
|
Quote:
|
Looks ok to me! I think you could fit in the Museum on the last day with Odaiba. From there you can walk through a nice park (inokashirakoen) towards Kichijoji wich is where lots of locals go to hang out or for shopping.
Doing Himeji and Miyajima in 1 day is possible but i would do Himeji in the morning, than go to Hiroshima and see the A-Bomb dome (the Museum is great as well) and stay there for the night. The next morning visit Miyajima and than drive on to Fukuoka. Fukuoka is a really nice city, might be worth an extra day! When going to Beppu stay in a traditional Ryokan and take the Bus to the Hells, its really worth it (go to the ones the tourist information recommends, the other are not so good). What is your plan for Nagasaki? I have been there a day but theres not to much to do. If you want to do something a bit crazy you could jump over to Korea with the ferry (3h one way) for a day or 2. The ferry goes from Fukuoka to Busan and the visa is no problem. Otherwise the nightview from the mountains around Kobe is really nice, so you could spend a day around Osaka and have dinner in the Kobe Harbour Area, than drive up with the cable car to see the nightview of Kobe and Osaka (japanese say it a million dollar view). Have fun |
FYI,You need reserved ticket to Ghibli museum.
I don't know where will you stay in Tokyo. But I think "Tokyo day 3 Shinjuku + Shibuya" + Ghibli museum in Mitaka is the best choice. 19 Kyoto City sightseeing 20 Himeji + Miyajima 1 day tour 21 Fukuoka. Going back to Kyoto after Miyajima is not efficient and not usual. Staying Hiroshima or Miyajima is normal. If you like Ponyo,I recommend Tomonoura in Hiroshima prefecture. 24 not decided yet 25 not decided yet 26 not decided yet 27 Tokyo check in On the way back to Tokyo,I recommend Kobe,Osaka,Kouyasan and Fuji. If you don't mind long train ride,Tōhoku region is another choice. Btw,according to your itinerary,you are going to visit five or six World Heritage Site.You can add more easily. 1.Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama(bus ride from Takayama St.)You can go and come back, before you leave for Kyoto. 2.Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima 3.Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range which include Kouyasan.Stay there or 1 day tour from Osaka. not so easily,but possible 4.Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture. impossible 5.Gusuku in Okinawa P.S. If you don't mind ,tell me why do you want to visit Akasaka in Tokyo? I'm just curious. I think Akasaka is not typical Sightseeing spot. |
Aw thanks for your answers! I understand there is still a lot to view, 3 weeks are not enough! LOL
At the very beginning we thought to do the following: 5 nights in Tokyo 1 night in Takayama 6 nights in Kyoto 6 nights in Fukuoka 2 nights in Tokyo. But 6 days in Fukuoka are a bit too much and we could do something else instead. We mainly decided to do so not to bring our luggage around, check in and check out. We thought we could move around by public transport and then go back to the hotel for the night. I understand we might miss so many stuff though that might worth a visit. I'd love to stay in Miyajima and in Mount Koya for one night, so we may go to Miyajima on our way to Fukuoka and to Koya on our way back to Tokyo? What do you think? Should we sleep 5 nights in Kyoto instead of 6? And then 1 in Miyajima? We just don't want to rush from one place to another. About the Onsen... I can't wait to try it! In Beppu, I found this nice hotel Suginoi Hotel, Beppu, Kyushu (if link is not appropriate, moderator you are free to remove it or let me know and I'll remove it), just not sure whether I have to pay if I want to use the family one. The main 'problem' is that my husband is quite shy... I don't know why I mentioned Akasaka. In fact, we might avoid it all together. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
All, Thanks a mil for your advises, answers, suggestions, everything! And a big thanks for the time you spent answering my questions. Japan is such a wonderful country full of history and I can't wait to be there!!! xxx ETA: Quote:
|
I suggest itinerary after Kyoto. This itinerary is including links.please check.
Plan1 15 Kyoto 16 Kyoto City sightseeing 17 Fushimi Inari Shrine + Nara 1 day tour 18 Kyoto City sightseeing 19 Himeji 1 day tour and Kyoto City sightseeing 20 Hiroshima+Miyajima Miyajima, an Island where People and Gods Live Together http://www4.ocn.ne.jp/~miyayado/english.html 21 Fukuoka 22 Beppu 1 day tour 23 Nagasaki 1 day tour 24 Osaka. 25 Kobe One day tour (Trains from Kobe to Osaka are running frequently.you can enjoy Kobe night) 26 Mt Koya One day tour Official website of K http://www2.ocn.ne.jp/~koyasan/indexe.html Koya-cho Lodging: Read Reviews and Compare Prices - TripAdvisor 27 Tokyo check in 28 Tokyo City sightseeing 29 back home I know you definitely are not going to sleep in Osaka(I wonder why). But staying in Osaka is efficient for both of one day tour and going back to Tokyo.According to this plan,you don't need to repeat check in and check out. Plan2 15～23 same as plan1 24 kobe 25 Kobe 26 Mt Koya 27 Tokyo check in 28 Tokyo City sightseeing 29 back home You don`t need to stay Osaka. Visiting Kobe and go to Mount Koya for the night is possible.But you will be from Fukuoka.I never recommend. One day tour from Kobe is OK(Plan3). About Onsen in Beppu you can't use onsen in the hotel you referred to without staying night there. There are municipal management Onsen. Beppu City Official Web Beppu Hot Springs Your husband is so shy? Don't worry.there are also some sand bath in Beppu. You don't need to be full nude. And there are some privately‐operated Onsen which have family bath. ADD NEW LINK http://www17.ocn.ne.jp/~ftio/ 8.Kitahama Hot Spring (Termas) The open-air bath to go in with a bathing suit! Holidays : Thursday Nagasaki About Nagasaki | Nagasaki City Tourism Guide Amazing Nagasaki I can't say which city is better.At least, if you are from Netherlands or interested in history of Christian in Japan,you might enjoy Nagasaki. Ghibli museum I recommended Shinjuku + Shibuya + Ghibli museum in Mitaka.Because of their locations.At least,walking from Odaiba to Mitaka is insane.Don't try. To be honest,I think itinerary in big city like Tokyo is not so important except reserved ticket.You can easily get info there and Public Transportation is good enough. |
Thanks a mil for your suggestion allhailhata!
I checked the prices to sleep in Miyajima but are too expensive, therefore won't stay there for the night. The hostel in Koyasan is fully booked. Our choice is now between Fukuchi-in (the only one with the onsen) and Shojoshin-in (close to the cemetry). We can't decide which one is the best. The price is quite the same. Any suggestion? We don't want to sleep in Osaka because we can get the last train at 23:00 (11pm) to get back to Kyoto. |
Quote:
Hostel Hiroshima Guesthouse | Cheap accommodation for Backpackers or budget traveller in Hiroshima There is accomodation for backpackers in Miyajima. Backpackers Miyajima (Hatsukaichi, Japan) - Hostel Reviews - TripAdvisorBRAND-NEW hostel "Backpackers Miyajima" is for all budget travelers! Only Sorry for inappropriate links.I didn't know your budget per night. If I give only one advice about your original itinerary ,"Himeji + Miyajima 1 day tour" from Kyoto is too hard. I can't say which is better in Koyasan.Because I have not stayed in both. But I think distance from the cemetery is not so important.Fukuchi-in is close to Kongoubuji temple,but a little far from the cemetery.Shojoshin-in is opposite. In addition ,Kouyasan is not so wide and buses are running. I walked from Kongoubuji temple to the cemetery and used bus for return trip last year. If I choose, Fukuchi-in.Because it is closer to convenience store(maybe only one in Koyasan). It doesn't mean Fukuchi-in is better as accommodation. On the way to Fukuoka,you don't need to sleep in Osaka.Because you will stay in Kyoto. But on the way back to Tokyo,I don't think you must avoid Osaka. |
I have been to Nagasaki and Hiroshima and i liked Hiroshima alot better. I have also been to both A-Bomb Museums and the one in Hiroshima is definetly worth it. The Peace park around the A-bomb dome is also very nice and i think you can take a boat trip to Mijayijima from there. I stayed in the J-Hoppers in Hiroshima wich was really nice because of the great staff and the good Location (very close to the Peace park).
If you want to stay at a hotel but it shouldn´t be to expensive than i can recommend Hotel Reservations - Hotel Chain Toyoko Inn . This hotels are nearly everywhere, always to a decent price and easy to book online. Rooms are small but you get everything you need and the Hotel looks the same anywhere you go. In Beppu you don´t have to stay at a place that is that expensive. I stayed at a place (a ryokan) with my brother that was recommended by the tourist information and we payed 12000 yen with breakfarst, got our own nice room, could reserve the rotemburo (outside onsen) for 1 hour and the staff was nice. The Shower, Toilet was not in the room though but shared. In Koyasan i would recommend to stay at one of the Buddihst tempels in town. Its your best chance to see a morning prayer and the vegeterian food is really nice. Don´t stay at the cheapest one though, i have been there and it was ok but not nice. The Tourist information in town can help you, its right by the bus stop. |
Hey all!
Thanks a mil for your kind reply. I just checked how far is to get to Koyasan from Fukuoka. It's a long travel, maybe 6 hours or more, so I have to surrend to the evidence and sleep in Osaka the night before. Kobe would be a nice option too (nicer maybe?), but as Osaka is closer to Koyasan, we might stay there. I booked Fukuchi-in as accommodation in Koyasan, can't wait to be there! BTW, do you know if in Osaka Namba station there is a locker for our luggage? The plan is to go up to the mountain with a small backpack for the night and leave everything else there. I contacted Hyperdia as well, as their website hasn't been updated with April yet, and they replied they'll do it soon. Train schedule is more or less the same, with minor changes. Thanks again for your time! |
Of course,There is a locker.Check the linked page which is including Train schedule.
Namba - Station Information | Nankai Electric Railway Nanba is the biggest station in Osaka Minami district.like Shinjuku or Ikebukuro in Tokyo. I recommend walking around there. Kobe is better for Honey Moon.As Firebird stated before,famous for Harbour Area and night view.I recommend strongly one day tour.Roughly 50 minutes train ride from Osaka. |
sorry poor English
It is a Japanese site, but will understand a rough place and a price and the number. なんば - コインロッカーサーチ It is the site of two railroad companies running in the Namba station Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau Namba - Station Information | Nankai Electric Railway |
Aw thank you, I feel much better now that I know I can leave my luggage there!
No worries for the Japanese site, I can always use google web page translator, it's great! Now I'm looking for the accommodation... LOL |
How about this?
In Osaka. Osaka Hostel Guesthouse | Cheap hostel in Osaka for Backpackers or budget traveller in Osaka In Kobe. Kobe Dears' BackPackers House / hostel Kobe Japan But I don't know their quality.:mtongue: |
Thanks allhailhata, I finally booked the night in Osaka. We usually tend to avoid hostels, especially now, as it's our honey moon.
I received a bunch of material from the JNTO yesterday morning. I can't believe the maps and leaflets and stuff they sent me, all very useful! I just wanted to ask if you have done this itinerary and/or what do you think about that: Hakone Station - Hakone Open Air Museum - Gora Station - Sounzan Station - Owakudani Station - Togendai Station - Hakone Machi - Odawara Station - back in Tokyo. Thanks. |
Does "Hakone Station"means "Hakone-Yumoto Station"?
Ｉｆ so(I think you mean Hakone yumoto St.),It's a typical Hakone round tour. http://www.hakone.or.jp/japan/touris...df/timemap.pdf Hakone Navi | Transportation in Hakone | Hakone Route Map Using JR PASS to Odawara and using Hakone Freepass from Odawara is the cheapest. Odakyu Freepass and Coupon | Odakyu Freepass and Coupon | Odakyu Electric Railway |
Sorry Allhailhata if I didn't thank you before! Yes it means Hakone-Yumoto Station.
I did aknowledge your reply, and that's duly noted! |
Guys, only a couple of days to go. I can't wait, I'm so excited! I've found a volunteer guide in Takayama, she'll stay with us during the festival and finally booked the tickets for the Miyako Odori. I'm so happy!
I'm not sure I'll be able to log in again, but I want to thank you all for your useful replies, messages and support. You rock!!!! Of course I will let you know how it went as soon as we are back! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 10:48 PM. |