16 days in Japan - help me plan an itinerary

[FLGirl]

kiethton said:

Thanks guys, fingers xed we've got the the majority covered, main question in my mind was the Kyoto/Tokyo balance and whether Hakone is worth a night to chill?

Yeah JR passes have been on our mind for a while, planning to order them asap and then collect at the terminal? - wel start them after a few days to get best value?

Good itinerary!

I would start your JR pass from arrival. JR run the Yamanote line on the Tokyo subway. It's pretty much the central circle line, and your pass is valid.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf

Hakone is really lovely and worth the trip! If you are keen to 'get going' once you arrive though, you could potentially save it for a night nearer your return and on your way back to Tokyo. Would be a great place to recuperate after a busy trip and before the long flights home.

We stayed in the Green Plaza http://www.hotelgreenplazahakone.com/

It's pricey but worth it. Excellent dinner was included. It has beautiful natural hot springs and the outdoor pools have amazing views of Mt Fuji. In the evenings, a small barrel and little cups are put out by the edge of the pools. Took me a while to figure out but this is sake for you to help yourself to!

Nara and Miyajima are well worth visiting. Miyajima restaurants shut fairly early though (they did when we were there 3 years ago in April) so if you want dinner on the island grab food before 7pm. We went out at 8pm and only one place was open!

[loafer123]

Tokyo/Kyoto balance looked fine to me. If you want to do less travelling around, just add a day to Tokyo as there is always more to see.

Hakone is a nice contrast to Tokyo and well worth it. We stayed at Yama No Chaya which is a real traditional Onsen and quite an experience.

[kiethton]

Thanks all, 14 night JR passes booked (we're there needing transport for 16 days so will need to sort something for the other 2 days) and I've started booking the accommodation, starting with the middle bits/one night stops to ensure we can find something and give a bit of flexibility to cancel/move stuff around - although a fully confirmed AirBNB in Tokyo looks the only way to sort the Tokyo leg in budget (GF refuses either a shared bog/shower and would rather sleep together so most pod's are dead).

First 2 stops booked are:

Mt Koya, a rather nice looking traditional hotel: https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kongo-sanmaiin.ht... (Although double the budget....but giving our own bog!)

Hakone, an onsen hotel although with a shared bathroom! - https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/hakone-tent.html?... - bang on budget @ £65

Ideally trying to hit £50-£80 per night which is looking pretty difficult!

[Cblair246]

I'm after a bit of advice please. I'm looking to go on Honeymoon to Japan for the 1st 3 weeks in August this year. From what I can tell it will be hot, humid and wet. Now the hot and humid part we can live with but the rain could be a right killer. Has anyone experience of Tokyo etc in August, does it rain all days for days on end and will we never see the sun? Also while we love culture we do like to have a bit of chill time beside the pool, is that going to happen in Japan in August?

[Sheetmaself]

Only been in kyushu at this time and when you say you can handle the humidity make sure you mean that. Its like being in a jungle! You shower and you cant dry yourself. Cities are worse due to build up but then offer more options to get out of the heat as im sure you know.

I wouldn't go at this time of year if i had a choice to be honest.

[parabolica]

Cblair246 said:

I'm after a bit of advice please. I'm looking to go on Honeymoon to Japan for the 1st 3 weeks in August this year. From what I can tell it will be hot, humid and wet. Now the hot and humid part we can live with but the rain could be a right killer. Has anyone experience of Tokyo etc in August, does it rain all days for days on end and will we never see the sun? Also while we love culture we do like to have a bit of chill time beside the pool, is that going to happen in Japan in August?

Depends where you are going to stay in the country. First time I went to Japan it was early September and it was 30c and very humid - was totally unprepared for it. Around the city it was tough going - totally typical of a city - i.e. no air flow to keep you cool (outside at least). I also travelled to Akita in the North, Osaka and Ishigaki and none of these areas were uncomfortable as there was always a breeze. Don't recall there being issues with rain; although when it does rain in Japan, it REALLY rains - like monsoon rain. I was back there a year ago exactly and there were rain showers most nights, but as long as you had your trusty 200y umbrella from 7/11 you are fine.

[Craikeybaby]

I have found Tokyo to be especially humid in July/August, not ideal for sightseeing.

I've never actually stayed at a hotel in Japan with a pool, lots have Onsen, but they are segregated, so not ideal for honeymoon.

[kiethton]

Yeah the onsen thing is a little annoying, hoping one of the places I've booked will have a mixed one, private ideally.....would much rather chill in one with the GF over a load of random naked blokes

[Sheetmaself]

Lots of onsen have private facilities at least in Beppu they do.

Just bear in mind these are normally a large rock pool type bath with taps. It is proper hot water, not sure where the cold comes from, but not a traditional onsen experience.

[Sheetmaself]

Also have just found this site http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/hiro... which suggest for a small extra fee you can buy a railpass from a main Japanese station.

Will let you know if it works next week as its news to me!

[kiethton]

Sheetmaself said:

Also have just found this site http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/hiro... which suggest for a small extra fee you can buy a railpass from a main Japanese station.

Will let you know if it works next week as its news to me!

Interesting, Hiroshima and Mayajaima is the furthest west I get - is this not included within the JR pass?

[Sheetmaself]

Yes but there are different types of passes an all Japan one which strangely covers all of japan and regional ones.

I will only have the odd day away and have a house over there so for me the regional often works better. I assume the main one can be bought out there if the regional ones can as still only open to foreign passport owners but i will check at Hakata.

[Cblair246]

Mmmmm ok. Thanks for the pointers guys. I think Japan is off the Honeymoon option list sadly.

[loafer123]

Craikeybaby said:

I have found Tokyo to be especially humid in July/August, not ideal for sightseeing.

I've never actually stayed at a hotel in Japan with a pool, lots have Onsen, but they are segregated, so not ideal for honeymoon.

I was there in July two years ago. In Kyoto it was very humid and 43 degrees for 3 days.

Let's just say, I ate alot of salt and drank alot of water. Still fantastic, though.