3 Weeks in Japan - The Post COVID Version!

[rbjhan]

Fantastic & informative TR many thanks. All going well I have 5 nights in Osaka and 5 nights in Tokyo next August.

Not going to Kyoto at all?

 

[drron]

The problem with all masks though is that they have to be fitted for optimal protection.
For me most N95 masks had leaks so still fogging of glasses and that was with my beard gone.

 

[karen blancfield]

The problem with all masks though is that they have to be fitted for optimal protection.
For me most N95 masks had leaks so still fogging of glasses and that was with my beard gone.

Yep no beard and today bought an anti fog spray from optician, will see how that goes. I’m in danger of being run over by a Nagasaki tram! It’s wet and cold, so we have retreated to the hotel to test the onsen.

 

[rbjhan]

I'm generally okay with masks but physical activities would totally fxxked the glasses...I carried multiple masks, a new one would help, somewhat.

 

[craven morehead]

Not going to Kyoto at all?

Not at this stage. I just booked this today after reading your TR as my plans have changed. I was originally doing BNE-MEL-HND-HEL-DUB-train-BFS-LHR-HND-SIN (5 weeks) and had to cancel due to a change in employment. We have friends in Osaka, and I haven't been to Japan for what will be 15 years by the time I get back This revised trip came about as my wife and I have a stand-alone booking in F (Classic Reward) SIN-SYD which I didn't want to waste so made a very rushed, shortened trip (2 weeks) which gets us back to SIN to enjoy a flight home in F. I have little experience in Japan. Is Kyoto a must do?

 

[rbjhan]

Not at this stage. I just booked this today after reading your TR as my plans have changed. I was originally doing BNE-MEL-HND-HEL-DUB-train-BFS-LHR-HND-SIN (5 weeks) and had to cancel due to a change in employment. We have friends in Osaka, and I haven't been to Japan for what will be 15 years by the time I get back This revised trip came about as my wife and I have a stand-alone booking in F (Classic Reward) SIN-SYD which I didn't want to waste so made a very rushed, shortened trip (2 weeks) which gets us back to SIN to enjoy a flight home in F. I have little experience in Japan. Is Kyoto a must do?

Probably my favourite, despite the huge amount of tourists.
I am not a great fan of Osaka so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Edit, Osaka and Kyoto are close, you can always do a day trip...

 

[craven morehead]

Probably my favourite, despite the huge amount of tourists.
I am not a great fan of Osaka so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Edit, Osaka and Kyoto are close, you can always do a day trip...

"Edit, Osaka and Kyoto are close, you can always do a day trip."

Sounds like a plan. Cheers for the heads up

 

[rbjhan]

"Edit, Osaka and Kyoto are close, you can always do a day trip."

Sounds like a plan. Cheers for the heads up

Also, depends on where you are in Osaka and where you want to go in Kyoto, don't assume you need to take JR.
Keihan and Hankyu Railways are often much better choices.

 

[RooFlyer]

Many thanks for this TR @rbjhan . I'll chuck the Lonely Planet away and just follow this whenever I venture back to Japan

 

[RooFlyer]

PS I wonder if you might provide a Google Map showing your overall route?

 

[rbjhan]

PS I wonder if you might provide a Google Map showing your overall route?

Sure, just let me figure out how to do it....
Unless you have some quick hints?

 

[VPS]

Sure, just let me figure out how to do it....
Unless you have some quick hints?

And if you do can you share them please @RooFlyer I’d like to map my trip too

 

[GarrettM]

Haven't been to Kiyomizudera since 2014, maybe it's time...
View attachment 309803

Wow, it was even more breathtakingly beautiful than I remembered!
View attachment 309804

I came just at the right time for the autumn colours.
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Got a very pretty Shuin here too! (it's the one on the left)
View attachment 309808

It was boarded up and getting renovated for so long... but they obviously did a stellar job.

 

[GarrettM]

Will endorse many of the comments above and say thanks for a very interesting and detailed trip report. Not sure rural Japan is entirely my cup of tea, but you made it look rather nice.

Would love to try the sleeper train though. Can't imagine my wife would agree, and the kids would make it a nightmare.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sure, just let me figure out how to do it....
Unless you have some quick hints?

Google maps Tokyo

Tokyo · Japan

Japan

www.google.com.au

Directions
Add destinations, eg
Hammamatsu
+ Add destination
Kanazawa



+ Add destination Niigata
+ Add destination Iwaki



... I think you can go to 10 stops.

You can click on, and drag the route for an indirect route if you want (or just enter an intermediate stop)



I'm sure there are better ways, but this is a pretty simple way to show an overall route.

if you really want to show more than 10 stops, then part A and Part B

 

[rbjhan]

Google maps Tokyo

Tokyo · Japan

Japan

www.google.com.au

Directions
Add destinations, eg
Hammamatsu
+ Add destination
Kanazawa
View attachment 312753


+ Add destination Niigata
+ Add destination Iwaki

View attachment 312755

... I think you can go to 10 stops.

You can click on, and drag the route for an indirect route if you want (or just enter an intermediate stop)

View attachment 312756

I'm sure there are better ways, but this is a pretty simple way to show an overall route.

if you really want to show more than 10 stops, then part A and Part B

where do I "add destination"?

Edit, tried to hit the 3 dots in between but didn't work, I'm on a slow day again

 

[rbjhan]

Will endorse many of the comments above and say thanks for a very interesting and detailed trip report. Not sure rural Japan is entirely my cup of tea, but you made it look rather nice.

Would love to try the sleeper train though. Can't imagine my wife would agree, and the kids would make it a nightmare.

Honestly I would not bring kids on the train, it's a big thing in Japanese culture to not disrupt others. Depends on how old they are but I can't imagine kids keeping quiet for 12 hours...
Very thin walls as you can imagine but I did not hear a thing the whole time.

 

[rbjhan]

It was boarded up and getting renovated for so long... but they obviously did a stellar job.

Oh yeah last time I went was just before they started the reno on the main hall.

 

[karen blancfield]

And if you or anyone has a recommendation for somewhere to eat in Okayama, we will give it a try in these 4 days. We are right beside the canal and the illuminations look great.

 

[RooFlyer]

where do I "add destination"?

This what I get; you need to select the car symbol, rather than train. Won't be exactly accurate roite of course, but will give an overview. Although I'm surprised it doesn't seem to want to add another rail destination.