Itinerary for Japan - feedback please

[goldenhorn]

I've done a trip out to kinosaki onsen from Osaka/Kyoto and it was a wonderfully relaxing traditional onsen town for a 1-night stay.

Oh that sounds perfect. Thank you!

 

[jastel]

Where are the snow monkeys?

Seems you have been answered...but I did similar to Amaroo and caught the Shink from Tokyo to Nagano but then got a local bus to drop me at a bus stop at a service station at the bottom of the hill. It ads another few hundred metres to the walk...the walk is not long but a bit slippery on the snow/ice. There are plenty of signs pointing the way to the monkeys.

The down side bus stop is like a little kids cubby house on the other side from the servo. I got a can of coke and a snack from the servo to eat while waiting for the bus.

It would probably be cheaper than a private tour but takes some more research...my trip was a few years ago so things have probably changed but I guess there would still be buses from the station passing there.

 

[goldenhorn]

It's a great day trip. I did a TR .... it starts here Far EA(s)Ts .... The Golden Triangle!

Loved your TR.

Thinking I’d love to snow monkeys. But a friend just mentioned the Shinkansen is out for quite a while because of the typhoon so maybe it will be hard to get there?

 

[goldenhorn]

Seems you have been answered...but I did similar to Amaroo and caught the Shink from Tokyo to Nagano but then got a local bus to drop me at a bus stop at a service station at the bottom of the hill. It ads another few hundred metres to the walk...the walk is not long but a bit slippery on the snow/ice. There are plenty of signs pointing the way to the monkeys.

The down side bus stop is like a little kids cubby house on the other side from the servo. I got a can of coke and a snack from the servo to eat while waiting for the bus.

It would probably be cheaper than a private tour but takes some more research...my trip was a few years ago so things have probably changed but I guess there would still be buses from the station passing there.

You’re an adventurer! I think I’m a book a tour kinda guy.

 

[goldenhorn]

Has anyone here been to the Sumo?

I’m definitely not a sporting fan/type but I see lots of people mention it’s good.

Trying to decide if we would enjoy it. What’s the appeal?

 

[zenyattamondatta]

a friend just mentioned the Shinkansen is out for quite a while because of the typhoon so maybe it will be hard to get there?

Back up and running along the full line as of yesterday.

 

[Cossie]

Has anyone here been to the Sumo?

I’m definitely not a sporting fan/type but I see lots of people mention it’s good.

Trying to decide if we would enjoy it. What’s the appeal?

When we went in Fukuoka a lot of the spectators were more interested in us, than what was happening in the ring. The ceremony seems to be as important as the actual contest.
Like kabuki, it's Japan, you have to go to these things at least once.

 

[Danielb56]

Mr Goldenhorn and I are heading to Japan in the last 2 weeks of January 2020 (yes, it will
be cold but it’s a quiet time in my business so timing is good).

I've got JL J award flights booked in and out of NRT, (with 2 nights in Singapore on the way there and the way back) so we have a total of 15 nights in Japan.

I'd love feedback from those that have been to Japan. I've only been once way back in 1996, but I was on tour and working so I didn't see a lot from a tourist perspective. Just lots of concert halls, airports, and hotels. But I do remember how amazing Tokyo was!

So far I've only booked the first 4 nights accommodation in Tokyo at a ryokan.

Here' my proposed itinerary so far:

Day 1 - arrive Tokyo late in evening
Day 2 - Tokyo
Day 3 - Tokyo
Day 4 - Tokyo
Day 5 - Kyoto
Day 6 - Kyoto
Day 7 - Kyoto
Day 8 - Osaka
Day 9 - Osaka (visit USJ or Himeji Castle)
Day 10 - Hiroshima
Day 11 - Hiroshima
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15 - travel back to Tokyo

I'm not sure what to do for the final few days before heading back to Tokyo.

A friend said to consider heading on to Kyushu - Beppu, Fukuoka, or Nagasaki.

Any feedback and input appreciated!

I would visit some villages out from Kyoto or Osaka even stay overnight in some....Nara about 1 hour away, Kamakurra sth of Tokyo, Karuizawa West of Tokyo....

 

[amaroo]

Has anyone here been to the Sumo?

I’m definitely not a sporting fan/type but I see lots of people mention it’s good.

Trying to decide if we would enjoy it. What’s the appeal?

Other than watching news clips I knew nothing about Sumo. We loved it! If there is a tournament on, you won’t regret going.

 

[tizey]

The sumo is great fun. Definitely a do once while your there if it fits in with your itinerary. Same as baseball - had more fun at a Tokyo Giants game in Tokyo than we did a Yankees game in NY.

 

[Ric]

Any suggestions on what to do on New Year's Eve in Tokyo? And are all things closed in Jan 1?

Cheers,
Ric

 

[zenyattamondatta]

January 1 is pretty much the day of the year when things are most likely to be closed. A couple of my go-to restaurants are open every other day of the year...

That said, with some prior research it's not that hard to find somewhere to eat or drink. I needed to get a cast on my foot changed a couple of years ago, and got it done at a clinic at Haneda (domestic) Airport with no real drama.

You'll find countdown parties and the like in Tokyo if that's your thing, but you can draw a pretty close analogy between NYE in Japan and Christmas Day in Australia and elsewhere... it's more a family thing than an occasion for going out.

 

[Matt_01]

IMO Japan is one place that you can go to and every visit will be different, be it on a budget or spending serious coin I have done both. There is no such thing as a perfect itinerary it is just what you can see while you are there. We have been there many times.

 

[goldenhorn]

The sumo is great fun. Definitely a do once while your there if it fits in with your itinerary. Same as baseball - had more fun at a Tokyo Giants game in Tokyo than we did a Yankees game in NY.

Looks like the Sumo is on when we are there (Jan 16-30) yay!

 

[goldenhorn]

Thanks for your feedback everyone. After your suggestions, I've realised how short this trip actually is considering what's on offer in Japan!

So I've revised the itinerary to slow things down a bit.

I also want to have one blow-out night at a traditional Ryokan with breakfast and Kaiseki, but my budget would be $600-$800 for 2 of us for that night if possible. Some of the Ryokan are off the charts in price, although I am sure it's an unforgettable experience.

If anyone has suggestions for accommodation in Osaka and Hiroshima, or for a great Kaiseki experience, I would appreciate it.

Here's where the itinerary stands at the moment:

Day 1 - arrive Tokyo late in evening (Ryokan booked)
Day 2 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)
Day 3 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked) - Sumo tournament OR snow monkeys
Day 4 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)
Day 5 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 6 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 7 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 8 - Osaka
Day 9 - Osaka -visit USJ for full day or Himeji Castle
Day 10 - Osaka
Day 11 - Hiroshima
Day 12 - Hiroshima - possible day trip/hike abandoned JR
Day 13 - Hiroshima
Day 14 - Hakone for onsens
Day 15 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)

 

[goldenhorn]

I've done a trip out to kinosaki onsen from Osaka/Kyoto and it was a wonderfully relaxing traditional onsen town for a 1-night stay.

Thank you! Looks good. That may be a possibility of staying a night there from Osaka.

So do you spend the whole day soaking in different Onsen?

 

[goldenhorn]

IMO Japan is one place that you can go to and every visit will be different, be it on a budget or spending serious coin I have done both. There is no such thing as a perfect itinerary it is just what you can see while you are there. We have been there many times.

Yes - I'm definitely getting that sense. Haven't been on this trip yet and I'm thinking about all the things I want to do next time lol

 

[goldenhorn]

Close to Shiga Kogen ski resort near Nagano. I've been a couple of times in winter and am planning to take my daughters there for a half-day trip this coming January. In winter, it's a very cold but scenic walk over a snowy forested trail to get to the little cafe and onsen. Lots of Macaques jumping around the area close to the onsen and of course 20-30 in there bathing. Pretty entertaining, there are always a few fighting with each other and carrying on. I believe only certain monkeys are allowed in the onsen bully the others to keep out, so some sort of caste system in operation. Keep in mind these are not caged animals, this is their natural home. They are not going to steal your camera like in Ubud's monkey forest but you wouldn't want to pat them on the head.

Seeing Snow Monkeys: Tokyo to Jigokudani Monkey Park | Tokyo Cheapo

Want to see Japanese snow monkeys soaking in hot springs? Why not take a trip from Tokyo to Jigokudani Monkey Park? Here's how to, plus

tokyocheapo.com

Can it be done as a half-day trip? Other reading I've done seems to suggest it's quite a full day even if you leave early. Trying to work out if I have time to do this. Would love to, but only have 4 full days in Tokyo!

 

[exceladdict]

Thanks for your feedback everyone. After your suggestions, I've realised how short this trip actually is considering what's on offer in Japan!

So I've revised the itinerary to slow things down a bit.

I also want to have one blow-out night at a traditional Ryokan with breakfast and Kaiseki, but my budget would be $600-$800 for 2 of us for that night if possible. Some of the Ryokan are off the charts in price, although I am sure it's an unforgettable experience.

If anyone has suggestions for accommodation in Osaka and Hiroshima, or for a great Kaiseki experience, I would appreciate it.

Here's where the itinerary stands at the moment:

Day 1 - arrive Tokyo late in evening (Ryokan booked)
Day 2 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)
Day 3 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked) - Sumo tournament OR snow monkeys
Day 4 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)
Day 5 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 6 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 7 - Kyoto (Hotel booked)
Day 8 - Osaka
Day 9 - Osaka -visit USJ for full day or Himeji Castle
Day 10 - Osaka
Day 11 - Hiroshima
Day 12 - Hiroshima - possible day trip/hike abandoned JR
Day 13 - Hiroshima
Day 14 - Hakone for onsens
Day 15 - Tokyo (Ryokan booked)

Which Ryokans have you booked if you don't mind me asking? I'm trying to find one for December in either Osaka or Tokyo

 

[goldenhorn]

Which Ryokans have you booked if you don't mind me asking? I'm trying to find one for December in either Osaka or Tokyo

I used the Lonely Planet recommendation for Toyko. It's cheap, great reviews, but shared bathrooms (if that bothers you). Most reviewers said it's a non-issue.

Kimi Ryokan

KIMI RYOKAN (AU$67): 2023 Prices & Reviews (Tokyo, Japan) - Photos of Ryokan - Tripadvisor

From AU$67 per night on Tripadvisor: Kimi Ryokan, Tokyo. See 544 traveller reviews, 187 photos, and cheap rates for Kimi Ryokan, ranked #2 of 72 hotels in Tokyo and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

www.tripadvisor.com.au

I've booked this one for our 2 last nights in Tokyo that is also a LP recommendation:

Ryokan Sawanoya

RYOKAN SAWANOYA: 2023 Reviews (Yanaka, Japan) - Photos of Ryokan - Tripadvisor

Ryokan Sawanoya, Yanaka: See 723 traveller reviews, 810 photos, and cheap rates for Ryokan Sawanoya, ranked #1 of 3 hotels in Yanaka and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

www.tripadvisor.com.au