Japan potential itinerary feedback

[GarrettM]

About to book flights for our family holiday next April/May. Getting there with revenue tickets (Y) and back with VFF points for a couple J seats on SQ.

Right now we're thinking starting in Tokyo and staying 5-6 days, giving us plenty of opportunity for some different day excursions - Yokohama/Sendai/Hirosaki/Fuji etc.

And then 3-4 days in Nagoya, training straight over to Fukuoka for 4 days, and using that as a base to visit Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Finishing up in Osaka for another 5-6 days, with visits to Kyoto, Kanazawa and most importantly the Fukui Prefecture Dinosaur Museum!

Flying out of KIX is my plan, although could easily change that to cough if someone can argue it makes more sense that way.

Not looking to do shorter stays as we will be traveling with an almost 2yo so better to "plant roots".

Would you suggest changes to this plan? Or other possible stops rather than Nagoya particularly?
Or other interesting day adventures? We'll be getting JR passes as well.

 

[smit0847]

There's very little to do in Nagoya- I would skip that completely. Tokyo, Osama, Kyoto and Hiroshima are all you need to focus on for a first time trip to Japan.

 

[dajop]

Yes only reason for Nagoya would be a day trip up to Tsumago and so a walk around there .... But not ideal with 2 yo! So yes don't bother with Nagoya. I'd actually suggest flying out of cough if you can, and do things on the island of Kyushu last, saves backtracking to Osaka.

 

[junbugging]

If you're there for the best part of three weeks, then Ishigaki (Okinawa) might be worth considering. You can fly there quite cheaply using ANA's Experience Japan Fare or the JAL equivalent. And you could maybe fly out of Tokyo and back to Osaka or perhaps even Fukuoka. I've never stayed there, but there's a Club Med that some friends have found good with kids.

Kanazawa and Wajima (Noto Peninsula) can stand up to a few nights rather than just a day-trip too.

This is a beautiful place to stay within reach of Fukuoka:

Ryokan Yoyokaku-Information

And I'd probably opt for Kobe instead of Osaka as a base, you don't sacrifice too much in the way of convenience doing that, and there are some nice places to stay.

 

[Cynicor]

It's not time at all in Tokyo, especially considering the day trips you want to do. I did a fortnight there and still have been back for around 3 further weeks!

Also check the sumo tournament timetable to get an idea if you can make it, if keen

 

[junbugging]

May 14-28 for the, um, May tournament (in Tokyo) next year.

I second the sentiment about a few days being not long enough in Tokyo itself, but having lived here so long I'm not sure how Tokyo appears to visitors with just a few days. When you don't really have time to do much more than scratch the surface, other places can perhaps offer a more rewarding introduction to Japan.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Just back from a 5 day visit to Nara and Kyoto, family visit, was fantastic. Also spent 4 days in Chigasaki but that was for a golf tournament and food/drink (personal cultural visit).

Cheers
BF

 

[Jacques Vert]

You haven’t given your proposed starting date however if you are hoping to see cherry blossoms, you may be a little late around Tokyo & Kyoto which were full bloom this year in the first week of April. You can of course head north (Hirosaki full bloom this year April 21; Hakodate April 29).

You can see the forecast (not yet) and last year’s report here: 2016 Cherry Blossom Forecast

We have just returned from 30 days in Japan. I see you have already found our trip report (http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/chasing-cherry-blossoms-old-friends-75583.html)

Have you also seen drron's excellent report here:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....hotos/japan-its-bloomin-marvellous-74760.html

I agree with smit0847 that there isn’t a lot to do in Nagoya although nice enough; Nagoya Castle is worth a visit but not much different to many other castles. Takayama is about three hours north of Nagoya and could be considered but given the amount of time you have I agree with others to head straight to Osaka or Kobe.

Fukuoka is a nice city but not that much touristy stuff to do (although we were only there one day and a couple of nights so we may have missed a bit - we used it to get to and from Kyushu rather than a destination in itself).

Fukuoka is still a bit over two and a half hours from Nagasaki (by train) so a bit of a hike for a day trip with a little one. Hiroshima is just under 2 hours (by Shinkansen) so easier but consider doing it on the way to Kyushu.

If you can organise to fly out from Fukuoka, that would be a good option IMHO. You could look at Tokyo-Kyoto/Nara-Osaka/Kobe-Hiroshima-Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Fukuoka.

In Fukuoka, the airport is only two stops on the subway from the main Hakata station and costs Y260 per adult. I wouldn’t back track to Kansai if I could avoid it, depending on costs of course and/or award flight availability.

Kansai is about an hour from Osaka (make that 2 from Kobe) and the bus costs Y 1,550 per adult. Thus, my thinking is that IF you are going to Fukuoka/Nagasaki anyway, then why not fly out from there.

 

[drron]

It does depend on what you and +1 like.There is so much in Japan to experience.If you are leaving late April I would really recommend going up to Hirosaki for the cherry blossoms.We really loved it and naturally hundreds of photos in my last trip report.You can stopover in Sendai on the way to or from Hirosaki.
I am going to be the odd one out on Nagoya.We really liked it.Not only the castle but there is the Toyota factory,the Noritake factory which even I found interesting,temples and shopping streets with lots of shopping and restaurants at the station.A loop bus makes getting around easy.A short trip out of town is Arimatsu a tye dye village with houses still from the 1600s when it was a rest on the old Tokkaido road from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Our second trip to Nagoya is in this TR-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../le-tour-dalberta-assorted-other-54095-3.html.

And our first trip there including our trip to Arimatsu.As well a stay in Kobe on this one-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/yupps-nyc-new-england-japan-31425-2.html

 

[GarrettM]

Thanks all. Please keep the advice coming. I'm on another short road trip for the FiL's wedding in the Goldfields so will go through them on Monday.

Perhaps Nagoya may be a scratching then. Sorry drron.

To clarify our current flight plan has us arriving Tokyo April 25 and departing Japan May 13.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks all. Please keep the advice coming. I'm on another short road trip for the FiL's wedding in the Goldfields so will go through them on Monday.

Perhaps Nagoya may be a scratching then. Sorry drron.

To clarify our current flight plan has us arriving Tokyo April 25 and departing Japan May 13.

I agree with drron that Nagoya has its good bits (and drron has been there 30 more times than I). But as you only have 18 days I would concentrate on Tokyo, Kyoto/Nara, Osaka/Kobe + Hiroshima and Himeji and a couple of other side trips.

Including Fukuoka & Nagasaki may be a bit optimistic unless you particularly want to go there.

As drron says it is your holiday, so do & see want you want.

 

[junbugging]

our current flight plan has us arriving Tokyo April 25 and departing Japan May 13.

You'll just want to bear in mind that the Golden Week vacation period is bang in the middle of that. So depending on the direction of travel. there will be days where the trains are extremely crowded.

Probably big flows out of Tokyo around April 29 and back in around May 6-7.

And places that appeal to domestic tourists are likely to be pretty crowded during that period.

 

[feezable]

I took my 11 year old son to Miyajima Island last year. I can't recommend an overnight stay enough. We stayed at Sakuraya https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/1112530?m=19907 on the waterfront, simple and clean. Miyajima was an absolute highlight. I will post some photos from my computer. I know you aren't interested in shorter stays, but this one is worth it

 

[feezable]

Miyajima Island



You'll have to turn your head side ways for this one, I can't work out how to rotate the pic.


The walk up to the lookout is difficult, it took us about 90 minutes, it was very steep and I looked like I'd been caught in a rain shower by the time we got to the top. The cable car would be a better option unless you have a good couple of hours to make it a more leisurely hike, we took the cable car down and the views were fabulous.



View from the lookout


There are friendly deer roaming all over the island, happy for pats and this one obliged with a goofy selfie

 

[Cynicor]

Miyjima doesn't need an overnight though, can easily be "seen" in a half day or full day so that might work with the munchkin in tow.

 

[feezable]

Miyjima doesn't need an overnight though, can easily be "seen" in a half day or full day so that might work with the munchkin in tow.

Yes, you're right, there was something magical about having the island sermingly to ourselves early in the morning though. But, for OP a day trip may be the way to go. I would never have decided to visit Miyajima if it wasn't for AFF, it is yet another reason I am so thankful to be a part of this community.

 

[GarrettM]

Thanks again to those who offered tips. Now thinking Tokyo-Kanazawa-Osaka-Hiroshima and then flying out of Fukuoka. Still about 18/19 days in total, but yet to lock in flights so will adjust as needed.

Although now also quite concerned about dealing with Golden Week issues. Any tips on how best to navigate that week? Might have to rethink our planned dates of travel.

 

[GarrettM]

You'll just want to bear in mind that the Golden Week vacation period is bang in the middle of that. So depending on the direction of travel. there will be days where the trains are extremely crowded.

Probably big flows out of Tokyo around April 29 and back in around May 6-7.

And places that appeal to domestic tourists are likely to be pretty crowded during that period.

Hi junbugging.

Thanks for that tip. I reckon we'd be in Tokyo until May 2, and the other likely clash would be travelling to Osaka on May 5. Done a bit of reading and feeling reasonably confident we can survive that. Will definitely look at reserving our JR seats for all sectors in advance though.
I read that Tokyo itself during GW is often less crowded and can be more enjoyable as a visitor.

Would you suggest any alternatives to the dates I've mentioned above?

 

[Denali]

My suggestion is to get a box for the Sumo (box but youre sitting on the floor). Didn't cost a lot by memory and so much fun, especially if you start getting friendly with people in the other boxes. Go later in the day as the crowd gets bigger and enjoy.

I purchased our box via an agent in Tokyo (2014) and they Fedex'd the tickets to us - very happy. I can look up the info if you want it.

I was going to suggest the walk up Mt Misen while you are at Miyajima but not with a 2yr.

 

[Denali]

Oh and Golden Week, I found a lot of people left Tokyo for Kyoto and other areas. I survived it (we were in Kyoto) but was glad when it was over.

One day I will learn to look up national holidays before booking a trip, I got caught again this year with Cambodian New Year in Siem Reap.