Japan potential itinerary feedback

[junbugging]

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?

Not especially. That way you'll get to enjoy some relatively quiet Tokyo (depending on the locale), and Tokyo to Osaka on May 5 shouldn't be bad at all (opposite direction to the "U-turn rush").

I personally like being in Tokyo during Golden Week, but it's one of the few chances most people get to "go home" and visit family.

 

[GarrettM]

Not especially. That way you'll get to enjoy some relatively quiet Tokyo (depending on the locale), and Tokyo to Osaka on May 5 shouldn't be bad at all (opposite direction to the "U-turn rush").

I personally like being in Tokyo during Golden Week, but it's one of the few chances most people get to "go home" and visit family.

Awesome cheers. It'll be Tokyo - Kanazawa on May 2 and then Kanazawa - Osaka May 5. The wife has some concerns but I am confident with planning we can make it work. Usually she's the planner and I am the worrier.

 

[smit0847]

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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.

My first trip to Japan was 20 days and we spent almost half the time in Tokyo. There's loads to do there - I'd plan at least a week there. With a child surely you don't want to be moving around constantly?

 

[bluebean]

We spent 12 days between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with our 10 month old in 2014 (going back later this year with then 2.5 year old and 10 month old) with little drama. I would second staying on Miyajima Island, once the day trippers leave it takes on a completely different feel but visit even if you can't stay. Also I stay in Kyoto over Osaka just to make it a bit easier each day to see the different sites around Kyoto. Finally be prepared for your child to be treated like a celebrity everywhere you go. I was swamped numerous times by people wanting to take a photo or say hello to our little one.

 

[GarrettM]

Thanks again to all for your suggestions. Flights now booked.

Won't get too complicated in detail right now, but flying SQ Y PER-SIN for a long weekend stopover, before SQ Y SIN-HND on April 24.
Hadn't realised until just now about the withdrawal of the A380 on that SIN-NRT route, but decided if we were going to be on a 777 either way it makes more sense to land closer to the centre of the city and avoid the train ride in from NRT.

Returning SQ J cough-SIN-PER on May 14 after burning a significant chunk of my VFF points. The point of this trip was to do something different before bub turns 2, so I am happy enough with the choice.

Not as flash a trip as many here would be accustomed too, but it'll be our first time in Japan and also our first premium cabin experience, so I am sure we'll be happy enough. Plus the extra baggage allowance coming back means MrsGM can indulge her shopping interests a tiny bit more.

 

[junbugging]

That should be a really nice trip. The weather is generally just about perfect, too.

 

[LadyC]

Traveling in a premium cabin with your little one will definitely make it easier. The extra space is great.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Won't get too complicated in detail right now, but flying SQ Y PER-SIN for a long weekend stopover, before SQ Y SIN-HND on April 24.

Are you hoping to see cherry blossoms? If so, I hope the season is much later next year, otherwise you are likely to miss them unless you head north early in your trip.

 

[GarrettM]

Are you hoping to see cherry blossoms? If so, I hope the season is much later next year, otherwise you are likely to miss them unless you head north early in your trip.

To be honest it wasn't even one of our main considerations when we started thinking about it. And we have been semi-locked in to the dates we've got due to work and other stuff.
We'll see how we go I guess. I'd be willing to jump on a train up to Hirosaki for a long day trip or even an overnight look. And there's still a slight chance we could head to Sapporo.

But I'm not going to worry too much about it. If we see some great, but if not there's plenty of other things we'll enjoy.

As long as I get here FPDM: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum I am willing to forgo blossoms.

 

[Jacques Vert]

To be honest it wasn't even one of our main considerations when we started thinking about it. And we have been semi-locked in to the dates we've got due to work and other stuff.
We'll see how we go I guess. I'd be willing to jump on a train up to Hirosaki for a long day trip or even an overnight look. And there's still a slight chance we could head to Sapporo.

But I'm not going to worry too much about it. If we see some great, but if not there's plenty of other things we'll enjoy.

As long as I get here FPDM: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum I am willing to forgo blossoms.

Well said. Of course, the predictions for next year won't be available for months but I thought it worth raising the Q so you can keep it in the back of your mind and develop some options in case you decide to check them out.

In my previous post I was thinking specifically about the cities on your itinerary but I should also have stated that when we went to Takayama from Nagoya in the first week of May (Golden Week), the blossoms were long finished in Nagoya, but as we climbed in elevation there were some in bloom along the way. I don't remember seeing any in Takayama (elevation 576m). So it's possible there will be some in bloom at places with a little elevation.

Again, my favourite site for cherry blossom viewing spots and predictions is: Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

Enjoy your trip.

 

[auriga]

Cherry blossoms should be good mid-late April around Mt Fuji ([FONT=&quot]Kawaguchiko). [/FONT]