Japan October Accomodation Help/suggestions

[samillionaire]

Hi Reaching out to AFF friends who are familiar with Japan for advise

First time to Japan in Oct for 20 days,
Destination
-Tokyo
-Hiroshima
-Kyoto
-Osaka

Any other suggestions?

Also looking for accommodation suggestions with reasonable prices <AU$160, as I'll be traveling not on company coin.

Purpose of the trip is eating/shopping/more eating!

Would really appreciate help

Thanks

 

[Himeno]

So cheap accommodation in Tokyo and Osaka? Traveling alone?

When I'm in Tokyo, it normally depends on why I'm there as to where I stay. If I have a morning flight out of HND the next day, I normally get one of the advanced booking, prepaid rooms the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. Otherwise, I normally stay at the Ikebukuro Sakura Hotel. I've stayed at some other places in Tokyo, both hostels and budget hotels, some cough, some good, but the prices vary far more then the two I mentioned.

In Osaka, I normally stay at one of the Chuo group hotels between Namba and Tennōji. Budget Hotel Chuo group - backpackers guesthouse&hostel in Osaka

 

[samillionaire]

Hi Himeno,

Traveling with the missus,
Doubt we'll be staying in much hence willing to compromise slightly on the accomodation.

Not looking for budget just "within budget or reason" hehe
for example you're right if I have an early flight that accomodation would make sense, my flight out is at 1am so i wont have that problem
also in context planning to stay in universal studios for the days 2 days in osaka and maybe some other places to explore.

Also looking for some ryokan type suggestions if you know anyone who has been

thanks for the suggestions and taking your time to reply

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi Reaching out to AFF friends who are familiar with Japan for advise

First time to Japan in Oct for 20 days,
Destination
-Tokyo
-Hiroshima
-Kyoto
-Osaka

Any other suggestions?

Also looking for accommodation suggestions with reasonable prices <AU$160, as I'll be traveling not on company coin.

Purpose of the trip is eating/shopping/more eating!

Would really appreciate help

Thanks

tokyo is just huge! I can easily take an hour by subway to get from one district to another... which can make sightseeing more time consuming than might otherwise be the case.

There are hotels in every district... so it's hard to make a recommendation without perhaps knowing where you intend to focus your time. Perhaps easier to stay somewhere within close distance to the airport train? (saves lugging luggage around for transfers).

 

[get me outta here]

Agree w' MEL_T, pick a place that's walking distance to airport train stops eg Shibuya in Tokyo. The stations are huge. Have the hotel tell which exit to use as well. There's a recent thread on Kyoto hotels too.

tokyo is just huge! I can easily take an hour by subway to get from one district to another... which can make sightseeing more time consuming than might otherwise be the case.

There are hotels in every district... so it's hard to make a recommendation without perhaps knowing where you intend to focus your time. Perhaps easier to stay somewhere within close distance to the airport train? (saves lugging luggage around for transfers).

 

[samillionaire]

Hi Mel Traveller,

You are right I didn't realize how big Tokyo was,

I was recommended to stay around Shibuya/Shinjuku as it is more lively,

Yes also recommended close to staying near to JR rails as per your suggestions easier to travel/prevent lugging around luggage

will be ARR haneda at 9:15PM, and will stay in Tokyo for a week before making out way down to Osaka-Yokohama-Hiroshima-Kyoto.

Stupid thing to note, my flight is departing HND back to melb so i would also have to make my way back :| for some reason i couldnt book multicity or stop over but oh well flights were cheap at 700 on CX

 

[get me outta here]

I stayed at Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae. Was inexpensive, quite new, 2 free electric bikes (for early morning use as other times way too crowded - went out exploring before the good free brekky). It's Japanese/ Western hotel and has an onsen. Be aware, Japanese hotel rooms are VERY small.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel...mae-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

 

[samillionaire]

Good tip! i like the free bike idea,

thanks for the heads up on the room size it wont be much of a concern as long as it is clean and comfortable

i will put it on my research list definately top now

thank you

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was recommended to stay around Shibuya/Shinjuku as it is more lively,

In Shinjuku I stay at both the City Hotel Lonestar and NUTS Hotel. The NUTS is a bit farther out from the main drag in Shinjuku by about 5 minutes walk (but both hotels are right on the subway - one or two stops from Shinjuku). NUTS has bigger rooms and a full sized bathroom. Lonestar has the japanese mini bathtub/shower.

Rates for both hotels are around 80-100 a night. Persevere with their websites rather than using a third party website.

To/from Haneda-Shinjuku I would recommend the Limousine Bus. It saves finding and transferring trains, which the first couple times can be a bit overwhelming. From there you could get a taxi the short way to either Lonestar or NUTS (about 1000 yen or so).

Even on a recent visit to Tokyo I forgot my Suica card and ended up having to buy a cash fare... got the wrong ticket which from Handea only allowed transfers by underground rather than the JR circle line... this would have added almost two hours onto the journey. I had to buy another ticket to take the JR short-cut.

 

[Himeno]

Yes also recommended close to staying near to JR rails as per your suggestions easier to travel/prevent lugging around luggage

will be ARR haneda at 9:15PM, and will stay in Tokyo for a week before making out way down to Osaka-Yokohama-Hiroshima-Kyoto.

Don't assume the near the JR stations are the only options. There are a number of other rail companies with large stations. Also, there is no JR line going to HND. There is a private rail line (to Shinagawa) and a monorail to a minor station on the JR loop.

How are you getting from Tokyo to your other stops? Train? bus? flight? That could also impact on the best location to stay in Tokyo.

 

[Spongbob]

If you are using the JR Railpass to make your connections between the destination cities, the JR branded hotels are a good option as there is often a discount and many are very close to the JR station(s).

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I'm Currently In Japan on my second trip to this beautiful country & already seriously considering a third trip to Japan within the next 12 months.
Along with Southern Africa..... Japan really is an addictive destination, Amazing Culture, breathtaking scenery & IMHO quite good value for money when booking in advance for Accommodation & flights.
The Japan Rail Pass is a must & is outstanding value for money.
The destinations on your list I agree with entirely, particularly Kyoto & Hiroshima.... Give yourself at least three nights in each if your itinerary allows it.

 

[samillionaire]

Thank you everyone,

May I ask Cool Cat Phil, where you are staying in Japan for each location? or suggested options

 

[vetrade]

Century Southern Tower is a good hotel very close to Shinjuku Station. Rooms very nice and are a good size. We paid about $200/n from memory. I can recommend Shinjuku as a good place to stay - lots of shopping options, dept. stores etc, which I see was on your list, and the station is a convenient hub for going to other areas. Also, if you're up for something different try the Robot Restaurant - walking distance from Shinjuku station. Google it to see if it's your thing. The show is 95% of the appeal - weird, but in a novel and entertaining way. Tiered seating is lined up on either side and the meal is served in a paper box at your seat so don't expect a gourmet meal - we ate somewhere else afterwards.

 

[Alanslegal]

For our upcoming July visit we have booked into the Prince Sakura Hotel, it's at Shinagawa Station so direct from Narita Airport. The standard rooms are 50sqm which is very big for any standard hotel room. Also its on the Yamanote Line so that gets us around Tokyo quite easily. Also the hotel really good reviews on Tripadvisor.

Previously we have stayed at the Westin Tokyo, Intercontinental Tokyo Bay and B Ikebukuro, which were all nice in their own unique way but this time I wanted to close to the NEX train stop and Yamanote Line and did not want to lug luggage around the craziness of Tokyo.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Thank you everyone,

May I ask Cool Cat Phil, where you are staying in Japan for each location? or suggested options

Howdy Samillionaire!

With regards to Hotel Accomodation in Japan I have no loyalty to any of the big name chains, so I like to mix it up a bit & stay in both cheap& cheerful + a few top notch places too.

I would have to say that ANA Crowne plaza hotels are very good IMHO..... I believe part of the IHG group.
Book on the Qantas website they earn valuable QFF points too.

I did honestly feel the Hilton in Shinjuku was very underwhelming for such a well known name in the Hotel industry... Very busy & small foyer dealing with the masses of people coming & going plus the staff not as polished in customer service as the ANA Crowne plaza chain I felt.... But I don't have status with Hilton, so no royal treatment for me .

I did stay at an Awesome Ryokan in Takaragawa ....... Located about 75 mins out of Tokyo on the Shinkansen.
(Alight at Jomo-Kogen for a shuttle bus to the Ryokan).
Here in Late November through to Late March..... You be in the midst of the beautiful snow & have the ability to enjoy a series of three outdoor Uni-sex Onsen's, plus one female only Onsen.

Certainly a must go back to destination for me some day!

Here's a few photo's to wet your appetite:


If you would like any other advice particularly on Kyoto or Hiroshima ( both wonderful places to visit in Japan on a JR Rail pass) please let me know & I will gladly fill you in

 

[samillionaire]

WOW cool cat phil! that looks amazing


Deferring to you for advice, missus wants to go to Tokyo/Hakone/Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe (half day to eat )

do you have a suggestion on how about planning the travel route? or website suggestions im using google maps atm, not even sure if its the most effective travel route



My Draft is

Day 1 Arr Haneda At night
Day 2 - 9 in tokyo (depart to Hakone in the morning and spend the night in Ryokan)
Day 10 Rise in Hakone (depart to Kyoto in the late afternoon)
Day 11 -12 Rise in Kyoto
Day 13 Rise in Kyoto (Depart to Osaka in the morning)
Day 14 Osaka
Day 15 (half day trip to Kobe and back to Osaka)
Day 16-17 Osaka
Day 18 Rise in Osaka (travel to tokyo)
Day 19 Tokyo
Day 20 Depart Haneda 1am

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Day 16-17 Osaka
Day 18 Rise in Osaka (travel to tokyo)
Day 19 Tokyo
Day 20 Depart Haneda 1am

do you really want to travel from Osaka to tokyo, then cart your luggage to an hotel, then leave the hotel again to go to the airport? It might be easier to go straight from Osaka to Haneda (either by train with connections, or fly). That would give you more full and clear days without checking in/out. Getting around tokyo with luggage can be a chore... it's crowded, packed, busy.

 

[get me outta here]

Personally, I liked Kyoto much more than Osaka, and lots more to do in and around Kyoto.

WOW cool cat phil! that looks amazing


Deferring to you for advice, missus wants to go to Tokyo/Hakone/Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe (half day to eat )

do you have a suggestion on how about planning the travel route? or website suggestions im using google maps atm, not even sure if its the most effective travel route



My Draft is

Day 1 Arr Haneda At night
Day 2 - 9 in tokyo (depart to Hakone in the morning and spend the night in Ryokan)
Day 10 Rise in Hakone (depart to Kyoto in the late afternoon)
Day 11 -12 Rise in Kyoto
Day 13 Rise in Kyoto (Depart to Osaka in the morning)
Day 14 Osaka
Day 15 (half day trip to Kobe and back to Osaka)
Day 16-17 Osaka
Day 18 Rise in Osaka (travel to tokyo)
Day 19 Tokyo
Day 20 Depart Haneda 1am

 

[Himeno]

do you have a suggestion on how about planning the travel route?

I use HyperDia | Timetable and Route Search in Japan. to check Japanese public transport timetables. It lists almost every public transport option in Japan. Has many options, so you can limit it to only show trains that are valid with a JR pass, or just non JR lines, just flights, etc.