Yes. Except for the buses in Kyoto.
I read that it's better to use bus in Kyoto than train. So I guess JR pass not very useful in Kyoto?
Do yo think Kawaguchiko worth for a day trip? like a 12 hours trip.
Yes. Except for the buses in Kyoto.
I read that it's better to use bus in Kyoto than train. So I guess JR pass not very useful in Kyoto?
Do yo think Kawaghiko worth for a day trip? like a 12 hours trip.
I'll be hitting up Tokyo for two weeks in May. I plan on hostel-hopping since I'll be moving around a lot day to day, but I'm a bit wary since I haven't done something like that before.
I guess my chief worries are:
1) How much stuff should I pack for two weeks? I'm thinking 4 or 5 changes of clothes might be just about right, or too much?
How secure is hostel storage of my items from everyone's experience? Could I store my (secured) duffel somewhere and just leave fearlessly? Granted I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave my passport inside or whatnot, but I don't want any funny business.
I'll be hitting up Tokyo for two weeks in May. I plan on hostel-hopping since I'll be moving around a lot day to day, but I'm a bit wary since I haven't done something like that before.
I guess my chief worries are:
1) How much stuff should I pack for two weeks? I'm thinking 4 or 5 changes of clothes might be just about right, or too much?
2) Is it worth dragging around a small luggage bag, or should I go backpack/duffel only? I'm leaning towards large duffel atm.
3) How secure is hostel storage of my items from everyone's experience? Could I store my (secured) duffel somewhere and just leave fearlessly? Granted I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave my passport inside or whatnot, but I don't want any funny business.
4) Online guides mention curfews, but what is the typical time of those hostel curfews? If they're too bad, I'm just going to try to find a cheap hotel home base instead.
Thanks for the links though, Japan Guide is super valuable
Check out all the Khaosans. They are all amazing and have many different prices. The bar near them is also amazing. It's called Bar 634 or Musashi (play on words) now. Every time I go I stay at a khaosan now.
How much would you say we'd need for subway/train fares for about 4/5 days travel in Tokyo? If we store 10.000 yen on the cards we can get the remaining amount back at the end of our trip, right? By handing in the cards?
I booked a few nights at the Khaosan in Tokyo. The reviews were very positive so I'm looking forward to it. It's actually my first time in a hostel.
We're still looking for a place in Kyoto. I would love to stay in a ryokan but most seem to be full already or are out of my budget. Thinking about just staying in a hotel, might be nice after a long day of walking and doing activities.
For Nara we booked at the Yuzan place that hwalker84 suggested. Surprisingly they had room available.
Our itinerary has changed a bit. We're going from 9 April until 21 April with 5 days Tokyo, 4 days Kyoto, 3 days in Nara. We'll take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, and the airport bus from Nara to Kansai (KIX).
How's the weather in April? Is it warm enough to walk around without a jacket?
Also, how safe is bicycling in Japan? We're thinking about exploring Nara by bike. Might be nice.
I booked a few nights at the Khaosan in Tokyo. The reviews were very positive so I'm looking forward to it. It's actually my first time in a hostel.
We're still looking for a place in Kyoto. I would love to stay in a ryokan but most seem to be full already or are out of my budget. Thinking about just staying in a hotel, might be nice after a long day of walking and doing activities.
For Nara we booked at the Yuzan place that hwalker84 suggested. Surprisingly they had room available.
Our itinerary has changed a bit. We're going from 9 April until 21 April with 5 days Tokyo, 4 days Kyoto, 3 days in Nara. We'll take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, and the airport bus from Nara to Kansai (KIX).
How's the weather in April? Is it warm enough to walk around without a jacket?
Also, how safe is bicycling in Japan? We're thinking about exploring Nara by bike. Might be nice.
I had no problems booking 1-2 days in advance the entire trip. Usually as long as I could get in the first night they'd have a cancellation for me for the rest of my stay. When id get the confirmation email from the hostel id ask. Worked out fine.
Oh? How early in advance do you usually have to book a hostel? Even the cheap ones fill in fast eh?
Late March - April is peak season, I booked mine in November. Still haven't found replacement for Kyoto in April. I guess I'll stick with my first plan.
Hey guys,
I'm planning a trip to Japan and could use some help, suggestions, and input. Our plan is to go there in April, for about 10 days (April 4 until 14).
This is our itinerary so far:
Arrive at Tokyo - Kyoto - Nara - Depart from Osaka
04 Travel from Haneda Airport to Tokyo
05 Tokyo
06 Tokyo
07 Tokyo
08 Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
09 Kyoto
10 Kyoto
11 Kyoto
12 Travel from Kyoto to Nara
13 Nara
14 Travel from Nara to Kansai Airport
- I'm looking for hotel/guesthouse suggestions in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. My budget is around 60/70 dollars a night. Is this enough for a decent place to stay?
- Do you think we should get the JR Railpass? I think not, because we won't make that much use of the trains? We will have to use the trains to get around Tokyo and I do want to ride the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto though. What do you think?
- How much (approximately) does one spend on meals in Tokyo / Kyoto? We're not planning on shopping much for clothes, etc. Maybe a couple of souvenirs.
Yep, I think because of this. It's just before Golden Week I think, and because I'm not travelling alone. Booking a bed somewhere as a single traveler in a dorm should be less of a problem I think. However, private rooms in hostels run out fast.
We also want to stay for 4 days in one place, we don't feel like moving around to different accommodation while in Tokyo and Kyoto. That makes it a bit harder to find a place as well.
Even the dorm is full . My only choice is capsule, but already booked one for my last night.
I would stay 1/2 days more in Tokyo, and remove from Kyoto/Nara.
Nara is a really 1 day trip. No need more even you can go to Nara in the morning and go back Kyoto at night.
For hotels while traveling here i usually use http://www.agoda.com
Also as side you can go Nikko (1 day trip) Hakone (1 day trip) and check an Onsen there.
April
09 - Arrive 23:00 in Tokyo (Haneda) - Stay overnight at airport (crash at arrival hall maybe)
10 - Tokyo
11 - Tokyo
12 - Tokyo
13 - Tokyo
14 - Tokyo - Travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen
15 - Kyoto
16 - Kyoto
17 - Kyoto
18 - Kyoto - Travel to Nara
19 - Nara
20 - Nara
21 - Nara - Travel to Kansai International Airport by bus from Nara
Even the dorm is full . My only choice is capsule, but already booked one for my last night.
Thanks for the advice! Our trip changed a little bit since that post. This is our itinerary now:
All the accommodation is already confirmed so I'm glad about that. Now we just need to buy the Shinkansen ticket when we arrive and maybe reserve seats.
Working on our sightseeing and activities list now. Could really use input for hidden gems.
You still will be 3 days at Nara, and you only will have a park and buda to see.
Also i recommend you one day trip to Osaka, and eat a wonderful okonomiyaki in dotonbori.
You make Nara sound so bad haha.
We could do a day trip to Osaka definitely. Or perhaps Yoshino or Uji? I just see the photos and it looks pretty good. We chose our last few days just to relax in Nara, because we might be a bit tired from all the walking we'll do in Tokyo and Kyoto.
What day?
And how much is your budget?
Quicks search and low budgets hotels (40-60$)April 3rd, might be in Osaka now lol, might sleep at Capsule earlier than I thought. I seriously have no Idea how to make itinerary ;__;
It's gonna be my last night, so hotel isn't a problem. Prefer somewhere near a station, cuz I know i could barely walk at that date.
Budget max $ 100 for that last night .
Find hotel with direct access to Kitahama Subway but it takes 60 minutes to KIX and I don't have to walk, and a hotel near Nihonbashi Station (somehow I can't find that on Hyperdia) takes to 40 minutes to KIX from Namba.
Any area recommendation to stay in Osaka?
I use booking.com, too many apps isn't good for me haha.
Quicks search and low budgets hotels (40-60$)
I use booking.com, too many apps isn't good for me haha.
I'm also considering renting a pocket wifi. But as I understand, once the battery runs out you can't charge it anymore? How long does it last usually?
I'm staying in Kawaramachi Kyoto too, but different dates.
If you're on a budget, I would suggest looking around a bit because rates differ sometimes. You can find deals sometime. Personally always had the most luck with Agoda.
I'm also considering renting a pocket wifi. But as I understand, once the battery runs out you can't charge it anymore? How long does it last usually?
That's not true. You get a charger with the pocket WiFi device.
I was browsing about sim card/pocket wifi earlier. I forgot which site, but there's an extra battery for rent (10-12 hours) for 150 yen/day. I guess I'm gonna get that.
And man, sim card is so freakin expensive. More than 11000 yen for 12 days! Jeez.
Do you know where to get the one with charger?
https://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
I was looking at it too. If I would take the extra battery its 6,450 + (12 x150) for the cheaper option. According to the website the battery has 4-5 hours of continuous work. I'll think about this option first. Maybe I don't need it if we plan it well the trip well enough or just use wifi hotspots.
And man, sim card is so freakin expensive. More than 11000 yen for 12 days! Jeez.
You make Nara sound so bad haha.
We could do a day trip to Osaka definitely. Or perhaps Yoshino or Uji? I just see the photos and it looks pretty good. We chose our last few days just to relax in Nara, because we might be a bit tired from all the walking we'll do in Tokyo and Kyoto.
All of those on that site comes with a charger. Look at the PDF manuals.
The extra battery is just a rechargeable USB emergency charger. If you already own one of those or stay for a long time, it might be cheaper to just bring that with you/buy one.
I found Nara to be worth a day trip. I guess you could squeeze two days into it. 3 may be a bit much, but fine if you want to relax.
If you make a day trip to Osaka, you could maybe pass by Kobe for some amazing Kobe beef! (best meal I've ever had). Or maybe Hikone (which is closer to Kyoto, mind you), which is the best castle you'll see in the area (while Himeji is still being renovated - now, granted, Osaka also has a reconstructed castle, but it's a fake)
The place you booked in Nara has free English guided tours through a local company. Make sure to take advantage of that. We had an amazing guided trip with this old guy.We're gonna take it easy the last few days in Nara. Maybe we'll squeeze in a day of walking and climbing around Yoshino area for taking in the cherry blossom sights (if there are any).
I've been planning on visiting Tokyo but need some help. Besides K's Hostel is there anywhere outside of Tokyo that compares? Cost, location, etc. I did some research and if I'm reading correctly it's around $40/night per person and with that cost I plan on staying for around 10 days or so. Same goes with food, I'm sure it'll be cheap so that's not really a concern.
Is there any other places outside of Tokyo I should visit? Getting outside of Tokyo during the day is no big deal as long as the rail passes aren't too expensive. Staying outside of Tokyo for the night is something I'll be for if the cost is ok. Going to be visiting with my girlfriend FWIW.
I used these guys http://www.econnectjapan.com/products/sim
4100 yen for 1gig up to 30 days. With something to compress data like onavo, it was way more than I needed. They sent it to the hotel where I was staying on day 1. Worked very well in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara (including in the subway).
Heads up about the Japanese pocket wifi's... They suck compared to something like a Verizon mifi. Battery life is pathetic. A portable battery is an absolute must. Mine took the old min USB cable and it was hard finding that in Japan until it dawned on me that the PS3 controller was the same cable. I found a videogame store which had it and then I was great the rest of my trip.
The place you booked in Nara has free English guided tours through a local company. Make sure to take advantage of that. We had an amazing guided trip with this old guy.
Ah, really? That's awesome. I'll look into it.
Is Yokohama + Kamakura feasible as a 1 day package?
Are there any additional combos that are feasible?
Sorry for the double post but does someone have experience with car rentals in Japan? Also is driving a hassle outside of the cities?
Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and Taiwan do not issue permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, but instead have a separate agreement that allows drivers from these countries to drive in Japan for up to one year with an official Japanese translation of their driver's license. A translation can be obtained from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), through Japan Experience or from some of the respective countries' embassies or consulates in Japan.
Guys;
http://kotaku.com/the-worlds-first-kit-kat-store-is-opening-in-tokyo-1501753395
I cant even.. so happy.
For those that are travelling to Japan in Spring... Make sure... MAKE SURE that you put Fujikyu Highland on the list and get yourself on the Eijanaika! It's going to be super busy this Spring at Fujikyu Highland but it's going to be awesome!!
http://www.fujiq.jp/en/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgbWjTGOqBk
Gotta love it! I want to try the new rollercoaster, the Takabisha, all while taking a peek at Mount Fuji: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL4u89wTnzM
Sorry for the double post but does someone have experience with car rentals in Japan? Also is driving a hassle outside of the cities?