Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto

dear sir. need your advise . we have 16 days to go around

1) in Tokyo, we will be using yamanote line and other subway , is it more convenient to get a stored value card, like suica?

where to get the deposit in the card refund back at the end of our trip?

2) is the toden arakawa ride interesting?

3) Please recommend any hotel/ryoken at Lake Kawaguchiko which provide free shuttle to and from train station (any time of the day)

4) Kyoto - we have been to Kyoto before and have seen all the touristy thing, where else can we visit or do in Kyoto. any interesting neighbourhood area or flea market during 18-22 May

5)From Kyoto we will be doing a one day trip to Osaka . there are a few train to take there. if we are going to Namba area, which train to take from Tokyo.
is it warm during 21-23 May ?
Thank you

1. Suica is very convinient. They can be returned only at JR East stations.
Refund policy:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html#category06

2. I rode the Toden Arakawa Line, and didn't find it very interesting. But I took nice pictures of it.

I hope this helps.

3) Please recommend any hotel/ryoken at Lake Kawaguchiko which provide free shuttle to and from train station (any time of the day)

I stayed in the Hotel Konansou which can be booked from booking.com or other sites.
http://www.konansou.com/
I really liked my stay there and depending on your budget you'll get a private hot spring bath in the room. Free shuttle service is available from 7.30 - 10.30 altough I walked to the Hotel.
The Hotel is made in Ryokan style and has a public Onsen.

Thank you for the reply.

Is Pasmo card just as convenient to use on yamanote train and subway lines:

how and where to get the balance refunded

we are heading to Lake Kawaguchi by bus from either Tokyo or Shinjuku. do you have the link to get the English timetable of the bus?

can we go to the bus terminal to reserve ticket a day in advance?

Thank you

I do not think much of a difference when you use any of Suica or Pasmo. Area they are available has become almost common. It will be able to determine if you're entering from Narita Airport, where on whether switching to one of the Keisei Line or JR, you can either buy one of the Pasmo or Suica.

The following is a timetable of Kawaguchiko bound bus.
http://transportation.fujikyu.co.jp/english/gettinghere/01.html

It is possible on the Internet can be reservation for the bus ticket. However, how to receipt of the ticket and payment method is confusing. If there is your time, it is recommended that you buy it to ride the day before, in the sales office located on the second floor of Shinjuku West Exit Bus Terminal.
https://www.highwaybus.com/html/gp/foreign/en/access/

One of the flea market in Kyoto, there is Toji Ennichi. It will be held on the 21st of each month.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3919.html

Thank you for the info provided
Pasmo card -where can I get the balance refunded on my last day in Tokyo.


Can I keep the card and when I return in a year or 2, can I do a top up and use the Pasmo card in my next rip.

2) I will be in Kyoto for 2-3days .
has anyone purchase Kyoto 3 day hotel & Bullet train package from Japanican? I am a bit hesitant as they will deliver the ticket at least 1 day before depart to the address provided in Tokyo. - can anyone tell me whether it is risky .in the event I am not in the hotel and call them for redeliver?

3) In Kyoto we will be going to Arashiyama and the area around Shirakawa Gion, Kamo River.do we need to purchase any stored value card for our 2-3 days in Kyoto?

4) If we like to join the Hozu River Cruise at Arashiyama, do you think we should take the sagano scenic railway to the end of kameoka and then join the river cruise. Thank you

Validity period of the balance of Pasmo so for 10 years, as long as there is no system change, you'll be able to use it when it came to Japan again.

2)Because I am not familiar with how to use the japanican, I do not have the answer to this question. I think that you will ask directly japanican the best way.

3)It is recommended that you buy the Kyoto Sightseeing Card or Kyoto City Bus One Day Card.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

4)In order to go to the cruise pier from Torokko Kameoka Station of the sagano scenic railway, you need to go by bus or horse-drawn carriage. There is a very popular the sagano scenic railway, you should avoid to be scheduled for the weekend it.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3965.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3966.html

The cruise since the operation canceled due to rising water often, it is recommended that you check in advance at their website.
http://www.hozugawakudari.jp/

Thank you for your info.

When we arrive from Jr Kyoto to Saga arashiyama, we will probably head to t he bamboo forest..but i think people always miss or cannot find their way out to the station to catch the sagano train ride to Kameoka - any advise

The carriage ride is something we never knew about - Thanks for the tips- it looks very interesting to take a ride
on that when we get off the sagano scenic railway to Kameoka.. we need to make reservation or risk not able to get on the ride?

If the hozu boat cruise is cancelled. how do we get back from the pier to a train station after the horse carriage ride?

Our stay in kyoto is from 17 May and departing on 19 May ..so will have to go on a sunday.. hopefully it is not the busy period althought it is a sunday.

We will be staying around JR Kyoto station. and like to go to Shirakawa Gion area and Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka (not going to Kyomizu temple) - can you advise whether the below direction is correct :

Shirakawa Gion
JR Kyoto station take to Kawaramachi Station ( Hankyu Line)
from here is it easy to get to SHirakawa gion and walk to kamo river

Ninenzaka
JR Kyoto station to Higashiyama station (Tozai Line) and walk there?

Thanks again for the great tip!

Thank you for your info.

When we arrive from Jr Kyoto to Saga arashiyama, we will probably head to t he bamboo forest..but i think people always miss or cannot find their way out to the station to catch the sagano train ride to Kameoka - any advise

The carriage ride is something we never knew about - Thanks for the tips- it looks very interesting to take a ride
on that when we get off the sagano scenic railway to Kameoka.. we need to make reservation or risk not able to get on the ride?

If the hozu boat cruise is cancelled. how do we get back from the pier to a train station after the horse carriage ride?

Our stay in kyoto is from 17 May and departing on 19 May ..so will have to go on a sunday.. hopefully it is not the busy period althought it is a sunday.

We will be staying around JR Kyoto station. and like to go to Shirakawa Gion area and Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka (not going to Kyomizu temple) - can you advise whether the below direction is correct :

Shirakawa Gion
JR Kyoto station take to Kawaramachi Station ( Hankyu Line)
from here is it easy to get to SHirakawa gion and walk to kamo river

Ninenzaka
JR Kyoto station to Higashiyama station (Tozai Line) and walk there?

Thanks again for the great tip!

To Torokko Arashiyama St. from Torokko Arashiyama St. through the bamboo forest:
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=...

Because of the time constraints of your trip, riding in horse-drawn carriage in Kameoka is seems difficult. It takes 30 minutes from the pier Torokko Kameoka Station.

Perhaps, I guess combine ticket that includes shuttle bus, cruise fee and Torokko in Torokko Arashiyama Station is being sold. It is recommended that you buy it.

I will reply at a later time to other questions.

I mistyped the first line.
Correctly, To Torokko Arashiyama St. from Torokko Saga St. through the bamboo forest:

I guess as follows route of your trip in Kyoto.

Kyoto St. - JR Saga Arashiyama - Torroko Arashiyama - Torokko Kameoka - Hozugawa cruise - Arashiyama - Kyoto St. - Sannenzaka - Ninenzaka - Gion Shirakawa - Kyoto St.

Most shops to be located in Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka because closed in around 17:00, it is recommended to go there before going to Gion.
http://deqna07.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/a-walk-through-sannenzaka-nine...

Kyoto St.→Sannenzaka
Take the bus from Kyoto Station to　Kiyomizumichi, then, 6 minute walk from there to Sannenzaka.
http://www.arukumachikyoto.jp/search_result.php?fn=Kyoto&tn=Kiyomizu%2...

Ninenzaka → Gion Shirakawa
It is possible to walk to the distance.
https://maps.google.co.jp/maps?q=higashiyama+kyoto&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=...

Gion Shirakawa → Kyoto St.
You will get on the bus or train in this section.

Bus:
http://www.arukumachikyoto.jp/search_result.php?fn=Gion&tn=Kyoto&dt=20...

Train
Hankyu Kawaramachi St. → Karasuma/Shijo St. → Subwey Kyoto St.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KAWARAMACHI(KYO...

In the case by reason of the full reservation Hozugawa cruise or suspended service, can not be on board to it, so that, go back by Torokko train, or, go by bus to JR Kameoka Station, then, back to Kyoto Station aboard the JR Sagano Line .
Maybe, if the cruise is suspended service, you can find out Torokko Saga Station.