Takayama - Hakone - Tokyo

Hi Everyone, I would appreciate some feedback on my plan and if it is possible to do everything without the JR pass?

Day 1 - Land in Narita at 7am. Head straight to Takayama or should I stay one night in Tokyo first? How do I go from Narita airport to Takayama? I plan to take the bus. Is it too much to spend 3 nights in Takayama?

Day 2 & 3 - Spend in Takayama. Do a day trip to Shirakawa-go.

Day 4- To Hakone. How do I get from Takayama to Hakone if I don't have JR pass?

Day 5 - Back to Tokyo for next 4 days. Do day trips out to Nikko and Kamakura. Balance time will spend in Tokyo.

Greatly appreciate any feedback :)

Many thanks!

Head straight to Takayama or should I stay one night in Tokyo first?

Either method is possible. It is up to you.

How do I go from Narita airport to Takayama?

Via Tokyo:

How to get from the airport to Tokyo:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2027.html

How to get from Tokyo to Takayama:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html

I plan to take the bus. Is it too much to spend 3 nights in Takayama?

No.

To Hakone. How do I get from Takayama to Hakone if I don't have JR pass?

By Hida limited express to Nagoya and then Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara (or Mishima) from where you can take a bus into the Hakone region.

Thanks Uji for your feedback.

Will I be too ambitious if I include Kyoto & Osaka in my trip?

Day 1 - Land in Narita at 7am. Head to Kyoto.

Day 2 - Kyoto (Got time for Osaka?)

Day 3 - Head to Takayama for 1 night

Day 4 - Hakone overnight

Day 5 - Back to Tokyo for next 4 days. Do day trips out to Nikko and Kamakura. Balance time will spend in Tokyo.

I thought if I include Kyoto & Osaka, then maybe it will justify that i should get the jR pass.. but I'm worried its too rush..

Thanks!

To add on, because I was checking the train rates at Hyperdia.

If I stick to my initial plan that does not include Kyoto & Osaka, the train tix from Tokyo-Takayama-Hakone will already cost me $29,510..

Unless I take the train from Narita to Tokyo then take a bus to Takayama that will cost me $6,500 but i think its very time consuming? I'm not sure...

Will I be too ambitious if I include Kyoto & Osaka in my trip?

Yes, I think so. I generally recommend a minimum of 48 hours in Kyoto.

And yes, even a round trip to Takayama and back by train justifies the purchase of a pass.

As for travel duration Tokyo-Takayama:
Bus: 5.5 hours one way
Nozomi&Hida: 4 hours one way
Hikari&Hida: 4.5 hours one way
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html