10 Day Itinerary check

I've got the opportunity at work to go to Japan for a business trip (2 days business) but am planning on extending it to get a taste of Japan since I have no idea if I'll ever go back. My wife will accompany me as well, she really wants to visit Japan but is a bit less adventurous on the food side..

Because it's a last minute trip, I don't have as much time as I'd like to plan the trip so I though that I'd post it here to gather some feedback. I'd like to do the trip on a limited budget so sadly no fancy hotels or restaurants. We simply can not miss the opportunity to travel to Japan but it comes at a cost! It's also winter so days are shorter and I'm wondering if it causes my schedule to be unrealistic.


Day 1 Plane: arrival in Narita (February 5th) and go to Machida.
Sleep: in Machida. Hotel will be The Ellcy Machida which is over my budget but paid by work so..

Day 2-3 Machida: Stay in Machida due to business meeting. Sadly there doesn't seem to be much to do in that area for my wife while I'll be at work. Any ideas?

Sleep: I'm not sure where to spend my 3rd night... I don't want to pay for that fancy hotel myself but carrying luggage is a pain. I'm hoping to head straight to Kyoto early evening but I don't know when my business day will be over and I wouldn't see anything on the train since it gets dark early. Maybe it's easier to stay there one last night and leave early the next morning.

Day 4-5 Kyoto
Leave for Kyoto and visit a bit
Visit Kyoto and surroundings. Sadly no himeji castle due to work being performed on it.
Sleep: a moderately cheap somewhere in Kyoto within walking distance of a few nice things (recommendations?)


Day 6 Hiroshima / Miyajima
Early morning, head out to Hiroshima, visit a bit (war museum, ...) then take the ferry to Miyajima.

Sleep: I'm thinking of splurging and sleeping / eating at the wanatabe inn ryokan which would be a nice break mid trip.

Day 7
Oyster festival in Miyajima (will it be too crowded that week-end?)
Head back to Hiroshima and then to ?????Tokyo? Elsewhere?

Day 8
??
Head to Tokyo if not there already. Visit Tokyo
Sleep: not sure where!

Day 9
Day trip to nikko?
Sleep: back to same hotel in Tokyo

Day 10
Another day in Tokyo?
Sleep: I've got a fancy hotel downtown paid for

Day 11
Morning in Tokyo, head out to airport
Sleep: in the plane


My thinking was to use the JR Pass from day 4 to 10 but if I spend day 10 in Tokyo, that pass is a waste.. Activating is for the 3rd day means a late evening trip and arriving in a new city at night. Not too sure how great that is.

We'll do our best to travel light but I need to carry a business suit for the first two days which makes it a pain. I'm thinking of leaving my fancy DSLR camera at home to help with that and just carry my small point & shoot! We'll have to ask hotels to keep our luggages until check-in which is why I thought about travelling in the morning but maybe there's a better approach. I was even tempted to use a locker in Kyoto and simply carry a small suitcase to Hiroshima / Miyajima but then I'd have to trek back at the same station in Kyoto to grab my luggage back. Unless I use that as a pitstop before leaving for Tokyo on day 8.

Any recommendations? Am I planning for way too much due to short days? I'd rather see a bit of everything but that means a lot of time wasted travelling.


Thanks!

I've got the opportunity at work to go to Japan for a business trip (2 days business) but am planning on extending it to get a taste of Japan since I have no idea if I'll ever go back.
An excellent idea!
My wife will accompany me as well, she really wants to visit Japan but is a bit less adventurous on the food side..
Even if she is not too "adventurous" there are plenty of Japanese foods that can be fairly normal to a western palate. Tonkatsu, Tempura, Yakitori, Yakiniku, etc. It is not all Sushi and Eel!

Day 2-3 Machida: Stay in Machida due to business meeting. Sadly there doesn't seem to be much to do in that area for my wife while I'll be at work. Any ideas?
Machida is not that far out, only 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku. To be honest I'd suggest she hop on a train and visit Shinjuku (at least) and then anywhere else in Tokyo that she is interested in. If she only wants to stay in Machida then there is a bit of information here:-
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Machida
There's plenty to see in Shinjuku lots of shops, and the Tokyo Metro Towers have a free observation Deck on the 45th floor.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

Sleep: I'm not sure where to spend my 3rd night... I don't want to pay for that fancy hotel myself but carrying luggage is a pain. I'm hoping to head straight to Kyoto early evening but I don't know when my business day will be over and I wouldn't see anything on the train since it gets dark early. Maybe it's easier to stay there one last night and leave early the next morning.
I'd definitely travel in the evening to Kyoto. Gives you a fresh start in Kyoto the following day and I think your time is best spent travelling in the evening.
If you haven't used it yet, then http://www.hyperdia.com/ is invaluable when planning your train journeys. For rail pass use just untick the "Nozomi" box in the extra search options.

If you left Machida station at 5:51pm you would be in Kyoto station at 9pm.

I'd book a hotel near Kyoto station, although there is also the subway, buses, and hundreds of taxis at Kyoto station. Hotel Granvia Kyoto is not budget (roughly 13,000yen per night for two people) but is located within the train station and is an exceptionally nice hotel. It is often almost triple that price during peak periods. Highly recommended, even for just that first night. Failing that there are numerous options around the Kyoto station area, use your favourite searches on rakuten, japanican, expedia, agoda etc.

Day 4-5 Kyoto
Leave for Kyoto and visit a bit
Visit Kyoto and surroundings. Sadly no himeji castle due to work being performed on it.
Sleep: a moderately cheap somewhere in Kyoto within walking distance of a few nice things (recommendations?)
Consider Hikone Castle as a reasonable alternative. Only about 20 minutes by train from Kyoto so you could do it in an easy half-day trip one morning.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7000.html

I don't have further suggestions for accommodation, trip advisor is not bad on checking reviews (with a grain of salt). You can also search here for "Kyoto cheap accommodation" (or leave out the cheap).

Day 6 Hiroshima / Miyajima
Early morning, head out to Hiroshima, visit a bit (war museum, ...) then take the ferry to Miyajima.
Sounds good.

Sleep: I'm thinking of splurging and sleeping / eating at the wanatabe inn ryokan which would be a nice break mid trip.

Sounds nice

Day 7
Oyster festival in Miyajima (will it be too crowded that week-end?)
Head back to Hiroshima and then to ?????Tokyo? Elsewhere?

You could consider coming back part of the way depending on when you leave Hiroshima. Osaka is an option with a hotel around Shin Osaka station making it easy to leave the following morning. Gives you a chance to see a bit of Osaka at night too. It just splits the journey up a little bit. Another option might be Nagoya to overnight in as it is 1 hour further along the way to Tokyo.

Day 8
??
Head to Tokyo if not there already. Visit Tokyo
Sleep: not sure where!
I like the Shinjuku area. Not sure on your budget but common options are Shinjuku New City (cheaper) or Sunroute Plaza Shinjku (more expensive, slightly closer location and newer). Heaps of options of course.

Day 9
Day trip to nikko?
Sleep: back to same hotel in Tokyo
Sounds good, from Shinjuku you can catch the Chuo line across town to Tokyo Station and then the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and switch to local line to Nikko.

Day 10
Another day in Tokyo?
Sleep: I've got a fancy hotel downtown paid for
Plenty of options on what to see and do. I highly recommend a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market somewhere along your stay, but there are so many things to see and do in Tokyo your options are endless.

Day 11
Morning in Tokyo, head out to airport
Sleep: in the plane
Perfect!

My thinking was to use the JR Pass from day 4 to 10 but if I spend day 10 in Tokyo, that pass is a waste.. Activating is for the 3rd day means a late evening trip and arriving in a new city at night. Not too sure how great that is.
I'd definitely travel to Kyoto on the 3rd day's evening.

We'll do our best to travel light but I need to carry a business suit for the first two days which makes it a pain. I'm thinking of leaving my fancy DSLR camera at home to help with that and just carry my small point & shoot! We'll have to ask hotels to keep our luggages until check-in which is why I thought about travelling in the morning but maybe there's a better approach.
Try and travel as light as you can but I don't think it is a major problem. I would definitely take your DSLR! So many photo opportunities in Japan that I'm sure you'll regret it if you don't bring it. You can also consider Takkyubin services if you take a small pack to Hiroshima/Miyajimi. You could for example ship your main luggage from your Kyoto hotel to your Tokyo hotel.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

I was even tempted to use a locker in Kyoto and simply carry a small suitcase to Hiroshima / Miyajima but then I'd have to trek back at the same station in Kyoto to grab my luggage back.
Just bear in mind lockers usually have a 3-day limit. If you return to the same hotel in Kyoto on day 8 then they'd probably be happy keeping it for you. Alternatively you could pick it up that night from Kyoto station lockers and then continue on to Nagoya or back to Osaka for the night.

Any recommendations? Am I planning for way too much due to short days? I'd rather see a bit of everything but that means a lot of time wasted travelling.
There isn't too much travelling and I think in general you cover a good variety in a reasonable amount of time. I don't think it is overly rushed.

Depending on how you feel after the flight and the business meetings I'd probably head into Tokyo on the night of Day 2 also, at least to Shinjuku/Shibuya. Assuming your business meeting people don't take you out somewhere.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks you so much for your help CG3!

It looks like my preliminary itinerary isn't too bad. I'll do some more digging this week-end based on your comments and try to tweak it so it's even better. So much reading to do but at least it's really interesting. I just wanted to post a reply today so you knew that your reply was really appreciated!

If I ship my luggage to a hotel, do you know for how long they typically keep it? I don't mind paying extra if it means not having to carry a 3rd suitcase for no reason.

A guy at work also knows Japan a bit (he raves about it) and will give me a few tips. He highly recommended to try once of the fancy 8+ course meals.. I forgot their name. He said to also eat where the locals eat, even if that means no english menus (fun experience1)

No worries!

If I ship my luggage to a hotel, do you know for how long they typically keep it? I don't mind paying extra if it means not having to carry a 3rd suitcase for no reason.

You can specific the day you want it delivered (up to 7 days later). All the information is on the Takkyubin page.

A guy at work also knows Japan a bit (he raves about it) and will give me a few tips. He highly recommended to try once of the fancy 8+ course meals.. I forgot their name.

Kaiseki Ryori
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2348.html

If you stay in a Ryokan and have dinner you will probably eat it. Alternatively there are a number of restaurants that specialise in it. You can search "Kyoto Kaiseki" or "Tokyo Kaiseki" on these forums to find some prior threads.

He said to also eat where the locals eat, even if that means no english menus (fun experience1)

Always an interesting option! Some places also have the plastic food out the front so you can just point, and quite a few in Kyoto/Tokyo will have menus with photos even if they don't have an English menu.

Thanks for your reply, I look forward to reading further updates!

Would the shinkansen to Kyoto leaving machida at ~6pm considered "rush hour" ? I'm wondering how much of a pain it would be with luggage and all.. or it's a non issue due to reserved seats? I was hoping for only small carry ons but my plan has changed a bit: one 25" hard suitcase (10x17x25 I think), one back pack and a small carry on suitcase (20 or 22"). It appears that this 25" suitcase shouldn't be too much of a problem according to what I've read on the forum.

Which brings another point: how long in advance do I need to reserve a seat? And it says that reservation can be done at JR Railways station and I could do that at the station next to my hotel (machida)

Would the shinkansen to Kyoto leaving machida at ~6pm considered "rush hour" ? I'm wondering how much of a pain it would be with luggage and all.. or it's a non issue due to reserved seats?

The Shinkansen will be fine as long as you book, as you will have a reserved seat. You should definitely book as the train starts from Tokyo station and will likely be full by Shin-Yokohama. The local train from Machida to Shin-Yokohama (probably the best route) may be busy but you should be ok with your luggage. If you book the 6:22pm Hikari Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama to Kyoto then you have to catch the train from Machida to Shin-yokohama. This departs every 7 or 8 minutes so if you started leaving early enough you could wait one train if it looks too busy to hop on. In general they will accommodate you if at all possible. From Machida there is a 5:29pm, 5:37pm, 5:45pm, 5:51pm.

If your business meeting runs late or you are delayed you can change your Shinkansen booking to a later one (at Machida).

I was hoping for only small carry ons but my plan has changed a bit: one 25" hard suitcase (10x17x25 I think), one back pack and a small carry on suitcase (20 or 22"). It appears that this 25" suitcase shouldn't be too much of a problem according to what I've read on the forum.

Should be fine. On the Shinkansen you can either place them on the rack above you, or behind the last seat in the carriage.

Which brings another point: how long in advance do I need to reserve a seat? And it says that reservation can be done at JR Railways station and I could do that at the station next to my hotel (machida)

You should exchange your voucher for the railpass when you arrive at Narita. You can specify the activation date of the railpass. So you can exchange on Feb 5, and specify a start date of Feb 7. You can start booking your train journeys on the 5th, so it would be possible to book the Shin-Yokohama to Kyoto Shinkansen at Narita Airport. Alternatively you could book at Machida on the 5th, or 6th or 7th. I'd do it on the 5th at Narita.

Hope that helps!

Things are progressing, the tickets will be purchased tomorrow. Arrival in Narita is definitely Sunday February 6th and here's the current plan:
Day 1 - arrival at hotel (Akasaka Grand Prince Hotel) after a busy day.. Stay at this hotel until day 5 (much better location than Machida!).

Day 2-3: work during the day but at least we may be able to do things at night.. and it won't be as boring as Machida for my wife!

Day 4- Visit Tokyo (not too sure which area yet). Stay at same hotel since work is paying for it once again..

Day 5 - 1st day of JR pass. Head for Kyoto and visit some of it during the afternoon. Possibly stop at Hikone on the way there? Or I guess I could spend that day in Tokyo and leave in the evening.. but that shortens my stay in Kyoto. I have to find and hotel, the Granvia is now 20k, not 13k.. and the nicely located toyoko inn is fully booked (shijo-karasuma).

Day 6 - visit kyoto, including Kinkakuji (the golden pavillon). Someone recommended a cooking class by this guy in Kyoto http://www.vegetarian-food-kyoto.com which could be a nice cultural experience but could end up a waste of a day... I haven't seen many reviews.

Day 7 - Nara day trip

Day 8 - head for hiroshima / miyajima. I'll try to be there early since it's the oyster festival in Miyajima and it will be a nice cultural experience! I've booked a night at at the Ryoso Kawaguchi in Miyajima (with meal!) which is really well rated on tripadvisor and a decent price.

Day 9 - visit Hiroshima in the morning then head out towards Tokyo but that's when the plans get fuzzy: I still have two days of JR pass available so I can either:
- go to Tokyo and do a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura on day 10 and do the other one on day 11 (or is that too much?) or
- stop somewhere on the way back (Nagoya was an idea mentioned in this thread) but then it gives me one less day with Tokyo as base)

Day 10: depends on choice taken during day 9..

Day 11 last day of JR pass. I was thinking of a kamakura day trip. Or Nikko.. or Mt Fuji?
Day 12 Mt Fuji bus tour? Tokyo shopping?
Day 13 Flight back


Man is that trip quite a bit of planning on such a short notice!

Day 2-3: work during the day but at least we may be able to do things at night.. and it won't be as boring as Machida for my wife!

There are obviously tons of options of things to do in Tokyo during the day. She should pick the ones that interest her from the japan-guide Tokyo list. I'd probably include Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa, Ueno at least.

Day 4- Visit Tokyo (not too sure which area yet). Stay at same hotel since work is paying for it once again..

Pick from the list above.

Day 5 - 1st day of JR pass. Head for Kyoto and visit some of it during the afternoon. Possibly stop at Hikone on the way there? Or I guess I could spend that day in Tokyo and leave in the evening.. but that shortens my stay in Kyoto. I have to find and hotel, the Granvia is now 20k, not 13k.. and the nicely located toyoko inn is fully booked (shijo-karasuma).

I'd leave in the morning. You could do Hikone on the way, and/or I'd go and see Kinkakuji in the afternoon.

Day 6 - visit kyoto, including Kinkakuji (the golden pavillon). Someone recommended a cooking class by this guy in Kyoto http://www.vegetarian-food-kyoto.com which could be a nice cultural experience but could end up a waste of a day... I haven't seen many reviews.

Unless you are a huge fan of cooking I'd skip this as there is still lots to see in Kyoto! I'd probably start at Ginkakuji, walk the Philosopher's Path south to Nanzenji. Then pick and choose from Chion-in, Kodaiji, and end up at Kiyomizudera. After Kiyomizudera head to Gion and walk down Pontocho in the early evening.

Day 7 - Nara day trip

You could do Fushimi Inari in the morning or after Nara if that interests you.

Day 8 - head for hiroshima / miyajima. I'll try to be there early since it's the oyster festival in Miyajima and it will be a nice cultural experience! I've booked a night at at the Ryoso Kawaguchi in Miyajima (with meal!) which is really well rated on tripadvisor and a decent price.

Sounds nice, the one-day tram passes are handy in Hiroshima, but it depends how much you want to see. Check the tide for Miyajima too.

Day 9 - visit Hiroshima in the morning then head out towards Tokyo but that's when the plans get fuzzy: I still have two days of JR pass available so I can either:
- go to Tokyo and do a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura on day 10 and do the other one on day 11 (or is that too much?) or
- stop somewhere on the way back (Nagoya was an idea mentioned in this thread) but then it gives me one less day with Tokyo as base)

It really is up to you. You could spend some time in Osaka if that interests you, or perhaps you are better off just heading back to Tokyo. Do something in Tokyo in the late afternoon/evening. Odaiba, Roppongi Hills, Ikebukuro (Sunshine City).

Then do Nikko and/or Kamakura on the following days. You will know by then if you are "templed out" or if you wish to see more of Tokyo. Yokohama is another option nearby.

Mt Fuji?

I always recommend that you leave those days in Tokyo flexible and keep a close eye on the weather forecast. If the weather is clear then change your plans and head to Hakone/Kawaguchiko. I'd probably pick Kawaguchiko at that time of year, but Hakone is nice too. I would not do a bus trip, just use your JR pass as far as you can to each destination and then get the Fujikyu train or Hakone Free Pass.

If you go to Kawaguchiko I can recommend taking the ropeway to the top of Mt Tenjo. It is nice (and cold!) up the top there and the view across to Mt Fuji is nice too. The tourist office at Kawaguchiko station was very helpful too and worth a visit.

Man is that trip quite a bit of planning on such a short notice!

I think you are doing well. Enjoy your trip!

Hi, mart242,

I understand you are planning to stay at Kyoto from 10th Feb to 13rd Feb (three nights).

Now The Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto offers a special price, a deluxe room accommodating two persons for 8500 yen. Unfortunately, 11th and 12th Feb are special days which are higher than normal days, however, if you reserve through SPG site for the three consecutive days, the accommodation fee for one night is 13500 yen. Westin provides a "satellite concierge" at JR Kyoto station and a free shuttle bus service, both of which might be convenient to foreign travelers.

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/

Thanks once again for the great tips, CG3!

I think that I'll follow your advice for Kyoto for the 1st day (possibly Hikone on the way there and Kinkakuji in the afternoon).

The 2nd Kyoto day seems quite full as well with your recommendations of Ginkakuji, walk the Philosopher's Path south to Nanzenji, .. I'll look into the buss pass as well

Coupling Nara with Fushimi Inari is an excellent idea, I saw it in a tv travel show and it looks interesting. I wouldn't go all the way to the top though..

After my night in Miyajima, I'm now considering Osaka! So after my night in Miyajima:
- Some more Hiroshima if ''needed'' and then head to Osaka and, if I arrive early enough, visit the aquarium. At night, dotonbori! Based on what I've read, I must experience this. The aquarium is also well rated so I'd like to see it. I would have liked the one in Okinawa but that will have to be for another trip if I ever go back to Japan..

I'm not too sure what else to see in Osaka, I'll have to do some research but I thought about spending only one night there and head to Tokyo after since I'll only have one day left on my train pass. I was first considering using it for either:
Kamakura
Kawaguchiko (which you've recommended)
Nikko

But some of them are quite cheap anyways or don't sue the JR trains so it doesn't make much of a difference. I wonder if there's a nice destination I should stop by to maximize my JR rail pass... After that night in Osaka, I only have 2 days of train pass left and 3 nights in Japan (last night must be in Tokyo, not too far from the airport).


At least I now have a slightly clearer picture of what I'll do during my trip... only a few days left though!

Thanks once again for the great tips, CG3!

No worries.

I think that I'll follow your advice for Kyoto for the 1st day (possibly Hikone on the way there and Kinkakuji in the afternoon).

Kinkakuji is a bit further away than a lot of the other attractions, so best to see it this way I think.

The 2nd Kyoto day seems quite full as well with your recommendations of Ginkakuji, walk the Philosopher's Path south to Nanzenji, .. I'll look into the buss pass as well

It is quite full. You could easily skip some of it if you wish. I'd probably do Ginkakuji, the walk, Nanzenji, and Kiyomizudera at a minimum though. If you want a very cruisy day you can start late and do Kiyomizudera in the late morning and then start walking north and visit whatever suits.

Coupling Nara with Fushimi Inari is an excellent idea, I saw it in a tv travel show and it looks interesting. I wouldn't go all the way to the top though..

No need to go to the top I don't think. The first section is interesting enough.

After my night in Miyajima, I'm now considering Osaka! So after my night in Miyajima:
- Some more Hiroshima if ''needed'' and then head to Osaka and, if I arrive early enough, visit the aquarium. At night, dotonbori! Based on what I've read, I must experience this. The aquarium is also well rated so I'd like to see it. I would have liked the one in Okinawa but that will have to be for another trip if I ever go back to Japan..

We enjoyed the Aquarium! Dotonbori is also good at night of course.

I'm not too sure what else to see in Osaka, I'll have to do some research but I thought about spending only one night there and head to Tokyo after since I'll only have one day left on my train pass.

I agree.

I was first considering using it for either:
Kamakura
Kawaguchiko (which you've recommended)
Nikko

But some of them are quite cheap anyways or don't sue the JR trains so it doesn't make much of a difference. I wonder if there's a nice destination I should stop by to maximize my JR rail pass...

There are plenty of options. Depends if you want long day trips or long trips or just somewhere "on the way". On the way is Nagoya, which may interest you especially if you like cars.

Other options not really on the way but possibly include a night in Kanazawa or Takayama (or both). Maybe with a day trip to Shirakawago (from one or the other or in between both).

From Tokyo you could do something like visit Jigokudani to see the Snow Monkeys. It is a long day trip but certainly maximises the rail pass!
Snow Monkeys:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html

After that night in Osaka, I only have 2 days of train pass left and 3 nights in Japan (last night must be in Tokyo, not too far from the airport).

Obviously there are plenty of other options, just depends on how far you want to travel, and what sort of pace you enjoy. You could leave it a bit flexible as you will get a good idea by then if you want to relax in Tokyo and just see more city sights or if you want to keep on travelling.

If you wanted to shuffle the plans a bit and go crazy with "maximising" the rail pass you could even take the train (10.5 hours) from Tokyo to Sapporo to see the Snow Festival on Day 5 and 6! :) I'm not suggesting you do though, as I think you will be busy enough as it is!

What time is your flight home from Narita? If it is a reasonable hour (after 10am) I'd stay in Tokyo and catch the train on your last day.

At least I now have a slightly clearer picture of what I'll do during my trip... only a few days left though!

Enjoy your trip!

I've looked at the monkey park but 3 hours of train each way and then 45 minutes of walk through a forest to reach the monkeys, I think I'll pass this time. I'll check Nagoya, I briefly thought about visiting the toyota factory but it's a bit out of the way and with a visit from 11am to 1pm, it pretty much chews up a day.

My flight is at 5pm so I still have one last 1/2 day in Tokyo for nearby sightseeing / shopping.

I'll do some more reading tonight..

I forgot one thing.. the luggage forwarding service, would they ship from one hotel of tokyo to another one in tokyo as well?

Or is there some place where I could store luggage for a week.. The akasaka hotel I'll be at offers this service but I don't really want to pay 18,000yen for an additional night at the end of my stay just for them to keep my luggage. Actually, maybe I could do this for my last night only.. and the two previous nights stay at a toyoko inn or something. It would simplify things and they've got a limousine bus that goes straight to the airport..

Osaka is great. The aquarium has some elements to it that are actually better than the Okinawa one. If you don't have to worry about carrying luggage and the two of you are feeling a bit adventurous Osaka also has some of the best love hotels in Japan. Usually you can't check in until after 10pm for a "stay". The best know areas for love hotels are Umeda, Namba, Ikutamateramachi and Sakuranomiya. Namba could be a good choice because there is loads to do near the area as well.
Dotonburi is awesome for eating. Amerika-mura is an interesting place to visit night or day. Osaka castle can be interesting but the interior hasn't been kept, so the inside is quite modern looking and all about the history of the castle. Don't know the dates that you are going to be there but Osaka is famous for its bunraku theater, which is Japanese puppet theater. If you fancy night life, one thing to consider is having a hotel in Osaka and taking the train in to Kyoto, because Kyoto tends to get quiet and boring after about 8pm. Definitely think about onsen, Japanese hot springs. Spa World in Osaka can be a good first time, but it could be worth trying to find a ryokan that has an onsen. If you do decide to go to an onsen it would also be worth reading up on onsen etiquette.
http://www.spaworld.co.jp/english/service.html

And if you guys haven't ever been to Japan, one of my friends spent her ENTIRE first day in my local 100yen shop and grocery store.

I've been to both Kamakura and Nikko. Nikko is great if you want to have the super-colorul temples. It is like Kyoto with everything in color and jammed right next to each other. I stayed at this lodge when I visited
http://www.nikko-narusawa.com/english-frame.html
Staff were super-nice, dinner was excellent, and they picked me up from the station.

The buddah at Kamakura is quite impressive and there are some great hikes in the area, but if you are going to do Kyoto, it won't offer too many new things.

Good luck on your trip!

Thanks for the info Larry!

I'm leaving this Saturday (Feb 5th) and will spend the first 4 nights in Tokyo for business and head to Kyoto on Thursday. I don't really care about night life and with the short winter days we'll have to be up early since the days are short.

It looks like I'll favor Nikko instead of Kamakura, chances are I'll be getting fed up with temples by then. They've got a world heritage pass which includes the trip from Tokyo for 3,600 yens, maybe I should consider using this and spending two nights in Osaka instead.

I'll skip the love hotel for now but I did read a funny story about them though. A couple were looking for a hotel and had a hard time so they tried a love hotel. They ended up in the basement room which was a sex dungeon with chains and all. They were not able to sleep and had to go elsewhere!


I'll take a look at the onsen. It's not really something I had considered since I figured that my wife may not be a big fan of simply sitting in strangers in a bath (neither am I) but I guess it could be a break from the wife for an hour or so.. (just kidding honey!).

Finding a Ryokan that has an onsen would have been best but all I've seen in Miyajima and Kyoto are the ones that offer an onsen that's pretty much just a bath. Plus, hotels are quite booked in Kyoto since I'll be there on a Thursday / Friday and Saturday night. I'd rather have a nice natural one outside but not sure how feasible that is in winter.

I am simply running out of time.. so many things to do and see in Japan!

I've looked at the monkey park but 3 hours of train each way and then 45 minutes of walk through a forest to reach the monkeys, I think I'll pass this time.

No worries.

I'll check Nagoya, I briefly thought about visiting the toyota factory but it's a bit out of the way and with a visit from 11am to 1pm, it pretty much chews up a day.

Although not a factory tour the Toyota Techno Museum is really interesting and has most of the (slightly older) factory machines setup there, although not all in real operation. It could be worth a visit. If you like old cars then the Toyota Automobile Museum is really impressive too, although mostly just static displays. You could do both in a day. If you want to do a factory tour I can highly recommend the Mazda Museum and Factory tour in Hiroshima. You will have to e-mail to book, but they are shut on Saturday and Sunday when you are in Hiroshima.

My flight is at 5pm so I still have one last 1/2 day in Tokyo for nearby sightseeing / shopping.

Perfect!

Thanks. I ended up booking a our at the Mazda museum / factory. I'll be nearby so I may as well see what a japanese car factory looks like!

My plans are getting quite firms, I've pretty much booked all my hotels except for one in Osaka. Basically:
- 4 nights at the Grand Prince Akasaka in Tokyo (2 days of work, one day as a tourist..)

- Kyoto: 3 nights. One day will be a day trip to Nara. The other two, I'll use CG3's recommendations.

- Miyajima: 1 night

- Osaka: 2 nights. Aquarium, Namba parks, Dotonbori, not sure what else yet. I'm looking for a well placed hotel at a reasonnable price (Cross hotel looks good but 13,000y..)

- Head to Nikko for a few hours then back to Tokyo where I'll stay at the Ryokan Katsutaro near Ueno. They'll also keep my suitcase for a week so I'll pop by to drop it off before leaving for Kyoto.

All I have to do is some more planning with regards to the trips so I can book the train a day or two in advance. Good thing most hotels have internet access.. I wish there was an offline version of hyperdia and this forum that I could browse while in the plane!

- Osaka: 2 nights. Aquarium, Namba parks, Dotonbori, not sure what else yet. I'm looking for a well placed hotel at a reasonnable price (Cross hotel looks good but 13,000y..)

I'm not sure your exact dates in Osaka (14th + 15th?) but another option is Hotel Granvia Osaka. Probably the same price as Cross hotel but Granvia is in Osaka station so the location is hard to beat! It is not as nice as the Kyoto Granvia but still pretty nice. I'd try and stay somewhere round JR Osaka station as you are there for two nights. Plus it will be easier to leave as you can go Osaka to Shin-Osaka and then catch the Shinkansen to Tokyo.

Alternatively, if you are wishing to catch an early shinkansen to Tokyo or leave Osaka easily then there are some cheaper hotels around Shin-Osaka station. It just doesn't have as much happening at night time. We've stayed at the Shin Osaka Station Hotel Annex a couple of times and it can be very cheap (5300 for a semi-double or 8000yen for a twin room). Semi-double rooms are small! Depends on how budget you want to go I guess. If you want to do more night time stuff and be "in amongst it" then around JR Osaka station would be better.

If you want more budget then there are plenty of other options around Osaka, or even ShinOsaka station. Just use expedia/agoda/rakuten/japanican and tripadvisor and you should be fine.

Excited yet?

Thanks for the hotel recommendation, I'll take a look at them tomorrow if I get a chance but my guess is that I'll look at them one night in Japan.. too much stuff to do until then, busy at work and have to drop off the kids at Grandma's house on Friday and that's 2 hours away!

Thanks again for your help!

No worries, hope you have a good flight!

I look forward to reading your trip report once you return home!