Hi all, this will be my first time visiting Japan.Overall it looks fine if you like a really fast pace.
I intend to purchase a 7-day JR pass for use starting from day 2 – day 8 Ok.
Day 1, Wednesday 21 Nov
1. 11.00pm Arrive at Haneda – Check in @ Chisun Inn Kamata.
a. Do you think itfs possible for me to catch the last train?Yes.
b. Is it expensive to take a taxi from the airport in case I miss the last train?4000-4500 yen.
Day 2, Thursday 22 Nov
1. 7.30am Walk to Asakusa StationNo. Asakusa is miles away from Kamata.
2. 8.00am Take JR train to Shinjuku stationNote that you won't have an active rail pass yet as you can't activate it at Haneda.
To be honest I'd change your whole schedule and do Tokyo in the first few days perhaps. Either that or just go to Disney on this day and shuffle everything back.
If you don't plan on changing then I'd either go to Tokyo Station and exchange your JR Pass (after 7:30am), or just go to Shinagawa Station and do it there after 9:00am. Then you can use the JR Pass to take a Shinkansen from Shinagawa/Tokyo to Odawara Station. Then you can buy the reduced price Hakone Free Pass (3900 yen) instead of paying 5000 yen (and more for Romance car).
Day 3, Friday 23 Nov
1. 9.40am Board JR train to Nagoya
2. 11.30am Arrive at Nagoya
3. Have early lunch
4. Ise/Toba
5. Head to Kyoto & check inOk, just note this is a public holiday.
1. Are there any attractions in Nagoya?http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2155.html2. Is it recommended to visit the Nagoya Public Aquarium? Or the penguin show in Osaka/Tokyo is better?If you want to see an Aquarium I'd just go to the one in Osaka
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4004.htmlAquariums in Japan
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2425.html3. Should I slot in Ise & Toba?It adds a lot of time but up to you on your interests.
Day 4, Saturday 24 Nov
1. Tour around Kyoto on foot
2. Attempt to rent a bicycle taxi
3. 5.50pm Buy tickets at Gion Corner
4. Stay in KyotoThis will be a very busy day due to the long weekend and autumn colours.
a. Is there a place I can rent a bicycle taxi? And what are the charges like?What is a bicycle taxi? One where you ride it or one where someone else rides it for you?
Bicycle rental
http://www.kctp.net/en/b. Should I buy the tickets to Gion show in advance? Is it usually very crowded?I can't comment but I expect it will be crowded. You may wish to print out the coupon too.
http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html#accessMapDay 5, Sunday 25 Nov
1. Take a day trip to Nara, visit deer park
a. Should I slot in Ise/Toba into this day?No.
Day 6, Monday 26 Nov
1. Take a day trip to Osaka/KoyasanI wouldn't day trip to Koyasan. Either overnight there or skip it.
Question:
a. Should I stay in Osaka?No, Koyasan at a temple.
Day 7, Tuesday 27 Nov
1. 8.00am Hiroshima/MiyajimaLeave earlier in the morning.
a. Is it possible to do Hiroshima and Miyajima in 1 day?Yes, but start earlier and note the tide times for Miyajima (link down the bottom)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3450.htmlDay 8, Wednesday 28 Nov
Day tour around TokyoThis is very busy and may not be possible.
Question:
Can my JR Pass be used within Tokyo itself?Yes, on all JR Lines only though, but that includes Yamanote which covers a lot. Not to Skytree though, and not to Roppongi Hills.
Day 9, Thursday 29 Nov
1. 9.00am DisneylandOk.
Day 10, Friday 30 Nov
1. 3.45am Tsukiji Fish MarketWhere is your hotel? You have to use taxi or walk to get to Tsukiji at this time as no trains are running.
2. 10.00am Ghibli MuseumDo you have tickets already, if not note you must pre-purchase them:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3041.html#jump_hours3. 2:00pm Odaiba/Panasonic Center/Fuji TV Building/Telecom Center Observation Deck/Aquacity Odaiba/Diver City Tokyo Plaza/Gundam Front Tokyo/Rainbow Bridge/Harajuku
4. 9.00pm Arrive @ Haneda Airport
5. 11.00pm Depart HanedaSounds busy but might be possible.
a. Can you let me know the best sequence for Odaiba/Panasonic Center/Fuji TV Building/Telecom Center Observation Deck/Aquacity Odaiba/Diver City Tokyo Plaza/Gundam Front Tokyo/Rainbow Bridge/Harajuku - eg. where to start first and where to endThe map here should help:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.htmlb. please help me see if you can mix and match day 8 & day 10 for meSee Harajuku when you see Meiji Shrine as they are next to each other.
I would avoid Kyoto on the weekend, swap the day with Hiroshima. This also gives you more time in Hiroshima as you go from Hiroshima to Kyoto at the end.
There is lots to see in Kyoto including the night illuminations so I'd spend more time there if you can.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3953.htmlIf you have not booked accommodation in Kyoto yet then you will probably struggle as this is peak of the peak season. Consider staying in Osaka and day tripping instead. Some cheap hotels near JR Shin-Osaka Station or try and stay near JR Osaka Station. Transport to Kyoto from either of those stations is covered by your JR Pass.
Enjoy your trip!
