Home
Back

Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it. Thank you!

Note that this thread has not been updated in a long time, and its content might not be up-to-date anymore.

Kyoto-Fuji-Hakodate/Kamikawa-Tokyo 2008/2/25 00:34
Hi, I have been researching travel connections in Japan and getting confuse.

Will be in Japan in April and will have JR Pass.

Part 1
1) Kyoto to Kawaguchiko on 7th
2) Kawaguchiko to Hakodate on 9th

I will be travelling from Kyoto (7th Apr) to Kawaguchiko (K's House). According to K's house website, I should go to Mishima Station and take the Fuji-kyuko bus to Kawaguchiko which seems straight forward enough.

During my time in Kawaguchiko, I am thinking of day trip to Hakone as well.

On 9th, I plan to go straight to Hakodate leaving early morning.

Questions:
1) I know that I cannot use JR Pass in Kawaguchiko or Hakone area. So my question is:
- Which is the best alternative pass to use - for both Kawaguchiko and Hakone?
- Should I consider the Fuji-Hakone 3 day Pass?
- Can I use Fuji-Hakone pass for the Fuji-kyuko bus connection from Mishima to Kawaguchiko? The odakyu website seems to indicate only between Gotemba and Kawaguchiko.
- How can I get the pass? Narita Airport? Kyoto? Or can I only get it at Shinjuku?

2) In relation to 2, if I have the 3 day pass, I need to know which is the best connection from Kawaguchiko to get to Hakodate without using sleeper trains and domestic flight - utilising both the local Kawaguchiko area pass and JR Pass.

Part 2
1) Kamikawa to Ikebukuro on 16th

For this return trip to Tokyo, I plan to take the domestic flight at Asahikawa which arrives at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. The airline I am considering is Air DO airline
http://www.airdo.jp/ap/index.html. However, this site is in Japanese only. I tried using web-based translator (babelfish at yahoo.com) to try and translate the content of the website but some things do not translate well and were not very clear.

Questions:
1) Can I purchase AIR DO tickets from their website from outside of Japan? Or is it for internal domestic use only?

2) I noticed they have different ticket price category where one of the category is the AIR DO Special Price category. If the translation was correct then I understand that I need to purchase 45days in advance for the special price. Is this correct?

3) Can I make payment using non-Japanese bank issued Credit Card?

4) Assuming that I can purchase from outside Japan, what proof of purchase do I get? Do they have e-Tickets confirmation number or do I need to arrange for paper tickets to be collected?

5) How long before the flight must I check-in - e.g. 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.?

Thanks in advance. =)
by Chee Teng  

... 2008/2/27 13:32
I know that I cannot use JR Pass in Kawaguchiko or Hakone area. So my question is:
- Which is the best alternative pass to use - for both Kawaguchiko and Hakone?


There is no suitable pass for your situation. I recommend to use regular tickets. If you travel lots in Hakone, consider the Hakone Free Pass. If you travel lots in Kawaguchiko, consider the 2-day pass for the retro buses there.

If you want to visit Hakone, I recommend to visit it before continuing on to Kawaguchiko:
Kyoto - Hakone - Kawaguchiko

Should I consider the Fuji-Hakone 3 day Pass?

No. Because you don't start it Tokyo it will not only difficult to use but also likely more expensive than regular tickets.

Can I use Fuji-Hakone pass for the Fuji-kyuko bus connection from Mishima to Kawaguchiko?

No, it is not valid between Mishima and Gotemba. Only between Gotemba and Kawaguchiko:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_014.html

I need to know which is the best connection from Kawaguchiko to get to Hakodate

I recommend to take the Fujikyu train from Kawaguchiko to Otsuki and then use the Japan Rail Pass. It takes about 9 hours.

The airline I am considering is Air DO airline
http://www.airdo.jp/ap/index.html. However, this site is in Japanese only.


See here:
http://www.airdo.jp/share/eng/index.html

I recommend to inquire about the possibility to book from outside Japan at the above given phone number.

How long before the flight must I check-in - e.g. 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.?

15 minutes!
by Uji rate this post as useful

Wondering... 2008/2/28 01:57
Thanks Uji. Your reply helped to clear up the confusion regarding the passes for Kawaguchiko/Hakone.

Any recommendations on what we can do or see at Kawaguchiko in early April. Not planning to climb Mt. Fuji. I believe it may not be possible at that time anyway.

Would Hakone be a better destination than Kawaguchiko? Is the Lake Ashi Cruise a good idea?
by Chee Teng rate this post as useful

... 2008/2/28 07:57
Foreign tourists tend to enjoy Hakone more than Kawaguchiko. There is much more to do in Hakone.

Some ideas of activities around Kawaguchiko:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html

What to do in Hakone:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
by Uji rate this post as useful

reply to this thread