I'm going to Japan in 13 days! I have a rough plan, needs refining!?

Question

Ok, I'm flying to Japan on November 15th, will arrive late on the 16th, I will have a short term apartment in Tokyo for a month. I will also have a 21 day rail pass, I am planning on exploring tokyo a bit, and exploring the rest of the country until my rail pass expires, I want to see the hokkaido area, as well as Osaka and Kyoto, The other must do thing I have to do is to visit the Ghibli Museum, anything else that I *must* do?

Answer 1

well, first thing I would tell you is that whenever you are going to travel use the following site
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi

Put in the station you are closest to at start and where you are going and it will give you all different options and times walking distance and cost of the travel. You can also exclude the nozomi since you can't use them with the rail pass. It helped me greatly when I visit Japan.

Since you say once must is the Ghibli museum, I hoped you have checked their site and booked already. I know when I checked after the fact you must do it in advance and I think for foreigners it was must book before entering Japan just like the rail pass (unless they have changed)

Since you want to see Osaka and Kyoto area I would probably spend a long weekend (4-5 days) down in the Kansai Area.

If you are going to stay in the Kansai area a few day might look into getting a Kansai pass (can use JR lines, but local lines are normally faster and more convenient and they don;t take JR rail pass They have 1, 3 and 5 day passes I believe can get them at any station management booth)

Osaka: it depends what you are looking for like any big city they have many things to do. If you like cultural history Osaka Castle, If you want to just esperience bustling osaka go down around Umeda station downtown and just radiate out, they have their comedy alley (although must understand Japanese comedy or be with people who do to enjoy) is near Dotoburi near Namba station all of my Japanese friends told me I must take my picture with Glicko man there. Don;t know what nationality you are (maybe norwegan with norsehawk), but most insulted Iwas was when friends brought me to Ameritown(seems like the place for loud obnoxious youth of Osaka.

http://www.tourism.city.osaka.jp/en/
http://www.tourism.city.osaka.jp/taste_osaka/en/

Would take day in Kyoto would definitely see Noji Castle, and Kiyomizu - dera Temple; climb up a long windy touristy road, but the views are amazing and well worth it.

http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/17/
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/04/

Other daytrips I would take would be to:
Hemiji, one of the best castles in Japan the view from the JR station down the long blvd. to the castle overlooking the town is amazing. (about 1:30-2 hrs from osaka)

http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/english/index.html

Hiroshima (this is about a 3:30 trip by bullet from osaka so would have to start early for a day trip) A beautiful memorial park and is really just something I think everyone should see if they have a chance.

http://www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp/

If you are into cultural history Nara is also a place to see as someone before said it was the original capital region of ancient Japan. I beleive they also have the largest Buddha (or one of the largest) at toda-ji temple. Also be warned that Deer have the run of Nara park and will follow you everywhere near there.

http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara_e/

Also, Kobe is in the same area about 20-30 min from Osaka. It is amazing how they have rebuilt since the devistating earthquake in 1990s It is more of a modern city with very good shopping areas.

http://feel-kobe.jp/english/index.html



Enjoy exploring, Japan is one of my favorite places I visit my friends there every couple of years and always pick a region to travel to and see.

Answer 2

Hokkaido - you might just fly there unless you want to see Tohoku area along the way.

Kyoto and Osaka are only 3 hours away by bullet train.

I recommend Nikko and Kamakura near Tokyo.

Nikko is about two hours north with beautiful decorative shrines in lovely mountainous scenery.

Kamakura an hour south of Tokyo is near the ocean with nice temples and a large outdoor Buddha.

Near Kyoto I suggest Nara which is only 30-45 mintues away by train. The first offical capital japan, it has great old temples, pagados and an indoor Buddha plus deer you can feed.

From Kyoto you might try Hiroshima.

Along the way is Himeji-jo one of the best castles in Japan.

I would try to see Kabuki in Tokyo, puppet theater in Osaka, geisha spotting in Gion - plus there's a 50 minute crash course in Japanese culture at Gion culture.

Answer 3

Oh, you'll have the time of your life!

Must-Sees: the indoor skiing slope in Funabashi; of course, Hokkaido, especially Hakodate at night; Ginza, also at night; take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, being sure to splurge on the Green Car. Sit on the right to see Mt. Fuji. When in Osaka, make a day trip to Kyoto to see the Kinkakuji and the astonishing Himejijo.

Must-Trys: chanko-nabe; miso-chashumen; Japanese-styled pizza (I recommend Chicago Pizza; you can choose such toppings as squid, potato salad, asparagus and mayonnaise).

Must-Takes: well-fitting walking shoes. Headache remedy (theirs are VERY weak). Antiperspirant deodorant (theirs, again, are useless). A large cross-body shopping satchel.

Don't be afraid to carry large sums of money, or to ride the trains late at night. It's safe.

Big Hint: the trains & subways shut down at midnight; be where you want to be for the night by then!

Answer 4

I was thiking 1 month stay only in Tokyo may be little boring. But now I know you are going to many places.
I guess you can visit Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza anytime.
Check Odaiba area.

Miraikan
http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/index_e.html
VenusFort
http://www.venusfort.co.jp/multi/index_e.html

And don't forget to visit Akihabara and Asakusa area.
Visit Harajuku and Omote-sando on Sunday, it's near Shibuya.
How about Yokohama - China town area?

About Kyoto and Hokkaido, the hotels can be full easily specially in December.
Check out this hotel in Kyoto. I think it's cheap and not bad.
http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html

And Youth Hostels
http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html

I don't know how to show the spots to you. Most informations are in Japaanese and created for Japanese.
Hope this site helps.
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/

If there is PLUS/Cirrus/Maestro marks in the back of your debit card. I think you can withdraw cash at Post office.
http://www.yu-cho.japanpost.jp/e_a0000000/aa210000.htm
(small post office close at 5PM/ weekdays only)

Answer 5

Believe it or not, the incredibly intelligent studmuffin that is Meds, isn't involved with anyone (I know, women everywhere are aghast). So I'll only be celebrating the day after Valentine's, when all the candy is 75% off. And given the choice between someone named Vader and a hot female contact like Toke, I'll take Toke. And the fact that her name suggests she might have brownies has nothing to do with it. Really....

Answer 6

When you exchange for the pass, do request a time table schedule for the shinkansen in english, you can plan your time better.