Saturday, April 21, 2012

Where to go besides Tokyo/Kyoto?

My parents will be traveling to Japan in late April-early May. They will be landing in Tokyo for 5 nights then going to Kyoto for 3 nights. They have another 5 nights which could be split between 2 cities. Osaka is an option, but it is very similar to Tokyo. Can anyone recommend something ';off the beaten path'; but on the Shinkansen line? Thank you!



Where to go besides Tokyo/Kyoto?


It%26#39;s not necessary to stay in both Kyoto and Osaka. They are a short train ride from each other. Stay in one and visit the other has a day trip.





There are many options accessible via shinkansen. A good site to do some research -http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html



Where to go besides Tokyo/Kyoto?


They can stay in Kyoto one more night and go to Osaka for a day our . There are many local train abot 30-40 minutes .



Other paces are Fuji Hakone, Kamakura (big Buddha),Nara,Himeji Castle





A lot of info on http://www.jnto.go.jp/ , where they can browse taking care of their interests.




There aren%26#39;t any ';off the beaten path'; places on the Shinkansen Line but how about adding Hiroshima/Miyajima, Himeji and Hakone?





I hope your parents are aware that late April-early May is Golden Week, one of the busiest travel periods in Japan. Popular cities, such as Kyoto gets fully booked and Shinkasen travel on certain days is absolutely chaotic. Leaving Tokyo to any city between April 28-May 2 (especially on the 1st and 2nd) and coming back to Tokyo on May 6 will be very tough.




The two places I would suggest are:





Hiroshima/Miyajima - its a fairly short ride on the Shinkansen from Kyoto. One of my favorite places in Japan.





Naoshima - a bit offbeat, its an ';Art Island'; sponsored by Benessee Corporation. Has a fantastic art museum and wonderful hilltop hotel with stunning views of the inland sea. Just google ';Naoshiima'; to get more info. Also a short ride on the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Okayama. One of the most unique places in Japan.




Plan a night at an onsen (hot spring) ryokan. Places to consider including Hakone at the Mt. Fuji area, Kusatsu, Shirahama and Arima.





Another possibility is a trip that includes Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and even Matsumoto and Nagano.




I%26#39;m with yamanote. I vote for Hiroshima/Miyajima.




Why do the places need to be on the Shinkansen lines? There are many great places very well served by other very comfortable and fast JR trains. Hiroshima and Miyajima also have my vote. Takayama (more rural) and Kanazawa on the west coast also have my vote. All are different to Tokyo and Kyoto. Whilst they are in Kyoto, think of spending a day in Nara (a short train ride - not by Shinkansen! - away).




I can%26#39;t speak for Platna but the reason I prefer to visit places on Shinkansen Lines is because of time constraints and a tight schedule. Limited express trains to out of the way places (Super Azuza to Matsumoto, for instance) are very time consuming, both to wait for the fastest one and just the relatively slow speed on the rails.




I found a great flight. Arriving in Tokyo and leaving from Hiroshima for under $900! So that is going into the program.





I have also been able to find cheap accomodation despite it being Golden Week. Will they have trouble reserving seats on the train? Can they do it before they leave? I always reserved at the JR station.





I think I have an itinerary





4/23-4/28 Tokyo with a daytrip to Mt Fuji



4/28 - 5/2 Kyoto with day trips to Osaka and Nara or Himeji



5/2 - 5/6 Hiroshima with daytrips to Miyajima and either Okayama or Matsuyama




Will you have a JR Pass? If so, buy a green pass and you will have less trouble getting seats.

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