Tokyo Kyoto Osaka-cherry blossom

I need some help on my next trip to Japan.We arrive (NRT)4th of April in Tokyo at 7.15am.Planning to Take a limo bus to Shinagawa and taxi to Asakusa.Our hotel is in Asakusa.

I have a very bad back ,so the least lugging around the better it is for me.

Back to itinerary;We plan to Spend a couple of days in Tokyo and leave for Kyoto on the Shinkansen for 4 days 3 nights.(all On Package plan).

Question?

Is it better upon arrival if we(2 of us) catch a train to Kyoto(shinkansen)and do Tokyo after our Kyoto stay?

We want to catch sakura if possible in all the cities.

What do you think if we include Osaka as a day trip to the castle while we were in Kyoto?Maybe an ealry morning train/bus?

do you thnk we have enough time to squeeze in a night at an onsen either near to Kyoto/Osaka.

Do you think my transportation plan is economical and an efficient way of getting around.

Really appreaciate all your views.

We leave April 11 from Narita.

Thanks all again.

Tokyo Kyoto Osaka-cherry blossom

As castle%26#39;s go, Himeji is better. The sakura at both Osaka and Himeji are incredible; Osaka has the edge when it comes to views, but Himeji when it comes to authenticity (it%26#39;s the real deal; Osaka was destroyed and rebuilt) and cool factor (there%26#39;s more to see and do, such as walking through the passage in the walls). Himeji also has Kokoen (gardens) and Mt. Shosha (mountain temple/shrine complex; lots of walking, but very cool).

If you want to do a night in an onsen, look at Kinosaki. There are many onsen in the town, and you stay in an inn (ryokan) which will have its own bath, and then walk around to the other baths wearing a traditional yukata (light kimono). Most ryokan will at least have dinner, and many have breakfast as well. A good trip would be to go to Himeji in the morning, and head to Kinkosaki in the mid afternoon, trying to arrive around 3 or 4 (the trip is about 2 hours). Visit the shops, take the cable car to the top of the mountain (great views of the inland sea), and maybe do an onsen or two. Then head back to your inn, relax with some beer or tea, eat a good dinner, and in the cool evening walk around to more onsen. The next morning do a couple of more onsen and then head to Kyoto (about 2 hours by train). All of those trips to the onsen are covered by the cost of your inn; you get tickets at your inn (no extra charge) and use those to enter the baths. Kinosaki also has an aquarium; it%26#39;s pretty decent if you have the time.

Another option is Arima, and I really like Arima a lot; it%26#39;s got a lot to see and do, and the views from the top of Mt. Rokko (cable car) are nice. But I consider Kinosaki the better experience.

Good luck!

John W.

Tokyo Kyoto Osaka-cherry blossom

Could you not get the bus all the way to your hotel? Tokyo taxi drivers often open the trunk without getting out of the cab, so it is up to you to stow and retrieve your bags. I always send my larger bag direct to my hotel in Kyoto, carrying a small bag for a night or two in Tokyo.

Osaka castle is only interesting from the outside. It was reconstructed in concrete, which is obvious inside. My favourite hotel is close to the castle but, otherwise, I would not bother with the trip to Osaka. There is more than enough blossom in Kyoto.

Nara would be a more interesting day trip if traditional Japan is your interest.

%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;to Take a limo bus to Shinagawa and taxi to Asakusa.Our hotel is in Asakusa.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

Shinagawa is on the Southern edge of central Tokyo and far from Asakusa. You should take the limobus to TCAT (Tokyo Central Air Terminal) and take a taxi from there, the fare will be much cheaper and you%26#39;ll save time too. Unfortunately, there is no direct limobus service to Asakusa from NRT.

%26gt;%26gt;%26gt; Is it better upon arrival if we(2 of us) catch a train to Kyoto(shinkansen)and do Tokyo after our Kyoto stay?%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

If you%26#39;re hoping to see the cherry blossoms, you should go to Kyoto right away. I think you%26#39;re going to miss the peak in Tokyo arriving on April 4th. But you%26#39;ll have a chance to catch it in Kansai, since the cherry blossoms peak later there than in Tokyo.

Thank you.Will seriously include Kinosaki.

Hi Bob,

Thanks .We will get hotels where the limo stop is.

Looks like we will head to Kyoto first upon arrival.

Thanks everyone.Wish for a beauiful Hanami.