Japan Itinerary on Limited Time

Hi,

Further to an earlier query re. Japan Railpass, is the following
itinerary a workable option? We have just 10 days (exclusive of
arrival/departure) so we can say we are somewhat limited:

Purchase 7-day Railpass

Day 1 Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima
Day 6 Hiroshima to Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Tokyo
Days 8 to 10 Tokyo and Fuji (I understand the latter is not covered by
Railpass anyway)

Also, where can one purchase the Railpass (I read an old guide which
suggested Japan Airlines offices?). We are in Thailand currently so
perhaps I can get hold of one in Bangkok?

Secondly, does one have to book the actual journeys or can one just
turn up at the stations?

Finally, if all the above is reasonable, I will also need to make
reservations in Backpackers Hostels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and
Osaka so has anyone any recommendations? Many thanks

"Dave Wheeler" wrote in message
Purchase 7-day Railpass

Day 1 Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima
Day 6 Hiroshima to Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Tokyo
Days 8 to 10 Tokyo and Fuji (I understand the latter is not covered by
Railpass anyway)

We were in Japan about a month ago and had a 7-day Railpass. We did
following route:
Day 1 Tokyo-Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto-Himeji-Hiroshima
Day 4 Hiroshima-Miyajima-Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima-Beppu-Miyazaki
Day 6 Miyazaki-Osaka (night train, no extra charges)
Day 7 Osaka-Tokyo

So we spent the day 6 in Miyazaki and day 7 in Osaka.

Few comments,

I wouldn't stay in Hiroshima more than 24 hours. You can easily check the
A-bomb memorials and museum in 24 hours. Day trip from Hiroshima to Miyajima
is free of charge if you have railpass. Go early, so there's a high tide.

Kyoto. Yes there's much to see but it's mainly temples and shrines. If you
take one intensive day there, you've seen quite many temples and shrines. We
had only one full day but we saw quite a lot. And we used the first half day
and evening strolling arounf the central Kyoto and Gion.

Few really good deals for accomodation,

New Izu Hotel, Tokyo (Ueno)
http://www.izuhotel.co.jp/indexfEnglish.htm
If you book in advance by email you'll get a better price. Japanese rooms
were nothing special but the "semi-double" is a really good deal for a
couple. It is a small room but it's really good compared to price and
location.

Hotel Flex, Hiroshima

Really cheap and good compared to price. I'd say one of the best deals we
got in Japan.

Trains,
Take reserved seats. With the railpass it's free of charge and makes
travelling really easy. We usually booked our seats just few hours before
the trip. Or one day in advance if we had an early start. Just write the
name of destination to the paper and go to the desk and say "reservation"
and show your paper and railpass. It's that simple.

Have a nice trip, it's a really great country.

Further to an earlier query re. Japan Railpass, is the following
itinerary a workable option? We have just 10 days (exclusive of
arrival/departure) so we can say we are somewhat limited:

Purchase 7-day Railpass

IIRC you have to purchase it outside Japan - then you "activate" it
when you want to take your first trip.

Day 1 Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto

Use one Kyoto day for a day trip to Nara.

Day 4 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima
Day 6 Hiroshima to Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Tokyo
Days 8 to 10 Tokyo and Fuji (I understand the latter is not covered by
Railpass anyway)

Skip Osaka and visit Kanazawa instead.

Finally, if all the above is reasonable, I will also need to make
reservations in Backpackers Hostels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and
Osaka so has anyone any recommendations? Many thanks

In Tokyo try the Sakura Hotel. The Tochi Center Hotel (a business
hotel that's centrally located) is another possibility.

"Dave Wheeler" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Further to an earlier query re. Japan Railpass, is the following
itinerary a workable option? We have just 10 days (exclusive of
arrival/departure) so we can say we are somewhat limited:

Purchase 7-day Railpass

Day 1 Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima
Day 6 Hiroshima to Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Tokyo
Days 8 to 10 Tokyo and Fuji (I understand the latter is not covered by
Railpass anyway)

Do you mean somewhere near Mt Fuji? Most people go to Kawaguchi-ko or Hakone
for a view of Fuji-san. For the first take JR to Otsuki (Chuo line) and take
Fujikyu private line (1,110 yen). For the latter JR to Odawara and Hakone
Tozan Line to Gora, and further by cog railway and cablecar. There is also a
JR station called Fuji in Shizuoka Pref on Tokaido line, but there's nothing
to do there (so to speak).

Also, where can one purchase the Railpass (I read an old guide which
suggested Japan Airlines offices?). We are in Thailand currently so
perhaps I can get hold of one in Bangkok?

Go to http://www.japanrailpass.net/, which lists selling agents in Thailand.

Secondly, does one have to book the actual journeys or can one just
turn up at the stations?

Finally, if all the above is reasonable, I will also need to make
reservations in Backpackers Hostels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and
Osaka so has anyone any recommendations? Many thanks

(Dave Wheeler) wrote in message om...
Hi,

Further to an earlier query re. Japan Railpass, is the following
itinerary a workable option? We have just 10 days (exclusive of
arrival/departure) so we can say we are somewhat limited:

Purchase 7-day Railpass

Day 1 Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 2 Kyoto
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto to Hiroshima
Day 5 Hiroshima
Day 6 Hiroshima to Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Tokyo
Days 8 to 10 Tokyo and Fuji (I understand the latter is not covered by
Railpass anyway)

Out of curiosity, why are flying into/out of Tokyo when you're
spending the bulk of your time in West Japan? I imagine there's a good
reason, but if possible I'd try to change your airport to Osaka.

The only real change I'd make is on Day 4. Add a side trip to Himeji.
In a few hours you can see the castle and Kokoen (right next to the
castle, a must see), and since the day's pretty much shot traveling,
it's well worth it. Himeji sits on the Shinkansen line and is a major
stop. Also, why break up the return trip to Tokyo into two days? I
know it's a long trip, but I'd personally rather get the traveling
over with and spend a little extra time in Tokyo. Or, possibly you
could work in your Fuji area stuff on the way back. Go straight from
Hiroshima to Hakone, Kamakura, Atami, someplace that's got stuff to do
(even Nagoya might be a good option).

Also, where can one purchase the Railpass (I read an old guide which
suggested Japan Airlines offices?). We are in Thailand currently so
perhaps I can get hold of one in Bangkok?

Should have a Japanese travel agent there, but really any travel agent
can get the pass (at least that's the case in the US, in my
experience).

Secondly, does one have to book the actual journeys or can one just
turn up at the stations?

Just show up and go. You can get a reservation, even if it's just
before boarding the train. But there are non-reserved cars, and if
you're not traveling during a peak season you shouldn't have a
problem.

Finally, if all the above is reasonable, I will also need to make
reservations in Backpackers Hostels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and
Osaka so has anyone any recommendations? Many thanks

Unfortunately I've never stayed in a youth hostel in Japan; search
this NG or the Web and you'll find tons of info.

John W.