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Osaka-Kyoto-Toyama-nagoya

Hi,

We are planning a 10days trip to Japan. We will be arriving at Osaka KIX international airport and departing from Nagoya Chubu International airport. Upon arriving, we will proceed to Osaka for 4 nights follows by Kyoto for 2 nights. Then we are planning to go for Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. We will be staying at Toyama for 2 nights and we will be staying our last night at Nagoya in order to catch an early flight the next morning.

We would like to seek your advise on the planning and the purchasing of the most economical jr passes.

Would it be a better choice to buy a 4 days Kansai regional pass for the front leg and a 5 days central regional pass for the Alpine route?

Would need your advise on which central pass to buy, Takayama Hokuriku Pass or Alpine Takayama Pass?

We personally prefer the Takayama Hokuriku Pass as we would like to pay a visit to Shirakawa-go too. For that I would also seek your advise if it is better to stay 1 night at Toyama and 1 night at Shirakawa-go?

But if we go by this way, how much would it cost for a round trip bus and train ticket for Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route?

Would appreciate if you could give me your advise asap. Thank you!

Rgds,
Elena

Comments

  • Hi,
    Well first, it is really hard to make any Kansai area pass pay off. You could if you did a day trip to Himeji, for example. Otherwise, I suggest you get a Icoca & Haruka discount ticket.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_icoca_haruka.html
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html

    You should definitely take at least half a day and see Nara as well. The Todaiji Temple in particular is a must see place and will leave you awestruck.

    An overnight at a Shirakawago farmhouse would be an unforgettable experience. If you could spend at least a few hours in Kanazawa, it would be well worth it too - the Kenrokuen Garden is rated as the best historical garden in the country and it's a picturesque city.
    As is, I ran the numbers and you fall short of making either pass pay off. You could still get them and use them for convenience's sake if you want.
    For the Alpine Route, see:
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7550.html
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7551.html

    You can see regular fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
    http://www.hyperdia.com

    You can see previews of some of the best places to see in Japan on:
    https://www.youtube.com/user/thejapanfaq/videos


  • Hi Tenjin,

    Thanks for all the information.
    Do you have any farmhouse to recommend Shirakawa-go? Any website that I can look for one?
    Do you think it is a bit of rush for our last leg of journey? We have only 2 days for Kanazawa, Alpine route and
    shirakawa?
    Can we buy ticket for the Alpine route in advance? The website you provided shows only the price of one way ticket, do I multiply them by 2 for the entire route?

    Rgds,
    Elena
  • Hi,
    For Shirakawago, you might look at
    https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-search-results/?area=Shirakawa-go
    Actually you can see the whole place in just a few hours. The Alpine route takes all day (or more if you want to linger). Kanazawa can take as long as you want - the Kenrokuen Garden though is the crown jewel.
    Your question suggests going both ways down the Alpine route - that would be a huge waste. You should see at least some of Matsumoto on one side.
  • Hi Tenjin,
    I actually think going both ways down alpine route is a waste of time but I am afraid that I have not enough time. My date on the Alpine is from 5 to 7 Oct and I understand that it would be very crowded during that period. If I would to change my plan as you suggested as below:
    Leave Kyoto on 5th oct by Thunderbird at 1008 Reach Kanazawa at 1217. Do you think I have enough time to go for kenrokuen garden and proceed to shirakawa-go for check in before 1700?
    Stay at the farmhouse for one night and do some sightseeing at shirakawa-go before leaving for Alpine route. What time should I leave in order to get myself through the whole route and get myself to Matsumoto to stay overnight and tour Matsumoto the day after before ending at Nagoya?
    Or
    Stay at the farmhouse and take my time at shirakawa-go the next day and proceed to Toyama to stay overnight. And go through alpine route the next morning followed by Matsumoto while on the way to Nagoya?

    My next worry is our luggages! We will have to pull along the luggages from Kyoto to Kanazawa and shirakawa-go, then through alpine route to Matsumoto until we get to Nagoya. Any suggestion.

    Thanks,
    Elena
  • Hi,
    Well, first the luggage issue - you can use many luggage forwarding services - in fact drop off your bags at a participating convenience store and pick them up later at some other location. See:
    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

    Of your plans, I'd say Matsumoto has more to offer than Toyama City.
    You could do either of your plans, but I'd say your first looks more rewarding. You can see Kenrokuen in 30-45 minutes if you don't want to lounge around. The bus to Shirakawago takes 75 minutes and costs ¥1850, and buses leave every hour or so.
    http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/shirakawago.html
    The next morning, take the bus to Toyama and then go on the Alpine Route. Stey overnight at Matsumoto. It's about 2 hours 10 minutes by train from Matsumoto to Nagoya. Spend whatever time you can to see the castle, the old Nakamachi district, a few museums, etc.
  • Hi Tenjin,

    Thanks a lot for your advice and info provided. I ll take your advise by taking this itinerary: kyoto-Kanazawa-shirakawa-go-Toyama-alpine route- matsomoto-Nagoya. Is it worth to get either the takayama hokuriku tourist area pass and alpine takayama Matsumoto tourist pass? There are 5 of us , or should I rent a car to drive from Kyoto to Kanazawa and return it at Toyama?

    Rgds, Elena
  • Hi,
    Driving can be a challenge if you are not used to it - but that area can be very convenient for renting a car and you have a lot more freedom. You should be aware though that tollways can be high, fuel pricey, and drop off charges like leaving the car in Toyama pretty steep. But divided by 5, it might just work out. Try contacting some rental agencies and see what they'd charge. The Alpine Takayama Matsumoto tourist pass only makes sense if you are backtracking through the Alpine Route again.
  • Hi Tenjin,

    You are right that driving and taking the train is about the same cost for 5 ppl. Do u know about the timing for driving? How long is the time taken to drive from Kyoto to Kanazawa, from Matsumoto to Nagoya and from Nagoya Sakae area to Nagoya international airport? Is driving and taking the train about the same timing?

    Thanks,
    Elena
  • Hi,
    There are variables with driving of course like time, traffic conditions, type pf car, etc. But there are a few driving calculators.
    from Kyoto to Kanazawa: ¥5890 2 hrs 45 min
    from Matsumoto to Nagoya: ¥6310 2 hrs 45 min
    Nagoya to NGO: ¥1670 41 minutes

    Note that these are only the tollway charges.
    For trains, use Hyperdia as listed above.
  • Hi Tenji,

    Is that the self drive timing or train timing? I think time for driving is another concern for us to consider.
    From hyperdia:
    Kyoto to Kanazawa is ¥6900 with seat and 136min
    Matsumoto to Nagoya is ¥6030 with seat and 134min
    So if the timing for driving is 2hr45min there is not much diff as compare to taking the train.
  • Hi,
    The above is for driving. Limited express trains and express trains typically go about 100 kph, which is similar to a car on the tollways.
    The bullet trains are a completely different story, going about 240-300 kph...but there are no such trains for the routes you mention.
  • Hi,

    For all this while I have been reading up and doing research but I think I need to consult you again!
  • Hi Tenjin,

    Is there a website for self-drive calculator where it shows different routes, the time, the distance, the toll charge for driving from one place to another?
    You said driving from Kyoto to Kanazawa is 2 h 45 min and with toll of ¥5890, and from Matsumoto to Nagoya is 2h 45min with till of ¥6310, may you give me the direction (route/expressway) that you are referring?
    Thanks,
    Elena
  • Hi Tenjin,

    Thanks for the websites! I have came across the Central express pass for tourist. Can I ask my car rental company for CEP if I rent the car from Kyoto? Can I still get the discounted toll rate if I drive from Kyoto to Kanazawa instead of from Osaka or Nagoya airport?

    Thanks,
    Elena
  • Hi,
    Unfortunately, this is something I can't assist you with.

    Best of luck.
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