Hi,
Im travelling to Japan for the 1st time on July for 10 days. I would like to know if the following itinerarie is realistic:
Arrival day (1st day): On Tokyo - mostly walking by the surroundings of the hotel. Thinking to stay in Ikebukuro.
2nd and 3rd days: On Kyoto. Maybe go to Nara.
4th and 5th days: On Osaka. Maybe go to visit the temples of Mt Koya.
6th day: Try to stay in the Benesse hotel on Naoshima.
7th day: Return from Naoshima to Tokyo. Maybe visit other museums in Naoshima for half a day.
8th, 9th and 10th days: On Tokyo.
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Comments
I'd say if you're happy with it then it's fine. Although I would suggest you take a day off of Osaka and go visit Himeji, with Japan's finest original castle and the beautiful Kokoen Garden next to it. If you want to make it a full day, you can also go up to Mt Shosha there and see the huge temple complex.
https://is.gd/WWDJsj
Everywhere has something, but a lot of the best in Osaka you can see in the evening after a day of sightseeing in Kyoto - Dotonbori, the Umeda Sky Bldg, Shinsekai, Abeno Harukas Bldg, Cosmo Tower, etc.
https://is.gd/hoV5ze
And definitely make time for Nara - at least half a day. If short on time, stick within the Nara Park area.
https://is.gd/q20DYa
As for getting around Tokyo, a 2 or 3 day subway pass can save money and is quite convenient.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03
You can find regular rail fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Under "More Options", be sure to uncheck the Nozomi box if on a JR Pass since you can't ride that train using the pass.
You can see previews of some of the best places to see in Japan on:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thejapanfaq/videos
There are also loads of other tips on
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/the-best-japan-travel-tips/
Best regards.
Although, do you think that i will need a JR National Pass?
Also any recommendations for budget hotels in tokyo and kyoto?
Thank you for the recommentations.
If you take the side trips to Himeji and/or Naoshima, then a 7 day JR pass would pay off.
For budget hotels, everyone has their own idea of "budget", but there are many business hotels that are inexpensive, quiet, clean, decent, and many throw in breakfast for free.
You could look at:
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
http://www.superhoteljapan.com/en/
https://smile-hotels.com/hotels/index/en
http://www.hotel123.co.jp/english/index.html
http://www.route-inn.co.jp/english/
https://www.choicehotels.com/japan/comfort-inn
There are still cheaper places, though some are not en suite rooms.
Try:
http://www.wix.com/astroflight/accommodations