Hi
First time in Japan and actually a last minute trip. Itinerary is:
12/23. Arrive in Narito around 4pm. Stay in Tokyo overnight. Have JR pass and going to leave for Kyoto is the morning. Where is the best place to stay just for the night?
12/24: Leave Tokyo for Kyoto on Shinkansen. We have JR pass but not sure what bullet train to take?? and from what station? Tokyo Station??
12/25-12/28: Kyoto area. Possible side trip to Hiroshima or other areas. Staying in Gion area
12/28: Train to Hakone. Stay in a Ryokan (haven't found one yet)
12/29: Leave afternoon back to Tokyo
12/29-1/2: Tokyo and leave the eve of 1/2 back to US
So questions are:
1. Best area to stay to be near train from Tokyo to Kyoto? What station? Also how do we get from Narito there? Do not want to activate JR pass yet.
2. What bullet train options do we have for Kyoto using JR pass? We already purchased pass so no other option
3. Any advice on side trips from Kyoto although I think there is plenty to do there
4. Hakone: will only be there for two days but not full days. Worth getting Hakone Freepass or should be just hang at the ryokan and Onsen?
5. What to do for New Years eve since no fireworks??
6. Hear a lot is closed from the 30-1 for New Years holiday. But even in Tokyo?? Will all the shopping areas be closed?? options?? Tokyo Wide Pass to maybe go other areas but worried will be closed or trains really crowded
7. Have an old iPhone 4 unlocked. Is it better to get SIM card for this or a Wifi card?
Any advice would be appreciated.
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Comments
I'll try to help you here.
To get the best value out your pass, you should activate it at Narita and use it to take the Narita Express into Tokyo, so you'd be using it Dec 23-29. That will get you down to Kansai and back, and if you can spend a full day on Hiroshima/Miyajima, you'd really reap some great savings.
For where to stay in Tokyo, ideally near Tokyo Stn or Shinagawa is best, since that is where you'd board the bullet train. It's not that important though, since you could also be near any station that goes there - it does not take long on the JR Yamanote Line (and free with the pass).
For which train, you can take any bullet train except the fastest - the Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Avoid the Kodama trains also since they stop at every last station. Look for a Hikari train.
You can see regular fares, routes and schedules on Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com
Just go to More Options and uncheck Nozomi to avoid those options.
For the Kansai area, you could spend all your time in Kyoto - but you really should not miss Nara, with some of Japan's best sights. A half day in Himeji to see Japan's finest castle and Kokoen Garden is well worth it also and would add more value to your pass.
Since you are already seeing Tokyo, you can largely skip Osaka during the day. After the temples of Kyoto close down around 5PM, you can zip over to Osaka for the evening. At night the city comes alive and has some great places to see, such as Dotonbori, plus the night views from the Umeda Sky Bldg and Abeno Harukas Bldg are wonderful.
On another evening, you could also go and see Kobe.
Your biggest concern is where you'll stay in Hakone. The better places have already been reserved months ago, and frankly you have a serious problem here. You'll either need to pay through the nose for an expensive place, or find somewhere like a regular hotel, maybe way back in Mishima or Odawara. Keep looking but also start searching for alternatives.
Getting a Hakone Free Pass is a great idea - there is a lot to see, and with an early morning start, taking the loop course would give you a fulfilling day.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
For New Year's in Tokyo, many visit a popular temple or shrine around midnight or New Year's Day - you should see it.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2276.html
http://www.newyearsevetokyo2015.com/
https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/holidays/japanese-new-year-tokyo/
Just be sure to check first where you're going for places between Dec 28-Japan 3 or so - they may be closed. Worst case, for food there are convenience stores like 7-11 and Lawson's.
Sorry I can't help you with the phone issue.