Hello, our family of 4 adults is travelling to Japan on Aug 20th for 10 days. However as we are coming from different countries our arrival dates and departure dates are staggered. 3 of us are arriving on the 20th and 1 member is arriving on the 21st in the afternoon. We will have to go to the airport to pickup our member on the 21st so I would like to know what is best thing to do. We were thinking of using the Keisei train to get to and from the airport on the first to days.
We have planned the following itinerary
20- 24th - Tokyo
24 - 25th - Kanazawa
25- 29th - Kyoto, Osaka, Nara
29 -30th - Tokyo (2 members depart on 30th)
30th - 31st (not planned yet) we depart on 31st
We are thinking of purchasing the green JR passes and activate them when we leave for Kanazawa so we will be able to use it until the 30th.
We are thinking of getting the Suica or the Passmo cards to use in Tokyo.
and then again using it when we get back to Tokyo.
Please help me plan the best transportation.
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http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/special/index.html
Another possibility is a 2-3 day subway pass, which is fairly easy to recoup the costs of if you are sightseeing in the city:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html#anc03
There is also another option instead of using the 7 day JR Pass - since you are going to Kanazawa, there is also the Hokuriku Arch Pass which is about $50 cheaper.
http://hokuriku-arch-pass.com/en/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_arch.html
Two disadvantages though are you'd need to pay extra for the green seats, and returning to Tokyo you need to go the same way, which is a couple hours longer than the straight Tokaido line between Kyoto and Tokyo. Still, for 4 people that saves $200.
After the temples of Kyoto close down around 5PM, you can also zip over to Kobe for the evening if you like. It has some good sights as well.
I'd also suggest you're putting in too much time in Tokyo. There are some good day trips you could take, like to Nikko, Izu, Kusatsu, Karuizawa, or Kamakura/Enoshima. A Tokyo Wide Pass could save you a lot of money.
The apartment we have rented is at Nishi-Waseda. The owner suggested taking the Keisei to Nippori and change to the JR-Yamanote line to get of at Takadanobaba. In this case what would be the best option if we don't purchase the JR Pass.
As our daughter is coming the next day on the 21st we have to do the same thing before we head out for sightseeing.
In your opinion how many days should be given to see Tokyo from the 21st to 24th morning when we leave for Kanazawa.
If we purchase the JR 7 day pass would it be the east rail or west rail pass? And will we be able to use the JR pass to get to the airport on 30th?
My husband and I were thinking of doing a day trip to see Mt Fuji. What would be the best route from Tokyo.
Thanks for your suggestions
I'd say 3 days for Tokyo are enough. You'd need to find other means back to Narita Airport - you could take the Keisei again - there are discount tickets one way and round trip as I described, or the cheapest way is the 1000 yen bus:
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
For seeing Mt Fuji, there is Hakone, the Fuji 5 Lakes area, and Fuji itself. Actually going to Fuji makes sense only if you're going to climb it - there is no real view since you're actually on it. Hakone is perhaps the easiest and with an early morning start makes a good day trip:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5206.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html
The loop course would probably serve you well.
For the Fuji 5 Lakes area, it is on the opposite side of the mountain, and is similar with various activities but different views:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html
There are regional passes for both:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/
Please be aware though that for seeing Mt Fuji, summertime is usually the worst time to see it - it is frequently obscured by weather. The best times to see it clearly though would be early in the morning and around sunset.
So choose which you like.
Thank you so much for your guidance. This helps us tremendously.
Looking forward to our trip to Japan. I have seen so much of it on NHK world tv.
Super excited.
thanks
August is a busy travel season, but it is not likely you will have to be too concerned about it. Trains are leaving every 10-15 minutes or so; even in the worst case you would not be delayed much. If you have the Passes, you can make seat reservations at any JR office for any train that has them, so getting a green seat really isn't needed.
About the wi-fi, there are many companies that do it, but they all basically use the same networks to connect, so service is pretty much comparable. Prices and conditions of use vary, and it depends on how much data traffic you plan to use. So I can't advocate one over another, it is up to you. Look at these various places and see which you like the best:
http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com
http://www.pupuru.com
http://www.rentafonejapan.com
http://www.ninjawifi.com/en
https://www.sakuramobile.jp
http://japan-wireless.com
http://blank-wifi.com
http://japanwifibuddy.com
http://umobile.jp/d/lp/prepaid/eng.html
http://japan-wifi.net
Is it okay if while booking the JR Rail Pass I wrote the correct name and last name on the booking but forgot to add the middle name as per the passport.
If it is not okay how do I rectify it? Will they reissue the pass?
Thanks
That's right! There's no problem if you leave out your middle name, as long as the first and surnames are correct.
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