I'm going to Japan for 2 wks, ending & starting at NRT. Since I want to spend time in Tokyo at the _end_ of the trip, I want to get as far away (South) of Tokyo area the day I arrive.

My flight arrives at 4:05pm in NRT. I have to pass custom and then get my JR pass validated, etc.

Any recommendations on where to go to spend a night that first night? My goal is to go to Osaka/Kyoto the next day and I think it's too far for that night.

Thanks...

For a 4:00 PM arrival you could very easily make it to Kyoto-Osaka that day. You could even make it to Hakata, at the other end of the Shinkansen line, in Kyushu. The last Shinkansen that makes it to Hakata leaves 6:50 PM, plenty of time if you can catch the 5:15 NEX, tight to impossible if you only make the 5:43. The last Shinkansen to Osaka leaves at 21:18, plenty of time.

Hey, you could invite him out for potato hooch with MJM....and then he wouldn't have to bother me in Hakata!

Any recommendations on where to go to spend a night that first night? My goal is to go to Osaka/Kyoto the next day and I think it's too far for that night.

You could get to the Kansai area (Kyoto/Osaka) on day one:

For example - BY PLANE:
(Yes, I think that this is one situation where the plane is not a bad option)

ANA flight leaves Narita Airport at 5.55pm
It arrives at Itami airport (Osaka) at 7.15pm

JAL flight 3007 leaves Narita Airport at 6.15pm
It arrives at Itami airport (Osaka) at 7.40pm

Alternatively - BY TRAIN
Take the Narita Express to Tokyo and then Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka.
You could make it to Kyoto or Osaka by 10pm or so

You can look up plane and train times here:
http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperd01.cgi

If you prefer to spend the first night in Tokyo, then I would suggest a hotel near Tokyo station or Shinagawa station - which will allow you to hop on the Shinkansen the following morning.

BTW - When you say "South" - where do you mean? Are you planning to visit Kyushu? Or Okinawa?

Most people in Tokyo would say "South" when refering to Kyushu (and in particular, the Southern part of Kyushu) and Okinawa. (And also some remote islands in the Pacific).

If refering to the Kyoto / Osaka region people say "Kansai" - which is West of Tokyo.

Okay, you got me, when I say "South", I meant Kyoto/Osaka. Hiroshima is as far South/West that I'll go to, I don't think I have time to go further.

I have a JR pass, so train is my only option. I didn't think I can make it that same night because some people told me that going through immigration/custom at Narita took forever (although I don't have checked bag) and then, I have to validate my JR pass and navigate the train station to figure out where I need to go (I don't know Japanese).

But I guess, seeing the train schedule, it is possible to take the last shinkansen w/o any problem.

Incidentally, I just found out that the famous festival in Takayama will happen when I'm around the area. but of course, (cheap) accomodations is very slim. Do you locals know where to stay in Takayama that's <$100 (for 2) on 4/14?

I arrived last Sunday at 3:30 pm and it took no time go through Immigration. I waited maybe 10 minutes. Frankly as I walked through I thought 'God that was so much easier than going back to the US'

But this is my first trip and it was a late Sun afternoon so I don't know what the regular wait times are like

But I guess, seeing the train schedule, it is possible to take the last shinkansen w/o any problem.

Bear in mind that you need the "Hikari" shinkansen.

The last Shinkansen is a "Nozomi" - which is not covered by the JR pass.

(But you will have no problem making it in time for the last Hikari)

Do you locals know where to stay in Takayama that's <$100 (for 2) on 4/14?

I did a quick search on Rakuten Travel - and found nothing in the center of Takayama city in your price range. But if you look slightly further afield you have some choices:

Motoya Ryokan - 元屋旅館 - 7min walk from Kuguno station (two stops from Takayama on the local train) - is showing vacancies on 4/14 from 4400yen per person for room only (no meals). Shared bathroom & toilet.
TEL：0577-52-2045
FAX：0577-52-2045
http://web.travel.rakuten.co.jp/portal/my/jyouhou_page.main?f_no=39155&f_nen1=2006&f_tuki1=04&f_hi1=14&f_nen2=2006&f_tuki2=04&f_hi2=15&f_otona_su=2&f_teikei=quick


Shimotaya Minshuku - 10 min walk from Hida Ichinomiya Station (one stop from Takayama on the local train) is showing vacancies at 6800yen per person - including breakfast and dinner.
TEL：0577-53-2099
FAX：0577-53-1066
http://web.travel.rakuten.co.jp/portal/my/jyouhou_page.main?f_no=39238&f_nen1=2006&f_tuki1=04&f_hi1=14&f_nen2=2006&f_tuki2=04&f_hi2=15&f_otona_su=2&f_teikei=quick

Bear in mind that the last train out of Takayama is at 9.30pm. So you will be heading back fairly early to the hotel if you want to take the train.

But for those two stations, it might be reasonable to take a cab.

(I believe it is also possible to rent bicylces in Takayama - so maybe you could get home by pushbike)

Thanks for the great suggestions. I wish I can read Japanese (or that website's English site is the same as the Japanese site, but it doesn't seem so).

Could you tell me how much is the cheapest one in Takayama for 4/14?

Could you tell me how much is the cheapest one in Takayama for 4/14?

Those two are the cheapest ones in the area on 4/14.

As for the hotels in the center of Takayama city itself - nothing seems to be available on the Rakuten website. But you might find that JTB or another travel agent can offer rooms in central Takayama at this time. Those travel agencies often have a block of rooms that they have secured long in advance. (Don't expect rooms to be available if you just show up on the day of a major festival).

The festival in Takayama is great--do it if you possibly can, even if you have to pay a little more. Saturday is the day with the parade of the floats. Sunday, the floats are parked all around the center of the city at different locations and you can go up to them and examine them closely, talk with the members of the clubs that take care of them, etc. Toward evening, you can watch them being put away for the year. They are really fantastic to see. There are all sorts of additional entertainments going on, too.

The budget lodging that people seem to like best is the Rickshaw Inn, which is between the train station and the city center and is about $50 per person. They may be full, but if you write them and request reservations, they will probably give you some suggestions (at least, they did for me). They have a web site you can probably find (I'm late--no time to look--sorry).

I stayed at Sosuke Minshuku, which is an old traditional guest house about 6-8 blocks away from the station, but not toward the center. It is also about $50 per night, and it was fine, also. You must pay cash--they will hold the reservation for you without a deposit. Most the people staying there also took meals there, which I did not, so I just slept there and did not hang around during the day. The have nice communal baths. Their web site through which you can e-mail them is:

http://www.irori-sosuke.com/

The suggestion to stay one or two towns away on the train is good--quieter, cheaper, a quick train ride. That's what I'm thinking about doing next time I go (which I want to do again in a year or two). The problem, as noted, is that the trains do not run late. However, if you start early in the day, you will be worn out by evening anyway.

I will be in NRT in 06/22/2006 03:30 PM. It will be my first time to Japan and leave at 27JUN NRT. According to the research, I will to Toyto and Kyoto. I am thinking about buying the seven days rail pass. Do you think it is ecomonical way to go?

I will be in NRT in 06/22/2006 03:30 PM. It will be my first time to Japan and leave at 27JUN NRT. According to the research, I will to Toyto and Kyoto. I am thinking about buying the seven days rail pass. Do you think it is ecomonical way to go?

You can use the pass for the entire time you are in Japan (six days). It will cover your trip to Kyoto and back AND your trip from NRT to Tokyo and back. The JR Pass will be cheaper than buying those tickets individually.

You can use the pass for the entire time you are in Japan (six days). It will cover your trip to Kyoto and back AND your trip from NRT to Tokyo and back. The JR Pass will be cheaper than buying those tickets individually.


Do you think I will do better buying the
JTB's Free Plan Kyoto 2/3 days packages include a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by hikari and accommodation in Kyoto starting at the amazing cost of 19,500 Yen. (Note that the shinkansen round trip by regular tickets alone would cost more than 25,000 Yen.) See below link.
and the individual days.

I am prepare the trip. Do you have suggestion ? I am interested in the culture. Ty.



http://act.jtbgmt.com/itdt/scripts/sunrise/sunrise_detail.asp?webyear=2006&orig=ex&webg=0000&t_gp=Y&t_no=S310

I am prepare the trip. Do you have suggestion ? I am interested in the culture.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘the culture’ as this means completely different things to different people.

Would you want to spend your time in Japan watching a full length Noh or Kabuki play?
Attend a performance by a Tsugaru Shamisen group?
Or want to get up early one morning and visit a sumo stable?
Stay overnight in a mountain temple and attend service at dawn?

Or do you want to go to museums, and learn about Japan’s history that way?

Perhaps you are you hoping to get to grips with 'modern culture' and learn how to play pachinko, explore izakayas and try the different shochus and sakes on offer, perhaps find people to go to Karaoke booths with.

The more I think about it, the less I understand what ‘Japanese Culture’ actually means… :confused: :confused: :confused:

The more I think about it, the less I understand what ‘Japanese Culture’ actually means… :confused: :confused: :confused:

My cat, Smidgen, can explain. He does a very passable "sound of one hand clapping", even though he's got six fingers in each hand.

My cat, Smidgen, can explain. He does a very passable "sound of one hand clapping", even though he's got six fingers in each hand.

Smidgen has hands and fingers?
The more I think about it, the less I understand what ‘cat’ actually means…

"sound of one hand clapping"
;)

Smidgen has hands and fingers?
The more I think about it, the less I understand what ‘cat’ actually means…

Well, he's got two legs and two hands, fur covered, of course, like almost all cats (except when buscando tres pies al gato). Or, if you prefer, two front legs and two hind legs. On each leg, he's got paws (hands), and each paw has "fingers", and he's got 6 of them on each paw. He's got six claws per paw also.