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Old Feb 11, 2009 | 11:03 am
  #3  
abmj-jr
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I also would suggest checking to see if you can change your departure from NRT to KIX. It looks like AF flies from KIX to CDG. If your itinerary is already locked, then you will just have to go all the way back to NRT but if you CAN make the change KIX would simplify things. For example, you could easily make the trip to KIX on the morning of departure directly from your hotel in Kyoto and not have to waste a night at an airport area hotel.

I'd also agree with the above regarding a change to 3 nights in Tokyo and 4 nights in Kyoto. Assuming you cannot make the change to depart from KIX, that last night in Narita makes sense given your relatively early departure time. There are actually some nice things to see and do in Narita City for that last afternoon and evening.

In Kyoto, you will want at least 2 days to see the various sights in the city. More would be better. Also from Kyoto, excellent day trips are quite easy to Nara, Himeji and Osaka. Hiroshima is possible but much further and would not be on my first priority list for someone with only 3 or 4 days in Kansai. You simply will not have enough time to see/do everything.

For your 8 days, I'd suggest the Narita Express+Suica package for the train into Tokyo and the included 1-day subway/local train pass. Activate your JR Rail Pass for the remaining 7 days, using it for the round-trip to Kyoto and all other train travel, including the train back to NRT where you can get the shuttle to your final hotel, or the Haruka airport express from Kyoto to KIX.

One thing to keep in mind - July in Japan will be very, very hot and humid. You should be prepared to move more slowly than you may be accustomed and take more breaks. I'd plan on using cabs/subways/trains more than in other seasons, when I might walk more.

JR
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