Originally Posted by
BD82
For day trips from Hiroshima with the 5-day pass, I’d heavily recommend Onomichi- it’s my favorite small town in Japan. Great ramen, great views, you can cycle a bit of the Shimanami Kaido if you want (or the full thing if that’s what you want to do).
If you go with the seven day pass that includes Hokuriku, then yes, you could day trip from Osaka to Kanazawa. I’d prob recommend against it, though. I find Kanazawa a bit overrated, and while not bad, its real charm is at night when there are less tourists wandering the streets imo. The gardens are nice, but there isn’t *that* much to do activity wise. I’d recommend just sticking closer to Osaka- if you haven’t been before, Nara, Himeji, Kobe, and Uji are good half day or day options. Koyasan is another choice, though not accessible via JR trains, so you can’t use the rail pass. I quite like Mt. Hiei, north of Kyoto, if you want to get into nature and away from the crowds a bit. Lake Biwa has some pretty towns, too- notably, Omihachiman and Hikone. There are a ton of choices in Kansai, so you’ll have to do some research and figure out what interests you. None of these are worth extending the pass for pricewise though, so you could just stick to the 5 day pass if you want. I would not recommend using the Shinkansen to Kyoto once the pass is expired, though, it’s expensive and not all that much quicker than rapid trains.
I don’t get why tourists go to Hakone, it’s a waste of time imo. If you want to see Fuji, Kawaguchiko is pretty, I’d just avoid weekends and check the weather before you go. My top recommendation for a Tokyo day trip would be Nikko, though. Snow monkeys are nice, too, depending when you’re there, but since you mentioned Kanazawa at 2hr30m is far I don’t know if I’d recommend going all the way up to Nagano from Tokyo, especially considering the price.
Many thanks again. Its very helpful. We've decided to go for the 7 day pass. Day 1 and 5 will be Osaka to Hiroshima return. Day 2 for Peace Park and exploring the local area. Day 3 to Miyajima, so Day 4 to decide. Maybe take the Hello Kitty train to Hakata (Though maybe that could be the afternoon of day 2!) If so, we'll need to pick somewhere extra. I noted you suggested Onomichi. We are a bit past it for cycling - so will pass on that activity. Like most things though, everywhere need to be accessible - or easy to get around. I'm guessing Onomichi wouldnt be a full days worth? Happy to add something else to it to make a full day of it?
Day 6, we will visit Nara in the Morning and Kobe in the afternoon. Need also to look up what there is to see (apart from bowing deer!) Any must see recommendations welcome. Day 7 we will take to Kanazawa. I hear what you say about best time is in the evening, but I suspect there will be a few things to see.... Or maybe breaking the journey to take on somewhere else too?
Day 8, 9 and 10, without any passes, we will purchase the Amazing Osaka 2 day ticket again. Its incredible value IMHO. We'll probably revisit some of the places we went on our visit visit and a few new ones. The fact it gives metro included is a bonus, so we can see the free attractions included and anything else we fancy and attempt to use ChatGPT to pan some efficient routes to maximise time. Day 8 or 10 will also be our Kyoto day, taking normal trains and buying a ticket for once!
I'm assuming everywhere shown above will all be covered by the JR Pass West All 7 day ticket? I'm trying to understand the booking and registration process here. I can see I can buy and collect at KIX. Will that be literally at the airport or the train station? Making reservations (Especially when travelling with cases, how do we reserve? It does say you can prebook before entering Japan, but I think this may only all to Full JR pass and not reginal? I'm consed also what this means... "Seats must be reserved at the booking office from the 7th booking". I expect that's lost in translation somehow? If we can book until we have the physical ticket, so be it, but would be good if we can straight after buying if we could. (Obvisously cant for the Osaka to Hiroshima run - though I guess it might be possible to reserve for luggage and hope we are not too delayed. Worst case is we miss the train and have to book a later trian?
Day 11 onwards, we'll depart Osaka for Tokyo. I hear what you said about Hakone and
Kawaguchiko - which we've taken on board and will get the train or bus to the latter and not visit Hakone. We will wait until nearer the time, checking the weather, to hope to get a sunny day and see Fuji! Not much point in visiting if its hiding! I did see the top of Fuji on the plane so really hoping for a bit more luck this time.
We'll probably spend more time locally in Tokyo, but might train it to Yokohama.