Time in Japan
 

My wife and I have a good friend in Tokyo who we will be staying with while in Tokyo - how much time (given lousy American time off policies) where would you suggest going assuming you have two weeks (cities and number of days in each)?
Thank you

You should spend time in Tokyo and Kyoto. Also if you have chance, take a stop in between for a night or two at an onsen in Hakone or somewhere else in the Izu. Maybe a daytrip from Tokyo to Kamakura.

A two week JR pass will be perfect for you which will allow bullet train travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. Make sure to time it right so that you can acitvate your pass on arrival at Narita and use it on the 14th day to return to the airport.

Given 14 days via the pass we're talking 13 nights: You arrive on day one and activate the pass and get to your hotel in the early evening.

You could spend nights 2-5 in Tokyo, 6-9 in Kyoto, 10-11 at a hotspring, 12 in Hiroshima if you like (because you can get ther for free on you JR pass), and you still have an additional Wild Card night for Tokyo on you way back.

Have a nice Day.

Scho

search function is in upper right hand corner of page. I would do some research first as many items have been discussed and it might help you narrow your questions.

a couple of items:

I submit my trip report: http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000044.html

a nice discussion on trains: http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000067.html

enjoy!

Thank you for the insight into how to use sight as well as your incredible trip report - my wife and I can hardly wait to commence our trip!

you can reserve seats on Shinkansen now BEFORE you have exchanged your Pass.

It is on JR East website - link to the reservation site. You still need to join and provide your CC No. but once you get to Japan and pick up your tickets, show them your JR Pass (You can do both exchange and pick up tickets at the same place), they will take care of that.

You can only reserve Shinkansen seats online now. All other trains reservations must be done at the "green window".

The Cherry Blossom comes early this year due to exceptional warm weather in February.

Flowers start to bloom on March 20 in Tokyo per weather forecast. during Cherry Blossom period (about 10days) travel between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka could be heavy. And of course the golden week in Japan.

I would avoid golden week to visit Japan by all means.