Our family is going to Japan this summer. I have been reading about transportation options, but I am having a hard time comprehending what would be the best way of getting around. We are flying into Osaka and staying at the Renaissance Naruto Resort the first night. Their directions are to take the express bus to Tokushima, get off at Kosoku-Naruto bus stop, then take a hotel shuttle bus. Since we get in late in the afternoon, we we stay there one night before going on to Kyoto.
I think I read that we should take the train to Kyoto. We will stay there 3 days at the Watazen Ryoken. I read that the best way to get around Kyoto is by bus, and that you can buy all day passes. I know there is lots to do there. Are their any arrangements I should make ahead of time?
Next we will go to Tokyo, and stay at the Courtyard Ginza. We we fly out of the Narita Airport on the way back to the states.
Do I need to buy or make train reservation before we arrive?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Darlene

Welcome to FT Oolatwilek

There are quite a few existing threads on how to get to Kyoto and how to get around Kyoto. So I suggest you use the "search" function and then add a question to an existing thread if anything is unclear.

But here's one piece of advice about your first night in Japan - Unless you have a particular reason to visit Naruto, I would drop it from the itinerary.

The trip to Naruto from KIX is about 3.5 hours. From Naruto to Kyoto will take about 3 hours. I would say it's not a totally straightforward journey for someone who has just stepped off the plane. And the cost of these two trips is the same as staying overnight at a reasonable hotel near the airport.

If you arrive at KIX in the late afternoon, it's perfectly feasible to take the Haruka Express train to Kyoto. It departs from the airport and takes you directly to Kyoto station. Total journey time is about 75 mins.

If you cannot face a 75 mins train journey immediately after arrival, then you should consider the hotels immediately around the airport.

Also, welcome!

Why in the world are you going all the way out to Shikoku Island for your first night in Japan - only to immediately leave the next day? From KIX (Kansai International Airport near Osaka,) Osaka is 45 minutes by limited express train and Kyoto is 75 minutes. Both are very easy connections from the train station located in the airport building.

Naruto-Tokushima on Shikoku Island is a 3+ hour journey with at least 3 train connections. The bus link provided by the hotel would be daunting for those of us who visit Japan frequently and speak at least some Japanese. If I HAD to get to Naruto-Tokushima from KIX after a long international flight and an afternoon arrival, I'd spend a night either near the airport or in Osaka near Shin-Osaka station, then go on to Tokushima the next morning. Kyoto, on the other hand makes a perfect first night stay.

In answer to your inquiry about bus transportation in Kyoto, there are prepaid bus/subway passes available in 1000 yen and 3000 yen denominations. Machines on the subways and buses accept the cards and deduct the cost of each trip until the value is gone. You can purchase them at the Transportation Center located just outside the Karasuma (north) exit from Kyoto Station. I always pick one up immediately upon arrival.

If your train travel will be limited to KIX-Kyoto-Tokyo-NRT, then a Japan Rail Pass would not really save you much, if any, over just buying tickets as you go. If you will actually be going to Shikoku, then I'd suggest purchasing Rail Passes. Rail Pass vouchers must be purchased before you go to Japan and exchanged after arrival for the actual Pass. Search this forum for Japan Rail Pass and see the "sticky" thread at the top of the forum. If you are NOT using a Rail Pass, there is no way (or need) to make train reservations ahead of your arrival. It is a good idea to get all your train reservations as soon as possible after arrival. Again, I usually do that at the JR Service Center at KIX.

JR

We have a hotel certificate for Marriott, and the Marriott website says that the hotel is 60 KM or 37 miles from the airport. I did not know that ir would take 3.5 hours to go 37 miles. The Marriott website shows the airport as being close to the resort.
Darlene

Well, the airport is on an island in Osaka Bay. Naruto-Tokushima is on another island across the bay and I suppose it is 60 km direct as the crow flies. Unfortunately, you have to go the other way via a bridge to the main island and then travel all the way around the bay by rail or road to another bridge across the Seto Inland Sea to get to Shikoku island and Tokushima. So, while the sea distance might be 60 km, the road or rail distance is probably a couple of hundred km. There is an airport in Tokushima. I wonder if that is the one the website shows as close to the resort.

Yeah - Marriott claims to be 60km from KIX:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/...naruto-resort/
That's dishonest. Actual distance by road is roughly 180km.

The Marriot voucher will not save you money and it will be a pain. I recommend that you go to Kyoto as soon as you arrive.

Tip - Buy a one day Kansai Area Pass when you arrive at KIX. This will save you a few yen:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html

Cost of the pass = 2000 yen.
Pass lets you ride the Haruka train to Kyoto. (Normal cost = 3,690 yen)

It is not always easy to find accommodation in Kyoto. Reserve early.

Oolatwilek, you aren't going to the Renaissance Naruto because one of your family members has a keen interest in this chap are you?

In the very beginning of the KIX Airport, there was a high speed ferry to Tokushima that only took 45min. But it looks like this link had stopped some years ago.

We were going to Naruto because we has a free night certificate, and Marriott told us it was only 37 miles away. We have a reservation at Watazen Ryokan in Kyoto, but had cancelled our first night (leaving us three). Hopefully, we can book them again for the first night, and I will cancel the Marriott reservation. It is very deceptive to have it as 60 km (37 miles) from KIX, especially for someone like me that has never been to Japan. There is a Ritz-Carlton in Osaka, but they will not let us use the certificate there, only Marriott brand names, and Renaissance. We are using hotel certificates for the Courtyard Ginza. Does anyone know what it is like?
I have been reading Fodor's & Frommer's Japan, but it is hard to take in all at once. For such a small country, there is so much to do and see! We are really mass transportation challenged here in the US.
My husband lived in Kobe for 2 years, about 30 years ago, so he really needs to polish up on his Japanese. His brother lives in Tokyo, but I don't know if he will have much time for us since he works.
Thanks for your help.
Darlene
P.S. Oola the Twilek - Jaba's slave girl from Star Wars

There must be people who'd get as excited at staying somewhere with the name 'Naruto' in it as others would be in going to somewhere called 'Skywalker' resort - just as well your interest was more pragmatic, it would be horrible to have to let a young teenager down.

A FTer with the handle SuperCarnitas pointed out this link in another thread
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/part...ll&elite=false - but the New Otani partnership just ended, so no use to you. Sorry.

I'm aware of the location of the Ginza Marriott - it's a pretty good one. I've not stayed there though.
Encouraging comments from this thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775283
Suggest that all the rooms will have been renovated by now.

Seems like an excellent choice to me, especially if you have certs.

If not, there are plenty of inexpensive hotel options for your first night in Japan. Really, after the lo-o-o-ng trip over, most folks just want a place to shower, have a meal and crash for some needed sleep. You can do that in any number of travelers hotels in Osaka or Kyoto and then go on to your ryokan the next day, somewhat refreshed and ready to do the tourist thing. Frankly, after a couple of nights, I think a traditional ryokan kind of loses its charm and I am ready for a real bed. JMHO. YMMV.

I suggest you try to visit the Tourist Center on the main floor at KIX after arrival for maps and brochures on Kyoto. It is kind of hard to locate on the opposite wall from where you enter the arrivals lounge and behind the central information desk. Barring that, be sure to visit the Tourist Information Center on the 9th floor of Kyoto Station - up the long escalator. They have a wealth of maps and other information. It is worth a visit, and from there it is only a few steps over to the observation area on the roof of the station for sweeping views over Kyoto.

JR

I think Naruto-Tokushima is best known for the Naruto whirlpools, not the manga/anime.

We booked a room with a full bath at Watazen Ryokan, although my daughter and I are really looking forward to trying the bath. It was one of the few Ryokans we contacted that would take five, and wasn't extremely expensive. The meals do not come with the room, but this is probably a good thing since my kids are picky eaters. I agree that it might get old after a couple of days, but we don't want to waste time packing and moving to a new hotel. I have also been impressed with there knowledge of English.
It is over 15 hours to get there, if all goes well, and we should get to Osaka about 3:00 pm.
I had read about the tourist center, and that it is hard to find. Thanks for the reminder.
I just wanted to know if there is anything I need to book ahead of time with transportation. If the Narita limo drops off at the Marriott, it must also pick-up there, too. Would you recommend for us to use this when we leave?
And yes, I would love to stay at the Skywalker Ranch. We have a friend who is in film production, and has visited on business, and he says it is fabulous!
Darlene

My Japanese geek friends don't really grok Star Wars, but they will debate all day and night about the finer points of Gundam.

Oola/Darlene,
Here is the pickup schedule for the friendly limousine bus at the Courtyard Marriot Ginza:
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/tim...a/ginza_h.html

You should be able to purchase the tickets through the hotel. A more expensive option but one to consider with five people is:
http://www.tokyoairporter.com/fares.html