2 weeks in Japan

Hi Renata,

Your itinerary looks quite good! For instance the visit to Hiroshima between Kyoto and Osaka is really nice, this way to limit the amount of travel you have to do on a given day. The one thing I am not to sure about however is your visit to mount Fuji and lake Ashi, would this be on the 23rd with Osaka on the 22nd? I feel it would be too much for a day trip from Osaka. I think it will be much better suited as a planned stopover before you head back to Tokyo.

For a first visit this would be one of the ideal itineraries though! You will be sure to see a lot and many of the places that Japan is known for! If you would want to plan Okayama in, you could plan Nikko as a day trip and head a day curlier to Kyoto. Then you could plan a day in Okayama before you head to Hiroshima.

For the rest, you are good to go!

Hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions!
-Daniel

Hi Renata, i'm also flying to Tokyo for 2 weeks with my girlfriend of the last 8 and a half years, landing the 13th May, back on the 27th May.

I'm trying to work out if a 7 day or 14 day rail pass is going to be needed myself, looking at the forums it looks like the full 14 day pass is going to be the best bet!
What are your plans for accommodation, hotels, hostels?

I'll keep an eye on this thread for ideas, ta!

Hello Daniel,

thank you for your quick response. :)
I heard that Lake Ashi is known for its views of Mt. Fuji. Could you suggest me what is the best way to reach Lake Ashi?

Thanks again.

Hello Vivica,

we are planning to sleep in the hotels and hostels. I will do a research of them during the weekend and after that I can send you some ideas. I would recommend you to take a look on www.booking.com. Sometimes they have really nice offers.

Talk to you soon!
Renata

Hi again,

I must say that I have not been there myself but it does indeed look very stunning judging from on-line pictures!
Assuming you come from Osaka: Take the Shinkansen to Mishima, from here you can take a bus from there to Moto-Hakone (stop for the lake) that takes about 50 minutes and leaves once every hour.

If you are up for some adventure and would like the scenic route you can travel to Odawara by Shinkansen, from there take a private railway (Hakone Tozan Railway) to Gora and go by cable-car over the mountain to Togendai which is on the opposite side of the lake from Moto-Hakone. If you plan on doing this and staying the night in the Hakone area a Hakone Free Pass may be very useful as it will cover the whole journey.
When you head-back to Tokyo travel to Odawara and you can ride the Shinkansen from there!

Or you could combine them both! Arrive by bus from Mishima, take a ferry over the lake to Togendai and from there take the cable-car, private railway and Shinkansen to Tokyo!

For Vivica and maybe Renata:
Bookings.com is indeed a very good website to look for hotels and accommodations. For hostels, which are really great in Japan I would recommend Hostelworld, alternatively you can find a list of official youth hostels in Japan here

Let me know if I can help with anything else!
-Daniel

Thanks both, i've already taken a look at Booking.com, but will check out Hostelworld as well.

Dear Daniel,

hello again. :)
I already booked all hostels and hotels.
Thanks also for recommending Hostelworld. I found a few really nice hostels on their website.
This time I have a question regarding the Japain Rail Pass. When is the best time for me to buy it. We are going to Japan on 11th of May.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Have a successful new week :)
Renata

Dear Renata,

You can buy the Railpass up to 90 days in advance. Since you will depart on the 11th of May you can do so now.

The price you pay for the JR-Pass is based on the current Yen exchange rate. I don`t know how it holds up to every currency but recently it has been very favorable compared to the Euro.

In any event I would buy it latest 2 weeks before you depart, this way you will be sure everything works out well and you won`t have to hurry at the last moment.

Have a wonderful time in Japan
-Daniel (now in Kanazawa, Japan)

Dear Daniel,

hello again.

We are almost fully prepared for Japan. :)
But still, I have one more question and I need your opinion. We will visit Hakone region for 2 days (1 night). What do you think where would it be better to stay - in Odawara or near lake Ashi. Where is the better position for discovering the region?

Thank you for your reply.

Have a successful new week.

Renata

Hi Renata,

Glad to hear it! Only 1 more week before you leave for Japan.
I would certainly recommend staying around lake Ashi, even if it is for the view alone.
Lake Ashi if much more in the middle of the Hakone region so it will be a great place to start exploring for.

Odawara is only the gateway station and you would have to do more travel from there if you want to see things.

Reading your plans, I really feel like I should start preparing my own next trip, even though I just got home for 3 months Japan.

Make the most of it!
-Daniel