September 2017 trip

[katoftw]

:) draft itinerary  :)

 

14THU - Arrive at Narita on pm flight, hotel @ Narita

15FRI* - Travel to Higashiyama-Ku +

163SAT* - Arashiyama half day itinerary + Randen + Kinkajuki

17SUN* - Osaka Castle + Namba + Dotonbori/Shinsekai (dinner)

18MON* - Otsu

19TUE* - JRW Museum + Kyoto Aquarium + Kyoto Tower + Kyoto Station

20WED* - Travel to Fukuoka + + Yatai stalls (dinner)

21THU* - Kagoshima + Sakurajima

22FRI* - Nagasaki

23SAT* - Fukuoka + Yatai stalls (dinner)

24SUN* - ?Beppu/Kita-Kyushu/Karastsu/Kumamoto/Itusuki?

25MON* - Travel to Tokyo (rest day on train) + Akihabara (dinner)

26TUE* - Mt Fuji 5 Lakes

27WED* - JRE Museum + Tomix World + Modeltrainplus + ?Akihabara (dinner)?

28THU* - Hakone

29FRI - Studio Ghibli + Nakano Boardway + Shibuya

30SAT - Ofuna Kannon + Kamakura (Hasedera + Great Buddha) + Enoden + Beaches

01SUN - Ikebukuro/SunCity + late pm train to Narita for flight

* = 14D JR PASS

 

---

 

  = 3-4 hours blocks with nothing planned.

 

* = 14D JR nationwide pass validity period.

Edited March 13, 2017 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

So exciting! It's always so exciting to see another member's plan!

 

How about riding the SL Hitoyoshi, or you might have already done that one?

 

Tobu world square is a nice place for the kids too, maybe on the last day?

[katoftw]

Done the Hitoyoshi.  But after typing.  I remembered the Yamaguchi is only in operation on weekends normally.  And it is a Sunday that last day.  Hakata to Shin-Yamaguchi is only 35 minutes.  I don't know how I will climb all those steps up to the Inari Temple in Tsuwano after 10 days of Izakaya binge eating. 

[Das Steinkopf]

Why not just fly into Kansai to begin with and save yourself half a days travel, plus staying around Narita for the first night would be pretty dull.

[katoftw]

Cos Brisbane or Gold Coast to Kansai is $200 per person extra each way and takes an extra 5-7 hours each way due to a stop at Cairns.  The less a 8yo, 6yo and 3yo are on a plane or in an airport, the better. haha  Not direct option for QLDers to Kansai like Sydney and Melbourne have.

 

$279 to Tokyo and $240 return on a direct 8 hour flight (Gold Coast) is better than the $470ish Kansai option.  There is not a perfect way to do it.  But spending the night in boring Narita (which I agree on) for $200 is better than paying almost $2000 extra in airfares when arriving at 7pm.  Total for 5 people was $2870.

 

Normally would have gone straight into Tokyo for the night.  But since we are not staying in Tokyo first.  Might as well try to get to bed early on day one and get the kids well rested for the rest of the holiday.

 

I also haven't decide on where to stay while in Kansai.  Original plan was Otsu.  But wife wants Osaka.  I think it will come down to what hotel is available and cheaper come 3-4 months out.

 

Anyways, flights and booked and paid for.  First night hotel is reserved.  Can cancel that up until the 13th of September.  So itinerary could and probably will change.  But since it is 7.5 months out, I ain't setting anything in concrete yet.

Edited February 5, 2017 by katoftw

[Das Steinkopf]

Ouch that really sucks with the stop over in Cairns, we had the luxury of landing in Kansai and working our way north for a departure from Narita 19 days later, this time in April we are landing in Haneda and leaving from Fukuoka 26 days later.

Edited February 6, 2017 by Das Steinkopf

[westfalen]

We used to have Gold Coast - Kansai flights but sadly they are no more, on one less than quarter full return flight from Narita I overheard the cabin crew say the flight ex Kansai only had 12 passengers that night so you probably can't blame them for cutting back.  Last year my friends and I flew to Narita and stayed the night there before going on to Maibara much as you are doing.  We stayed at the Mercure Hotel in Narita which is only a five minute walk to the JR station so you can get an early start.

 

When I went to Japan the first time in 1990 Qantas had a direct Fukuoka to Brisbane flight as well but it is long gone.

[katoftw]

I booked a 2 bedroom house for our five days in Kyoto.  It is about 100 meters south of Tofujuki Station. :)

 

Gonna get noisy.  Trains running 5am to 11pm.

 

 

Itinerary updated a little.

Edited February 12, 2017 by katoftw

[westfalen]

Railway tracks on both sides. :) 

[katoftw]

Hi all,

 

I'm wondering if some locals could help be out.  I'm told the 18th and 23rd are public holidays.  And I find conflicting reports about them.  I've heard they aren't important holidays and businesses are likely to be open to make an income.  I've attempted to swap some days around to combat both likely scenerios.  But I'd like some insider info. haha

 

18th we are looking at doing the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line and Sakamoto Cablecar and surrounding temples etc.

23rd we are looking at Canal City shopping complex, Ohori Park, shofukuji temple area, ACROS building, basicly attractions the Fukuoka Airport Subway Line.

 

Any comments or assisting thoughts on the public holiday issue?  Is it even an issue?  Thanks in advance.

[railsquid]

Basically a public holiday is like any Saturday or Sunday, so if you're planning on visiting a bank or government office, you'll find the doors closed. Other than that nothing to worry about except things being busier. Also places which are regulary closed on Mondays (parks, museums etc.) will probably be open on the Monday (holiday) and closed the next day.

[katoftw]

Thank you. Great info.