[Chethan B G]

Preface:

We as a family of 3, are looking for a vacation abroad during summer. This time, we decided on Japan because of 2 things.

• It is a small, well connected country - easy to commute.
• My friends who had visited Japan, talk high about it.

As usual, the budget is limited and we want the trip to be exciting - So, we will stay away from the conducted tours. We have planned all our activities ourselves and also decided to cook our own food, so that we save cost and also avoid tasteless food (food not to our liking). Therefore, we will opt for serviced apartments to stay.

Total Budget of Rs.4,50,000/- INR - 2 Adults & a kid of 13 years - Bangalore to Bangalore - 28 days with a stop-over in Hong-Kong!

We have decided on Japan Railway Pass (14 Days) - to travel between cities. To travel inside city, we will use local public transport. Strictly no Taxi's - to save cost.

One of the books we used for reference was "Discover Japan" - published by Lonely Planet.

Arrangements and Itinerary.

Air Ticket (Cathay Pacific), Travel Insurance (TATA AIG), Japan Rail Passes (JAPAN RAIL PASS types and prices) and the Accomodation has been already booked. We have a close relative at Kawasaki, whom we will be visiting while we are in Tokyo area. We will be starting our trip in the third week of April. Details are as mentioned in the Itinerary below:

Day 1 ----Bangalore to Hong Kong----Arrival at 11.00 am.
Check in at Rent a Room-Near Jordan MTR Station.
Contact Person - Mr.Thomas Tang. Ph: (852) 2366 3011
Day 2 ----Site Seeing at Hong Kong.
Day 3 ----Visit to Ocean Park - Hong Kong.
Day 4 ----Hong Kong to Macau Island and back.
Day 5 ----Hong Kong to Tokyo (HND) ----Arrival at 9.00 pm.
Day 6 ----Visit to Disney Sea at Tokyo.
Day 7 ----Visit to Nikko – Stay overnight at Nikko-Park-Lodge
28285, Tokorono – Nikko City. Phone: 0288-53-1201
Day 8 ----Visit to Tobu World Square – Back to Kawasaki.
(Rail Pass: Tobu Nikko Free Pass) --- Kinugawa Theme Park Pass
Day 9 ----Visit to Hakone and back to Kawasaki.
Day 10 ---Visit to Hakone and stay overnight at Fuji-Hakone Guest House.
Tel: 0460-84-6577. Contact person: Ms.Yuuka Hiyane
Day 11 ---Hakone to Strawberry farm at Chiba, German village and back to Kawasaki.
Day 12 ---Kawasaki to Kyoto by train. Arrival at 12.00 pm.
Check in at Kyoto furnished apartment (7 nights). Site seeing at Kyoto.
34, Hinoshita-cho, Takakura-dori. Matsubara-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-6008087
Phone: 090-6660-7645. Contact Person: Shinnosuke Akiyama
Day 13 ---Kyoto to Hiroshima and back.
Day 14 ---Kyoto to Miyajima via Hiroshima and back.
Day 15 ---Kyoto to Himeji and back. Site seeing at Himeji (Himeji-jo Castle).
Day 16 ---Site seeing at Kyoto.
Day 17 ---Kyoto to Nara and back.
Day 18 ---Kyoto to Osaka (Universal Studios) and back.
Day 19 ---Checkout from Kyoto apartment. Kyoto to Kanazawa – Stay over night at Kanazawa.
Hotel Hinodeya, 2-17-25. Honmachi, Near JR Station, Kanazawa.
Phone number: 076-231-5224
Site seeing at Kanazawa / Toyoma.
Day 20 ---Kanazawa to Matsumoto. Site seeing En-Route (Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine route).
Matsumoto to Kawasaki by Train.
Day 21 ---Kawasaki to Shimoda and back. Fun at Shimoda beach.
Day 22 ---Kawasaki to Nagoya (Toyota Factory) and back.
Day 23 ---Day trip to Gala Yuzawa Via Tokyo and back to Kawasaki.
Day 24 ---Day trip to Zoorasia Yokohama Zoological Gardens.
Day 25 ---Shopping at Tokyo.
Day 26 ---Site seeing at Tokyo (Tokyo Tower, Odaiba).
Day 27 ---Tokyo (HND) to Bangalore ------ Departure at 4.00 pm.
Day 28 ---Bangalore --- Arrival at 2.00 am.


We intend to use the Rail pass after the first 10 days, continuously for 14 days. I would appreciate, if people who have visited Japan can suggest me on places to visit, in and around the planned area. I will update this thread before, during and after this trip - to keep all of you updated...

Thanks in advance!

[TaureanBull]

WoW! I saw 4.5L and thought that its hardly a budget trip. Then I saw the number of days 28! Thats helllot of holiday and mostly an unchartered territory.

Waiting for the pics and stories to unfold. Was it DIY or a tour operator?

[nowwhat?]

Hi Chethan,

Looks like most of your itinerary is already decided since you have already booked the accommodation, but I will put in my 2 cents for whatever it is worth .

I would suggest you go through Wikitravel in addition to Lonely Planet as I have sometimes found Lonely Planet to be dated whereas Wikitravel is more current.

Hong Kong is one of my favorite destinations on the planet! But I am disappointed that it has been given only 1 1/2 days (+ 1 day for Ocean Park). That amount of time will help you see some of the major attractions, but is too little to really experience Hong Kong in a meaningful way.

Off the top of my head, a few places you must visit are:
1. The Peak: Take the double decker bus up (sit on top in front on the left) and take the peak tram down.
2. Lan Kwai Fong & Central: Though good restaurants are expensive in LKF, still worth a stroll.
3. Star Ferry: An icon! Take more than one trip if you can.
4. Wanchai: For shopping (window shopping?) and the neon lights at night.
5. Times Square: Easily accessible by Metro.
6. Mid Levels escalator: You can see the hustle and bustle of normal Hong Kong life and some of the most expensive real estate on the planet.

Please go to Ocean Park on a weekday if you can. It is packed full on weekends and holidays.

Regarding Japan, I am somewhat surprised about your choice of the Kansai region dominating Tokyo. I have lived in Osaka and the biggest difficulty is that hardly anyone there speaks English. I started learning Japanese (reading and writing) a few days after I got there. I would suggest you carry a Japanese - English phrasebook with you.

Kansai though is ranked very high on the domestic tourism circuit, Kyoto being the capital prior to Edo (Tokyo) with all its temples, palaces and what not.

Beware though that the Kansai region may be a bit of a letdown after Hong Kong and Tokyo. Kansai is much less urban that these two cities.

Wish you all and your family a safe and pleasant trip!

[trammway]

Hi,

I think you have enough budget for the trip. With 4.5L you can easily make your trip with all the sigh seeings.

I have lived in japan for quite some time and I would rate Japan is cheaper than Singapore and people are too good.

These two links are my blogs about my observations in Japan(Moderators, pardon me if this link has no relevant here and go ahead removing it)

Sivakumar's Journey

Sivakumar's Journey


What I could see you have very little time on Tokyo, otherwise you would have enjoyed electronic shopping, Asakusa and other Tokyo attractions.

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

WoW! I saw 4.5L and thought that its hardly a budget trip. Then I saw the number of days 28! Thats helllot of holiday and mostly an unchartered territory.

Waiting for the pics and stories to unfold. Was it DIY or a tour operator?

It is DIY. Will definitely post details as and when available.

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

Hi Chethan,

Looks like most of your itinerary is already decided since you have already booked the accommodation, but I will put in my 2 cents for whatever it is worth .

I would suggest you go through Wikitravel in addition to Lonely Planet as I have sometimes found Lonely Planet to be dated whereas Wikitravel is more current.

WikiTravel on the web?

Hong Kong is one of my favorite destinations on the planet! But I am disappointed that it has been given only 1 1/2 days (+ 1 day for Ocean Park). That amount of time will help you see some of the major attractions, but is too little to really experience Hong Kong in a meaningful way.

In fact, I will be in HK for 3 1/2 days. I will be visiting Macau for a day in between. That will take care of the Star Ferry also, as you mentioned. But, If you think I can better utilise my time in HK, please let me know. I can re-schedule.

Off the top of my head, a few places you must visit are:
1. The Peak: Take the double decker bus up (sit on top in front on the left) and take the peak tram down.
2. Lan Kwai Fong & Central: Though good restaurants are expensive in LKF, still worth a stroll.
3. Star Ferry: An icon! Take more than one trip if you can.
4. Wanchai: For shopping (window shopping?) and the neon lights at night.
5. Times Square: Easily accessible by Metro.
6. Mid Levels escalator: You can see the hustle and bustle of normal Hong Kong life and some of the most expensive real estate on the planet.

Please go to Ocean Park on a weekday if you can. It is packed full on weekends and holidays.

Yes. I too thought so. Day-3 is a weekday. By the way, how safe is HK for the Tourists? Specially during late evenings..

Regarding Japan, I am somewhat surprised about your choice of the Kansai region dominating Tokyo. I have lived in Osaka and the biggest difficulty is that hardly anyone there speaks English. I started learning Japanese (reading and writing) a few days after I got there. I would suggest you carry a Japanese - English phrasebook with you.

Will keep that in mind.

Kansai though is ranked very high on the domestic tourism circuit, Kyoto being the capital prior to Edo (Tokyo) with all its temples, palaces and what not.

Beware though that the Kansai region may be a bit of a letdown after Hong Kong and Tokyo. Kansai is much less urban that these two cities.

Wish you all and your family a safe and pleasant trip!

Thanks!

Thank you very much Nowwhat? Always knew that I can count on you.

Originally Posted by trammway

Hi,

I think you have enough budget for the trip. With 4.5L you can easily make your trip with all the sigh seeings.

I have lived in japan for quite some time and I would rate Japan is cheaper than Singapore and people are too good.

These two links are my blogs about my observations in Japan(Moderators, pardon me if this link has no relevant here and go ahead removing it)

Sivakumar's Journey

Sivakumar's Journey


What I could see you have very little time on Tokyo, otherwise you would have enjoyed electronic shopping, Asakusa and other Tokyo attractions.

Good to know that I am planning things with the right budget! Your blogs were really helpful. Thanks.

Personally, I prefer Country-side / Old heritage - compared to modern Concrete structures...

[nowwhat?]

Wikitravel links are below:
Hong Kong travel guide - Wikitravel
Japan travel guide - Wikitravel

1 day in Macau doesn't make your trip in HK 3 1/2 days .

Though I think it is better to stick to your plan since you have already put so much effort into it. You can always go back to HK later if you wish. I hear there are some good deals from Bangalore on Dragon Air. I am tempted to take a trip myself.

Star Ferry is just a short inexpensive trip from HK Island to Kowloon on the other side. It has no connection to the Macau ferry. One reason to take the Star Ferry is for the panoramic view that you get of HK Island from the Kowloon side. At night, you will get an unbelievable view of HK Island adorned with neon and all sorts of lights.

By the way I made a mistake in my earlier post, go to Tsim Sha Tsui on the road that has the Holiday Inn Golden Mile (owned by an Indian incidentally) for the neon lights.

Both HK and Japan are very safe for family. You have to take the usual precautions when you are in crowded places, same as Bangalore.

I am not too sure about Jordan in HK. But if it is anything like Tsim Sha Tsui, you will find lots of hustlers there.

Generally in HK, scams happen when you buy things like electronics. But I doubt you will buy anything there since you will have to lug it all the way to Japan and back. HK is a 24-hour city, you will find anything you need as well as public transportation at all times of the day and night. Cabs are also not that expensive.

In Japan the thing to remember is that when you go to less urban or rural areas, the frequency of public transportation may drastically reduce by evening. If that happens, your only recourse would be to ask someone for advice. Thats where it gets tricky. How do you communicate with someone if both of you don't have a common language? Hence the phrasebook. Once people understand you, they are usually very helpful.

The other thing to note is that buses in Japan usually have signboards only in Japanese. Plus you may not know the routes. Roads are clearly marked in English (Romaji) though.

Since you have a relative in Japan and since you are there for 3+ weeks, why not buy a Matrix (or similar) SIM card for your mobile?

[Chethan B G]

Wow! That was some information! I better take a print of your postings and carry them with me on the trip. Thanks

I did think about Matrix. I have used it earlier in Europe and UK. It worked fine. Did not dent my pocket either. I will go for it if I do not come across something better..

Star ferry is in for sure. Have you been to Macau? If so, how is it? Do you recommend a visit when on a 3 1/2 day trip to HK?

[nowwhat?]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Wow! That was some information! I better take a print of your postings and carry them with me on the trip. Thanks

I did think about Matrix. I have used it earlier in Europe and UK. It worked fine. Did not dent my pocket either. I will go for it if I do not come across something better..

Star ferry is in for sure. Have you been to Macau? If so, how is it? Do you recommend a visit when on a 3 1/2 day trip to HK?

Thanks for the compliments!

No, I never went to Macau :(.

Beats me what you will do there, unless you are planning to carry an additional secret stash to gamble in one of the many casinos there . I always wanted to try out the HK-Macau hydrofoil though.

It may still be worth to go to Macau just for the experience.

[Habanero City]

Originally Posted by Chethan B G

Day 13 ---Kyoto to Hiroshima and back.
Day 14 ---Kyoto to Miyajima via Hiroshima and back.
Day 15 ---Kyoto to Himeji and back. Site seeing at Himeji (Himeji-jo Castle).
Day 16 ---Site seeing at Kyoto.
Day 17 ---Kyoto to Nara and back.
Day 18 ---Kyoto to Osaka (Universal Studios) and back.

Day 13 and 14: Miyajima is very close to Hiroshima and you may be able to cover it in a single day when you visit Hiroshima.
Kyoto and Hiroshima are far away and you don't need to go there twice to the same place.
IIRC, Himeji-jou is closed for renovation and will not be able go inside and is also covered from outside.
So going to Himeji with the only purpose of seeing Himeji-jou would not be a good idea.
Osaka has several interesting places and also Kobe is an interesting place with several sight seeing and recreation facilities.
Please research and select some of the places that interest you.
PS: Some of the Japanese food are tasty, unique but very expensive.

HC

[Chethan B G]

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

Beats me what you will do there, unless you are planning to carry an additional secret stash to gamble in one of the many casinos there . I always wanted to try out the HK-Macau hydrofoil though.

It may still be worth to go to Macau just for the experience.

Casinos and me? Ha Ha..

This may sound silly. But the main reason for us to go to Macau is to get a set of currency. Macau has a different currency and my daughter collects currencies.

But on the smarter side, we are going there for site seeing and also for a ride on the hydrofoil.

Originally Posted by Habanero City

Day 13 and 14: Miyajima is very close to Hiroshima and you may be able to cover it in a single day when you visit Hiroshima.
Kyoto and Hiroshima are far away and you don't need to go there twice to the same place.
IIRC, Himeji-jou is closed for renovation and will not be able go inside and is also covered from outside.
So going to Himeji with the only purpose of seeing Himeji-jou would not be a good idea.
Osaka has several interesting places and also Kobe is an interesting place with several sight seeing and recreation facilities.
Please research and select some of the places that interest you.
PS: Some of the Japanese food are tasty, unique but very expensive.

HC

We basically want to spend 2 days around Miyajima and Hiroshima. Since we have got a rail pass, thought of traveling from Kyoto. That way, we will experience Bullet trains also.

Thanks for the information on Himeji-jou. You just saved a day for us!

My close friend visited Osaka recently. He suggested me against spending much time there. He was fascinated by what he saw in Kyoto. Our interests are similar. That was in fact the basis of my planning. But any way, I will be keen to check out the other options as you said. Thanks!

[akas_chauhan]

Good planning, but should it not be in "Route and Travel" section?

[khoj]

Here are links to sites that may be of help

Japan On Sale! - Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel

VISIT JAPAN 2011 WINTER

Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel

[babaops]

Hi,
Few Inputs from my side,

1. For Nikko, I personally favored the "All Nikko pass", that gave me free travel on all the buses. For Tobu park, you can go to their site and I think there is a discount coupon available to download. This gives better saving. Their is an Indian food hotel adjacent to Nikko. Food is ok considering you get Veg there.

2. For Hakone, you can look for the Hakone pass (Odakyu line). The train (called Romance car) is beautiful, and it also includes ropeway, ship, cable car and a couple more means of travel ticket into it. you can find more details on Odakyu Freepass and Coupon | Odakyu Electric Railway

3. For Gala Yuzawa their was a scheme open for JR east pass holders ( this was in December - Jan when I went there) you can check the JR east website for more details.

4. Your trip misses Kamakura - its got a huge Bronze Buddha statue (weighing in tonnes). It is near to Tokyo and can be covered in a day.

I don't see Hokkaido in your trip. Any particular reasons?

[Chethan B G]

Thanks Akas Chauhan & Khoj. This thread is going to end up as a travel-log. Therefore I have posted in this section.

Originally Posted by babaops

Hi,
Few Inputs from my side,

1. For Nikko, I personally favored the "All Nikko pass", that gave me free travel on all the buses. For Tobu park, you can go to their site and I think there is a discount coupon available to download. This gives better saving. Their is an Indian food hotel adjacent to Nikko. Food is ok considering you get Veg there.

I am also planning for the "All Nikko pass". Have you been to the "Nikko Edo village"? How is it?

2. For Hakone, you can look for the Hakone pass (Odakyu line). The train (called Romance car) is beautiful, and it also includes ropeway, ship, cable car and a couple more means of travel ticket into it. you can find more details on Odakyu Freepass and Coupon | Odakyu Electric Railway

I have planned for the same.

3. For Gala Yuzawa their was a scheme open for JR east pass holders ( this was in December - Jan when I went there) you can check the JR east website for more details.

Checked it. It does not cover JR Pass. It covers only the JR East pass. I have a JR Pass.

4. Your trip misses Kamakura - its got a huge Bronze Buddha statue (weighing in tonnes). It is near to Tokyo and can be covered in a day.

Thanks for reminding me. Will try to squeeze this in.

I don't see Hokkaido in your trip. Any particular reasons?

Hokkaido is too far and also, I thought that it does not offer us any thing different - Particularly during this part of the year. Ice festival is held much earlier. Our original plan had it and then we dropped it.

Probably we will miss Cherry Blossom during this trip. Hokkaido is the only place where we can see Cherry Blossom during our stay.

[babaops]

I did not go to the Edo Village, didn't find the concept much interesting, but Tobu park was too good. Specially, since it was drizzling whole day, lots of clouds, hills and the lush green surrounding. Straight out of some dream I will say. Do plan to go out on the short treks that are available on your way from chuzenji lake to Yumoto onsen. Its not tough, and has a lot of scenic beauty. I went their during Autumn and the site was really colorful, though not sure about spring.

For Gala, does the JR pass cover the shinkansen trip. Do check out the rentals for the ski gear and lifts. See, if you can get some discounts.

Cherry Blossom, I think you should be able to see it in Tokyo, right now the trees are still barren, I am hoping by month end I would be able to see some of it. April mid would be a good time. Though I would'nt say the same for strawberry picking, I think the peak time for it is from Jan to March.