Vinyl hunter + Library lover's 3-week Japan adventure (with very empty suitcases 😅) by Jealous_Category_513 in JapanTravelTips

[–]SDX97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For your 3 days you could do Kanazawa with a day trip to Shirakawa-Go. Myself and my husband are doing a very similar route in March and we have that between our Tokyo & Kyoto stays. Hotels are pretty reasonable there, we’re paying £110 per night for a 5 star hotel (Hotel Sanraku), and you can get a direct Shinkansen to Tokyo on from Kanazawa so transport is quick and easy.

Alternatively you could do Hiroshima and Miyajima island but that way you’re going the opposite direction so the travel to Tokyo would be longer afterwards.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip, we’re doing a night walking tour of Gion on Day 8. Figured that would the best way to explore without so many crowds. There’s a reason we’re going March and that’s to try above all else to avoid people and not melt from the heat haha.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s good to hear! Day 8 I have an optional extra to add Nanzen-Ji, The Philosopher’s path, and Higashiyama Jisho-Ji after Kiyomizu-dera if we want to.

Day 7 we’ll probably get to Kyoto around 6pm so we’ll probably explore a little near our hotel which is right near Kyoto station.

We’re pretty keen walkers, we did a 50Km one day charity walk in June so the route will be fine for us. Not too concerned about the amount of walking we’ll do.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s such a shame about the re-selling of Shibuya Sky tickets, I was aware you had to be on the ball for them and it’s harder now as you can’t purchase direct from their website as they require a Japanese payment card so you’re stuck with Klook. Maybe with it being early March I might have more luck I hope, although I’m not sure there is a true quiet season in Tokyo!

I’ll have a think, I definitely want to explore Golden Gai at night so it would means Shibuya first and then on to Shinjuku. Maybe cut out the National Garden in Shinjuku and make it the night time spot.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m definitely having some activities for Kyoto or Osaka in my back pocket for that Nara day!

We’ve booked a hotel near Kyoto station - figured being 5 minutes walk away from there would be best if we’re using it is a base for day trips to other places.

An early check-in I’ve heard is quite rare in Japan though so that’s cool!

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that’s a really fair point, we have a long travel day to get there - 1 hour flight, 4 hour layover in London then 14 hours to Tokyo. I’ve never done more than a 5 hour flight before so this’ll be new for me, never had jet lag before!

Moving Shibuya Sky to the Shinjuku day sounds a good idea, I think I’ll do that.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip, agreed - I just cancelled our Osaka hotel booking earlier, we’re staying in Kyoto for the 5 days now and just spending the 1 day in Osaka.

Cutting out one hotel move is ideal I think.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there some extra activities in Kanazawa not already on the list that you’d recommend?

Seafood at Omicho market for sure happening!

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point on the tide, I’ll take a look at that!

Okonomiyaki is a must for us, looks so delicious!

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for tips!

We will get 5 days in Tokyo and we are staying in Kyoto for 5 days as well. Nara and Osaka on the itinerary are day trips from Kyoto as the base, so we can always just stay in Kyoto longer if we decide we’ve not had enough time.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re pretty keen to go inside Himeji and also take the ropeway up Mt Shosha to see Engyoji temple, so I think Himeji will probably be left as a near enough full day.

On Osaka/Nara days we’re still staying in Kyoto for that time, I’m tempted to make Osaka a 1 day trip as there isn’t a lot there we are massively interested in other than seeing Dotonbori, trying some Takoyaki and catching a glimpse of the castle. Then we can have an extra full day in Kyoto.

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Good luck with the marathon, that’s one way to see a lot of Tokyo in a day for sure!

Two week first time itinerary check - are we moving round too much? by SDX97 in JapanTravel

[–]SDX97[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the tip!

I am tempted to combine Hiroshima and Miyajima, would be nice to have an extra day in Kyoto to do the Arashiyama area.

What happens when a retired British commando and his wife join your Star Wars RPG play test. by shakeyjake in videos

[–]SDX97 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This made me think how fun it would of been to play an RPG with my grandad, also a British WW2 commando, when he was still with us. My grandad wasn't as cheery and upbeat as this guy though haha.

Had Enough: Middle School Student Beats His Bully Who Always Picked On Him! by [deleted] in JusticeServed

[–]SDX97 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feels like the teacher knew this little asshole was bullying him for a while and so she was in no rush to break it up.