Travelling to Japan in Jan/Feb 2019 - Generic Questions

GotSomeTime on 15/02/2018 - 11:53

Hi all,

Have always been eager to travel to Japan and now I've got a chance to go with a friend in late Jan 2019 to early Feb 2019 (14 days including flight).

Basic locations we will be visiting:
1. Tokyo
2. Inawashiro
3. Osaka
4. Kyoto
5. Kobe

For trip numbers 3-5 we plan on staying in Osaka and take advantage of the JR pass to go around to Kyoto and Kobe as they are close enough for day trips.

What have we finalised? Just flights..

Thus, my questions are as follows:
- Based on experience, when will it be the best time to start booking hotels/AirBNB
- Any "experiences" or "tours" recommended for that winter period (does not have to be limited to the cities listed above)

Thanks in advance.

Travel

Comments

  • altomic on 15/02/2018 - 12:24
    +3

    airbnb - always.

    wouldn't worry about JR passes

  • Archi on 15/02/2018 - 12:32
    +1

    I would stay in Kyoto longer than a day.

    we went to tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto in October last year. and going again same time for 10 days this year but we will be going to Osaka and Kyoto only… too much to see and eat in these 2 cities

  • DarthAntz on 15/02/2018 - 12:34
    +3

    do a search on all the other forums here, as there is some gold information from the 30+ forum posts per year on Japan.

    Japan got 27+ million visitors last year, which should be an indication of what to expect as far as booking times go.

    Late Jan - Feb is cold, and 2-3 weeks ago Tokyo got the heaviest snow in 48 years.

    Book hotels whenever you can, definitely will get good rates at least 6 months in advance. Check the dates for chinese new year, as you may get peak tourism from china during that time. IMO its peak chinese tourist time in japan always as of the last 3 years.

    Kobe/Osaka/kyoto are 30 minutes from each other, and unless you have a solid plan from your own research of the cities, you:ll end up walking in circles and seeing the same konbini/drugstore/yoshinoyas combination in each city. my advice is to find something out of the city with local delicacies, and see the japanese countryside. I always recommend art galleries in teh cities, and you can find in advance what is on at the galleries via google search.

    of the 14 days, expect 2 of those days to be in/on transit.

    Get your experiences or tours from other posts, you:ll enjoy the read. Its exhausting seeing requests for advice on japan, when the internet and this forum here are already full of gold advice.

    • GotSomeTime on 15/02/2018 - 14:06

      Thanks for that!

      Countryside Japan sounds awesome, and the art gallery idea didn't even cross my mind! Will look more into it.

      I have been seeing heaps of good advice, but just in case I found someone like you I thought I would post it here on OB.

      Thanks!

      • DarthAntz on 15/02/2018 - 14:28
        +1

        no worries, and as per the advice of other, airbnb and also rakuten offer a good alternative for finding accommodation. Accommodation near major transport hubs tends to be in red light districts (near Osaka Station, Shinjuku, ALL of Susukino) which means good chicken restaurants nearby.

        Get at least one good $100 per night accommodation with included breakfast and onsen in your hotel.

        K's House in Asakusa is a good place for meeting other travellers who might be able to show you around or have a night of karaoke or izakaya with.

        plan well

  • aloha on 15/02/2018 - 13:50
    +1

    I would suggest basing yourself in Kyoto rather than a day trip

    Check out Nara as a day trip from Osaka

    Book Airbnb as early as possible - don't leave it until the last minute. Tokyo's availability will be really limited in popular areas

  • aloha on 15/02/2018 - 13:57
    +4

    You might find that it's cheaper or more convenient to not have a JR Pass.

    The quicker Shinkansen aren't included on the JR Pass, and if you're looking to specifically travel around Kyoto/Osaka, you can get a Kintetsu Line pass - http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/krp.html

    You're also able to use a Suica or Pasmo pass on the different metros.

    There's an online calculator somewhere, I think I originally found it on reddit.

    • beeawwb on 15/02/2018 - 14:37

      Yeah, I've just gotten back from doing 2-1/2 weeks in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka and we (group of 12) ended up not getting the JR Pass. Grabbed a Suica for getting around locally and took the Shinkansen between Tokyo/Kyoto, then local train from Kyoto to Osaka.

      JR Pass wasn't too far off being cost effective though, and given OP is including Inawashiro the numbers may run differently.

    • skaman on 15/02/2018 - 14:53
      +1

      http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

      Has routes, timetables and prices.

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