Hi Everyone,
I have been reading the forums with great interest in preparation for my first solo trip to Japan and have put together an itinerary based on what I've read here, suggestions from friends, and my own interests. I fly in and out of Osaka International Airport (Itami, not Kansai - connecting through Narita... it was a cheap flight!).
I was wondering if you will please review my itinerary below provide feedback/suggestions? I used this page (
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400_osaka_10.html) as a guide.
Day 0 - Thu Oct 29 - Arrive at Itami Airport at 8 pm (2 hour layover at Narita). Thinking of booking an AirBNB in Shinsaibasi - get some food and sleep. Not counting this as a day due to late arrival!
Day 1 - Fri Oct 30 - Explore Osaka. Overnight in Osaka.
Day 2 - Sat Oct 31 - Travel to Koyasan. Overnight in Koyasan.
Day 3 - Sun Nov 1 - Travel to Hiroshima/Miyajima. Overnight in Hiroshima.
Day 4 - Mon Nov 2 - Travel to Hijemi Castle, then onward to Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo
Day 5 - Tue Nov 3 - Tokyo.
Day 6 - Wed Nov 4 - Tokyo.
Day 7 - Thur Nov 5 - Tokyo.
Day 8 - Fri Nov 6 - Travel to Nara. Overnight in Nara.
Day 9 - Sat Nov 7 - Travel to Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 10 - Sun Nov 8 - Kyoto.
Day 11 - Mon Nov 9 - Kyoto.
Day 12 - Tue Nov 10 - Finish off Kyoto / head to Osaka. Last night in Osaka near Itami Airport.
Day 13 - Wed Nov 11 - Depart from Itami at 8 am... 8 hour layover at Narita. Explore Narita for a few hours then fly home!
I was thinking of getting a 7-day JR Pass and activating it on Day 3 when I travel to Hiroshima. It would expire on Day 9, when I arrive in Kyoto. My days in Tokyo and Kyoto are mostly unplanned right now, I wanted to finalize the travel schedule first, then accommodation. I may do a day trip from Tokyo but I am undecided.
Questions - Is the JR Pass worth it? From what I have read and researched I think what I have planned makes it a worthwhile purchase. Anything I am missing? Is this doable? In particular I worry about Day 3 and 4, it's a long trip from Koyasan to Hiroshima followed by another long trip from Hiroshima to Tokyo. Does it make sense to move Hiroshima to another day or cutting it out completely and spending another day in Osaka? I was also thinking of cutting the extra trip to Nara, heading to Kyoto on day 8 instead and make Nara a day trip from Kyoto, then adding an extra day in Osaka (to visit Universal Studios)...
Your feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Marie