JR Pass (Hyperdia) Convert pass at Osaka airport/station Osaka – Tokyo – 31 May - SHINKANSEN HIKARI 514 (Shin-Osaka) (09:13) / SHINKANSEN

HIKARI 516 (Shin-Osaka) (10:13) NIKKO – 02 Jun

o SHINJUKU(JR) – NIKKO: SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 53 (09:06) / SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 207 (09:42)

o NIKKO - SHINJUKU(JR): SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 192 (19:57) / SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 220 (20:47)

Hakone – 06 Juno SHINJUKU(JR) - ODAWARA - SHINKANSEN HIKARI 507 (Tokyo) (09:33) / SHINKANSEN

KODAMA 645 (Tokyo) (09:56)o ODAWARA - SHINJUKU(JR) - SHINKANSEN KODAMA 670 (Tokyo) (19:11) /

SHINKANSEN KODAMA 672 (Tokyo) (19:42) Tokyo –Kyoto – 08 Jun, SHINKANSEN HIKARI 505 (Tokyo) (08:33) / SHINKANSEN HIKARI 465

(Tokyo) (09:03) Kyoto – Hiroshima – 12 Jun, SHINKANSEN HIKARI 493 (Kyoto) (08:02) / SHINKANSEN SAKURA

549 (Shin-Osaka) (09:20) Hiroshima – Osaka – 13 Jun, SHINKANSEN SAKURA 540 (08:18) / SHINKANSEN KODAMA 730

(08:27) / SHINKANSEN SAKURA 542 (09:50) Osaka – Kansai airport - 15 Jun, 07:08 – 08:22 / 07:18 – 08:35

Other train maps Tokyo to Kamakura and back Kyoto to Nara and back Kyoto to Aarashimaya and back

Day 1 – 31-May-2013 - Tokyo

Itinerary Arrive at Osaka at 0600 Convert JR Pass – see printout Walk from Shinjuku Station to Hotel – see map Lunch at the Indian restaurant – see listings, map Walking itinerary – see map, itinerary Buy Tokyo Disney sea tickets from Shinjuku Takashimaya department Disney store

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku is located at: 2-3-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053 3 Minute walk from the South Exit of JR Shinjuku Station Beside Exit A1, Shinjuku Maynds Tower of Shinjuku Station on the Toei Oedo line

Walking itinerary

Ginza, Marunouchi, Akihabara, Ueno ?? – see printouts

It's almost worth rerouting your trip via Tokyo Station to eat at this noodle shop. T's Tantan, an offshoot of Jiyugaoka eatery T's Restaurant, earns the rare distinction of being one of the only places selling vegetarian ramen in Tokyo – or, at least, ramen that's actually worthy of the name. The speciality of the house is Chinese-style tantan-men noodles, served in a broth flavoured with sesame and peanut oil and available with a range of toppings. Our medium-spiced 'midori tantan', topped with leafy greens, soymeat mince and pumpkin seeds (nice touch, that) wasn't as rich as the meat-based version of the dish, but made for a hearty lunch nonetheless. T's Tantan can be found inside the JR Tokyo Station, at the end of the Keiyo Street shopping parade on the way to the Keiyo Line platform.

Day 2 – 01-Jun-2013 - Tokyo

Itinerary

Asakusa -> Tokyo Sky Tower -> Kaminarimon Gate -> Nakamise Dori -> Sensoji Temple -> Around the Temple -> Sumida River Boat Ride -> Hama Rikyu -> Odaiba (Fuji TV Building, Telecom Centre and Tokyo Big Sight, Ferris Wheel? Leisure land? Divercity Tokyo Plaza) -> Rainbow Bridge

How to travel to Asakusa From Tokyo station - 1) Take Yamanote line to Ueno. You can take Keihin Tohoku line too. It

takes 8 minutes to get Ueno from Tokyo. 2) Transfer to Tokyo Metro Ginza line at Ueno. 3) Take subway train to Asakusa. Asakusa is the last station. You cannot miss it. It takes only 5 minutes from Ueno. the fare is 160 yen.

From Shinjuku station - 1) Take Chuo line to Kanda. It takes 13 minutes to get Kanda from Shinjuku. 2) Transfer to Tokyo Metro Ginza line at Kanda. 3) Take subway train to Asakusa. Asakusa is the last station. You cannot miss it. It takes 10 minutes from Ueno. the fare is 160 yen.

Tokyo Sky Tower is a 20 minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa. (ticket counter located on 4th floor)

Hama Rikyu is a 10-15 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station or a 5-10 minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Oedo Subway Line and the Yurikamome elevated train. Hama Rikyu can also be accessed from Asakusa by Tokyo Water Bus (35 minutes, 720 yen one way, admission to the garden has to be paid separately),

Asakusa Pier - The pier is located along the Sumida River, just beside the Asakusa Stations of the Ginza Subway Line and the Tobu Line or a five minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Asakusa Subway Line.

Odaiba

The Yurikamome is an automated, elevated train with rubber tires, which connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba's attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. Trains depart every few minutes, and a ride between Shimbashi and Daiba Station takes 15 minutes and costs 310 yen. If you ride the Yurikamome more than twice, a one day pass for 800 yen is likely to cost less than regular fares. The Yurikamome crosses the Rainbow Bridge to get to Odaiba and offers spectacular views of the harbour and the Tokyo waterfront. Sit or stand at the very front of the train for the most impressive views.

It is possible to cross the Rainbow Bridge on foot. The walk across takes about 30-45 minutes and offers nice views of the waterfront area. The pedestrian path begins a short walk from Shibaura-futo Station along the Yurikamome on the "Tokyo side" of the bridge, while Odaiba Kaihinkoen Station is the nearest station on the "Odaiba side". Bicycles are not allowed.

Walk from Odaiba to Shimbashi and take the JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku.

Day 3 – 02-Jun-2013 - Nikko

Itinerary Arrive at Nikko Buy the 2-day pass for unlimited bus rides between Nikko and Lake Chuzenji (??) (Available

for 2000 yen at Tobu Nikko Station) Shinkyo bridge Kanmangafuchi Abyss (see printout) Buy temples combination ticket from any temple Visit temples (see directions below) Visit Lake Chuzenji (see bus travel map) - Kegon Fall, Ryuzu Waterfall

Nikko is the town that has the 17th century mausoleum of Tokugawa, the most powerful shogun in Japanese history (and the guy the movie was based upon, for that matter). This is probably the most sumptuous shrine in Japan....the gold leaf itself is unbelieveable. There are 400-year-old cedar trees planted in a 200,000 acre national park, a bridge dating back 400 years, and of course lovely gardens and temples. The place has more of a "small town feel", and it is just lovely walking the main street with the mountains in the background. It is also posible (still within a day trip) to take the bus up to lake Chuzenji. The ride takes you through forests where one often sees monkeys hanging from the trees. The views from here are breathtaking, and one can take a lake cruise.

You can get to Nikko by Japan Rail Pass. If you access there from Tokyo, take Tohoku Shinkansen to get Utsunomiya. “Hayate” do not stop at Utusnomiya station. Take “Yamabiko” or “Nasuno” to Utsunomiya. You will transfer to Nikko line at Utsunomiya station. After you get off Shinkansen, move to platform #5. Mostly the train to Nikko depart there. Nikko is the last station. It takes about 40 minutes from Utsunomiya to Nikko. Nikko line is used for not sightseeing but commuting. We do not have the luxury express train. You need to get the local train. And also these trains are not operated very often. We have 24 round trips a day. We mostly have once train a hour.

See printput for map and bus travel in Nikko

There is a Sight-Seeing Inquiry Office in Tobu-Nikko station (Tel. 0288-53-4511) which may be able to provide some help. Both stations are about two kilometers to the west of the shrine area.

To reach the shrines, you can take a Tobu Bus (bus stop 2C just outside the Tobu Nikko train station, bus fare included in Tobu's World Heritage Pass, about a 6 minute bus ride to the UNESCO World Heritage area), or you can get up close and personal with the neighborhood and use your own two feet, following the pedestrian signs along the main road (Route 119). Getting off at bus stops 81-85 on the Tobu 2C bus line will get you to the shrine and temple area. Halfway between the stations and shrines, you can stop at the Tourist Information Center (591 Gokomachi area; Tel. 0288-53-3795) to get maps, ask questions (some English spoken), use the Internet (¥100/30 minutes), and quench your thirst with water from a small, ladle-drawn waterfall. Also if it is raining, they very happily lend out umbrellas and you are able to drop these off on the way back. Allow about a half-hour or so to walk from the train station to the shrine entrance.

For the sights in the temple area, it's best to buy a combination ticket (社寺共通拝観券, ¥1,000) that covers Toshogu, Rinnoji, and Futarasan, as separate admissions are ¥500-1000 each. You can

buy this at any of the three sites. Guides can be arranged (Tel. 0288-54-0641) for the three sites at ¥5500 for 1-20 people.

Tōshōgū (東照宮). Apr-Oct 8AM-4:30PM, Nov-Mar 8AM-3:30PM. The burial place of dynasty founder Tokugawa Ieyasu and the most extravagant of the lot. Ieyasu was buried here immediately after his death, but the present complex was only built in 1634 on the order of his grandson Iemitsu. The shrine took 2 years to complete with the efforts of 15,000 workers. After two flights of steps you will reach the Sacred Stable, housing a white horse. The most famous symbol here is the carving of the three wise monkeys, who "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil". They're part of a curious series of carvings about the life cycle of a monkey, from giddy childhood to fearful old age. Nearby, you can also find an interesting approximation of an elephant, carved by an artist who had clearly never seen one.

Yakushi-dō Hall (薬師堂), the Hall of the Medicine Buddha, is known for a dragon painting on the ceiling. A monk is usually on hand to speak (Japanese only) and strike a special block whose sharp, piercing sound is said to be identical to the cry of a dragon — not quite the roar of English legend but an attention-getter all the same.

Yomei-mon Gate (陽明門) is an incredibly ornate gate with over 400 carvings squeezed in. Starting Spring 2013, this gate will undergo a six-year restoration, according to the Nikko Cultural Association for the Preservation of Shrines and Temples. To the right of the main hall is the way to Ieyasu's tomb, entry to which costs an extra ¥520. Look out for another famous carving, this time of a sleeping cat (nemuri-neko). There are 200 stone steps, and steep ones at that; and then you finally reach the surprisingly simple gravesite itself.

Rinnō-ji Temple (輪王寺), [6]. Apr-Oct 8AM-4:30PM, Nov-Mar 8AM-3:30PM. Known for its three large Buddha figures (at the Sanbutsudoh Hall portion of Rinnoji Temple), the real reason to visit is the beautiful and peaceful Shōyō-en Garden (逍遥園), included in the price. ¥1300. edit

Futarasan Shrine (二荒山神社), (Directly west of Toshogu.), [7]. Apr-Oct 9AM-4:30PM, Nov-Mar 9AM-3:30PM. This structure, built in 1617, is the oldest in Nikko. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Nikko's three holy mountains Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyoho and Mt. Taro

Shinkyō (神橋). This much-photographed red bridge separates the shrines from the town of Nikko. In feudal times, only the shogun was permitted to cross the bridge, and even today it's barred from pedestrian traffic — although there's a 4-lane highway rumbling right past. You can get a nice view from the sidewalk, but to set foot on the bridge and look down into the gorge below, you'll have to buy a ¥350 ticket from the booth nearby.

Chuzenji - Chuzenji (中禅寺) is a hot spring village perched by Lake Chuzenji ( 中禅寺湖 Chuzenji-ko) in Tochigi, Japan.

The area is the gateway to Inner Nikko ( 奥日光 Oku-Nikko). Buses from Tobu Nikko Station cost ¥1100. Buses from the shrine & temple area cost ¥950 (look for bus stop #9 on Hwy 120 just outside Nishi sando -- note that this bus stop system is separate from the bus line that circles the shrines and temples). The bus ride is about 30 minutes from Nikko -- get off at bus stop #24. Pasmo cards are accepted.

Lake Chuzenji - has rowing and motor boat facilities in the warm season. A 5-minute walk from the Chuzenji bus stop. Winter and early spring are quieter months for this area, but very peaceful.

Kegon Falls - a 5 minute walk from the Chuzenji bus stop (along the main road, in the opposite direction of Lake Chuzenji). Signage is very good. The waterfall is large in early spring, when the snow is melting.

Ryuzu Waterfall - The waterfall is viewed free of charge from a small observation deck in the back of a rest house that also contains a souvenir shop and a food stand. It is possible to follow the river upstream for about 300 meters along a walking trail and enjoy more views of the impressive river as it rushes towards the lake. Further beyond, the trail continues towards the Senjogahara Marshlands.

Eating

Hippari Dako (on main street just before the shrines). Enshrined in Lonely Planet, every other foreign tourist to Nikko seems to stop here for yakitori (Japanese chicken kebabs) and noodles, so you might as well join the crowd. Every available space is plastered with business cards and scribbled recommendations from visitors. Their menu contains several vegetarian options as well. Dishes ¥500 and up. You can't go past the yakisoba.

Yasai Cafe Meguri - 909-1 Nakahatsuishimachi, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture 321-140, Japan

Cafe Meiji no Yakata - 4-3 Matsubaracho, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Meiji no Yakata is housed in a former colonial setting with a stone exterior and a European interior. Favorite Dish: The Beef Stew is absolutely delicious and is served with puff pastry on top. We also ate cheesecake and pumpkin pudding for desert Walking distance from Toshogu Shrine Complex. Turn right out of the station, walk about a block, and look left for the blue and white "Key Coffee" sign posted up high.

Day 4 – 03-Jun-2013 - Kamakura

Tourist Information Office - Address: 1-1-1 Komachi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa; Access: JR Yokosuka Railways Kamakura station, on the ground floor, Beside east exit.

This is the easiest to access and cheapest of the three destinations. Kamakura, which was the capital of Japan from 1192 to 1333, has not only the biggest Buddha in Japan (Daibutsu) and lots of great temples, but also nice walks in the forests and a large. A suggest journey would be to get off the train at Kita-Kamakura, and visit the surrounding temples (Engaku-ji and Jochi-ji); then head to the south, visit the Zeniarai-benten temple and finally reach the Daibutsu. After that, you can continue to the Hase-dera temple, and eventually reach the sea. From there, it takes 10-15 minutes to walk back to Kamakura station.

Also worth visiting: Hase-dera, a temple known for its many Jizo statues. There are thousands of them clustered around, on ledges and along stone paths and stairways.

Do not miss a side trip to Enoshima which you can reach by a short train ride (Enoden Line) from Kamakura station. This island is lovely and there are many restaurants sitting at the top of the cliffs. You can walk down on the rocks and there is even a grotto to visit (but should not be a must) When I went there the first time (from Tokyo), I stopped at Kita Kamakura station and walked all the way to Kamakura station, taking the sights in between. I went up to the Buddha and then back to Kamakura station and to Enoshima.

Nevertheless, for the energetic ones, there is a nice hike starting from Jōchiiji temple and ending near the Kōtokuin. You will walk, with some climbing, through forest. The hike also passes through Zeniarai Benten Shrine, if you are curious about the money washing ceremony. The hike takes about 3 hours, if you also stop and visit the temples along the way. Even in summer, the shade on the path manages to keep the temperature bearable. If you are on a day-trip, doing the hike limits a bit the chances of visiting some of the less reachable temples. An easy way to get to Jōchiiji temple is to take the JR Line train from Kamakura station to Kitakamakura Station where the temple can be found by exiting the station, turning left and walking 500m up the road. The walk starts to the left of the temple and you are not required to pay the 200yen entrance fee to the temple to start the hike.

See printouts

Restaurants

The station area bursts with restaurants and snack stands. The streets around Komachi-dōri and Wakamiya-ōji are happy hunting grounds.

Day 5 – 04-Jun-2013 – Tokyo Disney-sea

Opens at 0900, so need to reach at 0800. From Maihama Station, take the Disney Resort Monorail to Tokyo Disney Sea Station (10 minutes, 250 yen). Alternatively, you can walk to the park from Maihama Station in about 20 minutes.

Be at the gate about 30-mins before opening time, if possible. 1st attraction to hit is "Toy Story Mania!” This popular ride, which opened in Jul-2012, can

have a wait-time of up to 3-hrs (in summer). 2nd : Journey To The Center of the Earth 3rd : Indiana Jones 4th : Tower of Terror Take Fastpass for Toy Story Mania! if you want to go for 2nd time. Once is not enough for

this attraction. Do NOT miss the "Under-the-Sea" musical performance at the Mermaid Lagoon Theatre. It is

a dazzling performance that everyone will enjoy! In the evening, watch Fantasmic! A laser, light and water show.

On the way to "Toy Story Mania!", pick up Fast passes for "Tower of Terror". After you exit "Toy Story Mania!" you may like to pick up Fast passes for "Toy Story Mania!" again for a 2nd round?

- As soon as you enter the park, get your fast pass to Tower of Terror (if you want to go on that ride). We couldn’t even get the Fastpass when we got to the park because they were already sold out…

- Go on Raising Spirits as a “single rider”. There are a few rides at Disney Sea where you can use the special “single rider” line (It’s similar to a fast pass). They let you skip the normal long line and go straight to the front of the line so they can fill up seats that are empty due to uneven group sizes. I suggest riding rides like Raising Spirits as a single rider because they don’t take your photo on this ride so you don’t really need to sit next to your friends, plus it’s a roller coaster and it ends quickly anyways. The only problem is that sometimes they don’t allow single riders because the single rider line is too long.

- When your next fast pass time becomes available, get your fast pass for “Center of the Earth”.

- “Aladdin Magic Theatre”, “Mermaid Dragoon Theatre”, and “Storm rider” are actually not bad to watch. If you have some free time, check them out.

RUN to Toy Story Mania, get a Fastpass, ride Tower of Terror, go to StormRider or Indy, get a FP or Standby, and then Journey

Do they take "late" fast passes, or fast passes that have past the hour window?

Indiana (and Ragin Spirits) have terrific single rider lines. We saved hours of waiting and a huge effort to acquire FPs by utilizing those.

Two shows at the Mediterranean waterfront are a must-see - The Legend of Mythica and Braviseamo. We did not manage to catch Big Band Beat. You can get a hand-held reader that gives

you English subtitles for some of the shows such as the Mermaid Lagoon Theatre and the Magic Lamp Theatre. You need to approach one of the staff to ask for it.

* The restaurants can be crowded between 11am – 2pm. Instead of waiting for lunch, eat earlier and later and use lunch time to enjoy the rides. Better yet, bring your own food (something the kids are guaranteed to like) and buy a popcorn bucket at the beginning and refill along the way. The bucket is costly at ¥2000 but refills are just ¥500, it comes with a lid for the rides, and there are lots of popcorn flavours to try… soy sauce, curry, honey, chocolate, caramel…

Use the switch option for attractions where children cannot ride. It’s like Disneyworld’s Baby Swap program, but better. In Tokyo Disney resort, cast members do not use the term baby swap, but use the term switch instead. They give the non-rider a special ticket to present when the first rider returns. Rather than using this ticket to access the Fastpass line (may be up to 20 minutes), cast members escort the ticket-holder through exit or staff entrances directly to the loading platform. At Big Thunder Mountain, I was offered my choice of seats, anywhere on the train. This much faster than Disneyworld’s Baby Swap Fastpass system, as it eliminates waiting in the Fastpass queue. The cast member service is excellent!

Day 6 – 05-Jun-2013 – Tokyo

Itinerary

Shinjuku Gyoen -> Southern Terrace -> Skyscraper District -> Tocho Observation Deck -> Shinjuku -> Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park) -> Shibuya -> Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Tower

See printouts

Shinjuku Gyoen has three gates. Shinjuku Gate is a ten minute walk east from the "New South Exit" of JR Shinjuku Station or a five minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line. Okido Gate is also a five minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line. Finally, Sendagaya Gate is a five minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station on the local Chuo/Sobu Line.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building - With favourable weather conditions, famous landmarks such as Mount Fuji, the Tokyo SkyTree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo Dome can be seen from the observatories. Each observatory has a cafe and a souvenir shop. The North Observatory remains open later at night, making it a popular spot to catch night views of the city.

On the second story of the building, there is a tourist information centre with lots of information about Tokyo, but also about various other tourist destinations across Japan. Periodically, the centre holds fairs during which local products from selected regions are being introduced and put on sale.

Tocho-mae Station on the Oedo Subway Line is located in the basement of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Alternatively, the building can be reached in a ten minute walk from the west exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

North Observatory: 9:30 to 23:00

South Observatory: 9:30 to 17:30 (until 23:00 when North Observatory is closed)

Day 7 – 06-Jun-2013 – Mt. Fuji, Hakone

Itinerary

Shinjuku -> Tokyo -> Odawara -> Hakone Round Trip

Buy the Hakone free pass from Odawara - 3900¥

The fastest and most expensive method of reaching Hakone from Tokyo is to take a Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama (こだま) train from Tokyo to Odawara, then transfer to the Hakone-Tozan Line for the run to Hakone-Yumoto (trains operated by Odakyu Railway). The one-way ride lasts one hour with a good connection, and costs ¥3430, but if you use the Japan Rail Pass, you need only to pay ¥300 for the Hakone-Tozan line. There is no longer a discount for JR Pass holders.

If you want to see Mt. Fuji on Shinkansen, when you reserve the ticket for Tokaido Shinkansen, try to get D which is isle side, or E which is window side unless you travel as party of 3. The seat configuration on Shinkansen is 3 (A,B,C) + 2 (D,E). (If you take Green seat, C and D are the right place to see it.) Even if you travel to opposite direction (from Osaka to Tokyo), the seat configuration is same. D and E are always on the mountain side.

I'll admit to enjoying other stuff around Hakone more than the loop. Especially wonderful was the outdoor museum just outside of Gora -- a beautiful spot to walk around and enjoy.

Get your Hakone Free Pass when you are in Tokyo at an Odakyu Travel desk (Shinjuku Odakyu station) or any travel agent really

Eating

Yes, there are quite a few cheap tourist restaurants (and food stands on busy days) along the way, especially around Moto-Hakone, Hakone-machi and Hakone-Yumoto.

The Hoakone restaurants are a little higher priced. At Yumoto & Gora, you can walk around the station. At other places on the loop Owakudani ropeway station has a restaurant on top with the view of Mt. Fuji. Togendai port has only snacks unless you walk down a little to Kojiri. Hakonemachi port house has a fast food soba right after disembarking and a regular restaurant inside. Moto-Hakone-ko has a snack shop, i.e. soft ice cream cone.

If you've been in Japan for a while and miss the taste of a warm brownie, try the mountain brownies at Sagamiya. The shop is a few steps away from the tourist information centre, right in front of the bus stops. You can't miss the smell, as they are made on site!!

La Terrazza -61 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0522, Japan

Solo Pizza - 999 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0631, Japan

Day 8 – 07-Jun-2013 - Tokyo

Itinerary

Zoji-ji Temple -> Tokyo Tower -> Akihabara

Tokyo Tower

The closest subway stations to Tokyo Tower are Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line and Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line. You can also walk there from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line in about 15 minutes.

Roppongi Hills

Roppongi is located in south part of downtown Tokyo. It is not accessible by Japan Railways. Take Tokyo Metro subway Marunouchi line from Tokyo station to Kasumigaseki and transfer to Hibiya line to Roppongi. The fare is around 160 yen and takes 15 minutes. If you access from Shinjuku, take Toei subway Oedo line to Roppongi. The fare is around 210 yen and take 10-15 minutes.

Day 9 – 08-Jun-2013 - Kyoto

Itinerary Shinjuku – Kyoto. Arrive Kyoto at 11:11 or 11:48 Reach Hotel – by Bus - see map Get City bus pass (check if I need it for the next day as well?)

Indian Restaurants – see listings and map

Sunroute Hotel Kyoto , 406 Nanba-cho Matsubara-sagaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto, 600-8027, JP

10 minute’s walk from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Dentetsu Line) 5 minute’s walk from Kiyomizu-gojo Station (Keihan Dentetsu Line) 20 minute’s walk from Kyoto station

My 2 kids enjoyed staying in this hotel because is located by the river. Every morning we went to this river feeding birds (eagles, seagulls, others). A direct bus from Kyoto train station stops in front of this hotel. Close (by 15 mins walk) to the tourist attractions (Nishiki food market), Gion and a bike rental. 24 hours stores are very close as well as many restaurants. The beef bowl restaurant is also fine for a limited budget around 400 meters on the left side of this hotel. The 205 bus will take you to Kyoto station and the stop is right outside the door. When getting the return bus though, make sure it doesn't go in the opposite direction! From here you can walk / take a bus to most of Kyoto's major attractions. Kiyomiza-dera Temple, Ginkaku & Kinaku temples plus the Gion " Geisha" Districts. This hotel is located in Kyoto (Shimogyo), close to Kenninji Temple, Gion Corner, and Kiyomizu Temple. Also, nearby are Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.

This card can be purchased at subway ticket machines or the Kyoto Station Bus Information Centre.Itinerary – Kinkakuji -> Ryoanji -> Ninnaji

Kinkakuji

Bus No - 205 (40 mins, 24 stops)

Bus No - 17 (9 mins, 4 stops)

Bus No - 204 (26 mins, 15 stops)

Bus No - 12 (37 mins, 25 stops)

Ryoanji

Bus No - 59 (5 mins, 3 stops)

Bus No - 12 (4 mins, 2 stops)

Ninnaji -> Hotel

Bus 26 – towards Kyoto Station line, (36 mins, 20 stops), get down at Karasuma Matsubara

Bus no 59 – towards Yamagoenaka town line, (43 mins, 26 stops), get down at Shijo Kawaramachi

Bus no 10 – Towards Yamagoenaka town line, (41 mins, 22 stops), get down at Shijo Kawaramachi

Day 10 – 09-Jun-2013 – Kyoto

Itinerary

Ginkakuji -> Philosopher's Path -> Nanzenji -> Keage Incline -> Heian Shrine -> Yasaka Shrine -> Kodaiji -> Higashiyama Streets -> Kiyomizudera

Ginkakuji

Bus 17 - (20 mins, 12 stops) , towards Nishiki forest garage previous line, get down at Ginkakuji road

Bus 32 - (19 mins, 15 stops) , towards Kyoto Ohmae outside line, get down at Ginkakujimae

Bus 5 - (22 mins, 12 stops) , towards Iwakura yard line before, get down at Jodoji – see map as well.

Day 11 – 10-Jun-2013 – Nara

Also, Fushimi Inari shrine in the evening

Just outside the station, following the obvious paved route, the first building on the left is the tourist information office, where I'm sure you could get all the info you need to make your own route. It's all walkable.

JR Nara station is about 1km away from Kintetsu Nara station. Most of spots are still within walking distance. If you take Sanjo Dori, there are lots of shops along the street. You can enjoy 1km walk from the station to Sarusawa pond and Kofukuji temple. It is the easiest way to get there too.

Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated between Kyoto and Nara. This train is operated every 15 minutes between Yasu-Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji in daytime, and every 8 minutes in the peak hours. And this train is operated in every 30 minutes. This train departs from Kyoto at 09:19, and continue depart every 30 minutes until 16:49. From Nara, this departs at 09:09, and continue depart every 30 minutes until 16:38. Other than this schedule, you may take Rapid train or Regional Rapid train. Miyakoji Rapid Service stops at these following stations: Kyoto-Tofukuji-Rokujizo-Uji-Joyo-Tamamizu-Kizu-Nara. Miyakoji Rapid Service connects Kyoto with Nara in 45-50 minutes. If you take Rapid train, it connects in 50-60 minutes and stops at a few more stations.

Itinerary

Either 1) circumnavigating Deer Park anti-clockwise like: from 5-storied pagoda to Ukimodo Hall to Kasuga-Wakamiya Shrine (via Worshippers' Lane) to Wakakusa Hill to Nigatsudo(February Hall) to Todaiji Great Buddha Hall to National Museum(if you have time) to your original train station in Nara: will take 4-5hrs depending on your interest and walking pace, or 2)traversing Deer Park from the 5-storied pagoda side to Kasuga-Wakamiya Shrine (via Worshippers' Lane) to Nigatsudo(Feb Hall) to Todaiji Great Buddha Hall to the railroad station you came from: 3hrs give or take.

The Kintetsu station is an underground station just a few steps from Kofukuji and Nara Park, while the JR station is a 15-20-minute walk west of Kofukuji and the park.

Eating

Indian Restaurant JAY - Omiyacho, Nara, Nara Prefecture 630-8115, Japan, +81 742-36-2235

Silk Road - 16 Kasugano-chō - you've got kids in tow, head into the Yumekaze Hiroba dining/shopping complex across from the Nara National Museum to find this wonderful 'train-centric' restaurant. There are two huge model train layouts, which kids can actually control while eating bowls of standard Japanese curry rice and similar favourites.

Shizuka - 59-11 Noboriōji-chō Nara-kōen - The closest decent lunch option to Nara-kōen, Shizuka is a cosy little traditional restaurant that serves a Nara speciality known as kamameshi (rice cooked in a small iron pot with various vegetables, meat or fish thrown in). It's in a two-storey building that looks like a private home, with a white-and-black paper lantern-sign.

Kasugano - If you're exploring Nara-kōen, lunchtime often finds you somewhere between Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. A good choice in this area is Kasugano, a restaurant/souvenir shop at the base of Wakakusa-yama. Take a seat in the woodsy annexe cafe section here rather than the main tables in the shop area (the menu is the same). Dishes include things like tempura soba (¥800). It's the third shop house from the northern end of this strip. Note that most of the souvenir shops in this same strip also have on-site restaurants that serve similar fare and most have English menus.

Falafel Garden - 13-2 Higashimuki Minamimachi - About midway along the Konishi shopping arcade, this felafel specialist is a great place for vegetarians and anyone in need of a break from noodles and rice.

Day 12 – 11-Jun-2013 – Arashiyama

Nijo Castle in the morning + Scenic train in Arashiyama (??)

The fastest access from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama is provided by the JR Sagano Line (also known as JR Sanin Line). The one-way ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 15 minutes and costs 230 yen. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, central Arashiyama can be reached in a 5-10-minute walk.

Itinerary

Monkey Park -> Togetsukyo Bridge -> Tenryuji -> Bamboo Groves -> Jojakkoji -> Gioji -> Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street -> Otagi Nenbutsuji -> Daikakuji

See printouts for itinerary

Day 13 – 12-Jun-2013 – Hiroshima, Miyajima

Itinerary Bus to Kyoto station from the hotel Reach Hiroshima at 10:44/10:50 Buy 2-day card which covers ropeway as well Travel to hotel using Tram (2/6/1) Visit Peace park, Castle Travel to Miyajima using local train and ferry – see printout. Visit Itsukushima Shrine, Mount

Misen Visit downtown area

2 day trip card can be bought from Hiroshima Station Train Information Desk (in front of the departure platform)

There is an underground pedestrian walkway leading to the main side of the station (south exit), where all other trains arrive. Take the pedway and head upstairs; you will see the taxis, trams, and buses that lead to the city center.

Chisun Hotel Hiroshima, 14-7 Nobori Cho Naka Ku, Hiroshima, 730 0016, JP Chisun Hotel is 1 km from JR Hiroshima Train Station. Just a 15 minute walk from Hiroshima

station From the South Exit of Hiroshima station, take a Hiroshima city tram. Get off at the 4th stop,

'Kanayama-cho'. Hotel is situated in front of 'Kanayama-cho' tram stop.

Right next to Kanayamacho Tram Station, the hotel is a 10-minute tram ride from the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima Castle is 1.5 km away. The bright, casual Girasole Restaurant serves a Japanese/Western buffet breakfast as well as Italian lunches and dinners

Hiroshima has Japan's largest tram network with eight tram lines connecting Hiroshima Station with most of the city's attractions. Tram line number 2 goes as far as Miyajima-guchi, from where ferries depart to Miyajima.

The fare for single tram rides within central Hiroshima (excluding the tram ride to Miyajima-guchi) is a flat 150 yen, which you pay when exiting the tram. If you have to transfer between lines, request a "transfer card" (norikae card) from the driver when exiting the first tram, and put it through the card reader when entering and exiting the second tram.

A one-day card for unlimited use of trams on the entire network on one calendar day is available for 600 yen. For an additional 240 yen, you get a one-day card that also includes the ferry ride to Miyajima. Lastly, a two-day card, which is valid on trams, the ferry and Miyajima Ropeway, is available for 2000 yen.

Miyajima

Miyajima is quite a large island, but its attractions are concentrated in two main areas: the small town around Itsukushima Shrine and Mount Misen.

Visitors to Miyajima will first arrive at the ferry terminal, from where it is a ten minute walk to Itsukushima Shrine. All the other sights are also located within walking distance from the shrine.

Mount Misen can be accessed by the Miyajima Ropeway, whose lower station is a ten minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine. There are also three hiking trails from the town to the mountain's summit

Eating

If you're pressed for time on your way out of town, the sixth floor of JR Hiroshima Station has a good, cheap ramen shop, an udon shop, a decent izakaya, a conveyor belt sushi place, and STEP, a

good okonomiyaki joint with English menus. There are Japanese and American chain restaurants clustered near the station, including Starbucks on the third floor (south exit), McDonald's on both sides of the station, and the ultra-cheap (¥180 per bowl) Bikkuri Ramen (びっくりラーメン) just across the river from the south exit.

Indian Restaurants – see listings and map

Day 14 – 13-Jun-2013 – Osaka

Itinerary Arrive at Osaka at 09:44/11:21 Buy OSAKA Kaiyu Ticket (2550 Yen) for going to the aquarium (??) Take Train to Kyobashi station (see printout) Check-in to the hotel Visit Osaka Castle (walking distance from hotel) Visit Osaka Aquarium (see train route)

Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka, 2-2-22 Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-0001, JP, +81669447111: JR: From Kyobashi Station on the JR Osaka Loop line, take the West Exit and walk along the

connecting passage towards the Osaka Business Park (5 mins) – see printout, map

Osaka CastleHead to Osaka Castle (600 yen) where you can spend a few hours. Check out the fascinating museum inside with samurai weapons and armor. Nearby is the Tenjimbashi-suji shopping street. – see printout

Osaka Aquarium – use Kaiyu pass.

1) Go to the JR Osaka/Umeda area and eat lunch at one of the department stores restaurant which offers a good view before the busy lunchtime hour (perhaps Daimaru dept store?),

2) a quick visit of Umeda's department store,3) In the evening to night, a stroll of Shinsaibashi, a visit to Doguyasuji plus Shinsaibashi arcade

walk and dinner at Dotonbori.

Probably the only must see in Osaka could be Dotombori and Shinsaibashi Arcade (the long one leading up to Namba across Dotombori), plus Hozenji Yokocho.

I suggest doing only Shinsaibashi-Dotonbori-Namba walk, which has definitely more Osakan feel and atmosphere

Indian restaurants – see printouts

Day 15 – 14-Jun-2013 – Osaka

Itinerary Universal Studios, or Okamaya + Himeji Castle

HimejiSee hyperdia printout

The broad Otemae-dori Street leads straight from JR Himeji Station to Himeji Castle. You can walk from the station to the castle in about 15-20 minutes.

Himeji is covered by a dense bus network that is operated by Shinki Bus. Its main bus terminal is located just across the street from JR Himeji Station. Shinki Bus number 8 provides easy access to Mount Shosha. Icoca prepaid IC cards can be used to pay the fare on Shinki Buses.

0620: Wake up0807-0856: Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Okayama station0930-0945: Took streetcar to Shiroshita1015-1040: Arrived at Okayama castle1045-1115: Korakuen1123-1135: Streetcar from Shiroshita to Okayama train station1135-1150: Bic Camera1155-1225: Lunch1230-1250: Shinkansen from Okayama to Himeji station1310-1415: Himeji Castle1459-1538: Shinkansen from Himeji to Shin-Osaka station1545-1600: Haruka Express from Shin-Osaka station to Tennoji station1615: Arrived at Hotel, took a nap1800-1900: Explored Shinsekai area in Osaka1900-1945: Dinner2000: Back to Hotel.

Day 16 – 15-Jun-2013 – Fly to Singapore

Take Kansai-Airport Rapid Service from Kyobashi at either 06:46 (reach at 08:00) or 07:21 (reach at 08:42)