jasmine3

First, Happy New Year! Before the stroke of midnite, we booked Japan for 2009 with our 3 kids (ages 12, 10 & 6)
Everyone is excited. Our kids love traveling to new places.

I have been lurking for a while looking at posts, but have I have a few quick questions.

1. Can someone direct me to a website that is easy to understand the JR trains? We will get a JR pass. Specifically looking for a website where I can enter destinations and know how long it will take to travel to places to help in planning.

2. Looking at 5 nites Tokyo. 5 nites in Kyoto. then another 3 days at the end (locations to be determined) Is it easy to go from Kyoto to Hiroshima for a day trip?
Thanks so much!

shandy

I used this site extensively when planning my rail trips this (or should now say last) year - www.hyperdia.com

On the left hand side you will see a button to click on for the English version. I found it very easy to understand once I got the hang of it and loved all the detail you could get.

Hiroshima can certainly be done as a day trip from Kyoto but as you have 3 unplanned nights you might want to look at spending a night or two on Miyajima island, just a stone's throw from Hiroshima.

You would also then have time to stop at Himeji castle on the way which the kids would love. To fit in Himeji and Hiroshima all as a one day trip with three young kids would be pushing it too much I think.

You should also definitely include Nara as a half day or day trip for the kids from Kyoto in order for them to get a chance to hand feed all the deer. The kids might also really enjoy a day trip (also from Kyoto) to Arashiyama where they can do a cute train ride and a ride back down the river in an open boat.

I would certainly suggest that you use those three extra nights to stay more in the countryside to have a bit of a balance with the two very large cities.

If you haven't come across it yet another excellent website is www.japan-guide.com

jasmine3

Many Thanks Shandy for your help!

Gina_07

What a great idea. We did Japan this summer with two kids (7 and 11 years old) and they loved it. I can't comment on Hiroshima because we didn't go there. We regret not visiting the Acquarium in Osaka. I have heard it's the largest in the world. It should be an easy day trip for you. Maybe other people can tell you whether it's worth it.

Shandy is right, www.japan-guide.com
is a very helpful site. I think they have info on JR.

I would recommend that you also visit the Hakone area. You can do it as a day trip from Tokyo or spend the night at a ryokan. You have enough time for it.

hawaiiantraveler

The hyperdia site is great for looking up train schedules and finding the costs and the Japan Guide site is the best for Japan information. Check all the links in the Japan Guide site. You won't regret it.

On the Hyperdia site make sure you know what the name of the station is that you are leaving from and going to. Some destinations such as Hakata(for Fukuoka) and Odawara(for Hakone) for example, have different names than the city you want to go to.

Yes it is easy to go from Kyoto to Hiroshima. see here for details(I told you the Japan Guide site is good, lol

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3404.html

change the top link to read to/from Kyoto and you'll get the info

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2160.html

This site below is an excellent reference for all your JR train information. Check all the sites links carefully and it will answer most of your questions you have on Japan rail travel.

http://www.japanrail.com/

Aloha!

lcuy

Not sure, but didn't I read somewhere that Himeji will be closed for some time?

If it is open, we took our kids there when about 8 & 10 years old. They loved it, and we did it on as a stop on the way to Hiroshima.

I wouldn't try to go to Hiroshima as a day trip. You need some time to absorb it, especially if you'll be going in the museum. And if you do, a little advance discussion about the bomb, war, etc is a good thing to do with kids the ages of yours. No matter your thoughts on the use of the bomb or the war, it is kind of off putting that the museum exhibits are written in such a way that you'd almost think that the US just dropped the bomb with absolutely no cause.

Other than that, I think we all agree that it was well worth the sadness to have been there.

A night in Miajima would be a nice place to experience a Japanese style inn.

Alec

Official info on Himeji Castle renovations:
http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/var/rev...ep_surface.pdf

Basically, from the second half of 2009, the exterior of the castle keep will be covered by a temporary structure to facilitate work on exterior plastering and roof tiles. There will be lifts (elevators) for spectators to take a close look at the work in progress.
The interior of the keep is expected to remain open for the whole of the restoration work, up to 2014.

kennooo

Its good to know that you are going to expose your kids to a great place like Japan at an early age.

First of all I would say that 5 nights in Tokyo is probably a bit to long, there is a lot to see there but it is not Japan it is a big city just like many big cities in the world. I would suggest 2-3 nights there and then try to spend more time in places like Hiroshima or Nara to soak in some of the culture.

To answer your one question yes you can go to Hiroshima from Kyoto on a day trip but it would be much better to spend at least 1 night 2 days there to take in the museums and other monuments as there is a lot and it should all be seen and not skipped over.

Also please consider looking into going to Nara for a few days as it is also a very historical place but much less crowed and commercial than Kyoto but just as relevant culturally. So cutting a few nights out of Tokyo and Kyoto to see some of the less typical places might really add to the experience

For train sites www.hyperdia.com is good as mentioned in the other replies or you can also try http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/nor...norikeyin.html as I find it to be a bit more accurate.

I would also strongly suggest Okinawa for a few days with kids the age you are traveling with as they can enjoy the beaches and theme parks as well as take in some great culture and get away from the big cities. There are some really great things to do there, because we all know kids can only take in so many temples, shrines, and rock gardens before they start going crazy you con find some great info on Okinawa at
http://okinawa-information.com/

nickn

I have done Hiroshima AND Miyajima as a day trip from Kyoto. It is NOT easy, but it can be done if you do you your homework beforehand and be focused on what you do.

I took the earliest Shinkansen that goes to Hiroshima from Kyoto. Then I went immediately to Miyajima, immediately went up the mountain in a gondola, came down before the lunch, ate lunch in Miyajima, visited the shrine, walked around the town, took ferry back to Hiroshima to visit the Peach Park and the Museum, took tram back to the Hiroshima station, and took a Shinkansen back to Kyoto. It was a 13hr itinerary.

I am also in the camp of less Tokyo. While it has its attractions, what brings me back to Japan is its traditional side.

TravMimi

We did a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima and Himeji. Trains were great, so it was very easy and a wonderful day. I also think you should do less of Tokyo. Tokyo is beautiful, with a lot to do, but we loved Kyoto even more. We also spent 4 days in the Hakone/Fuji area and had a fantastic time. We are already planning our return trip.

jasmine3

Thank you ALL for your suggestions. We are in the process of soaking in all of it and finding accommodations.

Thanks again!

mrwunrfl

I highly recommend a visit to Hiroshima (overnight there or Miyajima or daytrip), at least for your 12 year and maybe the 10 y.o.
I don't know what the psyche of a 6 y.o. is like.

I think Himeji is a must-see for your pack.

You would need only 7-day JR passes.

When you search on hyperdia be sure to notice that the webpage that allows the choice of date, time, etc. also has dropdowns for Start point and Destination.

For example, search Tokyo to Hakone. Destination then appears as HAKONEGASAKI, but notice on the dropdown that HAKONEYUMOTO is listed.

If you see start point or "destination not found" then concatenate the names. Hakone Yumoto fails but Hakoneyumoto works.

mrwunrfl

my previous presumes that you know that Hakone Yumoto is the gateway to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, aka Hakone.

It occurs to me that the kids might be bored by staying a night on Miyajima.

Baseball fans might prefer to see the Hiroshima Carp play a night game.

jasmine3

Actually, when I saw your suggestion of Miyajima, I liked it. I am going to present it to everyone so we can decide.

Thanks for the suggestions