Thanks to all who have shared their wisdom on this sub! It’s been extremely helpful for my planning. We’re a 28 & 32 yo couple travelling to Japan for the first time. Fairly experienced (Europe, China), but it’s been a while! Interests include anime, shrines/temples, vintage clothes, parks/mountains, samurai history, video games, cameras, movies, rock/metal music, crafts/stationary. Japan is beloved by both of us and we hope to go again in the future to explore more.
**TRANSIT QUESTIONS**
\- Is the Tokyo metro day pass a paper ticket and can it be applied on an IC card? Can a day pass be purchased at Narita? (AFAIK: 24hr metro pass can be purchased at Narita T1 arrival lobby/Kesei bus counter. 1hr period for free transfers).
\- Should Narita Express be booked in advance? Could I use the metro pass from the Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket package if I’ll be using Skyliner one-way at the end of the trip? (AFAIK: Reserve N’Ex in advance through JR East website or at Narita \[buy Limited Express ticket at N’Ex platform\]. Reserve Keisei Skyliner in advance through Keisei ER website or at Ueno Station).
\- Are Eizan Railway Kippu (Kurama) & World Heritage Pass (Koyasan) worth the price or is IC easier/more cost effective for those day trips?
\- When using IC, what’s the process for paying Limited Express additional charges? Does this apply to all trains marked “Limited Express”? Any other fare adjustment situations to be aware of? (AFAIK: LE ticket is purchased online/emailed or at station kiosk/ticket desk as a separate ticket).
\- Can SmartEx link shinkansen tickets with Welcome Suica/Passmo Passport, if IC isn’t available?
**OTHER QUESTIONS**
\- Mt. Takao, Hakone, or Kawaguchiko for Culture Day long weekend day trip? Alternative day trips/activities around Tokyo during this holiday? How bad will the crowds be (not that we mind)?
\- Is Koyasan worth the trek on a first time trip? I’ve listed it as optional due to the distance, as we’ll be on the train for quite some time between Osaka and Nachi shortly after.
\- I’ve selected only a couple of areas/primary points of interest per day to allow for some flexibility/spontaneity. Any other “must see” things in these areas? Anything listed that you think is “overrated”?
\- Only Hostel DEN and Shirahama Marriot have been booked so far. Any experience with the other hotels listed?
\- Recommendations for a hotel near Tokyo’s Ueno Station for \~$100/night? Looking for a private washroom with a bathtub and easy access to Narita.
\- Recommendations on where to find decent quality tengu mask and sukajan?
Thur Oct 17 Tokyo Arrival @ Narita (N’Ex) **\[Hotel: Hostel DEN (Kanda Station)\]**
Fri Oct 18 Tokyo Asakusa, Akihabara
Sat Oct 19 Tokyo Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Shinjuku
Sun Oct 20 Tokyo FREE DAY
Mon Oct 21 Tokyo>Kyoto Ninenzaka Path, Hōkan-ji, Kōdaiji **\[Hotel: OMO3 Kyoto (Tōji Station)\]**
Tues Oct 22 Kyoto Mt. Kurama Tsuzura-ori Path, Kibune Shrine, Daitoku-ji
Wed Oct 23 Kyoto Fushimi Inari, Philosopher’s Path, Gion
Thur Oct 24 Kyoto Kanazawa Naga-machi District, Higashi Chaya District
Fri Oct 25 Kyoto Otagi Nenbutsuji, Giōji
Sat Oct 26 Kyoto>Nara>Osaka Nijō Castle, Tōdai-ji, Kasuga Taisha **\[Hotel: & And Hostel Shinsaibashi East (Matsuyamachi Station)\]**
Sun Oct 27 Osaka Dotonbori
Mon Oct 28 Osaka \*Optional\* Koyasan Okunoin Cemetery, Kongobu-ji Okuno-in
Tues Oct 29 Osaka Himeji Castle, Engyoji
Wed Oct 30 Osaka>Shirahama Senjojiki Plateau **\[Hotel: Nanki-Shirahama Marriott (Shirahama Station)\]**
Thur Oct 31 Shirahama>Nachi>Osaka Nachi Falls, Seigantoji Temple **\[Hotel: Hotel Androoms (Shin-Osaka Station)\]**
Fri Nov 1 Osaka>Tokyo FREE DAY **\[Hotel: ? (Ueno Station)\]**
Sat Nov 2 Tokyo FREE DAY
Sun Nov 3 Tokyo Todoroki Ravine, Roppongi Hills
Mon Nov 4 Tokyo \*Optional\* Mt. Takao Takaosan Yakuōin Yukiji
Tues Nov 5 Tokyo Chōkokuji, Ōtori Jinja
Wed Nov 6 Tokyo Departure @ Narita (Keisei Skyliner)
by j_hab