I am heading to Japan for the Grand Prix in September and wanted to do some traveling before hand. I can’t really take off much more time than this but I can shift the order around (i.e. travel after the Grand Prix). Here is what I have so far:
* 15 September: Arrival in Tokyo (Narita) at 12:00, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Skytree
* 16 September: Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku Golden Gai
* 17 September: Tsukiji Market, Imperial Palace, Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo Tower
* 18 September: Train to Hiroshima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle
* 19 September: Train to Osaka, Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium, Umeda Sky Building, Dotonbori
* 20 September: Train to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Forest, Gion District
* 21 September: Tenryuji Temple, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market
* 22 September: Train to Nagoya, Toyota Museum, Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine
* 23 September: Train to Suzuka, Formula 1 Qualifying
* 24 September: Train to Suzuka, Formula 1 Race
* 25 September: Departure from Nagoya (Chubu) at 14:00
I know it is quite packed but I think it is manageable. I think I should maybe move the National Museum to another day but I am looking at staying in Taito that first night so it would make sense. I could cut Hiroshima but I really want to go to the atomic bomb memorial. I also have flexibility as to where I fly – arrival/departure from Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo are all similarly priced.
Also should I get the 7 day or 14 day JR pass? The 7 would make more sense because I can get a Skyliner + 72hr Tokyo subway pass for ¥3,590 and then only use the JR pass when I go to Hiroshima which will last me until the end of the Grand Prix?
3 comments
Planning an itinerary too,but mainly in Osaka
I added nara and a onsen town in my case
Why not go Tokyo > Osaka > Hiroshima > Kyoto, since you pass through Osaka from Tokyo > Hiroshima
You only ‘need’ a JR pass from Sep 18-22, so the 7-day pass is fine.
There’s a surcharge for using JR Pass after Yokkaichi because the train uses private railways, so you may well end up on Kintetsu services on Sep 23/24.
On Sep 18/19 you can delete one of the two castles, both are reconstructions and unless you are collecting stamps one is more than enough.
On Sep 20/21 shift Arashiyama forest to the start of Sep 21 (it only takes 15-30 minutes and is next to Tenryuji), and make sure you arrive at Nishiki in time as it is not a night market.