bosei@sify.com (wanderer) writes:
> We are going to Japan for the first time for 6 days. Based on our
> reading of the tour books and this group we have come up with the
> following itinerary. Please advise if we are doing anything wrong. Our
> interests are historical places and places of natural beauty.
Looks reasonable to me for such a short time.
> Questions:
> 1. Should we skip Kamakura and go to Hakone as a daytrip instead since
> we'll be going to Kyoto the next day?
No. Kamakura is quite a nice place and if you need some nature, there
are some good (short) walks there.
> 2. Should we skip the daytrip option from Tokyo and spend one extra
> night in Kyoto instead and go to Nara as a daytrip from Kyoto? Is Nara
> better than Kamakura?
What is "better"? They are different and both are worth to see. But as
your time is that limited, you have to sacrifice on something.
> 3. Given our schedule, does it make any sense to buy JR pass or should
> we purchase tickets as we go along?
Trains are expensive in Japan. Get the rail pass in advance.
> 4. Do you need reservations on the bullet train for the journey from
> Tokyo to Kyoto? How early do they have to be made?
No.
> 5. For the last night is it better to stay in Kyoto instead of Tokyo
> and make the journey to Narita from Kyoto on the last day?
Yep, a possibility, if you have enough time. Trains run very well on
schedule there, nothing to worry about. Just note that Narita is far
outside the city and you should be there 2 hours before departure due
to increased security checks there.
|