Trip Plan - Family Japan Trip Dec 2010 - Tokyo, Takaragawa, Takayama, Osaka
Taking my family to Japan for the first time for a hopefully (cross fingers!) eye-opening trip!
Hoping to see snow in Takaragawa, Takayama and on the train ride along the Northern coast of Japan (Mummy really wants to see snow).
It's still damn early, but me being kiasu and crazy have started planning....
Will be doing lots of train trips and probably less budget-ish than what i would do for myself as my grandmother and mum is going.
expect to see lots of changes to this page over the next year or so...
Saturday *date unconfirmed
Night in Ueno, Tokyo. Probably Touganeya hotel.
Editions made 14th Oct
Hoping to see snow in Takaragawa, Takayama and on the train ride along the Northern coast of Japan (Mummy really wants to see snow).
It's still damn early, but me being kiasu and crazy have started planning....
Will be doing lots of train trips and probably less budget-ish than what i would do for myself as my grandmother and mum is going.
expect to see lots of changes to this page over the next year or so...
Saturday *date unconfirmed
Land in Narita Airport, head directly to Ueno via Keisei Ltd Exp.
Dinner.
I'm probably headed to Kotobuki yu 寿湯 for a soak in this sento
*Picture taken from website
Looks like a decent size Sento and a very short walk eastwards(7min or so) from JR Ueno station via the Iriya exit.
It's ￥450 entrance fee, but might want to bring your own towel and toiletries, they don't provide although you can buy it for ￥50.
Sunday *date unconfirmed
Night in Onsenkaku in Takaragawa Onsen in Gunma.
Head to Franciscan Chapel Center in Roppongi for Morning mass.
Head back to Hotel and check out.
Have quick breakfast.
Must take 11:18 Shinkansen Toki No 319 to Takasaki.
Change to the JR Joetsu train that departs at 12:22 (Again MUST TAKE this train! Next train is almost more than an hour later -_-")
Arrive at Minakami Stn at 13:24.
Grab light lunch in area.
The one and only Hotel Shuttle bus will depart at 14:30.
check in to Onsenkaku and it's ONSEN TIME!
Around Takaragawa Onsen there are 5 large rotenburos that flank the river, all of which are mixed bathing. So for women (and men) you are allowed to enter the onsen with towels for modesty, though there are those who choose to forgo it. This place is voted one of the best river onsens in Japan, so i'm pretty excited. I'm also hoping that it'll be snowing by the time i'm there >.<
Picture on the left that's taken from the Onsenkaku website is of the Kodakara no yu 子宝の湯. Gorgeous isn't it!
Dinner in room in Ryokan.
Monday *date unconfirmed
Night in Hotel Hana in Takayama in Gifu.
Check out after breakfast (and maybe last soak in onsen) and take Hotel Shuttle that departs at 9:40 to Minakami Stn.
Take the JR Joetsu train to Echigo-Yuzawa Stn. Here change to Ltd Exp Hakutaka to Toyama Stn.
From Toyama Stn, will transfer to Ltd Exp Hida train to Takayama.
Train ride on Hakutaka will span the northern coast of Japan, hopefully will have snow + sea views!
Check in at Hotel in Takayama.
Try Ashi no yu next to Takayama Stn.
Tuesday *date unconfirmed
Night in Hotel Hana in Takayama in Gifu.
Take Nohi bus to Shin-Hotaka Onsen Stop.
Take Shin-Hotaka Ropeway.
It's a 3200m long ropeway, hopefully with nice scenic snowy mountain views.
It's a 3200m long ropeway, hopefully with nice scenic snowy mountain views.
*Lunch at mid-point
Wednesday *date unconfirmed
Check out and leave bags at Hotel.
Take bus to Hida no Sato open air museum
*Picture taken from website
Take bus back to Takayama Stn.
Walk around Furui machi area.
Walk back to station and take Ltd Exp Hida train to Shin-Osaka.
Transfer to Midosuji subway to Namba stn.
Check into Hotel
*Updated
Shopping in Shinsaibashi
*Updated
Shopping in Shinsaibashi
Dinner in Dotonbori
Thursday *date unconfirmed
Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, half of Tenjinbashi suji (don't think my mum can take the whole stretch!)
My family hasn't been to a real Aquarium before (Singapore's Sentosa Underwater world doesn't count as a real aquarium IMO), so I think Osaka Aquarium will be nice for them.. though by this time it'll be my 3rd time >.<
If everything goes as planned, i'm hoping to book 1-night room plan (on top of 1 ordinary night room plan)that comes with the complimentary entrance ticket to Osaka Aquarium and 1-day transport pass in Hotel Dotonbori, but rooms looks like it goes out fast.
Click here and scroll until you see 海遊館きっぷプラン
For some strange reason it's cheaper than the room plan that just offers the 1-day transport pass...
Might go to Shimizuyu 清水湯 in shinsaibashi for my Sento fix and do my laundry (and family's) while i'm at it heh heh.
Entrance is ￥410, but need to bring own towel and toiletries, or buy at ￥100 for bath towel.
*Updated
Will head to Hikone Castle which is located next to Lake Biwa, for a day trip.
As Pris is going and she's been to Osaka Castle already.
Hikone Castle is one of the few original Castle structures left in Japan (Osaka castle is not.).
Along with Himeji, it's considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Japan.
Either this or Miyajima for a day trip, haven't decided yet.
After which head back to Osaka again.
Skipping the shopping at Tenjinbashi.
*Updated
Will head to Hikone Castle which is located next to Lake Biwa, for a day trip.
As Pris is going and she's been to Osaka Castle already.
Hikone Castle is one of the few original Castle structures left in Japan (Osaka castle is not.).
Along with Himeji, it's considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Japan.
Either this or Miyajima for a day trip, haven't decided yet.
After which head back to Osaka again.
Skipping the shopping at Tenjinbashi.
Friday *date unconfirmed
Night in Hotel Sun City in Tokyo
Check out of Hotel.
*Updated
Head to Osaka Aquarium and back to hotel to pick up luggage before heading to Tokyo.
Will be using the Kaiyukan kippu provided by the hotel to cover this leg.
*Updated
Head to Osaka Aquarium and back to hotel to pick up luggage before heading to Tokyo.
Will be using the Kaiyukan kippu provided by the hotel to cover this leg.
Head to Shin-Osaka stn via Midosuji line.
Take Shinkansen Hikari to Shinagawa Stn.
Transfer to the JR Yamanote line to Ikebukuro Stn.
Check in.
Shop and eat around area.
Saturday *date unconfirmed
Check out of hotel
Head to airport
Editions made 14th Oct
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