Osaka- Kyoto-kanazawa- toyama -

Hi Pinkbear,

I reviewed your itinerary, and while certainly busy, I think it is all doable as everything is nicely compartmentalized per day. Have you thought about what pass you want to use for travel around Kansai and Hiroshima?

For your first day in Kyoto, I would suggest renting a bicycle instead of going around all day by bus. Kyoto is wonderful to explore in the open-air and the roads are flat. So, it is easy to explore and see things you'd otherwise miss.

I would also check ahead on the Kurobe route, as Japan is still limited by some public health restrictions, and you may have to book reservations ahead of time.

Hope this helps :)
Daniel

Dear Daniel-san,

thank you, i have purchased the air tickets and will make some adjustments .
For my itinerary day 2 to day 4 (ignoring USJ), is kansai area pass recommended?
i do love cycling and will research on the renting of a bicycle in kyoto! thanks for the suggestion.

for the hiroshima tour, i read and realised a shinkansen ride is required, cost is 9710 yen for one day, noted it is quite costly as i would not have a JR pass.

For Kansai + Hiroshima, I suggest getting a Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. This pass is about the same cost as the return Kyoto - Hiroshima using the Shinkansen, and would cover travel around Kansai as well. Just note that between Kyoto - Shin-Osaka, you do have to use rapid trains instead of the Shinkansen but I think the savings are worth it!

Dear Daniel-San,
Append itinerary change , I am keen to purchase Kansai wide area pass, would you advise if this is doable?
Day 1 kansai airport activate kansai wide area pass > wakayama. Deposit luggage in coin locker, explore with wakayama local bus day pass 1000 yen ( is wakayama local bus covered under kansai wide area pass? )
Day 2 osaka to okayama and kurashiki
Day 3 osaka to himeiji + sannomiya ( is shin kobe close to city centre?)
Day 4 osaka to otsu ( to explore lake biwa. Saw an island tour, rather costly.. 12,000 yen!)
Day 5 osaka to Nara + tennoji [end of kansai wide area pass]
Day 6 USJ
Day 7 To kyoto fushimi inari shrine + cycling
Day 8 osaka shinsaibashi + namba
Day 9 leave osaka. Activate takayama hokuriku pass to toyama , leave luggage and explore kanazawa
Day 10 toyama - kurobe gorge ( if not open I will explore gokayama
Day 11 change hotel to takayama. Explore Shirakawa go and takayama
Day 12 explore takayama
Day 13 leave tamayama to nagoya [end of takayama hokuriku pass]
Day 14 explore nagoya, simple shopping and eating
Day 15 leave nagoya

Is this itinerary feasible? Appreciate your kind advice! :)

Hi Pinkbear,

It does look busy, but since it is compartmentalized day-by-day, I think it will work fine. Now let's have a look into your questions.

1.) I do not believe the Wakayama bus is included in the JR Pass. Though the city can be explored on foot.

2.) Shin-Kobe is not exactly close to the city centre. The central JR Station in Kobe is called Sannomiya, and served directly with rapid lines from Osaka and Kyoto.

3.) I have not been to Otsu myself (yet!) but can heartily recommend the city of Hikone a bit north. There's a beautiful castle and great views over lake Biwa.

Rest, looks like a lot of fun!
-Daniel

Dear Daniel san, thank you for the prompt advice :)
Well noted on wakayama , can be travelled by foot.

1) would kansai wide area pass be recommended for the first 5 days? Or would you recommend any other passes?
2) is hikone covered under the kansai wide area pass? I was not too sure about this, although I do see it along the biwako line toward maibara. (Printed the JR West map)
3) would it be too rushed to plan himeiji + sannomiya?

I would be in Japan in 2 weeks time! :)