Help To Plan Japan 10-14 Days Holiday for Parents (55+)

asx100 on 10/02/2015 - 17:10

Want to take advantage of Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Specials to send parents (55+) to Japan for 2 weeks. This would be dad's retirement present. As I have never been to Japan before, I need lots of ideas and suggestions to plan the trip. My folks are very keen to see the historical side of Japan and are big on good food and traditional street snacks. At this stage I am looking at Osaka/Kyoto in Oct and to stop over in HK for a week to do shopping. Is it a good choice of cities? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Travel

Comments

  • Hikey on 10/02/2015 - 17:18
    +2

    The best time to visit Kyoto is October. I love Octobers in Japan! I always try to go in October: From the beginning of October the west winds come back to Japan and bring all that dry air from the Asian continent. No water sucked up into clouds. Your parents will have no rain and blue skies throughout October and it will still be nice and warm, but not hot. The wind is quite strong and will blow all the haze and smog out of the cities.

  • nerdycat on 10/02/2015 - 18:31

    Suggestions for accommodation:

    Osaka: http://www.st-hotel.jp/honkan/ Its not 5 star .. but it is decent, clean, near the station, breakfast (english/japanese) is pretty good. Short walk to the station where there are plenty of nice restaurants underneath.

    If you want to spoil your parents suggest booking them in for a couple of nights to http://www.insidekyoto.com/tawaraya-ryokan-downtown-kyoto - it isnt cheap but the service is 5 star and the kaiseki (like degustation dinner) is a great example of a Japanese formal meal and living in a traditional house.

    Street food is all over Dotonbori - best advice is to look for the lines.. Japenese love lining up for good food…

    http://www.mizuno-osaka.com/ for okonomiyaki - cant miss it there will be a long line in front

    People dont speak much English in Japan so if your parents are ok using a smart phone getting a sim card at the airport or delivered to hotel is a good idea. will help them get around. Tourists cannot buy sim cards in shops in Japan.

  • chazfg on 10/02/2015 - 19:18
    +1

    I am going to Japan in April with parents and in-laws..and sisters..and kids. Happy to send the itinerary if you like.
    My recommendation is to spend some time in Tokyo as well for at least 2 days. There are not enough things to see/do in Kyoto and Osaka. We are going to spend max of 2 days in each of those cities and 6 days in Tokyo (2 days of Disneyland). Tokyo-Osaka is about 2 hours by bullet train.
    Hongkong is a busy city, but a week seems too long. I suggest to spend 2-3 days in Macau as well.

    • asx100 on 10/02/2015 - 19:54

      Please PM me your itinerary. Many thanks

    • BiotBargin on 10/02/2015 - 20:36
      +3

      "There are not enough things to see/do in Kyoto and Osaka"

      i think your search results are broken :)

  • asx100 on 10/02/2015 - 19:58

    Any tips for most efficient transport arrangements in Japan eg fixed price unlimited travel pass.

  • liamjson on 11/02/2015 - 09:48

    I just spent 3 weeks travelling around Osaka and Tokyo. Your parents will love it!

    Transport wise, especially if they are considering taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) on even 1 return trip, its worth getting the 14 day Japan Rail Pass (http://tinyurl.com/qhjg2oe). It allows you unlimited travel on all JR rail lines around Japan.

    Osaka is a great base city to plan trips out to Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe. Contrary to Chazfg's opinion, I found there is plenty to see and do in and around Osaka and Kyoto.

    Just briefly in Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo groves, kinkakuji temple, tennoji temple, 1000 tori gates, Gion (geisha district).

    Osaka: Aquarium, Osaka castle, universal studios (if they're young at heart), dontonbori.

    Nara was the ancient capital of Japan at one point and is full of interesting Temples and parks, the wild roaming deer are a fun novelty too.

    Hiroshima for obvious reasons is worth a visit, but is worth an overnight stay as there's plenty of great places to see and eat at.

    Hope it helps

    • asx100 on 11/02/2015 - 11:04

      Thanks, your info is very help.
      Can you please give me a rough idea how much it would cost for their 2 week stay? About 10 days in Osaka/Kyoto + Bullet train to Tokyo (3 days). Food + Accom (3-4 stars) + sightseeing (they are non-drinkers).My dad has a Citi Bank debit card, is it easy for him to use ATM to draw cash? Thanks.

    • chazfg on 11/02/2015 - 15:52

      Itinerary for my 2 days at Osaka and 2 days at Kyoto covers all the attractions you mentioned, including Universal Studio, but I am not planning to travel to Hiroshima or Kobe. I don't think it is worth spending 2 weeks in just Osaka and Kyoto, and not seeing Tokyo at all. The comment about not enough to see in Osaka and Kyoto came from a Japanese friend who lives in Tokyo, so maybe a bit bias there.

      Budget roughly around AUD$300 pp per day. Meals can be expensive, say $40 (vending machine hot meals) up to $80 pp per day for 3 meals. Accommodation varies between $150 per night to $400 for 3-4 stars hotel. Bullet train between Osaka - Tokyo will set you back $150pp for 2 hour train ride. Entry fees to tourist spots such as parks and temples are generally free or less than $10pp.

      28degree or Citibank card is always good to have for travelling.

  • titanman on 26/03/2015 - 00:00

    I stayed with my wife and 2 children in Kyoto at Oil St Guesthouse. Was the best place I stayed in Japan, Yasu who lives in and looks after his guests with a five star attitude and smile was the best along with his ever present and friendly dog Burrito we were made to feel at home. There are many things to do and see in Kyoto but if you do go down the route of Japan rail passes which is a cost saving measure I would suggest a visit to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island just off Hiroshima, again beautiful parts of japan and easily accessible from Osaka.

    Warning though for your parents, Japan is an addictive country to visit. You can plan as much as you like but once you are there it just blows you away and most of your itinerary, also as soon as you leave you start to plan your next visit.

    Good luck.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join