We are travelling to japan flying into Narita with three kids ages 7,8 and 11
Accomodation seemingly hard to find in one hotel room
Any tips ?
Told we need to stay near the stations for ease of access around the city
Any other tips for an itinaey we arrive 26th June and leave 7th
Yeah, the heat will be especially tough considering how much walking you do in Japan. I wouldn't plan much at all because the kids will want to spend a lot of the time indoors. It's not pleasant at all outside during those months.
Budget hotel rooms tend to be very small in Japan, so with that many people in one room aim for something big. You may end up requiring two rooms. I agree with the suggestion to stay near a subway or surface train station. Not all stations (especially subway) have escalators or lifts. You may need to drag heavy luggage up and down multiple flights of stairs.
As the previous poster mentioned, it will be hot and humid. I like that sort of weather (beats a southern Australian winter!) but it can be taxing. Also you may run into the rainy season so be prepared for that. The Narita Express is part of the JR Pass.
When are you flying into Narita? The JR Pass exchange offices have limited hours and close around 8pm (from memory). Important to note if you're buying passes.
Thanks for all your comments we are aware it will be hot ! Good point about not over planning
We arrive at Narita at 6.35pm so not too late
Can you buy the pass there ?
You must buy JR Pass outside of Japan. But you can redeem it at Narita Airport. Just make sure that you will use it to full extent to justify the cost of the pass. I've ordered mine twice from that company https://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-rail-pass/national-rail-p…
Thanks :)
https://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-rail-pass/national-rail-p…
That's one thing they're very strict about. The pass cannot be purchased in Japan. You buy a voucher here and exchange that voucher in Japan for the pass. 6:35 sounds like it'll be just okay. Too late for terminal 1, but terminal 2/3 closes at 8pm.
https://www.japan-rail-pass.com.au/common-questions/where-to…
Thanks very much for this information even if we don’t activate it straight away do you have to exchange at the airport ?
Yes, you can visit any JR Pass exchange office to exchange your voucher for the pass. It's just nice doing it at the airport as you can use it for the Narita Express. It's worth doing the sums to see if getting the pass is worth it. If you're doing a lot of bullet train trips then yes, otherwise no. The pass is not valid for subways and local city trains.
@Cluster: Typically you need 3 long distance trips for the 7 day pass to be worth while.
I personally never do it at the train station at the airport because there's a long line and you can get Narita Express return tickets for $40. Also it means you start the pass on that day and it'll expire 6 days after.
There's a calculator you can use for all your trips to see if its worth while. I'll try dig it up for you.
@Nalar: My stays in Japan have usually been for about 13 to 15 days, so coincided with the pass dates nicely. Going for 12 days is a bit tricky with timing. Might be as you say, beneficial to delay exchanging the voucher for a couple of days.
@Nalar: I'd prefer to use Keisei Main Line train to get to Ueno. Yes it is about 70 min of travel, but it is just around $25 for return ticket and you can activate JR Pass next morning saving one extra day. Or even activate it later after exploring Tokyo and before moving to …say Osaka or Fukuoka..
The pass is not valid for subways and local city trains.
Though you can use it on the Yamanote Line.
It is actually possible to purchase the pass in Japan at the moment, at a slightly more expensive price (1,000 yen?). Not sure if they intend to extend it beyond March though.
Any other cities you recommend to visit ?
Kyoto is a must. Nara is great. Himeji castle is worth a look. That should probably fill a 1.5 week visit.
It's easily possible to visit too many castles and temples in Japan and get bored of them. Japan has so much else to offer. Maybe visit Enoshima and check out the black sand beaches. Kamakura is nearby. A visit to Akihabara in Tokyo is a must if you like anime/manga/tech just to get the atmosphere of the place. The Skytree is nice. The Robot Restaurant/Show in Shinjuku is popular with tourists but I honestly can't recommend it. It's not a restaurant, the show is a bit cheesy, you'll never see any Japanese customers there.
Kyoto in july…..UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
There are better times to visit, but unless the OP goes to Hokkaido then hot and humid is what they've signed up for
Check out Kiyomizu (Kyoto) and Nikko(outside Tokyo) temples on the internet to see if they are of interest. Both quite beautiful.
Nikko is definitely worth a visit any time of the year, although winter tends to be the most spectacular. It's a long day trip from Tokyo for an adult. With kids, I'd aim to stay overnight in a ryokan in Nikko.
Another good destination is Hakone. It's probably going to be too hazy in summer to get the postcard views of Mt. Fuji across the lake, but Mt. Hakone itself is worth the visit just for the volcanic activity and the eggs boiled in the volcano.
Try Airbnb for accommodation instead of hotel.
Osaka, Nara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hakJC7CzjQ&t=46s , Fushimi Inari - Kyoto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIX5T0TlTE
I totally second Airbnb.
hotel = dull and boring.
Airbnb = interesting.
plus washing machine —> less clothing —> more shopping for quirky amazing japanese stuff
Hey, I posted a thread with my most recent trip report. Feel free to check the accommodation I stayed at as they were generally cheap. I booked all of my hotels on either cheaptickets or Orbitz with the 16% off codes as it worked out cheapest.
Airbnb is the only way to go :)
While I love AirBNB and use it often, I don't agree with your sentiment.
Hotel is for me, much more convenient where luggage storage is essential and especially for 1 night stays.
I will also add that these days, AirBNB and hotel prices have become quite comparable at the low to mid range price points.
Of course it’s up to the individuals.
But for me,I was in Osaka 2 years ago,I rather paid $160 per night apartment Airbnb for 4 people instead of $300 per night for a hotel room for just 2 people :)
Agree with luggage storage ..For me if say my flight is at 9pm and I need to check out by 11am…I would rather stay at a hotel the night before as you can store your luggage at the reception…However, I don't agree the price is comparable…Airbnb is WAY more cheaper than hotels.
I guess depends how you're travelling. OP has 3 kids so I can see how AirBNB would be cheaper.
I usually travel with my partner and the price is comparable unless I choose to sacrifice location. For example; booked a very nice hotel in central Hiroshima for about $90 a night and couldn't find a reasonable AirBNB in a decent location for that price.
This was using Cheaptickets and a non-international fee credit card and usually would come out $50 to $100 cheaper per night than agoda/expedia etc.
@fivespice: Hiroshima might be different as it's not a major city…Tokyo and Osaka, hotel price is definitely a lot higher if you choose to stay in convenient spots like Shinjuku/Shibuya. ..
OP try stay around Shinagawa, it's cheaper and if it's near the station should be about 15 mins to Shinjuku..
Cheers!
I'm using capsule hotels when travel Japan solo. $20-25aud per night - that's a good price for money wise traveler, arrived by $330 return flight on a Jetstar.
Earplugs are your friends.
Snoring drunk salary men are LOUD!
Yes that's a problem. And beeping alarm at 6 am from adjacent capsules. But still alright for the price you pay.
Stick to your own capsule.
I would use Airbnb. Moot point about the luggage since japan has luggage storage basically everywhere if you need it and its not too expensive compared to what you'll save from not using a hotel. I've used Airbnb all over Japan and multiple times as i have to be there for business and the value proposition and self-containment is great, space is usually massive compared to a hotel room. If traveling with kids no doubt you'd be visiting disneyland so it would be best to stay near the Ebisu or Shimbashi stations for cheaper/easier access to both disneyland and the city. This would also be good for access to the Toyota MEGA WEB museum which has amusement rides and such for the kids, and even has entertainment for the adults too.
Thanks heaps all this is really awesome and so helpful !!
We aren’t that into temples etc been to plenty in Thailand and Bali but like the sound of the Toyota museum ! Kids keen on Disneyland and universal in Osaka
Don't forget to get Express Pass if you are going to theme parks in Japan
No worries! One thing to note with travel to Osaka is the bullet train is often more expensive than flying there but its an amazing experience so if you choose the bullet train, pre book your tickets to save money as costs can add up quickly with the three kids!
Flying can sometimes appear to be cheaper, but budget base airfares don't include luggage. Then there's the cost of traveling to and from the airport while the train plonks you directly in the center of the city. The longest shinkansen trip I made last year was from Hiroshima to Tokyo. 5.5 hours via Kodama/Sakura trains versus 1 hour flight, plus at least 90 minutes to get to and from the airport on each end, check in etc. So, about 1.5 hours saved max. Meh.
Is there anything for kids a little younger say around toddler age that you would recommend? I feel like Disneyland would be a waste might need to wait till they are older and could say the same for Temples would get boring after seeing a couple of them.
Came back recently from Japan. We were looking at going to Disneyland but quickly decided not to with little kids.
We did go to Hirakata park, Osaka and was more than enough for the little ones and myself;)
Another place worth mentioning, we've been to a cple of times, Misaki-koen, Wakayama.
I'd even go further and suggest, play areas in Shopping malls as well as Parks is more than enough. It was for ours(2,4), at least.
Thank you for your reply. How long were you there for and which cities did you visit? Would you say it is pram friendly country?
@sagrules: This particular trip, for me, was 2 wks.
We were based in Osaka. Most notable drives were to Shizuoka and down to Shirahama.
Is japan pram friendly? Yes and No. All depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. We have a Mountain buggy nano and it has served us well over the yrs.
We did have a frustrating experience in and around Tennoji trying to find access to the trains. Lots of stairs, yes. Found it difficult, with sleeping kids, to locate a lift!
We purposely avoid peak travel times on trains as it can get challenging with little ones.
I suppose you'll be heading to Osaka via the bullet train (Shinkansen), you can activate your JR pass for a later date at the JR Pass office. For example, land on the 26th, got to the JR Pass office on the 27th to activate your pass for 1st when you actually need to travel. You can also book your train tickets in advance, so do it the same time you activate your JR pass.
Since you're traveling with 3 kids, I reckon luggage will be an issue. While you can store them at train stations, the lockers are generally with the larger ones quickly taken. Also, it might be worth traveling with medium size suitcases instead of the large ones.
My last trip was Tokyo / Osaka back in Nov. I generally stay at Hotel Century Southern Tower because of the location (next to Shinjuku station) and their rooms are fairly large. However, it's not really a budget accommodation so a lot depends on how much you are willing to spend.
Whirlpool forum's travel section has a really good (and long) thread with regards to itineraries.
Theme park is a nightmare. I did both Disneys and Universal Studio Japan in Osaka (USJ) on the last trip. The queues are massive and you definitely need a game plan if you intend to hit up most of the rides. Express pass for USJ is highly recommended, and definitely read up on strategies for the Disney fast pass system.
Thanks heaps for all of this
We have heard there is a company that sends your bags on to the next hotel and essentially you only travel with one bag with everything you need for the day
Any experience with this ?
Fast pass are the go we here yes !
http://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/scene02.ht…
Yamato, or Kuro-neko (black cat) are a delivery service that can look after you with the travel. You can often find small post offices in airports and train stations. You'll have to look up the location to be sure.
I'd go prepared with a printed letter (as you'll be communicating with a non-english speaking person at the desk), translated in google translate and specific with addresses and phone numbers of where you are staying. Often delivery staff can call a hotel and ask if you are staying there, and confirm details of delivery. You'll get a receipt when you leave your bags with them, and an english-speaking hotel staff can help you if you have any problems. They are a reliable service.
In April last year, we sent 40kg of luggage (2 bags) from Narita to Nagasaki (my front door) for about 6000-7000yen. This was cheaper and more convenient than paying for extra baggage on the next flight we were due to catch. Took about 2 days, but if you are between Tokyo and Osaka for example, I think it would be faster. They can tell you at the counter.
Thanks heaps !! Really great idea the letter
@Bradlev3000: If you've got the letter, they can often write down your details easily, such as the Japanese address for your hotel. All can be found on google maps. It takes me 5 minutes to write my address, but i have it on my card so its more efficient for the staff to care for it.
Yes, while Yamato or Kuo-neko are the company names, the service is called Takkyubin or Ta-Q-Bin. I travelled with 2 kids and the overpacking Mrs and sent 3 pieces of luggage from Osaka to Tokyo. Most hotels can arrange this from the lobby. You need to let them know the check in name and date for the destination hotel and they will sort it out.
Yes my other half will be no doubt over packing but I think we won’t need much other than shorts and t shirts cause it will be so hot !
if you want to save money then take overnight buses between cities.
I use them for tokyo <—> kyoto/osaka.
they take about ~7 hours (depends on the bus service though)
you save a nights accommodation, plus the bus tickets are sometimes on sale ~$20 one way. like this deal
That post also provides instructions on how to book with the Japanese bus booking site (Rakuten)
also travelling from Narita airport in to Tokyo then get the Access Narita bus.
it's 1000yen (~$12.50 ) -half price for kids to 13years- gets you from Narita to Tokyo station by bus - compared to rail which costs minimum 2500yen.
buses leave every 20 minutes. from each terminal.
you pay the bus driver directly (no booking required - and, if it is busy, with frequent buses you only have to wait for the next bus i.e. 20minutes)
here is the website http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
the bus runs on the highway express way (i.e. think autobahn) so no traffic lights. except when you get very near to the destination.
you are subject to the traffic conditions in comparison to rail.
I went from Narita to Tokyo at 9pm and it took 40 minutes. on the return trip (midday) it took 1.5 hours. so if you have a strict deadline then get rail.
though the cheapest rail takes at least 40 minutes as you stop at many stations.
Tokyo at 30c can feel like Australia at 40+ and sweltering. Be prepared. Don't plan too much on paper.