Japan with Kids, Klook Deals and JR Pass

deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 11:08

Does anyone know if there'll likely be a Klook CR increase deal, discount deal on Klook for Japan coming up soon?
Travelling May/June and hoping to get some theme park tickets, JR pass (maybe) so hoping Klook will have a sale to save some $

Does anyone know if Disneyland Tokyo do fast passes or they don't?

Also deciding if a 14 dayJR pass is needed. So far my calculations have indicated no. Travelling Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto back to Tokyo. Thinking of some day trips out of Tokyo and Kyoto to some other places to see if JR pass will make it worthwhile.

Previously have done day trip to Kanazawa without kids. I've done Hiroshima before but overnight stay. How doable is Hiroshima day trip with Miyajama? I've already booked my accommodations so unlikely to change it as we don't want to move hotels often with kids. How about takayama? Any other doable day trips either from Tokyo/Kyoto that would make good use of JR pass or worthwhile to visit? HImeji?

I've been to Japan a few times before and loved the JR pass.

Thanks!

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Comments

  • sumyungguy on 28/03/2023 - 11:24

    Have you been to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea? The attractions aren't really interpreted for english speakers and I felt the experience was somwehat less immersive than the US parks, but this may depend on your kids ages

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 11:34

      I've been about 10yrs ago, and from memory - didn't quite understand what was said especially for the 'story' telling rides haha

      I'd Still love to go back - first time with kids (under 4) so as much as I know they won't remember, they're free to go and we'll just try enjoy the atmosphere, hop on some kids rides, see the parade and make a day out of it.

      • Baa on 28/03/2023 - 16:55

        My personal opinion - I went to Tokyo Disneysnea (with wife) in 2013 and to Disneyland in Anahiem in 2018.

        I think the Disney elements as Tokyo Disney were fine but the lines were bonkers 10 years ago and have heard it is no better, there was a fast past system but that is open to everyone and you essentially had to register at the ride and it would tell you when to come back but could only be used certain times of the day. I believe this has improved somewhat though.

        I did even entertain the thought of linig up for some of the rides due to 2hr+ wait times and I was there in super offpeak. Based on that I would be hesitant to return until my kids are a bit older and can suck it up and wait in line (currently 8. 7 and 1). The Japanese love their lines and Disney is perfect for it.

        I much prefer universal studios, it is more aimed to adults, but being able to purchase a fast pass makes the experience much more enjoyable. I found the foot traffic was nowhere near the Tokyo Disney parks.

        Based on this, I went in thinking I would hate the Anahiem Disneyland but I actually had a really good time, it was busy but not anywhere near the Tokyo levels but also convinced me to never return to Tokyo Disney unless I am under real duress.

    • knobbs on 29/03/2023 - 10:35

      I found Tokyo Disneyland better themed than Anaheim. I love Anaheim and have been 3x but the effort put into the park hardware and appearance in Tokyo is better than Anaheim. It is perhaps slightly less immersive due to non English but I would never say don't go. The rides as well I felt lacked the bang from Anaheim but I loved every minute nonetheless.

  • soan papdi on 28/03/2023 - 11:33
    +2

    How doable is Hiroshima day trip with Miyajama?

    I stayed overnight at Hiroshima and went on a day trip to Miyajima. Definitely doable but this was 10 years back, not sure what has changed since.

    Also deciding if a 14 dayJR pass is needed

    I got a JR Rail pass because I did shinkansen between Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto. That alone was breakeven in terms of cost. However, I got confused about the platforms when going to Hiroshima and missed the train by literally 2 seconds. The train handler put his hand out to stop me from boarding. The JR pass allowed me to get another shinkansen ticket at no cost. That alone will save you a lot of money if you're delayed for reasons out of your control, especially with kids.

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 11:41

      Thanks for reminding me. I went 2017 and 2018 and loved the ease of using the JR pass - even when it's just showing the pass and asking the person which platform to go to was sometimes quicker than me trying to work out which platform I needed to go etc Yes the fact I can easily get another shinkansen ticket at no cost if I missed one or needed to rebook is a pretty good point.

      As for Hiroshima, I read it's only 1.5hrs from Kyoto and best to do Miyajama first then Hiroshima.

    • MrMarket on 28/03/2023 - 13:39
      +1

      it do able but very very tight and you got to get up very early, if you spend time in the Museum reading all the stories and artifacts it would takes several hours just for that

      you enjoy more if you do a day trip each, if you base in Osaka you can do a day trip to Hiro and another day trip to Miyajama catching the bullet train

      • DazMon on 30/03/2023 - 00:07

        Did I just read you right,
        you said catch Shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima for a day trip,
        then another day trip Osaka to Hiroshima to Miyajima?

        • MrMarket on 30/03/2023 - 14:16

          Yes

          if you got JR pass all this travel will be free
          to get free travel to Miyajima, you need to get to Miyajimaguchi station from Hiroshima Station using JR Sanyo line
          then follow the sign to the ferry to the Island from Miyajimaguchi station, don't worry it very easy and there are probably hundreds of other people going in the same direction from the station so just follow the mob

          there are other ferry that takes you to Miyajima around Hiroshima but they are not free cost around $30US - 40US per person from memory so fairly expensive

          • DazMon on 30/03/2023 - 16:36
            +2

            @MrMarket: I've been to Hiroshima/Miyajima 3 times and I find your 'advice' to do 2 separate day trips from Osaka the wackiest thing I've ever heard.
            I understand all about JR Pass, I've used at least 15 of them, I understand whats free, travelling from Osaka twice seems like madness to me.
            Look at a map of Western Japan and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
            Just stay the night in that area rather than travel around Shinkansens.

  • dazweeja on 28/03/2023 - 11:50
    +1

    Some short trips from Tokyo which might be helpful to have a JR Pass: Nikko, Hakone, Yokohama, Mt Takao
    Some short trips from Kyoto/Osaka which might be helpful to have a JR Pass: Nara, Himeji, Kobe

    Himeji castle is impressive but was pretty crowded when we went there (and that was November). Nara and Nikko are both great if you want to see temples but of course there are plenty of those in Kyoto itself. Nara is packed with (over)friendly deer too.

    Also getting round Tokyo on the JR lines, especially the Yamanote/Green line, is pretty convenient.

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 11:58

      Thanks, I think if I add in Hiroshima into my trip - it'll make the 14day pass worthwhile. Won't be saving heaps but would make it more convenient.

      So far it's Tokyo - Osaka - (osaka to Hiroshima and back to Osaka) - Kyoto - Tokyo

      I think this trip with kids we will not be keen on temples (we have been to Nara, Nikko before). I've been to Himeji before also but hubby hasn't so will see. Is there much else to do in Himeji? I figured if we go to Miyajama there'll be deers there too so I can skip Nara (which would have been for the kids…)
      Would have liked to do Hakone again but not sure a day trip is doable.

      • dazweeja on 28/03/2023 - 12:37

        Mt Shosha/Shoshazan Engyoji is pretty interesting. More temples but big wooden ones (seen in Last Samurai) with a cable car going to the top. Unlike the castle, there was practically no-one here and it was quite peaceful.

      • MrMarket on 28/03/2023 - 13:42

        have you booked accommodation? spend all the time you want in Tokyo
        then base your journey from Osaka you can go to most place day trip with bullet train from Osaka and it very enjoyable

        • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 15:00

          Already booked accommodations. Any day trips good from out of Tokyo
          Had to book more nights in Tokyo longer than Kyoto or Osaka

          • MrMarket on 28/03/2023 - 17:10

            @deal01: You can go to Hakone, it got some nice attraction there, your kids will like Hakone Pirate Ship ride

            Tokyo is pretty large and it can easily take a few days to a week there so if you haven't been to Tokyo before
            a nice district to visit in Tokyo is Asakusa, with temples and very relax quiet part of Tokyo, then there is the obvious tourist heavy Shibuya, Shinjuku etc..

            • deal01 on 31/03/2023 - 15:37

              @MrMarket: Thanks. I've been to Japan quite a few times and have done all the touristy places, so happy to just do it slow paced this time with little ones with us. Hakone is a place I'd love to go back to, but can only do a day trip as all accommodation has been booked. We stayed in Kyoto last 2 times and regretted not staying in Osaka instead as kyoto was a bit too quiet at night. However with kids I think Kyoto might be ok to stay in. We are staying in both Osaka and Kyoto this time. Prices were the same for Tokyo/Osaka and Kyoto for us (booked quite in advance) and 2 bedroom family friendly accommodation.

          • MrMarket on 30/03/2023 - 14:23

            @deal01: dont book accommodation in Kyoto it expensive and waste of money
            stayed longer in Osaka(book near Shin-Osaka station so you can hop on and off bullet train without transit from local train) and bullet train to Kyoto using your JR pass it less than 30 min ride

            and don't bother booking with Shinkansen just use un-reserve carts
            so you can turn up any time and rock and roll

            I only ever book Shinkansen if I have large luggage with me and just to be 100% sure I have a seat, day trip never needs to do it

            • em on 30/03/2023 - 15:12

              @MrMarket: With 3 young kids and 3 adults I can see why OP might prefer to reserve seats…

  • altomic on 28/03/2023 - 11:58
    +1

    I've done 3 trips to Japan (2016,2017,2018) with my kids.

    We either did overnight highway buses (cheap) or rental cars.

    the last trip was tokyo —-> bus to Osaka—-> bus to Hiroshima —> bus to Fukuoka —> rental car to Kagoshima —>jetstar flight back to Tokyo.

    I did hiroshima/ miyajima but with a 3 night stay with my kids. it was good to have a whole day at miyajima so we could climb Mount Misen (just remember the last cable car is at ~pm) and walk some of the trails. it's really beautiful around dusk. especially at the base of Mount Misen where some expensive hotels are located. they light up lanterns and the staff come out to greet guests as they arrive.

    make sure your trip to miyajima lines up with low tide so you can walk out to the gate. I have a small piece of the gate plastic coating that was in the mud at its base. I attached a magnet to it and it now lives on my fridge

    I've never bought a JR pass (I lived in Japan for 4 years) as I like to get to a place and spend a few days exploring and wandering aimlessly around the area, check out random shops and streets. there is so much to see in any one area that it is worth taking it slowly.

    JR passes are good if you want to do a whirl wind visit of 2 days here and then a day there, etc. Or if you want to travel significant distances - i.e. Osaka and straight to Hakodate.

  • damo3032 on 28/03/2023 - 12:17
    +1

    Fast passes are kind of available. They are now called "Premier Access", you can only book them when you are inside the park, and I think is limited at one per hour.

    See more here: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/disneypremiera…

    • Caped Baldy on 28/03/2023 - 14:04

      Yup, I was there a month ago and can confirm. It's around 1500 to 2000 yen on the app and you scan your ticket with the app after entering. I think it's worth while as some queues can be over 2 hours.

      There were only two single rider attractions and were super quick.

      • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 14:53

        Would this 2000yen fast pass for all rides ?
        Is it worthwhile if it’s only kids rides we would be doing with the little kids?

        • Caped Baldy on 28/03/2023 - 14:56

          Would this 2000yen fast pass for all rides ?

          no…The price ranged between 1500 to 2000 yen for most rides. So the cost will accumulate.

          Depends on the age of the kids. Rides aimed at kids younger than 10 had shorter queues around 30mins or less. I can't recall if the fast pass was available but it wouldn't be worth it. The app has a map with estimated wait times.

          • john71 on 02/04/2023 - 16:03

            @Caped Baldy: Many of the busiest rides - eg Pooh, Beauty and the Beast - are probably of limited interest to foreigners, however impressive the technical achievements.

            Save the premier access for top-notch stuff like Indiana Jones, Flying and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. I really enjoyed Tower of Terror, too, despite the Japanese dialogue.

  • em on 28/03/2023 - 13:02

    We were in Japan just recently with our two kids (17mo and 4yo) and just did no reserved nozomi from Osaka - Nagoya - Kyoto - Tokyo. Probably spent a small fortune but reducing the time spent on trains was great. I also looked at 'Kodama Platt' but you need to buy the tickets ahead of time. There's also another cheap option, Kintetsu railways, which is good for the Osaka/Kyoto sections, from memory. Have a look at those options as well.

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 13:15

      Thanks, how did the kids go on the trains and keeping still ? youngest would be about 19 months, oldest nearing 4.
      I'll look into those options as well

      Anywhere you'd recommend taking the kids that you found great?

      • em on 28/03/2023 - 13:29
        +2

        If you get to Nagoya for Ghibli park, my 4yo went to the Science Museum there twice and still asked to go back again (we were there for the Nagoya marathon) and it also has legoland near by - we didn't get there but it sounds fun.

        The other big hits for us were Asobono! in Tokyo, as well as Ueno park zoo (we hired an extra stroller there which made life easier). It was super cheap to get in. The food is shocking though so make sure to bring snacks. There's also a little playground next to the lake. There were a few train museums which we didn't make it to, but the fire museum and the toy museum in Shinjuku were fantastic. The toy museum especially, the kids got to play with heaps of toys, make things and in general have a lot of fun running wild, so that was great. We did those museums on the same day.

        Senso-ji was pretty good, plenty of food options around and the kids found space to play. We also went up to Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, as well as a quick look at Fushimi Inari but didn't get to explore much. We missed out on the bamboo grove which I'd love to do next time but apparently it also gets quite crowded - the crows often made it hard for the kids to do much.

        We took a Baby Jogger City Tour 2 (can be stowed in airplane cabin so can use it up to the gate) and a baby carrier that is rated up to 20kilos and we used both for both kids at different times.

        Try to find supermarkets near where you're staying - convenience store fruit/veggies etc is pretty woeful. We spent much more on accommodation compared to usual, so that we had more space for the kids to run around. Mimaru is quite a good chain, we stayed at the one in Okachimachi in Tokyo, near Ueno. If you want good Aussie type coffee, check out SHI TEN coffee nearby.

        The trains were fine. Because we used non reserved, we just turned up and took the next train if the current one was too full. I sent hubby straight on board to nab a 3 in a row seat, then we stored the stroller once we had the seats. Once there was no 3 seater but someone ended up offering us their row (they were the only one) so it was fine. We saved the iPad for train travel, my youngest is entranced by Gecko's Garage (on Netflix, I downloaded an episode before we left and that lasted us the whole way).

        Kyoto bus travel is really convenient from a family perspective - no need to go up and down elevators. Tokyo less so as they can be much more packed. We found having the stroller on board the train really helped for the subway etc because it meant that there was always a safe space for the toddler, and I usually parked it next to the seats and sat my preschooler on the seat next to it since he didn't need much leg room. Luckily we were mostly travelling after peak in the morning but trains can sometimes be busy regardless of the time!

        My preschooler hated walking so much so got carried a lot, or went in the stroller while toddler got carried. Something to think about - you might want to sacrifice convenience and just bring a double stroller. I'd find an inline one if possible so you can still get through ticket gates relatively easy. What are you thinking of bringing?

        In general, we didn't get a lot done. I used tabelog to check out restaurants - if it said 'Kids welcome' then we'd check it out. We also did meals at Saizeriya, Jonathans and Dennys (once each) just to take off some of the mental load of trying to keep the kids quiet as these are family restaurants. We also had a few dinners in the hotels (again, good to find a larger hotel room with cooking facilities).

        We used Takkyubin to forward luggage to the next hotel, just taking a couple of overnight backpacks with us each time. Made logistics much easier.

        • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 14:38

          Thanks so much for this! I don't think we will get to go to Ghibli park but aiming for the Ghibli museum instead

          Great! I'll put Asobono on the list. I heard mixed reviews about ueno zoo - but we are staying closeby so will see how we go. Fire museum and toy museum is on my list already :)
          Glad to hear you had a good experience with mimaru. We are also staying at Mimaru - ueno okachimachi one. Before kids we stayed in shoebox sized hotels but with 3 little ones - mimaru is great. Was supermarket close by etc? I remember the woeful fruit/veggie situation when I last went. Thanks for the coffee tip!

          Kiyomizu-dera is a must for us - so taking the kids early morning. Bamboo forest was great last time I went so I think we will have to try get there early to try avoid heavy crowds. We won't be attempting many temples as we've done them a few times before.

          We have 2 x 19month olds plus 3 yo so it'll be a juggle. I have a babyzen yoyo and borrowing another so taking 2. Also 2 x carriers. Taking my mum with us so at least 1 adult per child will make our trip more doable.

          With Takkyubin - did you book through mimaru or organise yourself? How far advance will this need to be? We would definitely need to use this a few times esp moving from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto and back to Tokyo

          Thanks so much

          • em on 28/03/2023 - 14:52

            @deal01: Yes the zoos and aquariums can have fairly small cages which sucks, but Ueno zoo is huge with so many different animals.

            I have a couple of tips re supermarkets near that hotel - downstairs B1 in the Matsuzakaya/Parco there is a supermarket. There's also one downstairs where the Uniqlo/fish market is. There's also another one in the same building as the Daiso, if you go across the train line and highway to the playground that is nearby - this is the playground, our kids visited most mornings: https://goo.gl/maps/usqFn8KSnfG6J7bz8 - Daiso/supermarket: https://goo.gl/maps/vpMBWKvWNvRPjM8t5

            Oh and I only found nappies at one location nearby - but luckily they stocked a whole heap (my 17mo outwet the large merries overnight but we usually have good luck with pampers FYI) - drugstore: https://goo.gl/maps/Y44FfhSWDFJxyVo69

            Also on ground floor at the Parco is an amazing kakigori place that is well worth checking out. It is expensive but the best one we had. The dorayaki place across the road from the hotel is great but they have an amazing cafe (Usagi-ya) just down the side street from the hotel that sells classic Japanese sweets like dorayaki and kakigori. Again not overly cheap but really nice and relaxing for an early afternoon after you've been out on adventures.

            We mostly booked takkyubin through our hotel but Rinn Gion Kenninji refused- however we could book it at the 7-11 down the road, so if you can't book it at a hotel then there's usually another nearby option. We always did it the morning we checked out, and had it set to arrive the next day, but I think you can play around with it, for example do it the night before you check out so hopefully it will be waiting for you when you arrive in the next location. Generally I asked the staff to write the name and address of our next hotel in kanji. The first place we stayed they got me to fill out the address, but I did it in English and there was a bit of confusion. The luggage still ended up at our hotel luckily…

            If you are going to Ghibli Museum, consider Inokashira park, it sounds like the zoo there is really good.

            Kiyomizu-dera was good but the approach is REALLY hard with kids - remember how much uphill there is! We struggled (although it was only a couple of days after my marathon which didn't help!)

            Good idea on taking two strollers. Nothing more miserable than carrying kids around all day, haha. Or the preschooler deciding they are 'done' and just collapsing in a heap in the middle of a busy street.

            There's also a don quixote just up the street from the hotel, as well as heaps of different train lines. It's so well connected. We caught the Skyliner to Narita at the end of the trip and it's around a 600m walk up the street from the hotel to the Keisei Ueno station. Not cheap, but quick and fairly easy. Next time I'll probably book to leave from Haneda, but this time I use flight rewards and didn't have a choice.

            • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 15:55

              @em: Thanks for all the supermarket tips! will definitely come in handy. Plan to use the Mimaru kitchenette quite often to prepare some meals for the kids (allergies)
              Also handy to know about the playground, simple things that will make them happy.
              We plan on bringing own nappies but with 2 x 19month old that's like a luggage full!
              We are staying with mimaru the whole trip at different destinations so hopefully I can get them to sort out the lugguage forwarding for me. They've been really good at communicating and assisting with bedrails and other things we need for our stays.

              Kiyumizudera - I got engaged there (so vividly remember going there so so early in the morning and the steep walk) but to our surprise only a few pple were there so it was so special. All our photos had barely anyone in it. just thought it would be special to bring our kids there just to see it and will try for early morning and maybe just bring carriers with us.

              Love don quixote! I've never stayed in ueno before so will be a new experience. We are going to do bus limousine I think. We fly in late night and we don't think it's feasible to take trains with luggage and sleepy kids.

              • em on 28/03/2023 - 16:02

                @deal01: Take a chance on the pampers (or order some on Amazon to trial before you go) we've found the pull up style really good! Although I guess you can just make use of the space on the way back to pack more souvenirs. Mimaru staff were really kind. They don't provide razors for some reason, but they have the usual toothbrushes etc. My husband got caught out about the razors haha.

                • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 16:07

                  @em: Got lots of pampers the last time Amazon had a big sale - don’t mind them. Under 30 c each. Using rascal and friends overnight. Did they work out to be cheap in Japan?
                  Speaking of nappy pants haven’t found many sales not even Amazon for a while now (def nothing under 30c for nappy pants)

                  • em on 29/03/2023 - 13:07

                    @deal01: We brought heaps of nappies and only had to buy a bag once in Japan, I tried out the Merries brand as it gets good reviews but my 17 month old wet through every time we used one overnight. They were fine during the day. The price was 1280yen for the bag and some other brands were only 980yen but I don't remember the specific price for the Pampers!

          • john71 on 02/04/2023 - 16:14

            @deal01: Good luck getting tickets for Ghilbi. I managed to snag our online but they tend to go fast. You can pay somebody in Japan - whether a tour company or an entrepreneur on Fiverr - to get them for you.

            We found Ghilbi a bit of a waste of time for younger children. I loved it and dumped the kids at the giant fluffy cat bus (you’ll see what I mean).

  • Muffinman01 on 28/03/2023 - 14:26
    +1

    Muffinwoman and I did a Japan trip in 2018. We used Osaka as a base for a day trip to Hiroshima including Miyajama. It was around 1.5h on the Shinkansen, then we spent a few hours looking around Hiroshima. It was then about another half hour from there to Miyajimaguchi Station, and about half an hour on the ferry to Miyajama from memory. We deliberately timed our trip so that we were at Miyajama for sunset, then got back to Osaka around 9pm from memory, which might not be the best with young kids. Definitely doable, but a long day.

    • TasJacks on 31/03/2023 - 13:25

      thanks Muffinman, was planning to do Hiroshima and Miyajima same day but everyone said no. Happy to go early in the morning via Shinkansen (Osaka). Did you see any deers? Did you do the Mt Misen cable car at all or some shopping/eating around?

      • Muffinman01 on 31/03/2023 - 21:38

        We saw plenty of deer on Miyajama (they were everywhere), but were there wasn’t much open for shopping and eating around that I remember. We didn’t do the cable car, from memory most of what was on the island (around the ferry terminal at least) was closed or closing. Our timing didn’t give much of a chance to fully explore the island, but depending on your timing you could make it work.

  • dtc on 28/03/2023 - 15:11
    +2

    put your trips into the JR pass calculator https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

    in short - 14 day pass wont pay off for Tokyo - Osaka - Tokyo, even with some side trips. However a 7 day pass is pretty much break even and you can add side trips (but of course need to do all of the 'outside Tokyo' travel within that 7 days ie leave and return within 7 days)

    A 14 day pass will (just) pay off if you add Hiroshima to your trip and will dpay off if you include side trips (Nikko, Nara, Himeji etc). Places like Yokohama or Mt Takao arent really worth adding into the calculations because they are pretty cheap eg Y800 return to Mt Takao, Y620 return to Yokohama. Obviously if you have a pass use it and save some money, but often the JR trains (which are the only ones you can use the pass on) are not the most direct/shortest route anyway.

    You could save a small amount, if it worked for you, by getting this pass https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_kansai_hiroshima.html (Y15,000) and paying separately for the Osaka/tokyo trains (Y28,000 return) - saves around Y4000 over the 14 day JR Pass. But it does restrict your side trips to the 5 day period of the pass.

    Takayama isnt really a day trip - 3hrs each way from Kyoto. Nara is a great side trip so long as the deer dont freak out the kids. Himeji is good as well but it gets very busy so if you cant get there first thing its a pain - a lot of people just stop over on the way to Hiroshima, wander around the outside for an hour, and back on the train (but not as a day trip, you are then making for a very long day). However between Osaka and Kyoto plus Nara there is more than enough to keep you occupied for a week or more, no need for side trips.

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 15:40

      Yes true that my original plan of Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo won't pay off the 14 day pass….If I add in Hiroshima which I think we will with some other side trips then it'll make even. I guess I liked the idea of having it as gives me flexibility to book, add trips and in case I miss the train by a minute (with kids).

      We had to book extra days in Tokyo so wondering if any good day trips out of Tokyo instead as we have some days spare in Tokyo.

      • dtc on 28/03/2023 - 16:53

        People often say Nikko is a good day trip, but its 2.5hrs each way once you get to Tokyo station (or Asakusa) and that seems excessive to me (and if you uses the JR pass then part of it is by local train so not even that comfortable). Overnight is much better - great place to try out an onsen/ryokan. If you dont mind 2.5 hrs each way then Matsumoto is also an option

        Hakone can be done as a day trip or Mt Fuji, so long as you understand you wont be able to see/do everything, and its still a fair bit of travel.

        Kamakura is a great day trip from Tokyo, so recommend that. Even if you are templed out after Kyoto, its a nice walk and the statue is impressive. Kawagoe perhaps. Karuizawa if you need somewhere for the kids to let off some energy, stick them on a bike and send them through the forest (although Shinjuku Gyoen (gardens) is excellent for energy busting and much closer; also Yoyogi Park).

        Dont ignore the 'outer' parts of Tokyo eg Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Kichijoji, Shibamata - just if you want something a little bit different

        • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 19:36

          Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve done jam packed itinerary like day trip to Nikko and Kanazawa in 2018. I did hakone and Mt Fuji a few times and preferred hakone but we stayed overnight.
          I haven’t done kamakura so that would be an option.
          Also haven’t been to the shinjuku Gyoen gardens before even though stayed right near it last time. Hoping to go this time as now with kids I’ll need to find slower paced activities to do.

          • meowmeowmeow on 28/03/2023 - 21:55

            @deal01: Kawagoe is a nice day trip from Tokyo and is a lot less crowded, maybe less overwhelming for the kids. Went there in 2019 and didn't see any other non Japanese people all day! Mount Takao is also great but one of the activities involves a bit of hiking, so maybe not with the kids. The area itself is nice though, could just do the chairlift to the top and go to the restaurant rather than hike.

  • yoonibear on 28/03/2023 - 16:25

    Doable, but I'd recommend staying overnight on Miyajima, we stayed at a ryokan and both wife and I loved it. We left Kyoto at about 730AM and arrived at Hiroshima around 930AM, explored the area till about 4PM then went to Miyajima and stayed overnight. Personally, I would stay the extra 1-2 nights - imo the best part about our Japan trip was having no places to visit and just walking around and exploring.

    • deal01 on 28/03/2023 - 16:30

      Thank you. would have loved to stay overnight as well (if it was just hubby and I) but with 3 kids moving luggage often isn't ideal. I might just do 1 day Miyajama and 1 day hiroshima depending on how we go.

      • dtc on 28/03/2023 - 17:00
        +1

        Ask your hotel in Osaka if they will store luggage, take enough for 2 nights then come back to Osaka for a night or two.

        Or ta-q-bin luggage transport - depending on your plans, send luggage from Osaka to Tokyo, while you go to Hiroshima with one suitcase or whatever. Then travel back to Tokyo and your luggage is already there.

        Or: there are luggage storage places in Hiroshima station. Arrive at the station, store most of your luggage at the station and just take what you need for the few days. When you get back to the station pick it up and hop on the train

        Lots of options

        Btw: the G7 summit is being held in Hiroshima May 18 to 22. I would avoid at least 3 days on either side of that if possible and absolutely do not go there during the summit.

        • TasJacks on 31/03/2023 - 13:16

          Thanks for the summit tip dtc.

  • AustriaBargain on 28/03/2023 - 17:03

    My pro tip would be make sure you don't mistake your hotel room's foyer for your entire hotel room, like the Hill and Simpson family did when they went to Japan. They only realised their mistake on their last day when they could have been enjoying their entire hotel room the whole time! I think the Simpson family did it first, so the Hill family probably just copied their joke..

  • spychiatrist on 30/03/2023 - 01:11
    1. Based in Osaka.

    1- USJ: Didn't enjoy much. Queue was long, hours long. Entertainment in Japanese. Harry Potter wasn't bad though.
    2- Sanrio Puroland: Your kids might enjoy it.
    3- Overnight bus to Kyoto then Tokyo. Didn't sleep on the bus. Not ideal for your kids.
    4- Tokyo Disneyland: see 1.
    5- Hiroshima sidetrip Mazda museum.
    6- Overnight bus to Osaka

    Overnight buses are cheap, you sort of save in accommodation, but your back won't like you. Plenty of stopvers though that made the trip interesting.

    • DazMon on 30/03/2023 - 08:04

      Those overnight buses are hard, we gave up on them long ago.

    • em on 30/03/2023 - 11:13

      Agree, we didn't go to Disneyland this time as the kids are just too young to enjoy/appreciate it. We will go again in 5-10 years. The cost to get in is prohibitive when thinking about how much enjoyment they (and we) will get out of it.

    • deal01 on 30/03/2023 - 19:20

      Thanks for the ideas. We have booked accommodation like 6 months ago so if we had to change that up now, prices are now 3x that now. So working with what we have now.
      Hubby and I are wanting to do USJ - won’t be taking the kids for the fact queues are long and overwhelming for them. However I still plan on Disneyland Tokyo.
      Won’t consider overnight buses as itll be too tricky with kids

  • TasJacks on 31/03/2023 - 13:37

    Anyone "in the know" about upcoming Klook JR Pass and USJ CR sales? Same boat as deal01

    • deal01 on 31/03/2023 - 15:39

      I'm still hoping something will come up in the next few weeks. I did read somewhere about perhaps click frenzy in May sometime - but that might be cutting it fine esp for USJ tickets etc

  • SydneySwan on 12/05/2023 - 18:40

    I notice on Klook site that you cannot use Klook GCs for individual train journeys but can you use them to buy a JR pass?

  • deal01 on 16/05/2023 - 10:15

    Somehow today I did a search on klook on CR and even the 3.5% seemed to have gone…..

    • em on 24/05/2023 - 13:47

      Have you already left for your holiday?

      • deal01 on 24/05/2023 - 14:56
        +1

        not yet! next week! so excited - but not for the rain to come so having to shuffle plans and be flexible :)

        • em on 25/05/2023 - 14:08

          Enjoy! I was glad to miss rainy season :)

          • DazMon on 25/05/2023 - 19:27

            @em: I've got 4 weeks to go.

          • deal01 on 19/06/2023 - 23:07

            @em: Reporting back from Japan. Rain only disrupted 2 days of our 2week trip so wasn't too bad and we had indoor activity planned for those days. When it rained, it really rained the whole day!
            Managed with strollers and carriers. Strollers did help a great deal but we needed to add extra time to find those elevators/escalators. Pampers were great and cheaper and found them everywhere.
            We covered a lot (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) and managed Hiroshima day trip (covering Miyajama) and had to just eat lunch on the go. Hakone day trip was fabulous - enjoyed the open air museum a lot, saw Mt Fuji.
            Disneyland was wonderful - 3 under 4yo all loved it and we all had a great time and enjoyed rides, parade and food. A lot mentioned it might not be enjoyable, kids won't remember/too young etc - we loved it. We went on rides, express passed beauty and the beast, and just lowered expectations. Kids may not remember it later on, but the looks of excitement on their faces was priceless.
            We got Ghibli museum tickets - we enjoyed it more than the kids.
            Did USJ - loved it also. Only took the 4yo and had the best day - go early to SNW if you're keen and be done with rides and the cafe by midday to enjoy the rest of the park.
            Exchange rate is getting so much better!
            Can confirm free atm withdrawal at 7/11 bank with Citibank card

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