Sure you can ask! My husband really wants to go on the Nozomi route, so we will in one direction but I think Hikari is a little cheaper so I assumed we'd do that on the way back. I did think the difference would be more substantial though! We are not getting a rail pass because every time I go to look up how to get where we want to go the quickest routes or lines that are suggested aren't covered under it anyway. Fuji 5th station, Yoshino, Hakone, and again the Nozomi don't seem to be covered... We'd get a two week pass if we got one since we will be there April 2nd (we depart the 1st but get in late on the 2nd) and leave on the 16th but then it's even harder to justify. It will end up costing us more but for our sanity we'd rather just be able to pick the quickest trains with less transfers without worry we are on a wrong train/have to top up. I have never heard of Hyperdia...? It's been 12 or so years since I've been to Japan and things are certainly complicated if not downright impossible (my husband is crushed that he can't ride the Maglev if its running the day we go since we aren't Japanese), the Ryokans in Yoshino were sold out before they became available on the english website and getting the reservation for Miracosta harbor view was a teeth grinder as they kept changing the rules as the window was going to open for us. 6 months out became 5 became impossible due to credit card issues until we got a master card that would work, then I stalked the site until one happened to open up. The only way to get Ghibli Museum tickets ahead of time was to go through an agent here that added a $14 handling fee to it. >_>
Was it through JTB or somewhere else for Ghibli? I am debating if I will go that route or just see if a friend can get the tickets for me. Last trip it was closed. ~.~
I understand about the Nozomi being much faster and more convenient. I'm particularly frustrated with the fact I can't use the Mizuho from Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka because it would be so much more convenient, but for me the savings vs not having a pass are substantial. But yes, the price difference for a reserved seat on a Nozomi vs. Hikari is only 400 yen per person, and personally for less than $8 I would just Nozomi both ways. You can make the transfer to Odawara from Shin Osaka via Hikari, but I'm not sure how that works with your plans. We stayed 2 nights in Hakone last time. It rained a lot though the hydrangeas were gorgeous. I would go back, but only if Owakudani was fully open. Right now, it is not.
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Hyperdia. I was given the website by a JET friend in 2005. It comes in handy for plotting the best method to get from one location to the next as long as it doesn't involve buses. (I was once trying to get from Tsuroka to Yamagata and while there are JR trains, the highway bus is much faster and runs more often.) It will give you fares as well. So for example, from JR Shinjuku, it recommends taking the Yamanote Line to Osaki and then continuing to Shinagawa to catch the shinkansen vs. going to Tokyo Station because it is faster.
I spent some time on the Japan-Guide forums, and while I don't always agree with them (they're very into staying as cheap as possible) they helped me reorganize my vacation last year so I only needed to get a 1 week pass, but still got in a lot of travel. I'm probably doing that again this trip. I just know, I'm not going to be making lots of expensive day trips from Tokyo because all involve 1+ hour worth of travel and I just don't think that makes sense for us. (Now if I was on my own....) I might possibly go to Hakone again, but I would be paying out of pocket as a day trip from Tokyo after my pass is over. I've also thought about taking her to Nikko. I went in 2000.
It makes sense you couldn't get Yoshino during your dates, you're there for cherry blossom season and that is the season for Yoshino. I'm having an easier time with most bookings because June is off season for hotels, though I am getting hammered on airfare since all the ex-pats go back when US schools ends. I've not gone to Yoshino because I never seem to hit cherry blossoms full on. I got close to peak in Fukuoka, Kakunodate, and Hirosaki, but I was specifically cherry blossom chasing.
It is a 12 minute walk from Shinjuku station or 6 minutes from Higashi-Shinjuku - it's just to the east of it above the park. In Osaka we are staying close at the Namba Oriental Hotel so yes, we'll have to transfer. We're fine with stairs even if the luggage is large and heavy.... it should only be a few flights of them anyway. I've warned my husband about the tight corridors and such and we've hit snags like these in Europe and laughed them off. I will be floored if I don't get lost at least a few times in Japan because heaven knows I did several times on my first two trips.
If it was me going to Namba, I would just catch the Midousuji line outside Shin-Osaka station and take that to Namba vs. changing in JR Osaka station. It might cost a little bit more, since you would get to Osaka/Umeda for free with your shinkansen ticket, but I think the transfer at Shin-Osaka is easier with bags. There are lots of escalators vs walking through lots of crowds in Osaka. If you day trip to Kyoto, then I would definitely go through Osaka. Are you planning to get a Suica/Pasmo card? I have one for me, but need to get a special one for my daughter this trip so that she only pays the child fare. I think Namba is a really fun area to stay in.
Double checked to make sure I'm not crazy and it looks like Delta gives EVERYONE a free checked bag to Japan - 50 lbs or less. We got comfort for the better seat & legroom (my husband needs it on the long hauls) so no harm no foul. A second bag would be $40 so I don't think we'll buy an extra one or anything... whatever it is beyond that to ship if absolutely necessary I'll consider a convenience fee and I'd be fine with a slow boat shipping method. We fill up the iPad with whatever movies & shows we want so I've never thought to check for the different ones airlines show..! We really wanted to try ANA since they have 787s but it was more expensive to stopover in SFO and ride one for us... Delta has a nonstop flight that is much cheaper, even with the comfort seat surcharge.
I totally understand paying more for more legroom. I did that going to Japan and almost did that going home last trip. My daughter brings her tablet with lots of movies and TV shows, but I find I enjoy getting to watch something different and it's something I look forward to. We can get directs on JAL/ANA as long as we drive to NYC. I use to mostly do United because I had a lot of miles with them, but now they mostly use Newark so I don't fly with them often.
If I was traveling alone or with a small child I would do the same...! It does help to have four adult arms to do the heavy lifting where needed. That trip sounds fabulous!
Thanks, so does yours. I am so jealous you will be there soon and for sakura season. Someday, I would love to perfectly hit it like you are.
I got to go to Miyajima the last time we were in Japan, and its such a pretty place..! Both airbnbs do have elevators and are entire apartments so we'll have a kitchen we likely won't use and a bathroom to ourselves. We stayed with a friend last time that only had stairs as you say though so I definitely know what you mean..! He has since moved back to the states though so no such luck this time. Taking turns in the elevator won't be a problem - I just hope we don't annoy any of our neighbors. I've cautioned my husband about some things like speaking more quietly in the room and not eating/drinking while walking but... he thinks I worry too much even at home so we'll see how it works out. ^^;
I'm awful and eat while walking even though I know I shouldn't. It's just so hard because it's part of NY culture. lol I am always trying to explain to my daughter why we don't put feet on seats if we have shoes on and how rude it is. I use to stay with my 2 friends in JET in Wakayama-ken, but they are both in the US now too and I couple of time stayed with a few other friends who had larger spaces. I do have friends in Japan, but most have tiny studios and it just seems like an imposition. Usually I try to make the effort to see them since they have work and can't travel as easily as me.
I went to Miyajima a few times, but the last time I went I fell on Mt. Misen and hurt myself. This trip we are not going up the ropeway and will just feed the deer, see the main shrine and buy some momiji cookies. I thought about staying there overnight, but all the ryokan I liked best were more than I wanted to pay. lol It also just made it hard to get back to Osaka at a reasonable time. My daughter is fascinated with Itsukushima because it's part of the Japan pavilion at Epcot. I am hoping to use that to go to Horyuji in Nara as well.
Are you going to an onsen?
Since you've not been to Japan in a while, do you know if your cell phone works in Japan? I would highly recommend finding out and finding out roaming charges as well and if not renting a smartphone/sim card. I have found it really helps to be able to use Google Maps when I need to find something in Japan. I was trying to walk from Kitano Tenan-gu to Kinkakuji and it was nice being able to see how we were doing. I also used it when going from dinner back to my hotel in Kyoto when I didn't want to take the subway. It might be rather helpful in finding your way around Tokyo and to your accommodations. I know if I set up my roaming, my phone works in Japan and it is surprisingly not all that expensive. I called my husband several times. I also used an app that helped with translation. It came in handy when my daughter left a beloved shrine charm in a shop in Arashiyama.