Two weeks in Japan...Where should I stay?

[adllewis]

Around early May, Im going to be visiting Japan for two weeks with my fiance. Ive been all over the world to the places shes wanted to see and now Im finally getting my vacation!

My question is really how close the major cities are..

Id like to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, Kamakura, and Sapporo just off the top of my head. The only problem is, it seems like its roughly a 2h30m train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Price doesnt matter so much since were going to be getting JR passes, but my fiance doesnt want to put up with that commute just to see kyoto a couple days. I suppose its always possible to just get a room in Kyoto for a few days and that might be what we end up doing, but I was just trying to cut the number of different hotels down to a minimum.

So I guess my question just boils down to is there any city inbetween that could function as a good homebase for traveling between Tokyo, Kyoto, Fuji, and Kamakura? I know were going to have to get a different room when we go up to Sapporo for a few days so thats no big deal.

Also, Ive heard that the vast train network has made traveling through Japan easier but how easy is it really? I mean do you pretty much just have a free reign with a JR pass ( aside from a couple trains on the tokaido and sanyo lines )?

Thanks,
-Adam

[ArmandV]

Around early May, Im going to be visiting Japan for two weeks with my fiance. Ive been all over the world to the places shes wanted to see and now Im finally getting my vacation!
My question is really how close the major cities are..
Id like to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, Kamakura, and Sapporo just off the top of my head. The only problem is, it seems like its roughly a 2h30m train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Price doesnt matter so much since were going to be getting JR passes, but my fiance doesnt want to put up with that commute just to see kyoto a couple days. I suppose its always possible to just get a room in Kyoto for a few days and that might be what we end up doing, but I was just trying to cut the number of different hotels down to a minimum.
So I guess my question just boils down to is there any city inbetween that could function as a good homebase for traveling between Tokyo, Kyoto, Fuji, and Kamakura? I know were going to have to get a different room when we go up to Sapporo for a few days so thats no big deal.
Also, Ive heard that the vast train network has made traveling through Japan easier but how easy is it really? I mean do you pretty much just have a free reign with a JR pass ( aside from a couple trains on the tokaido and sanyo lines )?
Thanks,
-Adam

I think that your the minimum number of hotels would be 3 or 2. If you don't mind commuting between Tokyo to Fuji and Kamakua, you can see those and stay in Tokyo. But, an alternative could be to stay in Tokyo for just your Tokyo excursions and stay in Atami for visits to Fuji, Kamakura and, may I suggest, Hakone. Then, you can go to Kyoto to see the sights there (you can also take a 2 hour train ride to Hiroshima from there).

The train system is quite easy to navigate once you have good maps and schedules (in English). The JR staff has always been helpful to me with a lot of friendly courtesy.

[vorpar]

JR pass allows you to take any JR train except the two fastest shinkansen. Can even use it for most trains that navigate central Tokyo.

Kyoto is about 3.5 hours from Tokyo. Fuji should be a long day trip from Tokyo, and Sapporo (I think) should take 8 hours or more from Tokyo.

Hiroshima, Nara, and Osaka are very close to Kyoto, esp. with the bullet train.

[Amos]

The only problem is, it seems like its roughly a 2h30m train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Price doesnt matter so much since were going to be getting JR passes, but my fiance doesnt want to put up with that commute just to see kyoto a couple days. I suppose its always possible to just get a room in Kyoto for a few days and that might be what we end up doing, but I was just trying to cut the number of different hotels down to a minimum. -Adam


Get a hotel. It's worth the trip and worth spending at least 2 days there. It's no hassle booking hotels on the internet before you go. I can't believe that you are planning your dream trip and are thinking of not going somewhere just to cut the number of hotels down. Travelling on the trains is simple, just don't take the Nozomi class shinkansen cos your rail pass doesn't cover travel on it. Stick to the Hikari. If you type in japan rail on google you can go to it's website and get all the tips you need (including timetables).

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

It may be the subject and a different opinion.
If I visit Japan in May,
You recommend that you travel to Tohoku region and Hokkaido.
In this area,
The reason is because a cherry tree blooms in May.
http://weather.livedoor.com/cherry/select_100.html

Kakunodate of Akita,
A drooping cherry tree of a samurai residence.
Lake Tazawa-ko,
Shizukuishicho, Iwate, a Koiwai farm
http://www.hankyu-travel.com/guide/tohoku/kakunodate.html
http://www9.plala.or.jp/mont/sakura102.jpg

Hokkaido Hidakacho Shizunai
http://www.hokkai.or.jp/shizunai/event/sakuramaturi-1.htm
http://www.hokkai.or.jp/shizunai/event/412-sakura-2.jpg

[Glenski]

Early May? Exactly when? Golden Week is the first week in May, and you will find lodging hard to come by, and transportation (trains and planes, mostly) to be jammed.

[ArmandV]

Early May? Exactly when? Golden Week is the first week in May, and you will find lodging hard to come by, and transportation (trains and planes, mostly) to be jammed.

Besides that, they raise prices. I would make reservations as early as you possibly can. Last year, I went a week before Golden Week and prices were already being raised. This year, I plan on going earlier to avoid this.