Japan Tour Ideas

[villauk]

5 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

suggest pre-arrange private transfer to Haneda airport to catch your flight, because be expect queuing for taxi. It takes 30 - 40 min travelling time from cruise terminal to Haneda airport.

 

Thanks, I will look into the private transfer option 👍.
 

You have been a great help with all your tour suggestions - thank you.

[monkey@cruise]

@villauk

Hiroshima

Cruise ship dock location:

Hiroshima International Large Cruises Ship Docks (container wharf)
address: 3 Chome-8 Itsukaichiko, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, 731-5161, Japan

Port shuttle drop off at Itsukaichi JR train station / Hiroden-itsukaichi train station.

 

To Itsukushima Jinja Otorii (Grand Torii Gate), Miyajima Island:
https://www.itsukushimajinja.jp/en/
Train from Hiroden-Itsukaichi Station to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station (20 min)
Ferry across to Miyajima: https://jr-miyajimaferry.co.jp/en/   or https://miyajima-matsudai.co.jp/en/

 

To Peace Memorial Park:
Train from Hiroden-Itsukaichi Station to Genbaku Dome-Mae Station (30 min)
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/775/
https://hpmmuseum.jp/?lang=eng
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3400.html
 

[villauk]

9 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

@villauk

Hiroshima

Cruise ship dock location:

Hiroshima International Large Cruises Ship Docks (container wharf)
address: 3 Chome-8 Itsukaichiko, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, 731-5161, Japan

Port shuttle drop off at Itsukaichi JR train station / Hiroden-itsukaichi train station.

 

To Itsukushima Jinja Otorii (Grand Torii Gate), Miyajima Island:
https://www.itsukushimajinja.jp/en/
Train from Hiroden-Itsukaichi Station to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station (20 min)
Ferry across to Miyajima: https://jr-miyajimaferry.co.jp/en/   or https://miyajima-matsudai.co.jp/en/

 

To Peace Memorial Park:
Train from Hiroden-Itsukaichi Station to Genbaku Dome-Mae Station (30 min)
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/775/
https://hpmmuseum.jp/?lang=eng
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3400.html
 

 

So the port shuttle drops off at Hiroden-Itsukaichi station (is this a free service from the ship?) and from there we can catch the train to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, disembark and ferry across to Miyajima? Sounds great.

[monkey@cruise]

56 minutes ago, villauk said:

 

So the port shuttle drops off at Hiroden-Itsukaichi station (is this a free service from the ship?) and from there we can catch the train to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, disembark and ferry across to Miyajima? Sounds great.

The wharf is a container terminal, not a cruise terminal, port authority will arrange free shuttle taking passengers from the wharf to the train station. The ferry terminals are 300 feet from the Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi Station, 10 min crossing time and 10-15 walk to the  Itsukushima Jinja Otorii.

 

Note: For transportation method of payment (train, subway and bus) either cash or IC cards. Mostly accept 1000 yen bank note only.

[villauk]

On 9/19/2023 at 3:22 PM, monkey@cruise said:

 

 

Note: For transportation method of payment (train, subway and bus) either cash or IC cards. Mostly accept 1000 yen bank note only.

 

For Kyoto, do we actually dock in Osaka?

[monkey@cruise]

4 hours ago, villauk said:

For Kyoto, do we actually dock in Osaka?

Cruise ships dock at Osaka Tempozan cruise terminal, nearest subway station Osakako (Chuo Line) is 1300 feet away. 
Train to Kyoto:

- bullet train (Shinkansen) (13 min) departure from Shin-Osaka station (16 km from cruise terminal);
- express train (36 min) depart from Osaka station (11 km from cruise terminal)

[grimpil]

Post cruise we are planning to stay near Narita airport for a few days before flying to Busan (first leg of a south Asian tour). How would you recommend transport from Yokohama cruise port to NRT? Keeping in mind cost is a factor for us... staying in Tokyo proper seems very expensive 

[BruceMuzz]

The fastest, easiest, most comfortable, and possibly one of the least expensive ways to go from Yokohama to Narita Airport is Narita Express.

A taxi from Osanbashi Cruise Terminal to Yokohama Station takes about 15 minutes and is not expensive.

Narita Express takes you from Yokohama Station to Narita Airport in 84 minutes for 4400 yen (about US$30) per person. The train has great luggage storage at each end of each car and also has free WIFI.

From the Narita Terminals you can get a taxi or hotel shuttle to any of the local nearby hotels.

[grimpil]

1 hour ago, BruceMuzz said:

The fastest, easiest, most comfortable, and possibly one of the least expensive ways to go from Yokohama to Narita Airport is Narita Express.

A taxi from Osanbashi Cruise Terminal to Yokohama Station takes about 15 minutes and is not expensive.

Narita Express takes you from Yokohama Station to Narita Airport in 84 minutes for 4400 yen (about US$30) per person. The train has great luggage storage at each end of each car and also has free WIFI.

From the Narita Terminals you can get a taxi or hotel shuttle to any of the local nearby hotels.

Thank you very much... that is so helpful 

[grimpil]

Do you recommend purchasing train tickets ahead of time or just buy them on site (considering language barrier)

[BruceMuzz]

12 hours ago, grimpil said:

Do you recommend purchasing train tickets ahead of time or just buy them on site (considering language barrier)

Every train ticket vending machine in Japan has a button at the top of the screen for English.

Pushing that button converts the entire screen to English.

There is no language barrier.

[micruiser2002]

On 9/17/2023 at 3:18 PM, monkey@cruise said:

Ship paid shuttle drop off near the Shushi Yakukosokusenryokaku Ferry Terminal area (city center).

Where is the information for this?  

[micruiser2002]

On 9/18/2023 at 3:35 PM, villauk said:

 

Thanks, I will look into the private transfer option 👍.
 

You have been a great help with all your tour suggestions - thank you.

I booked on this website with this company.  We are actually going to have them do a 4-5 tour and then drop us at the airport since our flight is not until late afternoon.  https://gowithguide.com/supplier/33482

[micruiser2002]

On 9/20/2023 at 2:44 PM, villauk said:

 

For Kyoto, do we actually dock in Osaka?

I think you need to check your specific sailing.  I believe some ships actually dock 1 day in Kobe and another in Osaka.  It all depends on the ship and sail date.  

[monkey@cruise]

53 minutes ago, micruiser2002 said:

Where is the information for this?  

My friend from Diamond Princess.

[monkey@cruise]

51 minutes ago, micruiser2002 said:

I think you need to check your specific sailing.  I believe some ships actually dock 1 day in Kobe and another in Osaka.  It all depends on the ship and sail date.  

Can travel to Kyoto either from Kobe or Osaka depend on the port time.  If port itinerary specify Kyoto (Osaka),  meaning  extensive port time in Osaka for Kyoto. If using public transportation to Kyoto, is easier from Kobe than from Osaka, especially during morning rush hours.

[micruiser2002]

15 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

Can travel to Kyoto either from Kobe or Osaka depend on the port time.  If port itinerary specify Kyoto (Osaka),  meaning  extensive port time in Osaka for Kyoto. If using public transportation to Kyoto, is easier from Kobe than from Osaka, especially during morning rush hours.

I understand that, I was trying to tell the person who asked the question about if they dock in Osaka that they need to check their specific cruise.

[monkey@cruise]

1 hour ago, micruiser2002 said:

I think you need to check your specific sailing.  I believe some ships actually dock 1 day in Kobe and another in Osaka.  It all depends on the ship and sail date.  

See her post #1:

 

Day 3  | Kobe, Japan

Day 4  | Kyoto (Osaka), Japan

Day 5  | Kyoto (Osaka), Japan

 

Will overnight in Osaka for Kyoto.

[villauk]

8 hours ago, micruiser2002 said:

I booked on this website with this company.  We are actually going to have them do a 4-5 tour and then drop us at the airport since our flight is not until late afternoon.  https://gowithguide.com/supplier/33482

 

Thank you. I’ll drop them an email 👍.

[micruiser2002]

18 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

My friend from Diamond Princess.

Do you have any more information on this?  Price, booking, times?  TY

[hubofhockey]

On 9/20/2023 at 7:16 PM, monkey@cruise said:

Cruise ships dock at Osaka Tempozan cruise terminal, nearest subway station Osakako (Chuo Line) is 1300 feet away. 
Train to Kyoto:

- bullet train (Shinkansen) (13 min) departure from Shin-Osaka station (16 km from cruise terminal);
- express train (36 min) depart from Osaka station (11 km from cruise terminal)

I am seeing on websites that show time from the ship in Osaka  to  subway to train is an hour and 9 minutes to Kyoto.  Our itinerary had a full day in Osake with an overnight and 3 pm departure the next day.  I didn't think that provided enough time to do either city justice.  We decided to spend two nights and two full days in Kyoto before the cruise after spending four nights and three full days in Tokyo.  I wouldn't want to miss Osaka.  Ideally, the stop in Osaka would be longer just for Osaka, but we'll make do with the day and a half.

[villauk]

4 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

I am seeing on websites that show time from the ship in Osaka  to  subway to train is an hour and 9 minutes to Kyoto.  Our itinerary had a full day in Osake with an overnight and 3 pm departure the next day.  I didn't think that provided enough time to do either city justice.  We decided to spend two nights and two full days in Kyoto before the cruise after spending four nights and three full days in Tokyo.  I wouldn't want to miss Osaka.  Ideally, the stop in Osaka would be longer just for Osaka, but we'll make do with the day and a half.

 

Ours has the same itinerary on X. We won’t have the luxury of having extra time to visit Kyoto pre-cruise, only Tokyo, therefore we plan on spending the first day in Kyoto and the second in Osaka. Does anyone have any ideas to what not to miss in either place? We want to maximise our time as best as we possibly can.

[monkey@cruise]

5 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

I am seeing on websites that show time from the ship in Osaka  to  subway to train is an hour and 9 minutes to Kyoto.  Our itinerary had a full day in Osake with an overnight and 3 pm departure the next day.  I didn't think that provided enough time to do either city justice.  We decided to spend two nights and two full days in Kyoto before the cruise after spending four nights and three full days in Tokyo.  I wouldn't want to miss Osaka.  Ideally, the stop in Osaka would be longer just for Osaka, but we'll make do with the day and a half.

I arrived Kyoto last night, hot 86F and humid, do a pre or post cruise stay in Kyoto

[hubofhockey]

On 9/19/2023 at 9:16 AM, villauk said:

 

So the port shuttle drops off at Hiroden-Itsukaichi station (is this a free service from the ship?) and from there we can catch the train to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi, disembark and ferry across to Miyajima? Sounds great.

 

Good info - Just canceled the only Celebrity excursion we had signed up for. Like a fool, I signed up for the Celebrity tour of Miyajima and then realized that we could do the same thing on our own and spend more time on Miyajima island.  The Celebrity cost was $164 for both of us, while a ferry seems to be $54 round trip ($27 per person).  It's an hour each way, so Celebrity was only giving us two hours in total in Miyajima.  We're in port for 9 hours, 1 pm to 10 pm, and was hoping to spend 5 hours there, maybe even an early dinner. 

[hubofhockey]

8 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

 

Good info - Just canceled the only Celebrity excursion we had signed up for. Like a fool, I signed up for the Celebrity tour of Miyajima and then realized that we could do the same thing on our own and spend more time on Miyajima island.  The Celebrity cost was $164 for both of us, while a ferry seems to be $54 round trip ($27 per person).  It's an hour each way, so Celebrity was only giving us two hours in total in Miyajima.  We're in port for 9 hours, 1 pm to 10 pm, and was hoping to spend 5 hours there, maybe even an early dinner. 

 

Reading more on this, best way to see Miyajima is to take a train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima-Gucci Station and then walk five minutes to the ferry port for a 10 minute ferry ride.  The 45 minute ferry that Celebrity uses doesn't run return routes past the 5 pm hour.  The train and 10 minute ferry will run even past when the ship departs.  The Celebrity excursion, with only two hours on the island, kind of leaves you rushing around.  

 

The cruise port to Hiroshima Station is an 8-minute taxi.  Hiroshima Station to Miyajima-Gucci is 28 minutes.  It's a 5 minute walk to the ferry and a 10 minute ferry.  All in all, it's about an hour.  The ship docks at 1 pm and departs at 10 pm.  Should be at Miyajima by 2:30 pm and would leave around 7 for cushion, making for 4.5 to 5.0 hours on Miyajima.