Travelling in Japan for a Month at Christmas

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Spintriae

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I'm an Australian who is going to be in Japan for a month between December 15th and Jan 12th. I just have a few questions that I was wondering if anyone here could answer.

1. If I bought a JR Rail pass for 21 days and a second one for 7 days, would it be okay to redeem the second 7-day one a week before I leave so I can continue travelling?

2. Also, a JR Rail pass means you get free travel, right? Not, free as in not-paying but free as in pre-paid with the pass, correct?

3. Will I be okay with jeans in the Winter? I want to travel around Hokkaido in the last week of my trip, and need to know if I'll need a pair of ski pants just in case.

4. I am being very lax with getting my itinery down concrete (It's almost November and I still haven't decided about the exact dates and times), and I do want to book some hostels in advance before I go over there, but was also wondering, if I get stuck in a city because I miss a train or whatnot, how are the hostels during the Christmas season if you just rock up and ask if they have any beds free?

5. I'm pretty much trying to fit in as much as possible while I'm there, and will be landing in KIX, going East to Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, then coming back to the Kyoto /Nagano/Tokyo etc area, then heading North to Sapporo and hopefully Kushiro and Shiretoko before returning South and flying out of KIX again. Any must-sees you recommend?

Thank you in advance.
 
Spintriae said:
I'm an Australian who is going to be in Japan for a month between December 15th and Jan 12th. I just have a few questions that I was wondering if anyone here could answer.
1. If I bought a JR Rail pass for 21 days and a second one for 7 days, would it be okay to redeem the second 7-day one a week before I leave so I can continue travelling?
2. Also, a JR Rail pass means you get free travel, right? Not, free as in not-paying but free as in pre-paid with the pass, correct?
3. Will I be okay with jeans in the Winter? I want to travel around Hokkaido in the last week of my trip, and need to know if I'll need a pair of ski pants just in case.
Click to expand...

1. Yes. I believe you have 90 days from the date of purchase (of the voucher) to redeem it. You can specify the date you want the pass to begin upon arrival, if you wish.

2. Not free-free (since you paid for the voucher). But it is unlimited use on JR trains and bullet trains. For the bullet trains, it is best to reserve your seat with the pass ahead of time. On regular commuter JR trains, just go to the little office at the gate and show them your pass and they'll let you through.

3. It might be best to bring along some long-johns (thermal underwear) just in case your legs get cold to wear underneath your jeans.
 
Adding to ArmandV's excellent suggestions:

3. Hokkaido in winter is a premier skiing location. Why not be ready for it? I believe the ski resorts get a lot of skiers from Australia and New Zealand.

4. Christmas is not a major holiday in Japan (just a day for partying). Serious travel congestion starts at around Dec. 27 or 28 (when businesses close for the New Year holidays) until around Jan. 6 (final day of the holidays). I think you need to be prepared, plan where you want to be during this period and secure lodgings.

5. There are many places that you can go. You can check out the various sightseeing guides on the Web. Also, JREF has a very good travel guide.
 
I'm not sure skiing would be the best idea for me, because I have some pretty messed-up leg and joint problems that could get badly aggravated. But I'll be doing plenty of frolicking, since it'll be my first time seeing snow ever.

Thank you for all the advice!

But I have another annoying question, so...

6. My plane isn't landing in KIX until about 10pm in the evening, so after customs and luggage that could mean I'm not finished until 11/12. All the hotels/hostels I've looked at around KIX all have check-in times that close at around 10/11, so I'm wondering if it would just be easier for me to sleep in the airport seats for a few hours until I can catch a morning bus to Osaka. Is this acceptable and can I get away with lying if anyone asks and saying I'm waiting for a connecting flight? Or should I just try and catch the last bus to Osaka and find an internet cafe to snooze in until the next day? Or, even better, do you know of any hostels in the KIX/Osaka area that have super-late check-ins?
 
Osaka is full of interesting museums and stuff. Go see the kaiyuukan (a large aquarium with some cool animals) and on your way to Hiroshima, stop by to check the Himeji castle . Also you should go see the kinkakuji in Kyouto. =)
 
Last edited:
Hiroyuki, looking at Tyojirou's webpage, it says "Please check in by 23pm from 16pm" on the "About" page. :| Won't be able to make that, unfortunately.
 
Some places aren't so rigid and are willing to make special arrangements for late arrivals. You should call the place (or email them) and see if they would be willing to check you in at a late time. If they know ahead of time that you have a late arrival (they will probably ask for your flight number and arrival time to confirm it), they can make arrangements for you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
 

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