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Hey,

i am planning a 9 days itinerary to Japan in first week of December. My plan is Arrive in Haneda and leave from Osaka.
Planning to stay in Tokyo(3 N), Kyoto (4N) and Osaka (2N).

I want to add some small trip or may be overnight trip if need during my stay at Tokyo. Want to see Mt Fuji and probably Jigokudani Snow monkey park near Nagono.

Do u recommend to go Snow monkey park coz it takes nearly different route with my plan?

Is it worth to buy a 7 day JR pass?

And any other recommendations?

Thanks

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1

I wouldnt spend any time in Osaka with just 9 days. You can access KIX airport from Kyoto just as well as you can from Osaka.

Spend more time in Tokyo if you want city attractions. Or stop somewhere in the Alps inbetween Tokyo and Kyoto for something diferent.

Want to see Mt Fuji

Fuji is better as a day trip from Tokyo, as then you can pick the weather. Most of the time Fuji is shrouded in clouds.

probably Jigokudani Snow monkey park near Nagono.
Do u recommend to go Snow monkey park coz it takes nearly different route with my plan?

Easily the last thing I would want to see in Japan, right next to Disneyland.

Is it worth to buy a 7 day JR pass?

Definitely NOT. You will have real trouble spending $140 on train tickets on this itinerary, and the pass costs $230. You could get all your transport covered for $50-60

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2

It of course depends on what you like, what you are looking for, what you are hoping to experience etc.
But I totally agree with rpbourne - dont go to Osaka. Its not an unpleasant place, but: Its a big modern city with good food and nightlife and not many attractions. Tokyo is also a big modern city with good food and nightlife and with plenty of attractions, and is very very much more attractive and interesting than Osaka, so I would totally prefer to spend more time in Tokyo (or include 1-2 nights in the Japanese Alps) than spending time in Osaka.

Maybe its because I am Swiss and we are blessed with beautiful mountains... for me, seeing Fujisan out of the bus window on the way from Tokyo to Takayama was enough. I dont think I would "waste" one of your few days to go there. If you decide to go, as above, as a day trip, so that you can decide depending on the weather if its worth going or not.

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3
In response to #1

Thanks, I will stay more day and decide to add monkey park in my itinerary!

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4
In response to #2

Thanks Nathalie,
I'm also worry about the visibility of Mt Fuji, it depends. But would like to try if there clouds is clear.
I will try to add Japanese Alps to my trip and love to.
Btw, I love Swizz also, esp those beautiful mountain :)

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5

Your most welcome.

I haven't been to the monkey park (and have no wish to do so), but the way I read it, rpbourne is totally NOT a fan of it, and advised against going there.

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6

Why monkey park isn't on your wishlist? May i know coz seems like an interesting place but take time and money.

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7

It looks like a horrible touristy trap where too many peoples take pictures of a couple of monkeys bathing.

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8
In response to #6

Why monkey park isn't on your wishlist? May i know coz seems like an interesting place but take time and money.

It's a petting zoo. A concrete pool where throngs of tourists throw food at monkeys.

I love traveling in Japan. Nature, culture, history. It's none of those.

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9

Noted, the reason I'd like to visit to Japan is mostly about their culture and nature. I'll try to explore about these and deeply.

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