Ok Guys! Help! Will be in Japan July 18- August 6 with 3 days in Kyoto and 3 in Tokyo that I need help with! The rest of time (front end) is in Fukuoka where my husband is “starting” the world swimming championships. I need help w how to Navigate from Fukuoka to Kyoto, Kyoto to Tokyo, what to do and where to stay and…do we need a guide? How do we find one. Looking for unique, culture, foooooooooddddd, etc! Thank you!!!

Lots of advice if you search this group.

Natasha merci! I’m so overwhelmed

For Kyoto, won't go wrong to stay around Kyoto station.

Easy to take the high speed train from Kyoto to Tokyo. This site might be a starting point. https://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm
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TRAIN TRAVEL IN JAPAN |  How to buy & use a Japan Rail Pass

You might consider a Japan Rail Pass. See this page and who sells them. https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/plan/rail/
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Japan Rail Pass | Travel Japan | JNTO

Check out www.rome2rio.com
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First you join a Japan group to learn more. Second you download a travel Japan app to estimate if a train pass is worth it. I checked. From Hakata to Kyoto and then Kyoto to Tokyo the train fare is about 28000 yen. You won’t break even unless you plan to do more local train travel. Third while Kyoto and Tokyo are nice why spend time travelling. Stay in Kyushu and then fly to Tokyo. Skip Kyoto. You will have lots to do and you may not return to Kyushu unless you fall in love with Japan.

Download this app.

I just got back to Tokyo after spending 8 days in Kyushu, including 3 days in Fukuoka. I flew from Tokyo to Fukuoka on Jetstar and it was only $65 one way. The Japan Rail Pass is a good deal if you plan to use it constantly (and the price is going up substantially in October), so best you plan out your route and then calculate how much it would cost to travel by train with/without the JR Pass. To be honest, Fukuoka wasn't the most interesting of places, but Nagasaki is definitely worth a visit (90 minutes by train from Fukuoka).

May I assume you are a Canadian? Pre Covid it was so easy to exchange Canadian dollars to yen. Post Covid it’s almost impossible. When I was in Tokyo in February I could not find a currency exchange to deal with Canadian dollars. Then the exchange rate was one dollar to 97 yens. At the airport and money exchange machine I could get 84. Credit card I got 92. ATM at 7-11 was 92. I don’t mind getting 92 as the bank has to make a profit but the issue is nobody nowadays wants Canadian dollars. You will have two options: use your credit card or bring American dollars. There are street foods that cash is the only payment method.
If you have a chance to pop by Tokyo. Below is the link where you can exchange Canadian dollars at a rate of 95.
https://ginza.exchange/?lang=en
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Currency Exchange GINZA EXCHANGE

Tat thank you! Yes from Canada and yes! Can’t wait to go to Tokyo

May I add one more advice? I guess you’re young or young at heart. Fashion especially fashion for young Japanese girls maybe a big attraction for you. My wife is 60s and the only place she must go in Tokyo is shibuya 109. This is a 9 storey building selling affordable fashion for girls and girls only. My wife usually spends at least an afternoon there while I sit outside people watching.

Tat love yor suggestions! Please feel free to keep ‘em coming. Wud go to see not shop

Train is good anywhere in Japan.

Use Goole maps and the raiway.Maybe get the rail pass in advance.

I think getting a Japan real pass before you leave canada is your best fit for travelling around. Even if you only use it for Tokyo to Kyoto.
We did have a driver who took us around in Kyoto because some of the sites to see are pretty remote and we got to see a lot in one day. I think if you look on tripadvisor, you probably can get names of drivers/tour guides
 in Tokyo we stayed in Daiba.  At the time it was a little less expensive and the train goes right to the hotels. It's on the water which is really nice and there's lots of malls with good restaurants, including sunlight face the water.
 for food I loved bills restaurant  my kids loved eggs n things.
 The food everywhere is good! Enjoy!

My husband and now 19 year old daughter went back to Japan last January. They really enjoyed a day trip to see Mount Fuji.

You don't need a guide, you can get cheap flights or just take the Shinkansen, just compare the prices against getting a JR rail pass before going