Japan DIY

Here are steps/tips and 3 very important websites that I use to plan my trips to Japan:

1. Gauge an estimated ALL inclusive Budget, this helps to make decisions.

2. Pick out the cities/places of interest in Japan you wish to visit.

3. You can use a suggested Itinerary or customize one to plan your route.

4. Once you have decided your route, you must decide if you need JR pass and you must factor in the duration of JR pass validity.
The further the locations are spaced apart, a Shinkansen is required for travel, then you would need JR pass.
Oherwise there are other types of train passes or modes of transport you can use and they are much cheaper than JR pass.

5. Based on your finalized route, shortlist the ideal hotels/hostels.

6. Use the Hyperdia to check the Timing and How to get from the start to the end point from 1 location to another.
You will need to factor in the limitations of the transportation passes that you may wish to use.
Be very careful here, mistakes will be very costly.

7. The key for an enjoyable DIY Japan trip is to ensure that you know how to get from point A to point B.

English maps I must stress is very important, I recommend you to print them and carry them with you throughout the trip.

Every city has a tourist information (near train stations or within the train stations) so visit them to get information but the maps they provide may not be in English.

Japanese are environmentally conscious so carrying a few trash bags will help you to separate out your trash.
After which you can stop and throw them away at recycling bins which are available at most convenient stores.

Information, Guide, maps:
http://www.japan-guide.com/

Suggested Itinerary, information, maps:
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/index.html

Train Timetable:
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/htm/readme.htm