backpack = flexible time but high-cost
Tour      = Rush but save cost

if you follow tour, you'll never get to see the way of life of the local people, which can be VERY rewarding.

i would also hunt for restaurant that's hidden and mostly only local patrons. they're mostly surprised to see gaijin waltz into their restaurant and you can see they're as nervous lol. and you'll get to enjoy food that's different than commercialized restaurants. i often find small restaurants serve food with better or unique taste. not to mention tours will not bring you to famous (and truly good) restaurants cause queuing the line is a big no no for tight schedule.

Hi Guys,
I would be staying first in osaka (near kyubashi station) for 2 days and then i thought of staying in kyoto for 2 days and back to osaka (daily trip to kobe) for another day before coming back.
One of the two days in kyoto, we will be going to mount hiei and nara with our kansai 3 days pass.
Since we have the pass, now i'm thinking of whether to stay in osaka straight for all 5 days and do daily trips to kyoto, mount hiei+nara, and kobe.

Is it far for mount hiei from kyobashi station?

I normally use courier service, namely, Yamato Ta Q Bin, to deliver my luggage from hotel to hotel. For example, from Kyoto, I would courier the bulk of my luggage to my hotel in Osaka and just only carry enough clothes for my in between trip to Shirakawago. The courier is very efficient and professional, they even wrapped my luggage bag fully in plastic to protect from rain.

hi there japanese sifus!

yesterday was the airasia sale and i got myself a ticket to Osaka next year on December. Will be traveling for 17 days.

On the first week, I plan to go to places like Fukui, Fukuoka, and Tokyo and lastly back to Osaka.

Do u think i shud get the JR pass? its only going to be for one week, but I am unsure if i could better get by if i only purchase the per trip train ticket. I also realized that there is a normal and green pass. Is it that important for me to get the Green pass?

Someone also suggested me to take the bus. How feasible would that be?

Sorry but i really have no experience riding either long distance train nor buses. Last time i went to tokyo was 2 years ago, and it was only tokyo.

I'm planning to go to Nagoya during sakura season next year. My gf lives there and it'll be our first meeting. I've been searching for a flight to take and there's only two options I could find which is AA and Singapore Airlines. My gf works at the Chubu Centrair Airport (Nagoya) and I thought it's best to take a direct flight. Is there any Lyn members familiar with that place? I was thinking to take AA but then again I dislike seat with a small space like those domestic flights for a long journey. AA offers premium seat but I don't know how big the space is or how comfortable the seat is. I'd like to get a comfortable seats as I will be travelling alone, daydreaming before reaching there.    Would be reaaaaally helpful if any seat sifu in here can give me some guide/help/knowledge. 

Anyone celebrated New Year in Japan before? I will be there in Osaka for this coming new year. Read that there will be big sales...something like US' black Friday.