any public bus companies which is recommended for traveling from

Kyoto -> Takayama -> Shirakawago -> Osaka ?

current plan is to depart from Kyoto in the morning, take a bus to Takayama, stay overnight in Takayama, then on second day morning, will depart for Shirakawago for a day trip, then when about evening time, take the bus to Osaka, so 2 day 1 night is it enough for Takayama and Shirakawago?

This post has been edited by PhakFuhZai: Jul 9 2016, 04:53 PM

http://willerexpress.com/st/178/tw/pc/bus/...&mid=955&fn=msg

this is Willer schedule from Kyoto to Takayama

I think this is the bus from Takayama to Shirakawa

https://japanbusonline.com/Detail/119000400...032/4162019001/

can we buy the tickets on the spot? or need pre-booking?

Nagoya and Kanazawa not part of the itinerary, afraid not enough time to stop by, as its only 24 hour to spend in both Takayama and Shirakawago

But isnt it that only Shirakawa has all the palm clapping shaped roof houses (合掌村）？ that has become trendy in social media. Any other places which has the palm shaped roof?

Kanazawa is much further up than Shirakawago.. hmm.. might not have enough time since we only stay one night in Takayama before heading to Osaka.

This post has been edited by PhakFuhZai: Jul 10 2016, 03:31 PM

takayama is quite near to shirakawago

GoogleMap

after shirakawago, we will take the bus or JR train to Osaka liao

thanks for ur info anyway, i think i ll stick to the original plan, coz already booked accomodation in Takayama, as long as can see grassho houses, we are happy

Google Map is ur best friend, I relied on that during my first trip to JP last year, just get a sim card upon arrival and pop it into ur smartphone, i recommend So-net (Sony) data SIM. It costs about 3000 Yen.

buses in Kyoto are way better than even the ERL in Malaysia, in terms of time punctuality, no worries on that, japs value their time punctuality as much as their lives

there re 3/5/7 days of tourist passes available, that one u need to do a bit of research, as the passes are kinda region dependent, which means some passes are for use in Kyoto only, while some are for Osaka only, some does not include JR trains, so make ur choices according to ur itinerary

Regarding USJ and Kaiyukan aquarium

can we get cheaper than online tickets in local agencies?

or their website is already the cheapest?

Any nice hiking spot in Nara?
heard ppl say Nara has a few mountains, would like to know recommendations for a hiking spot (with good view) which is not too tough and steep, I mean just need to walk against the slope with ladder steps laid out nicely, but not the patch filled with tiny rocks and mud

This post has been edited by PhakFuhZai: Aug 1 2016, 03:32 PM

thanks RegentCid

one more question, anywhere in Kyoto/Osaka has cheap rates for kimono rental?

are there ladder steps provided or with dirt path as well?

found out that the USJ advance tickets can only be purchased through agencies
https://www.usj.co.jp/e/ticket/
I have asked Apple Holiday regarding this in FB, but all they did were giving some non-related promos instead

if wanted to buy walk-in, will the queue be very long?