Planning on going to Japan early March. Getting in Wednesday afternoon and leaving next Thursday afternoon. I have a few questions if anyone can please help with.
1. We are not doing melacha on Sunday, where would be better to stay for shabbos? Prefer beauty and nature to city but is kobe like that or just another city? Which place would have things to see on our Sunday shabbos
2. Happens to be the Westin in Kyoto is right near chabad did anyone stay there for shabbos?
3. I think it was mentioned the Sheraton in Tokyo was near chabad but looks like an hour walk to me. Which Sheraton and how far of a walk?
4. If I did stay in kobe looks like Sheraton is 2 hour walk. Any suggestions to hotels both with points and not where to stay?
5. We are a couple going don't mind running around to see as much as possible but not crazy like seeing the world in 10 days. We like nature, would like to get feel of Tokyo but don't need days there not going into any temples, any suggestions for an itenerary? We are flying in and out of nrt should we take plane or trains to other places?
6. Anyone stay in ritz Tokyo is it nice?
Thanks
Sheraton to Chabad in Tokyo (google Maps Chana's Place) is a 10 minute walk and there are things to walk to, but I'd invest some time to plan your walking tours. If you manage to catch blossoms, it will be great.
There is stuff near the shul in Kobe, but two days w/o melachos could be a long time for Kobe. There is a great hike to nunobiki falls (right behind Shin-Kobe station) and the neighborhood near the shul is cute.
Kyoto is an offshoot of the Chabad not listed on Chabad's website. My understanding is it is very small and unlikely to have a minyan unless there is a tour group. Best bets for minyan are Tokyo and Kobe.