Who's been to Japan?

JConnors

JConnors

Veteran
I'm going to Japan for two weeks July/August for vacation, I was able to a get a great price on a flight from here to Tokyo and I've got a friend who I'm staying with for the time I'm there. I'll be just outside Tokyo.

A couple of thing on my list to do would be to definetly check out Hiroshima and the A-bomb memorial (I'm sure not the happiest place to visit, but still very historical and something I've always wanted to see).

I've heard Japan can be very expensive, so having accomodations which won't cost a thing help considerably. I haven't decided yet, but I may check out the Southern Island of Kyushu, got an x-girlfriend that lives there that gave me an invite.

I'm not overly concerned with the language barrier as I know basic (very very basic) and I'm sure it's not going to be a walk in the park, but I've heard most signs are billingual. The next couple of months I'm going to start brushing up Japanese again.

Anyways, for those that have been there, what would you suggest to check out? Or prepare for? Really looking forward to it, have been wanting to go for quite a while now and this year things just happened to work out.

Thanks

J
 
JConnors said:
I'm going to Japan for two weeks July/August for vacation, I was able to a get a great price on a flight from here to Tokyo and I've got a friend who I'm staying with for the time I'm there. I'll be just outside Tokyo.

A couple of thing on my list to do would be to definetly check out Hiroshima and the A-bomb memorial (I'm sure not the happiest place to visit, but still very historical and something I've always wanted to see).

I've heard Japan can be very expensive, so having accomodations which won't cost a thing help considerably. I haven't decided yet, but I may check out the Southern Island of Kyushu, got an x-girlfriend that lives there that gave me an invite.

I'm not overly concerned with the language barrier as I know basic (very very basic) and I'm sure it's not going to be a walk in the park, but I've heard most signs are billingual. The next couple of months I'm going to start brushing up Japanese again.

Anyways, for those that have been there, what would you suggest to check out? Or prepare for? Really looking forward to it, have been wanting to go for quite a while now and this year things just happened to work out.

Thanks

J
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Definitely take the shinkansin (bullet train) to Kyoto, well worth the money. Absolutely gorgeous there.

Hit up Shibuya in tokyo as well, (busiest intersection in the world) really cool. Tokyo tower will give you an awesome view of the city as well.

Some other cool places in tokyo: Ueno Park, Harajuku district, Ginza (the pricey areas).

If you end up going to Kyoto; Osaka, Kobe, and Nara are all within 30 min train rides, highly recommended as well, especially if you like to wander around and see some really neat architecture.
 
I went to wikipedia to read about Shibuya and came across the story of Hachiko. Wow. That is very touching. The entire time I was reading I couldn't help but think "this would make a great dialogue-less short". Regardless of what format, it would make a very touching movie.

Turns out, I guess a film is coming out in August starring Richard Gere and set in Rhode Island. I'm guessing we can always count on Hollywood to kill the sincerity of the story. They'll add loads of schmaltz, exploitative music and a love interest. Good God.
 
if want to see the Traditinoal side of Japan you should go to Kyoto or Nara.
I really liked it there because of the deer:)

if you want to see the New side of Japan you should go to Harajyuku or Akibahara.
you can see the new side of the real Otaku genaration and it's like a real Anime world came to life...
also if you are in Akibahara you should check out Big Camera too. it's like Best Buy on Steroids! you will forget time in that store for sure!
 
ryvac said:
if want to see the Traditinoal side of Japan you should go to Kyoto or Nara.
I really liked it there because of the deer:)

if you want to see the New side of Japan you should go to Harajyuku or Akibahara.
you can see the new side of the real Otaku genaration and it's like a real Anime world came to life...
also if you are in Akibahara you should check out Big Camera too. it's like Best Buy on Steroids! you will forget time in that store for sure!
Click to expand...

All good advices. You should definitely go to Kyoto. Maybe 3-4 day, so you can go to Nara or Osaka as well. Especially Nara, where you should visit Tōdai-ji, the biggest wooden building in the world. An the biggest inside Buddha statue inside a building. MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE!

For Kyoto I can highly recommend K's house. It's a really nice Hostel, clean, cheap and central located. But you should book your room quite some time before you go there, because it is very popular. But you can easily do i over the internet. They have a hostel in Hiroshima as well. Here is the link:
http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html

Here are links to two PDF files. These are lists of traditional temples where you can stay for a night. Interesting experience.

Kyoto:
http://jnto.de/download-document/8-shukubo-temple-lodgings-in-kyoto.html
Tokyo:
http://jnto.de/download-document/9-shukubo-temple-lodgings-around-tokyo.html

The best way to Kyoto is by Shinkansen. Really fast, but a little bit pricey. You could also go by night bus, but then you need somebody who can speak japanese to book it for you.

If you are in Tokyo I can also recommend to spend one day in Yokohama. It's not that far and makes good for a one day trip. You could go to the harbour, visit Chinatown (really big) and go on top of the Landmark tower in the evening, Japans biggest building, got a great view from there.

http://www.hyperdia.com
On this side you can look up train connections in japan. Click on english and then put in your two train stations. Tokyo and kyoto for example. Shows price and time etc.

www.kakaku.com
On this site you can look up the cheapest prices of the day for electronic stuff .

If you have any further questions, go ahead :)
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Rick, that story is crazy, I'm definetly going to check out the Hachiko statue.

Simon, thanks for the links, going to check out some off those today.

Definetly going to have to eat at an Americatown restaurant....hahaha.

How about hotels? I'm sure it depends on where, but any idea what average prices are? As I said I've got a place to stay, but if were traveling and hostels aren't an option than it might have to be a hotel for a few nights.
 
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Hotels are very very expensive.
they range to $100-$200 a night. (pretty avarange)
but if you do the research and do it the right way you can find good hotels from $50 to $100.
try to find hotels that have some kinda discount for travlers. (they are friendly for people outside the country:) )
because I once got a business hotel at Marriott for $50 and it was only for people outside the country. (and came with breakfast)
 
Hotels are very very expensive.
they range to $100-$200 a night. (pretty avarange)
but if you do the research and do it the right way you can find good hotels from $50 to $100.
try to find hotels that have some kinda discount for travlers. (they are friendly for people outside the country:) )
because I once got a business hotel at Marriott for $50 and it was only for people outside the country. (and came with breakfast)
Click to expand...

Nice, definetly check that out.

I think we may hit up hostels if we can though.
 
July and August is going to be really freaking hot, so you'll want to soothe your soul at rooftop beer gardens. Just ask anyone for a recommendation in whichever area of each city you're in. Make sure you have a Japan RailPass, since you are going to be visiting various cities. You have to get it BEFORE you come. July 17 in Kyoto is The Gion Matsuri, one of the biggest festivals in Japan. August 16 we light the hills on fire with big Kanji symbols. Sounds like you might miss both of those, but just a heads up that hotels are hard to get then. Inbetween you should be OK.
Head over to my blog at planetkyoto.com for years of pictures of various events, video on the top page, and my handle on flickr is "kyoto". I'm all about the Kyoto.

Without knowing you, I can't give specific recommendations, but the can't miss part of Kyoto is pretty well-established: If you have the legs to walk, it's Ginkakuji -> Path of Philosophy ->Heian Shrine -> Chion-in Temple -> Yasaka -> Gion -> Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka -> Kiyomizu -> dinner and plenty of beer.
 
Landed yesterday afternoon, 9 hour flight and several Asahi later we got here....man this place is super cool. Time change is kinda messing with me a bit....its 8:45 in the morning and im having a beer. Also, it is super hot here, going to Shibuya to today to meet up with a friend.
 
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