Can anyone recommend good casual restos near edo tokyo museum,shiodome station or odaiba for lunch?
http://www.bento.com/tokyofood.html
Do you mean restaurant? ';Rest-o'; in Japanese could mean something else.
Yes I mean restaurant. Sorry for the confusion. Maybe a good noodle house or tempura place near the said areas.
I%26#39;ve found a couple of good hotel deals on japanhotel.net and I was just wondering whether anybody had any experience booking through this website. ie. is it reliable and trustworthy, with bookings honoured? Thanks.
Lat October my wife and I stayed at the Aranvert Hotel in Kyoto and the Hakone Yomoto Hotel Asuka, both booked via japanhotel.net and chosen because we felt they offered good value. We had no problem with either booking. The people at japanhotel.net were, in fact, very helpful - able to book us into the Hakone hotel (I think) before the hotel%26#39;s bookings actually opened.
Hi BS, check out this site; it%26#39;s a good travel source to Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/
Before I remember it had a link with a booking site which offered many budget (good) but I am not sure that it%26#39;s still there but the site worth a look at!
I%26#39;ll be in Tokyo for a little over a week at the end of this month. Hotel is booked for the whole stay, however I%26#39;m looking to get out of the city too.
I read Kyoto is the place to go, however I%26#39;m having trouble finding reasonably priced accomodations there at this late in the game. Is Kyoto really the place to go for exposure to the country side and older cultural and religious traditions? Or are there other, less traveled to places that are tourist friendly?
I don%26#39;t mind going somewhere where it%26#39;s a little harder to find someone that speaks english, or where I have to stay in a ryokan.
I%26#39;m still doing my research so this will help in doing that. I%26#39;ve yet to look into a trip closer to Mt. Fuji, is there anything anyone can suggest there?
Thanks for any input you can give!
Kyoto is the gem of traditional Japan. If you can do at least an overnight stay, it%26#39;s very much worth the trip. Around cherry blossom times, many of the already first-rate attractions become spectacular.
If you are having problems finding hotels at Kyoto, consider staying at Osaka. Osaka is just 30 minutes by train to Kyoto and the city has plenty of dining and nightlife.
Kyoto (even staying in Osaka) is THE place to go...otherwise think about Hakone or Nikko.
Not having read all of your other posts, but noticing the difficulty you%26#39;re having finding accommodations in Kyoto.... I%26#39;m wondering....Have you considered a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura? It has a long history and there is a lot to see there. Of course the Daibutsu, but there are other temples/shrines. Hase-dera is worth a visit. Kamakura will not replace seeing Kyoto, but it does have a similar sense of history and culture.
You might also enjoy carrying on from Kamakura to Enoshima. Funky, but a lovely walk over the island.
What I just did for an overnight trip:
Fly from Haneda to Hiroshima. The flight takes 1 1/2 hours. I don%26#39;t know what it will cost when you go.
Then, take the city limousine bus for 1900 yen to the Hiroshima Bus Center. This takes 55 minutes and takes you to the center of town, right next to the baseball stadium, and 3-4 blocks away from the A-bomb dome %26amp; Peace Park. Take a couple of hours to wander, go through the museum, then take a ferry directly to Miyajima Island. This trip costs 1300 yen - I think - and takes you directly to Miyajima from the Peace Park. It takes about 45 minutes. Not terribly scenic but very efficient.
Then, wander around Miyajima for a bit. Eat dinner at your ryokan. Wander around at night, enjoying the complete silence (at least, in March, on a Sunday night, it is silent).
Get up the next morning and do it in reverse.
You won%26#39;t need luggage because you%26#39;ll wear a yukata in the ryokan. There will be toothpaste and shampoo and soap. You%26#39;ll just need a change of underwear and you%26#39;ll need to wear clothes you%26#39;re comfortable in for two days in a row.
My pictures from Sunday:
www.flickr.com/photos/kellywarrick, set marked %26#39;2009 Miyajima%26#39;.
Hi
We (family of 4, 2 children 11 and 9) are considering a holiday in Japan, but I think it would be too expensive for us for more than a week, so we are looking to combine it with a week in a cheaper part of Asia, possibly on a beach.
Firsty, does anybody know of a flight which could accomplish this from the UK? For example Malaysian airlines to Japan with a stopover on return route in Malaysia. We did 3 weeks travelling around Malaysia a couple of years ago and loved it, but fancy something different this year. We will be travelling in May.
Secondly, any rough idea on how much we will need to budget for Japan per day for the four of us? I don%26#39;t really know where in japan we want to visit yet - still early days. Any recommendations?
A lot to ask, I know, but absolutely any comments will be appreciated greatly.
Thanks
C
Combine Japan with cheap asian beach holidayConsider Thai Airways and doing a trip to Thailand. There are many beach destinations there. You should go to the Thailand forum for more information.
Tokyo hotels: GBP80-100 per double room get you into the basic hotels. If you want to eat reasonably well, budget about 30-40 GBP per adult per day. Transportation is relatively expensive. Within a city like Tokyo, expect to spend 8 to 10 quid per person on trains. A long distance ride on Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo will cost nearly GBP100.
Combine Japan with cheap asian beach holidayOther than layovers in Tokyo, I%26#39;ve never spent any time in Japan, though I%26#39;d like to some day. However, 4 of us just got back from a delightful 2 1/2 week visit to Thailand. The last 4 days were at the Phi Phi Island Village Resort (Krabi address)in southern Thailand. A beautiful isolated resort with private beach on the Adamam Sea, a 75-minute speedboat ride from Phuket. Check out its website. In fact, the beaches in southern Thailand rival or surpass any that we%26#39;ve been to. The US dollar went a long way in Thailand, too -- not sure of your currency in the UK. FYI, we flew into Bangkok %26amp; spent 3 days. From there we flew to northern Thailand %26amp; spent 6 wonderful days in Mae Hong Son, Pai, %26amp; Chiang Mai. We ended our trip at Phi Phi Island, flying there from Chiang Mai via Phuket. I thoroughly loved the northern Thailand experience, complete with elephant riding.
I second the recommendation for flying Thai and having a stopover in Thailand. Domestic travel is cheap and easy in Thailand, so you can fly from BKK to a beach destination easily and quickly. However, I%26#39;m not sure if Thai have PTVs on the route you will fly-- this may be a consideration if travelling with kids.
Malaysia Airlines is another great choice (they only fly into the two main cities Osaka and Tokyo these days), and you can enjoy a nice beach break in Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines has PTVs in all classes on long-haul.
Other airlines (though not as good quality in my opinion) include Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines.
I will travel to Japan from 28/3 until 5/4, appreciate if anyone give some comment/suggestion on my plan:-
28/3
-30/3 Tokyo
(Stay in Shinjuku)
31/3 Yokohama
(then travel by night bus to Osaka)
1/4 Osaka
2/4 Nara + Kyoto
(Stay a night in Kyoto)
3/4 Day trip to Kobe + Himeji
(Stay in Namba, osaka)
4/4 Osaka
5/4 Leave from osaka international airport
Should I buy JR West Pass for my itinerary?
Currently, I%26#39;m still thinking of whether extend my air ticket for one more day, so that i can spend an extra day in Kyoto. Any advice??
Thanks
Jess
Hi everyone !
I%26#39;ll be visiting Hokkaido in 1st to 9th May, wonder if the tulips will be blooming then and if the Kamiyubetsu park worth the visit...
cos%26#39; none of the tour agency in Singapore cover that trail... maybe cos%26#39; it is too far from central Hokkaido..but the tulips at the website looks so beautiful
www.kamiyu.org/sisetu/tulippark/en/index.htm
Went there last year mid May or so - joined Japanese group day tour from Asahikawa. Difficult to go without own transport.
It depends on weather - but it was very pretty in midMay last year. But I think if you go to Yurighara Park around Sapporo suburbs, can also see lots of nice tulips if they are in season - check with Sapporo Tourist information, they are very helpful. Of course the variety is less. Much more accessible fr Sapporo via train than Kamiyubetsu
Hi GhellC,
Thanks for your quick response ! Is it very difficult to travel to KAmiyubetsu via rail to Engaru station ?
You mentioned you join the local tour group. Did you book there on online before you go ?
can you still recall the name of the tour agency and roughly how much it cost for the full day tour (I assume since it is so far away...)
Thanks again !
No idea abt travelling there on train - best to check with Sapporo tourist information.
I was asking around Sapporo tourist information for tours from Asahikawa as staying 1 nite there. Saw a Japanese brochure for bus tours - asked the tourist information who helped me call as I dont speak Japanese. Made reservation 1 day before - the bus company is in a building near to Washington Hotel opp Asahikawa Tourist information in the basement 1. Cant remember the name of bus company
Taisetsu Nature Tours in Asahikawa can organize day tour to Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park and Takinoue Pink Moss Park. I also read about an agency called Donan that runs a similar 1-day tour, but the tour is in Japanese.
My husband and I will be in Tokyo during Golden Week. This is our first trip to Japan and we had a few questions:
- We wanted to book a couple of tours (Mt. Fuji and Kamakura). Unfortunately, Viator and Sunrise will not be operating during that week. What is the easiest way to getting to these locations on our own?
- Any suggestion on hotels? I was thinking of either Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku or Grand Prince Takanawa. Budget is $125.
- How do I go about buying Giant baseball tickets?
- Any suggestions on restaurants?
- Must see or must do in japan?
Thank you!!!!
Baseball information - www.japanball.com
Good site to do some research:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/
';Must sees'; are different for everyone. What we like, you might not.
Tokyo to Mt. Fuji - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6905.html
Tokyo to Kamakura is best by train. It%26#39;s less than an hour. Schedules and fares - www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
If you pick the Grand Prince Takanawa, you%26#39;ve chosen a beautiful hotel. Ask for the older section with the garden, a real garden well before the hotel was built. I have a feeling that are is not as crowded during Golden Week since it%26#39;s more residential. Restaurants are good but not fancy. For those, look in Shibuya and Roppongi.
My favorite area is Kyoto, but probably not during Golden Week.
Baseball tickets are usually already sold-out. Try going through the hotel concierge for stand-bys.
Hi Sammyfloyd,Amanda %26amp; Nessie3:
I%26#39;m going on a 7days tour package with 3 days extension and will like to hear your opionion on what I should cover on the last 3 days of extension.
Below is our tour itinerary:
Day 1 Chitose
Day 2 Otaru -Sapporo
Day 3 Sapporo-Furano-Biei-Sounkyo
Day 4 Sounkyo -Asahikawa-Jozankei
Day 5 Jozankei - Lake Toya -Noboribetsu
Day 6 Noboribetsu - Sapporo
Day 7 Sapporo-Chitose (end of tour with tour gp)
After we part with our tour group at Chitose airport, I plan to go to the Chitose airport hotel to check in our heavier lugugges
P.S( I plan to book my last night stay(Day 9)at the Mitsui Urban Airport hotel since our flight is a early flight at 8am.)
Day 7 After leaving lugugge at chitose- travel to Otaru and check in Kourakuen onsen
Day 8 Chitose- sapporo-Kamiyubetsu (tulip farm)
Day 9: No PLANS as yet
Day 10 Chitose- morning flight back home
This is what I have in mind at the moment... any suggestion ?
Hey there
I guess my main feeling is that to go all the way out to East Hokkaido for just 2 days isn%26#39;t worth it.
I%26#39;d go to Hakodate. FRom Chitose Airport it%26#39;s easy to go 3 minutes on the train to Minami Chitose station and get one of the many trains going south to Hakodate. 4 hours later you%26#39;ll be there and can spend some relaxing time enjoying the old city, fish market, historic sites, food...either stay in Hakodate or in Oonuma lake.It will be warmer and an easier trip.
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for your reply... so not worth the trip even for the tulips , or am I too early for the tulips ?
I dun mind relaxing in hakodate esp, after your description of the place.. but my mum is a flower person... she will be upset if she miss her tulips... anywhere else for tulips you can recommend ??
Hi guys, i%26#39;m getting the 7 day JR Pass. Anyone can help give me a detailed info on how i can travel from tokyo to osaka?
1) do i need to book seats in advance even with the JR Pass?
2) what would be the best time to leave tokyo and reach osaka?
thks in advance.
Question on Tokyo to OsakaSince you have a JR Pass, you have free seat reservations. If you are traveling during a peak travel period, it couldn%26#39;t hurt to make a reservation.
Trains run frequently %26amp; are prompt. Schedules here - www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
Question on Tokyo to OsakaYou can book seating with the rail pass and would not hurt as I did the same journey the first time I went to japan and has to stand for the first hour or so.
The journey is simple as its one train than you can pick up from either Tokyo (central) or Shinjuku station.
There are 3 different speed bullet trains.
On the rail pass you can get the slower 2 of the 3, there is one that only makes stops in Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka.
From memory it takes about two and a half hours.
Any more questions just drop me a message.
1. Booking: well said by Dave
2. Best time: there are several trains each hour. Note that with a JR Pass, you can%26#39;t ride Nozomi trains so if you use Hyperdia to search, be sure to select ';except NOZOMI.';
3. Avoid Kodama trains if you could. They make many more stops so you will spend another half hour or so than the Hikari train between the two cities.
4. Have you calculated whether a JR Pass makes sense? Remember a 7-day pass costs 28,300 Yen. If single trip tickets do not exceed that amount, then you shouldn%26#39;t get the pass so you should review your itinerary and compare against ticket prices using Hyperdia.
so with the JR Pass, the fastest way to osaka from tokyo is to board the Hikari train on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line. correct me if i%26#39;m wrong?
General travel times on difference Shinkansen trains between Tokyo and Shinosaka:
1. Nozomi (not valid with JR Pass): 2.5 hours
2. Hikari: around 3 hours
3. Kodama: up to 4 hours
i reckon that purchasing the JR Pass would be worth while since i%26#39;m travelling to Osaka/Kyoto for 3days and then back to Tokyo again. I%26#39;ve done a little research on tt.
a few more doubts i need to clarify:
reserving seats on the tokyo to osaka/kyoto trip can be done at the airport when i validate my JR Pass at the ticketing office?
would 3 days be enough for Osaka %26amp; Kyoto? haven done much research on these areas yet. what are the more worthwhile places to visit in Osaka %26amp; Kyoto? I%26#39;ve 1 day reserved for Universal studios thus i%26#39;m left with 2 days. Prob another day in Osaka %26amp; 1 day in Kyoto.
';reserving seats on the tokyo to osaka/kyoto trip can be done at the airport when i validate my JR Pass at the ticketing office?
would 3 days be enough for Osaka %26amp; Kyoto? haven done much research on these areas yet. what are the more worthwhile places to visit in Osaka %26amp; Kyoto? I%26#39;ve 1 day reserved for Universal studios thus i%26#39;m left with 2 days. Prob another day in Osaka %26amp; 1 day in Kyoto.';
Yes %26amp; Yes
thanks guys for the valuable advice!
dun mind another qn guys.
can the JR Pass be used for travelling about in Osaka, for eg to Universal Studios. Or do i have to seperately get single tickets?
If you have any interest in Japanese history and culture you could spend a year in Kyoto without seeing everything. Subway and buses in Kyoto are not owned by JR so you need to buy tickets.
Hi,
When we visited China last year, some of our most enjoyable times were at places off the tourist trail.
We will be in Kyoto from 23rd March for 5 days and on one of the days would like to visit somewhere which has some interestig sights but has fewer Western Tourists visiting it than say Nara or Kyoto. Would Uji fit the bill or can you suggest alternatives. (we will have a JR pass, but only speak a few words of Japanese)
Thanks Paul
How about Kinosaki Onsen? There are direct trains, but it seems you would have more choices if you can get to Osaka or Shinosaka first (more direct trains from there)
www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/english/english.html
I agree. Too many people become just cookie cutter tourists visiting well beaten paths carried by an isolated reserved seat trains and staying at regular ryokans/hotels while yearning for something different, exciting or discovering for memory. It is like going to a motor car race but hoping secretly some accidents to happen during the race. In traveling, you can still experience without adventuring out too much %26amp; without language skills if you go off the main streets a little anywhere and vigilant, even in Tokyo, Kyoto, etc.
But come to Kyushu.
The Tennoji area of Osaka gets few Western tourists but is well worth a look. It%26#39;s quite a run down area (as far as Japan goes) but has a lovely Japanese garden and temple complex:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka
A couple of train stops away from there, you%26#39;ll also find Sumiyoshi Taisha:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha
While still touristy, the Arashiyama area of Kyoto gets fewer Western tourists. If you don%26#39;t mind a train ride of close to 3 hours, you can take the train down the coast towards Shirahama. The last 1/3 of the ride is very scenic with ocean view. Shirahama itself, has some breathtaking coastal views, a footbath in the streets, and various natural onsen houses you can visit.
The thing that I recommend is to pick a local train that heads out of the city center and get off at a suburban station where there appears to be a residential neighborhood with some vitality. You will typically not see western tourists. In fact, I am sure you will not see western tourists doing this unless there is some sort of attraction there. It doesn%26#39;t cost much to do this and the time you spend in transit is entirely up to you. Just look out the train and when you find an interesting looking neighborhood, get off and go for a walk. If you see hotels, department stores or a shopping mall wrapped around the station area then you haven%26#39;t ventured out far enough. What you are looking for are some narrow, crowded streets that look like they have some vitality and activity to them. Look for streets with shops and small restaurants where locals might be. Think of this activity as suburban exploration.
%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;you can still experience without adventuring out too much %26amp; without language skills if you go off the main streets a little anywhere and vigilant, even in Tokyo, Kyoto, etc.%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
Ditto Kinosaki; it%26#39;s a great onsen and is well worth the trip. You could do a two day trip there. I suggest going from Kyoto to Himeji in the morning; visit the castle, Kokoen, and Mt. Shosha (the latter can have surprisingly few tourists). In the early afternoon head to Kinosaki; the train ride is pretty nice. Try to arrive in Kinosaki around 5 pm. Get a decent ryokan if you can; visit the shops and a couple of the onsen, then eat dinner. Then relax by visiting some more onsen. Do more onsen in the morning, visit the temple, you can hike or take a cable car up the mountain, boil an egg in onsen water, and then head back to Kyoto.
Another option is Wakayama. Despite being relatively close to Kyoto/Osaka, there will be many places where you%26#39;ll be the only foreigner. You could do a trip to Mt. Koya, Shirahama, Nachi Falls, Kumano, and on around to Ise.
http://www.kippo.or.jp/isan_e/kii.html
Good luck!
John W.
When we travelled in both Sept/Oct and March/April, we seemed to be the only caucasians at the majority of the %26#39;tourist%26#39; spots. The tourist market seemed to be mostly the Japanese on holiday, Japanese school excursion groups and Chinese tour groups.
Although the word is out and many are making plans for these timeframes with good reason.
I understand your question but it is easy just to leisurely get lost between the streets and alleys and stumble upon the locals going about their daily business...
enjoy :-)
Ok, visit Fushimi area in Kyoto if you are coming around that time. Very few western tourists come here though handful of westerners live around here though.
Sakura is everywhere and you will enjoy local life of the city around here.
If you%26#39;re looking for a daytrip from Kyoto, consider Amanohashidate:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3990.html
tripadvisor.com/鈥?4063238
For day trips, consider Mt. Takao or Kurama/Kibune. Both are in the hilly areas in the outskirts of Greater Kyoto. Both are scenic spots for foliage watching in fall and should be pretty during sakura season too. Both are great if you enjoy hiking.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3933.html
japan-guide.com/blog/schauwecker/061118.html
In fact, if you do more digging, you%26#39;d be able to find hidden, off-the-beaten-path locations everywhere in Japan. Japanese nationals have a fetish for finding ultra secluded hangout spots, cafes, and restaurants. It%26#39;s not uncommon to find restaurants and ryokans serving one or two groups of customers per day. You%26#39;d be surprised to find that a good number of these are in downtown!
I just added a small album with two of my favorite restaurants in Akasaka.
www.sotobori.com/gallery2/main.php鈥?/a>
It%26#39;s been over 15 yeas since I%26#39;ve visited either of them. One is a tonkatsu shop called Sueyoshi and the other is the Akasaka branch of the Moti Indian curry restaurant chain. Both are outstanding if you%26#39;re in the area.
my god and they%26#39;re still there?
Yes, typically good restaurants stick around for decades and in some extreme cases centuries and not so good ones go away. Sueyoshi is one of those specialty shops that does one thing very well which is making good meat dishes like menshikatsu, tonkatsu and hamburg steak.
Oh I used to go to that Moti ALL the time. I even had my birthday dinner there....natsukashii!
Did you ever go to an izakaya called Banya right down the street? It used to have the cheapest beer in Tokyo.
Do you know whether the Moti restaurant sells halal meat?
In fact, can anyone confirm any halal restaurants in Shinjuku area?
Sorry for my ignorance; I may be terribly wrong, but isn%26#39;t ';halal'; something that people in Islam are allowed to eat?? Is that lamb or something?
Shot; As far as I know and my knowledge is limited, but I believe %26#39;halal%26#39; is anything that is accepted by islamic laws.
Shot and Richardthegreat are both correct
Halal means things that are permissable in Islam
In the context of restaurants and dining it normally applies to the meat and whether it has been specially slaughtered in the halal way, loosely similar to kosher meat.
Do Indian restaurants serve halal in general?
No guarantee that indian restaurants will serve halal meat, simply because not all indians are muslims.
however, one thing that has always impressed me about japanese suisine is the fact that a lot of their dishes are based on seafood and vegetables. There is obviously a lot of chicken %26amp; beef eaten too, but thankfully hardly any pork. Complete opposite of China where pork seems to be the be all and end all of all dishes....!!
We will be leaving Bangkok tomorrow evening and arriving in Osaka at 6.30am Friday. What is the best way to get to our hotel? Airport shuttle or train? We have one day in Osaka,any recommendations on what we should do? Your advice would be appreciated
Take the Nankai Airport Line Express to Nankai Namba Station. Then walk underground and head for Namba subway station. Look for exit #15, which has both elevators or escalators you can use all the way up to street level. Exit #14 is actually one block closer but you have to take the stairs. Once you get up to street level, the hotel is within 3 minutes further north towards Shinsaibashi.
What to do in Osaka depends on your interests. Consider Kyoto, just 30 minutes awway, if you are not going there separately. See the link here for reference:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/
Most probably i will reach kyoto on a friday at 1 pm. After checking into matsubaya inn, i will start the rest of my day for kyoto.
Reach kyoto on 20 Mar (PM)
Leaving kyoto on 25 Mar (Noon)
Day 1(Fri) : Half a day left in kyoto
Day 2(Sat) : 1 day trip to Nara (from kyoto)
Day 3(Sun): One full day in kyoto
Day 4(Mon): 1 day trip to Himeji %26amp; Osaka
Day 5(Tue): One full day in kyoto
Places i would like to cover in kyoto:
Shopping/Entertainment/Food:
Gion area
Shijo area
Pontocho area
(For these above area, feasible to split among the 5 evenings i had in kyoto), maybe for those day trip to nara and osaka, i would have my evening/night free for kyoto.
Places of interest:
Ryoanji Temple
Golden Pavilion
Silver Pavilion / Philosopher walk
Sanjusangendo
Kiyomizu
Kodaiji Temple (optional)
Heian Shrine (optional)
Yasaka Shrine (optional)
Can anyone help to split the above places for me in terms of accessibilty etc.
Thank you very much!
Day1 would be spent on your trip to the Gion/Okazaki area: Yasaka, Kodaiji, Heian Shrine and Chion-in. FYI, if you are into Japanese gardens, Kodaiji and Heian Shrine are a must.
Day3 would be for Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji, Day5 for Silver Pavilion, P.Walk, Nanzenji and (a bit far from there) Kiyomizu. The reason I put Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu in the above order is just like the way it is, in IMHO, when you have your dinner, starting with aperitif and ending with dissert, not the other way around...
Thank you, Shot!
How abt Sanjusangendo ?
Day5 above would be a helluva busy day but you may like to visit Sanjusangendo en route from Kiyomizu.
Let me sidetrack here by way of introducing what I got from the links below since it may arouse your interest: aside from 1000 statues displayed in there, the temple is well known as a venue for a time-honored archery competition: under Tokugawa Shogunate, samurais dispatched from various parts of the country gathered together here in Sanjusangendo, vying with each other for the national championship, where they took aim at a mark that was placed at one end of the temple corridor running right outside the wooden building, from a distance of 120meters, which distance btw you could pace off if you so liked. That was a whole night and day event, it is said, and there was this young samurai, who was just a lad of 17 or 18 by today%26#39;s standard, from Kishu/Wakayama, the territory directly under control by one of the Tokugawas, making an unbreakable a record in the year 1688: 8132 shots were right in the mark out of 13053, a 62% success rate, where mathematically every shot was made in a 6.6 second interval on average. That sure was, and still is, a tremendous feat, and I think he was relieved of his burden he was supposed to have; the honor of Kishu was obviously at stake...
The language is Japanese only, but you could have a feel to it seeing pics.
http://www.a-rchery.com/sanjyusan.htm
鈥ivedoor.jp/matsukaze1/鈥?0335873.html
http://miyako.bufsiz.jp/toosiya/toosiya.html
Hope you鈥檒l have a great time in Kyoto.
Hi Shot, I%26#39;ve have decided to give up siliver pavilion %26amp; P. Walk due to the time constraints. Wanted something more relax. I have divided into 3 days, wonder if you can help me on the following?
Yasaka Shrine
Kodaiji Temple
Heian Shrine
Chion-in Temple
Gion area
Help required : If i started fr kyoto station, where should i go first and what is the order of the sequence? Can the above be done all using by walking from one to another?
Golden Pavilion
Ryoanji Temple
Help required: Taking bus 100, but do i take the same bus back to kyoto station ?
Sanjusangen-do
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Pontocho
Shijo kawaramachi shopping district
Help required: Any idea how to go to kawaramachi shopping st from kiyomizu ?
I would appreciate yr help on the transportation! By the way, i%26#39;m holding JR pass. Do you think it would be good for me to buy the one day city bus at 500 yen daily ?
%26lt;%26lt;Help required : If i started fr kyoto station, where should i go first and what is the order of the sequence? Can the above be done all using by walking from one to another? %26gt;%26gt;
The below are all within walking distance; first you take bus100 or 206 from JR Kyoto and then get off at Gion, from where you walk to:
1)Yasaka Shrine to 2)Kodaiji Temple to 3)Chion-in Temple to 4)Gion area and finally to 5) Heian Shrine. Golden Pavilion and Ryoanji Temple should be better saved for another day.
BTW, I kind of always visit Nionmon Street by the canal and the garden in Heian Shrine as well somewhere around late March, scouting for delicate petals of sakura. If by any chance you catch a guy standing under a sakura tree, hell-bent on taking digital photos, please don%26#39;t hesitate to holler my name, lol.
%26lt;%26lt;Help required: Taking bus 100, but do i take the same bus back to kyoto station ?%26gt;%26gt;
There鈥檚 a bus stop right near the gigantic red torii gate about 200meters away from the shrine and that鈥檚 where you locate Municipal Art Museum on your left if you walk down to that torii gate from Heian Shrine. Remember the bus station you have in mind is on Kyoto Municipal Art Museum side, not on the National Museum side, and from there take bus 5, 57 or 100 all bound for JR Kyoto.
%26lt;%26lt;Help required: Any idea how to go to kawaramachi shopping st from kiyomizu ?%26gt;%26gt;
There鈥檚 two bus stations at the foot of the hill where Kiyomizu is located. Either will do when you head for Kawaramachi. Hop on bus100, 202, or 206 from either one of the above stations down Kiyomizu and get off at the bus stop called Higashiyama Sanjo, which is one stop away from Gion. From here you could walk to the bus stop on line5 and thus hit Kawaramachi Sanjo on board bus5, but that鈥檇 possibly involve effort made. So let me suggest walking on Sanjo Boulevard to Sanjo Bridge and cross it so you can come down easily to the Sanjo-Kawaramachi area. In the evening/night hours this is a killer vibe downtown area where you can sit back and relax at an open caf茅.
If you walk down on Kawaramachi Avenue in the direction of Shijo, maybe you like to go into Kiyamachi Street and then to Pontocho Alleyways.
%26lt;%26lt;By the way, i%26#39;m holding JR pass. Do you think it would be good for me to buy the one day city bus at 500 yen daily ?%26gt;%26gt;
Yes, go buy one at a vending machine located at almost every bus station in JR Kyoto Bus Terminal. That won鈥檛 save you much, though. Yet, the pass will spare you the trouble of finding small changes.
Really grateful to you (shot)! Finally i feel much relieved with all the info above. At least i know i won%26#39;t get lost for my kyoto trip for the above itinerary.
Next move of mine : Planning day trips to himeji and nara!
Can anyone tell me how do i get back to kyoto station from ryoanji temple ? Another alternative will be heading to Shijo-kawaramachi shopping district / or Gion.
I will need to know which bus to take and where to stop.
Thanks in advance!
You need to bus it back from Ryoanji-mae bus stop to Kinkakuji-michi and then here switch to bus101/205 bound for JR Kyoto. A word of caution: hopping off at Kinkakuji-mae, you have to cross the avenue to the opposite side so you can wait at the right bus stop, another Kinkakuji-mae: the buses on the same line run in the opposite direction. But in this case, you%26#39;d be fine taking the wrong one, as it gets you to Subway Kitaoji Station, from which JR Kyoto is only 7stops away.
I just found this map online for bus routes to popular tourist spots, hopefully it can help you:
鈥yoto.lg.jp/kotsu/鈥us_navi_en200801.pdf
Thank you, shot, for your help. And the other forumer for your online map.
Shot,
Can you clarify this for me. I am wondering whether am i too retarded to understand but till todate, i%26#39;m still puzzled:
If i%26#39;m taking a train to himeji from kyoto %26gt; from himeji to osaka %26gt; osaka back to kyoto
I understand that people are taking special rapid train from himeji to osaka, but why can%26#39;t i find the timetable for these trains? I can only find timetable for shinkansen tokaido and sanyo.
And the last shinkansen train from osaka to kyoto ends quite early. Any alternative ways to come back to kyoto ?
I%26#39;m really confused. Hope you can help.
As I posted in a message a couple days ago I%26#39;m going to Tokyo for my first time in a couple of weeks. I%26#39;m trying to get my itinerary squared away and was curious about some distances. I%26#39;m seen some conflicting information on this and just want to get answers from people who really know.
How long does it take on a train from:
Narita Airport airport to Shinjuku
Shinagawa to Shinjuku
Shinjuku to the station for the Tokyo Dome
Tokyo to Kyoto
Thanks for the help!!
How long on a train
NRT to Shinjuku: 1 hour 25 minutes on the NEX.
Shinagawa to Shinjuku: 18 minutes on the Yamanote Line.
Shinjuku to Suidobashi (Tokyo Dome): 13 minutes on JR Chuo Line.
Tokyo to Kyoto: 2 hours 20 minutes on Nozomi or 2 hours 45 minutes on Hikari (in case you%26#39;re using the JR Pass.)
How long on a trainJust what I needed!!
Thank you
You can check on http://www.hyperdia.com as well, which has time tables as well as fares.
If you have a JR Pass, be sure to select the ';except NOZOMI'; box.
The results page will give you various options. Pick the one that requires the shortest time and the least number of transfers. Know that JR is not the only choice as a nearby subway station (or vice versa) might give you a more direct route.
Chuo Line (Rapid/Orange) doesn%26#39;t stop at Suidobashi for Tokyo Dome.
However, the Chuo-Sobu Line (Local|Yellow) ones do.
To clarify further, the Chuo (Orange) Line and the Sobu (Yellow) Line trains run parallel to each other between Shinjuku and Ochanomizu. See the colored diagram here: 鈥ikipedia.org/wiki/鈥?Dbu_Line
On this diagram Shinjuku and Suidobashi are between Mitaka and Ochanomizu respectively. The Chuo (Orange) trains do not stop at every station, even though the tracks are adjacent to the Chuo-Sobu (Yellow) trains which do.
Oops, I left out the crucial words ';local service.'; Thank you for clarifying.
When I lived in Tokyo ions ago, everybody called yellow local trains ';Chuo-sen kakutei'; (Chuo Line local service) so I have a habit of calling them just ';Chou Line.';
You%26#39;ll still see ';Chuo Line local service'; is used instead of ';Chuo-Sobu Line'; on some LCDs. If you%26#39;re fluent in Japanese, you%26#39;ll sometimes hear ';Chuo-sen Kakuekiteisha'; rather than Chuo-Sobu sen'; in announcements, too.
In any case, when you go to Suidobashi from Shinjuku, take a yellow train--Chuo-Sobu Line.
I think many Tokyo-centric people call it the Chuo Local Line because they see it starting in Mitaka and paralleling the orange trains from west of Shinjuku and don%26#39;t venture east much past Akihabara unless they live east of Akihabara. So their reference frame is mostly where the orange trains run, but they know they have to change at Ochanomizu in order to make the right turn at Kanda Manseibashi into Tokyo Station.
I think it took me a few years of observing this (way before the Internet) before I finally figured out how the Chuo and Sobu main and local lines interconnected with the Yokosuka line outbound from Tokyo Station and Chiba. The Sobu Local east of Kinshicho is yellow, the Sobu Main east of Kinshicho is the silver with blue/yellow striped long distance Yokosuka sets.
So let%26#39;s say you were at Mitaka bound for Kameido. You would probably use an orange Chuo Rapid to Ochanomizu, step off there and walk across the platform to the yellow Chuo Sobu local train which would continue across Akihabara to Kameido.
Way too much information. Sorry.
Actually its quite opposite for me, everyone I know who rides the Chuo Sobu Line, calls it the Sobu Line (they live in Tokyo, not Chiba), and I always make reference that technically its the ';Chuo-Sobu Line'; from Mitaka-Ochanamizu. Yeah I know we have gone overtopic, sorry, just wanted to plug in my observation on that matter.
In my mind, being a train otaku mind you, I think Chuo-sen=Orange, Sobu-sen=Yellow and I don%26#39;t even make the connection with the Yokosuka Line until I think about it.
I am returning to Kyoto for my second visit with my 16 year old niece (her first time). I recall the area around Philosopher%26#39;s Walk as being very restful, pretty, and full of restaurants and shopping. I stayed at Hiiragiya on my first visit, but would like to stay in a Ryokan around the Philosopher%26#39;s walk area, which seemed more residential. Can anyone recommend a Ryokan in the area? Also, if my memory is faulty and this is not an area to stay in, would you please comment on that as well.
Nothing wrong with your memory. I have been going there regularly for more than 20 years but never stayed in a local ryokan. Kyoto Garden Ryokan is close to Nenzenji Temple, right in the area you want. Check the reviews on TA, although I notice that one person complained that it was old! Their website is
kyoto-ryokan.co.jp
I am still so confused on what we buy and how they are used. Forgive me, I guess I need some extra hand holding on this.
If we want/need the JR ticket, we buy that (reserve it) online while at home and then get the real ticket when we get there. But do we even need a JR ticket?
What is the difference between the Suica/Pasmo and the JR ticket? Can the Suica be used to buy a JR? Oh I am so confused.
I found this piece of advise online and I am a little shell shocked at the price. I guess I didn%26#39;t anticipate transportation being so high....
';you’ll want to buy a JR Rail Pass. JR (Japan Railways) runs about 70% of all trains in Japan, and all of the famous shinkansens (sheen cahn sin) or bullet trains. The JR Rail Pass allows you to ride any JR train for free with only a few small limitations. It always pays for itself many times over.
A seven-day pass is usually less than $280. Note that you buy an ‘order’ overseas and trade it in for the actual pass when you land in Japan. From there you merely show the pass at each ticket window and go right through. Reserved seats might require a surcharge.';
Help me understand all of this please! Thank you so much!
Suica is a stored value card. It can be used on subways as well as many convenience stores. It%26#39;s much more convenient than paying for individual train fares. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suica
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html
A JR Pass provides unlimited train travel within a date range. You purchase the pass outside of Japan. You will get an exchange voucher that you will exchange in Japan at a JR station to get your pass. It will be activated at the first use. You need to calculate whether or not a JR pass is a good value for your visit. A JR pass does not cover Nozomi-type Shinkansen ';bullet trains'; on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata (Fukuoka) and other cities. You can use a JR pass on Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen trains. www.japanrail.com/JR_japanrailpass.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
JR ticket = train ticket
Suica/Passmo = electronic money(or like a store gift card) which can be used towards rides on trains/subway within the city. If you have a Suica/Passmo, you don%26#39;t need tickets.
You can%26#39;t reserve JR online under most circumstances unless you read Japanese.
A $280 7-day pass lets you ride all over the country, from north to south.
If you%26#39;ll only be in Tokyo and the surrounding area for day-trips (e.g., Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone), then you do not need a JR pass -- it won%26#39;t be worth the money.
If you plan on traveling a longer distance (e.g., Kyoto), then a JR pass may be worthwhile. You can calculate the cost difference between individual train fares and a JR pass here: www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
If you do get a JR pass, you can also use it for travel within Tokyo on JR trains but not the subway system. For non JR trips, you would need to buy individual tickets or use the Suica/Pasmo card.
Hi, Suzibell,
Yes, it does seem a bit confusing. But if you have a calculator, it%26#39;s easy. :-)
There are two major train ';lines'; - the JR (which used to be run by the government and was called JNR, but is now is ';private'; but seems ';public'; -- and they took out the N for National, so it%26#39;s called ';Japan Rail';) and the authentic private lines (including subways).
The JR Rail Pass is only available to tourists and can only be purchased from abroad. You pick up the actual tickets after you come to Japan. You get ride on a bunch of JR trains for a certain number of days, so if you%26#39;re traveling a lot (north/south/east/west), it%26#39;s probably a good deal. If you%26#39;re only going to one distant by train, you probably won%26#39;t save any money.
The Suica/Pasmo are pre-paid cards. ';Suica'; is the name of the JR pre-paid card for the Tokyo area; it%26#39;s has a different name in Osaka. ';Pasmo'; is virtually the same card, but is the private train lines%26#39;/subways%26#39; version. It depends on WHERE you purchase your card as to whether it%26#39;s a Suica or a Pasmo. If you buy it at a JR station, it%26#39;ll be a Suica.
If you%26#39;re traveling around the Tokyo, it%26#39;s the best way to go because you zap the card through the machine at the wicket when you enter and zap it when you exit. It automatically calculates your fare and deducts it from the card. There%26#39;s no fuss with money. You can add more money to the card at a
ticket booth anywhere. Both Suica and Pasmo cards work in all ticket machines.
JR used to have a special long distance ticket for a couple traveling together. The total age had to be 88. They also had a special price for 3 women traveling together.
Recently I noticed they have ';senior'; tickets and ';middle'; tickets for long distance travelers.
Don%26#39;t worry if you%26#39;re all confused. So am I!
Cheers!
It depends what trains are you riding?
If we are strictly speaking about ';regular'; ';city'; trains to get around inside the cities, then no reservation is needed.
A ticket is a physical ';ticket'; that has value printed on it. Suica and Pasmo are like ';paperless'; tickets, they are cards that hold money on them, and each time you use the card, money is deducted. This saves you the effort of having to buy a ';ticket'; each time to ride the train.
Suica and Pasmo for the TOkyo area are the EXACT SAME THING, they just have a different name.
Not all trains in Japan are JR, as noted you still have 30% of the railways that are not JR. If you are in Tokyo, there are over a dozen different train companies, ';JR'; is just one company, that offers many routes.
A JR Pass can only be used on JR trains. However, if you are only visiting Tokyo, then getting a JR Pass is a waste of money. A JR pass only makes sense if you are traveling long distances to other cities.
To correct a poster above, JR Stands for ';Japan Railways';, and not all subways are ';private';, for example Toei Subway is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment, other rail is public-private parterships. In the end, it really doesn%26#39;t matter if something is private, or public.
----------
In case you are all confused, how about posting your itineary plans and we can assist you better on which passes or cards you might or might not need.
1. JR Pass allows you unlimited travel on all JR trains throughout Japan for the pass%26#39;s effective period (7 days, 14 days or 21 days are the three versions available). In general, the only JR trains not valid are Nozomi Shinkansen trains (the fastest and most frequent bullet trains). However, you can still ride the other Shinkansen trains with your pass.
The exchange voucher to the pass must be purchased outside Japan (at your home country). Once you arrive Japan, you exchange the voucher for the pass and select the effective period.
2. Note that not all trains are run by JR, meaning that on some lines, your pass is not valid and you have to buy separate tickets. For example, Hakone%26#39;s lines are run by Odakyu Railways. A destination like Nikko is served by both Tobu Rail (JR Pass not valid) and JR Lines (JR Pass valid). Subway lines are never included. From Narita Airport, you cannot use the JR Pass on Keisei trains to central Tokyo, but you can use the pass if you ride Narita Express because it%26#39;s a JR train.
3. Suica/Pasmo are stored value cards. You prepay an amount that is stored into the card. For each ride you take, the fare is deducted. When the value runs low or out, you recharge it by putting more money into the card. Suica and Pasmo are interchangeably accepted in Greater Tokyo on all major trains (JR and other rail companies) and subways.
4. The general rule for a JR Pass is you need to travel roundtrip Tokyo/Kyoto or Osaka within 7-days to come close to breaking even. If you are staying within Tokyo and just taking day trips nearby, the pass is not worth considering.
Whew! Thank you! I think I finally understand now! So appreciate it. We are pretty well stuck just in Tokyo and maybe one little trip to Kamakura. So your advice really helps. Thank you so much!
To add, I think there is NOT a local/city/regular train where you could even make a reservation if you tried.
%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;If we are strictly speaking about ';regular'; ';city'; trains to get around inside the cities, then no reservation is needed.%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
If using a Suica card and mainly traveling in tokyo can you use the Suica card on ALL train companies?? Not just JR??
Yes. Suica is not limited to JR.
Hi everyone,
Wanted to book Century Royal hotel and Mitsui urban airport hotel but the 2 hotels are not listed under Rakuten travel which is highly recommended booking website by japan experts here in this forum.
Found that i can book via asiaroom website, have anyone use their service before, is it reliable ?
Pls advise me other website you trust or had good experience , thanks !
I guess you can read Japanese. At yahoo travel, you can book Century Royal, too.
鈥ahoo.co.jp/bin/hotelshisetsu鈥?/a>
Hi SouthHyena,
Sadly speaking, I dun understand a word of Jap.. too risky to book at a website in Jap..
Have you use asiaroom website ?
Renaissance booking
https://www.secure-travelohotel.org/wconnect/wc.dll?AutoForm~Reservation~1512~S
www.japanican.com/hotels/ShisetsuDetail.aspx鈥?/a>
It%26#39;s a very friendly hotel with a nice buffet every day.
ASiarooms - yes, I%26#39;ve used that site many times, no problems.
I%26#39;m planning a trip to Japan in May and hope to stay for about 3 weeks. I%26#39;m wondering if current economic conditions will work in my favor. In terms of exchange rate, is now a good time for Americans to travel there? Thanks!
I would wait as long as possible to pay for the JR Pass, hotel(reserve but no pay), etc.
Watch the rates and compare. http://www.x-rates.com/d/JPY/table.html
A couple of weeks ago, it was 90 yen. Today it%26#39;s 98. Two years ago, it was 117. It%26#39;s hard to say what will happen.
If I knew, I%26#39;d be a millionaire! On second thought, that isn%26#39;t hard to do if you%26#39;re calculating in yen! lol
So... We%26#39;ll be coming from the Eastern Time Zone in the US... Since ';Daylight Savings Time'; was last Sunday, Japan is now only 13 hours ahead, correct?
I%26#39;m already confused.
Daylight Savings...Yes, you%26#39;re correct!
Daylight Savings...Whatever you do, DON%26#39;T think in terms of wherever you are coming from. Get ';on time'; when the captain or head purser tells you what time it is in Narita. Eat dinner at dinnertime and stay awake till at least 8 pm. And if you wake up at 3 am, go get yourself a cup of coffee (convenience stores are open 24 hours) or plan a trip to the fish market! :-)
The best way to combat jet lag is get some sun, go shopping (activities), and exercise. You will probably enjoy taking a stroll around your hotel in the early morning hours. It%26#39;s refreshing -- and safe.
Have fun!
Like me, you may be waking up sooo early the first morning. Buy some snacks/juice from a convenient store before you go to bed because you will wake up so hungry and nothing around unless you go outside or order expensive room service food/bar if your hotel has it. The first morning is a good time to visit Tsukiji fish market area for a great bf.
I need to use the internet for 2 months in Sapporo using my laptop. Can I procure a USB data card locally? How much would it cost?
You can buy one at Bic Camera in Sapporo Station for 500 yen.
You can probably find one at the 100-yen shop in the basement of Bic Camera.
If you meant a USB data MODEM card(not a flash drive), it will be way more than 500yen. After all, using the internet does not require a flash/thumb drive.
You are looking for this http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/3g.html
For 6 months unlimited(hardware+usage): biccamera.com/bicbic/鈥?/a>
Or 150 hours within 365 days(hardware+usage): biccamera.com/bicbic/鈥?/a>
renewal license: 29800
Sorry, I misread. I thought you meant ';data cord'; (USB cable).
I need to use internet for two months in Sapporo. Any advice on locally procurred USB data cards that I can hook up to my laptop? Any advice on costs?
anandrud@gmail.com
They will be roughly the same price as in North American, and probably cheaper than in Europe.
If you mean USB flash drives (data sticks) you can get an 8gig drive for about 2,700 yen. You can get a terabyte (1000gig) external drive for 11,000 yen. Both at BicCamera in Sapporo Station.
This is my schedule we are going on a group tour. This is FYI for the questions I have.
1. Most of our breakfast and dinners are included. My friend is only planning on bring 50000 yen will that be enough? I%26#39;m shooting for 150000 yen. We don%26#39;t plan on doing souveniors. But I was hoping on going out at and enjoying the night life.
2. Credit Cards. I%26#39;m american express which I know puts me at a disadvantage since I have a feeling they aren%26#39;t allowed in alot of place. Debit cards can any atm card be used or do I have to look for a special symbol?
3. Travelers checks are they worth it?
4. Overweight in japan. My friend is Big she is in the upper 200 she worries about having problems in japan. We are planning on going to take geisha pics but she%26#39;s worried they wont be able to accomadate her.
5. Safety. We are two women with minimal knowledge of japanese and we are curious to see if we can make it around town at night. Is it safe or should we be weary. We are from one of the not so safe cities in america.
6. Economy. Here in the states I%26#39;m finding sales galore but is that true in japan with the recessions is it more likely we%26#39;ll find better deals or is everything expensive as we expect.
We have less then 35 days for our trip and we are looking forward to it. We are going in a group and thou I have a feeling we have differing ideas on what we are doing in our spare time but we will work it out. Thanks for reading this post and better yet for answering ANY and all advice will be appreciated.
Day 1 - Osaka
Board your overnight flight to Japan.
Day 2 - Osaka
Arrive in Osaka, where a Go Ahead representative meets you after you clear customs. Later, join your fellow travelers at tonight’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)
Day 3 - Osaka
Today’s guided tour offers a look at massive Osaka
Castle, once the mightiest castle in Japan, with a museum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the leader who built the castle. Next, make an excursion to Kobe, where a local guide leads you on a tour of this port city, including the Kiku-Masamune Sake Museum and Memorial Park, dedicated to the victims of the 1995 earthquake. Return to Osaka for this evening’s dinner. (B, D)
Day 4 - Kyoto
En route to Kyoto, step back in time on a guided visit to Japan’s ancient capital of Nara. Discover its exquisite pagodas and architecture, including the Todaiji Shrine, home to the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha, and the Kasuga Shinto Shrine with its thousands of paper lanterns. Upon your arrival in Kyoto, uncover the city’s past on a guided tour, including the intricate 17th-century Nijo Castle, the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion and the strikingly red Heian Shrine, constructed in 1895. Tonight, venture to Kyoto’s famed Gion geisha district for dinner and a performance of traditional Japanese theater. (B, D)
Day 5 - Kyoto
Full-day trip to Hiroshima. You’ll see many moving reminders of that day, including the A-Bomb Dome, a building that partially survived the blast; Peace Park with its Cenotaph for the victims; and the Peace Memorial Museum. Next, view the dazzling Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima. Its colossal red torii (the entry gate of a shrine) “floats” in the ocean during high tide. (B, D)
Historic Hiroshima has rebuilt itself into a modern-day metropolis, but your full-day excursion there will remind you of its moving past.
Day 6 - Kyoto
Discover Japan’s lush countryside as you wind your way through misty mountains to the Miho Museum. Designed by I.M. Pei, the Miho seems to melt into the mountainside. Next, watch artisans at work in the pottery village Shigaraki, famous for its 1,200-year-old ceramics traditon. Return to Kyoto this evening for a feast of fresh sushi. (B, D)
Day 7 - Kyoto
On today’s visit to Mikimoto Pearl Island, you’ll see how pearls are cultivated and watch the famous Ama Pearl Divers, as they dive into Ise Bay to collect pearls the old-fashioned way. After visiting Osatsu, a traditional fishing village, stop at the Ise-Jingu Shrine. Its nearly 200 buildings are reconstructed every 20 years, in keeping with Shinto custom. The current structures were remade in 1993. (B, D)
Day 8 - Hakone
Board a high-speed train to the resort town of Hakone, nestled in the Owakudani Valley. Soak up the valley’s tranquil beauty during your cruise of Lake Ashi, formed after Mount Hakone erupted 3,000 years ago—and enjoy fine views of Mount Fuji looming in the background. Afterwards, relax in Hakone’s famous thermal hot springs. (B)
Day 9 - Tokyo
Your guided tour of Hakone includes a visit to the Open Air Museum, featuring more than 200 Picasso originals. Then travel to snow-capped Mount Fuji, standing an imposing 12,388 feet high. Enjoy panoramic views of lakes and villages from the mountain (weather permitting) before arriving in Tokyo for a traditional tempura dinner. (B, D)
Day 10 - Tokyo
Japan’s bustling capital comes into focus on today’s guided tour. Get a bird’s-eye view of Tokyo from the top of the Tokyo Tower. Nearby is the sacred Zojoji Temple, founded in 1393. Visit Meiji Shinto Shrine with its elaborate Inner Garden and view the unparalleled Imperial Palace. Cruise down the Sumida River before exploring Tokyo’s old town, including the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple built in 645. Next, explore the famous Ginza district and watch a traditional Kabuki theater performance. This evening, savor a traditional kamameshi dinner, a casserole served in cast-iron pots. (B, D)
Day 11 - Tokyo
Nikko, known for the stunning Toshogu shrine. After exploring the shrine complex, journey to Nikko National Park for breathtaking views of Lake Chuzenji, Mount Nantai and the spectacular Kegon Falls. (B, D)
Those with an appreciation for natural beauty will want to take advantage of this excursion to Nikko, a national park of rivers, lakes and wooded highlands.
Day 12 - Tokyo
With a free day in Tokyo, you might visit the boutiques of Ginza or Shinjuku. Return to Tokyo and join your fellow travelers at tonight’s Farewell Dinner. (B, D)
I%26#39;m planning a trip to Japan in April. Have just over two weeks there in total, arrive on a Thursday afternoon, depart on a Saturday morning two weeks later. We have already booked five nights in Tokyo and hope to do a 7 day rail pass, taking in Kyoto. I%26#39;m overwhelmed by all the places and things to see and would really appreciate some advice from a seasoned Japan traveller! Where should we definitely not miss?
It depends on your particular interests. A good resource - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html
Cruise through recent posts on this forum. Similar questions have been posted.
If it%26#39;s your first time to Japan, basically stick to the main tourist route - it%26#39;s the main tourist route for a good reason! - basically Tokyo/Nikko to Hakone to Osaka/Kyoto/Nara to Himeji to Hiroshima/Miyajima Island. If you want an excursion from this, my wife and I also enjoyed Takayama and Kanazawa, so I%26#39;d recommend them. You know to plan your 7 day rail pass times using www.hyperdia.com (and then reserve your seats when you arrive in Japan, there is no extra cost; make sure you check the ';exclude Nozomo'; box, as the JR Pass is not valid for the Nozomo train), that the JR Pass also includes the JR Ferry to Miyajima, and that you should try to arrive at Miyajima when it is high tide.
Go to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to see what Americans did to this country.
Everybody must see it.
From a traveler%26#39;s standpoint, Hiroshima is a good site to go as it%26#39;s easier to reach. Nagasaki is a bit out of the way.
I hope the contributors here can keep the visitor%26#39;s best interest in mind. This is a board about helping travelers. It is not about politics or inferiority complex.
';I hope the contributors here can keep the visitor%26#39;s best interest in mind. This is a board about helping travelers. It is not about politics or inferiority complex.';
Well said, Sammy!
If you do go to Hirsohima, definitely make the trip to Miyajima, where the shrine there is a World Heritage Site. Hiroshima castle is one of my faves as it is an unusal wooden structure. If you will be stopping off at places heading west, definitely Himeji castle, and you might want to see Okayama and Kurashiki for a day or two...
For your 7-day JR Pass from Tokyo:
Kyoto (3 days)
Himeji (1 day)
Hiroshima/Miyajima (1 day or 1 overnight)
Nara (1 day)
With a JR Pass, I%26#39;d be tempted to stay at Osaka since there is a bit more to see, eat and do there at night. On Shinkansen, Kyoto is just 15 minutes from Osaka.
Hi
I%26#39;m going to Japan to visit a japanese friend in Tokyo but she%26#39;ll be very busy,working, so I%26#39;ll travel alone. Can you help me to choose places to visit? I%26#39;ll leave London 5/11 and I%26#39;ll be back on 25/11.
My plans are:
To stay in Tokyo from 6/11 till 15/11 so i can spend time with my friend and i can do one day trip in Tokyo and around Tokyo.
From Tokyo i am planning to travel from 16/11 to 22/11 by train for 7 days but not sure where to go and what is important to visit.
Can you please help with budget and itinerary as i will be travelling alone.
Thanks
Ana
Japan itinerary, please help me...You have many travel options. It depends on your particular interests. A good site to do some research - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html
Also cruise through previous posts on this forum. Similar questions have been asked.
Japan itinerary, please help me...One of the posts for reference below. Be sure to get a JR Pass (7 days) if you follow this route:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k2616鈥?/a>
hello.. me and my friend is going to have a 3days /2nights visit to tokyo japan..were gonna be staying at this hotel called asuka hotel in shinjuku... i was wondering if anyone can help me give some idea on where we can go sightseeing / shopping for cheap souvenirs /eat , etc....
also i would like to know the weather in tokyo now.. should we bring thick jackets since its winter right now?? or normal jackets will do??
how much we should spend on food and transportation in 1 day??
hoping to get an advice since were leaving tomorrow :D ... thanks a lot ...
A good site to do some research - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
Also - http://www.tokyoessentials.com/
Weather - wunderground.com/global/stations/47671.html
Subway travel is inexpensive. You can spend as little or as much as you want on food. It depends on your budget.
Try this one, too:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Japan
If you are from HK and can read Chinese, I hope you bought a guidebook. The bookstores these days (and even 7-11) are literally flooded with guidebooks on Tokyo and they have all sorts of information on shopping places (favorite activity of HK tourists). I think even Japanese would be amazed!
Transportation: budget 1,000 Yen per day
Food: depends, about 3,000 to 5,000 Yen a day
Weather: check the weather websites. Most likely similar to HK winter temperatures
I will be spending 3 weeks in Japan in July. It%26#39;s my 3rd trip so I do know my way around sufficiently and I will be there with 14 year old son.
A number of postings indicate from the past stated that shorts are really not acceptable for adult males in Japan (and I am 50!). My other trips were in winter and spring.
I don%26#39;t want to stand out more than I already will --so can anyone confirm, I assume shorts and sandals are fine for my teenage son, but not for me?
(PS-we won%26#39;t be hitting fancy restaurants and such)
A lot of college-aged students and kids wear those below-the-knee cargo pants, very big these past few years. Young ladies wear sexy short-shorts but the rest of the population wears long pants. Both you and your son wear your shorts, rest assured you will not feel out of place. Just refrain from the black socks and sandals look, please! :-)
I dunno, Pops......what do your legs look like? :-)))))
The air-conditioning on the trains and in some of the stores are on ridiculously high and it%26#39;s freezing! My husband and I made the mistake once of wearing shorts on a flight from Hawaii to Narita. Talk about getting cold feet! lol
Do invest in a pair of walking sandals. It%26#39;ll be much better than the ';black socks dorkiness'; that Neko-san mentioned and you%26#39;ll be fashionably presentable! You%26#39;ll be cool in more ways than one on a muggy day.
My 50+ husband highly recommends those zip-up wash-n-wear long pants/shorts combo. Then you can go to those semi-fancy restaurants!
Cheers,
mama
Oh don%26#39;t worry--I would never go for the shorts and black socks look--for some reason here in Canada there are a few guys (usually in their late 60s or 70s%26#39;) who seem to be under the illusion that wearing shorts, black socks and dress shoes is proper attire!!
Shorts=sandals...definitely....
You should see the mainland Chinese (not Hong Kong) look. They wear white athletic socks just above the ankle with dress pants and dress shoes!
Anyway, while most Japanese won%26#39;t wear shorts in the summer, nobody is going to really care you do. As a gaijin, you already look out of place...LOL!
Hello all - I%26#39;m wondering if anyone who has used the baggage delivery service between hotels can give me an idea of what to expect when doing this. I%26#39;m traveling for 2 weeks between 3 different hotels with a group of 4 who will also be sending their large luggage as well.
I realize it%26#39;s an overnight process and I%26#39;m fairly familiar with the costs, but I don%26#39;t want to flub up and have to carry my giant luggage for a leg of the trip.
We%26#39;re taking the airport limo-bus to our first hotel so we don%26#39;t have to worry about luggage delivery then, but from that point on, do we just bring the bags to the front desk of the hotel the day before we want them delivered and say ';takkyubin onegaishimasu';? Or do we have to pay and fill out forms in advance? Will the other hotel hold our bags for us even if we aren%26#39;t scheduled to check in until the afternoon of the day the bags arrive? Should we send our bags as a set (even if we aren%26#39;t staying in the same rooms?)
Any other tips so I know what to expect is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Overnight service, whether it%26#39;s Takkyu-bin (Yamato) or any of the other companies (Sagawa, Pelican, etc.) are wonderful. Best way to send skiis and luggage if you%26#39;re traveling by train for sure!!!
www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/english/index.html
www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/english/index.html
Yes, you will need to fill out the form beforehand and pay for the cost. Yes, the hotel will keep your luggage (for days)! Yes, send your bags together -- but each bag is a price of its own and needs to have a form.
Be sure to have one set of clothing in your ';carry'; bag, just in case there%26#39;s a delay..........which really rare.
Enjoy!
thank you! do they typically have those forms at the hotels? Or do I need to locate a sales office in each of the cities I%26#39;m staying in?
They%26#39;ll have the forms at the hotel. No problem-o. Just have FUN-o!
Greetings to the 4-some. Are you playing golf? Or mahjong? :-)
wonderful... that sure makes life easier - thank you for the information.
No golf... maybe mah jong! haha! :)
It will also help if you have the destination printed out on a piece of paper for the hotel staff. This will eliminate confusion when completing the forms.
We sent our bags one time from our hotel in Hiroshima to our next hotel in Kyoto.
Even though the hotel staff didn%26#39;t speak much English we managed it ok. They told us what time we had to have our bags at the desk and they had filled out the forms for us by the time we brought our bags down. We just had to sign the forms.
They seemed worried about where the bags had to be sent so I showed them our internet receipt for the hotel in Kyoto and they were happy about that.
I guess there could easily be confusion over which actual hotel they%26#39;re meant to go to, so having it in black and white is good. They even rang the hotel to check our booking just to make sure.
When we arrived at the hotel in Kyoto the next day, the bags were waiting in our rooms.
This might be a silly question, but as far as print outs - do they have to be written in Japanese characters? Or is it fine to simply have our print outs which have everything in English?
thank you everyone - your input is very much appreciated!
%26lt;This might be a silly question, but as far as print outs - do they have to be written in Japanese characters? Or is it fine to simply have our print outs which have everything in English?%26gt;
Hi, Rogue,
';English'; is fine. In addition to hiragana, katakana and kanji, the Japanese writing system has a romanized alphabet system called ';romaji.'; Hence, Shinjuku will be written as ';Shinjuku'; at the train station! :-)
The print out will most likely be in Japanese, but someone will ALWAYS help you.
Just make sure, that if you are doing the writing, you PRINT it so others will be able to read!
Sure miss the typewriter!!!
Does anyone know how long it would take to travel by train from Nagoya to Tsu? Many thanks for this information.
Anywhere from 45 to 72 minutes. If you take the Kintetsu Express, it%26#39;s the second stop and will only take 45 minutes. If you take the Kintetsu local, it%26#39;s 11 stops and will take 72 minutes.
You can also take the JR Rapid Service (Kaisoku) Mie which will take 51 minutes.
This is a good site to keep on your computer. Train route finder.
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/
Another train finder site. (More colors!)
http://www.hyperdia.com/
I%26#39;ll be in Tokyo for a week at the end of this month and I%26#39;ve been told to visit Kyoto. I%26#39;m planning on going for a night or two, but am having trouble finding availability in the hotels.
I%26#39;d like to stay from March 26th to 27th or 28th. If anyone has any advice about finding a reasonably priced place to stay that would be great. My budget is around $150 per night for two people.
Thank you
having trouble finding a hotelAfter trying others, you might try this new hotel that charges by the room, not by PP. It is a bit higher than your budget for the busy cherry blossom season.
http://www.hotel-village.jp/kyoto/eng/
having trouble finding a hotelSelection is indeed extremely limited. Available as at posting time, per room, double occupancy.
9500 http://www.guest-inn-kyoto.jp/
9200 http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~p-koto/
14000(on Rakutan Japanese website, higher rate and no vacancy on its own website) http://www.apahotel.com/~language/en/hotel/kyotogion/index.html
You could also consider staying in Osaka. Hotels are better value and it is an easy trip to Kyoto by train.
Staying in Osaka is actually good option you should consider.
As more and more domestic tourists head to Kyoto these days, hotels are often fully occupied and more demands means more money(Higher rates)
Lesser Japanese travel overseas due to declining economy, more people head to domestic destinations. I think temples in Kyoto announced they had record high visitors last couple years. This means you will see more of those stupid monks drinking at expensive bars in Gion.
GpldenMango,
The mango turns golden when rotted. Tell me you%26#39;re not an American.
I am fairly sure Goldenmango is not American :-)
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k2616…
Hi,
We would be in Hokkaido in the last week of June - I understand that is too early for flower season and lavender season - in light of such, which part of Hokkaido is better for us to explore, in a 4-day timeframe?
Since it is no need to roam the flowering districts, I am not sure if we still need to rent a car, or use a JR Hokkaido pass?
Actually, the end of June has a lot of flowers blooming. Lavender should be on display as well even if it%26#39;s not the very peak. I suggest you stick to your plans to roam the flower districts, preferably with a rental car. Remember to get your International Driver%26#39;s Permit from AAA or you may be refused rental at the counter.
Flower calendar (for reference only):
…hokkaido.jp/flower/…index.html
June is ideal for flowers. Sammy%26#39;s link is a good one.
Can you suggest a driving route based on the following:
We arrive Sapporo in the afternoon - may be we start next morning for 2 days / 2 nights in the ';fields';, back to Sapporo for the last day.
Sapporo to Biei. Stay in Biei and rent bike sor walk or drive.
Go to Furano too.
Back to Sapporo.
Once you are here you can get a ';Flowers'; leaflet and see smaller,local flower places too and see if you can visit them.
Good season for flowers.
Other than flower fields, what about non-flowerly part of Hokkaido, such as Hakadote?
I know we must make a choice - either visit the flower fields, or to visit other parts of Hokkaido, given we only have 4 days...
OTOH, Hokkaido is sandwiched between Osaka and Tokyo, on our trip, with Tokyo being the last stop of a very long trip. Both Osaka and Tokyo are revisits, currently I give 3 days to each city. We might cut a day in Osaka and a day in Tokyo, so to give Hokkaido 5 days...
Our tickets are award tickets, but I have a feeling the domestic JL flights are aplenty, so finding seats on different dates should not be too difficult, I hope.
Fll,
I would drop Osaka since it%26#39;s a repeat and stay another day in Sapporo. As Amanda says, look into more flowers there, then spend a half day in Otaru (40 minutes by train). The food and sights are awesome. It%26#39;s such a ways to go to reach anywhere in Northern Japan that in makes no sense to rush through it.
Mac
I agree with Macsubi that you should give Hokkaido more days. With a car, you can see Furano and Biei in one to two days. Otaru is basically a day trip from Sapporo. Sapporo is worth one day. Other choices include Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and Asahikawa. I think Hakodate is too far away and not worth the trip unless you can change your ticket to fly out there.
Speaking about award tickets, you should be able to get domestic award seats with relative ease.
Hi all,
I am planning to spend 4 weeks (honeymoon) in Japan between 25th June and 24th July, and I was thinking of spending the last 4 days relaxing somewhere on Okinawa or Ishigaki.
I am looking for relaxing and enjoying the beaches etc. rather than %26#39;cultural%26#39; sight seeing (since I would have spend the previous 3 weeks sight seeing).
Where do you recommend that I stay (Okinawa / Ishigaki, any other island?) and which hotels/ resorts do you recommend?
I would also consider day trips to other islands so somewhere making them accessible would also be useful.
Hi!
Congratulation!!
Okinawa is a great place to relax specially for honeymooners.
Ishigaki Island is a wonderful island and easy access to all small islands by ferry.
I do recommend Hirata Tourism for a day tour.
They have english speaking staffs and they are really great.
Jumbo Tours is a local Okinawa travel agent and has an English speaking staff. Contact Mr.Odanaka, he would be a great support for you.
Also this is a pure Okinawa website and it is really useful!!!!
http://www.okinawa-information.com/
If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Cheers
I have been reading some guidebooks about Okinawa, but besides the Aquarium, does anyone else have any suggestions what I can do with my kids there?
We would like to stay in Naha for 2 nights for eating, and walking around, shopping...
then we like to rent a car for 3 days 2 nights to stay in a beach resort. (Manza?) How long would the drive be?
Should we take the car, drive up north on first day, then come back on 3rd day, and return car, and stay in Naha, so we head to airport for departure on 5 th day?
Please advise!
THanks!!!!
Have you thought about Club Med? There%26#39;s one on Ishigaki.
clubmed-jp.com/brochure/…081127kabc_eng.pdf
Are you looking for the Japan/Okinawa experience? Or someplace fun for the kids? If it%26#39;s the latter, children seem to love the planned activities and the parents can rest in the sun without much planning. When ours was younger, we used to go with another family and managed to keep everyone happy and well fed.
:-)
Type in Okinawa resorts on Yahoo or Google and take a look at all the hits you%26#39;ll get!
Happy Planning!
Hello Katetam!
I talked to my friend in Okinawa yesterday and he said temperature is already over 25 degrees outside and it would be a great trip for you and your family!!!
I prefer Okinawa World. It is located in the southern part, takes about 30min by car.
They also have new place called Ganagala no Tani.
If you like trecking you might like that.
I found it really interesting.
I also enjoyed Neo Park. It is a zoo but you can touch animals and ride on it. It was a great fun!
This website is a pure Okinawa information.
http://www.okinawa-information.com/
If you are looking for a travel agent in Okinawa contact Jumbo Tours. Ask for Mr.Odanaka. He is really helpful!
If you need any advise let me know!
THANK YOU !!!!! Researching still.
Great to know the temperature is warm enough for beach and swimming.
Will contact you again if I have more questions.
Hello all. I am planing a trip to Tokyo. I am about to book my plane ticket today or tomorrow. This is my first time going to Japan.
I am thinking about going to Japan on 3-26-09 to 4-5-09. Is this a good time?
Reason why I ask because I found out that during this time it%26#39;s Spring Break in Japan and I think everyone returns to school on the 6th.
I dont know how it is around this time in Tokyo so that is why I am asking here.
Thanks!
As far as I%26#39;m concerned, it%26#39;s the best time possible--you%26#39;ll hit the cherry blossom peak in Honshu Island (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc.)
Japanese school spring break is not a big deal unless you want to go to Disneyland and I don%26#39;t suppose someone from LA wants to go...
Thanks, for your input.
And no I do not want to go to Disneyland. I live like 10 minutes from Disneyland.
Is this the peak season to go to Japan?
It depends on what you define as ';peak'; season! If you mean for when there are going to be the most tourists, you are looking at May, October and the holidays. That%26#39;s when many Japanese holidays and breaks are, so there will be more people around. Going in March and April is good, because you will see the cherry blossoms. Going in Sept/October is good because you can see the foliage for fall.
Its not a problem at all...
Its the best season to visit - the weather is the best of the year and if you are lucky there should be cherry blossoms.
The most popular cherry blossom places are very crowded, but there are enough cherry trees around to avoid the crowds.
One of the nicer places is the area in front of the British Embassy in Ichiban Cho, Tokyo. Its Imperial land, so drinking and loutish behavior is not allowed.
Thanks guys,
I just booked my flight to Tokyo from Los Angeles. I found an excellent price. $860 round trip. Singapore Airlines.
Now I need to search for hotel!
My understanding is the majority is trying to get out of Tokyo during this time, mainly to see the Cherry Blossoms in the countryside. What a great air fare. I think hotel rates are dropping likewise. I%26#39;m thinking it will be even lower in the fall, especially against the dollar.
So, I%26#39;m going to Disneyland on this week...3/25-28, guess it%26#39;s going to be pretty bad for me, huh?
You live in FL you have walt disney world. Why come to Japan and see an American theme park like Disneyland?? :P
I was thinking the same thing, but was afraid to ask :-)
3/25-28 is right in the middle of Japanese school spring break. Tokyo Disney will be super crowded. Avoid Sat. 28th for sure!
Are you ready to go, Chmura? I%26#39;m leaving on 3/25 and coming back on 4/6. My SQ fair LAX-NRT was $728. It%26#39;s cheaper because I%26#39;m coming back on a Monday. I usually fly JAL but couldn%26#39;t resist this offer.
Anyway, seems like we%26#39;re going to hit the Sakura peak!! Enjoy.
Shibuyakko,
Will there be blossoms to see in Disney area or Shinjuku area from April 7-13?
