Going to Japan

LondonDiva

Hi All

I'm going to visit a friend in Japan (nr Osaka) and will be going for a fortnight. we were going to have spend the first week together & then me all on my own, but her grandfather was ill & she had to take some a/l to come home round christmas. So I think I'll have a week on my own & then wil try to spend time with her going to Tokoyo or any other recommendations.

I tried to do a search on the forums, but not really anything on it (if I do go to Hong kong, I'll be well prepared though:))

Anyone been/have any tips about what I should do / eat (no fugi!!! :eek: )can be missed / is it that expensive /what would be a good buy / a rip off?

So far I do know from what people have said:

*Get a rail pass
*
*

:oAny help gratefully received:o

Diva:)

nelly_2

Seems no ones been

I asked for Japan help the other day http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=140889

22 views no replies If you find anything let me know and if I do I'll let you know

nelly_2

Seems no ones been

I asked for Japan help the other day http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=140889

22 views no replies If you find anything let me know and if I do I'll let you know

rockpeblar

As you'll be near Osaka I'd recommend visiting Kyoto which is the old capital of Japan. Several spectacular temples to see including a gold plated temple. Plenty of different tour buses are available and some even do English speaking tours.

I'd also recommend visiting a hot spring. I normally stay in Fuji at the base of Mount Fuji and there are plenty of hot spring locations around Mount Fuji. Some are very modern and have Saunas on site but I did visit one which was just a large open pool in a very natural setting - complete with snow !!!

Be very careful if you use the phone in your hotel room as the cost is extremely high.

Hope this helps.

pin

Whenever I go somewhere I have a look at the Thorn Tree forums run by Lonely Planet. Always a wealth of information for travelling. Have a look there and you will get tonnes of information.

LesD

You don't say if you have any knowledge of Japan. So I'll assume you don't. Forgive me if you do!

Here's one person's day-in-Tokyo. There's also a day-in-Kyoto.

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/tokyosightseeing/a/dayintokyo.htm

Obvious attractions in Tokyo are the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Tower, Ginza Shopping District, Roppongi nightlife.

The tourist sites are well documented - just put 'Tokyo sightseeing' into Google.

Be sure to find time for visting Shinjuku (suburb of Tokyo). The Odakyu department store has the most enormous food hall in the basement. Sells everything including 'gift' melons at stupid prices! We saw some at c£100 each!!!

Transport can be difficult to understand, but there is lots of it. Many people speak English, particularly in shops. But not taxi drivers! Also, addresses are not in our style so don't expect to be taken to No. 1 Acacia Avenue! Try to have any addresses written in Kanji (Japanese characters).

We found the Yamanote rail line the most useful for getting around.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2370.html

Find time to play Pachinko - like the old fairground 'spin-the-ballbearings' but hundreds at a time!

Learn the difference between Sushi (rice-based) and Sashimi (plain raw fish)! Don't eat the wasabi (green 'mustard') by itself - mix it with soy sauce and dip the sushi/sashimi in it.

Look at the amazing range of electronics at Akihabara. But don't get carried away and buy! Prices aren't cheap and they aren't always UK compatible.

http://www.akiba.or.jp/index_e.html

Outside Tokyo is Mount Fuji, the DisneyLand and DisneySea parks, the river and bay cruises.

Just remember Japan is more expensive than the UK! Perhaps someone knows of a Japanese Money-Saving-Expert website?????

TokyoJoe

I lived in Tokyo (and loved it) for 7 years.

My Tips & things I would like to do if I returned.

Visit the Salvation Army store in Tokyo. It's only open on a Saturday morning until midday and is quite difficult to find but you will find some real treasures that would cost you hundreds of pounds if you go to the more traditional souvenir shops.

http://pinkurocks.typepad.com/pinku/2004/10/salvation_army_.html

Cherry blossom season usually starts in Feb and you may be lucky and be there when the blossom comes out in the parks. There is nothing like it in England.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html

Tokyo Disney Land / Tokyo Sea land are very different to the American / European parks and well worth the visit.

Smash Hits is an English Language Karaoke bar in Hiro . They have pretty much every song you could imagine (And a lot you couldn’t). The bar is set up as a stage and again I have not come across anything similar in the UK.

http://club.nokia.co.jp/i/tfp/e/rest/0605.html

Visit a hot spa in Hakone. We always used to go to the Prince Hotel on lake Ashi. Very beautiful scenery, hot outdoors springs that you can bathe in and cable cars going up the mountain.

http://www2.princehotels.co.jp/app_room/epiq0010.asp?hotel=040

If you are feeling adventurous go to Roppongi. Although it has quite a sleazy feel there are some great bars and clubs and it is still much safer than any town in England.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html


Visit Tokyo Hands dept store in Shibuya or Shinjuku. Hard to describe but like a John Lewis , B&Q , Gift store & much more all rolled into one. Again you will find items that you could not buy in England.

http://www.superfuture.com/city/reviews/review.cfm?ID=352


And finally take a skiing day trip in the mountains. Much cheaper than you might expect and the Japanese ski slopes are both beautiful and well organised. You can rent everything and if you plan everything in advance through a local agent the trip should not cost you more than £60 including train tickets.

http://www.outdoorjapan.com/activities/wintersports/activity-winterports-areaguide.html


Have a great time.

LondonDiva

:eek: Double post:eek:

Diva

LondonDiva

:T:T:TThank you to everyone for their comments & ideas:T:T:T

Anyone for anymore, please feel free to pass on your tips:D:D:D:D:D

next step - trying to get a flight for the last 2 weeks of march, so far the cheapest I can find is £450 - is this good? on emirates (19 hours though - ouch!)

I'll be sure to make up my file before I go and will make sure that I feedback to you as well as trying to post some pics when I get back:)

thanks again for taking the time to post guys

Diva {woman mission bound for Japan:D}:rolleyes:

Otago

I stopped in japan for 3 weeks on my rtw trip and I have to say it was my second most favourite place in the whole world, with New Zealand coming tops.

I loved Kyoto too - make sure you walk up to the district that has lots of geisha teahouses- you may even be lucky to catch a glimpse of a geisha as she arrives and steps out of her taxi to go in. There is a geisha house that is open to the public like a museum so you can see inside. From memory, kyoto is also a great place to see the fireflies by the river- magical, they look like fairylights, so pretty!

The bullet trains are so fast that it means you can scoot across the country and be back by nightfall if you want. You might like to consider going to hiroshima then - the museum dedicated to educating us about the bomb and its after effects is very moving.

Try and go to some of the gardens. If you read lonely planet it tells you of the countries top 5 and they will blow you away if you can get to them.

The castles are amazing too, and I even managed to get dressed up in full kimono in one of them like a princess! Its in a famous one that the bullet train stops right at, sorry cant remeber its name right now, but I could get back to you if you want.

You may be lucky to experience a tea ceremony. Quite unique and wonderful,but agony on the knees!! The ladies were so lovely and even despite the language barrier they were able to communicate to me that it was ok for me to sit with my legs to the side instead of kneeling on them- thank heavens!

The japanese alps are beautiful with fantastic walks. be aware though, that your rail pass will not cover you on the bus up into the mountains. This is a costly extra but worth it. ( I know its a rail pass but also covers you on some buses I think. Make sure you buy this rail pass BEFORE you arrive in the country- see a travel agent and then your ticket is exchanged on arrival in japan for your pass)

And lastly, my favourite. Hot spas - everywhere! All different types and just amazing. Some of the backdrops are so stunning. beware of the mixed ones if youre shy, as you will already stand ot like a sore thumb! Seek these out wherever you go as you will not be disappointed.

I cant wait to go back! And will try and see the cherry blossom.

P.S Memoirs of a Geisha has fantastic scenes of what it actually looks like, and the book is better than the film if you havent read it.

LesD

LondonDiva wrote:

: trying to get a flight for the last 2 weeks of march, so far the cheapest I can find is £450 - is this good? on emirates (19 hours though - ouch!)
:

Looks like a good price to me. Presumably transit thru Dubai so each sector will be c7-8 hours. Not too bad!