Anyone been to Japan ?

Jon_S_4

Im planning a trip to Japan leaving sometime in october and staying for a couple of weeks.

flying into Tokyo and stying there for a few nights, then i need some advice about where else to go.

Osaka is on the list as well as hakone which is near mount fuji (so im told).

any sugestions where else i could visit for a few days ?

I fly into Narita airport in Tokyo and fly out of there also.


thanks

MSE_Jenny

Kyoto is gorgeous. It's the ancient capital and there're a tons of traditional temples and palaces - should be on everyone's to do list.

On the MoneySaving side, check out Yoshinoya, a chain of fast food restaurants where you can get beef bowels, yummy strips of beef on rice, for £1.50.

LesD

Have you tried the 'search' facility? This is the most recent thread I think.

Jon_S_4

Thanks for all the help, some good tips there for me to think about

Jon_S_4

i have another question that someone may be able to help me with.

Ive just applied for a nationwide debit card t withdraw cash when im in japan, does anyone know if i can use it at all atm's ?

I read somewhere about cards only being valid at citibank or post office ?

can anyone help me ?

thanks

Jon_S_4

alexjohnson wrote:

What you read is more or less right. You can't use most ATMs and need to find banks with international card-compatible machines.

thanks for the quick reply. So i may encounter problems when in Japan ?

I dont want to have to spend time tracking down compatable ATM's!

Jon_S_4

alexjohnson wrote:

Problems isn't the word: just plan appropriately. And you're right about Citibank so one solution would be just to go to citibank.com: this is the list.
http://www.citibank.co.jp/en/shpatm/al001a_index.html
There used to be one in Kyoto (I am a Citibank customer) but I guess it must have shut.

Thanks, i guess your right. Just plan ahead and there wont be problems.

cundall

Currently in Tokyo..

ATM are fine just use Postoffice ones or ones with the post office logo and the only other ones you can use are city banks..

Climb Mt Fuji i have just done it...

Nara is nise for a day trip..

Lots of cheap food around even cheaper than Yoshinoya though you have to find them! I have found that under railway lines (no joke) they seem to be cheap though many places have little places hidden!

bbruce

I've been there many times but still find it an amazing place to visit. No crime or vandalism make it worth the higher cost of most things (except cigs).
It does seem the case re Post Offices being the only reliable ATMs for our cards - lucky they are as common as UK Post Offices.
Nobody seems to have mentioned the YHA. Join here and use the card worldwide. They are similar to here - cheap & cheerful in city centres and obscure beautiful countryside. There's a nice one in Katsunuma in the wine-growing area less than 2 hours from Tokyo on the Chuo line.
A money saving tip for getting into Tokyo from the airport:
Ignore the non-stop NEX and Skyliner trains designed for tourists with special luggage compartments and go for the Keisei Limited express which stops 4-5 times, takes 15 mins longer but is half the price and gets you to Nippori on the Yamanote (Circle) Line on the JR system.

cundall

YHA in japan is ok though it depends where you are based!

Tokyo i find https://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp very good.. last stop on the giza line

While in Osaka (base for kobe, koyto ect ect) http://www.cheaphotel.jp/ very good, this one you get your own room with fridge, tv, free internet ect for 2300 per night.

Jon_S_4

thanks for all the advice, ive sorted out hotels for my various stops.

I have another question i hope someone can answer ?

Im going to buy a JR rail pass from here in the UK and am not sure if i should buy a green rail pass or ordinary. I do enjoy a little more comfort when travelling but want to know if its worth the extra £44 ?

I plan to use it from tokyo to kyoto, then daytrips from kyoto then returning from kyoto to Narita airport.

Also does anyone from the UK know the cheapest place to but a JR rail Pass ?

Prices i got quoted are £182 for green and £138 for ordinary

thanks