Japan

Bargainhuntress

I went in 2002 when I was 23. I am Indian so was also a bit of a novelty although probably not as much as a white woman would be. I stayed with friends ( Japanese exchange students who I met at uni) in Tokyo and they would explain routes to me each evening for the next day (they were working) so I travelled around on my own. It was fine, if I got lost I just showed someone my piece of paper with my intended destination and there would be lots of gesticulating going on and I was fine. i also went on bullet train to Kyoto on my own and stayed in a youth hostel alone. Again I was fine. I felt safe at night too, the main cities are so busy at night so your daughters will be fine.

WaxiesDargle

Brilliant

thank you all for your responses


tarkytarks I look forward to reading about your experiences

glitterpuss

tarkytarks wrote: »

We got back on Sunday from 2 weeks in Japan. I'm in the process of putting together some info for a thread on here about it. Tips and tricks etc. But in essence it was ever so easy over there - don't panic (I know I did!). We carried all of our money around with us for the entire trip, had no problems with not feeling safe etc, and it was very easy to travel around.
I did come back craving porridge and fruit though, but that's another matter :-)

I too will be very interested in reading your tips. We're planning on going next year

Beenie

It's safe and clean. People are helpful and friendly. Signs in the metro are in English so you know which station you are at.

Best tip is to get your rail pass for bullet-train (shinkansen) in the UK. It's a bargain in comparison with what you would pay at the counter in Japan. We were there a few years ago now, but unlimited travel for 2 weeks on metro and rail system was about £200 each. You could spend that on a single trip from Tokyo-Hiroshima alone.