11 yrs, 6 mths ago

Japan Trip

I was just wondering if anyone out there can give me a few tips on going to Japan, my son is going over next week and was wondering if any of you had been over before and could give some pointers of tips to help my son. Anything would help, like what to avoid and what to look out for..Would really be grateful for any ideas…xx

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Replies

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    We based our trip around the Japan guide from the Lonely Planet series. Since he’s only going for a week, he can borrow it from a library in aus and use it while he’s there?

    I had an awesome time in Japan and can’t wait to go again! I have lots of recommendations from my trip =)

    1. How long are they going for? If he’s going to various places that are quite a distance apart, and staying for at least a week, they should look into getting a JR pass for the shinkansen (bullet train)

    2. Visit Hiroshima for the war memorial. They shouldn’t have to book a tour guide as the museum has an audio tour guide in english, plus the information plaques are all in English and very informative.

    3. Visit Nara. It’s a world-heritage listed site that you reach by ferry, has the most gorgeous temple and lots of stalls. Tell them to try some okonomiyaki while they are there! I went to Hiroshima and Nara on the same day, which is quite a popular tour package (but perfectly do-able on your own!). The area around Nara is also famous for its oysters.

    4. Kyoto is adorable for its old-school appeal. Stay in a ryokan here – a traditional inn, not a hotel! Try to visit Gion which is the geisha area. However, don’t go to the Imperial Palace – you don’t get to do or see much. The guides are very strict and forbid you from doing anything at all – kind of like a school excursion/military drill.

    5. Since you said that your son is extremely fit, I would HIGHLY recommend visiting an onsen. Not a city one – head into the mountains or rural areas. I caught the train from kyoto to a tiny mountain village called kurama, but only because it was a wet day. There’s a free shuttle bus from the station, but we strolled through the village to take in its quaintness. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you get off the station BEFORE kurama, and hike OVER the mountain (getting in the fresh mountain air) and then finally relax in the open hot spring, surrounded by fog and the sound of birds.

    Well thanks for all the great information Dcuky, I have told my son about all you said and he was really happy about it. It is really better to get information from someone who has been there, as then you know the real truth. I am sure that he will have a wonderful time, and reading what you wrote just makes me feel a bit better about it. Thanks xx

    Once again thank you I didn’t even think of that what a great idea..You sure are good..LOL..

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    We based our trip around the Japan guide from the Lonely Planet series. Since he’s only going for a week, he can borrow it from a library in aus and use it while he’s there?

    I had an awesome time in Japan and can’t wait to go again! I have lots of recommendations from my trip =)

    1. How long are they going for? If he’s going to various places that are quite a distance apart, and staying for at least a week, they should look into getting a JR pass for the shinkansen (bullet train)

    2. Visit Hiroshima for the war memorial. They shouldn’t have to book a tour guide as the museum has an audio tour guide in english, plus the information plaques are all in English and very informative.

    3. Visit Nara. It’s a world-heritage listed site that you reach by ferry, has the most gorgeous temple and lots of stalls. Tell them to try some okonomiyaki while they are there! I went to Hiroshima and Nara on the same day, which is quite a popular tour package (but perfectly do-able on your own!). The area around Nara is also famous for its oysters.

    4. Kyoto is adorable for its old-school appeal. Stay in a ryokan here – a traditional inn, not a hotel! Try to visit Gion which is the geisha area. However, don’t go to the Imperial Palace – you don’t get to do or see much. The guides are very strict and forbid you from doing anything at all – kind of like a school excursion/military drill.

    5. Since you said that your son is extremely fit, I would HIGHLY recommend visiting an onsen. Not a city one – head into the mountains or rural areas. I caught the train from kyoto to a tiny mountain village called kurama, but only because it was a wet day. There’s a free shuttle bus from the station, but we strolled through the village to take in its quaintness. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you get off the station BEFORE kurama, and hike OVER the mountain (getting in the fresh mountain air) and then finally relax in the open hot spring, surrounded by fog and the sound of birds.

    Well thanks for all the great information Dcuky, I have told my son about all you said and he was really happy about it. It is really better to get information from someone who has been there, as then you know the real truth. I am sure that he will have a wonderful time, and reading what you wrote just makes me feel a bit better about it. Thanks xx

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    I stayed at a place called ‘ikebukuro house’ in the suburb ikebukuro. It’s very close to the shopping district and the train station, plus affordable, clean, and free breakfast!

    now we’re on the topic of Japan, Can anyone recommend accommodation in tokyo? I plan on staying on my own for approximately 4days – long story going with my girlfriends (aged 21-23) and unfortunately, I fly in later than everyone else, and miss going to tokyo – so was wanting to do it on my own at the end.

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    now we’re on the topic of Japan, Can anyone recommend accommodation in tokyo? I plan on staying on my own for approximately 4days – long story going with my girlfriends (aged 21-23) and unfortunately, I fly in later than everyone else, and miss going to tokyo – so was wanting to do it on my own at the end.

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    I had an awesome time in Japan and can’t wait to go again! I have lots of recommendations from my trip =)

    1. How long are they going for? If he’s going to various places that are quite a distance apart, and staying for at least a week, they should look into getting a JR pass for the shinkansen (bullet train)

    2. Visit Hiroshima for the war memorial. They shouldn’t have to book a tour guide as the museum has an audio tour guide in english, plus the information plaques are all in English and very informative.

    3. Visit Nara. It’s a world-heritage listed site that you reach by ferry, has the most gorgeous temple and lots of stalls. Tell them to try some okonomiyaki while they are there! I went to Hiroshima and Nara on the same day, which is quite a popular tour package (but perfectly do-able on your own!). The area around Nara is also famous for its oysters.

    4. Kyoto is adorable for its old-school appeal. Stay in a ryokan here – a traditional inn, not a hotel! Try to visit Gion which is the geisha area. However, don’t go to the Imperial Palace – you don’t get to do or see much. The guides are very strict and forbid you from doing anything at all – kind of like a school excursion/military drill.

    5. Since you said that your son is extremely fit, I would HIGHLY recommend visiting an onsen. Not a city one – head into the mountains or rural areas. I caught the train from kyoto to a tiny mountain village called kurama, but only because it was a wet day. There’s a free shuttle bus from the station, but we strolled through the village to take in its quaintness. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you get off the station BEFORE kurama, and hike OVER the mountain (getting in the fresh mountain air) and then finally relax in the open hot spring, surrounded by fog and the sound of birds.

    Well thanks for all the great information Dcuky, I have told my son about all you said and he was really happy about it. It is really better to get information from someone who has been there, as then you know the real truth. I am sure that he will have a wonderful time, and reading what you wrote just makes me feel a bit better about it. Thanks xx

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    oh sorry i meant miyajima island, not nara =)

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    Haven’t been sorry. But if I was going over I’d be stocking up on SK-11 products!!!

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    In terms of what to look out for or avoid, Japan is generally very safe. I went with my female cousins (4 of us, aged 18-21) and the locals were all wonderful to us. They are an extremely polite society

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    I had an awesome time in Japan and can’t wait to go again! I have lots of recommendations from my trip =)

    1. How long are they going for? If he’s going to various places that are quite a distance apart, and staying for at least a week, they should look into getting a JR pass for the shinkansen (bullet train)

    2. Visit Hiroshima for the war memorial. They shouldn’t have to book a tour guide as the museum has an audio tour guide in english, plus the information plaques are all in English and very informative.

    3. Visit Nara. It’s a world-heritage listed site that you reach by ferry, has the most gorgeous temple and lots of stalls. Tell them to try some okonomiyaki while they are there! I went to Hiroshima and Nara on the same day, which is quite a popular tour package (but perfectly do-able on your own!). The area around Nara is also famous for its oysters.

    4. Kyoto is adorable for its old-school appeal. Stay in a ryokan here – a traditional inn, not a hotel! Try to visit Gion which is the geisha area. However, don’t go to the Imperial Palace – you don’t get to do or see much. The guides are very strict and forbid you from doing anything at all – kind of like a school excursion/military drill.

    5. Since you said that your son is extremely fit, I would HIGHLY recommend visiting an onsen. Not a city one – head into the mountains or rural areas. I caught the train from kyoto to a tiny mountain village called kurama, but only because it was a wet day. There’s a free shuttle bus from the station, but we strolled through the village to take in its quaintness. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you get off the station BEFORE kurama, and hike OVER the mountain (getting in the fresh mountain air) and then finally relax in the open hot spring, surrounded by fog and the sound of birds.

  • 11 yrs, 6 mths ago

    Sorry silly me, there are 4 of them going, they will be going to Kyoto, Hagi and Hiroshima. He is really fit and wouldn’t mind having to walk a lot. They would like to do as much as possible in the time they have. I thought if some of you had gone before you could give ideas on whats interesting and different.

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