Anyone familiar with visiting Japan?

[dmitsi]

Also there is a group called goodsamaritanclub.org which is free service of guides (usually uni students) who will guide you around as a chance to practice English. Usually you would buy them lunch/dinner etc and they'll be able to show you many things you'd never get to see without local knowledge. Email them before the trip and they'll arrange a guide for a day. I assume this happens in Tokyo too.

Eta is definitely available in kyoto.

[mu0n]

Yeah, we are going to use Kyoto as a base to visit surrounding areas. I've already booked the hotel for 6 nights, so instead of a 7th, I could book another hotel for a night in Hiroshima towards the end of the trip? Then the last night in tokyo so we're near narita for our morning flight.

On a side note, I can't believe how expensive the flights are. The cheapest direct we found were just over £800 each return.

[dmitsi]

I would consider staying a night down there so you can include a trip to miyajima which is another half hour further by train. I'm pretty sure you can't use the direct bullet train from kyoto to hiroshima,you have to change at shin Osaka which makes it a near two hour journey each way.
Miyajima is a sacred island with really amazing buildings and cable car to its highest point where you might see some monkeys. It is a JR ferry service which runs frequently all day. I would say to maybe stay the night there, but in reality everything closes at 8 or 9 so not much to do after that. The last ferry is about half 10. Staying the night in hiroshima will offer a lot more choice and mean you'll be able to see the city in the evening.

Edited by dmitsi on Saturday 19th December 10:12

[GlenMH]

dmitsi said:

I would consider staying a night down there so you can include a trip to miyajima which is another half hour further by train. I'm pretty sure you can't use the direct bullet train from kyoto to hiroshima,you have to change at shin Osaka which makes it a near two hour journey each way.
Miyajima is a sacred island with really amazing buildings and cable car to its highest point where you might see some monkeys. It is a JR ferry service which runs frequently all day. I would say to maybe stay the night there, but in reality everything closes at 8 or 9 so not much to do after that. The last ferry is about half 10. Staying the night in hiroshima will offer a lot more choice and mean you'll be able to see the city in the evening.

Edited by dmitsi on Saturday 19th December 10:12

Miyajima is certainly worth a visit - as is Hiroshima.

We got completely templed out in Kyoto...

[mu0n]

Thanks man. I looked up about the ferry and if it was included in the JR pass

Missus wants to go to disneysea or Disneyland in tokyo but not sure we'll get the time!

[TwigtheWonderkid]

mu0n said:

On a side note, I can't believe how expensive the flights are. The cheapest direct we found were just over £800 each return.

Well don't fly direct. Aeroflot via Moscow is what we did, sub £500 return. Just a short wait in Moscow, no real hassle. Air China changing in Beijing were a similar price.

[GlenMH]

mu0n said:

Missus wants to go to disneysea or Disneyland in tokyo but not sure we'll get the time!

If you like Disney, great. If you don't, don't.

The queues are epic. The locals don't ask IF you have been to Disney, they ask how many times you have been...

I only went once in our 3.5 year time in Tokyo (and I could see it out of the apartment window, inc the fireworks every weekend) and that was more than enough.

[matt3001]

mu0n said:

dmitsi said:

Make sure when visiting koto you take a trip to nara. It's the ancient capital of Japan and well worth visiting for the temples and the tame deer wandering around.

Nice one. Already had Hiroshima and Kobe earmarked. It looks like I might extend our stay at the hotel in Kyoto for another night to make it 7 nights in total! Then I just need to book 1 night in Tokyo for our last night - any recommendations? Nothing too expensive, I'd say £150 max budget for the night? Could stretch to 2!

Citadines chain is good value for the ££. We stayed at the one in Shinjuku back in November and it was fine.

Why did you decide against the five lakes? Its a stunning part of Japan! 7 nights in Kyoto maybe a bit intense = whereabouts is your hotel?

I went for 3 weeks back in November (as a tourist) so happy to answer any specifics. We did Tokyo / Kurobe Alpine Route (highlight of the trip by far) / Takayama / Shirakawago / Kyoto / Hiroshima / Hakone / Five Lakes / Tokyo.

[mu0n]

We didn't fancy stopping over esp flying economy as once you can get comfy, don't fancy moving! Also some added quite a bit of time onto the journey.

We decided against the Mt Fiji area because its probably not the best time to visit to enjoy the ryokans and onsen as it'll be so warm and humid and again will add more travelling to our trip. I thought it would be best to spend the time around Kyoto and doing day trips from there.

If we were going in spring or winter, id have planned it differently.

[matt3001]

mu0n said:

We didn't fancy stopping over esp flying economy as once you can get comfy, don't fancy moving! Also some added quite a bit of time onto the journey.

We decided against the Mt Fiji area because its probably not the best time to visit to enjoy the ryokans and onsen as it'll be so warm and humid and again will add more travelling to our trip. I thought it would be best to spend the time around Kyoto and doing day trips from there.

If we were going in spring or winter, id have planned it differently.

Makes sense.

Travelling is actually quite effortless in Japan. JR pass is fantastic - one of the best things I did was upgrade to Green car. Loads more legroom for quite a small outlay.

Also use the luggage forwarding (every hotel does it) - its cheap. £10 a bag and just takes the hassle out of dragging your luggage with you on the train.

The Gion area in Kyoto is stunning, especially at night. There is a good Italian there that I will dig out for you.

Also make sure you get a pocket wifi. You need this as you will get lost walking around, and whilst fun, you will at regular points need to reach for google maps. Just get the smallest one and keep it in your partners handbag.

Japanese hospitality is the best in the world and no tipping - you will have an amazing time. BA flight is also good from T5, admittedly we turned left on the plane (BA 2-4-1 + avios) but so much easier than coming down and waiting for a connection.

[mu0n]

matt3001 said:

Makes sense.

Travelling is actually quite effortless in Japan. JR pass is fantastic - one of the best things I did was upgrade to Green car. Loads more legroom for quite a small outlay.

Also use the luggage forwarding (every hotel does it) - its cheap. £10 a bag and just takes the hassle out of dragging your luggage with you on the train.

The Gion area in Kyoto is stunning, especially at night. There is a good Italian there that I will dig out for you.

Also make sure you get a pocket wifi. You need this as you will get lost walking around, and whilst fun, you will at regular points need to reach for google maps. Just get the smallest one and keep it in your partners handbag.

Japanese hospitality is the best in the world and no tipping - you will have an amazing time. BA flight is also good from T5, admittedly we turned left on the plane (BA 2-4-1 + avios) but so much easier than coming down and waiting for a connection.

Ahh nice one mate. Appreciate the tips (as with all the tips I've got here so far).

I know, I flew business with Oman air in October this year for the first time and it was heaven! It's raised my standards unrealistically.

I've read that the green car isn't worth the upgrade? I'll see how prices compare. I did think about the pocket WiFi.

[Craikeybaby]

Pocket wifi is well worth the money - I find it best to pre-book.

[dmitsi]

mu0n said:

Ahh nice one mate. Appreciate the tips (as with all the tips I've got here so far).

I know, I flew business with Oman air in October this year for the first time and it was heaven! It's raised my standards unrealistically.

I've read that the green car isn't worth the upgrade? I'll see how prices compare. I did think about the pocket WiFi.

Green car not worth the money imo, the space in standard on the bullet trains is immense. Chairs all have recline and bags of leg room. You have about double the room of a normal British train seat. If you're not travelling at peak hours I never found am issue getting a seat. The key is to take note of which cars are unreserved and the platform is marked out so you know exactly where to join the train. Join the shortest orderly queue (where to queue is also marked out) and hop on. We were often joining the train near the original departure station which may have helped but never had any trouble getting a seat.

[matt3001]

dmitsi said:

mu0n said:

Ahh nice one mate. Appreciate the tips (as with all the tips I've got here so far).

I know, I flew business with Oman air in October this year for the first time and it was heaven! It's raised my standards unrealistically.

I've read that the green car isn't worth the upgrade? I'll see how prices compare. I did think about the pocket WiFi.

Green car not worth the money imo, the space in standard on the bullet trains is immense. Chairs all have recline and bags of leg room. You have about double the room of a normal British train seat. If you're not travelling at peak hours I never found am issue getting a seat. The key is to take note of which cars are unreserved and the platform is marked out so you know exactly where to join the train. Join the shortest orderly queue (where to queue is also marked out) and hop on. We were often joining the train near the original departure station which may have helped but never had any trouble getting a seat.

Yeah agreed it does depend when you go - we went for the autumn leaves which is a popular time for domestic holidays. But I still thought for an extra £100 (maybe even less than that) it was worth it though.

Each station has a 'reasonable English' speaking ticket office and it takes 2 mins to get a reservation. Kyoto to Hiroshima is a very busy train we found and you should get a reservation for that.

Also when on the platform a) enjoy the vending machines and b) whilst there are markers on the platforms - just make sure you find the right one for your train so you don't queue in the line for the train after!

Hypermia website will also be your best friend - again another reason for pocket wifi.

Also I found Citymapper (if you use that in the UK) to be rubbish in Tokyo. Whilst the tube network is good - sometimes its quicker by overground train / JR Yamamoto line (the latter you can use your JR pass for) is really handy.

Top of the government building is great for views (and free) - so much so that its probably not worth paying to go up any of the tall buildings.

[Craikeybaby]

I always reserve a seat in the non smoking carriage, not green car.

I usually use the Yamenote line to get around Tokyo. The Monorail across the rainbow bridge to Odaiba is good too.

[matt3001]

Craikeybaby said:

I always reserve a seat in the non smoking carriage, not green car.

I usually use the Yamenote line to get around Tokyo. The Monorail across the rainbow bridge to Odaiba is good too.

Yes. Toyota museum also worth a look while you are over there too.

[HorneyMX5]

This thread is relevant to my interests!

Myself and MrsHorneyMX5 are looking to go in early 2017. Totally clueless about it at the moment so this thread has given me lots to google!

[Planet Claire]

HorneyMX5 said:

This thread is relevant to my interests!

Myself and MrsHorneyMX5 are looking to go in early 2017. Totally clueless about it at the moment so this thread has given me lots to google!

Remind me at the next meet - we'll, or rather I, will talk all evening on the subject!

[smithyithy]

Hi guys, posting here to save opening a new thread.

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a 3 week trip to Japan in September / October.

I don't have an itinerary as yet, just a loose idea that I will build up over the coming months.

Anyway, initially I want to sort dates and flights out so I can get the time booked off work (longer than 2 weeks needs special approval). For me, it's easiest to travel from Birmingham to Tokyo Haneda on a weekend. This means I can get lifts to and from so no parking to pay for or public transport to mess about with.

This is looking to be around £700 return for the dates I'm looking at which I'm happy with. That example is with ANA via Frankfurt - I'm trying to have a minimal stopover.

Just a couple of initial questions before I start booking flights:

Is there a better or worse day to arrive in Tokyo? For example if I'll be arriving on a Sunday, would that make it harder to get a 5-night booking in s hotel rather than arriving mid-week, or vice versa?

As I'm looking at booking a return flight from to and from Haneda, that means my 3 weeks will start and end in Tokyo, so my itinerary will have to reflect that. Is there any benefit of ending the trip elsewhere and flying back from there? So for example my itinerary would be linear rather than a 'loop', or is Toyko the standard airport for most flights? (Seems that way).

[Craikeybaby]

I think finnair are good for flights to other Japanese airports, but not sure they fly from Birmingham. My last frw trips I have tried to get on the Lufthansa/ANA flight, but it is always over budget by the time I book. For other options from Birmingham I prefer Air France to KLM as they use a new 777, rather than an old 747.