Budget holiday to Japan??
Discussion
I went a few years ago, first off get a Japan Rail pass
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html
You have to pay extra for the Nozami (bullet train - but well worth it)
I also went and booked directly with hotels in each city and printed off the maps and details to take with me. The hotel staff will write them out in Japanese to make finding the locations easier.
The rooms I had were quite good - think traveloge type. internet was free in the lobby in most places.
Started off in Tokyo, down to Shizuoka to see the Tamiya factory, where I splashed out on a proper Ryokan to get a bit of true Japan, my room could see Mt Fuji and was fantastic.
Then was onto Nagoya, Kyosho and Osaka.
Once in Osaka I went back to Tokyo on the Bullet train and then flew back from there. The pilot did a flyover the top of Fuji so we could see into it as it was a clear day. Stunning it was.
One of the best experiences I have ever done. Felt totally safe on my own just walking round.
If you are doing it that way, travel light as you will be lumping your luggage round a lot.
Claire
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html
You have to pay extra for the Nozami (bullet train - but well worth it)
I also went and booked directly with hotels in each city and printed off the maps and details to take with me. The hotel staff will write them out in Japanese to make finding the locations easier.
The rooms I had were quite good - think traveloge type. internet was free in the lobby in most places.
Started off in Tokyo, down to Shizuoka to see the Tamiya factory, where I splashed out on a proper Ryokan to get a bit of true Japan, my room could see Mt Fuji and was fantastic.
Then was onto Nagoya, Kyosho and Osaka.
Once in Osaka I went back to Tokyo on the Bullet train and then flew back from there. The pilot did a flyover the top of Fuji so we could see into it as it was a clear day. Stunning it was.
One of the best experiences I have ever done. Felt totally safe on my own just walking round.
If you are doing it that way, travel light as you will be lumping your luggage round a lot.
Claire
Edited by Gaffer on Sunday 16th December 09:22
How tight is tight?
Flights themselves aren't exactly cheap for a start.
Accommodation is expensive, especially in Tokyo. There may be hostel options however which could be worth a look.
Food I didn't think was too bad in terms of cost. Certainly equal, if not slightly cheaper than central London prices. Many hotels charge extra for breakfast. We felt it better to nip into the local 7/11 and grab a couple of apple pies or other bakery stuff and a drink to eat en route to the wherever we were visiting. Alcohol (beer in particular) will bump up your restaurant bill.
As above JR pass is a must for discounted travel around the country.
Public transport in the cities (inc Tokyo) was very decent value, iirc cheaper than the London Underground.
Flights themselves aren't exactly cheap for a start.
Accommodation is expensive, especially in Tokyo. There may be hostel options however which could be worth a look.
Food I didn't think was too bad in terms of cost. Certainly equal, if not slightly cheaper than central London prices. Many hotels charge extra for breakfast. We felt it better to nip into the local 7/11 and grab a couple of apple pies or other bakery stuff and a drink to eat en route to the wherever we were visiting. Alcohol (beer in particular) will bump up your restaurant bill.
As above JR pass is a must for discounted travel around the country.
Public transport in the cities (inc Tokyo) was very decent value, iirc cheaper than the London Underground.
Gaffer said:
I went a few years ago, first off get a Japan Rail pass
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html
You have to pay extra for the Nozami (bullet train - but well worth it)
There are many classes of bullet train. Iirc the Nozomi (and Mizuho) is the quickest as it stops least/is the most direct. You will have to pay more for this over your initial outlay for the JR pass and imo is not worth it. The Hikari trains are 'free' with the pass and not much slower.http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html
You have to pay extra for the Nozami (bullet train - but well worth it)
Our plan is to do Japan in 2013 too so interested to read some of the suggestions. The idea is we'll go from Tokyo to Hiroshima, or in the reverse. With us both having MX5s we would like to hire one in Hiroshima and go to the Mazda museum and also meet up with one of the owners clubs there.
Will keep an eye open for any other money saving suggestions on this thread.
Will keep an eye open for any other money saving suggestions on this thread.
Planet Claire said:
Our plan is to do Japan in 2013 too so interested to read some of the suggestions. The idea is we'll go from Tokyo to Hiroshima, or in the reverse. With us both having MX5s we would like to hire one in Hiroshima and go to the Mazda museum and also meet up with one of the owners clubs there.
Will keep an eye open for any other money saving suggestions on this thread.
In the next month or so I'll be doing a write up (with lots of pics) of our July trip to Japan.Will keep an eye open for any other money saving suggestions on this thread.
We went to:
Tokyo
Kyoto
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Nara
Hopefully should help inspire your trip a little!
I thought the Nozami was well worth it. each to their own.
Oh and for breakfast every day I had a coffee and one of those waffles that had massive lumps of sugar on them...lush.
I was there on my own so wandered round each place till I got lost. Apart from Shizuoka where I headed directly to the Tamiya HQ and spent the rest of the day there. Got a personal tour of the building and talked to the staff designing new buggies. Also Mr.Tamiya picked me up off the floor after I fell backwards down some steps. Doh..
I love going on holiday on my own. Do what I want, when I want.
Claire
Oh and for breakfast every day I had a coffee and one of those waffles that had massive lumps of sugar on them...lush.
I was there on my own so wandered round each place till I got lost. Apart from Shizuoka where I headed directly to the Tamiya HQ and spent the rest of the day there. Got a personal tour of the building and talked to the staff designing new buggies. Also Mr.Tamiya picked me up off the floor after I fell backwards down some steps. Doh..
I love going on holiday on my own. Do what I want, when I want.
Claire
What exactly do you want to do in Japan?
It's not really a budget holiday destination, but you can usually do everything you want if you're strict and plan in advance. I would suggest coming in late April if you can as the sakura is blooming and Japan is one of the best places in the world to be during that time.
It's not really a budget holiday destination, but you can usually do everything you want if you're strict and plan in advance. I would suggest coming in late April if you can as the sakura is blooming and Japan is one of the best places in the world to be during that time.
Xaero said:
What exactly do you want to do in Japan?
It's not really a budget holiday destination, but you can usually do everything you want if you're strict and plan in advance. I would suggest coming in late April if you can as the sakura is blooming and Japan is one of the best places in the world to be during that time.
+1 to all of that.It's not really a budget holiday destination, but you can usually do everything you want if you're strict and plan in advance. I would suggest coming in late April if you can as the sakura is blooming and Japan is one of the best places in the world to be during that time.
Also take a look at http://www.japanican.com/index.aspx for some ideas.
As others have said: at the current exchange rate, it isn't the cheapest but the sakura season is worth the price.
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