Japan

[gotoPzero]

Just found a good deal (I think!!!) in the black friday sale for return flights to Japan in May.

So.... I clicked buy.

I have always wanted to go, watch Abroad In Japan etc.

I have booked for 6 weeks as I doubt I will ever go again so want to do as much as I can in my time there but at the same time dont want to rush round and if we find somewhere we really like I would like to hang around a few days.

I would like to see Mt Fuji, visit some Onsens, ride the bullet train (and some slow trains), see some of the big shrines and maybe see some drifting or something.

Any advice?!

[smifffymoto]

Just curious,who have you booked with and how much?

I also have a booking next year but the flights are not definitely on as yet.

[Percy Cushion]

It’s cherry blossom season in May.

I’m not sure where you’re flying to but Tokyo, Hakone (Mt. Fuji), and Kyoto are a must.

Have you looked at accommodation yet? It’s not cheap in Japan.

[12TS]

We used the trains to get around. This was well worth it, includes the Shinkansen

https://japanrailpass.net/en/

[pteron]

gotoPzero said:

Just found a good deal (I think!!!) in the black friday sale for return flights to Japan in May.

So.... I clicked buy.

I have always wanted to go, watch Abroad In Japan etc.

I have booked for 6 weeks as I doubt I will ever go again so want to do as much as I can in my time there but at the same time dont want to rush round and if we find somewhere we really like I would like to hang around a few days.

I would like to see Mt Fuji, visit some Onsens, ride the bullet train (and some slow trains), see some of the big shrines and maybe see some drifting or something.

Any advice?!

Get a suica/pasmo card at the airport - they do a nice tourist one and the locals will ooh and ahh at it when you use it!

For getting around Tokyo the Yamanote line is the first port of call, it's a circle that goes close to the vast majority of what you'll want to see on your first visit and links to all of the other underground lines.

Akihababra is not what it once was - I remember picking up playstations etc long before they were available in the west, but it is still fun if you're into tech (or hentai!).

As a tourist, I'd probably try to stay around Shinjuku.

Part of the joy of Tokyo is how safe it is - just head off randomly exploring little side streets and you'll find delightful temples, sushi bars, interesting architecture etc. Got to the fish market (early!) and have the freshest sushi ever. Tokyo tower is 16ft taller than the Eiffel tower they copied.

If you get lost, open a map up on any street and you'll attract Japanese people who want to help, even if they don't speak English. If you're single this is also a good way to meet girls

The only place you need to watch out is Roppongi at night, full of touts trying to get you into girlie bars where you'll be ripped off.

Have fun, my fav city by far.

[loafer123]

Epic place…a few favourites from my last visit;

Andy’s Fish izakaya near Tokyo Station http://www.andysfish.com/

Imperial Palace gardens/park

French Maid tour of Akihabara (yes, really!)

Hakone circular tour

Stay in a Ryokan (food may be a little challenging!

Kyoto for heritage

Sushi making course in someone’s home…you go an buy the fish, then go back to their house and are taught to make sushi…a real window on how they live


Public transport is super easy in Tokyo, so don’t be afraid, just get going!

[gotoPzero]

smifffymoto said:

Just curious,who have you booked with and how much?

I also have a booking next year but the flights are not definitely on as yet.

Ah,,,, maybe thats why it was cheap (2200 return in business).

So its not a confirmed flight? I better contact the airline (SAS).

[gotoPzero]

Spoke to SAS, they say at the moment the route will be operating..... but honestly the person I spoke to did not seem to know what day it was so I am taking that with a pinch of salt. When I asked about transferring the points from this flight to my Virgin Flying Club account the person on the phone had never heard of Virgin Atlantic....

I will probably give it till the new year and then make more enquiries.

[gotoPzero]

Doing a bit of a google Tokyo flights resume (on SAS) at the end of March.

[swanseaboydan]

Worth looking into the Japan railway pass (jrpass). It’s generally a good deal - only available to foreigners and it will allow you to see a lot more of Japan

[gotoPzero]

Thanks all lots of good stuff here.... the french maid in particular (not sure my wife will agree)

Going to do some research into the thing listed.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Percy Cushion said:

It’s cherry blossom season in May.

It varies but back end of March, first half of April is more common. I arrived in Tokyo 30 March and Sakura season was in full flow.

[gotoPzero]

We have 2 weeks in april and all of may.

[smifffymoto]

gotoPzero said:

smifffymoto said:

Just curious,who have you booked with and how much?

I also have a booking next year but the flights are not definitely on as yet.

Ah,,,, maybe thats why it was cheap (2200 return in business).

So its not a confirmed flight? I better contact the airline (SAS).

We're going with ANA.
Barcelona-Munich-Tokyo.
How ever the flight looks like Barcelona-Frankfurt-Tokyo.(still not 100% definite).
When we first thought of going it was 400€ return,we booked and paid 640€ return.

[Percy Cushion]

The Tokyo Fish Market is also a great shout as is the Suica card. Also, get the Hyperdia app for train times. Just put in the departure station and destination and it calculates the best route. Get off the train at the arrival time, you’ll be at the destination. I lived there for three years and found this app to be essential. Spend some time in a coffee shop overlooking Shibuya Crossing, the worlds busiest pedestrian crossing. We used to love going to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on a Sunday when the weird and wonderful locals would be out in full colour.

Kyoto feels more traditional Japanese than Tokyo. Fushimi Inari Shrine is well worth a visit. Also, there are numerous gardens/shrines to visit. The Golden Temple is also well worth a visit as is the Kyoto Bamboo Groves (Arashiyama)

What about a trip to Hiroshima? I’ve been a couple of times, you’ll never forget a visit to the museum and Peace Memorial Park. You can add in a visit to Miyajima and see the Itsukushima Tori gate.

[souper]

Got any links to these deals? I fancy 4-6 weeks in Japan.

[Percy Cushion]

Also, as this is PH, why don’t you get an International Driving Licence and go Mario Karting in Tokyo

I used this website and found it very useful: https://www.japan-guide.com/

Odaiba in Tokyo to see the Statue of Liberty at night is another must see.

Edited by Percy Cushion on Saturday 26th November 17:54

[gotoPzero]

souper said:

Got any links to these deals? I fancy 4-6 weeks in Japan.

SAS black Friday sale is on till tomorrow, prices start for economy around £700 depending on origin, £1500 for prem economy and £2200 for business.
Use their travel calender to see the cheapest dates / days to fly.

The origin airport can make a difference too so play around with that. Google flights can also help find the cheapest route.

I found it was cheaper to book MAN>CPH>NRT than CPH>NRT direct.

Thats before making our own way to CPH from MAN under our own steam.

[gotoPzero]

Percy Cushion said:

Stuff

Thanks for this all good info cheers.

I am going to try and learn some Japanese...

[Kenty]

Hiroshima is a must
Kyoto is as well
Mikiyama island is also pretty good trip