Anyone been to Japan?
Discussion
Travelling to Japan for 7 days in June. Flying into Tokyo Haneda. Would like to see Tokyo plus maybe Kyoto.
How would you split you split the time? Is 7 days enough to leave Tokyo for (at least) a couple of days away? We are interested in sights, culture, food aswell as a bit of relaxation.
Thanks!
It's a fantastic place.Just been, coincidentally for 7/8 days. I personally would say that was enough if you just want these 2 cities, although there are people that will claim the whole month would not be.
Tokyo is nice enough for a big concrete jungle but nothing that special (mind you prettier than Osaka that I visited but nowhere near London or Paris). Obviously you can find more characterful places, I personally liked Asakusa where I stayed.
Kyoto is quite different - there is a big area that is more traditionally Japanese next to the hills with tens of temples, shrines. No wonder it does attract tourists. The rest of the city, which is quite big is frankly quite ugly.
Tokyo is nice enough for a big concrete jungle but nothing that special (mind you prettier than Osaka that I visited but nowhere near London or Paris). Obviously you can find more characterful places, I personally liked Asakusa where I stayed.
Kyoto is quite different - there is a big area that is more traditionally Japanese next to the hills with tens of temples, shrines. No wonder it does attract tourists. The rest of the city, which is quite big is frankly quite ugly.
A few threads around, if you can find them.
My opinion is it's well-worth getting away from Kyoto and Tokyo - can you imagine holidaying in the UK and just visiting London and Manchester? A lot of places are easily day-trippable from either of those (trains are fantastic - get a JR Pass), others are probably a little too far.
You can also use Takkayubin services for some of your luggage, if required - Trains don't have huge luggage spaces at end of carriages.
My opinion is it's well-worth getting away from Kyoto and Tokyo - can you imagine holidaying in the UK and just visiting London and Manchester? A lot of places are easily day-trippable from either of those (trains are fantastic - get a JR Pass), others are probably a little too far.
You can also use Takkayubin services for some of your luggage, if required - Trains don't have huge luggage spaces at end of carriages.
Off to Japan on Saturday for a week (plus a couple of days in Seoul). I lived in Tokyo for 8 years and love it there. Much of my trip will revolve around food...some absolutely awesome restaurants there, particularly if you're relatively adventurous.
Grub aside, I'd say Asakusa and the surrounding area is a must and it's a short walk from there to Kappabashi where there's a street of shops selling nothing but the incredibly realistic plastic food that many restaurants have on display in their windows. A stroll down Omote-Sando and especially the streets off to the right-hand side as you go down the hill, which are crammed full of funky little shops, and then onto the temple at the top of the next hill which is an oasis amid the crowds of Omote-Sando and Harajuku. I'd also recommend a stroll round the food hall of the department store in Shibuya station which is loaded with some great stuff, a visit to the super trendy Shimokitazawa neighbourhood, Roppongi (if you must, for foreigner-friendly bars and pubs, though I'd leave well alone quite frankly), maybe a visit to a capsule hotel for a laugh, Segapolis on the monorail can kill a few hours if it's raining. At night the one absolute must-do is a trip to Golden Gai, an unbelievable warren of 100's of tiny bars near Shinjuku. It is totally surreal and an awesome way to spend an evening bar-hopping.
Really Tokyo is one of those cities where the charm is in the little streets and neighbourhoods that you stumble into rather than the somewhat overwhelming whole.
Happy to suggest a few restaurants if you give me an idea of a budget.
Grub aside, I'd say Asakusa and the surrounding area is a must and it's a short walk from there to Kappabashi where there's a street of shops selling nothing but the incredibly realistic plastic food that many restaurants have on display in their windows. A stroll down Omote-Sando and especially the streets off to the right-hand side as you go down the hill, which are crammed full of funky little shops, and then onto the temple at the top of the next hill which is an oasis amid the crowds of Omote-Sando and Harajuku. I'd also recommend a stroll round the food hall of the department store in Shibuya station which is loaded with some great stuff, a visit to the super trendy Shimokitazawa neighbourhood, Roppongi (if you must, for foreigner-friendly bars and pubs, though I'd leave well alone quite frankly), maybe a visit to a capsule hotel for a laugh, Segapolis on the monorail can kill a few hours if it's raining. At night the one absolute must-do is a trip to Golden Gai, an unbelievable warren of 100's of tiny bars near Shinjuku. It is totally surreal and an awesome way to spend an evening bar-hopping.
Really Tokyo is one of those cities where the charm is in the little streets and neighbourhoods that you stumble into rather than the somewhat overwhelming whole.
Happy to suggest a few restaurants if you give me an idea of a budget.
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