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Japan-GAF planning a vacation
- Thread starter StoOgE
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Thanks again for all the help guys. I'm starting to get a real picture of what I want to do.
I talked to my friend last night. My original plan was to try and go March/April, but I think I may push it back to August/September so that I can save up another 1000-1500. I want to do some stuff that will cost some extra.. I don't want to get over there and regret not doing something because I don't have the coin.
I think a week in Tokyo seeing the sights, then an overnight trip to Hiroshima, a 3 day trip trip to Kyoto/nara/Osaka area and then a hiking trip to Mt Koya and staying in one of the temples is in order.. then back to Tokyo to hang out with my friend some more/see more of Tokyo then head home.
Should be a blast.
I talked to my friend last night. My original plan was to try and go March/April, but I think I may push it back to August/September so that I can save up another 1000-1500. I want to do some stuff that will cost some extra.. I don't want to get over there and regret not doing something because I don't have the coin.
I think a week in Tokyo seeing the sights, then an overnight trip to Hiroshima, a 3 day trip trip to Kyoto/nara/Osaka area and then a hiking trip to Mt Koya and staying in one of the temples is in order.. then back to Tokyo to hang out with my friend some more/see more of Tokyo then head home.
Should be a blast.
2DMention said:
I hate hate hate flying. But I also like to visit places and want to see the world. So I suck it up and just deal with it. I don't mind traveling by myself as long as I have someone I know who is already there. I have to do it for work all the time and it can get a little lonely if you don't have someone to hang out with at least some of the time.
Traveling with friends/gf can be great as well.. but I have to stress if you do this, set your agenda before you go. There is nothing worse than "winging it" and discovering you both really really want to do two completely different things. It lead to a couple fights in Europe for me that spoiled a few days of the trip.
distantmantra
Member
My wife and I are going to get an international roaming plan with Verizon while we're there. That way we can split up and do things on our own and call and meet up when we're done. We really wish we would've done this last time on our honeymoon in 2006.
Xater said:@Fnord: New Japan Pro Wrestling sounds cool to me.
NJPW was freakin' awesome. It's definitely worth checking out if you're a wrestling fan, and perhaps even if you ain't. Also, Korakuen Hall (located in the Tokyo Dome area) is a nice intimate (read: small) venue, so there isn't a bad seat in the house. You'll probably needs some help figuring out their schedule, but it's worth the effort.
For the Swallows, at least, we were able to simply walk up, buy tickets, and walk in. It was easy to figure out.
Ratba said:
Oh, don't get me wrong. I fully recognize that the Takarazuka is not for most folks and that it is a wildly over the top experience aimed at it's cult following. I'd suggest anyone interested in checking it out (which ain't terribly cheap - roughly 3000 yen for cheap seats or 2000 yen to stand behind the back row) know what they're getting into first. That said, my friends and I had a great time at their Tokyo theater, if only for the high weirdness of it all and the chance to attend an event where the audience was 90% middle aged Japanese women. It's definitely a far cry from wandering around in Akihabara, that's for sure. For the uninitiated, the Takarazuka Revue is an all-female theatrical troupe that puts on double-feature performances. The first half, a musical play of some sort, isn't really the high point for the non-Japanese speakers; we wound up watching a light comedy about con men and the Eiffel Tower, and while it was fun we weren't exactly following the details of the plot. However, the second half musical revue is where the action is, full of camp dance routines, kick lines, and more boa feathers than you can shake a stick at. It's bishounen Vegas drag king apocalypse. If you want to do something different in Tokyo, hey, there you go.
By the way, a phone recommendation for anyone visiting with a Japanese friend to help them through the process: rather than renting a phone at the airport, have your pal help you buy a pre-paid cell phone. It'll cost as much or perhaps even less and you don't have to worry about trying to return the phone or what have you. You can re-charge the phone at virtually any convenience store and it's fairly cheap.
FnordChan
distantmantra said:
That is what I wound up doing a good deal in Europe. I'm an only child, so alone time is pretty normal for me. I wind up taking a week or so every year to go backpacking somewhere on my own anyway so it isn't a huge deal for me. Some of my friends were unhappy that I took off and went to another country by myself though :lol
How does that Verizon deal work? I was thinking about buying a prepaid cell phone while in Japan to use.
distantmantra
Member
StoOgE said:
I have no idea. They don't give a lot of details about it on their site. It's recommended for anyone with a current Verizon plan that is going to be overseas for less than three weeks. There's an 800 number or you could probably stop by a retail location and get more information.
distantmantra
Member
OuterWorldVoice said:
I'll do it. But I don't have a 360 so Halo swag wouldn't do me much good.
The most important advice for all Japan first-time visitors in my humble opinion: Visiting Japan without seeing the glory that is "Ancient Kyoto" would be a shame.
Here in Europe we also got a bunch of old, ancient and once powerful cities which developed over hundreds of years, but still, after spending three months in this city I have to admit: This one is a real gem of a city. Spared from allied attacks and dumb, lifeless skyscrapers in Kyoto you can still experience Japan (not only architectural-wise) as it once was. Yeah, there are lots of tourists, but it's still amazing to roam about the streets or visit mountain temples in the near countryside. It's no wonder Kyoto is being regarded as the most beautiful city in all of Asia.
Since you're based in Tokyo, just get that 1-week railpass and head for Kyoto. You should at least spend three days there and one day in Nara. I think buying regular Shinkansen tickets to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and back amounts to more money than the one-week JR pass. The trip takes less than three hours so you don't lose much time.
Another option would be taking overnight buses for around 4000 yen, but that's a hell of a ride. You do save some money though, since you don't need to stay at a hotel/ryokan/guest house. It depends on your budget I guess.
P.S. It might be a (very) tight itinerary but you could also make Hiroshima with a 1-week pass starting from Tokyo.
Here in Europe we also got a bunch of old, ancient and once powerful cities which developed over hundreds of years, but still, after spending three months in this city I have to admit: This one is a real gem of a city. Spared from allied attacks and dumb, lifeless skyscrapers in Kyoto you can still experience Japan (not only architectural-wise) as it once was. Yeah, there are lots of tourists, but it's still amazing to roam about the streets or visit mountain temples in the near countryside. It's no wonder Kyoto is being regarded as the most beautiful city in all of Asia.
Since you're based in Tokyo, just get that 1-week railpass and head for Kyoto. You should at least spend three days there and one day in Nara. I think buying regular Shinkansen tickets to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and back amounts to more money than the one-week JR pass. The trip takes less than three hours so you don't lose much time.
Another option would be taking overnight buses for around 4000 yen, but that's a hell of a ride. You do save some money though, since you don't need to stay at a hotel/ryokan/guest house. It depends on your budget I guess.
P.S. It might be a (very) tight itinerary but you could also make Hiroshima with a 1-week pass starting from Tokyo.
Kola said:
That is kind of my plan is to start in Hiroshima, then work my way back to Tokyo stopping in Kyoto/Naga/Osaka and then Mt Koya
I'll have to really plan out *exactly* what I'm going to do to get it done in 7 days, but I think that is my plan at the moment.
Also, since I've decided to postpone this thing until September I think I might be a little more agressive in my trying to learn a little more basic Japanese. Any suggestions? I've used Rosetta stone before, but don't necesarrily want to drop 200 bucks on the first series.
distantmantra
Member
Walking the philosopher's path in Kyoto was absolutely incredible, as was going through the back streets of Gion (was there during Gion Matsuri).
If you're going to Hiroshima you have to go to Miyajima, it's definitely worth it.
Also, Akihabara is fun for about two to three hours max, then it just gets boring.
If you're going to Hiroshima you have to go to Miyajima, it's definitely worth it.
Also, Akihabara is fun for about two to three hours max, then it just gets boring.
distantmantra
Member
StoOgE said:
Shinjuku and Shibuya are better for "lights," actually.
StoOgE said:
In Saga itself there's not that much to do. Karatsu (North of Saga) might be nicer to visit (sea + small scenic castletown), but there's only few, local trains. If your friend is in the Navy, I suppose he's stationed at Sasebo, but that's in Nagasaki (which is next to Saga). only 1h or so by train though.
If I were you I would only stay a few days in Tokyo, and head out to Kyushu (Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Beppu are all great) and the areas around Kyoto (Nara, Ikaruga, Uji, Kobe, Himeji ...) and Hiroshima. I personally love Tokyo, but it's not really 'Japan'.
Mind you though, August / September Japan is scorching hot.
Average summer temps where I live are 10 degrees (F) hotter than they are in Tokyo. Looks like our record highs are about 10 degrees F hotter as well. Summer travel is perfect, because most places on the planet are more comftorable than where I am.
And spending most of my time in Tokyo is basically the only reason I can afford this trip at all. I can probably afford a week in Japan on my own. The free room and board in Tokyo for 2 weeks of it is essentially how I'm going to get it done.
And spending most of my time in Tokyo is basically the only reason I can afford this trip at all. I can probably afford a week in Japan on my own. The free room and board in Tokyo for 2 weeks of it is essentially how I'm going to get it done.
industrian
will gently cradle you as time slowly ticks away.
OuterWorldVoice said:
Send me a reminder when I move to Japan in August/September and I'll check it out.
WasteLand Soldier
Banned
any preference for flights here traveling GAF? I'm looking at nonstop tickets and choices in my range look to be united, delta or all nippon airways.
Templar Wizard
Member
I would say go cheapest if you are going coach. ANA have a good rep.
also, i have to echo Outerworldvoice's noodle rec, its the business! sets you up for a nice trawl around the Shinjuku for the evening
also, i have to echo Outerworldvoice's noodle rec, its the business! sets you up for a nice trawl around the Shinjuku for the evening
http://www.livingsocial.com/escapes/276092-tokyo-and-hong-kong-airfare
Has anyone ever used a tour guide for Japan? I was looking at this living social deal and it looks really interesting. I would most likely end up going to Japan by myself so I think a tour guide would be pretty nice to have. Has anyone used Globotours before?
Has anyone ever used a tour guide for Japan? I was looking at this living social deal and it looks really interesting. I would most likely end up going to Japan by myself so I think a tour guide would be pretty nice to have. Has anyone used Globotours before?
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