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[ourumov]

Well, this is my last year in the University and I think that perhaps now it's the moment to do one of the things I have dreamed more in my life: travel to Japan.
It's fairly easy to buy a flight to Japan in one of those cheap ass companies...Although I might go to Paris first in order to save money. Besides I don't think there are direct flights from Barcelona ...The question is where to stay when in Japan...Of course I could go to DCharlie's or JohnTv's home and say "hello, might I stay ? " but well I doubt they'll like the idea

Keep in mind this is just a project for now but I would like to know where could I stay there for a decent price, where to eat and some ideas about what to visit and what not. My plans are to stay there for a week.

I would like to visit Tokyo and Osaka...And perhaps the island of Kyushu too if there is time...Don't know if all this is feasible and more important: afordable. So that's why I am asking this.
Any help in form of experiences or tips will be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

If anyone says to you "Kancho?"

Smile and bow. They love that stuff.

 

[Senior Lurker]

If anyone says to you "Kancho?"

Smile and bow. The love that stuff.

LoL!

I stayed in a hotel right on the Yoga station (4-5 stations away from Shibuya) which was about $70 a night IIRC. Clean; the room had one of those cool automatic cleansing toilets, a small fridge, a washer and dryer. I don't know if this is considered a good or bad deal, but you can probably find cheaper stuff.

 

[Alcibiades]

what about those "ultra-cheap" places the World Cup audiences ended up using that were not really hotels but because Japan keeps stuff in really good shape it wasn't so bad...

 

[tetsuoxb]

If you buy a JR rail pass, travelling to Kyushu and Osaka wont be expensive. If you dont, expect 400 Euro right there in train tickets alone.

Where to stay... youth hostels in tokyo would be a decent bet, and if you are really slumming it, you can toss your bags into a locker and stay overnight at an internet cafe for about 2000 yen.

Once you get a timeframe nailed down, let me know and we will go for drinks in Osaka or something.

 

[SaitoH]

Highly recommend a JR rail pass. Costs quite a bit, but you have freedom to go where you want, without worry about travel costs. If you get the pass, make sure you go on the Shinkansen. Ryokan's (traditional hotels) are a pretty cost effective place to stay. Just make sure you don't stay at ones with full kiseki service ... that'll cost you a fortune.

^_~

 

[Draff]

Food: Pretty cheap if you stick to ramen places, grocery stores (ready made tonkatsu, tempura), bakeries or convenient stores.

As for Kyushu, what cities did you have in mind? I went to Fukuoka and Beppu. The latter is a tourist trap and really only for people who want to go onsen hopping. Fukuoka is pretty nice but if you don't have a lot of time, then you might want to skip it.

If you're going to Osaka, I'd recommend you spend time in Kobe and Kyoto... even Nara if you can fit it in. Although Osaka rocks, if you want to diversify your trip a bit more, I think Kyoto and Kobe would offer better alternatives, though all three would be the best.

 

[ourumov]

Thanks a lot for your replies. My main question is that if Ryonans are very common in metropolitan areas. Another doubt I have is if one of those rail passes is very expensive or not...If that's the case, my option would be to either concentrate on a determinate zone or to find a cheaper way to travel (AutoStop in Japan ? )

Besides there is a thing I have heard many companies do and that interests me a lot. They are organized visits to the HQ of companies. I thought Konami did this but no idea about Capcom or Nintendo...

 

[Blackace]

Besides there is a thing I have heard many companies do and that interests me a lot. They are organized visits to the HQ of companies. I thought Konami did this but no idea about Capcom or Nintendo...

Japanese companies are a little strange about stuff like this... I am not sure they do allow it..

 

[borghe]

The JR Rail Pass is around $270-380 (like 28,300 yen). Note however that it DOESN'T cover JR subways (as I understand) nor the Narita Express (again, as I understand. if I am wrong someone correct me). You have to buy it outside of the country. There is no way to buy it once in the country so you have to decide before hand. Yes you are right, you should really decide how you want to go. My friend and I (who are leaving in 20 DAYS!!!) decided we are just going to stay in tokyo for the week so ended up not getting a rail pass.

as for any other places, like I said we are sticking to Tokyo so I can't really help. As for tours of companies, as others have said it isn't really big over there. Companies are really weird about that.

 

[ourumov]

Where are you staying there and at what price ?

 

[FnordChan]

I'm also heading off to Japan this summer; tickets and rail pass have already been secured, as well as a place to crash in Tokyo. However, we're splitting the trip between Tokyo and Kyoto (with partying in Osaka on the agenda), and have no idea where to stay in Kyoto. Anyone have suggestions?

FnordChan

 

[borghe]

We are staying at hotel listel in Shinjuku. However what people are saying about Youth Hostels is right.. if it is just you, stay at a hostel. you should be able to find one pretty easy for $50 or less a night.. a hotel will probably cost you at least $70-80/night. The only way hotels really work out (as far as I checked up on) is if there are going to be multiple people in a double or larger room. if you are doing single rooms, hostels are definitely cheaper.

 

[ourumov]

So...at the end to those planning to go /that went to Japan: How much did you spend (stay+travel;gaming souvenirs aside) ?

 

[Panajev2001a]

Well, this is my last year in the University and I think that perhaps now it's the moment to do one of the things I have dreamed more in my life: travel to Japan.
It's fairly easy to buy a flight to Japan in one of those cheap ass companies...Although I might go to Paris first in order to save money. Besides I don't think there are direct flights from Barcelona ...The question is where to stay when in Japan...Of course I could go to DCharlie's or JohnTv's home and say "hello, might I stay ? " but well I doubt they'll like the idea

Keep in mind this is just a project for now but I would like to know where could I stay there for a decent price, where to eat and some ideas about what to visit and what not. My plans are to stay there for a week.

I would like to visit Tokyo and Osaka...And perhaps the island of Kyushu too if there is time...Don't know if all this is feasible and more important: afordable. So that's why I am asking this.
Any help in form of experiences or tips will be appreciated, thanks.

Tokyo and Osaka... well the latter is close to where I'll be staying for a few weeks (nearby Kyoto) and yes I plan to visit Tokyo for a week-end .

Ken Kutaragi, here I come .

 

[tetsuoxb]

Everyone coming to Osaka...

Give me an email or a PM before you get here... I will see what I can do about rounding up people for drinks.

 

[number386]

Have fun!

Japan is high on the list of places I want to visit, the place I want to go the most is the Studio Ghibli museum. Great topic BTW, it gives me some info on how much it would cost me to go to Japan.