SWMBO wants to go to Japan on holiday!
Posted by: Blueknowz on 23 January 2011
It has been some time since I went to Japan but Tokyo and Kyoto are definitely must sees. In Tokyo I stayed with friends in Omotesando which is (was?) a great place to see what contemporary Japanese people are doing. There's lots of interesting architecture there. For an Edo era Japanese feel you can try the Asakusa district which has a number of old buildings. In Kyoto, which is around 2 hours from Tokyo via Shinkansen, there are a number of ancient temples and castles that are worth seeing. Depending on how long you plan to stay in Japan look into getting a JR Rail Pass. This gives you steeply discounted rides on nearly all JR trains (except the high-speed Shinkansen) and can only be purchased outside of Japan.
We vacationed in Japan in October and I have to say I loved it.
Have to agree with Naijeru about the Jr Rail Pass, we did'nt have it and as a result the cost of three return tickets to Kyoto and Hiroshima run to about £750, that said it was well worth it (English web site can sort you out) !
There are a myriad of hotels and budgets so don't stress on that but do have at least a couple of nights in a Ryokan (Japanese Hotel).
Do visit Kyoto (New train station is awesome) and wander around the Old quarter (sorry name escapes me) If your lucky you may catch sight, as we did, of some Geishas heading off to work. The Golden temple is a must also.
In Tokyo use the subway to move around quickly and remember that even with no common language between us you will find that staring at a map for a couple of minutes will draw Japanese people to you in an attempt to help you find your way ! This has inspired me to make damn sure I do the same for any tourists I see struggling now.
Remember to take some time to visit Akihabra, Americacho, Shinjuku (for Disc Union shops 1 to 6).
We did a day tour on a bus and then used the knowledge to go back to places in our own time although it did help that we stayed with some friends in Tokyo for a few days plus my partner had been there on business a couple of times. If you can get up early enough Tokyo Fish Market is something to see !
You'll love it, if I can give any specifics then let me know.
Charlie
Kyoto has temples in the 4 directions NSEW. Don't miss the Moss Garden, it is expensive and you sit with people thru a ceremony, breathe and meditate it is very spiritual to experience another culture. Then work your way thru the garden, It's a national treasure, my teacher saw an old man picking up leaves off the moss that he knew as a child and talked to him... Unbelievable.
The Japanese are incredibly helpful but difficult to find english spoken in smaller towns or small shops. I happened to leave a cheap Bic Pen at a mall and one man came running to return it. This also happened when I used a public trash can to dump an awkward piece of camera equipment. It was politely returned to me. Also, women follow the men, at restaurants the woman seating us would block the women and show men in first, this enraged the females in the group. The guys just laughed and made jokes of course.
Don't wear tie shoes, loafers are preferable because many places you go in you take your shoes off. Only us Americans were tying shoes and sneakers. You'll also notice they dress impeccably, I wore light durable blue dress slacks I was kidded about by the youngsters who were in jeans and Ts, ugh! It is very warm and humid in summer. Light hand washable shirts and undies are worth it. Something nice for evenings will be worth packing.
Oh, I never got used to, but was taught to us by a woman guide, was to slurp your noodles, lots of noise means it is good.
A few words of please and thank you etc are greatly appreciated. Business cards are regularly exchanged as are small gifts like pins if you're meeting someone.
We only had summer to travel in. Takeo in past years let students go off after the 3 weeks on their own for 2 weeks. I have no idea where I'd go. I was in Okinawa when I was a year old, but the volcano on north island would be fascinating.
I saw a film on a man that had buddhist interests and went to the top of main island and walked and stayed at monasteries down to the south. Didn't speak the language and would meditate at each for a day.