Planning my Japan trip

NeonCookies

Hey everyone,
So I’m finally taking the plunge and going travelling. I’m planning on going to Japan for a year, on the working holiday visa, ideally flying out end of February/start of March 2012. I’ve never been on a long haul flight before, and just wondering where’s the best place to look for low fares.

From looking around there seems to be 2 flight options – Fly from Dublin to Heathrow, then on to Tokyo. Or, fly from Dublin to Abu Dhabi, then onward. I like the second option better, as it breaks the flight into 2 “medium length” flights, rather than a short and long. Also, a friend of mine who has done both routes en route to Australia said that Heathrow is very big, confusing and requires a change of terminals. However I would have thought that if there was enough time between the flights this would be ok, like say 3 hours?

At the end of the day though, I’ve just graduated college and money is the biggest priority. So, tbh I think I’ll end up going for whatever is cheapest and just dealing with it!

Does the option for open ended return tickets exist? Or would I just need to buy a one way? Trailfinders have a brilliant return flight deal of around 639e at the moment. Going to ring them and enquire, but does anyone know if they provide open tickets?

Finally, any other tips anyone has about anything to do with this would be really appreciated. From planning it, planning an itinerary, things to bring from personal experience, best places to see/live in Japan. ANYTHING! I’m really excited, but quite nervous too.

cocoshovel

Im planning a trip too and the cheapest I have come across is with S.A.S scandanavian airlines that e-bookers quoted me. Something like €660 return from Dublin-Copenhagan-Narita.

Thats all I have checked out for now but it seems like the best option to me.

Jimoslimos

NeonCookies wrote: »

Also, a friend of mine who has done both routes en route to Australia said that Heathrow is very big, confusing and requires a change of terminals. However I would have thought that if there was enough time between the flights this would be ok, like say 3 hours?

If you're worried about somewhere being confusing, maybe Japan isn't the place to go!!

That said you're really lucky and I'm more than a bit envious:(. A very good time to arrive there aswell - just coming into cherry blossom season.

One point about the open tickets is that I don't think you can keep them open for over a year. Open to correction though

I was going to recommend the rail pass but seeing as you'll be there for a year I don't think it applies

NeonCookies

Jimoslimos wrote: »

If you're worried about somewhere being confusing, maybe Japan isn't the place to go!!

Haha, good point. Well, that's just what my friend said and recommended against it, and was wondering if other's thought the same! I'm well up for confusing once I get there...just want to get there first Was looking at the rail pass, might get one anyway and do some travelling when I arrive before getting settled with work etc.

That would be grand for the open ticket since the visa would allow me exactly one year in the country. Going to ring Trailfinders tomorrow and see what they say.

@cocoshovel Hadn't looked up Scandinavian Airlines, will do that now. Thanks!

Stinicker

If saving money on the fare then check out Skyscanner.net and also Emirates.com <-Select UK as country and you can check out flights from Dublin with Emirates which are launching in 2012 and prices are quite good and better than Etihad.

Going to the middle east for Japan is kind of "taking the long way round" although might be cheaper.

If I was doing the journey I'd be looking into routing myself through either Frankfurt with Lufthansa on the A380 or via Paris Charles de Gaulle with Air France also on the A380, alternatively you could go from Heathrow via Seoul to Narita with Korean Air again by A380, these may not be the cheapest flight options but the A380 makes the long haul alot slightly easier I feel. This is coming from someone who gave 15hrs from Sydney to LAX on the Qantas A380 and found it quite a breeze compared to the hellish 10 hours I gave from LAX to London on a cramped British Airways Boeing 747.

Check-out Skyscanner.net and flightcentre.co.uk, expedia and ebookers can throw up good deals too.

Jimoslimos

NeonCookies wrote: »

That would be grand for the open ticket since the visa would allow me exactly one year in the country.

I actually don't think you qualify for the cheaper rail pass with your visa. AFAIK its only open to tourist visas - they check the stamp when you're collecting it at the JR station

killbillvol2

Jimoslimos wrote: »

I actually don't think you qualify for the cheaper rail pass with your visa. AFAIK its only open to tourist visas - they check the stamp when you're collecting it at the JR station

That's correct. You have to be a "temporary visitor" to be eligible.

daelight

The only thing confusing in Tokyo is the Railway / Metro system - everything else is not as difficult as people may lead you to believe. It will be a culture shock - but the best culture shock you will have ever experienced

NeonCookies

daelight wrote: »

The only thing confusing in Tokyo is the Railway / Metro system - everything else is not as difficult as people may lead you to believe. It will be a culture shock - but the best culture shock you will have ever experienced

Culture shock is exactly what I'm after I want to experience something completely new. My Japanese is still so basic too, although I'm working on it, so will be thrown in the deep end!

Has anybody any experience with Wwoof Japan (wwoofjapan.com)? Found them online the other day, and it looks like a great way to experience other people's way of life. Basically in exchange for helping a family out with their daily work (farm etc) for approx 6 hours a day, you get accommodation and meals free. Considering doing it for a month or two of the trip to see the rural side of Japan.

imme

I hope you enjoy your time in Japan. It really is so different from most other places around.

Just so you know beforehand they're crazy about the following things:

vending machines
trains
not wasting time
bicycles
stamps
chop sticks
neon
geishas
sea food
noodles


They're a friendly people by and large, people can sometimes go out of their way to help you.

Enjoy it.