Japan

DEFTLEFTHAND

Myself and my partner have always wanted to go. Last week we finally organised ourselves and booked a two week tour this summer.

I'd love to hear of the experiences of people here who have been there before.

Please share.

Boom_Bap

Moved to the Travel forum.
Please pay attention to the charter before posting.

Alcoheda

I've never been to Japan but I've always wanted to go see the Sumo live.
The July tournament will be in Nagoya.

http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule

It's a strange and beautiful spectical.

imme

I was there 4-5 years ago

It is a captivating place

I stayed mostly in hostels, as I was backpacking, ended up staying for 2 months.
Hostels are something to consider as it is an expensive country.

Transport is excellent trains of all shapes and sizes go everywhere

They have harnessed the land, in a way, even though they are subject to some of the biggest and worst that nature can throw at anyone in terms of volcanoes earthquake tsunami etc

There is a sort of national or instinctive reasoning that it is their right to control nature, hence distinctive Japanese gardens, bonsai ..

I'm being very psychological there!

Regardless Japan is different and is definitely worth a look

What time of the year are you thinking of visiting

Shedite27

Follow this itinerary and you won't go far wrong...
http://www.trailfinders.com/tours/china-hong-kong-and-japan/japan/tour-classic-japan

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

Yamanoto

Well worth a read OP

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79640668

Fr Tod Umptious

Get a Japan Rail pass OP

Essential really as trains are the best way to see the country.

Tokyo is an amazing city, the temples in Kyoto are well worth a visit and I'd also recommend Hiroshima, for the sheer history of what happened there just over 70 years ago.

Their is a train from Tokyo to Hiroshima every 15 mins or so.

Hrududu

sashafierce wrote: »

Im planning to go in October. Doing Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima/Takayama hoping October weather is good and not too hot

I went in October a couple of years ago and thought it was the perfect time to go. Lovely weather. Some days it was t shirt weather. But not scorching or humid, just nice.

If you're in Hiroshima I highly recommend a trip out to Miyajima. It's an island with shrines, wild deer and a cable car to the top of a mountain with terrific views.

shar01

Second Hiroshima & Miyajima Island.

hyperdia.com for train schedules.

In 2011 with a seven day rail pass we did
Day trip to Nikko
Tokyo-Yudanaka (1 night). Snow monkeys & onsens.
Yudanaka - Hiroshima (2 nights). Peace Park & Miyajima.
Hiroshima - Kyoto (2 nights). Philosopher's Walk & geisha district.
4 nights in Tokyo each side.
Travelled light for the 7 nights - left luggage in Tokyo Station.

In 2014 we bought 5 day rail pass East.
Tokyo - Yudanaka - 2 nights this time
Yudanaka - Hakuba - rented house 7 nights - very reasonable. While there did overnight in Matsumoto and walked part of Nakasendo way.
Hakuba - Hakone - 2 nights - absolute highlight of many many highlights.

Not sure what your budget is but for Tokyo we used business hotels - cheap and cheerful - just somewhere to put the head down. Stayed in Oak Hotel near Ueno - handy for trains and near Yakitori Alley.

We're planning for 2018

Watch out for festivals. Try take in a baseball match.

The Nal

Wheres the best place to stay in Tokyo? Is there a best place for night time stuff, food etc?

In the very early stages of planning obviously!

Don't know if there is a best place but once you are near the JR Yamanote Line (its a circle line) you can get anywhere fairly handy.
As above though,get to Miyajima Island!
Also check out Hakone on your way back to Tokyo.

Shedite27

The Nal wrote: »

Wheres the best place to stay in Tokyo? Is there a best place for night time stuff, food etc?

In the very early stages of planning obviously!

We stayed in Shinjuku. Lots of nightlife within walking distance, and a massive train station to get you aroudn the place

shar01

Think of Tokyo as many little towns / cities.

Last year we stayed in Kawasaki - about half hour direct train from Tokyo Station. Stayed in On The Marks - very reasonable. Rooms are small though - even by Tokyo standards.

Depending on what airport you're flying into, I would suggest Taito / Ueno area for Narita and maybe around Hamamatsucho Station for Haneda.