Job Discussion Forums

[agraham]

I'm just putting together a rough outline for my visit to Japan next week. I've still got some research to do, but I'm wondering if anyone has some must-dos or thinks anything on this list is lame.
I'm getting a JR pass, and I figure I'll be travelling around central/western Honshu.

2: arrive
3: central Tokyo: Yasukini shrine (gotta see what the stink is about), Ginza, cruise to Asakusa: Dembo-in Garden, subway to Ueno: National Museum
4: ikebukuro: Sunshine City building, Gyoza Stadium, subway to Harajuku: Meiji-jungu shinto shrine, subway to Shinjuku: Metro building, Shinjuku building, subway to Ropongi: nightlife
5: train to Inzuhanto Peninsula or Gunma Prefecture for soaking in onsen
6: Nikko or Kamajura for shrines and temples
7: Science Expo
8: climb Mount Fuji
9: Toyota City - tour of car plant, Himeiji: Himeiji-jo castle (aka 'The White Egret')
10: Kyoto: shrines, temples, gardens
11: Kobe or Osaka
12: Kobe or Osaka
13: leave

[PAULH]

[stretch]

I'd also say if you are over there you should really try to get to Hiroshima for a day. They museum and the area will be somber but 100% worth the trip. It is also next to Miyajima a small island that you absolutely must go to. (famous for tori gates that you can walk out to in low tide) That was one of my fav spots in Japan. I stayed a night in each of those locations. Be careful in Miyajima though, everythings seems to close early.

[Glenski]

If those numbers represented the day you did things, you aren't giving yourself enough time. I did 21 cities in 23 days on Honshu and Shikoku, so I have some experience in this. Climbing Mt. Fuji will probably require 2 days, for example. Seeing Kyoto, too. Your day 3 is also too filled to see all of that stuff in Tokyo.

[freddie's friend daniel]

I'm in Kobe and, while I really love the place, I would recommend that you leave it off your tight schedule. There is very little touristy stuff to do here and the most interesting thing for trippers is the Kitano area of old foreign houses.
I would do as the above posters say and fit in Hiroshima instead. Even, Osaka isn't really worth it if you are on a whirlwind trip. It is much like any other big Japanese city. The castle is nice but after Himeji it pales in comparison. Sh*tennoji is also lovely but you'll be all templed-out after Kyoto.

[AndyH]

If you could be more specific regarding the actual # of days you'll have in Japan, it would help us make recommendations.
Paul H made a good list of stuff to do in Kyoto, and I'd like to add the Fushimi Inari Shrine to it. Mind you, realistically you will only be able to do 2-3 things per day without getting really burned out and/or having to rush.
In Tokyo, I'd place Asakusa, Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum, Meiji or Yasukune Shrine, and perhaps a couple of the gardens around Komagome (not far from Ueno) at the top of my list. Even though it's hardly my favorite place, Shibuya and Harajuku might be good to observe young people, as a counterbalance to the traditional sites.
If you happen to have extra time, I'd also recommend the Kiso Valley, between Nagano Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture, if you appreciate nature and want a quiet getaway from the fast pace of Tokyo or Kansai.
Good luck!

[Mike L.]

Don't think Mt. Fuji is open to the public this time of year!

[negin]

Here are some links that might help you out.


JAL Guide to Japan - I really like this guide and use it all the time

http://www.jal.com/en/guidetojapan/


The forbidden shrine. I have family there.

http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/


Guide to Japanese Castles. This is a very good guide.

http://jcastle.info/castle/


Food guide.

http://www.bento.com/tokyofood.html


An entertaining guide with some sightseeing advice.

http://www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/index.html


Expo 2005 - This might be a once in a lifetime experience. I can't wait to go.

http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/index.html


Japan Weather site with weekly forecasts. I found this site to be very accurate.

http://www.jma.go.jp/JMA_HP/jma/indexe.html


Japan Guide - Informative but take it with a grain of salt. Good for information like: Tsukiji Fish Market is CLOSED to tourists because of misbehaving wankers.

http://www.japan-guide.com/



Hope these help. Please take these links with a grain of salt. Everybodys tastes are different. I'm in Japan right now and they've helped me immensely or at least cut down on wasted time.


I know your time is limited but you didn't mention anything about eating. You can't come to Japan and not experience the food. I would try and plan eating arrangements as well so you can enjoy the local regional fare. Even if you choose to eat ramen exclusively there are so many different variations that it will make your head spin.

Have fun!!!

[agraham]

[markle]

Is this you're only chance to come here? Are you never coming back? If this is just a taster trip then I would halve, no cut out two thirds, of the places you have got and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the few places you go to.
Here's a suggested itinerary
Tokyo / Nikko/ Kamakura 2-3 days
Kyoto/ Nara 3 days
Remaining days commited to somewhere like Kiso valley/ Takayama or Kanazawa and Noto Peninsula or the Ise Peninsula, with plenty of days left over with nothing planned. Keep in mind some of the best experiences happen spontaneously when you have nothing planned.
Don't forget getting from place to place is no mean feat since the majority of signs are in Kanji, people don't always speak English etc and so forth.

[AndyH]

Markle's suggestion is good.

If I had 12-13 days to spend in Japan, and had never been before, I'd probably get a lot out of the following:

2-3 days in Tokyo area:
Day one: Asakusa, Ueno Park (and Tokyo National Museum), Meiji Shrine and Harajuku, Shibuya (That's a lot for one day, by the way!)
Day two: Day trip to Nikko, evening in Roppongi or Shinjuku (the latter are not my cup of tea, but some people like these places)
Day three: Kamakura and Yokohama, plus somewhere in Tokyo that you might have missed on Day One.

Days 4-7 Kyoto and Nara (choose from Paul H's recommendations, plus one of my personal favorites, the Fushimi Inari Jinja)

Day 8-9 Hiroshima, with a stop in Himeji on the way.

Days 10-12 Takayama and Kiso Valley.

Day 13. Wrap up your trip in Tokyo. Another relaxing place to spend is the town of Narita.

I'm sure others have just as good suggestions, maybe better!

[PAULH]

[AsiaTraveller]

Thanks for that link, Paul. I hadn't known about those villas.

Cheers...