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Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

I'll have some time off during the summer months.

When are some of the BEST places you've been in Japan?

I am thinking of taking a boat to Hokkaido, and then working my way all way down to Kyushu. Anything along the way anyone would highly recommend, and why?

Lyrajean · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Location: going to Okinawa

Fushimi Inari -Just south of Kyoto on the Nara JR line. Miles of Torii gates, and fox statues... Just really cool. Plan to spend most of the day, wear good walking/climbing shoes.

Miyajima, Hiroshima -Yes, I know one of the 3 most 'beautiful' places in Japan. Take your pics of the giant gate sticking out of the water (preferably when the tide comes in), mind the deer -no seriously they'll eat your ferry ticket Shocked

, then forget all that and walk up to the Daishyo-in temple. This is not your typical Japanese temple. First of all its esoteric Buddism (more like Tibetan, less like the Japanese variety) and these monks have a sense of humor that is evident all over the place. They've gone a little jizo crazy with the landscaping...

Himeji castle is seriously cool and better see it soon because they are starting a reconstruction project next fall (according to our tour guide) and it will be covered in scaffolding.

Small Ukiyo-e Museum in Osaka, near the Dotondori, mostly 19th c. Kabuki prints when we were there, but I think they must rotate the artwork.

Small museum about Japanese swords in Tokyo, near Shinjuku/Shibuya area? If I remember correctly. Difficult to find, but off the beaten path and not likely to be drowned in tourists. Don't expect too much in English signage. Is in the guidebooks.

There are lots of cool places in Japan and I've only seen Okinawa, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima so far. Have fun!

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

I suppose I can play travel agent for you. Since I am living in Northern Honshu, I can recommend a lot about that area of Japan. Hirosaki, Aomori and Morioka are all fine cities to swing through. The pacific coast, especially along Iwate Pref. is particularly beautiful, and if you like hiking or nature, Lake Towada, straddling Aomori and Akita Prefectures, is a good visit, especially the Oirase Valley nearby. Further south, Niigata is a great place to hang out for a couple of days, and if you have time it's worth taking a ferry over to Sado Island. It's a real looker with an interesting history.

Sage · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Iwate no inaka!

Kochi - MmmmmmmmmmmmMMMmmMmmmmMmmm! Katsuo-takaki!

Oma - MmmmmmmmmmmmmMMmmmmMmmmmmm! Kuro-maguro!

Iwate no Miyako no Touyamisaki - I fell in live there.

Hokkaido no Wakkanai no Souyamisaki - I asked my then girlfriend to marry me there.

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

As an above poster wrote, Fushi-inari is a great place!

Amanohashidate is also worth a look. It is officially one of the "three most beautiful places in Japan" LOL! Very Happy

By the way, Tiger Beer, if you are doing such a long trip let me recommend two great books for you to read which should give you some really good ideas.

One is "Roads to Sata" by Alan Booth. It's a little old (written in the 70s) but it gives a really good account of his walk through the whole of Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu. It's funny and informative. The other book is inspired by the first one, it's called "Hokkaido Highway Blues" by Will Ferguson in which he hitch-hikes from Kyushu to Hokkaido via Shikoku. Both of them are highly recommended. Good luck on your travels!

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

You could burn through a couple ju-hachi-kippus to keep the costs down, seems like you have the time to take local trains.

I don't know how cool it is yet, but I am heading to Sado Island August 21st-25th for the taiko groups Kodo's annual festival. Might not be your cup of tea, but I have seen them a few times in the states, they are awesome.

http://www.kodo.or.jp/ec/index_e.html

seanmcginty · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 203

Funny, all the stuff I was going to recommend has already been mentioned. I back LyraJean's suggestions...Fushimi Inari is quite nice.

I second Bobby's recomendation about Alan Booth as well. his book "Road to Sata" is an absolute must-read. He was without a doubt the best travel writer on Japan ever...probably one of the best travel writers period.

I don't know if I would recommend going out of your way to see Amanohashidate. Its kind of nice....but just kind of.

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Amanohashidate is nice but if you're going from Kyoto make sure you get the express train. I got the trundler by mistake, meaning various changes and long waits, five hours to get there, about an hour to run to the far end of the spit, take a photo and then run back, in order to catch the last express back.

Miyajima/Himeji I'd second/third, whatever. Nice places. Loved Fukuoka, just loads going on, great drinking and the flower islands just off the coast are just beautiful. Also, not to boast about home or anything, but where I live, Nagano City, is lovely. Also liked Kanazawa.

Have a good one!

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

In the Tohoku area, Sendai is a pretty cool town, great mix of city and nature. Down the way a little, Kanazawa is very nice and worth a couple of days. I used to live there and enjoyed every day of it.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

it was really cool on top of Mt Fuji
I spent one night up there out of season (free)
The sunset and sunrise was awesome!

Kamikochi in the Nth Alps was great

Okinawa's beaches were also amazing (talk about contrast to above)
no one told me Japan had such beautiful beaches

I could go on ....

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

For an experience......
Gujo odori
http://www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/index_e.htm

Probably the saddest thing about this summer is that I'll most likely miss it.

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

Well, I went to Otaru in December of last year. It was in winter so my girlfriend and I were frozen to the bone but it is a very nice little town and I recommend the glass blowing factories there and also the local beer.

The train from Otaru to Sapporo has one of the most spectacular views i have seen anywhere so take that ride during the day, it is very nice.

I have never been to Hakodate but would love to go. The view of the city at night is supposed to be quite spectacular. It also boasts a very old Russian Orthodox church that I wanted to see.

In Tohoku, Alan Booth has a story about a volcano/mountain called Osoresan (Terrible Mountain) which sounds fascinating and a place I would love to visit.

I can't help you out much around there as I am fairly inexperienced.

I could tell you about some good places in Kansai. Nara is a must! You need only spend about one day there as you can see most of the sights such as Todaiji, Kofukiji, and the forest. If possible try to get out to Horyuji temple as well.

There's not a lot to see in Osaka but the place has some of the nicest people you will meet. It might be worth spending a night out on the town there.