Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RufusW]

Hey guys,

I'm presuming I'm going to get a holiday in the summer for two weeks and I reckon Japan's a definite.

So how much should I save up for this adventure?

I'm looking to cover quite a lot, 3 days in Tokyo then 1/2 days in other cities.

I'll get a boat there from Busan...

Thanks for any help.

[farrepatt]

Well it sounds like you'll definitely need a JR pass if you're boating over from Busan:

7 Day = 28,300 yen
14 Day = 45,100 yen
*These need to be bought before entering Japan. Any travel agent in Korea should have no problem lining them up for you. You basically get a receipt/voucher and cash them in at most major Japan Rail Stations in Japan.

If you're looking to stay in hotels, I liked the chain the Toyoko Inn (http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/). Their prices vary from town to town, but are pretty decent in my experience. I haven't really hosteled in Japan so someone else would have to help you with that. I think I spent about 6,500-8,500 yen a night (double room).

Some people think food is pretty expensive there, I've never really found that to be the case. It's definitely more than in Korea, but if you're not eating in downtown Tokyo, it's not so bad. Of course if you really want to enjoy some great Japanese food (i.e. fantastic sushi) you'll shell out a fair amount. I usually spent about $5-10 USD on lunch and $10-15 on dinner.

What kinds of things are you wanting to see? 1/2 isn't enough time to see most places in Japan. Japan has lots of amazing places. You could probably spend your whole time in the Kyoto/Nara area and not see it all. If you're going to train up from Fukuoka I'd recommend:

Hiroshima - 1/2 day to see Peace Memorial park (where the A-bomb was dropped) and 1/2 to go to Miyajima (an island about 20 min from Hiroshima that is considered one of the most beautiful places in Japan).

Himeji Castle - about a 20 minute walk from Himeji station. It's probably Japan's best castle and easily one of my favourite places in Japan. 3-4 hours would probably be enough time to get there from the station and see the place. If I remember correctly it's about 1:30 from Hiroshima and 45 min to Kyoto (on the bullet train)

Kyoto (I'd skip Osaka) - You could easily spend weeks here. Some highlights are the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), Kiyomizudera Temple (a temple in the eastern hills of Kyoto with an amazing view), Heian Shrine, the Imperial Palace (you need a reservation), the silver Pavilion (might still be under reconstruction though).

Nara - about an hour from Kyoto. You could see a fair bit in half a day, but a full day or two would be better.

Hakone - The national park that Mt. Fuji is in. Though views in the summer aren't generally as clear as in the winter. It's about 2 hours from Kyoto/Osaka on the bullet train or 45 minutes from Tokyo.

Hope that helps.

[RufusW]

Hey thanks for that dude.

I think it might end up being pretty expensive but'll definitely be worth it.

Great advice!

[farrepatt]

It can be a little pricey in comparison to other Asia countries, but I think it's definitely worth it.

I forgot to mention, if you're staying in and around Tokyo both Kamakura and Nikko aren't bad day trips.

Kamakura is about an hour and on the coast. It has a huge Buddha that's outside because a tsunami destroyed the building it was in (I think about a 1000 years ago).

Nikko is a bit further if you have JR pass (I believe there's a faster route, but it's not on the JR line). I think it takes about an hour and a half to get there. It's the burial place of some of Japan's shoguns.

Have a great trip.

[Tiger Beer]

[farrepatt]

Yeah, Mt. Fuji is better viewed in the winter months. The sky is generally clearer and you get a little bit more snow at the top too.

I thought Nikko was a nice day trip from Tokyo. It has the whole "temple in the woods" thing going for it. I lived in Japan for a year and never went because I thought it might be too touristy. But then when I visited Japan last year I decided to swing by and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't go to the Kusatsu Onsen. It seemed a bit out of the way. I just went into the main JR station and walked up to the temple area (about 20-25 minutes).

I lived near Sendai and truthfully there really isn't too much to see there that you can't see better versions of in other parts of Japan. The best area near Sendai is Matsushima which is about a 30-40 minute train ride east of Sendai (on the Senseki train line). Matsushima is considered one of Japan's 3 most beautiful views. It's basically a bunch of tiny islands off the coast. It is pretty nice. Not sure if it'd be worth the trip from Tokyo though.

The only things I ever heard about in Chiba was Tokyo Disneyland. I'm not sure what else there is to do there.

Nagano would probably be pretty nice this time of year. You might even still be able to see the monkeys in the hot springs. If you do go up to Nagano it's worth stopping at Matsumoto Castle. I really liked it. Probably Japan's 2nd best castle behind Himeji.

As for hiking mt. Fuji, you can only legally do it from July 1-Aug 31st. Of course it's rainy season usually until mid July, so most don't attempt it until around July 15th or 16th. I did it once during rainy season and it wasn't the best decision I've ever made.

[TECO]

maybe go hiking and check out the ghosts in 青木ヶ原 - Mt Fuji Aokigahara Jukai

[visitorq]

Converting won to yen is seriously *ouch* right now... (probably one of the least favorable conversions in the world I can think of at the moment).

Damn the yen is so killer these days - like adding a 30% tax to everything.