Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oskinny1]

[luffy]

Kyoto is a beautiful place. I've only been there in the summer, but I bet it's just as beautiful (if not, nicer) in the winter.

[grnmle]

Good to start in Tokyo but, don't spend too long there. It's really nice but, becomes just like any other city after you've seen the main attractions.

After that: I've been meaning to go up to Nikko, north of Tokyo. Takayama and Shirakawago are nice. If there is a lot of snow it could make for interesting pictures with the traditional houses. If there isn't snow there will just be lots of tourists.

Kamakura is another place I've been meaning to go. It's along the south coast between Tokyo and Fuji. Looks like a nice historical place.

There are some nice places on the Izu peninsula.

Kyoto should never be skipped. There are a few big temples in Nara but, seriously whoever would choose to skip Kyoto in favor of Nara should get there head checked. I've never seen any Geisha in Nara, only deer and you can see those anywhere in the world.

Leaving Kyoto station take a bus to Kiyomizudera, you'll cross the river and move along the eastern hills. There is plenty to see from there. It'll be busy but it's really a must see area. The Northwestern hills are also filled with things to see but, maybe a little more spaced out but worthwhile. Basically, stay out of the middle of the city. There are a few temples, Nijo castle and the Imperial palace but, there is just so much more along the fringes of Kyoto.

Nara is nice, so if you have time...

Osaka is a fun city, good food.
Kobe is also nice.

I haven't spent much time out further south but,

Hiroshima is a must see; it is a really nice area. Take a tram to see Miyajima. Definitely worth it.

Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, Shimonoseki are also interesting places.

Basically get a rail pass and go do what suits your needs. After Kyoto, you might be a little templed out so Osaka is a nice balance.

My biggest key to travel in Japan is to try and think how most people will spend their time and try to do something different.

Have fun.

[chris_J2]

http://beta.trekearth.com/map.php?ctr=Japan&member=ChrisJ

http://www.treklens.com/map.php?ctr=Japan&member=chrisJ

^ These snapshots I've taken in Japan, might give you a clearer idea what to see. (Click on 'view photos'). I regret missing Nara (Kyoto), & Nikko (Tokyo). A weekly or fortnightly ticket on the bullet trains is a must & has to be purchased OUTSIDE Japan. Any Japan Airlines office in Korea will sell them as well as quite a few Korean travel agents that charge a small commission. I thought I did well, to see as much as I did, with only 9 days in Japan.

[Xuanzang]

Ishikawa-ken has great local food, sake and rice. The hot springs and ryokans can't be beat either. A nice getaway from the hustle of the big cities.

[Mosley]

I guess I should get my head checked....

The OP(who should've come back to this thread) said he's going to be in Japan for less than 2 weeks, during Shogatsu, to boot. Given that, & knowing nothing about the budget involved, it's sincere and practical advice to suggest that Nara might be a better option than Kyoto. OF COURSE Kyoto is a wonderful place to visit...but we mere Dave's mortals can only assume constraints are in place and we are only offering practical advice, given assumed constraints. So...yeeesh! grnmle....

And BTW, most of the "geisha" seen in Kyoto are Japanese tourists dolled up for the occasion....

[chris_J2]

If you're only going to see one temple in Kyoto, on a rushed visit, then Kiyomizu-dera is it. Nearby Heian Jingu, if you have time. (There are 2,000 temples in Kyoto to choose from.) Then off to nearby Nara. A 1/2 day in each town (Kyoto / Nara) will give you a reasonable overview.

And these girls don't look like tourists (but agreed, they're not 'geisha'):

http://www.treklens.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=182795

[Kurtz]

Real Geisha or a tourist? I'll let you decide but either way it's piss funny.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sushicam/3217838348/

[Kimsmith]

Kyoto and Nara are must-sees, Himeji is nice for its castle and it also has a really nice temple called Engyoji which is a bus ride from Himeji Station, followed by a cable car. Nikko is impressive, and Hiroshima is a pleasant city and it is well-worth taking the ferry from there to Miyajima (red Torii gate out in the sea). If you want views of Mt Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes area/Hakone is a good place - it would be a good stop off on your way further west.

For train information (definitely buy the Japan rail pass before you go) check out Hyperdia: http://www.hyperdia.com/
Type in destination and starting point and it will give you train times and routes. It's a very useful site.