Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kissmykimchi]

Okay, I've decided on Japan. I've always wanted to go, specifically Tokyo, and I'm going to do it.

Now comes the hard part. With only two weeks I don't really want to see more than two or three cities. I know I want to hit Tokyo, but for how long I'm not sure...four days, a week? Anyone have any guidance?

I want to see the major sites in Tokyo. I'm not really going for the night scene, but I may check out the bars in shibuya one or two nights other than that no partying.

I'm hoping for cheap single accommodation. I've heard about capsule motels but I'm worried that my height, 6'3, will put me at a disadvantage. I also hear they have love motels so that may be an avenue. I'm even considering couch surfing but i need back up plans in case that sours.

I'm thinking two weeks in Tokyo may be a bit much though so I want to see another side of Japan. Any suggestions? I'm thinking Kyoto/Osaka for a week then Tokyo for my last week but I'm open to any adventures anyone would care to share.

With only three cities is it worth it to get the jr pass? I'm also considering taking the ktx to busan then the ferry which might save on money?

Thank you!
For the whole two weeks I don't want to spend more than 2million won including airfare.

[bbb0777]

I've stayed in one capsule hotel: 'Capsule Hotel Asahi Plaza' (Osaka). It was 2270/JPY a person ($30).

The capsule was larger than expected. It could have slept two people (assuming they were a couple), comfortably. I'm 6' 1" and could sit up in the capsule with a large amount of head clearance. I believe I also had well over 1 foot of excess leg space. Unless other capsules are dramatically smaller (I wouldn't worry about it) your height won't be a problem at all. Where I stayed it had an on site shower/bath/sauna/spa, restaurant, video room, small arcade, etc. Everything was extremely clean and tidy.

Most people (and I agree) think that Kyoto is far more interesting than Osaka. Just in terms of ratios, I might think something like:

Tokyo 7 days, Kyoto 5 days, Osaka 3 days. Or 6/6/2 even.

You could also spend a day in Nara, Japan. It was the capital even before Kyoto, and is only ~45 minutes from either Kyoto or Osaka.

For you budget - I'd recommend eating out of convenience stores, which may sound bad - but they have far more selection (as well as better) than those in Korea. Healthy options as well.

I did not actually calculate, but I highly doubt a Japan-railpass would be worthwhile for you. Unless you decide to visit a greater number of cities.

In addition to everywhere else (and if you can navigate the website - or get someone else to), look at the prices on Jeju Air to Osaka.

I should probably do work I'm suppose to be doing now...good luck!

[Caffeinated]

You can easily spend a week in Tokyo. For daytrips the following are great options that could eat up the second week and offer you chances to get outdoors and do more sightseeing:

Kamakura - rent a bike, see the Giant Buddha and temples
Yokohama
Nikko - lots of temples set in thick forest
Hakone - do hikes, onsen, stay at a japanese inn

You could even do a climb up Mt. Fuji as its open for climbers at this time.

Your options increase exponentially once you head out to Kyoto/Nara/Osaka. If you're doing this then a JR pass may be worthwhile.

BTW some capsule hotels offer longer capsules for taller customers so it may be worthwhile to ask. Toyoko Inn is a business hotel chain that offers single rooms from 6-7000 yen a night. You can book them online. There is a slightly cheaper option called Super Hotels, IIRC. Love hotels will run you more and won't allow you to leave and store baggage unless you pack lightly and use storage lockers (lots available). Do a search for hostels and book ASAP as it's busy travel season at that time.

AFAIK the Pusan ferry only goes to Shimonoseki and Fukuoka which would require you to travel to Tokyo and cost you more than a return flight (probably 300,000 to 400,000 won return ICN-NRT).

[Kissmykimchi]

Thanks for the suggestions! Okay, capsules sound like the way to go plus it will be a whole new experience.

Kyoto sounds like it will be the total opposite of Tokyo so that's a plus too.

Do you think I need some sort of rail pass just for tokyo? People have said its expensive to get around and I'm fearing the worst.

I'm also only going to bring one carry on bag. I'm going to try at least. I'm notoriously bad at packing.

[highdials5]

[isisaredead]

{quote]AFAIK the Pusan ferry only goes to Shimonoseki and Fukuoka which would require you to travel to Tokyo and cost you more than a return flight (probably 300,000 to 400,000 won return ICN-NRT).[/quote]

i've been quoted over W550,000 for busan to tokyo by kangsan travel, if that helps with return airfare costs.

as a side note, screw kangsan travel. horrible, horrible service with massively inflated prices.

[AsiaESLbound]

$30 bucks gets you a casket sized room! LOL! Booking a hostel is looking real good compared to capsules and hotel rates I don't even want to know about. I don't know that I could be comfortable in a tiny box looking looking like something used for stasis during long term space travel.

[bbb0777]

True - but it's like a rich giant's casket! That does sound lovely, doesn't it?

There are *some* other advantages to the capsule hotels though. Like...well, OK darn - maybe just one - usually very very good locations.

The one I stayed in was spotlessly clean too - but - maybe the hostels in Japan are as well?

The hotel I used in Osaka was 5350 JPY/$58/night . No cleaning service (aside from when guests changed rooms), a few blocks from the subway, and near basically no major sights. Decent sized room though, and was in good condition.

For two people - yes capsule's didn't seem to make sense at all. My friend and I just stayed in one for the experience. For one person...if they don't mind it - a capsule is great location and cheaper than most any other option.

Compared to a hostel - I don't know. I would see a capsule as being much more private actually, but if I were the OP I'd definitely check out the hostels you linked.

[highdials5]

I've been to 4 capsule hotels and I've never slept well in any of them. Some of them have been quite luxurious though in terms of facilities (one in Nagoya) but generally the 'walls' are so thin and you can hear the sararymen coughing and splurting, snoring, watching porn etc. Definitely take some ear plugs!

[bucheon bum]

We're all different. I spent 10 days in Japan and did the following:

4 days in Tokyo
2 days in Hiroshima (1 for the A-bomb stuff, 1 day for Miyajima)
2 days in Kyoto
day trip to Nara
1 day traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima, stopping in Himaji to check out the castle there.
1 day Hiroshima--->Kyoto, stopping in Osaka for a few hours simply for nostalgic purposes.

I personally didn't get the hype of Kyoto. A lot of the sites are spread out. It certainly has plenty to see, but I wasn't enamored with the city. Nara is much more compact.

GET THE RAIL PASS. The one for a week at least. Even if you do Tokyo-Kyoto r/trip, it pays for itself.

I spent around around $1,100, if memory serves (including the 7 day rail pass, excluding air fare). I ate real cheaply, stayed in hostels, but also drank a fair amount a few of those nights.

[Kissmykimchi]

The rail pass sounds good I think it's like 500,000. Won
I'm wondering if I can use it on the subways of Tokyo and whether getting the slow train pass I've been reading about is a better deal?

How slow is the slow train? I'll have from mon 19 to July 30 the plane ticket is 500 so far

maybe I can fly in to Marita then slow train to fukoka and make my way back to Tokyo hitting Kyoto and Hiroshima and Nara before my last week in Tokyo?

[bucheon bum]

The 7 day rail pass is 28,300 yen, or 384,000 won at the current exchange rate. And that is good for any train except for the Nozomi bullet trains (i.e. the quickest ones). You can ride any of the other bullet trains (plus any other JR rail lines).

[qwerty]

[wilson535]

fyi you can't use the japan rail pass on the subway in tokyo because it is operated by a different company. japan rail (JR) has most of the overground lines (of which there are loads in tokyo as well as the subway) but the subway is operated by tokyo metro.

i live in tokyo at the moment and I dont think you need to worry about getting around using the JR pass (although i've never personally had one).

you may have already visited the website, but just in case you haven't - http://www.japanrailpass.net/

[Kissmykimchi]

That one world pass seems awesome!

What cities would you hit? Definitely Tokyo but after that I am open. I want to spend a about a week in tokyo and maybe then hit two other cities that offer a completely different experience than tokyo.

so far I have as possibilities

osaka
kyoto
sapporo

are there any others you can recommend from experience? Looks like I have to buy this today or I lose my reservation!