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swoodman
Joined: 24 Sep 2009
Location: Reading, United Kingdom
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 Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:17 am Post subject: Planned Japan Trip |
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Some questions about a planned tokyo trip in Sept:
1. If I went for between 5-7 days would you suggest staying put in Tokyo or travelling? (Taking into account I don't wanna spend that much). In other words, are there things quite nearby I would be a fool to miss if I went to Tokyo?
(I mainly ask this now, cos I'm trying to figure out whether to get a guide for all of Japan or just Tokyo)
2. Do you have any vague idea of how much you would need per day?
3. Any advice about accommodation?
4. Also - I'm bring a very large suitcase, a laptop bag and a backpack. (Im going from China and Ive been in Asia for two years, so Ive got a lot of things. Is this likely to cause problems? |
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iselynjenniep
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: bundang
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:16 am Post subject: |
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personally i would not stay in tokyo for 5-7 days. there is not that much to see/do there... i was there for 4 nights and got a little bored. (i was not there to shop or party though so if that's what you're looking for then...) i did do a day trip to mt. fuji and really enjoyed it. after tokyo, i spent 4 nights in kyoto, which had way more interesting things to see. i would spend more time there if you can. i took the fast train and got there in a few hours (flew into tokyo, out of osaka). if you go to kyoto i recommend staying at http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/ (i didn't care for the hostel i stayed at in tokyo, http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/original/). as far as money, it wasn't cheap (i went last july). every day i took out what i thought would be enough cash for the rest of my trip... and i ended up spending it all that same day. you should be OK with all the luggage if you only stay in 1-2 cities.
http://teflorbust.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/japan/ |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:25 am Post subject: |
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You can easily spend a week in Tokyo alone devoting single days exploring the various neighbourhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Odaiba. For a change of pace go just outside of Tokyo to areas like Kamakura and Nikko.
A large suitcase shouldn't be a problem but finding lockers for it at train stations and such if you're in transit will be a hassle.
If you're not into hostels look into business hotels like Toyoko Inn which can be found close to stations everywhere. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: Planned Japan Trip |
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| swoodman wrote: |
Some questions about a planned tokyo trip in Sept:
1. If I went for between 5-7 days would you suggest staying put in Tokyo or travelling? (Taking into account I don't wanna spend that much). In other words, are there things quite nearby I would be a fool to miss if I went to Tokyo? |
I think both the posters above with opposite takes on this stay in/get out of Tokyo issue offer what could be good advice. It really just depends on you.
There IS a lot more to Japan than Tokyo and of the 10+ years I spent there, I much preferred the ones not living in Tokyo. Part of me does tend towards thinking that it would be a shame on an almost week long visit to Japan to never get out of Tokyo, particularly if you were less likely to go to Japan again.
However, travelling around Japan does burn a serious hole in your pocket and there is plenty that you could see in the Tokyo area in 5 -7 days that would be worthwhile. Spending a day in several different parts of Tokyo is something that some people would enjoy, although what I'd personally suggest is that you explore some of the places just outside Tokyo too. Less than an hour to the west you've got places like Kamakura, which is a real gem and the Enoshima beach area. Lots of similar good stuff not too far from Tokyo in other directions as well.
| swoodman wrote: |
| 4. Also - I'm bring a very large suitcase, a laptop bag and a backpack. (Im going from China and Ive been in Asia for two years, so Ive got a lot of things. Is this likely to cause problems? |
You will, especially if you're male, attract the attention of Japanese Customs on arrival. They suspect that western male travellers on short visits to the country are the most likely to be carrying drugs or other stuff they don't want in Japan. I say this not just from a long experience of having lived in Japan, but also from hearing it from the horse's mouth as I taught a number of Japanese customs and immigration officers when I was there.
They also look at the size of your luggage and consider how big they think it OUGHT to be for the amount of time you're planning to stay in Japan. If it's bigger than what they think is normal, then there's a good chance they're going to have a damn good look through it.
In your case, I'm not suggesting you should reduce your luggage because, given your plans prior to Japan, it's not really practicable to do so. And you should be fine in Japan as long as you don't have anything you shouldn't have. Although they'll probably search you and your bags, J Customs are usually quite courteous about it and help you pack everything back afterwards. It may help to try and not look too scruffy on arrival and also make sure you have a hotel that really exists or other address entered on your landing card - doesn't matter if you don't stay there, just don't leave that blank.
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finding lockers for it at train stations and such if you're in transit will be a hassle.
If you're not into hostels look into business hotels like Toyoko Inn which can be found close to stations everywhere. |
Totally agree with caffeinated here and would emphasise that carrying luggage of any reasonable kind of size or weight around with you on Tokyo area public transport is not a lot of fun. I've also recommended Toyoko Inn many times before and their advantages are many - always close to stations, you can get by with only English, not that expensive, totally reliable in terms of cleanliness, safety & security for your bags and free internet availability. You even get breakfast included!
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ |
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bbud656
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| How much are you bringing? Japan is seriously expensive. They have a coin that is worth about 6 USD to give you an idea. I was there a few weekds ago and blew threw about 500,000 won in 4 days and I wasnt even paying for a hotel. Just lunches, dinners, trains, some entrance fees to castles and temples, etc. Regular tourist stuff. Trains are really spendy too. I took the bullet train to Kyoto from Osaka and It was like 15 USD. Not bad, until you realize its a 9 minute ride. I paid about 20,000 won just to take a bus from the airport to Osaka. Figure what you would spend on things in Korea and then X3. Osaka and Kyoto are cool though. Kyoto is seriously the cleanest place I have ever seen a large number of people living. I would have take some low bid bets to lick the roads there. |
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daisydew
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:27 pm Post subject: dollars instead of won |
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glad i saw this before i leave to japan tomorrow. so it looks like everyone is recommending to withdraw dollars here and then exchange it in japan?
if I already bought a japan rail pass, do you think $1,000 is enough money for 6 days? (i can pay for lodging with american CC) |
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bbud656
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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| I just got my yet at the bank before I left. My gf is from Japan, so I got a lot more access for my money, so i cant give a fair estimate on what a tourist by themselves might spend. I spent 500,000 in about 3-4 days and I wasnt paying for anywhere to stay, but I did see a lot. If you go to kyoto. go to the tourist office at the station and there is a map to a nice bike rental place. Cost me like 12 bucks for the whole day. It was super fun and I saw most of the temples,castles, and city for dirt cheap. That was a cheap day. |
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daisydew
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: laptop? |
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| im going for 8 days to japan, should i bring my laptop? i'll be riding the train a few times, so it might be convenient to have then, right? are there outlets on the japan rail for the regular cars? |
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bbud656
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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| I didn't see any, but I wasnt on the train much, just the bullet train for a whole 9 minutes to Kyoto from Osaka. There doesnt seem to be too much free wifi though. MY gf uses an internet service through her cellphone company because she only knows a couple of spots that have free wi fi. The hotel I stayed at didnt offer it. A laptop might be good to use as a journal at least and the off chance that you get wifi. I bring an ipod touch with me when I travel, personally But didnt have much chance to use it there. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| bbud656 wrote: |
| There doesnt seem to be too much free wifi though. |
Yes, you're right. Wi-fi is very hit and miss in Japan, with a lot more miss than hit, unless you're signed up to one of the local providers.
I've found strong wi-fi signals on the Shinkansen recently, but all password secured ones from providers like DoCoMo that I know you'd have to sign up with and probably be living in the country to do so.
That said, you can occasionally strike lucky. Fukuoka Airport has free wifi, with no sign up required, perhaps some other Japanese airports do too. Mos Burger, the Japanese nationwide fast food chain also has free wifi in all their shops, I believe. I think MacDonalds is supposed to offer the same service too. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Some bullet trains and rapid express trains will have electrical outlets, but not necessarily all seats will come with these. The seats near the doors usually have them. |
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Stout
Joined: 28 May 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| Japan's a country where you're generally made to pay for almost everything. |
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b-class rambler
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Caffeinated wrote: |
| Some bullet trains and rapid express trains will have electrical outlets, but not necessarily all seats will come with these. The seats near the doors usually have them. |
When I was on the Nozomi (fastest bullet train) last week, I noticed there were power outlets for every row of seats. It was a very new train though and I wouldnt advise expecting that on many trains you travel on. |
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