We are possibly going to Japan with our adult kids 21 and 19. I know some of you have been there and I've looked at those threads. My wife and kids have done most of the planning but, some suggestions and/or tips from our members here would be greatly appreciated. Most of the itinerary has been penciled in, but still looking to finalize what, where, when. Keep in mind, that I'm the only one in the family with interests in transportation and electronics. Can you help?
Ever Been To Japan?
- Thread starter GSCJR
- Start date
Where in Japan or are you looking for destinations too? More city or out? I assume lodging is booked?
Is your eating an adventure too?
Is your eating an adventure too?
We're planning to land in Tokyo and make our way to Kyoto and Osaka. We plan to diversify in terms of what we see, architecture, nature, modern landscape etc. We were thinking that Airbnb might be best in terms of date flexibility and costs, but nothing has been officially booked. Yes, with the exception of our 19 year old son, we're foodies, @benjamming
I would skew towards spending more time in Kyoto than Osaka or Tokyo.
I spent three months near Hiroshima. People were friendly but reserved. Things were expensive, food was great. Since it was winter Wx was crappy.
I'd like to go back.
I'd like to go back.
Wifey and I just got back from a quick trip. If you are going now or soon, it is gonna be hot and humid, especially in Kyoto.
Wear shorts and be prepared to walk. Black pants and white or pale shirts... You will love it! The people's cleanliness and discipline are so impressive!
Wear shorts and be prepared to walk. Black pants and white or pale shirts... You will love it! The people's cleanliness and discipline are so impressive!
How much time are you planning to spend there? Are you more space conscious or are you guys ok with the typical Japanese sized rooms and beds? Their "double bed" is not the same size as Queen in the US and the room that they say "can sleep 6" are more likely a 2 person room for the "typical" 5'11" American with BMI of 27. I personally always stay in their business hotels like Toyoko Inn but if you are a tall and big American you can easily bump into places left and right. My ex-wife is 5'6" and she felt claustrophobic in their bathrooms. I am perfectly fine as a 5'9" but I grew up in the most crowded city on earth so everything is fine by me.
I've only been there twice but I am always the over protective and safety margin conscious kind of person so just take my advice with a grain of salt. Transportation transfer can be a problem if you are relying on switching trains between different companies. Unlike many countries where their train systems are owned and run by a central transport agency, they are mostly privately or regional owned and don't like to direct passengers between transfers of other companies and would actively not display signs in between. So if you can transfer within the same company's trains, even if it may look like 30 mins longer do it, you will miss your train if you try to transfer relying on Google Map or Apple Map, you won't run in between fast enough unless you do it every day.
Also do take the dedicated trains for airport transit instead of hopping onto the local train for commuters, they may not yell at you but everyone would not like you for doing the "wrong thing" in their customs. If you got stuck there are train station staff you can ask for help but don't ask strangers or shops, they don't like that too much (except maybe convenient store clerks who may often be foreigners who know English).
If you start by landing in Tokyo, get the Suica card when you land and use it for everything, or you can install the Suica app on your phone. It is much easier to use those cards than cash (you may miss a train or a bus). The app system is helpful that you don't need to worry about returning for deposit etc, but you have to keep track of your battery life. Speaking of battery life Charge Spot is great if you are low on battery during the day. DO NOT CHARGE YOUR PHONE AT A RESTAURANT. That would be considered stealing electricity there (I know it is petty but that's their custom), so don't do it.
Luggage storage locker is great but get full very fast and early in the day. If you run into luggage storage issue during the day, and you don't want to detour to your hotel, Bounce app is great finding a spot you can temporarily store your luggage so you don't have to haul them around. It once point me to a karaoke during day time when it is just running as a luggage storage. Very helpful even if it cost a few hundred yens.
Wait time for famous restaurant is very dynamic. Just because they typically say 30 mins doesn't mean the day you visit is 30 mins, it can be 1hr 30mins. Make sure you have some flexibility. Some of them don't open every day and they close early if they sold out. Some just don't take foreigners like in English they say they are closed but if you can read the Hiragana they are actually open etc. Don't take it too personally, you'll get used to it. Many of them don't do take out, and most of them don't let you doggy bag like the US restaurant, but they are often ok if you order a little then order more to be safe. Some don't like you not finishing your food (it is disrespectful to the chef) but as a foreigner they may forgive you on that.
As always remember to dial down the politeness by a few degree to interpret their real meaning. If they say it is a bit difficult it literally mean they don't like it. When they say it is checkout at 11:00 they will charge you a thousand yen if you are off by even 2 mins, they are very precise on time in culture.
As to spending more time where, it is all about what you like. You will get different opinion from different people but I personally think in one trip you will likely not have enough time for all 3 places anyways. You can always book places with free cancellation and change your plan as long as you cancel early enough.
I've only been there twice but I am always the over protective and safety margin conscious kind of person so just take my advice with a grain of salt. Transportation transfer can be a problem if you are relying on switching trains between different companies. Unlike many countries where their train systems are owned and run by a central transport agency, they are mostly privately or regional owned and don't like to direct passengers between transfers of other companies and would actively not display signs in between. So if you can transfer within the same company's trains, even if it may look like 30 mins longer do it, you will miss your train if you try to transfer relying on Google Map or Apple Map, you won't run in between fast enough unless you do it every day.
Also do take the dedicated trains for airport transit instead of hopping onto the local train for commuters, they may not yell at you but everyone would not like you for doing the "wrong thing" in their customs. If you got stuck there are train station staff you can ask for help but don't ask strangers or shops, they don't like that too much (except maybe convenient store clerks who may often be foreigners who know English).
If you start by landing in Tokyo, get the Suica card when you land and use it for everything, or you can install the Suica app on your phone. It is much easier to use those cards than cash (you may miss a train or a bus). The app system is helpful that you don't need to worry about returning for deposit etc, but you have to keep track of your battery life. Speaking of battery life Charge Spot is great if you are low on battery during the day. DO NOT CHARGE YOUR PHONE AT A RESTAURANT. That would be considered stealing electricity there (I know it is petty but that's their custom), so don't do it.
Luggage storage locker is great but get full very fast and early in the day. If you run into luggage storage issue during the day, and you don't want to detour to your hotel, Bounce app is great finding a spot you can temporarily store your luggage so you don't have to haul them around. It once point me to a karaoke during day time when it is just running as a luggage storage. Very helpful even if it cost a few hundred yens.
Wait time for famous restaurant is very dynamic. Just because they typically say 30 mins doesn't mean the day you visit is 30 mins, it can be 1hr 30mins. Make sure you have some flexibility. Some of them don't open every day and they close early if they sold out. Some just don't take foreigners like in English they say they are closed but if you can read the Hiragana they are actually open etc. Don't take it too personally, you'll get used to it. Many of them don't do take out, and most of them don't let you doggy bag like the US restaurant, but they are often ok if you order a little then order more to be safe. Some don't like you not finishing your food (it is disrespectful to the chef) but as a foreigner they may forgive you on that.
As always remember to dial down the politeness by a few degree to interpret their real meaning. If they say it is a bit difficult it literally mean they don't like it. When they say it is checkout at 11:00 they will charge you a thousand yen if you are off by even 2 mins, they are very precise on time in culture.
As to spending more time where, it is all about what you like. You will get different opinion from different people but I personally think in one trip you will likely not have enough time for all 3 places anyways. You can always book places with free cancellation and change your plan as long as you cancel early enough.
I strongly suggests stay in a Kyoto hotel / inn / airbnb for the days you will be in Kyoto to get to places early, if possible stay in one that is close to a taxi station.
For Kyoto in particular: if you want to avoid the crowd (other tourists) try to get to major temples and shrines early in the morning when they first open (i.e. 7:30am for Kiyomizu Dera, 8:00am for KinKaku-Ji), and plan your free exploration afterward. If you want a non-crowded photo op go as early as sunrise. We took a taxi (I know it is expensive but it is the fastest way to outrun other tourists) to these places before they are open, and we got there before the big crowd from tour buses came in. Kyoto is the epic center of over tourism so make sure you plan accordingly. Bus takes a long time in traffic and can be overcrowded so if you can travel with subway or train do it.
Do not take photos of the locals, including the Geishas and Maikos, without asking for permission first. It is common sense but it is not like they are celebrities and public figures in the US you can take photos of without asking first.
I strongly suggest taking the Garaku train between Kyoto and Osaka. It is no more expensive than a regular train but it is very well decorated.
https://www.hankyu.co.jp/kyotrain-garaku/en/
If you are swinging by Nara to feed bowing deers, go early in the morning otherwise the deer crackers may be sold out. As always think ahead and outrun other tourists.
For Kyoto in particular: if you want to avoid the crowd (other tourists) try to get to major temples and shrines early in the morning when they first open (i.e. 7:30am for Kiyomizu Dera, 8:00am for KinKaku-Ji), and plan your free exploration afterward. If you want a non-crowded photo op go as early as sunrise. We took a taxi (I know it is expensive but it is the fastest way to outrun other tourists) to these places before they are open, and we got there before the big crowd from tour buses came in. Kyoto is the epic center of over tourism so make sure you plan accordingly. Bus takes a long time in traffic and can be overcrowded so if you can travel with subway or train do it.
Do not take photos of the locals, including the Geishas and Maikos, without asking for permission first. It is common sense but it is not like they are celebrities and public figures in the US you can take photos of without asking first.
I strongly suggest taking the Garaku train between Kyoto and Osaka. It is no more expensive than a regular train but it is very well decorated.
https://www.hankyu.co.jp/kyotrain-garaku/en/
If you are swinging by Nara to feed bowing deers, go early in the morning otherwise the deer crackers may be sold out. As always think ahead and outrun other tourists.
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I've been to Japan innumerable times in my aviation career. Always love going there. I'm not the normal tourist. Since I love motorcycles, I tend to visit every motorcycle dealership, museum and even got a brief tour of the Kawasaki plant. Had a blast.
My commentary will not be at all helpful!
I went in 1991, as a 14 year old on a school band trip. On my first night I discovered, to my amazement, that I could buy beer at vending machines. I got drunk for the first time and walked around Tokyo. I continued to do this nightly, with my friends, in every city we went to.
A great time!
I went in 1991, as a 14 year old on a school band trip. On my first night I discovered, to my amazement, that I could buy beer at vending machines. I got drunk for the first time and walked around Tokyo. I continued to do this nightly, with my friends, in every city we went to.
A great time!
