Hi all,
I have an upcoming trip to Tokyo for 10 days. It is my first time in Japan. Any recommendations? Should I travel somewhere from Tokyo and only spend a couple of days there?
Got cheap Jetstar flights. Also a recommendation for a good budget accommodation would be great.
Cheers,
Go to Kyoto and Nara for 4 days. I'd say 5, but you only have 10 days, so maybe you want to enjoy more time in Tokyo. But definitely go to Kyoto and Nara, you won't regret it!
Yes I recently visited Japan over April for 18 nights. Definitely try to get over to Kyoto if possible (our favourite amongst the 10+ cities we visited) and Nara if time permits. I'd say 4-6 nights in Tokyo depending on your preferences.
There's a massive thread over on whirlpool if you're keen.
If you do go to Kyoto, the 7-day JR pass almost pays itself for the round trip.
Thanks for your replies. Will look into Kyoto. Is it best to get the rail pass from one of the third party travel agent websites? Any student discounts or better to buy in Japan?
Rail passes are good if you using the rail passes a lot. If you need passes you need to buy before you leave and book train soon as you landed. Otherwise single trip would be cheaper. And no student discount.
8 days kabukicho, 2 days rest.
If you are going to other parts of Japan worth getting 7 day JR pass, only buy from approved sellers and you must buy then in AU before you travel please note there are a few restrictions with this pass so double check before you board otherwise you will pay the difference negating any savings. Works out cheaper if you plan on going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara etc. Are you going alone? if not you have to negotiate what you do/see/eat/stay. You can probably get some reasonable business hotels in each city you go to.
If you rent a car then you must have an international license. Available from racv/nrma, etc
Can't emphasize the must part enough
Good general tip, I often forget about this as well :-)
Yep. My face last night at Narita airport Europe car rental counter……
You mean you were facing this issue just yesterday at Narita airport?
I hope I am reading wrongly! But if not, hope that you managed to get over the issue without too much hassles.
@bluesky: yep, last night. Yeah. Means skipping Osaka and staying in Tokyo for a few extra nights. But then found a great inexpensive hotel in akasaka. But lost 2 night of accommodation :(
Meh.
My stupidity for not checking on requirements for car rental in Japan. Hawaii in Feb was no problem - just used my qld license. Same in Paris.
@altomic: It's an easy enough mistake to make, esp since OZ license OK in some places. Glad things work out for you.
I booked a house through airbnb in ueno(Tokyo). It's an old wooden house crammed between similar houses. Cost ~au$130 a night. Heaps of room (for Japan that is - it's a 3LDK) . I love it. Watching the neighbours do their stuff. See their routines. Go to the local shops. My kids love it too. They go out and play in the street ( the neighbours enjoy that) walk down the road to Ueno (8 minutes) or jump on the subway (2 minutes away).
I previously lived in Japan for 4 years and believe that a holiday here is wasted if you rush to do "everything" in as short a space of time.
Seriously, I suggest getting an old house (so you see neighbours) staying in Tokyo for the entire time. There is so much to see but also so much not to do (I.e. just hang out some where for a few hours doing nothing). Plenty of day trips that can fill in the time if you want to "get out" of Tokyo. Kamakura, Nikko, etc.
And most neighbourhoods have so much history and variation that you could waste days walking up and down residential streets.
Tomorriw i have plans to go to the local tofu shop and watch how tofu is made (the guy running it looks 80 and the wooden shop is older than that). Tonight we went to an indoor climbing place - I said my 10 year old was 16 ( have to be at least in high school to be able to climb). My daughter is taller than the manager (she's tall anyway and Japanese people are quite short. I'm 185 cms and am usually the tallest person ).
When visiting Japan- chill, relax & observe.
It's an amazing country. So densely populated. So developed, and in many ways so western but also so fiercely individually Japanese. With so many things to do and see, if you rush to do "the essentials" you miss out on seeing Japan.
I'm rambling.
What house did you rent? Could you link me?
Anyone know if it's possible to get some dates in Tokyo in this time?
Anyone know if it's possible to get some dates in Tokyo in this time?
You can search Airbnb.com.au
Enter your dates, the number of guests, and choose Whole Place (Entire home/apt)or a Private Room.
No i mean dates as in with ladies.
Latest Whirlpool thread (part 20):-
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2542691
Whirlpool Japan Travel Wiki:-
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/japantravelfaq
Whirlpool Members' Airbnb suggestion for Tokyo:-
AirBNB Apartment in Shinjuku, Tokyo – http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4344252
Is this recommended AirBNB for family or a solo traveller? I'm planning to solo travel. Would like to be near the action. Studio or 1 bedroom. Hopefully can get something within $100AUD/day.
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2718430 Check this. I stayed there 3 weeks back..Very close to Shinjuku station..5 mins walking distance…
Thanks. A little expensive. $120. Is it a good location to meet up with ladies logistically speaking?
Tripadvisor has lots of reviews and advice on attractions.
Bullet train to Kyoto for day trip or 2 is worth it.
And why not this:
https://www.nagomivisit.com/