Japan Trip

Xelene

Xelene

Xelene

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Joined
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Anyone been there? My partner is Japanese so we'll spend a week or two in Fukuoka to help out our Mum, but got a week spare; I wanted a day or three in Tokyo to go to Super Potato and such and we've got a couple of days to visit Kyoto before it gets too filled with tourists. Any other recommendations?
 
Xelene said:
Anyone been there? My partner is Japanese so we'll spend a week or two in Fukuoka to help out our Mum, but got a week spare; I wanted a day or three in Tokyo to go to Super Potato and such and we've got a couple of days to visit Kyoto before it gets too filled with tourists. Any other recommendations?
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YES!!!

I suggest you...

Take a short direct flight up to Tokyo, get a 7 Day JR pass and use that to work your way down. I actually did the opposite way once, Fukuoka to Tokyo within 1 week. I did Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hakone then Tokyo.

The flight will cost you about £75 (I flew the other way), book now whilst the exchange rate is still decent. Otherwise the Shinkansen down from Tokyo to Fukuoka would cost a ton if bought separately.

Then on the way down, Tokyo, Kyoto, stop over in Himeji Castle for a few hours and Hiroshima (with Miyajima). It might be very tight though. There is also Nara and Osaka too.

p.s. Super Potato has a few stores actually, the one in Akihabara is the famous one, there are others, and it is also more expensive than say Hard Off. It's a 2nd hand store for hardware and electronics. Go there for cheaper used stuff. Not as cool, but just as good.

In Osaka there is an area call Den Den Town, which is their version of Akihabara.

pps I am going back too next March for 10 days, i can't wait!

Also, change some money ASAP, £1 is 155 yen right now, it was 165yen...but going the wrong direction. A few years ago it was £1 to 135yen....so you are still up...change it ASAP, either physically or using Revolut. You can even put some money into the Suica Card now and use it when you are there.
 
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We're gonna land in Tokyo, I want to spend a day or two in Akihabra but the plan is to get a JRL pass and work our way down, Mum lives in Kitakyushu and she's a bit elderly so need to spend a bit of time sorting things out for her, i'll probs be in hotel in Fukuoka working a bit while that happens. Good food there
 
Btw, a return ticket between Tokyo to Osaka on the Shinkasen cost about the same as a 7Day JR Pass.

Also...you need to reserve the space on the Shinkansen if you plan to take large luggage on it, there are only 4 spaces on each end of the carriage for these, 8 per carriage. Discounting the large slots in between carriages, like where the bikes are. It's taboo to keep the luggage in seating spaces so you need book these spots in advance if you plan to take them on the Shinkansen.

Warning - In Gion in Kyoto, do not take photos, they have introduced a ban, because tourists were harassing the Geishas. Put your camera away in the Gion district. So basically if you want to catch a photo with a Geisha, this is now illegal, you will get fined.
 
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Xelene said:
We're gonna land in Tokyo, I want to spend a day or two in Akihabra but the plan is to get a JRL pass and work our way down, Mum lives in Kitakyushu and she's a bit elderly so need to spend a bit of time sorting things out for her, i'll probs be in hotel in Fukuoka working a bit while that happens. Good food there
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Ah, then the JR Pass is perfect, you can order it up to 3months in advance i think. When you land, where you collect at the counter they will put down the dates it starts, you can nominate a date, not necessarily the date you collect it.

The JR Pass also valid on the Yamanote Line, it's like the circle line in London, which is handy. The only downside using it on the Yamanote line is you can't use the normal gates but have to go through the manned gate and show someone your pass. If there is someone there asking for help it will delay you.
 
Xelene said:
We'll deffo get a rail pass, i'm UK national and my partner has lived in the UK for 25 years or so (but still has a JP passport and also a NI number)
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It depends when you are going, there is a JR Pass even locals can get for October. Although i think that's the wrong direction you want to go.

www.timeout.com

JR East is offering an unlimited-ride train pass covering eastern Japan

Get unlimited rides on all JR East trains including shinkansen across eastern Japan, from Tokyo to Nagano to Aomori
www.timeout.com www.timeout.com
 
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Been 4 times (but always to Kyoto). If you're staying in Kyoto, definitely take trips out to Osaka, Kobe, and Nara. If you have any other time, head to Arashiyama which is just outside Kyoto.
 
Xelene said:
We're mostly going to Fukuoka/Kitakyushu, mother in law is 75 and we need to spend some time helping her out. Got a few spare days to go shopping
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If you are going first time...7 days....I would...

Day 1-3 Tokyo
Akihabara for the Otaku stuff
Sensoji Temple
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Scramble (this is a building, the roof where you can see down to the crossing)
Meji Park + Harajuku which is nearby. There is also that glass entrance thing where you see all the instagram photos.
If you want an activity rather than seeing things than Team Labs in Odaiba is fun. Yokohama for a day trip if you want to catch the temporary Gundam before end of March.
Other things like....Mario Kart VR, Shinjuku, Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower, there is also the fish market.

3-5 Kyoto
Arashiyama
Fushimi Inari
Kiyomizu Dera
Pholopsher's Walk
Nishiki Market
Gion
Ginkakuji
Kinkakuji

Nara is also a short local train ride away.

+ loads of others, you literally trip over yourself with UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On the way down to Hiroshima, stop at Himeji Castle.

6-7 Hiroshima and Miyajima

Go to Atomic Memorial and hop over Miyajima island.

Then to Fukuoka.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
If you are going first time...7 days....I would...

Day 1-3 Tokyo
Akihabara for the Otaku stuff
Sensoji Temple
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Scramble (this is a building, the roof where you can see down to the crossing)
Meji Park + Harajuku which is nearby. There is also that glass entrance thing where you see all the instagram photos.
If you want an activity rather than seeing things than Team Labs in Odaiba is fun. Yokohama for a day trip if you want to catch the temporary Gundam before end of March.
Other things like....Mario Kart VR, Shinjuku, Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower, there is also the fish market.

3-5 Kyoto
Arashiyama
Fushimi Inari
Kiyomizu Dera
Pholopsher's Walk
Nishiki Market
Gion
Ginkakuji
Kinkakuji

Nara is also a short local train ride away.

+ loads of others, you literally trip over yourself with UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On the way down to Hiroshima, stop at Himeji Castle.

6-7 Hiroshima and Miyajima

Go to Atomic Memorial and hop over Miyajima island.

Then to Fukuoka.
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Pretty good itinerary this one.

Personally, I'd do the Imperial Palace again and Asakusa temple, but each to their own.

Kyoto to Hiroshima can also be done in a day trip if needed - we did it with a 10 month old at the time. We didn't fit in Miyajima - although it does looks nice.

PS. If you can stretch to the better JR Pass Green, it's worth it. However, you will need to book your seat - even if you do it just before boarding the train.
 
I've stayed in Beppu, which is not far from Fukuoka due to my inlaws living there, great small town whose identity/focus is on hot springs. Was great to see James May walking up the same streets i had on his "James May our man in Japan" series :D
 
Gammawolf said:
I've stayed in Beppu, which is not far from Fukuoka due to my inlaws living there, great small town whose identity/focus is on hot springs. Was great to see James May walking up the same streets i had on his "James May our man in Japan" series :D
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Been Japan 10+ times now. Beppu was one of my favourite places.
 
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