Tokyo
- Thread starter ThundyCat
- Start date
I want to visit Japan next year, ideally travelling around the place to see what's good.. but with the language barrier and such..
Would people recommend that I setup a base camp hotel where I would stay every night and travel out for day trips? or just use different hotels in the places that I go to?
Should I book all the rooms and nights in advance or just play it by ear?
I don't really want to be lugging a backpack around with me, my ideal scenario would be to go to tokyo spend a few days there in the same hotel then leave most of my luggage somewhere safe, ideally with the same hotel (but don't have to pay for the room) and take a small back pack as I travel and stay a few nights in different places.
Is this even possible? or should I just ambience the whole back packer travel, it seems rather overwhelming and I don't want to be left in the middle of no where with no place to sleep. lol
Would people recommend that I setup a base camp hotel where I would stay every night and travel out for day trips? or just use different hotels in the places that I go to?
Should I book all the rooms and nights in advance or just play it by ear?
I don't really want to be lugging a backpack around with me, my ideal scenario would be to go to tokyo spend a few days there in the same hotel then leave most of my luggage somewhere safe, ideally with the same hotel (but don't have to pay for the room) and take a small back pack as I travel and stay a few nights in different places.
Is this even possible? or should I just ambience the whole back packer travel, it seems rather overwhelming and I don't want to be left in the middle of no where with no place to sleep. lol
Firstly I'd say it depends where you want to go as to how you go about it. I'm not sure but I can't really see a hotel keeping your luggage if you don't have a room with them (following your stay there).
As I'm currently typing this whilst on the shinkansen back to Tokyo I'd say don't worry about luggage too much, just don't make it too big. Myself and partner have a medium case + backpack each and have had no problem really. I did organise things in a way that would minimise lugging about said suitcases, such as staying close to arriving stations etc or making sure there is good transport links between airport/station and hotel.
We have done Tokyo > Kyoto (inc. Nara) > Hiroshima (inc. Mayajima) > Himeji (few hours) > Tokyo (currently travelling back to). We will fly out tomorrow morning.
Reserved all hotels some months in advance with free cancellation until near the time. I also booked all shinkansen tickets in advance by at least a couple of days on smart ex. Tokyo to Kyoto we managed to get the Hayatoku-21 discount as I booked that before leaving the UK. Worked for us as we had a rough itinerary so made sense to leave places at a certain time and some trains have been pretty full.
As I'm currently typing this whilst on the shinkansen back to Tokyo I'd say don't worry about luggage too much, just don't make it too big. Myself and partner have a medium case + backpack each and have had no problem really. I did organise things in a way that would minimise lugging about said suitcases, such as staying close to arriving stations etc or making sure there is good transport links between airport/station and hotel.
We have done Tokyo > Kyoto (inc. Nara) > Hiroshima (inc. Mayajima) > Himeji (few hours) > Tokyo (currently travelling back to). We will fly out tomorrow morning.
Reserved all hotels some months in advance with free cancellation until near the time. I also booked all shinkansen tickets in advance by at least a couple of days on smart ex. Tokyo to Kyoto we managed to get the Hayatoku-21 discount as I booked that before leaving the UK. Worked for us as we had a rough itinerary so made sense to leave places at a certain time and some trains have been pretty full.
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There are an abundance of hotels in Japan, if you don't need luxury, lots of business hotels so you can play it by ear. The only thing I would advice is ask for Non-smoking rooms as the Japanese still have rooms that allow smoking.
As for luggage, you have 5 options
1 - Travel light
2 - Luggage forwarding service, but this will require you to know where you will be staying the next location and it is always going to be a day behind
3 - Luggage storage companies at large stations, not lockers but actual little shop.
4 - Ask the hotel to hold it for you IF you book another night on the way back from your little round the country trip.
5 - Book an entire room while you are away and leave your stuff there. I actually did this for 3 nights, they have no problem of course, I even told them I am going to be away so no need to make room and also remove any concern raised while I am away whether I've died or something. Reason being I booked like 10 days in the hotel with such a good rate in advance, and I changed my plans that I want to do a few days away from Tokyo but to rebook the same hotel, minus the 3 nights stay was actually more expensive than to leave it empty.
As for luggage, you have 5 options
1 - Travel light
2 - Luggage forwarding service, but this will require you to know where you will be staying the next location and it is always going to be a day behind
3 - Luggage storage companies at large stations, not lockers but actual little shop.
4 - Ask the hotel to hold it for you IF you book another night on the way back from your little round the country trip.
5 - Book an entire room while you are away and leave your stuff there. I actually did this for 3 nights, they have no problem of course, I even told them I am going to be away so no need to make room and also remove any concern raised while I am away whether I've died or something. Reason being I booked like 10 days in the hotel with such a good rate in advance, and I changed my plans that I want to do a few days away from Tokyo but to rebook the same hotel, minus the 3 nights stay was actually more expensive than to leave it empty.
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Just came back from Japan and we visited Tokyo and Osaka, can't wait to go back but without the 2 kids 
If you are going to TeamLabs then make sure you get the first slot of the day and enjoy the peace for the first 15 minutes, after that all you get is people and kids ruins any experience you get and you will start wonder why pay so much going in
It is amazing visual experience which photos and video will not capture.
Best meal we had is guykatsu, you get deep fried beef semi cooked and then you cook it to how you want with the hot stone, try not to eat that as your first meal or else you will be disappointed with everything after that
Get a Suica or Pasmo electronic pass on your phone digital wallet, it will save you so much hassle from buying train tickets. There are so many people in Japan and the tourist on top of that which most of the train station are rammed, ticket machine is not the easiest to navigate. You can top up money via your app and going through the gates is like our Octopus/bank card touch and gate open.
We did the usual temple and shines in Tokyo and the Expo in Osaka, love the good luck charms they sell at the tempo which is much better souvenir than fridge magnets.
If you are going to TeamLabs then make sure you get the first slot of the day and enjoy the peace for the first 15 minutes, after that all you get is people and kids ruins any experience you get and you will start wonder why pay so much going in
It is amazing visual experience which photos and video will not capture. Best meal we had is guykatsu, you get deep fried beef semi cooked and then you cook it to how you want with the hot stone, try not to eat that as your first meal or else you will be disappointed with everything after that
Get a Suica or Pasmo electronic pass on your phone digital wallet, it will save you so much hassle from buying train tickets. There are so many people in Japan and the tourist on top of that which most of the train station are rammed, ticket machine is not the easiest to navigate. You can top up money via your app and going through the gates is like our Octopus/bank card touch and gate open.
We did the usual temple and shines in Tokyo and the Expo in Osaka, love the good luck charms they sell at the tempo which is much better souvenir than fridge magnets.
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I've been a couple times to Tokyo and it was at the end of holiday and turned into more of a food and shopping few days. So many side streets in Akihabara, I'd recommend searching around for hobby, craft, interests you have for shops. I stayed a night at Ryokan Kamogawa (www.f-kamogawa.jp/english/equipment.html) which was great, they have a large private bath room (hotspring style) that you can book out.
I'd highly recommend booking things in advance in Japan. There are tons of hotels though and you will be able to find a room somewhere last second or a capsule hotel. Most train stations have bag lockers of multiple sizes, it's just a case of finding an empty one. The main stations have loads and can fit large suitcases but you'd need to check specifics for sizes and length of storage. I've mainly used them for my suitcase for the day before check in but times and charges are clearly displayed and most take ic cards (Icoca etc.).
I use a small daysack when walking around, large enough for a small bottle of water, folding brolly, hand towel, and a few other everyday carry items. Rucksack when I know I'll need the extra space. Suitcase stays in the hotel or a locker when not needed.
I'd highly recommend booking things in advance in Japan. There are tons of hotels though and you will be able to find a room somewhere last second or a capsule hotel. Most train stations have bag lockers of multiple sizes, it's just a case of finding an empty one. The main stations have loads and can fit large suitcases but you'd need to check specifics for sizes and length of storage. I've mainly used them for my suitcase for the day before check in but times and charges are clearly displayed and most take ic cards (Icoca etc.).
I use a small daysack when walking around, large enough for a small bottle of water, folding brolly, hand towel, and a few other everyday carry items. Rucksack when I know I'll need the extra space. Suitcase stays in the hotel or a locker when not needed.
Osaka is definitely worth visiting, if only for using the bullet train. Its only 2 1/2 travel and amazing scenery.
From there I would put aside a day to visit Hiroshima, its about 90 minutes by train.
thenavigatio.com
One odd thing, for such an advanced country, a lot of shots prefer cash or you can get Suica card which can also be used to pay for public transport.
From there I would put aside a day to visit Hiroshima, its about 90 minutes by train.
The Perfect Hiroshima Day Trip Itinerary From Osaka
If you’re planning to take a day trip to Hiroshima from Kyoto or Osaka, my one-day itinerary can help you make the most of your time here. Most people will know Hiroshima through black and
thenavigatio.com
One odd thing, for such an advanced country, a lot of shots prefer cash or you can get Suica card which can also be used to pay for public transport.