What to do in Japan for 2 weeks?

Raymond Lin · 13 Jan 2018 at 12:47

Mr.Shabz said:
Good to see some familiar places from your photos, honeymooned in Japan a couple of years ago, such a brilliant country.

Only in Japan do you get trains with ultra comfy reclining chairs and a holder for your beer. Good times.

Enjoy!

I found there are 3 levels of seating on the Shinkansen.

The First class reserved, which I first sat down unknowingly and was then asked to move lol

Then there is the reserve in advance.

Then there are the ones you just get on and sit anywhere, these are normally are front or end 3 carriage of the trains. These seems to be the least luxurious but then they are all very spacious and all like sofas.

Judgeneo said:
This thread is a treasure trove of information. I'm looking to get a trip out there this year, planning a few days in Beijing on the way as I still have my Chinese visa, then a couple of weeks in Japan proper. I think that I'll be giving this thread a second and third reading as I plan.

As usual Raymond, cracking photos

Thanks!

Japan is very easy to get around and don't worry about the language problem, ask for English menus, if not resort to pointing, or go to places like those where you order from a ticket machine on the door.

SMN said:
Amazing pictures as always Raymond, although that baby squid on a stick just turned my stomach!

That was actually cold, inside the head section they managed to stuff a full quail egg in there. It wasn't bad but I was expecting it to be hot some reason.

Day 7 (we are half way !!!!)

This is mostly a travel day, because I had to get 2 trains.

I have a couple of hours in the morning so I walked to To-Ji Temple from the hotel, this is the tallest Pagoda in the world, this is also the wettest day i was there, which was lucky really, it has been sunshine pretty much the rest of the time.

Breakfast before leaving

Curry doughnut with egg!

Onwards to Hakone!

Some snacks when i arrived.

7 course Kaiseki dinner.

They do mix up the L and the R, even when its written down.

Then my own onsen

Day 8 tbc.

Destination · 13 Jan 2018 at 13:15

Ray please clarify for me, where did you stay in Kyoto and where did you stay in Osaka?

ANDARIAL · 13 Jan 2018 at 13:30

Nice pics and a good read

Thanks

Raymond Lin · 13 Jan 2018 at 13:59

Destination said:
Ray please clarify for me, where did you stay in Kyoto and where did you stay in Osaka?

Osaka was Hotel Lutheran

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...he_Lutheran-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

This hotel was £50 for a double bed with my own bathroom. Absolute bargain. It is basic compare to others, if you want to judge it, just look at the amenities in the bathroom, but it's 5min walk from a nearby subway station so easy to get to. Osaka has a really good modern underground system so it doesn't really matter too much where you stay. I picked this place due to both price and also near the castle which was one of my places to see.

vs what I got in Hiroshima

Kyoto was New Miyako.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...iyako_Hotel-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki.html

The reason I picked this is because this hotel is located right opposite the south entrance of the Kyoto station. So I got off the train and at the hotel without any more trains or taxi. Kyoto's underground is also much smaller, served by only 2 lines in a cross layout so a lot of other places like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama is best reached by overground trains. So I thought it was best to stay near the main station in the city to make it easier to get to everywhere.

Price wise it was on the higher side of the scale, at £440 for 3 nights.

Destination · 13 Jan 2018 at 14:10

Thx Raymond

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2018 at 13:26

Oh, apparently after you been to the onsen it is tradition to drink some milk. There are vending machines selling nothing but these tiny glass bottles of milk. It also tastes a bit weird, a hint of sweet and touch of citrus at the same time. It's not like its gone off but in a way kinda nice.

Day 8

Hakone to Tokyo

Today is a long day, I have given myself 2 tasks. Go see Mt Fuji and then make it to my 8pm slot for Mario Kart VR in Tokyo.

So I got up early and went to the buffet breakfast, a bit of everything.

Going to the station and put my stuff in a locker, they only take 100 yen coins and you will need about 700yen for the larger ones

The queue was insane, guess this is weekend for you, waited about 45mins here.

There are 2 more rides before you get to the top. First is a tram.

Then more queues, I waited another hour and a half here, at least I had a view.

Then it's time for a ropeway.

You get handed one of these.

It also have these incase you need to use first-Aid

The Ropeway takes you to one of the 5 lakes.

I didn't stay long, got right back on the ropeway and went back to the mid point. This is as close as I am ever getting to a live volcano.

I got lucky and saw Mt Fuji, it is often surrounded by clouds.

Here they sell these volcanic ash "marinated" eggs. Eating one supposed to add 7 years to your life.

It tastes just like a regular boiled egg to be honest.

Then it's a rush to Tokyo, I was late but made Mario Kart VR.

I am in Shinjuku !

Dinner was a place call Yamachan, it's a restaurant that sells a lot of things and they are a chain originally out of Nagoya, what they are famous for are these chicken wings. A must try if you are in Japan.

You order via iPad.

I got 2 flavours.

Then back to my hotel, which has a nice view, especially from the lobby.

My room was on the 35th floor

Day 9 to be con.

Scooby_WR1 · 14 Jan 2018 at 16:32

Awesome pictures.
Japan is such an incredible place, I don't think I would want to return home if ever went there.

Kreeeee · 14 Jan 2018 at 16:55

memyselfandi · 14 Jan 2018 at 18:13

Raymond Lin said:
I got lucky and saw Mt Fuji, it is often surrounded by clouds.

I've been to Japan five times now, either in April or October, and have seen Mt Fuji exactly once (and that's including going to places which you would normally expect to see it like Hakone a couple of times). It got to a point that I have a long running joke with my Japanese teacher that it doesn't exist and is made up by the Japanese Tourist Board who just photoshop all the pictures you see.

Hotel wise we normally pay £70-120 outside Tokyo and quite a bit more than that in Tokyo (outside Tokyo we are out and about and really only use the hotel for sleeping so can get away with a lower spec. one but in Tokyo we just want to relax so spend more for a bigger and better room, (this year we are trying the Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku but last time was the Hilton West Shinjuku and before that the Keio Plaza who were both generally very good (Basic Keio plaza was only ok but the deluxe rooms are quite good)).

I have had a green class rail pass on one trip but that was because we were getting the shinkansen from Tokyo up to Shin-Aomori and onto Sapporo which is quite a long trip. The rail pass is well worth it if you are going to travel around a lot as gives the flexibility to just jump on a non-reserved seat (or even book a reserved one). The other thing to remember with the rail pass is that if you have it running a bit long and you are back in Tokyo you can just use it on the overland JR services to get around the city until it runs out.

I tend to go with 10000yen/day as walk around money, so that's for transport not covered by rail pass, food, entrance fees and generally buying bits and bobs (but I do tend to spend quite a bit on the latter

)

Interestingly up to early last year technically a lot of AirBNB offerings in Japan were operating illegally as they didn't have the require permits. Some rules changed which meant that it is supposed to be easier to set up and operate them now (in a lot of areas). There was actually a mini-series drama about someone operating an illegal one and having to become legal aired around the same time on Japanese TV.

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2018 at 23:55

memyselfandi said:
I've been to Japan five times now, either in April or October, and have seen Mt Fuji exactly once (and that's including going to places which you would normally expect to see it like Hakone a couple of times). It got to a point that I have a long running joke with my Japanese teacher that it doesn't exist and is made up by the Japanese Tourist Board who just photoshop all the pictures you see.

Hotel wise we normally pay £70-120 outside Tokyo and quite a bit more than that in Tokyo (outside Tokyo we are out and about and really only use the hotel for sleeping so can get away with a lower spec. one but in Tokyo we just want to relax so spend more for a bigger and better room, (this year we are trying the Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku but last time was the Hilton West Shinjuku and before that the Keio Plaza who were both generally very good (Basic Keio plaza was only ok but the deluxe rooms are quite good)).

I have had a green class rail pass on one trip but that was because we were getting the shinkansen from Tokyo up to Shin-Aomori and onto Sapporo which is quite a long trip. The rail pass is well worth it if you are going to travel around a lot as gives the flexibility to just jump on a non-reserved seat (or even book a reserved one). The other thing to remember with the rail pass is that if you have it running a bit long and you are back in Tokyo you can just use it on the overland JR services to get around the city until it runs out.

I tend to go with 10000yen/day as walk around money, so that's for transport not covered by rail pass, food, entrance fees and generally buying bits and bobs (but I do tend to spend quite a bit on the latter )

Interestingly up to early last year technically a lot of AirBNB offerings in Japan were operating illegally as they didn't have the require permits. Some rules changed which meant that it is supposed to be easier to set up and operate them now (in a lot of areas). There was actually a mini-series drama about someone operating an illegal one and having to become legal aired around the same time on Japanese TV.

All those have crossed my mind, eluding the green class rail pass but little savings need to be made here and there. I have never actually used Air B'n"b, I like my clean sheets every morning

Day 9 (first full day in Tokyo)

So where does one go ?

Asakusa was the most convenient, straight up, no change on the subway.

The plan was this, start at the hotel (No.1/No.9) on the map and do a circle.

Got a snack (red bean paste)

Pork and onion

Then stopped by Yadabashi, I think this is Japan's largest electronic store.

Got a creme brûlée doughnut

Then Akihabara

Then saw this, for those that don't know. Pablo is a store that makes Cheese Cake, with a Japanese twist. It originated from Osaka but the Osaka version, or the original version are a large cake, family size. Lucky they sell mini ones as I only wanted a taste.

Although the proper one has no crust on the side.

Then went to the first skyscraper, Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building. South Tower was closed, only North Tower accessible.

Then I went to Park Hyatt Tokyo for a drink and check out their view, you may recognise this corridor

Then finish up at Shibuya Crossing.

Day 10 To Be Cont.

(Sorry for the slowness, there are lots of pics !)

VesperTrinsic · 17 Jan 2018 at 09:25

Raymond Lin said:
Oh, apparently after you been to the onsen it is tradition to drink some milk. There are vending machines selling nothing but these tiny glass bottles of milk. It also tastes a bit weird, a hint of sweet and touch of citrus at the same time. It's not like its gone off but in a way kinda nice.

That's not milk, it's drinkable Yoghurt. Probably why you said it tasted a bit weird

Raymond Lin · 17 Jan 2018 at 09:52

VesperTrinsic said:
That's not milk, it's drinkable Yoghurt. Probably why you said it tasted a bit weird

Ah they make sense! Thanks!

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 00:35

Let's finish this off.

Day 10

Tsukiji Market

I just went snacks crazy here, for breakfast.

First up some tuna sushi.

Then 500 yen for 5 sticks of different kind of chicken, some are nicer than others

Then mochi with a strawberry, a bit expensive, 300 yen for this but it was nice.

Japanese Omelett, it was okay, This was meant to be famously delicious but at this point I wasn't hungry anymore.

Then I saw some Unagi.

Time to head back to the hotel and drop off some grapes that I bought. At 2000 yen…..they do taste different but boy are they expensive!

Mt Fuji from the hotel

Then I made my way to Meiji Shrine

Lucky to see someone getting married.

These are little boards that you can buy, you write something on it and the priest will bless it, you can also write a wish on it.

Reading these actually made me very grateful to be there and there are some funny ones.

Some kind of fruit and veg thing for the gods going on, there were a few of these.

Then made my way to Harajuku but first lunch, soba noodles with Tampura.

Novelty drinks in a light bulb.

The only graffiti that i saw

This is the famous street, but it is not as hip as it was 10 years ago, it's just a tourist trap these days.

I bought a crepe, every flavour has a model sample.

After that I head to Roppongi to Mori Tower. IMO the best view of the city is here, you can pretty much don't need to bother with other places, if you had to pick one, this building is it.

I also went to an art exhibition inside, most of it is interactive.

Then I went to the roof

I wifi the 2 photos above to the couple on the spot, through broken english and lots of smiling and nodding.

Night set so 1 more place to see but first more ramen, tsukemen.

Phew, that was a long day !!!

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 00:46

Day 11.

Lost in translation

Went to Ginza, this is like the rich shopping district, like 5th Avenue in NYC.

roof of Ginza 6, they even have a shrine up here

Then the most expensive Starbucks I've ever had

Lunch!

Real life Mario Kart, although it is no longer Mario Kart coz Nintendo made them to remove the outfits !

Then I went to get cake. This wasn't was also pricy.

Quick stop back here to get some gifts before heading to Tokyo Tower, got ice cream in a bread, the bread is hot

The "golden poop" is under renovation.

It's hard to judge the scale of how tall Tokyo Tower is because it is on the outskirt of the city.

For referece, that building in the middle of the frame is 30 stories tall.

More ramen, ticket from machine, much better than the last one!

It was raining so I wanted umbrella shots, back to Shibuya

It is normal to show a lot of legs in Japan but no one (locals anyway) shows cleavage or even shoulders.

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 00:52

Day 12.

Bacon inside bread, 2 ways

Went back to Akihabara

Then dinner somewhere random that I forgot !

Then Shinjuku for Robot Restaurant.

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 00:59

Day 13.

I purposely looked for Udon, another version of noodles I've not had in Japan until now, comes with chicken egg on rice on the side

Went to see some royal garden but it was closed so went to Ikebukuro

Hands down the best bowl of ramen ever, after all the food in the past 2 weeks, this was the best.

The Pokemon Centre was here, went to see it, just because.

Last visit to Shibuya

Saw a Delorean

On the way to Tokyo Tower I got off on the wrong stop, saw a poster for an exhibition for an anime director that i like so I went !

Then decided to walk to Tokyo Tower.

came across Shakeshack.

Day 14.

Sunrise, flight was at 11:30am so got up early, took the limousine bus notice the structures have metal joints, for earthquakes.

Phew !!!

neviditelny · 2 Feb 2018 at 01:29

That is looking really amazing. Makes me very tempted to try put away money for a long journey like that. How much did you spend on it in total? Just so I know what to aim for

dr_volki · 2 Feb 2018 at 08:57

very nice photos ray

(don't think mine are half as good)
it seems you got very lucky with the weather as well. we got caught in 2 typhoons (1 in tokyo and 1 in kyoto) i wont complain about the rain in the uk anymore.

all the pictures of the food make me realise how much i miss it now

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 11:19

neviditelny said:
That is looking really amazing. Makes me very tempted to try put away money for a long journey like that. How much did you spend on it in total? Just so I know what to aim for

I spent £5k, almost to the penny, it would be 20% cheaper had I gone with someone and share the accommodation cost but you can’t get away from the travel and food and entry fees. £2k of that was for hotels. £1k for flight, £250 for trains and subways and £200 for airport parking and petrol in the UK. £1600 spending money.

Raymond Lin · 2 Feb 2018 at 11:20

dr_volki said:
very nice photos ray (don't think mine are half as good)
it seems you got very lucky with the weather as well. we got caught in 2 typhoons (1 in tokyo and 1 in kyoto) i wont complain about the rain in the uk anymore.

all the pictures of the food make me realise how much i miss it now

The weeks and months prior was raining non stop, I checked the weather, but it really did stop just in time for me. I bought an umbrella but only used it once. Then broke it accidentally which was a blessing coz I didn’t want to bring it back anyway.

I have been making all the food at home since I got back, from Ramen, Takoyaki, will make okonomyaki and Taiyaki next.