What to do in Japan for 2 weeks?

[Raymond Lin]

A few times we'd go in, and get told "no English" so we'd just ask for food eventually through broken Japanese/English. Again, always good.

I plan to do that, just follow the locals, well, problem is my itinerary will be crazy so I don't want to spend hours queuing. The list of places to eat would be a back up of sorts if I can't see anything else I fancy, but I really can't imagine I can't find anything good.

As for ordering in Japanese, going to rely on google translate a lot I think, and a lot of pointing.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Most of the places with queues are so quick, you go in, you eat, you get out.

True. I've seen that 280 yen ramen shop in Fukuoka, the average time spent eating there is 3mins!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Hotel in Hiroshima booked!

Got a 50% discount because I booked a flight through Expedia. Bonus !

There sure is some weird people writing reviews.

First the good- beautiful hotel, handy for lots of tourist sites. Spacious, clean room with fabulous view over the Peace Park. Breakfast- amazing.

Not so good- staff bowing as we entered the hotel, the lift etc and even worse kneeling when taking order in restaurant at the top of building made us very uncomfortable.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I'd make the following comments ....
- Personally, I've been to Hakone a couple of time and thought that it was massively overrated. But I suspect that this depends a lot on where you stay there.
- Traveling to Fukuoka and working your way back up sounds like a good idea. The only potential issue is that there isn't much luggage space on the shinkansen so traveling with a large suitcase could be an issue (I normally use a smaller case for the periods of my holidays I'm outside Tokyo (think cabin bag size) and leave my large suitcase in the Tokyo hotel. Make sure you have okonomiyaki in Hiroshima as it's different from varieties you get in Osaka and Tokyo.
- Depending on the time of year you go you might need to make sure you have a backup plan if you are flying internally. I've only done it once (New Chitose (Sapporo) to Kansai (Osaka)) but was very lucky as the last big typhoon of the season was bearing down on Osaka and it was very touch and go whether we would be able to fly (we were the last plane into Kansai airport before it was closed and they were shutting down the rail station as we got into Osaka) .... if we hadn't we would have been stuck in Hokkaido. If you are flying internationally on a Japanese carrier you might be able to get a deal on any internal flights (I know JAL have done this in the past although I don't know if they have any offers on at the moment).

Roll on Autumn 2018 for my next trip ...

btw, where should I go to get okonomiyaki in Hiroshima?

 

[Raymond Lin]

00

Sorry, I am sure others have made similarly distasteful posts in this thread (I admit to not reading all)

But really, first thought on seeing this was..

Is this "A lightning doesn't strike twice" strategy?

(In all seriousness, I had Dinner with a GF last night who is actually really worried about the current state of affairs, I don't think that making a toast to the effect that we had lived another day and had another one to look forward to actually cheered her up much.... )

Worrying about Trump?

That's out of my control, I am not worried about it.

I have now booked stays in Osaka and Kyoto, basically 1st week's accommodation sorted. Now to sort out Hakone and then Tokyo. It seems the closer I am getting towards Tokyo, the more expensive the rooms in the hotels are ! Osaka was cheap, found a great place for £50 near the castle. Kyoto is okay-ish, staying in a decent place near the station for best transport as this is one place I have the most shrines and places to see.

Hakone….only a quick look but it seems everywhere is like £300 for 1 night….I've budgeted £2k for accommodation for the 14 days (but aiming for £100 per day if possible), 7 days down and £675 spent so I am on target, so far.

I recommend going to an onsen. Hakone is close to kanto and has many onsen hotels.

Can to recommend one?

 

[Raymond Lin]

I think I might of paid 2-300 for my wife and I for the night.

Yes onsens aren't cheap, it's a lot but it's because you get dinner and breakfast included. They often serve dinner in your room and you get loads of courses.

Plus you can have an onsen bath in your room which is awesome if you get a better room. Public bath is fine though.

You might be able to do a day trip to Hakone as there are things to do besides the onsens. There is a cable car up to caldera and you can ride on a pirate ship across the lake.

Thanks, the one I'm looking at is £450 with my own onsen, breakfast and dinner included so I guess if I take into account the 7 course dinner (or however many), it's like £350 really, plus it's an experience like no other.

I think I've "accidentally" allocated 1 more day in Kyoto, 3 nights booked so like 4 days there, might be able to pop over to Nara for half a day I think!

Overall I think I can manage to do 2 weeks accommodation under £2k.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Honestly, Osaka wasn't very exciting to me. Near Kyoto / Osaka you have the Arima Onsen town which can be hiked to - I loved that.

There's also the nakasendo way which was incredible. That's North East of Kyoto, going from Magome to Tsumago.

The best thing I ever did in Japan was the Shimanami Kaido cycling route over 2 days. Stayed at a hostel on one of the islands. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like you have room for that.

I'm only in Osaka for 1 night, only Dotonvori, the castle and the Sky something building for the view interest me. I'm more going there for the food really.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Sounds perfect.　楽しんできて!

Any recommendations for hotel in Tokyo?

I'm trying to get it under £150 per night so the Hyatt where they filmed Lost in Translation is unfortunately out of budget by a HUGE margin.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I actually haven't been to Tokyo but I stayed in Hostels throughout Shikoku and West Honshu. Not sure if that'd be your cup of tea but if you're travelling with a partner, you can usually get a private room for two. Heck, maybe give a Ryokan a shot, it's a pretty novel experience. I think on average I paid about £10-20 a night at hostels.

I am just by myself, not going to do Hostel as I have budgeted for hotels this time round, I am also travelling with relatively expensive camera equipment so I do want my own room/safe. To be honest, because I booked that internal fight, the hotels I am looking at seems to have discount applied to them when checking on Expedia compare to looking tat them not logged in. Hiroshima hotel for example I got it half price. Osaka hotel was £50. The cost of the £75 flight so far saved me £200 in hotels. Another thing I have noticed, Twin Bed rooms are generally 10% less than Double bed, so I am making savings in those areas too.

Will look into book a Ryokan in Hakone, with an Onsen with i can, that's my "treat".

p.s. I heard about that bike ride but not this time, don't have the time, next year may be. This trip is more about hitting all the regular tourist spot, next trip I will try see more real, rural Japan.

 

[Raymond Lin]

In that case, I still recommend you try and get in some of the Nakasendo, I really like exploring rural areas so you could get on a bit of it as you transition out of Tokyo perhaps. Good job with the Ryokan.

Have you looked into getting a JR pass for trains? Might save you quite a lot as it gives you unlimited travel on JR lines (including the Shinkansen!)

I have, but it is only valid for 3 months after purchase before exchange for the Pass.

As I am going in 3 months' time, i am waiting for a bit closer before purchasing. Already bought 2 x 4G sim cards at £20 each, 30G limit but each have a 8 day time limit.

Once I bought the JR Pass, book a Ryokan and hotel in Tokyo (looking into using some Avios points) then I am all set and really plan my itinerary in detail.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I stayed at Tokyu Stay Shibuya, it wasn't a great hotel. But it was a 10minute walk to Shibuya station, so the location was really good.

I mean it was OK, but I would probably up my budget a little. We wanted separate rooms, and this was a good mix of cost:location. I can't say it was amazing, but it had a washing machine in the room which came in very handy by this point.

Booked the following now, partly due to great view, being the hotel starts on the 25th floor and also less than a mile from the Tsukiji Fish Market, keeping my options open if I need to get there at 3am for the auction when there are no subway running.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...okyo-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Hakone Onsen hotel also booked….all done, now to plan itinerary in detailed!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Places I stay in Tokyo are over your budget unfortunately. I do know people who have stayed at the Washington, Shinjuku which seams to be in your budget.



What 4G cards are you using? Last time I was out there i just used the various wi-fi networks as my airline gave me free access to two of them.

Erm I ordered it online, picking it up at Narita when I land, along with the JR pass (still to order).

Almost everything is in place now, all the accommodation booked, includes a stupid price for 1 night in Hakon, my own hot spring bath overlooking the mountains. Hoping for clear weather so I can see things!

What airline you flew with?

 

[Raymond Lin]

I meant which particular 4G offering ... theres several available and I'm considering options for my next trip. One of my colleagues was over there in March and rented one of the 4G Wifi routers but that works out expensive fro 3 weeks.

We normally fly JAL, with their direct flights from them not the ones which are actually BA. We normally fly premium economy as that gives you a lot more comfortable seat. Their flight times are at reasonable times too

I got 2 of these sim cards.

https://www.jrpass.co.uk/en/SIM_Card_30GB

Hiring a wifi router is £56. This way works out cheaper and I don't have to power another gadget. It would be impressive if I can use 30G in 8 days seeing it would be mostly Google maps and Google Translate that I will be using and all the hotel I am staying at have wifi.

I booked with BA, flying with BA, Prem Eco too, mostly because I have Avois points to upgrade, landing at 10:30am which I think is quite reasonable and actually works out great with my plan now. Have 3 hours at the airport to customs, collect JR Pass and then go through security again.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I normally get the evening JAL flight which takes off at ~19:15 and gets to Japan around 15:00-16:00. I stay awake on the flight watching films which means that we get to the hotel ~18:00, freshen up ... nip out and get something to eat and recharge the Suica card (and nip to BookOff) and then be ready for bed by 21:00 .... crash out and be awake at a normal sort of time the next morning and avoid jet lag.

That's normally my routine when i got to Hong Kong, do pretty much exactly what you said, 1st night is like a write off, nothing more than check in, find a local meal by the hotel and to go sleep.

I am making a list of things to eat at the moment, starting with Osaka, only there for 24 hours but I want to eat Takoyako, Kushikatsu, Yakiniku and Okonomiyaki. I am going to be soon full !

What do you think are must eats, not found anywhere else in each of the places?

 

[Raymond Lin]

http://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/

I also visited this place, albiet a little weird at first. It was worth it.

I'm sure there are plenty of others though.

Eh....so you bathe and ???

Interesting concept but not sure atm, and it's not far from the Hilton, where I almost booked...would have if for the fact that it's a little too far out and they don't have wifi unless you are a member!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Hi Raymond, I remember you helped me plan my HK trip, funnily enough I went to Japan earlier this year for 3 weeks, here's a list of places I visited in the major cities:

Spoiler

Tokyo:

Kabuchiko:
Robot Restaurant (need to book online in advance or at ticket booth in the morning which is right opposite the restaurant)

http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/

Kabukchiko is pretty much the red light district of Tokyo and you'll see Yakuza members here who don't cause trouble but are there to keep the peace. There'll be guys who approach you asking if you want a good time with the local ladies, but they don't seem to bother you after you say no thanks the first time.

Akhihabara
- check out the main strip and Yodobashi (7 storey electronics store) which is behind Akihabara station
- Maid cafe is a must experience -best one is @home maid cafe which is on the main strip of Akihabara - http://www.cafe-athome.com/en/

Asakusa:
Sensoji Temple (This temple is more lively in the evening from 5pm onwards, but don't go too late else all the market stalls on the main strip leading up to the temple will be closed)

Shibuya:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

Harajuku:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html

Meiji Shrine (next to Harajuku Station)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html

Mt Fuji:

Worth staying one night at Kozantei Ubuya Ryokan which is opposite Mt Fuji. Best way to get there is to buy a bus ticket from Shinjuku Station, takes about 1.5 hours by bus and when you reach Kawaguchi station (last stop) head over to the tourist information counter to let them know you are going to Kozantei Ubuya. They'll let you know when the next shuttle bus is coming, the ryokan offer a free shuttle from the station to the ryokan every 45 minutes or so. Alternatively you could just walk it from the station to the ryokan which takes about 30 minutes or so.

There are other ryokans across the lake but Kozantei gives you the best views and the best rated one.

https://www.489pro.com/asp/489/menu.asp?id=19000027&ty=ser&lan=ENG

This is the official website where you'll have to book and pay by credit card in advance.

We went for the Japanese Style Superior Room as there was no availability for the same room with private hot tub.


Accomodation:

NUI Hostel:
https://backpackersjapan.co.jp/nuihostel/english.html

We stayed at an airbnb in Taito area for 2 nights:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Taitō--Tokyo--Japan/homes?allow_override[]=&s_tag=20sJcJyX

Any of these will be top notch, if you want to stay in this area I'll dig out the exact airbnb we stayed at but you can't go wrong with any in this area.

We stayed in Ginza Bay Capsule Hotel for one night. To be honest we would have stayed another night or two here with no issues, cheap and cheerful:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/tokyo-ginza-bay-hotel.en-gb.html?aid=356930;label=metagha-link-localuniversalGB-hotel-1393934_dev-desktop_los-1_bw-22_dow-Monday_defdate-1_room-0_lang-en_curr-GBP;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f;all_sr_blocks=139393404_93622778_0_0_0,139393404_93622778_0_0_0;checkin=2017-06-05;checkout=2017-06-06;dest_id=-246227;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;highlighted_blocks=139393404_93622778_0_0_0;hpos=1;room1=A,A;sb_price_type=total;srfid=b5d7952ca689d55809ee2348d4e0c65a1a2e642dX1;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl



Osaka:
Dotonbori (Minami)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

Umeda Sky Building
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html


Mt Koyasan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html

We stayed here for one night at Rengejo-in (need to book these online in advance too (https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Rengejo-in)
Worth doing and spending the next morning exploring the rest of the mountain (especially okunoin temple).



Accomodation:
Centurion Hotel Ikebukuro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ce...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f

Kyoto:

Kinkakuji (Golden Temple)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html


Mt Arashiyama:
- Bamboo Forest - this is more towards the base of the mountain but about a 10 minute walk from the monkey park.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park - A bit of a hike to get to the top but worth it! (took about 45 minutes to hike up there)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

Nijo Castle
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

Fushimi Inari Shrine
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Gion
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html



Hiroshima:

All the main spots are pretty much within 5-10 minutes walking distance of one another in Hiroshima and can be done in one day easily. We went to Miyajima in the evening from Hiroshima at about 4pm as a side trip (about a 15 minute boat ride covered by JR Pass)

Hiroshima Peace Park
Atomic A-Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Memorial Musuem
- We went inside the musuem and was definitely worth the admission to see historic monuments from the bombings)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3401.html

Accomodation:

Our hotel was 15-20 minutes walking distance to the main spots:

APA Hotel Hiroshima-Ekimae Ohashi

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ap...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f


Kagoshima & Yakushima:

Kagoshima is the furthest south of Japan, and we only went there as a stopover point for the night because the ferry port is based there. We spent few days in Yakushima trekking up some mountains., I'd probably skip the Kagoshima/Yakushima as you won't get much time in 2 weeks and can go further up north instead with Hiroshima being the furthest away from Tokyo back up north. If you do want to go let me know and i'll send through more info.



Few tips/pointers:

There is a Japanese language pack in the Google Translate app which if you download offline let's you translate text through the camera live on the spot, this came in very handy when trying to read signs and what food actually was, especially outside of Tokyo where english is uncommon.
Get a MiFi device on a 2 week plan from the airport, they are dirt cheap! You usually get a return envelope with them which you can drop off at any post box, we just dropped it back off at the airport on the way back.

Take a powerbank if you have one to keep the MiFi and other devices charged on the go.

We exchanged about £100 each from here because we landed at 1am and everything was pretty much closed by then, we got our JR pass exchanged at the JR station the next morning, and also purchased a PASMO card and topped it up for inner city journeys in Tokyo.

Taxi's are fairly cheap outside of Tokyo. You can pay for most things by card in Tokyo but anywhere else cash is king.
Hopefully that helps, any more questions give me a shout!

Hope it helps somewhat, enjoy!

Thanks for that, much much appreciated. However I have booked all my accommodation now, although some of them I don't pay until 24 hours before check in with free cancellations (so I can still rebook somewhere else should I find somewhere better until then) but I am staying in some nicer places than I expect due to the time of year and the rooms are cheaper than i budget for and also because I booked an internal flight via Expedia, after that I was getting all kind of special discount on hotels that isn't shown on other search engines.

Spoiler

Dunno if its interesting but they are

Fukuoka

https://www.rph-the.co.jp/fukuoka/en/

Hiroshima

https://www.rihga.co.jp/hiroshima

Osaka

http://www.hotel-lut.com/en/

Kyoto

http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/

Hakone

http://www.hakone-tenyu.com

Tokyo

http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com

Will download the Japanese pack now, I can actually read a little bit of Kanji being it is basically Chinese characters, not much but a little.

 

[Raymond Lin]

No worries looks good mate, when are you flying out? Hopefully some of that came in handy (please do go to @home maid cafe you will regret it if you don't )

The most memorable part for me was probably Hiroshima, truly a special place and such a sad history, definitely take a tour of the memorial museum, you can get all the top spots covered in a day for Hiroshima as they are all within the same proximity.

Oh and just a heads up, cash is king in most places. Tokyo you won't have much problem using plastic, but the further out you go from there, the more cash becomes key, but I'm sure you've researched this already, I'll stop rambling on!

Enjoy and looking forward to pics

November

I am staying close to the museum so it should be easy to see everything before I head to Osaka. I actually was planning to avoid Hiroshima altogether, originally I never plan to go that far south, perhaps just Tokyo and Kyoto, may be Osaka as it is close by then a couple of people told me Hiroshima is a must see and then I thought, if i am going that far down, I might as well go further and then work my way up, hence how I ended up with my itinerary.



Yup, I know about Japan being a cash society, probably due to a lot of places are family run but I do think its weird that the ticket machines at the train station such as the ones you buy the Pasmo card from only take cash.

So, picked up my first batch of travel money today.

Spoiler

 

[Raymond Lin]

Hiroshima is not really mentioned much when you hear of Japan, but it's truly a gem, you'll enjoy it I'm sure of it! Your hotel is so close to the main attractions, perfect!

Yep the cash ticket machines are strange! We got the 21 day JR pass, it saved us a lot of money. For the inner city trains in Tokyo we just topped up a Pasmo card and that saved time and effort in buying a ticket every time.

Used my Revolut for additional cash withdrawals, that card was a saviour! Bought a few things from Uniqlo but paid with clarity card. Remember to have your passport on you at all times especially if you are shopping as most retailers have the facilities in place to give you tax free prices as long as you have your passport on you (at the airport you just have to show your passport and all attached receipts to the tax officer just after security and it's all sorted). I also got an additional 5% discount for using my clarity card in Uniqlo (on top of the 8% tax free saving).

I'm presuming you are planning to hit up Yodobashi in Akihabara?

Also the 7/11 chain stores are going to be your best friend lol, just like in HK!

I hear there are 2 Yodobashi, one in Akihabara, another in Shinjuku, but that one is split up into 10 different stores….also read that weirdly, the camera section of the Shinjuku is bigger than the one in Akinhabara. But yup, I plan to hit it up, probably spend an afternoon in the area.

Another thing I found, that ATM machines (except 7-11) closes at 8pm or something? Banks don't opens on the weekend either.

I will have my Clarity card on me (MasterCard), a Barclaycard (VISA) and my Amex so I should be good!

Heard about the double discount too with the Passport for the 8% tax rebate but the discount by using MasterCard is weird and strange. Thanks for the tip regarding the receipts, will keep those together

 

[Raymond Lin]

Problem with Japan is there just too many places to visit. I would recommend trying to visit Miyajima, it might be a bit of hassle and to be honest it's better staying on the Island to avoid the mass influx of day tourists but even if you manage a day visit then you'll get a sense of how lovely the place is.

Already planned to go there, I have found out that on the day Sunset and High Tide matches almost to the minute so the Tora gate will be submerged in water. Being in November the sun sets around 5pm and that evening I don't plan to do anything else in Hiroshima so will stay until dark in Miyajima for a bit, last ferry back is at 10:22pm….but that is cutting it fine, will probably leave at the 7:30pm ferry, get back for dinner with some Okonomiyaki, which i've been told, Okonomimura is the place to go. You are the 2nd person actually recommended me to stay on the island overnight, but unfortunately the hotel is already booked in Hiroshima and next morning I planned to start early with the museums in the day.



Honestly, I have never researched a place so much in my life….normally I wing it 99% of the time!

I think i will have to go back already because there are just so much to see and do.

 

[Raymond Lin]

No problem.

Yep ATM machines close at 8pm, so you'll have to use the 7/11 ATM's.

I'd still get a Revolut if I were you though to avoid paying any cash withdrawal fees on your Barclaycard/Clarity

I took my Halifax Clarity, AMEX & Revolut. The Revolut is also very handy if you are in a group of travellers and need to split taxi fares or other costs on the spot as you can split the cost of fares within the app and request money from other users. Came in handy for me as there were 4 of us and we'd just split taxi fares right away. Also you get £200 a month to withdraw from the ATM with no fees, after that it's about 2.5% I think (still cheaper than the other bank cards?)

And yes Miyajima is a must, it's easy to get to from Hiroshima, only takes about 10-15 minutes to cross on the boat.

There are two companies that operate ferries from Hiroshima to Miyajima, go for the JR express and your JR pass gives you a free ticket

When you are on the island, try their poop ice cream, it's amazing

Thanks again for the tip, I have signed up to Revolut now, did you get a physical card? You must have as you said you withdrawn money from it. How does it work? like a top up card through your current account and then withdraw it from your Revolut?

Thanks for the tip too regarding the Ferry. I think I will just buy a 7 day JR pass, my travels is basically Monday (Leave Fukuoka) to Sunday (arrive in Tokyo).

p.s. poo ice cream, actually, don't tell me....would make a surprise...but what is the store I get it from?