What to do in Japan for 2 weeks?

[Raymond Lin]

Very good choice my man. Don't puss out and take the cable car up the mountain.

Hiroshima obviously has the Atomic Dome museum which you should go to but another museum which I thought was amazing was the Hiroshima Museum of Art. Not sure if that's your thing but I loved it.

Finally, the boys and girls who worked at Guesthouse Roku were lovely and treated me very well. Obviously you should go eat Okonomiyaki as well.

I am there for 24 hours so first day i am going to Miyajima, then back to Hiroshima for the Okonomiyaki and next morning for the museums and Dome. Not sure about the cable car yet, will see if I have time. I have a long train ride to Osaka which I have only another 24 hours to eat everything lol, then 3 days in Kyoto (with a trip to Nara on the cards I think).

I feel like 7 days in Tokyo may be a bit too much in comparison, I might do a day trip somewhere too, if I get a 14 day JR Pass.

 

[Kanpai]

I am there for 24 hours so first day i am going to Miyajima, then back to Hiroshima for the Okonomiyaki and next morning for the museums and Dome. Not sure about the cable car yet, will see if I have time. I have a long train ride to Osaka which I have only another 24 hours to eat everything lol, then 3 days in Kyoto (with a trip to Nara on the cards I think).

I feel like 7 days in Tokyo may be a bit too much in comparison, I might do a day trip somewhere too, if I get a 14 day JR Pass.

7 days is enough to see and spend time in all the popular areas. To be honest you could be in Tokyo for a month and still have more things to do!

 

[Raymond Lin]

7 days is enough to see and spend time in all the popular areas. To be honest you could be in Tokyo for a month and still have more things to do!

I got to ask this as this is not something that is on all travel guides.

1 - What do you do with your trash? I've heard there is a distinct lack of bins?
2 - How did you deal with lack of soap in bathrooms and lack of toilet paper in public loos?
3 - What important phrases do you recommend I'd learn?

Thanks

 

[Kanpai]

I got to ask this as this is not something that is on all travel guides.

1 - What do you do with your trash? I've heard there is a distinct lack of bins?
2 - How did you deal with lack of soap in bathrooms and lack of toilet paper in public loos?
3 - What important phrases do you recommend I'd learn?

Thanks

1) I completely forgot about this, it struck me as a surprise when I couldn't find any bins in public! It's true there are a lack of public bins, but not to worry, all 7/11's and other convenience stores have recycling bins in them, and you will never be too far from one of these. Otherwise carry any rubbish in a bag back to your hotel bin. It honestly wasn't a problem to be honest, and taught us a nice lesson in a way of being more cautious about the environment.

2) Stack up on tissue packs from 7/11's, but in Tokyo 99% of public toilets had toilet paper. The only time I recall having to reach for the tissue packs was in Yakushima, but this is an isolated island so it was expected, Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo/Hiroshima no such issues!

3) I'd recommend the basics such as:

Hi/Good Afternoon - Konichiwa
Thank you very much - Domo arigato gozaimasu
Good morning - ohayoo (gozaimas') (This is a common phrase that even people walking past you will greet you by more often than not)
Good evening - Konbanwa
Excuse me (to get attention) - Sumimasen
Yes - Hai
How much is this? - kore wa ikuradesu ka
What is this? - kore wa nan desu ka
I don't understand - wakarimasen​

More often than not you will hear these phrases on most of your encounters, for anything more it's worth having the Google Translate app handy, also the Image to Text feature proved useful to translate signs and text on the go, found it to be very accurate (approved by a local friend of a friends who we met up with there)


Btw have you checked out Abroad in Japan's videos on YouTube yet? If not they are quite informative and enjoyable to binge through! Found his and Joe Allams YouTube channel to be very handy in our initial research.

​

 

[Raymond Lin]

1) I completely forgot about this, it struck me as a surprise when I couldn't find any bins in public! It's true there are a lack of public bins, but not to worry, all 7/11's and other convenience stores have recycling bins in them, and you will never be too far from one of these. Otherwise carry any rubbish in a bag back to your hotel bin. It honestly wasn't a problem to be honest, and taught us a nice lesson in a way of being more cautious about the environment.

2) Stack up on tissue packs from 7/11's, but in Tokyo 99% of public toilets had toilet paper. The only time I recall having to reach for the tissue packs was in Yakushima, but this is an isolated island so it was expected, Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo/Hiroshima no such issues!

3) I'd recommend the basics such as:

Hi/Good Afternoon - Konichiwa
Thank you very much - Domo arigato gozaimasu
Good morning - ohayoo (gozaimas') (This is a common phrase that even people walking past you will greet you by more often than not)
Good evening - Konbanwa
Excuse me (to get attention) - Sumimasen
Yes - Hai
How much is this? - kore wa ikuradesu ka
What is this? - kore wa nan desu ka
I don't understand - wakarimasen​

More often than not you will hear these phrases on most of your encounters, for anything more it's worth having the Google Translate app handy, also the Image to Text feature proved useful to translate signs and text on the go, found it to be very accurate (approved by a local friend of a friends who we met up with there)


Btw have you checked out Abroad in Japan's videos on YouTube yet? If not they are quite informative and enjoyable to binge through! Found his and Joe Allams YouTube channel to be very handy in our initial research.

Haha, I love that guy, I have subscribed to Abroad In Japan for about 2 years now plus a bunch of vologgers who lives there, Rachel & Jun, Simon & Martina (Eat my Kimchi), TheUwagaPies, Texan in Tokyo (although she stopped), Only in Japan, Life Where I'm From, + a few others, like food Vloggers like Mark Weins, Strictly Dumplings.

 

[semi-pro waster]

2) Stack up on tissue packs from 7/11's, but in Tokyo 99% of public toilets had toilet paper. The only time I recall having to reach for the tissue packs was in Yakushima, but this is an isolated island so it was expected, Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo/Hiroshima no such issues!

One thing that did surprise me was that in quite a few public toilets there wasn't a hand dryer or paper towels - it was presumed you'd be carrying a Tenugui (multi-function cloth similar in size to a handkerchief). Not a big deal but it might be worth being prepared for.

 

[Bear]

That's the odd thing about Japan. The streets are virtually spotless from rubbish yet there are hardly any bins about. Quite often you do find bins by drink vending machines to recycle plastic bottles.

I haven't found any problems with toilet paper in the cubicles but there often is no hand drier or hand towels available as already been said.

 

[exhashdotdot]

Most people take their trash home with them. There's lots of recycling bins around though.
Never noticed a lack of toilet paper or soap in bathrooms.
Spartak's list of recommended phrases is definitely adequate. Maybe finally:

X wa doko desu ka? - where is X?

eg: Eki wa doko desu ka? - where is the train station?

 

[timebomb26]

Also make sure if you are going to learn any phrases, you also learn the correct pronunciation. If you don't, no one will understand what you're saying. I appreciate this sounds like obvious advice.

 

[Begbie]

I done Hiroshima and the island on a day trip, it was pretty easy to do really.

 

[exhashdotdot]

Also make sure if you are going to learn any phrases, you also learn the correct pronunciation. If you don't, no one will understand what you're saying. I appreciate this sounds like obvious advice.

This

 

[Bear]

Don't puss out and take the cable car up

I took the cable car up, it was 34 degs C and 70% humidity. No way was I going to walk up, I will save my energy for climbing Fuji on Saturday

 

[garak112]

I got back from Japan recently and thought it might be helpful to post my thoughts in this thread for anyone else planning to go.

I flew out with ANA in premium economy. The seats were a good size but were recliners rather than shell seats so if the person in front goes back you lose a little space. Cabin crew were attentive and a bit more present than when I flew the same class with BA. The food was a choice of a western meal or a Japanese one with one being fish and one meat (for main and breakfast). Unlike BA the food was the same as in economy however the quality was better than the business class meals BA serve in premium. The other benefit was access to the lounge at Heathrow and Haneda which was great. The flight left at 7pm and arrived around 3pm we had an early dinner after arrival and went to bed at 9. Neither one of us noticed any jet lag the next day for the first time ever.

In Tokyo we stayed in the Citadines (the apart hotel not the hotel) it's about 15 minutes to shinjuku station but the bonus is the rooms are significantly larger than similarly priced hotels in the area (24m vs around 18m). I'd recommend this option for anyone on a budget because it comes with a kitchen so you can cook your own food.

After a trip to the Ghibli museum the next day (highly recommended if only to visit the cafe) as well as a general wander round we had an early night in preparation for climbing mount fuji the following day.

We started our Fuji climb just after mid day and were booked into a semi private room at the toyokan inn halfway up the mountain. I chose this hotel because it's the newest and the only one that doesn't require you to sleep on top of a load of strangers. We completed the first half of the climb in cloud and it took about 3 hours. On check into the hotel we were shown to our 'room' which turned out to be a small coffin shaped box with a curtain accross the entrance. It was probably only slightly bigger than a single bed and 3ft high. It was separated from other 'rooms' by 6mm ply.

At around 5pm we were fetched for a meal of noodles, hamburg and rice. Drinks could be purchased at about twice the price of a drink on the ground. I took the opportunity to have a beer and go outside to watch the sunset as the clouds had cleared.

After dinner you are supposed to go to bed and wake up at 1am to complete the climb and watch sunrise. Unfortunately not much sleep was had because contrary to our planning we didn't have jet lag and another guest was snoring so loudly it kept everyone else awake. A top tip is to take ear plugs. We eventually got up around 12.30 to complete the climb in the dark.

We weren't prepared for how busy the last section of the climb was. It took an hour and a half to do the last 30 minutes and we only barely made it to the top for sunrise. The path at the last section was only two wide and was gummed up with large tour groups of unfit people unable to keep up. I didn't have any issues with the physicality of the climb and suspect the average person could do it with no problem.

The view from the top was spectacular if a little cold and we stayed for about an hour before making our way down one of the lesser used routes down the mountain. As we reached the bottom we met an Australian chap who ran up and down the mountain in three and a half hours, which put our achievement in the shade.

A slight warning about the hiking sticks you buy at the bottom (one of my favourite souvenirs). Whilst they initially appear cheap I worked out the total cost including stamps to be about £60. If you are going to do this make sure you have plenty of cash before setting off. You also need ¥200 yen a time to use the toilet even if you are staying in the hotel it's attached to (although most don't have anyone checking).

This has taken a long longer to type than I thought so I'll add more later that covers some of the other interesting things we did.

 

[Bear]

We got back from a tour of Japan a few weeks ago. We stayed up at the last hut at station 8 and slept on a board with 5 other people, it was a horrible experience and got hardly any sleep due to snoring as well. The overall experience was quite good but was glad to get down. Japan is one of the best countrys I've visited, had a fantastic time.

 

[robgmun]

Can't believe it's been 10 years since i was in Tokyo, it's in my top 3 holidays of all time and i'd love to go back again!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Now in Japan! Yay!

Already been to Fukuoka for the day, had my Tonkasu ramen, now on Shinkasen on the way to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The language barrier is certainly there even though I can read the odd word that they use Chinese characters for so I know male/female, enter and exit but everything else I'm like "sorry!"

At least I can say good morning and thank you!

Had a mishap already when I lost the instruction for the pre paid sim card I ordered so had to buy another one from Bic camera. Ah well!

 

[Zenduri]

Now in Japan! Yay!

Already been to Fukuoka for the day, had my Tonkasu ramen, now on Shinkasen on the way to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The language barrier is certainly there even though I can read the odd word that they use Chinese characters for so I know male/female, enter and exit but everything else I'm like "sorry!"

At least I can say good morning and thank you!

Had a mishap already when I lost the instruction for the pre paid sim card I ordered so had to buy another one from Bic camera. Ah well!

Enjoy. We're planning our trip properly now and booking it in the new year. I think we will have more of a problem with the language barrier but what the hell lol.

Make sure to pop in the kure naval museum while you are in Hiroshima.

 

[shiver]

Ahh, I went in April/May and this is already making me want to go back. Enjoy!

 

[Raymond Lin]

Enjoy. We're planning our trip properly now and booking it in the new year. I think we will have more of a problem with the language barrier but what the hell lol.

Make sure to pop in the kure naval museum while you are in Hiroshima.

It's fun !

This was my Ramen.



I was in Lawsons this morning getting some chicken skewers for breakfast, I mean why not? ...I thought point and nod will work, some how i ended up getting 3 different kind of skewers when i only wanted just 2. Had no idea how to correct them so....I bought all 3 lol

Went to Miyajima earlier today, place is full of tourist, certainly can understand why it's nicer when the last boat has gone because even when i was leaving it is just much nicer.



Got a free upgrade today too at the hotel to the top floor "Executive room". A stunning view over Hiroshima.

 

[memyselfandi]

Mmmmmm tonkotsu ramen and gyouza .... nomnomnom .....

As long as you didn't get mugged in Miyajima by those thieving deer (who even go into your pockets looking for snacks) ....