Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
You don't need to go to Yokohama for two days. You can get there from Shinagawa in Tokyo in less than 30 minutes on the train. There isn't that much to do there except for chinatown.
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Traveling to Tokyo...-age (two week trip) - tips?
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You don't need to go to Yokohama for two days. You can get there from Shinagawa in Tokyo in less than 30 minutes on the train. There isn't that much to do there except for chinatown.
Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
I'd say that just the food would be the concern now. And it's kind of hard to avoid food from the areas near Fukushima when you are eating in restaurants and have no idea where the ingredients come from. Just about all foods from those areas will have some level of radiation. The government tells you its safe though if its under a certain amount, if you want to trust them.
So its not worth staying past last train for the nightlife?
As far as I'm aware they were not connected to the earthquake:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15285843
Valkyr Junkie
Member
I wouldn't.
Dynamite Shikoku
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
Nah, Tokyo is way better
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
For accomodation, where did you guys stay? and how much were you paying per night?
Zoe
Member
We generally stay at a Comfort Hotel, probably averages around 6000 yen for two people with one bed.
I ended up renting a furnished apartment through Space Design so that I would have a full size fridge, burner, etc.
http://www.space-d.co.jp/en/
The cost was about 170 000 Yen for a full 30 days. (About 5600 Yen per night)
http://www.space-d.co.jp/en/
The cost was about 170 000 Yen for a full 30 days. (About 5600 Yen per night)
Wow looks neat, do you think they would have issues if you tried cramming a few friends in there too?
Be a neat way to split the costs.
Zoe
Member
The FAQ says you can fit as many people as you want and can even rent extra beds/cots.
Too bad it's a monthly thing though.
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
That does look awesome. But i'll be on my own for 2 weeks so no go.
I'm just trying to find really cheap accomodation. I'll spend 90% of my time outside so all i'll need is a room with a bed. I should probably look into hostels. But do they have curfews?
Garou
Member
If thats the case, I recommend one of the two Maruchu-hotels:
www.hotelmaruchu.com/pc-e/
www.hotelmaruchu.com/classico/pc-e/
Northern side of Tokyo, so not too far from eg. Akihabara, but a bit longer until Shinjuku/Shibuya. Small rooms with a bed, air conditioner, TV and refrigerator. Free Wi-Fi throughout the house, toilets and places to wash your face/brush your teeth on each floor, Japanese-style bath and coin-showers on ground-floor. No curfew.
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
Wow. Thanks a lot for this, i'll probably book here. It'll only cost me about £320 for 2 weeks.
Garou
Member
I have to add that I just noticed that the normal Maruchu actually has a curfew (1am), but the Classico (where I stayed for a week) doesn't. Both are quite close to each other, so the Classico might be a better choice if you care about that.
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
I've been reading up on both for the past few days and I think i'll go with it. Thanks. Can't believe how cheap it is.
When are you planning on heading over?
That's the thing I am pondering right now.
I have heard late summer is FAR too hot.
I also want to go when Mt. Fuji is open.
And I Want to get in as many festivals as possible over a 2 week period (I've already traveled to Japan and done the "random exploring" part, traded some rare stuff to other neogaffers) but this time I want more cultural experiences.
Do you want to climb Mt.Fuji or just see it fairly close? Its closed from Later Oct till April/May (I think) but you can go an see it any time, as long as you get a clear day to see it. Its covered in clouds most days.
As for festivals, there is loads all year round but Golden Week has the most but that also happens to be a pretty hellish time to visit.
Maybe check online for the kinds of festivals you want to see and base it around that. Early October is just about right for the weather. Still nice and warm but not crazy hot. Or late Spring so you are in-between not too cold and not too hot, plus you get all the flower viewing fun if you time it right. .
Black Lawn Finale
Banned
Lived here in Okinawa for the last year (moving back to America this week) and I have to say it was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. I wish I had a chance to go up to Tokyo and go to Akihabara but I'm sure I'll get there sometime in my life.
Do you want to climb Mt.Fuji or just see it fairly close? Its closed from Later Oct till April/May (I think) but you can go an see it any time, as long as you get a clear day to see it. Its covered in clouds most days.
As for festivals, there is loads all year round but Golden Week has the most but that also happens to be a pretty hellish time to visit.
Early October is just about right for the weather. Still nice and warm but not crazy hot. Or late Spring so you are in-between not too cold and not too hot, plus you get all the flower viewing fun if you time it right. .
Thanks for the info!
I want to climb it. So it sounds like I have to really be careful with the timing. What's so hellish about Holden week?
October, sadly, will not work. I have to get back to class by then. So my window is about April to August, really.
Golden Week is a week of different festivals, which usually means important things like banks etc end up being closed. Thats ok if you have enough cash or know someone that can help out. If you run out of money during that time, it can mean major headaches, so plan ahead if you fancy hitting that week. Also costs of flights will be more expensive at that time.
Fuji can be very strange when it comes to weather, hence being closed over the winter, since it can get brutal up there. From Spring onwards you can climb it but expect lots of people to be doing the same thing at peak time. Most don't climb it that much, so if you intend to get to the summit, only a few will make it.
April to August? Hrmm...How long did you plan on visiting for?
Golden Week is a week of different festivals, which usually means important things like banks etc end up being closed. Thats ok if you have enough cash or know someone that can help out. If you run out of money during that time, it can mean major headaches, so plan ahead if you fancy hitting that week. Also costs of flights will be more expensive at that time.
Fuji can be very strange when it comes to weather, hence being closed over the winter, since it can get brutal up there. From Spring onwards you can climb it but expect lots of people to be doing the same thing at peak time. Most don't climb it that much, so if you intend to get to the summit, only a few will make it.
April to August? Hrmm...How long did you plan on visiting for?
I think I'd probably go for about 2 weeks. I think Fuji is going to be my focus, if few can make it, then oh I definitely want to be one who can!
Wow. Thanks. Bookmarking this for when I eventually make my way down to Tokyo for the first time. I fly free as long as I'm a full time student (dad's at an airline), so I'll be going down sometime in the next couple years before I finish grad school. I was looking to stay for around a month as well, so this is awesome.
If you want to climb it then, late July - August is your best bet, since that happens to be the season for climbing Mt.Fuji.
There are a few stops as you head up the mountain and you can stay overnight if you fancy getting up early to catch the sun-rise. Check out http://www.japan-guide.com/event/ and put in the dates. It will list what kind of stuff is on during that time. August might be your best bet but then you would have to travel around to catch the various festivals etc, since there is not much happening in central Tokyo.
Avoid June-mid July, since that happens to be rainy season.
Depending on your needs, Sakura House is pretty good and reasonable too. Mainly designed for foreigners visiting Japan. They do shared houses and private apartments if you want that.
You mean Maturi (祭り, Japanese festivals)? Then July - August is the best. We have various festivals called Natu-Matsri (夏祭り
during the months across Japan. I don't think there are much festivals in the golden week period. But the climate in May is definetely better than humid summer.Kind of a random question... I'll be going to Japan in April, and was wondering if anyone knows how expensive the drinks are, whiskey in particular. I plan on trying as much Japanese whisky as I can, since it's hard to get any real variety here in the US.
P.S. I know it's a very broad question, since it depends on where I go, what I order and all that. For example, how much would a dram of Yamazaki 12 cost?
P.S. I know it's a very broad question, since it depends on where I go, what I order and all that. For example, how much would a dram of Yamazaki 12 cost?
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
What would be the cheapest and most effecient way to use the underground/trains? I plan to dart all over Tokyo on my 2 weeks. I remember reading up about some passes that give you all access over a period of time.
Also what would be the best way to exchange my money (UK)? From what i've read, most people are saying to just withdraw from a cash point in Tokyo as you're only charged a small fee.
Thanks for reading.
Also what would be the best way to exchange my money (UK)? From what i've read, most people are saying to just withdraw from a cash point in Tokyo as you're only charged a small fee.
Thanks for reading.
Personally, I found the exchange rate over there to be terrible compared to what I paid at a local foreign exchange counter (in Canada). Using my credit card also seemed to be a good way to avoid getting rooked on the high exchange fees most places there charge.
Suica+Pasmo cards are the way to get around. Buy the Suica+NEX ticket which will get you to and from the airport, and will give you a RFID card good for the trains/busses/etc. which you can then reload at any station (The menus have an English option, but you'll get used to doing it in Japanese after awhile anyways)
Boogalogist
Member
I'll be going to Tokyo with my wife and kids near 2nd week of April for cherry blossom for about 5 days.
So far, our travel plans are: -
- Ueno park
- Disneyland
- Asakusa
- Odaiba
- Harajuku
- Akihabara
Not going to Roppongi....since I'm not interested in clubbing. Any places of interest at night? Or perhaps, some cherry blossom park at night?
I'm interested in good mom & pop food shops. Anything to recommend?
This is my first trip to Japan. Help me Tokyo-GAF!!
So far, our travel plans are: -
- Ueno park
- Disneyland
- Asakusa
- Odaiba
- Harajuku
- Akihabara
Not going to Roppongi....since I'm not interested in clubbing. Any places of interest at night? Or perhaps, some cherry blossom park at night?
I'm interested in good mom & pop food shops. Anything to recommend?
This is my first trip to Japan. Help me Tokyo-GAF!!
FreeMufasa
Junior Member
Anyone? I'm leaving this Thursday, and would love to get some kind of idea.
I'll mostly be in Tokyo if that helps.
From the experience I had buying alcohol in Tokyo, it was pretty cheap, at least compared to what it costs here in Canada. Sorry if that doesn't help.
Below you can find an Amazon.co.jp product page with costs, hopefully that helps a little more.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb...as=food-beverage&field-keywords=ウイスキー&x=0&y=0
All spirits/liquor are cheaper by a good margin, all beer is way more expensive.
I got a standard bottle of Nikka from the barrel a couple months ago for about 1800 yen, worth it!
distantmantra
Member
Zoe
Member
Well looking at travel sites now, it's not twice the price, but it's still considerably more expensive even though the order of the flights is the same -_-
The idea is to go to Okinawa for a few days and then spend the remainder in Tokyo or vice versa. The Okinawa part is just for a specific event, so I don't know if we'd actually want to spend the entire trip there.
distantmantra
Member
Wife and I started talking about our next Japan trip. Probably won't be until 2014, but we're thinking Tokyo, Osaka and Hakone this time around.
2006: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
2010: Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama, Enoshima, Nikko
2014: Tokyo, Osaka, Hakone
2006: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
2010: Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama, Enoshima, Nikko
2014: Tokyo, Osaka, Hakone
finally going back to Tokyo next weekend after a long 10 year break. I'm actually taking the dreamliner plane from boston straight to tokyo no stops no layovers, 13hrs...
Yes. Softbank has downtown Tokyo locations where they can rent you a Sim card. They have English reps as well that will help you set up your rental.
http://mb.softbank.jp/en/start/contents/shop.html
Thanks. this is a major big help to me.
cheststrongwell
my cake, fuck off
Anyone ever find out what happened to Mufasa?
Scar killed him?
Been in Japan for a few days now. I just wanted to say, even if you dont know the language, it's still pretty easy to get around. I do have the fall back of having a lot of Japanese friends that have been showing me around also though. But a few nights I've gotten stupid drunk and wandered off alone and made it safely from kashiwa back to my hotel in narita.
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