The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Taka]

I snapped away with an SLR in every arcade I visisted in Tokyo. Not so sure about Kyoto but cameras are much more welcome (obviously I suppose, being Japan) in general compared to here in the West. I saw people snapping away in train stations and all manner of "restricted" places that would have you tackled by several security staff here in the UK.

[wakka]

I snapped away with an SLR in every arcade I visisted in Tokyo. Not so sure about Kyoto but cameras are much more welcome (obviously I suppose, being Japan) in general compared to here in the West. I saw people snapping away in train stations and all manner of "restricted" places that would have you tackled by several security staff here in the UK.

Except games shops, for some reason.

[briareos_kerensky]

We had a few nights in a lovely ryokan in Kyoto, pretty central and no worries with the bed. It is 'thin' but you'll be fine.

Any chance you remember its name? Now I'm more than tempted and ready to book one, maybe a decently priced with an onsen (probably more of a dream than anything else, but, oh well...)

when in Rome...

Go dutch?



OK, only I will understand this...

[r3z]

when in Rome...

郷に入っては郷に従え。

[Square]

Uh oh...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8466997.stm

[teddymeow]

JAL have been on the ropes for months now.

It's a shame that the parties involved couldn't get their act together and agree on a solution sooner. Maybe less people would stand to lose their jobs if quick thinking had won the day.

[kryss]

Quick thinking...yes of course. That and common sense:

[It was] running many unprofitable domestic routes, which it was politically obliged to maintain

That sounds traditionally Japanese. They'll still be around for a long time. The animation school my wife went to filed for bankruptcy protection and is still going 4 years on.

[Anpanman]

It's about the fourth time they've been bailed out by the government (taxpayer), feel sorry for the staff who are about to lose their jobs but on the other hand ANA have no such protection and have to turn a profit or they go under permanently.

[saif]

If ANA were in serious trouble, the government would help them. That is how private companies work - once they are big enough to be a problem, the state will step in to help them. There are a lot of jobs at stake. Jobs mean votes to lose and presitige to gain.

JAL are a good airline, their problems stem from the Japanese obsession of doing what everyone else does. I lived in Japan when the first bits of bad news for JAL came through and everyone I knew said they would not fly them. They did not actually know why they wouldn't, they just wouldn't. As it was a safety issue (initially - I have not been following it) fair enough. Except they did not know the fact that JAL is a relatively safe airline, especially considering what the alternatives are.

[Anpanman]

Not sure I agree with you about ANA but you are spot on about JAL, good airline and safe though they did get a series of reprimands for missed safety inspections on aircraft plus there was an incident with one of the FA's if I remember correctly, something about couldn't do some of the required safety elements - perhaps opening the exit in time?

[doodledude]

Doing a bit of travelling at the end of March and I'm going to Japan for a couple of weeks and then onto Australia.

Can anyone recommend any good hotels in Tokyo? Not looking to spend anymore than ?70 per person per night really and would like it to be a good area to access the sites.
I don't really know what attractions are in what areas yet but I want to book a hotel for the first few days me and my mate get there.

[teddymeow]

Check out the Chisun Inn Asakusa. Located at one end of the Ginza line so great access to everywhere including the airport (Ginza line goes all the way down to Shibuya or you can change at Ueno for the Yamanote an get to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara etc).

The rooms are small but the beds are soooo comfy an the bath is really deep so a long soak after a good days walking is the ultimate treat!! Staff are friendly and there are tons of great places to eat and loads of things to see as it is right by one of Tokyo's largest temples!

Monkeywrench has also stayed there and I think he liked it too! We've stayed there twice now just because it's perfect for a place to rest and relax at the end of the day rather than it be the main focus of the holiday.

I'm on my iPhone at the moment but when I get in I'll post a link if you haven't already checked it out.

I did notice that Expedia had an offer on it yesterday.

EDIT: Ta-da!!

[neoboy259]

Im staying at the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, near Shinjuku station which is a massive terminus to see just about everywhere in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Hotels.co.uk have an offer on it at the mo, cost me £64 a night for a double per night.

[teddymeow]

Im staying at the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, near Shinjuku station which is a massive terminus to see just about everywhere in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Hotels.co.uk have an offer on it at the mo, cost me ?64 a night for a double per night.

Aye, that place looked really good too.

This year Mrs Teddy and I are staying here which is a hotel run by the same group as the Chisun Inn but slightly more "upscale". Still fairly cheap and slap bang in the middle of everything (pretty much).

Not too long to wait now!!

[kryss]

I love the Chiyoda line. Harajuku is next to Meiji-jingu station, Ginza and Yuurakucho are next to Hibiya, Tokyo station is near Otemachi station, and Akihabara is a short, downhill walk from Shin-Ochanomizu station (exit B2).