The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Im moving to Osaka in a couple of weeks, hopefully for 6months+. Does anyone know where I can find any decent apartments? My usual websites are primarily for tokyo based accomodation

Hello Dave, what job have you managed to snare, and how?


Thanks

[figflair]

Just booked my flight to Tokyo with Air France. Anyone used them before?

[Distant Cousin]

Nah, my dad pretty much refuses to fly with anyone other than British Airways [Or anyone in the OneWorld alliance] when we go international.

On a side note, I am disgustingly jealous figflair, you don't know how much I want to go to Japan!!! >_<

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Just booked my flight to Tokyo with Air France. Anyone used them before?

Yes thrice, crap planes, crap food but Paris CDG is a great airport

[Nobu]

Just got my passport returned from the Embassy today, with a shiny new College Visa-sticker in it. Little less than nine weeks (and a few visits to the dentist to get all wisdoom teeth and then some removed) and I'm off to collect my scholarship in Tokyo.

[figflair]

Yes thrice, crap planes, crap food but Paris CDG is a great airport

Cheers for that mate!

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Its not important though is it?

Just get stuck into the free drinks and get some kip, 14 hours is a long flight

[figflair]

Yeah, I know. I'll probably bring my own food anyway. Will the films on the plane be in French?

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Yeah, I know. I'll probably bring my own food anyway. Will the films on the plane be in French?

Yes: On 747's

No: On 777's


from my experience

[figflair]

Cheers for that mate. You did say free drinks yeah? Also, how long will it take to shake off the jet-lag? Got any tips?

[womblingfree]

Also doing a one night stay in Tokushima via the ferry from Wakayama which should be good.

Any other must see recommendations for Kansai? Only been to Kyoto before but Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto, Osaka, Wakayama, Koya, Tokushima are already planned, hopefully with some Sumo thrown in.

edit: also, does anyone know if any alt/indie/rock bands are playing anywhere in Kansai around mid-March? I've looked on KTO but don't see much.

Tokushima city is pretty non-descript. Head for Naruto nearby and check out the whirlpools! Also if you have time hire a car and drive out to Obokae and Kobokae, which have some of the most beautiful sights in Japan. Actually i'm pretty sure there's a train line that goes there too.

Himeji castle and the gardens are pretty much the only reason to visit Himeji, the castle however is probably the best in Japan. Well worth a visit.

Kobe and Osaka are full on city breaks so just get a guide and check out the stuff you fancy. The harbor at kobe is beautiful at night.

You should definitely head for Nara though, doesn't take long to get there from either Kobe or Osaka. The main park can be viewed in a day and it really is quite awesome and the numbers of deer are incredible. Head for Todai-Ji first, it's the largest wooden structure in the world. There's a cheap hotel oposite Nara station called the Super Hotel. Pretty comfortable and includes a basic breakfast.

There's a train ticket you can buy in Japan which allows you unlimited travel on all local and express trains for a week or two, no shinkansens though. If you're staying around Kansai it would be ideal and it's much cheaper than the Japan rail pass. It is valid all over Japan. It's possible to get from Kyushu to Hokkaido on it if you have the time.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Cheers for that mate. You did say free drinks yeah? Also, how long will it take to shake off the jet-lag? Got any tips?

Slow day at work, so why not?

All sheduled flights are free drinks now-a-days, no?

I never get much jet-lag going over there, but when i get back its like having a bloody stroke its that bad. Anyone else get that?

Narita is a bit dauntig 1st time, just head downstairs to the Keisei Line and try and chat up a few arline workers during the hour long ride into Tokyo.

Also wonder to yourself as to why there are so many Iranians hanging about

[Darwock]

We had minor jet lag going out, probably due to the foolish decision to stay up all night before so we could sleep on the plane. Didn't really work out like that, but we only needed a couple of hours catch up sleep in Japan.

Coming back, yeah it was horrendous. Probably because it was a full 24 hours between waking up in Tokyo and going to bed in Glasgow. Don't come back the day before you need to return to work!

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Don't come back the day before you need to return to work!

Sound advice, give it a couple of days

[figflair]

I was originally gonna return the day before I was due back at work to maximise my time there but I thought better of it in the end. We're flying out at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, then change at Charles de Gaulle before heading to Tokyo. It hardly seems worth going to bed on the Friday considering the time it will take to get to the airport and getting there 2 hours before the flight leaves but it sounds as though a couple of hours sleep first is the way to go?