The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Darwock]

Couple of hours couldn't hurt.. take some Nytol or something for the plane as well.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Or a Blue Valium

[segages]

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.

Cheers for the Naruto heads up - hadn't seen anything about it. I forgot to say I went to Nara a few years back. There and Kyoto were the only places I saw in Kansai which is why it's getting 2 weeks to itself this time Nara was a beautiful place though and I might go back depending on time constraints. I'll be getting the JR Kansai Pass for scooching around. Did the countrywide thing last time (Tokyo-Fukuoka and back).

And cheers Fei for the kansaiscene link

As for jetlag, last time I took 4 tins of RedBull and drank them just after landing. After getting back in the UK though... that's a bitch

[IanE]

Best place to check for cheap flights? Doesn't matter how short notice.

[segages]

https://www.ebookers.com

https://www.opodo.co.uk

https://www.airline-network.co.uk

https://www.expedia.co.uk

Try them, Expedia tends to be a little bit more IME.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Best place to check for cheap flights? Doesn't matter how short notice.

Not to be irritable, but how about looking in a few of the 73 pages of advice on this very thing right here?

[huxley]

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?

1 Yup
2 I hate the return leg it kills me for at least 2 days after


Just had a scan through this thread lots of great info and me having a mindless rant at the man above (was having a bad day)...........
Sorry bout that.

*hangs head in shame*

[Sieg]

I'm going to be back in Kansai again next week - does anyone have recommendations for cheapish hotels in Kyoto or Nara ?

This time I'm taking a week to get around and see a few things properly if possible ~

Also, is Kobe worth a visit or should I just focus on the former ?

Thanks,

S.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

1 Yup
2 I hate the return leg it kills me for at least 2 days after


Just had a scan through this thread lots of great info and me having a mindless rant at the man above (was having a bad day)...........
Sorry bout that.

*hangs head in shame*

Dont worry about it, ive done far far worse!

[gossi the dog]

My apologies but I'm sure I'll be asking questions that have been answered several times in the course of this thread, however I'd like a few quick questions answered as soon as possible and reading a 73 page thread will take some time.

Anyhow I've got a job starting in the middle of April and am currently bored of doing nothing so I think I'd like to go off on a short break in March to Japan.

1. I've been travelling before but never on my own - is there a good amount of backpackers in a similar situation to hang around with?

2. How hard is it to get by if you know no Japanese?

3. How expensive is Japan nowadays compared to the UK?

4. How much does a pint cost?

Cheers

[Richard.John]

1.Japan is not really backpacker friendly due to the high prices, thus most go to S.E Asia for that kind of thing. Google it to see what comes up.

2. Travel wise probably not that hard as train stations have at least romaji signs for the names etc. I admit though that I have never been to Japan as a tourist, only with my wife's family, so I am not sure how hard it really is for someone fresh off the plane.

For eating out, just point at the plastic models on display outside the restaurant, or just opt for McPoison but you will be missing soo much tasty stuff if you do that.

3.Depends where you are from in the UK. If you live in London, you may find it cheaper in some areas and more expensive in others, Tokyo that is. If you live in Devon or similar, it will most likely seem expensive.

4.A pint in pub is about 800-1000 yen.

[optimusrhymes]

QUESTIONS1. I've been travelling before but never on my own - is there a good amount of backpackers in a similar situation to hang around with?

2. How hard is it to get by if you know no Japanese?

3. How expensive is Japan nowadays compared to the UK?

4. How much does a pint cost?

ANSWERS

1.Have a look at 'Sakura House' but spaces are limited - backpackers are not really commonplace.

2.Very! try and learn some basics, just out of politeness if anything - a little effort goes a long way and will be appreciated! Also try Talkman if you have a psp - it's like an electronic phrase book!

3.london prices

4.a draft beer (about a half pint) is around ?2.50 (500 yen) ask for a 'jockey' (a big jug of beer) as it works out cheaper and you can share with friends (remeber to pour for them first!) and that's about ?4-5 - but beware the horrible chemical hangovers of japanese beer!

ganbate!

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

My apologies but I'm sure I'll be asking questions that have been answered several times in the course of this thread, however I'd like a few quick questions answered as soon as possible and reading a 73 page thread will take some time.

Anyhow I've got a job starting in the middle of April and am currently bored of doing nothing so I think I'd like to go off on a short break in March to Japan.

1. I've been travelling before but never on my own - is there a good amount of backpackers in a similar situation to hang around with?

2. How hard is it to get by if you know no Japanese?

3. How expensive is Japan nowadays compared to the UK?

4. How much does a pint cost?

Cheers

1) as stated very few

2) I found it easy, just smile and be polite and someone will help you eventually. Maybe find yourself a J-friend on the internet to help you out (she will relish the chance to practice her english)

3) I thought it was on the whole, marginally cheaper. However some prices for imported goods were astronomical

4) Go to an "all you can drink for 1.5 hours" izakaya, dont piss about in gaijin bars paying 800Y a pint. You can get some nice food to, i quite enjoyed fish bones, much to my amazement.

[figflair]

Hi there. Just after an opinion really. I've booked to go to Japan with a friend for 2 weeks in mid-April. The original idea was to go around Japan and see as much as possible. However, the closer it gets to going the more I'm of the opinion that I would just prefer to stay in Tokyo for 2 weeks instead. So what do you reckon?

[Darwock]

Tokyo would certainly keep you occupied for 2 weeks, and to be honest you'd struggle to see enough of anything if you tried to cram the whole country in to the same timeframe. I mean realistically you'd have to limit Tokyo to a few days, I wouldn't say that's enough. I had a week there and didn't get to do everything I'd planned. That said, the travelling around was probably my favourite part and I ended up going places, seeing things and meeting people I would never have expected. It's a tough call.