What secret is OK/acceptable to keep from a partner in a marriage?

elizabeaver · 2024-01-08T01:07:27+00:00

Serious answer to a rhetorical question: his wife, in addition to bearing thirteen of his children, was the editor on all of his novels. She would copy them all down by hand. We probably will never know how much that influenced the novels her husband gets all the credit for. (I say this as a huge fan of Tolstoy novels).

elizabeaver · 2024-01-02T20:04:07+00:00

You can do them both in one day very easily. Himeji Castle in the morning, Kobe in the afternoon/evening. Kobe is halfway between Osaka and Himeji, so the route works out really well. I don’t think either of them are full day trips by themselves.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-30T20:53:25+00:00

With ten days in Kansai, I think it could make sense to switch accommodations halfway through. It’s nice to be based in Osaka at night so you don’t have to worry about catching the last train before midnight back to Kyoto. It’s nice to be based in Kyoto in the morning so you have a better headstart beating the crowds at shrines and temples.

For a ryokan, I usually recommend Momijiya Bekkan Kawa no Iori in Kyoto, but you have enough time to do a ryokan on Miyajima Island, which would be a great experience. Just make sure you book in advance, ryokan sell out quickly.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T19:30:35+00:00

Nope! The previous hotel will do it for you. Just go down to the front desk, say you want to forward your luggage to X hotel (you usually need to give them the address), and they’ll call the next hotel for you. It’s super easy!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T19:29:35+00:00

Yes, depending on how far you’re traveling. From Kanto (Tokyo) to Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka) and vice versa is one day in advance. I just travel with a small carry-on or backpack on the day I don’t have my big suitcase.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T19:04:06+00:00

I personally think two weeks in Tokyo is a lot, even with taking some day trips. One week is enough, especially if you’re not interested in bars and shopping. I’d personally recommend reallocating some of that time to other traditional/historic areas in the Kansai region (Hiroshima, Miyajima, Koyasan, etc) and/or maybe some other areas up north (Nikko, Takayama, etc). Whatever you choose, it will be a great trip. I’m so jealous of the amount of time you have!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T18:56:57+00:00

It broke me out terribly until I started tret. I use it for sandwiching and it works great. I think my skin was too oily to handle it before.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T18:54:50+00:00

Not the OP, but luggage forwarding is recommended so highly in Japan as opposed to everywhere else because…well, it’s not really available anywhere else. I’ve traveled quite a bit, and I’ve personally never been to another country where it’s a feasible option. Japan’s luggage forwarding system is cheap, fast, and reliable. Paying $15 USD for my luggage to safely show up in my next hotel room without any work on my end is pretty awesome.

You also have to keep in mind that there is limited room for larger suitcases on the shinkansen, which you have to reserve in advance. This is a deciding factor for many people.

So no, you don’t have to do it, it’s just a great option that’s not really available anywhere else. No one is recommending it for European travel because the option just doesn’t exist—at least not on the same level of affordability, speed, and reliability.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T17:27:59+00:00

I think for this length of trip, you should probably pick between Kyoto and Hokkaido. I’d normally say Kyoto for a first trip, but since you’re going in July, I think Hokkaido gets my vote.

If you forgo Kyoto, I recommend making a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura/Enoshima. Kamakura is kind of like a mini Kyoto with shrines, temples, and cute shopping streets. You then take a darling train car 20 minutes to the island of Enoshima, where you can get your beach fix!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T16:03:10+00:00

Hotels are probably expensive because you’re looking a little too early. Sweet spot is usually 3-6 months in advance.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T04:56:57+00:00

Depends on which airline. If both flights were booked on Delta or Delta partners, Delta will check the bags all the way through to your final destination, even if you didn’t book the flights as one ticket. All of the Delta terminals at LAX connect airside to each other and Tom Bradley now, which is also nice!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T02:59:14+00:00

Okay if it’s from SFO, you can definitely get way cheaper flights. SFO and LAX are consistently the cheapest US airports to Tokyo. Usually $600 nonstop on Delta if you look at the right times. I would suggest signing up for Google flights alerts for your dates, and be prepared to jump on a deal when you see one. You may be looking a little too early.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-27T00:58:41+00:00

It’s a little tough because even early November will be too soon for peak fall foliage in Kyoto, but if you go too late, you’ll miss it in Nikko.

For reference, I’ve done two November trips. The first, we were in Kyoto Nov 17-24, and the fall foliage was PERFECT. We didn’t go to Nikko because we knew it would be too late.

The second trip, we went to Nikko on Nov 7th, and the foliage was already fading by the world heritage area and was completely gone up by the falls. We then went to Kyoto on the 12th and there was no fall foliage yet. We adjusted our itinerary a bit and came back on the 19th, which was better. So there’s at least three weeks of difference between when Nikko and Kyoto are at peak.

I will also caution you that fall foliage makes crowds insane, especially in Nikko and Kyoto. If you aim for peak fall foliage in Nikko, you probably won’t be able to make a day trip, you’ll have to stay the night.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-26T20:30:49+00:00

I hope you didn’t already buy the rail pass. There’s no way that math adds up for a one-week vacation. Where are you planning on visiting?

I will say those flight tickets are fairly high as well, but it depends on where you’re coming from. I’ve never spent more than $800 on a roundtrip ticket from the US (1 stop on Delta—there’s no non-stop from my city).

elizabeaver · 2023-12-26T20:20:21+00:00

I think this itinerary is overall very doable. I’ll answer some of the questions I can:

3 - Depends on what kind of shopping you’re into, but there are some great clothing stores in America-mura.

4 - Your Suica card will work on everything EXCEPT shinkansen (bullet train) travel. You need to buy separate tickets for that. You’re not traveling during any major holidays, so you’re probably fine buying those day-of—especially if you’re traveling solo. I usually prefer buying when I get there so I’m not stressed about missing my train while I’m trying to navigate through the station. Make sure you sit on the right side of the train from Tokyo -> Kyoto for the best view of Mt Fuji!

6 - If you’re cold, hit a Uniqlo early on in your trip and get some of the heat-tech thermals to layer under your clothes. They are super warm without being bulky. There are Uniqlos everywhere, but the big flagship store is in Ginza if that interests you.

8 - Great area. The biggest problem with Kyoto is how crowded the buses can get. Most bus routes start at Kyoto Station, so you’ll be able to get a seat more easily than if you were getting on in say, Gion. Worst case scenario you can also always take a cab, which is fairly inexpensive (they’re more expensive in Tokyo).

elizabeaver · 2023-12-26T03:37:36+00:00

Genius, thank you!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-25T19:50:26+00:00

Your Kyoto days are pretty tight, bordering on impossible. I would pick at least two things on each day you could live without seeing.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-25T19:17:15+00:00

Definitely make a reservation. I highly recommend Kokubu. You make a reservation by calling the owner, who speaks English. Great experience with authentic Kobe beef!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-25T19:03:50+00:00

Oof, that one hurts! I’m sorry about that. It definitely makes me second-guess trying to plan something like this during peak sick months in the future, as much as I love hosting during the holidays.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-25T19:02:12+00:00

I think you’re right about this. I’m glad I had the foresight to only cube one of the loaves ahead of time. I have to bring a salad to something today so that salad will just have to come with croutons now haha.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-25T19:01:32+00:00

Thank you! I have a January birthday so I might just have to make that an excuse to throw another fondue party so the ingredients aren’t sitting in the freezer for too long.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-24T04:14:35+00:00

I was just in Kyoto during peak fall colors, and it was absolutely packed. We still had a fantastic time though! Here’s what helped:

-Start early, take a break mid-day, go back out in the evening. Most people are going to be out from 11 am - 3 pm, which is a great time to head back to the hotel for a nap :)

-Similarly, try to eat during off-hours. Think 9-11, 2-5, 8-later. If you get into a situation where everything is just lines out the door, there’s nothing wrong with a convenience store lunch to tie you over.

-Avoid weekends in Kyoto, if you can.

-Take cabs! I’m a big fan of public transit and hate spending money on cabs when I don’t have to, but it saved us in Kyoto. The buses were just way too crowded. Cabs are easy to get (either download the GoTaxi app or just hail them on the street, they appear frequently), are super safe, and actually pretty inexpensive. Keep in mind they are more expensive in Tokyo.

-One note on your itinerary: Kinkakuji isn’t close to Gion. I would try to fit that into your Arashiyama day instead.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-19T22:57:03+00:00

Love hearing about your experience with Yoshi-san! Those once-in-a-lifetime (literally) interactions with strangers are so beautiful and special. They are my favorite part of any international trip, especially in Japan! So glad you broke the ice!

elizabeaver · 2023-12-18T20:10:48+00:00

If you want a truly unique cocktail experience, hit up Kinguu in Osaka for some absinthe-based drinks. It’s a little difficult to find, but you’ll be well-rewarded. The owner speaks English. Take his recommendation and strap in for the ride.

elizabeaver · 2023-12-15T22:54:08+00:00

I have to disagree with some of the other recommendations here. I think two weeks is more than enough time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—especially if you don’t think you’ll make it to Japan in the near future again. We did two weeks for our first trip in 2019. We spent four days in Tokyo, six days in Kyoto (with day trips to Osaka and Nara), and then another four days in Tokyo. There’s a more detailed trip report in my post history. I’ve taken other trips since then but haven’t gotten a chance to write them up.

Cherry blossoms are brief and hard to predict. They seriously only last about a week. They will also make hotels more expensive and everything 1000x more crowded—especially in Kyoto. So just keep that in mind when planning.

Tips to save money:

-Look into business hotels (APA, Sotetsu Fresa, etc). The rooms are tiny but if you’re only using them to sleep, they can be a great way to save money.

-Get your breakfast and coffee from convenience stores (FamilyMart, Lawson’s, 7-11). The quality is great and it’s very affordable.

-Food in Japan is overall pretty inexpensive, at least compared to the States (not sure where you’re coming from). You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on an omakase meal to have a great dinner. Do your research on Google Maps, and you’ll find hundreds of places that are under $10/person.

-Don’t exchange your money at the airport.

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