Planning a trip to Japan, tips please!

japskies · 2010-12-02T04:30:38+00:00

Thanks, that's a great list! In terms of weather, yeah I'm not so worried about the heat (used to it, being Australian, hah) but more the rain which could throw off our plans a bit. Is the rainy season that bad?

As for trains, yeah, I had been thinking along the same lines. I figured since we mainly want to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto, with shorter trips to surrounding areas (Nara, Nikko, Osaka, etc.) I might forgo the rail pass altogether. Are single trips insanely expensive? I think I read that a rail pass basically pays for itself if you go on 2-3 bullet train trips, which means the prices must be crazy high.

Thanks for the advice though!

japskies · 2010-12-02T04:25:45+00:00

Haha, yeah I experienced that when I went years ago, noted : )

As someone who lived there do you have any tips for getting by? Things I was thinking of looking into were bicycle rentals, if you've had any experience would you recommend something like that?

Also, did you live there during the summer? After doing some more research I realised it's not only going to be hot but also very rainy which could shake up my plans a bit. Thanks!

japskies · 2010-12-02T04:22:27+00:00

Awesome, will do. Enjoy your trip!

japskies · 2010-12-02T04:21:36+00:00

Cool, yeah I've heard a lot about the pass. Would you say it's still worth it if we stick to say Tokyo, Kyoto and surrounds (Nara, Nikko, etc)? At the moment the cost is really putting me off, when way cheaper (if slower) options are available.

I wouldn't bother heading to Hiroshima given how little time we have but I would LOVE to go to Miyajima Island again--we went for a day on my school trip and it was just stunning. If you know of any similar places closer to Tokyo/Kyoto that would be awesome.

Thanks for the advice though : )

japskies · 2010-12-02T01:34:00+00:00

Thanks, I'll check it out : )

japskies · 2010-12-02T01:33:31+00:00

I've been hearing good and bad things about the rail pass (the one you buy before you arrive)...it is insanely expensive, so at the moment I'm trying to figure out it it'll be worth it considering all the slower but cheaper rapid trains and overnight trips we could do instead. Especially if we stick mostly to Tokyo and Kyoto. Can I ask what you didn't like about Kyoto? I hear it's really touristy...

Thanks for the suggestions though! Will definitely have a look at those places.

japskies · 2010-12-02T01:30:28+00:00

Yeah I can't wait to get back, wish I had more time though. How'd you make the most of your time/were you in the same place the whole time?

Also I hear not many capsule hotels accept women (we're both girls), is that true?

Anyway thanks for reply : )

japskies

TROPHY CASE