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Help Me Plan a Trip to Japan!
JackKieser
Seattle, WARegistered User regular
Seattle, WARegistered User regular
Hey, PA forum. So, I have the opportunity to take a trip to Japan this September! The first one in my life. But... it's the first one in my life! I have no idea what I'm doing, really, and I'm getting overwhelmed with the planning (I'm not a meticulous planner by nature). So, I wanted to know if there were any forumers with enough travel knowledge and know-how to help me plan this trip.
Some things I know now:
* I Have all of September from after PAX until the middle of the last week (so about from the 4th to the 26th). I'd like to spend as much time as possible, but I'm flexible with the travel dates.
* I have to plan this thing for <=$3000.00 US.
* I'd like to deal with housing using a combination of AirBnB and hostels. I'm not too picky; cost is the main concern.
* I'd like to stay primarily around Tokyo, but I want to at least visit Kyoto to see Nintendo HQ and Chiba to see some friends.
* I have taken 1st year Japanese, but that was 2 years ago. I'm studying up now, but I certainly won't be fluent when I get there.
So, some things I'd like help on:
* Finding a good flight.
* Planning out my housing for the cheapest I can
* Figuring out travel around the country, including (I'm assuming) train passes
* Getting advice on good places to visit or see
* Setting a trip schedule / itinerary for each day I'm there
Just some other random considerations:
* I was wondering if there were any cosplay appropriate festivals or events going on when I'll be there.
* I'd like to go clothes shopping and get my hair done / cut / styled while I'm there. I have no idea if there is anything I'd need to know concerning Japanese fashion / clothing sale or construction.
* I'd like to go clubbing or something at least once while I'm there.
* I might be buying games to take home for some friends.
Anyway, can anyone help me? I'm... kind of overwhelmed and lost right now. >_<
Some things I know now:
* I Have all of September from after PAX until the middle of the last week (so about from the 4th to the 26th). I'd like to spend as much time as possible, but I'm flexible with the travel dates.
* I have to plan this thing for <=$3000.00 US.
* I'd like to deal with housing using a combination of AirBnB and hostels. I'm not too picky; cost is the main concern.
* I'd like to stay primarily around Tokyo, but I want to at least visit Kyoto to see Nintendo HQ and Chiba to see some friends.
* I have taken 1st year Japanese, but that was 2 years ago. I'm studying up now, but I certainly won't be fluent when I get there.
So, some things I'd like help on:
* Finding a good flight.
* Planning out my housing for the cheapest I can
* Figuring out travel around the country, including (I'm assuming) train passes
* Getting advice on good places to visit or see
* Setting a trip schedule / itinerary for each day I'm there
Just some other random considerations:
* I was wondering if there were any cosplay appropriate festivals or events going on when I'll be there.
* I'd like to go clothes shopping and get my hair done / cut / styled while I'm there. I have no idea if there is anything I'd need to know concerning Japanese fashion / clothing sale or construction.
* I'd like to go clubbing or something at least once while I'm there.
* I might be buying games to take home for some friends.
Anyway, can anyone help me? I'm... kind of overwhelmed and lost right now. >_<
0
Posts
Since this is your first time traveling...and traveling internationally, I say this: GET YOUR PASSPORT NOW. It isnt like the DMV where you wait in line for 2 hours, its where you wait in line for a Month, and hope your paperwork is in order.
Finally, if your bringing in electronics or bringing out electronics...Open the cases and discard all the plastic/inserts/packing crap and just keep the device, disc, etc. Customs blows...if they see you wish a new shiny Xbox or Iphone and its still in the case, they'll consider it an imported/exported item. You'll be required to pay some pretty insane fees to keep the item.
The way around it is simply to make it your "own". If its an IPhone in its box - its import/export. If its an Iphone in your pocket, its yours. Understand?
I'm not planning on getting any hardware for anyone, only discs / carts, but that's definitely good to know. Is it ok to bring some, like, CD holders or something? Put the discs in those?
Notes:
*If you are buying games make sure they are region free, a lot of games and consoles are NOT region free.
* A lot of Japanese people speak at least some and a lot (if not all) signs are also in English. A good deal of Children will come up to you just to practice their English, it happened to me many times per day.
*Don’t pull on Taxi doors, they open and close automatically.
Make some time to visit random, tiny shrines, but try not to oogle the keepers too much.
Japanese neighborhoods don't have road names. They go by block, and they're not in sequential order. Finding a particular store can be a major task, even if you have the right general area. "___ eki wa doko desu ka?" is your best friend in the world if you get lost. It means "Where is the ___ train station?" In general, train stations are good anchors for any directions.
A popular club for American (underage) military brats is Roppongi. It has a nice mall and several clubs.
When I lived there, debit cards were more or less useless. They may have upgraded in the last years, but you're going to want to make sure to have a good buffer of cash yen.
Sakura Hostel http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ is pretty much the go-to for rooms on the cheap in Tokyo. I've never stayed there but my father did and was quite comfortable.
If you're planning to do a lot of clothes shopping, the biggest sizes you are likely to find are a Japanese 2L, which is roughly a US mens L, 90cm waist pants (36 inch) and size 30 shoes (size 12 US). That's the "there are one or two things in this store in my size" mark. If you wear a mens M or smaller you will have a much more fun time shopping for clothing. I do most of my clothes shopping at Uniqlo because I am a boring cheap old guy.
For eating on the cheap, Tokyo is full of counter places. Most of these work as follows: there is a machine somewhere near the entrance with a bank of buttons on it representing food items. Put money in machine, push button, it spits out ticket which you hand to the cook. That way, person handling food is never handling money which is considered a little dirty. Also a good way to break large bills if you have to.
Likewise, when you're buying anything in a shop, there's a little tray to put your money in, and the cashier will put your change back in the tray.
Visit a Don kihote (I don't know the english spelling, I see it in katakana. Quihote?) and a Tokyu Hands to pick up your requisite Wacky Japanese Gifts for home.
Best of luck!
Akihabara is basically the mecca for electronics and anime-related stuff.
If you're into temples and old castles, I'll try and look for our old itinerary.
When you're in a changing room / stall, your shoes go on the floor in front of the door to point out that it's occupied. This Is Important.
Hostels are probably your cheapest bet, but another option is to look for "Business Hotels," which are tailored to offer a quick barebones stay for a travelling salariman. If you can swing the cost of just one expensive hotel night, it's totally worth visiting a Ryokan--kind of a traditional Japanese version of a bed & breakfast. Read up on protocol though, so you don't break etiquette.
Tokyo has a ton to see, no doubt, but I highly recommend you look into what the rest of Japan has to offer. Definitely try and make that Kyoto visit happen; their temples are amazing. If you prefer big city life, Osaka is a fun counterpoint to Tokyo. It's also big, but they have a rivalry with Tokyo akin to the Boston/NYC rivalry--they even stand on escalators on the opposite side just to spite Tokyo.
For something totally different, I had a fantastic time heading up to the Hida/Takayama area, which is a look at the more rural side of Japan. You pass some amazing scenery as you take the train ride up through the "Japanese Swiss Alps" on your way to hot-spring filled Hida. They also have a recreation of a traditional thatch-roofed Japanese village that was pretty neat to see.
Even just knowing the basics will help a lot. They really don't speak English all that much there, even in Tokyo. Get some key phrases down and you'll be good to go. Food-wise, I found that "what would you recommend?" came in reaaallly handy.
Just about every town you'd visit has a tourist center, though. They'll not only speak English, but they will happily assist you with directions, routes to sights, and even arranging hotel bookings.
You must eat at an izakaya. They are this wonderful fusion of bar and tapas restaurant. I really really wish there were more of them in the US.
I don't know about events, but it sounds like the Shibuya area of Tokyo is right up your alley. Unless I'm remembering the wrong district, it's the super trendy area of Tokyo where you can find people walking around in crazy costumes just because that's the way they like to dress.
Here is a google map of most of the places I visited outside of tokyo. The tokyo section is a bunch of restaurants and bars I liked. It is not an all inclusive list. And to be honest your budget is insanely tight for 3 weeks traveling japan. But good luck. I loved it!
https://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?msid=206582513376613299493.0004c516c30f4040572db&msa=0&ll=36.483141,140.427246&spn=10.064132,21.763916
You might be thinking of Harajuku, the fashion district.
Just to clarify, Roppongi isn't a club, It's a district in Tokyo. It's packed with clubs and bars and the go-to place for American military personnel. I'd avoid it.
If you are going to go to Kyoto, get a Rail Pass for at least one week. Even with just a seven day, the Shinkansen can really help you get around. You can theoretically go anywhere in the country (except Okinawa) in a day's time or less, and the cost of one week will almost cover the Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto trip alone. Once you get your full of temples, you can easily hop on a train further West, or even up North.
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