The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Going to Japan Summer '09
The Laughing Man
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm planning a trip to Japan next summer and I was wondering if anyone had any advice for someone looking to travel around Japan for two weeks with a few friends.
I've looked into it a bit but I just want to see what other people have to say. I plan on getting a JR Train Card and stay at hostels and the cheaper traditional inns, Minshuku. We want to enjoy the culture, see the sites, and have a memorable time. We also plan to go sometime before July but after Golden Week.
I'm very interested in historical sites too because I'm going to school for history and specialize in East Asian History, I like the Edo Period and the Meiji Restoration the most. I plan on learning basic Japanese as well, which seems easier for me because I'm also well into learning Mandarin right now so I already know the meanings of a good number of Kanji.
I've looked into it a bit but I just want to see what other people have to say. I plan on getting a JR Train Card and stay at hostels and the cheaper traditional inns, Minshuku. We want to enjoy the culture, see the sites, and have a memorable time. We also plan to go sometime before July but after Golden Week.
I'm very interested in historical sites too because I'm going to school for history and specialize in East Asian History, I like the Edo Period and the Meiji Restoration the most. I plan on learning basic Japanese as well, which seems easier for me because I'm also well into learning Mandarin right now so I already know the meanings of a good number of Kanji.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
The Laughing Man on
0
Posts
Historical sites, you could visit the Imperial Palace they give some decent tours just try to go on a non rainy day. My prefecture Yamanashi has some interesting stuff about Shingen Takeda. You could goto Nikko the shrine in which the remains of Tokugawa are. You could visit Nara and see the Great Buddah, and learn about Tenrikyo (a sorta cult/religion that believes the center of the universe is in Japan, and they stuck a pole in the hole to keep more stuff from coming out).
You can go pretty much anywhere in Japan and find a lot of really interesting historical stuff if you just research a bit. Before I started living in Yamanashi I didn't know anything about it, but the more time I've spent the more stuff keeps popping up. If you're interested mainly in Meiji and Edo stuff I highly suggest Kyoto and the cities lying around like Gion and Kobe and what not. There is a ton of stuff to do in the Kyoto Nara area, but don't forget about current Japan it's pretty amazing too. Osaka is a great place, big city, pretty foreigner friendly and a lot goes on there if you get a little tired of the touristy stuff.
If you have any questions let me know I can ask my co workers, but they'll probably say "Oh he should goto Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo."
Enjoy the trip!
Since my one confirmed traveling companion isn't really into Asian history and culture like I am we'll probably hit a lot of the modern places as well as the historical places. Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo are a must. The big Buddha at Nara is on my list of things as well. I want to go see Mt. Fuji and a number of castles as well. We'll have two weeks and train cards though so getting around to most major sites won't be a problem hopefully.
This website is excellent for checking places out, along with accommodation and train info.
If you're still looking for accomodation, I'll also recommend staying at the Ace Inn if you're looking for somewhere cheap with a really good location. Tons of people there and if you head up to the common room upstairs you'll always run into people to head out with for dinner, clubbing and sightseeing. Its cheap, has free internet and is a two stop (5 mins tops) trip from Shinjuku station, which has lines to everywhere. Also, the beds have tons of room, so you can stretch out even if you're tall. There's a great sushi place down the street, 7-11 if you need money out and its about a minute's walk from the subway station.
Ueno Park is excellent for a morning/day trip, plus you've got the zoo near by as well. Understanding Kanji would be a bonus, but I got by without understanding it and only a very basic vocab I picked up just before going and while I was there. All the train stops and most signs will have both Kanji and the romanised versions of the names, which helps a lot.
First thing to do when you come out of the airport, if you're heading to Narita, is to go to the information desk on your right hand side and grab a map of the subway. This will be your lifeline while you're there, seriously, it is invaluable.
Other places to visit in or around Tokyo, the Rainbow bridge, Tokyo Tower, the Imperial palace gardens, Tsukiji Fish Market is a great trip early in the morning. Theres a couple of sushi bars in the middle too that you can buy sushi from that was caught fresh that morning.
Sensoji Temple is incredible and you should really go there. Asakusa (which is where Sensoji temple is) has a lot of olden style buildings too and is great to wander round in. You'll find yourself in and out of Shinjuku a lot when you're catching trains and theres plenty to see around that area. The station itself is incredibly huge. Everyone goes to Harajuku to see all the wierd fashion stuff there like guys with fishbowls as earrings, goth/maid teens and theres a grouse toyshop there too. Also an entire store devoted to nothing but Snoopy.
Nara, Hiroshima and Osaka are all pretty incredible. I could go on, but check out that website, there is hours worth of stuff to look through.
I totally forgot about the fish market. It is sort of touristy because a lot of travel shows have talked about it, but its great to say goto a club and dance the night away and then if you have any energy left over hop a cab to the fish market and have some breakfast sushi. A buddy and I did that once and it was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be.