To ask about Tokyo/ Japan

[Snowmount4567]

Posted in chat too but wish some more responses Has anyone been to Tokyo or Japan?
How was it ? And did you experience any minor earthquakes- didn’t realise how many they get and am a bit worried

I was in a tower block in Tokyo when there was a tremor.

The Japanese didn't even comment on the room swaying - it's a very common event.

yes earthquakes are fairly common (although we've not had even a small one for ages now...)

but as a PP said, Tokyo and Tokai areas are due for the Big One - literally could happen any day

I try not to think about it, but with the anniversary of 3.11 coming up on Sunday, it brings it home a bit.

Tokyo and japan are amazing. Best holiday I’ve ever had I think. Loved everything - the culture, the people, the architecture, the stunning natural scenery, the food. Everything.

I basically ‘did’ Tokyo as per lonely planet guide and internet research and Recommendations. I basically picked the key areas I wanted to see or the key things I wanted to do and built an itinerary around that.

Did a bike tour - was lots of fun and I was the only person as it was the off season.

I went to Hokkaido for skiing so didn’t do much else of Japan except Tokyo and Hokane (easy to get to from Tokyo and well worth two days to do the ‘ring’ then visit the sculpture park before heading back to Tokyo).

I have plans to go back to see more of Japan.

If you go to Japan get the special rail pass for foreigners; it'll save you a lot of money. I don't know what it's called, but we used it a lot. You can only get it out of the country. Gion is a cool place as well. It is more old fashioned and had amazing food.

I’ll try and get the rail pass before going

Hi, TanteRose, thought you might look in on this thread. I haven't felt a quake in years.

I know, right? It's Not Good in my opinion...

They are happening tho, daily. Just looked at my earthquake app, and there was one offshore in Miyagi this morning, and a small tremor in Aomori about an hour ago.

Just need a couple of middling sized ones around Tokyo to take the pressure off the Pacific plates...

I have visited Japan regularly over 10 years and lived and worked there.

Its a fascinating country but understand it can be a tad strange and very odd for many people. and the food can be a challenge for some, getting around can be fantastic and clean efficient.

But there is so much to see from tropical beaches to snow covered mountains with everything in-between.

People either love or hate Tokyo, and yes a lot of it is just skyscrapers and busy busy busy, but you have to scratch more than the surface and find lots to do/see.

I have felt many small tremors but more so during the tsunami, we were living in Kyoto at that time, but was more worried about the nuclear reactor and the problems that could have been. Its part of life and you will probably not feel anything.

Most visitors visit Tokyo, great shopping (depending on what your after), some bladerunner esk neighbourhoods, Kyoto, Nara, Miyajima , Fuji, Hiroshima, Nagasaki...plenty of castles, ancient sites, hot springs (onsens) and so on.

If you post more what your looking to know about feel free to ask and I will try to give info.

The train pass is called JR Pass, (Japan Rail) you can only buy it outside Japan for non-Japanese travellers, available in &, 14 and 21 days usage.

For some its not worth the cost depending on where your visiting, plan your itinerary first then use HyperDia to check train timetables, costs.

www.hyperdia.com/en/

There are 2 standards of coach ordinary class or green class, green being say the equivalent of business class. Depending on which rail company you travel on facilities can be different. And always check that your pass covers certain bullet trains as some are exempt with this pass. I prefer the Green pass for longer journeys but you do pay quite a bit more.

www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html

Overseas visitors can also get special fares for domestic flights as well, again let me know if you want info.

Thanks Todam! Excellent information!

My pleasure, Japan is my favourite country in the world.

I lived there for 2.5yrs. If you’re going to travel, definitely get the rail pass. It’s worth it even though it seems expensive outlay at first. ¥100 stores are good for cheap and cheerful gifts for folks back home.

I lived in the North. When are you going? Cherry blossom festivals are spread out over spring from south to north and the trees look wonderful. Onsens (hot springs) are fab. We used to bike up to the mountains to the outside ones. The earthquakes were majorally minor whilst I was there. If in doubt, stand in a doorway or under a table.

Give serious thought to where you want to go - I would only spend a couple of days in Tokyo. Have a google and see if there are any religious festivals around the places and times your visiting. In my first week, I had a shock when a big phallic effigy made it down my street to bestow fertile blessings on the females of the area 😂

And if you like tea, take teabags. In fact I would recommend that anywhere in the world.