Going to Japan, where to begin

[greyfriarskitty]

We are thinking of going to Japan for three weeks in the spring with DD who is 11. We would like to travel outside Tokyo and possibly go to a theme park; that's about as far as we have got. DD is obsessed with manga and kawaii and so as long as she goes to some shops will be happy beyond belief.

I know that our dates (not in our control) may mean that we hit cherry blossom season - will that make it really difficult?
Also, should we start in a hotel and ride out the jet lag there? We are considering doing AirBnB as well, but will we cope/eat?
What else do we need to know? When do we book? I'm used to going to Europe and knowing my way around, so am out of my depth.

Thank you in advance!

I would love to go to a match. Definitely next time. We watched it on the tv for a bit. Utterly brilliant and I didn’t expect to be so engrossed by it.

The first time I went to Japan it was for work, and we stayed in a very luxurious hotel in Tokyo. One of the huge sumo stars of the time (huge in every sense of the word) got in the lift one day. I think his nickname was 'The Dumper Truck' . He was big

Lucky you! We loved Japan. The railpass is a must. The food is wonderful. The people are lovely.
I would recommend travelling to Matsumoto. The castle is great. Look up the Post Road. Sorry I can't remember the names of the villages, but you take the bus to one, have a delightful longish walk, then catch the bus back to Matsumoto. An excellent day out.
We stayed in Nara (the deer ARE obnoxious!) But Nara is a good place to base yourself.

If you go to Nara just look at the deer, don't feed them. They can be very aggressive towards people with food.

Shopping! Vending machines are fab: some sell hot drinks, some sell cold drinks. Make sure you choose the right one if you're buying a coffee!

Supermarkets: you won't starve. Definitely try some Japanese pot noodles. They were so good I brought some home with me. Also look out for strawberry sandwiches! Lawson and FamilyMart are two convenience store chains which, in Tokyo at least, seem as abundant as Tesco Metro et al in London. I didn't see any big supermarkets in central Tokyo, just the smaller convenience stores. There are some on the outskirts though, and they might be more numerous in smaller cities. Good place to stock up on the flavoured Kit-Kats - you can get them in the gift stores at stations but they're the 'gift' versions and more expensive than the packets in supermarkets.

Do you like stationery? Itoya in Tokyo is stationery heaven (think upmarket Paperchase) - not cheap though, so don't go overboard with purchases, especially before you discover the 100 yen shops (equivalent to pound shops - although actually 108 yen when sales tax is added). Daiso was my favourite chain (I had to double-check it was in fact a 100 yen shop as the products and shop fittings are so unlike the bargain basement tat of UK pound shops). I don't know if there are any in central Tokyo but there is one near the main station in Kyoto. Normal-priced shops: Loft (nationwide chain with a couple of big stores in Tokyo) - household goods including stationery. And Muji of course - there's a massive branch in Tokyo that sells items not available in the UK branches.

Edo Museum in Tokyo is good. Includes some recreations of old-style buildings (indoors).

And keep an eye out for pretty man-hole covers!

Hi OP- I loved in Tokyo for nearly two years and my sister lived in Osaka so here are my top tips:

Tokyo-

• Senso-ji: Great temple and also the centre of the plastic food trade.
• Ginza: just to walk through. Looks like Blade Runner.
• Studio Ghibli Museum: much better than Tokyo Disney. If your DD loves anime then she’ll love this. Bit of a trip outside Tokyo but worth it.
• Tsukuji: use your jet lag for your own benefit on the first day and get up at 4 am to see them auction off whole tuna at Tokyo’s main fish market. It is the most amazing this.
• Meiji Shrine: Walk there early in the morning, past the imperial palace. It isn’t actually that far. It is beautiful. A forest in the middle of the city. Then go to next door Harajuku to see the Harajuku girls hang out. Maybe avoid the giant condom shop.

Then take the train to Kamakura. It is full of the most amazing shires and hidden wonders. Have tonkatsu and one of the local places.

Kyoto:

• Sanjusangendo: my favourite temple.
• Manga Museum: for your daughter. Is awesome. It’s also a manga library.
• Arashiyama: the area of shrines and temples. So beautiful. I think anyone would love it, especially in cherry blossom season.
• Meiko Show: book for this. Trainee geisha put on a show of their dancing and singing skills. With traditional Japanese dances and instruments.
• Ginkakuji: the golden temple. Worth the queue and the squat toilets.

To be honest, Osaka isn’t up to much compared with Tokyo. The squat is amazing. But not necessarily worth the trip.

Also, this is must, eat all the ramen and gyoza (actual pork gyoza) you can. Convenience stores do really good rice balls. But watch out for random fish eggs. Also, make sure to buy yakisoba from a street stall and drink Pocari Sweat.

Writing this post makes me feel really envious. Have a great time. I miss it so much (not the fish eggs, they even put them in perfectly normal bread rolls).

Japan is fab and your daughter will love it

I’m travelling there in February 2018 and can’t wait. I have three days by myself in Kyoto before meeting friends to go skiing. I’ve been there once before but didn’t make it to Nara so will try and fit it in this time.

Getting to an onset is a real experience as are the overnight ferries!

Just popped back to add that stationery addicts (and connoisseurs of everything weird and wonderful) will pass out with excitement in any branch of Tokyu Hands. It sells the most incredible selection of paper, pens, washi tape, craft supplies, toys, gadgets, home wares and a million other things. In fact you could probably spend two weeks in there alone

YEs! To Tokyu Hands.

Also, double yes to an insensitive but make sure it is a segregated one if taking your daughter.

Sorry, that should read onsen

Thank you everyone! We told DD today and she is over the moon