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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

If you have been in n Japan in August

25 replies

Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:02

We are going to Australia in August 2024 and would like to stop over at another country and get use of the tickets, as a separate trip is going to be really expensive. Tickets are the most expensive.

We have always wanted to see Japan but we are stuck to school holidays; I read it is hot and humid in summer but also read that August is the end of summer and temperatures start to go down; so maybe we can stop over on the way back, third week of August and spend 8 days there. So 8 days in Western Australia, 8 days in Sydney and 8 days in Japan excluding travelling times, as we will have 28 days in total. Study will be mainly relaxing and seeing family as have been there a few times.

Would like to do this before DD1 finish school in 2025, she will be busy with exams and university applications that year, so a long holiday may not be possible before the summer.

OP posts:
Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:05

Meant we have been in Sydney a few times so will be mainly relaxing and seeing family there.

I think 2 separate trips will be around 15k each but if we do it all un one trip maybe 20k?

OP posts:
MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 07:05

Temperatures do not go down until well into September. Everything indoors are airconditioned though.

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:11

We have been in Singapore before in summer, hot but not unbearable; is it similar?

OP posts:
Moonlaserbearwolf · 19/06/2023 07:16

I’ve been to Japan in August with young children. It was hot and humid, but we were fine - lots of air conditioning and we enjoyed going out in the evenings. We’re not a family that is good with heat and I was surprised that the children were ok. Definitely go in August!

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:26

Moonlaserbearwolf · 19/06/2023 07:16

I’ve been to Japan in August with young children. It was hot and humid, but we were fine - lots of air conditioning and we enjoyed going out in the evenings. We’re not a family that is good with heat and I was surprised that the children were ok. Definitely go in August!

Excellent, thank you. Kids will be 17 & 13 by that time.

OP posts:
BridportSpectacular · 19/06/2023 07:28

It’s really humid…but lots of aircon. Depends where you are as well, north of country and alps are fine. Kyoto will be humid, but go out later…..

MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 07:28

I wouldn’t put the trip off because of the heat, just plan and pack accordingly.

No idea about Singapore, but we’re about to brave Taiwan in 2 weeks’ time and even Okinawa is already a bit more than uncomfortable!! It’s not the temperature that I struggle with (to a point, of course) it’s the humidity.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 19/06/2023 07:30

It's very hot and humid in August, but as others have said, there is AC everywhere so you should be fine. It's definitely worth a visit!

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:31

Which places should we see for 8 days? Thinking Tokyo and Kyoto. Will contact Inside Japan

OP posts:
MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 07:42

Have a read of Reddit for itinerary ideas.

The train travel pass is increasing significantly so just keep that in mind.

TeamLabs
Tokyo Skytree at sunset, it gets v busy so pre-book your tickets
The usual suspects on any ‘top 15 things to see in Tokyo’ list is a good start
If your kids are into Disney, Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea are honestly the best disney parks in the world. But - heat and outdoors.
You can do Kyoto in two days
Day trip to Nara is nice
Kamakura for the big budda and hase dera or Nikko, both good day trips
Out to see Fuji.
If you rent a car and drive to Kyoto from Tokyo you can stop at Fuji on the way. It’s about 5 and a half hours drive
on the toll toads, great roads, stop and sightsee where you fancy and save a ton of money on train fare

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 08:04

MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 07:42

Have a read of Reddit for itinerary ideas.

The train travel pass is increasing significantly so just keep that in mind.

TeamLabs
Tokyo Skytree at sunset, it gets v busy so pre-book your tickets
The usual suspects on any ‘top 15 things to see in Tokyo’ list is a good start
If your kids are into Disney, Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea are honestly the best disney parks in the world. But - heat and outdoors.
You can do Kyoto in two days
Day trip to Nara is nice
Kamakura for the big budda and hase dera or Nikko, both good day trips
Out to see Fuji.
If you rent a car and drive to Kyoto from Tokyo you can stop at Fuji on the way. It’s about 5 and a half hours drive
on the toll toads, great roads, stop and sightsee where you fancy and save a ton of money on train fare

Thank you, that sounds amazing. I am looking at dates and I think we can spend 10 days in Japan. Will look at your recommendations.

So itinerary will be 8 days WA, 9 days Sydney, 10 days in Japan.

OP posts:
Azure · 19/06/2023 08:33

We went a similar time with similarly aged children. Yes very hot but had an amazing time. In Kyoto we had a car (air-conditioned!) and driver for 4-5 hours, which was a God-send. We were driven straight to the 3-4 sights we wanted to see and could cool down in between- we would have seen a lot less if travelling by public transport (which we did use otherwise).

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 08:40

Thank you. Do you mean we rent a car with a driver? Or can we rent and drive ourselves? All signs in English? I assume we won’t need a car in Tokyo?

OP posts:
MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 08:47

Driving is really easy with google maps. Very little anywhere is in English. I wouldn’t rent a car in Tokyo, even though driving around is easy. The trains are quick, cheap, reliable and an experience in itself. Parking is EXTORTIONATE.
We’ve always had good service and price from Oryx car rental.

MrsKwazi · 19/06/2023 08:48

Orix sorry not Oryx

lljkk · 19/06/2023 08:51

Friends (who lived a lot in tropics !!) were astonished at how hot Japan was. Assume it will be hot & muggy unless in very north.

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 09:44

lljkk · 19/06/2023 08:51

Friends (who lived a lot in tropics !!) were astonished at how hot Japan was. Assume it will be hot & muggy unless in very north.

Thank you; you are probably right but we have no choice due to school holidays and I don’t think we can afford 2 separate trips/plane fares. By doing it on the way from Australia we probably save 7k to 8k on flights

OP posts:
Azure · 19/06/2023 12:27

We also hired a car and driving was absolutely fine with the Satnav in the car. We drove out of Tokyo (stayed in Shinjuki, which was very convenient for a big road out), had a few days in the Takayama area and dropped off the car once we arrived at Kyoto. Car hire with a one-way drop off charge was very expensive though.

Original poster
Geraniu · 19/06/2023 14:26

Azure · 19/06/2023 12:27

We also hired a car and driving was absolutely fine with the Satnav in the car. We drove out of Tokyo (stayed in Shinjuki, which was very convenient for a big road out), had a few days in the Takayama area and dropped off the car once we arrived at Kyoto. Car hire with a one-way drop off charge was very expensive though.

Thank you. Will look at renting a car. Did you not need the car in Kyoto? I imagine we pick up and drop in Tokyo once we are ready to leave.

We need to start reading about and deciding where to go as have no clue.

OP posts:
Azure · 19/06/2023 15:56

No we wouldn't have wanted the hassle of a car in Kyoto, especially as we went by train from there to Hiroshima

SanuPethan · 04/03/2024 16:51

...

SanuPethan · 04/03/2024 16:52

Geraniu · 19/06/2023 07:02

We are going to Australia in August 2024 and would like to stop over at another country and get use of the tickets, as a separate trip is going to be really expensive. Tickets are the most expensive.

We have always wanted to see Japan but we are stuck to school holidays; I read it is hot and humid in summer but also read that August is the end of summer and temperatures start to go down; so maybe we can stop over on the way back, third week of August and spend 8 days there. So 8 days in Western Australia, 8 days in Sydney and 8 days in Japan excluding travelling times, as we will have 28 days in total. Study will be mainly relaxing and seeing family as have been there a few times.

Would like to do this before DD1 finish school in 2025, she will be busy with exams and university applications that year, so a long holiday may not be possible before the summer.

@Geraniu I too like you have no choice but to visit in August. We are coming from the UK. Myself (Dad) and my 2 daughters aged 11 and 21, Really had to come this year and in August due to school holidays; so restricted like you. Thankfully your post has provided some responses that fill me with some positivity. We are there a bit longer with about 8 days in Tokyo and 3 days in Kyoto. Hopefully we get some more tips before we go :-)

Thank You

SanuPethan · 04/03/2024 16:53

Azure · 19/06/2023 08:33

We went a similar time with similarly aged children. Yes very hot but had an amazing time. In Kyoto we had a car (air-conditioned!) and driver for 4-5 hours, which was a God-send. We were driven straight to the 3-4 sights we wanted to see and could cool down in between- we would have seen a lot less if travelling by public transport (which we did use otherwise).

This gives me hope...

SanuPethan · 04/03/2024 16:54

Azure · 19/06/2023 08:33

We went a similar time with similarly aged children. Yes very hot but had an amazing time. In Kyoto we had a car (air-conditioned!) and driver for 4-5 hours, which was a God-send. We were driven straight to the 3-4 sights we wanted to see and could cool down in between- we would have seen a lot less if travelling by public transport (which we did use otherwise).

Again gives me some hope!

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