Japan

[Bluebirdover]

Thinking of a trip, anyone been?

Did you enjoy?

What would you recommend?

Thank you

Did 3 weeks in March with my dh and 2 kids. Best family holiday ever.

Travelled by train from Tokyo, to Osaka, Hiroshima, Mayajima Island, Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa and back to Tokyo

Totally possible to do it yourself, very easy to navigate with Google maps. Trains are expensive but so fast and comfortable. People just lovely and kind and patient. Food incredible quality and great value.

Dying to go back!

You've sold it!

Sounds amazing!

Chris Broad has a good YouTube channel Abroad in Japan which makes it look like a fantastic place to visit.

Thank you

I went to Tokyo many years ago then this April we were there for two weeks and stayed in Osaka and Tokyo and visited Nara, Kamakura and Kyoto.

We’re going back for another two weeks next Spring. We will probably be staying in Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima. On our list for possible day trips at the minute are Onomichi, Kurashiki, Miyajima, Kobe, Nikko, Himeji, Wakayama and Kawagoe.

Our plan is to go back every year or two from now on, gradually visiting different places and seeing more of the country. I love Japan, and there’s so much to do and see.

Really simple to do yourself. As long as your flights and hotel are booked, transport is easy to sort and does not need to be pre-booked (although you can pre-book Shinkansen if you prefer).

We’ve been lucky enough to go several times, the first time travelling all round and seeing loads of smaller places. A good wheeze is to base yourself in two big cities - Tokyo and Kyoto are the obvious ones - each for a week or 10 days, then you can go for lots of trips around and about each base. A Japan rail pass (bought before you go - they’re available only for tourists) might well save you money on rail fares but you have to reckon up the likely costs as they’re relatively expensive upfront. A few Shinkansen fares can make them worthwhile, however, and it’s valid on JR trains including the Yamanote line in Tokyo, so that soon racks up if you’re travelling about the city.

There's just so much to see and do. It’s a fascinating place, the rail transport system is fantastic, people are helpful and friendly and the food is great. Absolutely love it.

Just left a few days ago. I would recommend to anyone. So much to see and do.

We also planned it ourselves booking flights hotels and intercity trains plus a few activities in advance. We included a bike ride between Onomichi and Imabari which was fantastic.

I would. Heck the weather to see when is the best time to go if you have some flexibility as It was very hot. For us it was bearable but I believe it gets worse in August. We also had one day spoilt due to torrential rain. I think spring and autumn are better than summer, in spring you get the cherry blossom and in autumn you get the changing colours. Definitely include Hiroshima and I would have liked more time on Miyajima ( we only had about 90 mins)

Highlight for me were Shibuya Sky, Fushimi Inari at night, Hiroshima and the bike ride.

Do it . You won’t regret it.

We planned and booked everything ourselves and took our adult DC with us.

Flew in to Tokyo and out of Osaka. Shinkansen to Hiroshima and Kyoto. Travel was easy peasy.

Take an empty suitcase to fill with all the weird and wonderful goodies you will want to bring home.

I'd love to go too. I'd like to go when DS's girlfriend is there visiting her family so can give us some insider info and tips. I've seen cruises all around Japan but don't know if doing a land-based journey would be better.

The big draw for me is the people. They just seem more respectful and polite than the nobheads you get in many countries. Including the UK.

I’d go land-based. Travelling around Japan is very straightforward.

@CurlyhairedAssassin The people were all so friendly and the country is so clean. No litter anywhere, it’s the one thing that really stands out for me in the UK now, all the rubbish and graffiti everywhere.

Jane Macdonald has a programme on Ch5 that might be worth watching, she visits Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

James May's programme on Japan is also worth watching.

Useful links https://www.japan-guide.com https://tokyocheapo.com/ https://soranews24.com/

Oh wow! It really is a popular destination.

Thank you for all the advice and tips.

We didn't like Tokyo but Kyoto and Takayama were amazing.

I’m curious as to why, @savvy? Was it just too big and busy? That’s why we did love it - as well as for the unexpected little pockets of serenity, the parks and temples everywhere…and so many surprises round every corner.

Kanazawa was a hidden gem, kyoto vibes but without the crowds and much more walkable. We loved it!

It was.the.last stop on our trip and.we.just.found it to be a huge place with little.of.the unique character we had found.elsewhere.

I love Tokyo, but can totally understand this.

Tokyo is brilliant if you love big cities. One of our group this year was a person who does not love big cities and although there were bits of Tokyo she really liked, the city as a whole just wasn’t really her thing.

I love big cities, so it’s not really surprising that I loved Tokyo and Osaka.

So many answers on this thread already that I'm sure you're swayed - a huge factor to consider is that the exchange rate is incredibly in our favour at the moment. Flights are expensive, but we just went in May and found the food and drink much cheaper than previous times we have been - e.g. pint of beer £3, ramen £5, plate of gyoza £3. We had to buy an extra suitcase home to bring back all the toys/souvenirs/stationery we bought!

For a slightly slower pace, we stayed on the Izu peninsula for 5 days - this is a couple of hours outside of Tokyo by train (we rented a car) and got a airbnb directly on the beach. Lots of surfers and we enjoyed the contrast of going to local supermarkets and BBQing at our beach house vs the busy week we had in the city.

I agree with @boymum1989 about costs.

Flights are expensive. Accommodation and transport are reasonably priced. Everything else (attractions, food, drink, souvenirs etc) is really really cheap compared to the UK and most of Europe.

Had the most amazing few weeks there over Easter this year. I wrote up a huge blog post afterwards with all our tips

affordacool.wordpress.com/2024/04/25/japaneasy/

Whenever we've been, we’ve brought money back. The first time we over-estimated hugely because it is really inexpensive to eat at small local places. Once you start drinking a lot of alcohol at next-level fine-dining restaurants, it’s obviously going to cost….but quite honestly, the average noodle bar is just so good, why would you want to except maybe as a special treat for the odd dressing-up night?

And in the big cities anyway, every department store has a food court up top with so many dining options, you’re completely spoiled for choice…

Great blog, @HRTea - I’ll read it in full later but just to say, we stayed at the Century Southern Tower in Tokyo the last time we were there. Super-convenient and well-placed. Gosh, you packed a lot into 2 weeks! I want to go back now…..immediately!!