Japan trip 8 days August

[Japan8days]

We are spending 4 days in Tokyo snd 4 days in Kyoto at the end of August. Any advice of what things to see/not missed?

Do we need to take cash?

What about clothing? Cultural things we shouldn’t do?

Do we buy a sim card? Wireless internet? Where do we do that?

Any other advice would be appreciated. We haven’t done a lot of research due to work commitments?

And do we need any immunisations?

We lived in Japan for a few years, and I agree as well! I’d rather go to Nara, not far from Kyoto, for a fix of temples and gardens, without quite as many crowds.

@Japan8days , is August a fixed date? It’s possible the most oppressive time of year to be in Tokyo weather wise. September is far more pleasant.

Japan uses the same plug as the US but has different voltage. Depending on what electronics you are taking you may not need one at all. If it’s just phone/tablets then you’ll probably find your hotel has usb power ports in the wall. Ours both did.

We also took an international USB charging block but in the end mostly just charged our devices and electronics from the usb ports by the bed.

We didn’t need any immunisations.

https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-japan/

It is, we have to stick to school holidays and we are doing this visit as part of a longer trip overseas; as we can’t afford to long trips.

We may have to spend more time indoors if it becomes unmanageable

That’s good to know. It is mainly tablet, mobile phones and laptops? I guess we may need one for the laptop

The heat will kill you.

It's been particularly hot in recent summers with elderly people dying from heatstroke. There are continual warnings on television when it's very hot saying not to go outside at midday. Keep hydrated.

Look out for summer festivals that take place at the local temples in the cooler evenings. You will see groups of girls in yukata (summer kimonos) where they perform bon-odori dancing. There used to be a couple of English language Tokyo guides with a "What's on" section to find out where they are, but they can be almost anywhere - listen for the drumming.

Tokyo is an incredible place - you'll love it.

Nijo-Jo (Castle) or former imperial residence in Kyoto is amazing. Many of the temples form a kind of chain around the foothills around Kyoto and are fairly walkable, but again, watch the heat.

Electricity is 110 volts, so will charge your phone etc. with the right adaptor - it just takes longer.

What is the best time of year to visit Japan, if you're not limited to school holidays?

@Takoneko Splitting hairs! It has a huge number of wonderful sites to see and there’s some distance between them. Just best to choose what you want to see most. We also went to a Kamogawa Odori show in the Pontocho theatre. No one goes to Kyoto not expecting to travel to the various sites.

For me springtime and September are best if you are in and around Tokyo or the central belt But if you’re going further north then later/earlier will give you snow, or south and to the islands can be less humid in the summer than Tokyo. Bear in mind golden week, which is the end of April, is super peak travel time for the Japanese, so unless you specifically want to observe how busy it gets, avoid that week! What I liked about Japan when we lived there was the feeling of definite seasons.

We don’t want the heat to kill us; may have to leave outings for early morning or evenings; spend afternoon in hotel pool or shopping malls.

We will play it by ear, and see what we can see. The rest may have to wait for another trip

How are getting from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Ideally do Fuji Hakone on the way - the boat trip and cable car let you see the area easily

Are the girls into Manga/Anime or other theme parks?
Most of the queues are air conditioned and there is lots to do inside to get out of the heat - but depends what they want to do!

@Japan8days We didn’t see any shopping malls in Kyoto. Department stores are quite close together in Tokyo.

You will need to bear in mind opening times. I haven’t checked but early mornings might limit you too.

We didn’t go in but I’m pretty sure there was a big shopping mall right next to Kyoto station.

@TizerorFizz I know it seems pedantic but if people know that there are 25 unesco world heritage sites in Japan then it does make a difference. Thinking that 17/25 are in Kyoto might give someone a misleading impression when it is actually only 1/25.

We are getting the bullet train,

will it be easier renting a car in Kyoto? I read another post and it make it easier copying with the heat.

Thank you. I think the girls will enjoy one of the theme parks; it is all part of the experience

If you’re going to go to only one theme park then my advice would be Disneysea. It’s the most unique. We were very underwhelmed by universal apart from the Super Nintendo World bit. Disneyland was good, but much like other Disneylands. Disneysea was a hit with everyone, including the people who don’t like Disney. It’s a really gorgeous theme park.

Disney isn’t Japanese. Shame to waste a day sweltering doing this. Save it for the USA. Japan is so much better than imported Disney.

@Takoneko If you went to Kyoto and thought it was one easy site you would find out very quickly it’s not. Yes, so many other wonderful things to see!

Deal with the heat like a Japanese person - buy facial fans at Don Quixote, drink lots of water and carry little flannel with you to mop your face. Almost all public loos have the bidet function which can help you feel fresh. TeamLabs in Tokyo is a must do as well as the temples shrines and palaces already mentioned.

@Japan8days have a wonderful trip 🌻

this is another very useful resource

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g298184-i861-Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

@TizerorFizz Pretty much every ranking of Disney theme parks that I have seen ranks Tokyo Disneysea as the best Disney theme park in the world. I’ve never been to the US parks but the people in our group who had been said that Disneysea blows them out of the water.

If the OP’s kids fancy a theme park, you really can’t go wrong with Disneysea.

https://www.mousehacking.com/blog/ranking-every-disney-park

Recommend getting small battery powered fans to keep with you. John
lewis do them.

it will be hot and humid. They have lots of vending machines on the street - drink plenty pocari sweat. It somehow tastes better when you’re hot and sweaty!

And buy a uv umbrella for each of you when you get there from a 7.11- it will be very helpful in sunlight or rain