Japan planning thread

[Takoneko]

I’ve just booked the hotels for my third trip to Japan next year and about to start planning the itinerary in earnest.

Japan threads pop up here quite a bit and I think people spend a lot of time on planning for Japan trips. I thought it might be nice to have a shared thread where we can pool questions, tips and share research for anyone who has a trip coming up.

All budgets and styles of trip are welcome, whether you’re going hiking, temple-hopping, skiing or visiting theme parks, maid cafes and arcades and whether you’re going to hostels or 5 star hotels. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to enjoy Japan. It has something for everyone.

We’re a couple in our late 30s and our trip will be mid-budget, probably up to about £3.4k per person with food and spends. We’ve splashed out a bit on direct JAL flights and have upgraded all our hotel rooms to at least king size beds in hotels that are in really well connected locations. They are all mid-range Japanese business hotel chains rather than luxury hotels though. (Candeo, Daiwa Roynet and Sotetsu Fresa). We like Japanese food but we’re definitely more likely to be eating eat in mom and pop restaurants and mid-range Japanese chains than in fancy kaiseki places. Any recommendations for mid range restaurants with relaxed atmospheres would be very welcome.

We plan to use the Sanyo-San’in rail pass in the second half of our trip and would be really interested to share ideas for places to visit with anyone else who is planning on using that pass (or who has used it in the past). At the moment we are thinking Iwakuni, Miyajima, Kurashiki and Onomichi from Hiroshima and Himeji and Uji from Osaka, but we are open to other ideas. I speak passable tourist Japanese and we are ok with going to places that don’t cater to English speakers and muddling through with broken Japanese and Google translate.

I have read through some of this thread and my head is spinning!
Thought I would ask for recommendations specific to my circumstances...

So we are going to Japan for the first 2 weeks of April next year to visit our DD who is living there for a year on a working holiday visa, with her boyfriend whose mother is Japanese, he speaks the language which is helpful!

We want to fit in going to Kyoto, Hiroshima and visiting some friends who live on the Izu peninsula. We don't want just city, we would like some nights in beautiful nature type places. Our vague itinerary is

Tokyo - 4 nights
Izu - 2 nights, 1 night with friends, maybe another somewhere lovely on the coast or in nature, onsen?
Hiroshima - 2 nights
Kyoto - 2 nights
Back for a couple of nights in Tokyo at the end

This leaves another 2 nights to go somewhere from either Hiroshima or Kyoto to stay outside the city

Any comments, suggestions for other places, recommendations for accommodation/food very welcome! We are looking at mid range hotels but can splurge for the right option!

We will have dd and bf with us in Izu/Hiroshima and wherever else we go, they have been to Kyoto so we will go there on our own. So we need 2 bedrooms or an apartment with two bedrooms for those bits.

We don't really need Tokyo recommendations as they will sort all that, but if there is anything stand our pls do mention! We will be staying in Shinjuku

@OldieButBaddie

I think for your trip it might be worth considering the JR West Kansai-Hiroshima pass. https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

It lasts 5 days and would cover your Shinkansen between Hiroshima and Kyoto, as well as covering day trips from those places. With your two extra nights I’d personally add an extra night in Hiroshima and and extra night in Kyoto (or two extra nights in either one of them) as they are both so well connected for other great day-trip spots like Nara, Uji, Onomichi, Kurashiki, Himeji, Iwakuni etc. I’d be inclined to look at some of those places to see if they appeal and add in a little day trip or two. We’re really looking forward to the Chūgoku part of our trip in April.

In terms of food, my biggest recommendation is not to overthink it. There’s great options for eating out everywhere you look. I wouldn’t get too caught up in having to eat at a specific restaurant and definitely don’t waste time travelling across town for a specific place when there’s almost certainly amazing food within 5 minutes walk of wherever you happen to be.

I’m gradually working my way through typical Japanese foods. On our last trip we ticked off things like unagi, taiyaki, ramen, sushi, gyukatsu, Japanese curry, Hamburg steak, dango, yakisoba, Osaka okinomiyaki, Lawson egg sandos and takoyaki.

Things we definitely want to try on our next trip are soba, udon, omurice, tempura, cream puffs, Hiroshima okonomiyaki, tsukemen and tonkatsu. I’ve had most of those things in the UK but don’t feel like they “count” until I’ve tried them in Japan. 😂

@OldieButBaddie for Kyoto (I'm assuming you'll be staying in a hotel?) definitely book somewhere with breakfast - but do check it it's cheaper to book the room and buy breakfast separately compared to a bundle. We found it hard to find breakfast in Japan as most restaurants don't open until 10 or 11 a.m. We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama and it was right next to a subway line and walking distance to the Gion historical district and the downtown shopping area. Breakfast was included in our rate.

I did a recent post on Kyoto with some tips to avoid crazy tourism/crowding. Kyoto gets a bad rap but if you get off the beaten track it is such a special place.

https://japancheapo.com/events/november/?dti=505144579537479page/2/&fref=gc

Anyone with a November trip coming up may find this list of events and festivals useful.

@OldieButBaddie

if you want somewhere for a couple of days near Kyoto the best bet would be Nara, where you can get nibbled by the hungry deer.

As for hotels, if you’re in the cities I’d look at the local Japanese chains such as Tobu, as they are usually reliable, decent value, and can be booked on Western booking sites.

Ooh I have found my people!!
we ( husband, me and 15 yo son) had our first trip to Japan this time last year and loved it! We had 5 days in Tokyo, staying in Ueno which we loved, 3 in Kyoto, 2 in Osaka and 2 in Hiroshima before another night in Tokyo. Highlights for us were Hiroshima and Miyajima- wished we’d stayed on the island. Also loved Team Lab Planets and Osaka by night. Nara was a definite highlight and Himeji Castle. We had one of the best meals of our lives at Ise Sue Yoshi in Tokyo! . Like others have said Kyoto was v busy but we got out early, it was quite overwhelming at times!! The weather was fab and generally it didn’t feel too busy other than Kyoto.
We loved it so much that we’re planning a return trip with friends next July post GCSEs, we know it’s not the best time but our itinerary is mostly the alps so fingers crossed the heat is bearable!
plan so far is
day 1 arrive early am, straight to Hakone for 2 nights ( looking for a lovely onsen hotel with meal packages and tips on the circuit if anyone has any!)
day 3 to Kyoto, maybe via the sumo tournament mentioned upthread ( thanks!). Our friends are there for 5 days and we have booked an ebike tour and making lunch in a farm just outside of Kyoto, would also like to see the silver temple and philosophers path or may go to Izu.
day 6 to Takayama via hida express for 2 -3 days including a bike tour through the padi fields and local villages
day 9 to Kanazawa via shirakawago
day 10 kanazawa
day 11 to somewhere for the beginning of the alpine route which we’re planning on doing in a day! overnight nagano
day 12 hire car to snow monkeys and Kiyotsu gorge art tunnel ( possibly!)
day 13 to Tokyo via Matsumoto
day 14 and 15 Tokyo ( we are considering a day trip to Kanagawa, which was on one of our many itineraries overnight!!)

it’s packed but so many places to see and already planning a third trip to include Kyushu!!

@Waffles21 Welcome!

That sounds awesome! Sounds like you’ve really caught the Japan bug.

I got this scratch map recently and love it. If you’re into this kind of thing then you/your teen may find this a fun way to keep track of your travels.

Unlike other ones I’ve seen, it’s not just scratching off the prefectures. For each prefecture there are than specific attractions or experiences and there’s also Japanese foods and drinks and other experiences to scratch off. You could visit Japan 20 times and still have things left to scratch.

https://www.goodweather-scratchmap.com/products/japan-scratch-travel-map-travel-to-japan?srsltid=AfmBOopWlqF2y0bmTn_JaWShHHX7cd-pwsVznIvJY-7We8_IYqeGGgic

Ooh I love that @Takoneko thanks, Christmas present maybe!!! Yes we’ve got the bug, such an amazing place and so many things to do! The following year we def want to do S Korea and Kyushu I think! Hokkaido also on the list and skiing!!! Great thread, thanks for starting it!
oh and I almost forgot, these rice masks are great and cheap https://www.stylevana.com/en_GB/deal-ishizawa-lab-nadeshiko-keana-pore-care-rice-mask-10pc.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACgRyzszYJWiZllY1plDruvXghkBF&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUsUPzuDr_KI7J9OEXi-Okly5L1M_X7P0F_1rv6_gc6BIoamGnG8rNAaAmJtEALw_wcB. Sorry about the link!!
my son loved the Donki ( Don Quixote) shops, they sell everything but be warned they are an attack on your senses!! Daiso ( 100 yen shops) are good for small things/ we got some Mount Fuji tea towels for 50p!

@Waffles21 I didn’t try those rice masks last time. I might give them a go on my next trip. You have to fit in a trip to a Donki, it’s obligatory.

I also think a big Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera should be on everyone’s list for a visit. They sell everything under the sun. Floors and floors of everything you can possibly imagine. They even have whole floors of restaurants. The size is staggering. They make the mega donki stores feel like corner shops by comparison.

Next April with a 13 Yr old boy, 10 year old girl. First timers for us all including DH & I..

Could one of you wise souls suggest an itinerary? Youngest ND, she is fine but not crazy on big crowds (will be absolutely fine but we will need to mix busy days with quiet days).

Have up to 3 weeks total but might break flight out up by staying in maybe Dubai for a couple of nights-been before without the kids-not crazy about it but might be nice for a couple of days...definitely want some chill days outside of cities.

Thank you in advance to anyone with any suggestions, we travel quite a bit but have never been to Japan

@Sockmate123 I wouldn’t bother breaking up the flight out unless you’re really desperate to spend a few days in Dubai. A 14 hour direct flight isn’t twice as bad as a 7 hour one, so I’d rather do one 14 hour flight over a 7 hour flight and a 9 hour flight a couple of days apart. I’d only stop off somewhere on the way if I actually wanted to visit that place.

Do you have any things that you consider “must-do”? Then perhaps we can help with building an itinerary around those places.

That's a good point I suppose, maybe just get it all over in one go! We did 11 hours to SA 2 years ago so it's not much longer I guess....

I haven't done a lot of research really on must do's yet, what would you recommend that's family friendly? My kids are good travellers and fairly mature for their ages, it doesn't have to be all Pokemon cafes etc 😂

@Sockmate123 I'm with Takoneko, don't bother with Dubai unless you actually actively want to go there. Save your time for Japan while you are going that far.

If you dont want to spend 3 weeks in Japan (you can easily fill 3 weeks) I would go to South Korea (but I'm biased as DS lives there).

Yes I'm thinking to just go straight there now...

My first timer itinerary suggestion would go something like this. I’ve presumed 19 nights so that with travel you’re within three weeks. I haven’t necessarily been to all these places. It’s a mixture of places I’ve been and liked and places I’d like to go to.

4 nights Tokyo staying in the East of the city (my personal preference is the Ginza/Kyobashi/Tokyo Station area). I’d visit Asakusa, Ueno, TeamLab if that’s your sort of thing, Disneysea, Akihabara. If there’s a day with good clear weather then I’d do a day trip to Kamakura to view Mount Fuji and see the giant Buddha in the cherry blossom. It’s stunning.

I’d then head to Osaka for 4 nights. I’d spend a day in Osaka, a day trip to Nara, a day at Universal for the kids, then I’d activate a Kansai Hiroshima pass for 5 days. I’d do a day trip to Himeji from Osaka on the Shinkansen to see the castle and the toy museum.

Then I’d travel to Hiroshima for 2 nights to visit the peace park and visit Miyajima. The rail pass will cover this.

Then I’d use the pass to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto and stay there for 2 nights. Kyoto is wild busy in April but I’d spend one day in the city and one day in Uji (the Nintendo museum is also there if that’s of interest to your kids).

Then I’d activate a 7 day Hokuriku arch pass and use that to travel to Kanazawa for 3 nights. I’d probably stop at Fukui on the way to see the dinosaur museum.
I’d then spend a night in an onsen ryokan (perhaps somewhere like bessho onsen in Ueda), before returning to Tokyo for three more nights.

This time stay in the West of the city (I’d personally choose Shibuya) and use this bit to do last minute shopping and visit Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and Shimokitazawa if you’re into thrifting.

Link for the Kansai-Hiroshima pass https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

How kind of you to type all this out in such detail! Thank you so much..I am going to save it and show to my husband, sounds like a good mix for us and the children. Thank you, that's a fantastic starting point!

@Sockmate123 You’re welcome! I love a bit of fantasy holiday planning.

@Takoneko it is much appreciated. Myself & DH will go through it all in depth. We are off to Sweden this weekend, nothing better than planning a holiday while on a holiday 😂

that’s a fab itinerary @Takoneko , similar to what we did for our first visit albeit we didn’t get to Kanazawa, keeping that for this time!
We loved Universal, get there early, we didn’t bother with the packages for Mario world, there is a billboard with a QR code when you arrive and we managed to get timed entry passes, if you aren’t worried about riding together , single rider queues is much quicker, my son and I did a Harry Potter ride where the queue was 90 minutes in 10!
we loved Ueno in Tokyo and stayed there, there is a fab museum - museum of Japan in the park and we saw cherry blossom even though it was October! It just felt much less busy too! Go and see the running man lights in Osaka, and try all the street food, it’s great!
definitely make time to go to the island in Hiroshima, I’d even consider staying there, it’s lovely! One thing we’d have loved to have done but didn’t have the time is Naoshima art island, it looks fab! Happy planning @sockmate! Let us know if you want any hotel suggestions, we stayed in a couple of ryokans which were good.

@waffles21 yes thank you I would love some hotel recommendations!

Wooooo leaving Seoul today and heading to Tokyooooo!!
Just in time for the edge of a typhoon to hit! Rain! After gorgeous weather in Seoul.
Never mind I have lots of indoor options. And an umbrella.

@faffadoodledo Have a wonderful time! Please come back and update us.

@faffadoodledo have a fabulous time! Let us know all about it.

Enjoy @faffadoodledo !
@Sockmate123 we stated here in Tokyo and loved it www.tokyoedosakura.com, such friendly staff and lovely places to eat nearby.
on hols at the mo but let me find the others when I get home!