Japan Planning Thread Part 2

[Takoneko]

This is a thread for anyone planning a trip to Japan. All budgets and styles of trip are welcome.

I got so much out of the first thread and would love to be able to continue the conversation with everyone who has been so helpful.

I fly tomorrow morning!

First Thread

@Takoneko Just realised I didn’t reply to your post about the monorail. I too love a monorail so will definitely be getting a taxi to the station and making the journey to the airport on the monorail. Thanks for letting me know

@MyCatsSlave
thankyou so much for getting back to me . Enjoy the rest of your stay .

@MyCatsSlavewe are also visiting Kamakura tomorrow (and possibly Enoshima). I hope it is a bit drier because the weather in Tokyo today has been very wet and misty.
We enjoyed Hamarikyu gardens earlier today (near Ginza). It’s a beautiful calm area with lots of history and there are tours in English at certain times. We also liked Sumida Park and Ushijimina shrine nearby - both nice and quiet.

@Pusspot The weather looks perfect for a trip to kamakura this morning, I’m setting off soon as I’m meeting my goodwill guide at 9.

Last night was the first of my Nagomi visits and I can thoroughly recommend it.
I met Jun at the station and he told me his wife was stuck at work so a colleague was joining us. They were both lovely and we all got along so well. After a visit to the supermarket to buy the food for dinner we went to Jun’s house to cook together. It was so interesting to see the real Japan in someone’s home.

Cooking was great and I learned new things and new flavours to try. We then ate the meal together drinking beer and had sane with some specific foods to bring out the flavour.
Their home was small but perfect, very stylish and also comfy. Spent a lot of time with the cat as all 3 of us were cat lovers,

Left with a bag of gifts and friends that I will stay in touch with and hopefully return the favour when they come to the UK.

Just seen a thread about puffer fish vagina, after eating chicken ovaries in Osaka (delicious to my surprise!) I thought it was another Japanese delicacy 😂

@MyCatsSlave crikey I will have a look for that in Osaka!
We loved our time in Kamakura and Enoshima. It was our favourite day in Japan so far. We really liked Hase Dera temple, especially because there is a small garden designed by the Chelsea winner this year (Kazuyuki Ishihara). We got the Enoden train to Enoshima in the afternoon which was very busy but enjoyable. We saw Fuji from the bridge as we were leaving, which was exciting. We have now seen her three times - also from the plane at sunset and a clouded view just now on the Shinkansen to Kyoto. What a treat.

Could somebody help me with accommodation in Hakone or nearer to Fuji please? All the reviews are a bit underwhelming. I’m looking for something fairly luxurious with a lovely onsen that really makes you feel like you’re away from the bright lights of Tokyo. Has anyone stayed anywhere recently that fits that brief? This is the one bit of the holiday where I’d like to splash out a little

What’s your budget @Hdpr ?

Gora Hanaougi
is amazing but expensive, worth it for a nights stay

Only a few days until we head to Japan! I'm writing up the full itinerary of flights and hotels and researching the train journeys in a little more detail.

I remember from earlier in this thread someone saying Tokyo to Kyoto trains wouldn't need to be booked in advance. Does anyone know if that's the same for Tokyo to Takayama and then Takayama to Kyoto? Google seems to suggest the hida line can get busier so wondering if we should book in advance to all sit together. And whether that should be booking online now or just via ticket office once we get to Tokyo.

Really looking forward to the trip but feeling the pressure a little of the planning, especially with kids! Thanks in advance

In the region of £700-£800 per night with some food

@Plan2025

im going on Saturday and even yesterday , yet again , I was pouring over itinerary and hotel / travel details . I was trying to cram too much in and totally changed mindset , so now I’m going to be far less intense , enjoy fewer things with more quality time and a view I’ll go back to see more .

Leave plenty of time, Tokyo station is massive, you don’t need the stress of running around there…trust me!

You can travel without pre booking trains. You can either buy at the station (machines are quick and in English) or pre book on smart ex website and use qr code to get paper tickets (its not as straightforward as you might imagine).

if you pre book on smart ex website you can either reserve your seat or buy general ticket of the route and use anytime.

I’m sure you are doing this, but remember to take some cash (Japan transport still uses cash)

if you miss a train there’s always one soon after

google maps is great too for platforms and times

That will get you most of the higher end ryokans including gora Hanaougi.

i think there are a couple that are meant to be “better” but considerably more expensive. But to be honest all the ryokans are super relaxing so you can’t go too wrong

Well I wish I could weigh in but that’s beyond my budget experience.

This site might help https://www.ryokancollection.com/?s=Hakone&tags=

Has anyone been to the open air Oedo Antique Market in Tokyo?

@Takoneko In your opinion, is the location of this Tokyo hotel a decent choice for staying 5 nights at the start of our trip, late next spring? (I know the hotel itself isn't anything flash but we're on a bit of a budget, LOL!)

Thanks!

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/sunroute-ginza.en-gb.html

In my opinion it’s a great location. I love Ginza. It’s very easy to walk to a number of subway lines and Ginza is really nice. I’ve stayed in that general area a few times.

I’m also a big fan of those sorts of Japanese business hotels. They aren’t fancy but you can rely on them to be clean and there are invariably really good amenities. I haven’t stayed in a sunroute but have never had a bad experience in Japanese chains at that sort of price point. They’ll provide pyjamas, slippers, dental kits, combs, razors etc. plus the usual shampoo, conditioner and body wash as standard. It really helps with packing light.

I’m going to Ginza leaving Heathrow tomorrow, very excited .

Awesome, that really helps. Thanks for replying so quickly @Takoneko !

We're just at the very earliest stages of planning right now after impulsively booking flights. I just wanted to at least pin down our accommodation for the first few days, as soon as possible, and then be able to think about the rest of the trip more calmly 😄

We've got 17 days in Japan but the last night has to be back in Tokyo, ready for our return flight the next day.

We'll be arriving at Narita airport in the afternoon of May 7th. Can't wait!!!

I'm envious! Wish our trip was sooner 😁

@hattie43 Safe travels! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

We're also setting off tomorrow! Will report back what we do in case of anyone travelling in future with primary age children. Thanks to everyone, especially @Takoneko for the advice and information.

Thankyou so much

Just a thought @CobraChicken but we have found that having a couple of days in Tokyo at the end is worthwhile from a shopping perspective. It’s nice to feel you have the time to visit different places and not rushed to fit it all in. It’s hard to explain but I can literally lose a day in one shopping building, let alone district.

Ginza is our preferred location to stay now.