Going to Japan next month

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by Mrip, Oct 13, 2015.

  1. Mrip

    Mrip Friend

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    Gf and I are flying to Tokyo then getting a train pass and heading south, and probably up into the mountains at some point. We have 13 days. What should we do?!?! I'd like to avoid crawling my way through a tour book. We have some ideas but I want to hear what you guys have to say. Thoughts?
     
  2. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  3. Enigmatic

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    I have thoughts to schedule a trip to Japan as well, but nothing set in stone yet since I had been traveling a lot this year for my job.

    Would definitely scour through a few second hand CD shops if I am in Japan....
     
  4. Friday

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    If you're heading to the Gifu area Takayama's a nice place. Great scenery, and a number of good sake breweries. Also nearby is Gero Onsen, which has a few hot spring inns that are pricey but for the service and the dinners, they are worth every penny.

    Akihabara is indeed a great place, particularly for geeks. For audio equipment you can't miss e-Earphone. Or rather, you can if you are not familiar with Tokyo's confusing building layout. I very nearly missed it myself 2 years ago. If you are an avid reader, entering e-Earphone would be like entering a well-maintained niche second-hand bookstore.
     
  5. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Hmm so many things ...

    Don't miss Miyajima and Hiroshima if you're going south. Fukuoka is a great place too, but priority to Kyoto/Nara if you're into historic places. Himeji castle is also a must, best castle still mostly accurate historically in Japan, lots of waiting possible if you go on a week-end.

    If going north of Tokyo, absolutely advise to see Nikko and Kamakura. Tokyo is a lot of fun in itself but not for the same reasons. E-earphone is a good place, but fujiya avic in Nakano is nice too, plus the nicest place for geeks with all the anime/toys shops.
     
  6. Mrip

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    Awesome. Thanks guys! Lot of stuff to look into...
     
  7. Friday

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    Yeah Nakano's great, but stuff there may not be cheap cos those would be the rarer stuff.

    Almost forgot if you're going to Kobe might as well try out the Kobe beef. The grilled stuff is darn good, but I'd recommend trying out the shabu shabu (hotpot) if heavy rich flavours isn't a must since Japanese beef is just about the only beef that can be cooked satisfactorily that way.
     
  8. eddypoon

    eddypoon Friend

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    Tokyo for 2-3 days , Gora (Hakone) for hot springs for 1-2 nights. Circle around Fuji to see the mountains.

    Then head to Osaka area, spend 4 days at Kyoto. You are almost done.
     
  9. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Take a walk around the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle) and it's surroundings.

    Check out the Meiji Shrine and the Sensoji Temple.

    Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen garden.

    Hop into the bullet train (maybe buy something inside the train), and make a stop at some of the malls. Interesting stuff in them.

    Don't miss the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto though.
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    One word: sashimi.
     
  11. Mrip

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    Thanks all for the suggestions! Our plan is starting to shape up . General idea is…

    Flight lands in Tokyo at 5:30pm.
    3 nights in Tokyo. Much eating and much geekery will be had. Tokyo hotel prices are completely absurd, and I live in NYC. Maybe I just didn’t reserve far enough ahead? I reserved what compares to a Hotel 6 but for around $250 a night. I think it’s also a national holiday weekend of some kind. 3 nights in Tokyo might seem a little short but we live in a huge city and we're trying to decompress.

    Take a morning train down to Kamakura. See the sights during the day then evening train to Hakone.

    Stay in Hakone 2 nights at an onsen ryokan. Gives us a full day to do what appears to be the standard tourist loop.

    Morning train to Kyoto. 3 nights in Kyoto.

    Morning train down to Koyasan. Commune with nature and all that. Stay 1 night at a mountain temple.

    Unplanned night 1

    Unplanned night 2

    Flight out of Tokyo at 6pm.

    So not quite 2 weeks. What can you do. Any suggestions for what to do those 2 unplanned nights? Head down to Himeji? Night in Osaka? Worth it to head out to an island even though it will be the end of November? My better half doesn’t want to go up to Nikko because of the travel time and required backtracking. We both kind of like the idea of staying our last night back in Tokyo just to make sure nothing crazy can happen to make us miss the flight, but we don't want to feel like we've "wasted" any time. Maybe just add another night in Tokyo at the beginning? Thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2015
  12. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Tokyo > Shibuya > Lion Cafe > Audiophile Excursion
    Tokyo > Ikebukuru > Kimi Ryokan > Cheap digs, meet some travellers

    Cheap/Fast/Good:
    Tiny corner beef donburi restaurants where you buy a combo from a machine and place the coupon on the counter. SO efficient.
    Lawson triangular onigiri.
    To find some Lotte/Suntory chocolate bars that had Hakushu 12 yr single malt scotch in them.
     
  13. Thomas Crown

    Thomas Crown New

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    Please consider also a visit to Shirakawa-go and if you're not vegetarian, try some hida beef in Takayama.
     
  14. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    If you are are at least partially an otaku or crate digger check out some stores where they have older music.

    Japan is home to amazing soundtracks and recordings.
     
  15. DrForBin

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    hello,

    and if you find Laura's "Live in Japan", buy it!
     
  16. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    Definitely Miyajima and Hiroshima, unless you go to the west coast to the pearl area. But my money is on Miyajima, you can't regret that. Also november is koyo time (maple leaves) so it's not a problem at all.
     
  17. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    I'd argue that 7/11 has better onigiri.
     
  18. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^Love the argument! :D I just found more Lawson markets around than 7/11. I should try to find some notes from the last time I was over there (3.5 weeks)...
     
  19. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    hahaha, well unless 7/11 has gone to shit, their onigiri are just crispier, and rice's better too. But maybe lawsons were more common in that particular area ;)
     
  20. Mrip

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    I'm back! Saw so much! Thanks for all the tips guys. My only regrets are not having time to head up to Gifu, and not making it to the lion cafe. It was also cloudy almost every day so all my pictures kinda look like crap. Can't win them all.

    Few random thoughts:
    The foooood ohhh goddddd mmmmmm I'm so fat now. Ordering from a machine before you sit down is genius.
    If I could survive on nothing but Japanese beef, I would.
    People were very polite and surprisingly helpful EXCEPT for random people in the subway. People in the subway just dgaf, and apparently covering your mouth when you cough is not a thing.
    Staying at a traditional ryokan was really great.
    So. Much. Mayo. I would have paid $50 for a sandwich without it.
    I was surprised by how little english people spoke, yet businesses often work (hilariously mangled) english into their ads and signs. Bit confusing.
    Tokyo needs to fix its sewer venting issue. I'd say my top memory of Tokyo is the constant wafting human crap smell.
    Customer service in Japan is amazing. Forever spoiled.
    Beer from a vending machine?!? Don't mind if I do.
     

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