Going to Japan.... (1 Viewer)

[jon_mx]

It is for work. Will be there two weeks, but will have a couple days open here and there. One week down around Fukuoka and a week around Yokohama. Will have a rail pass so can go about anywhere, but will probably stay south of Tokyo.

Done a few things the last time I was there which were good.....went to Tokyo Skytree. Visited the Imperial Palace. Went to a budhist Temple. Attended a baseball game which was quite the experience. Went to Chinatown in Yokohama.

Things I am considering this time. Find a good hot springs to go to. Visit the fish market for some really fresh sushi. Visit Kyoto.

 

[T Bell]

Are you asking for ideas or is this just some sort of travel diary?

 

[jon_mx]

Are you asking for ideas or is this just some sort of travel diary?

I am asking for ideas...like is going to Mt. Fuji worth it. Or maybe some place like Hiroshima. Just seeing if someone has some cool experiences there that are can't miss things to do.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

 

[jon_mx]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

 

[DiStefano]

Are you asking for ideas or is this just some sort of travel diary?

I am asking for ideas...like is going to Mt. Fuji worth it. Or maybe some place like Hiroshima. Just seeing if someone has some cool experiences there that are can't miss things to do.

Go to Hiroshima and walk around saying: "This is what you guys get for Pearl Harbor!".

It should go over big with the locals.

 

[zamboni]

Fukuoka

I would enjoy going there just to say it.

 

[jon_mx]

Fukuoka

I would enjoy going there just to say it.

It doubles as my go to pick-up line.

 

[whoknew]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

Osaka has a good red light district. They are picky about gaijin, but you can always find someone.

And then hop the train to Kyoto and spend time there. Its only about 45 minutes on the local train.

 

[jon_mx]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

Osaka has a good red light district. They are picky about gaijin, but you can always find someone.

And then hop the train to Kyoto and spend time there. Its only about 45 minutes on the local train.

I may go to Osaka, but for the hot springs.

 

[whoknew]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

Osaka has a good red light district. They are picky about gaijin, but you can always find someone.

And then hop the train to Kyoto and spend time there. Its only about 45 minutes on the local train.

I may go to Osaka, but for the hot springs.

OK but if you only have one day and have to choose between Osaka and Kyoto - go Kyoto. No brainer.

 

[Da Guru]

Love *** food, best part of my trip. Was in Toyko for a week when I worked for Ford and could not wait to go out for lunches and dinner.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

I spent 3 weeks in Japan last summer---great trip.

I'd definitely recommend a day trip to Hiroshima. The Peace Park and Museum are worth the time. One of my favorite meals the entire trip was here--okonomiyaki (hiroshima-style is a must). Go to Okonomi-mura for this--a 3 story "food court" with 20-30 small restaurants all serving this delicacy.

If you do go to Hiroshima, make a stop in the small town of Himeji to tour Himejo-jo---an awesome castle. It's a 15min walk or 3min cab ride from the train station and also a must see.

And I agree with whoknew: definitely spend time in Kyoto over Osaka. I'd recommend visiting a few of the temples here---Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi-Inari torii gates, Ginkaku and Kiyomizu-dera were all beautiful. The Imperial Palace is also worth a look.

 

[Kumerica]

Lived there for three years ('05 - '08). Worked in Osaka, lived in Kobe, and went to Tokyo several times a year for work or when friends would visit.

First: there are (or were) several different JR Rail Passes covering different sections of the country. You'll want the one that that flows easily between Tokyo and Hiroshima (includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Nagoya, etc.); I think it's JR EAST

Second: what time of year will you be there? You can only hike to the top of Mt. Fuji from, I think, July - September. If you're not gonna hike it, I wouldn't bother. Unless there's a good hot springs near there that you want to check out, and there should be. Depending on when you go, though, I can better help advise where to go and what to see.

You said you'd have a day off here and there. Do you think you can put two or three days off in a row? A long weekend or a one of the many Japanese holidays? This will help greatly in a visit to the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, etc.) . It still takes about three hours each way on the bullet train, so you're better served using isolated single days off for the onsens and such.

 

[gianmarco]

Be sure to PM Johnnycakes for his thoughts as well.

I'd also make sure to eat here if I ever went to Japan: http://www.sushi-jiro.jp/eng-index.html

Watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi

 

[Unlucky]

Off topic, but I can't PM you, jon_mx. Need to send you winnings for the TIM FFA league. PM me your info. Paypal or check. Thanks

 

[technicaldifficulties]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

Osaka has a good red light district. They are picky about gaijin, but you can always find someone.

And then hop the train to Kyoto and spend time there. Its only about 45 minutes on the local train.

I may go to Osaka, but for the hot springs.

I lived in Osaka for more than 7 years. It doesn't really have hot springs. Your best bet for that in the Kansai area (Kobe. Nara, Osaka, Kyoto) is Arima on the north side of Kobe. There are more, smaller springs to go to in small towns, but I doubt you're going to want to track that down for one day. Hit Kyoto for sure--there's just so much to see and it's so close to Osaka. Nara is totally manageable in a day trip. If you wanted to see Himeji Castel (the Bond movie was filmed there, but check to make sure it's still not getting redone), you could totally do a dinner in Kobe on the water. By itself, Kobe is pretty boring --shopping and businesses and #### -- but it's beautiful at night. I ####### love Osaka, but it's not really a tourist town. There just aren't that many attractions. The people are ####### amazing--spend a couple of weekend nights out past last train and you'll have some good stories to tell.

Fukuoka is a great city. You'll want to do the food stalls near Tenjin. There is a small onsen town about 30 minutes from there, which is quite nice. It should be in the guide books.I think it's "fu" something.

And, if you can, take the overnight ferry from Osaka to Fukuoka. I was wearing a sumo t-shirt and ended up talking to some japanese truckers about the grand champion. They took my back to their group and got me so ####### drunk. Easily one of the best travel experiences I've ever had.

PM if you have more questions or want more ideas.

 

[jon_mx]

I spent 3 weeks in Japan last summer---great trip.

I'd definitely recommend a day trip to Hiroshima. The Peace Park and Museum are worth the time. One of my favorite meals the entire trip was here--okonomiyaki (hiroshima-style is a must). Go to Okonomi-mura for this--a 3 story "food court" with 20-30 small restaurants all serving this delicacy.

If you do go to Hiroshima, make a stop in the small town of Himeji to tour Himejo-jo---an awesome castle. It's a 15min walk or 3min cab ride from the train station and also a must see.

And I agree with whoknew: definitely spend time in Kyoto over Osaka. I'd recommend visiting a few of the temples here---Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi-Inari torii gates, Ginkaku and Kiyomizu-dera were all beautiful. The Imperial Palace is also worth a look.

Thanks...I will google these and look into them.

 

[jon_mx]

Lived there for three years ('05 - '08). Worked in Osaka, lived in Kobe, and went to Tokyo several times a year for work or when friends would visit.

First: there are (or were) several different JR Rail Passes covering different sections of the country. You'll want the one that that flows easily between Tokyo and Hiroshima (includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Nagoya, etc.); I think it's JR EAST

Second: what time of year will you be there? You can only hike to the top of Mt. Fuji from, I think, July - September. If you're not gonna hike it, I wouldn't bother. Unless there's a good hot springs near there that you want to check out, and there should be. Depending on when you go, though, I can better help advise where to go and what to see.

You said you'd have a day off here and there. Do you think you can put two or three days off in a row? A long weekend or a one of the many Japanese holidays? This will help greatly in a visit to the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, etc.) . It still takes about three hours each way on the bullet train, so you're better served using isolated single days off for the onsens and such.

I ordered an all japan JR pass (trains, buses and ferries) which is only available to foreign travelers who are entering japan for less than 90 days. You must order it prior to entering and they ship you a package (an Exchange Order) which then can be redemned for your pass when you enter the country. They sell 7, 14. and 21 day passes. I got the 14-day pass for $420 which will pay for itself from the round trip tokyo to fukuoka alone. There are a few restrictions like not being able to use it on the latest bullet train ("Nozomi" and "Mizuho"), but there are several other bullet trains which run the same routes.

I will have a coupe 2 day windows while making the trip from Tokyo to Fukuoka and back which I plan to use to stop in places like Kyoto, Kobe, Hiemeji. Plus I will have some free evenings in the Yokohama area and maybe a day or two in Tokyo.

ETA: I am leaving this Friday....not the ideal time to go.

 

[jon_mx]

Be sure to PM Johnnycakes for his thoughts as well.

I'd also make sure to eat here if I ever went to Japan: http://www.sushi-jiro.jp/eng-index.html

Watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi

I emailed Johnnycakes. He recommended doing a victory dance in Hiroshima. Not sure what that is about.

I only dropped $300 plus on a meal once. It looks awesome, but I think I will go with a cheaper option for sushi, like going to the fish market and getting the freshest sushi on the planet.

 

[jon_mx]

I'd imagine sleeping with a bunch of Japanese women being a ton of fun

Osaka has a good red light district. They are picky about gaijin, but you can always find someone.

And then hop the train to Kyoto and spend time there. Its only about 45 minutes on the local train.

I may go to Osaka, but for the hot springs.

I lived in Osaka for more than 7 years. It doesn't really have hot springs. Your best bet for that in the Kansai area (Kobe. Nara, Osaka, Kyoto) is Arima on the north side of Kobe. There are more, smaller springs to go to in small towns, but I doubt you're going to want to track that down for one day. Hit Kyoto for sure--there's just so much to see and it's so close to Osaka. Nara is totally manageable in a day trip. If you wanted to see Himeji Castel (the Bond movie was filmed there, but check to make sure it's still not getting redone), you could totally do a dinner in Kobe on the water. By itself, Kobe is pretty boring --shopping and businesses and #### -- but it's beautiful at night. I ####### love Osaka, but it's not really a tourist town. There just aren't that many attractions. The people are ####### amazing--spend a couple of weekend nights out past last train and you'll have some good stories to tell.

Fukuoka is a great city. You'll want to do the food stalls near Tenjin. There is a small onsen town about 30 minutes from there, which is quite nice. It should be in the guide books.I think it's "fu" something.

And, if you can, take the overnight ferry from Osaka to Fukuoka. I was wearing a sumo t-shirt and ended up talking to some japanese truckers about the grand champion. They took my back to their group and got me so ####### drunk. Easily one of the best travel experiences I've ever had.

PM if you have more questions or want more ideas.

Thanks. I think you are right, they are doing restoration on Himeji for the next couple of years. I will look into Arima and Tenjin though.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Despite the ongoing restoration, seeing Himeji-Jo was very worthwhile. I'd still recommend it.

 

[jon_mx]

OK....i may try to hit Himeji still

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Hiroshima is my favorite Japanese city. Kyoto is worth seeing for sure. If you are in the area, I would stop by Nara as well.

 

[jon_mx]

Hiroshima is my favorite Japanese city. Kyoto is worth seeing for sure. If you are in the area, I would stop by Nara as well.

If you had one day in Hiroshima, what would you do?

 

[technicaldifficulties]

See the peace park and the museum in the morning. In the afternoon, take the train around the city and ferry to Miyajima. It's a big torii arch in the middle of the water. One of the top 3 most photographed places in Japan. Pet the deer that walk around. Have dinner in Okonomi-mura. It's the food that Hiroshima is famous for. I'd say go for butta (pork) and ebi (shrimp). Try ika (squid) if you like it.

 

[jon_mx]

Landed in Japan last night. Went to the Tokyo Tower. Got some really nice views of the city. There is also a nice Temple nearby, but could not see it really well at night. Went to the Fish Market this morning. The market was closed. I am not sure if they are starting a new policy or if they are closed because Monday is a national holiday. Still had some food booths open and got some really good sushi. On the bullet train now headed towards Kyoto.