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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once
- Thread starter hwalker84
- Start date
DieAntwoord
Banned
Correction, American dollars. I'm going with 2,000 American dollars. But I'm thinking to go with 3,000 in case. But I'm also thinking about bringing less because the exchange rate seems amazing and I'm reading stuff about having way more money leftover than they expected.
That should make more sense now
PdotMichael
Banned
Oh!
But I wouldn't feel safe having so much money with me at any time. If exchange rates and fees aren't really an argument against using ATMs and credit cards there is really no need to carry that much cash with you, there are more than enough oppurtinities in Japan to get more cash if you need it.
What's a good place to eat in Sendai that doesn't only make gyutan? Preferably between Jozenji Dori/Hirose Dori/Aoba Dori.
I'm going to try gyutan but I'm not sure I'll appreciate it much, and the missus seems pretty grossed out already. Sasa-kamaboko seems actually more appealing for our taste.
I'm going to try gyutan but I'm not sure I'll appreciate it much, and the missus seems pretty grossed out already. Sasa-kamaboko seems actually more appealing for our taste.
MikeHattsu
Member
Akihabara, Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, either Tokyo Tower or Skytree, Kabukicho, Ueno Park and Odaiba.
cj_iwakura
Member
You all are ballers, lol. I got by on $200 for the week, including train fare.
MikeHattsu
Member
I did $500 a week including the place to stay on my last trip in Tokyo ;p
I'm definitely going to be more budget conscious next time I visit Japan (gonna try to go in 2020 when the Nintendo theme park opens) but last summer was not only my first trip to Japan but my first time leaving the country ever. I planned it for a long time and wanted to spare no expense. Even then, I budgeted $2,000 for the two weeks and still ended up well under budget.
PdotMichael
Banned
It's always the question what you want to do in Japan. We went to many bars and clubs so drinks and other nightlife related things were the most expensive part of the travel after all those new year bags - quite lucky that the customs didn't fuck me up.
cj_iwakura
Member
Yeah, I don't drink, so my main expenses were arcades and collectibles.
Going over in April with my fam, have my wife and two daughters with me (8 and 5).
The young girls are looking forwards to the long flight from LHR to Narita because they can 'watch TV for ten hours'.
Going for two weeks (12 days allowing for travel) and obviously going to have to spend two days at Disney, then three days in the arcades (jokes), Shinjuku, Tokyo Dome etc. Then five days in Kyoto to go to Nara, Osaka, Karagawa (sp?) etc.
Just wondering about accommodation. It's difficult to get a familiy room in Japan. has anyone had any experience with Air b'n'b there? There are plenty of places that look great, but any first hand experiences that you have would be great.
The young girls are looking forwards to the long flight from LHR to Narita because they can 'watch TV for ten hours'.
Going for two weeks (12 days allowing for travel) and obviously going to have to spend two days at Disney, then three days in the arcades (jokes), Shinjuku, Tokyo Dome etc. Then five days in Kyoto to go to Nara, Osaka, Karagawa (sp?) etc.
Just wondering about accommodation. It's difficult to get a familiy room in Japan. has anyone had any experience with Air b'n'b there? There are plenty of places that look great, but any first hand experiences that you have would be great.
MikeHattsu
Member
Used AirBnB several times and it's been good so far. Read the reviews, look at the pictures and check what amenities are offered.
There's always the risk of somebody cancelling your booking though, but if there's somebody with a lot of reviews it's usually good.
I can't take the risk of B+B after a long flight with youngsters and not having somewhere to stay, just booked a place in Tokyo Bay for six nights before moving onto Kyoto. Got a decent deal and the rooms look of fairly decent size by comparison to others.
Just gotta find a place in Kyoto now . . .
Thanks for the input both of you.
MikeHattsu
Member
Depends on the city/ward in Tokyo you're going to and if the owner has registered the place they're renting out.
We did struggle a little bit finding something that ticked our boxes in Kyoto, which surprised me.
Do you have kids too?
If so, any recommendations? I thought it would be easier than Tokyo TBH (and certainly cheaper).
MikeHattsu
Member
Try checking Osaka if you can't find anything in Kyoto. And you're going during the 3rd busiest month and slightly late booking rooms to get the best prices.
No, just me and my wife.
We looked at the Almont Hotel, but decided on the Monterey in the end.
Cheers. Will look into it.
Sounds like good advice. Will look at Osaka too as is easy to get around from there too l think.
Wolf Dawgz
Member
I had 200,000 yen(~2,000 USD), but I got lucky with my accommodation. I got to stay in a weekly apartment for 2 weeks in Saitama that my gf's mom helped us get. It took usabout half an hour to get to most parts of Tokyo by train. Although it did bring up transportation costs a bit.
3K USD would be the most comfortable though, but 2 K worked out for me because I'm not a big shopper and got lucky with accomodation. Bonus, you don't tip for food in Japan, so eating out is more affordable(than Canada). Convenience stores also have decent food if you want a cheaper, light breakfast such as onigiri.
entremet
Member
I'm pretty well seasoned with international travel and it's fine. Always err on more money. You can always bank the remainder for another trip.
DracoBlade
Member
Some quick travel questions for you guys!
Travel within Tokyo and nearest locales: Suica card all we need?
Travel within Osaka: Will suica card also work for public transit? Shinkansen is already a given to arrive but we plan on staying around Dotunburi and traveling from there for a few days!
Travel within Tokyo and nearest locales: Suica card all we need?
Travel within Osaka: Will suica card also work for public transit? Shinkansen is already a given to arrive but we plan on staying around Dotunburi and traveling from there for a few days!
MikeHattsu
Member
Yes and yes.
DieAntwoord
Banned
Not bad. I scored a deal in downtown Tokyo close the rails so it's sounding more and more likely that 2K is enough but I'm still bringing another rack just in case.
Also, i wanted to ask about bringing food back. I'm my initial post I saw someone bringing curry and stuff. Do you all recommended shipping or dealing with customs? I'm pretty much going with a carry on since I'm bringing two pairs of jeans, a bunch of t shirts, and a nice polo for the night scenes.
I also want to bring a second backpack strictly for food and other stuff I'm going to buy. But I'm thinking about bringing it all back to my hotel room and just boxing it up and shipping it back.
I know I'm going to get taxed my ass off but eh i don't mind.
Anyone have any experience with air bnb in Shibuya? We usually stay at the Tobu Hotel but are looking at other options. Was thinking about staying in Shinjuku for a change but we really like Shibuya as a base.
We are staying from the 6th of October till the 17th for our honeymoon.
We are staying from the 6th of October till the 17th for our honeymoon.
Question about upcoming trip. Heading to Japan mid Feb to early March.. ( approx 3 weeks)
Route of travel is as follows
Tokyo -> Hakone -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Hiroshima / Miyajima > Tokyo (With day trips in between)
Q how should I dress for the weather?
Q will there be rain during this time?
Q is dressing in layers preferable?
Keep reading how I should expect cool days and cold nights.
I'm from Canada and it's minus 10c where I am. I am use to Canada cold but I just wanna make sure I'm dressing properly when heading to Japan. Expecting to do alot of walking.
Route of travel is as follows
Tokyo -> Hakone -> Kyoto -> Osaka -> Hiroshima / Miyajima > Tokyo (With day trips in between)
Q how should I dress for the weather?
Q will there be rain during this time?
Q is dressing in layers preferable?
Keep reading how I should expect cool days and cold nights.
I'm from Canada and it's minus 10c where I am. I am use to Canada cold but I just wanna make sure I'm dressing properly when heading to Japan. Expecting to do alot of walking.
MikeHattsu
Member
Bring a thin jacket. It's not gonna be shorts weather ;p
There might be rain some days, but usually not. Rainy season is in June.
There might be rain some days, but usually not. Rainy season is in June.
mere_immortal
Member
Any recommendations for good, social hostels in Tokyo and Kyoto? I'll now be travelling solo so would be good to meet with others for drinking at night.
I'm considering heading back to Japan for TGS this year. Nothing fully planned as of yet, I'm hoping for PAX West tickets but if those fall through TGS/Japan will be my second choice vacation.
I know a lot of the regulars posters have gone previously, I was wondering if it was worthwhile booking a place for a few days near the venue to get their early for line up etc? It seems kind of out of the way.
I know a lot of the regulars posters have gone previously, I was wondering if it was worthwhile booking a place for a few days near the venue to get their early for line up etc? It seems kind of out of the way.
For Tokyo check out Nui and Kaisu hostels
I've stayed near TGS and I've stayed in town during TGS, and honestly... stay in town. Yeah, it's a long slog to Makuhari. But that area is dead, and if you wanna go out at night, you either have to stay out all night or go home pretty early. I really regretted staying out there that one year.
MikeHattsu
Member
Could stay in Chiba since it's closer I guess.
Depends on what you're trying to do while there. If you're gonna try to play anything interesting or get any specific goods there's hours of queues, so it's probably better to try to get a supporters club ticket to get in early. If you queue outside normally, there's most likely gonna be 100s of people entering before you do anyway since there's a shorter queue for school kids to get in.
If you're only going to check it out and take pictures of cosplayers, get some random goods or whatever you could just go there a bit later after opening.
Laevateinn
Member
TGS is the most hectic thing I've ever done. The only thing that was quick and easy was the line to get in because I bought more expensive tickets. Once I was in and on the floor it was basically impossible to do anything. Every time I went to a booth I was interested in the line was too long and closed. Oftentimes I would make a turn and end up getting carried forward by a crowd of people. If I were to go again, I would just go to the less crowded merch area and leave immediately after I get all the trinkets I'm after.
MikeHattsu
Member
MikeHattsu
Member
You got a t-shirt and a badge as well this year. In addition to getting in 30 mins before people with general tickets. And it's more expensive and limited in numbers, yeah.
True! Like you said, it depends on what he wants to do. For me, I had a lot of friends in Tokyo that I wanted to see after the show, and staying in Makuhari made that very difficult.
I'm in Japan on my honeymoon now. This country is so much fun.
So, I'm two weeks away from venturing to Japan for my first time. I'm about fully prepared, but I need to figure out a few final things for my schedule.
A: Should I go for my day trip to Hakone on a Sunday or Monday? Is there a difference to what day I go on?
B: Are there any listings online for flea markets?
C: Are there any events going on in Tokyo from Feb 23rd through to Feb 27th? Live bands, wrestling, video game events and such.
A: Should I go for my day trip to Hakone on a Sunday or Monday? Is there a difference to what day I go on?
B: Are there any listings online for flea markets?
C: Are there any events going on in Tokyo from Feb 23rd through to Feb 27th? Live bands, wrestling, video game events and such.
D
Deleted member 245925
Unconfirmed Member
Yay, my trip to the conference in Kobe in July/August got approved. Time to start planning for the two-week vacation afterwards. I've seen a lot of helpful advice in here already.
MikeHattsu
Member
Check out dotonbori of course, check out the Osaka Aquarium if you're not there in the weekend, Osaka Castle if you don't have time to go to Himeji Castle and check out the view from the Floating Garden Observatory.
Check out the Osaka Amazing Pass stuff if you could benefit from it:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
Sunday might be more crowded since it's a weekend, but there's also (slightly) more buses running in Hakone.
I figured so. I guess my deciding factor should be if there's anything unique going on in Tokyo either day, then go to Hakone on the other.
StriKeVillain
Banned
What pocket wifi do you all recommend? I would like something I can pick up/return at Narita.
MikeHattsu
Member
Depends on how much data you need and how long you're staying.
StriKeVillain
Banned
It'll be 8 days and 2 moderate internet users (we'll only have our iPhones/iPads).
I'm currently eyeing the Premium Pocket Wifi from here: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/order/index.html