Visiting Japan

[Seitsuki]

Welp, change of plans. Now looking for a tour around 15th-20th Nov ish. (We'll be staying a bit longer after but apparently they don't like the idea of being stuck in one city for a week. Go figure.)

Anyone know any good ones?

[Malkuth]

Historical -> Gifu/Nagoya, Himeji, Takahashi

Religious -> Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura

Scenic (in winter) -> Hokkaido, Nagano, Kanazawa

Contemporary (sub-)culture -> Tokyo (Shibuya/Roppongi), Osaka

Otaku (not just anime/manga) -> Tokyo (Harajuku/Akihabara), Osaka (Den Den Town)

[Azuma Denton]

This is the reference video i used when decided to visit Japan last April...

Kansai area featuring Golden Pavilion Temple, geisha in Gion, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu Temple, Ryoanji Zen rock garden, the giant buddha of Todaiji, and the bamboo forests of Arashiyama.

Greater Tokyo area featuring Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi, Asakusa, Tsukiji fish market, Meiji Shrine, Rainbow Bridge at Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Yokohama, Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and Nikko world-heritage shrines.

[willx]

Originally Posted by Seitsuki

Welp, change of plans. Now looking for a tour around 15th-20th Nov ish. (We'll be staying a bit longer after but apparently they don't like the idea of being stuck in one city for a week. Go figure.)

Anyone know any good ones?

Are you talking about guided tours? Cause then I have no idea..

When I went to Japan, I did Tokyo->Kyoto->Hakone->Tokyo and did it in 10 days.. I lost a day due to flights flying from North America though..

PS: I think Himeji is still being repaired/maintained, so maybe check.. Don't want to just see scaffolding..

[Solafighter]

Looks like my traveling in July and August was very efficient. I have been to about 85% of all these places. Like these vids, btw. Very well done.

[Malkuth]

After paying a visit to my Nr.1 and 2 sites in Tokyo...

image links redirect to the albums

Yoyogi park (代々木公園)



Meiji Shrine (明治神宮)

[Heibi]

Been there. Me and my friend got to witness a full wedding procession going through. Awesome scenery. Have you been to Shinjuku Gardens ? Hope you had a good time. I try to visit Japan once a year.

[lordblazer]

If you guys want to get off the beaten path a bit Oita-ken is a beautiful prefecture to visit.

Beppu:




Yufuin:




Sorry to spam photos in here. Just wanted to share in the greatness of Kyushu island.. everyone has kinda been looking at Honshu destinations. Honshu I find a bit boring if its Kanto region and north-bound.. Hokkaido is interesting though.. Just very biased towards West-Japan.

[Malkuth]

Originally Posted by Heibi

Been there. Me and my friend got to witness a full wedding procession going through. Awesome scenery. Have you been to Shinjuku Gardens ? Hope you had a good time. I try to visit Japan once a year.

I wanted to go there today, but the dusk beat me into it... tomorrow.

Originally Posted by lordblazer

If you guys want to get off the beaten path a bit Oita-ken is a beautiful prefecture to visit.

[...snipped...]

Sorry to spam photos in here. Just wanted to share in the greatness of Kyushu island.. everyone has kinda been looking at Honshu destinations. Honshu I find a bit boring if its Kanto region and north-bound.. Hokkaido is interesting though.. Just very biased towards West-Japan.

Kyuushuu and Shikoku, I plan to visit late spring after returning from Korea... hopefully enjoy swimming in the ocean, if it's not too cold in the beginning of April

[Heibi]

Originally Posted by Malkuth

I wanted to go there today, but the dusk beat me into it... tomorrow.



Kyuushuu and Shikoku, I plan to visit late spring after returning from Korea... hopefully enjoy swimming in the ocean, if it's not too cold in the beginning of April

Of course the best time for Shinjuku Gardens is in March/April time frame when the Sakura are in bloom. But there are still some great sites there.

[Malkuth]

About the Bitchuu-Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi Village...





The Path...



... but despite the blisters, it really worth the hours of hiking

[Heibi]

Very nice. The blisters were definitely worth it.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Malkuth

Historical -> Gifu/Nagoya, Himeji, Takahashi

Religious -> Kyoto, Nara, Kamakura

Scenic (in winter) -> Hokkaido, Nagano, Kanazawa

Contemporary (sub-)culture -> Tokyo (Shibuya/Roppongi), Osaka

Otaku (not just anime/manga) -> Tokyo (Harajuku/Akihabara), Osaka (Den Den Town)

You should add the mountains between Gifu and Kanazawa to the winter scene...just went there. Was something straight out of Alpine dreamland

[Kirarakim]

Flying out this Saturday

Will be going for 1/2 a day to Osaka
3 1/2 days to Kyoto
3 1/2 days to Tokyo

Wish it could be longer but school & work prevents that.

Btw does anyone known exactly how to get to the new Animate in Ikebukuro? Do I just get off at the Ikebukuro stop and it's right there or is it a little more difficult?

[Kyero Fox]

Sadly I'll be stuck in lameo state, Florida....

[Malkuth]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

You should add the mountains between Gifu and Kanazawa to the winter scene...just went there. Was something straight out of Alpine dreamland

It is on the plan, but the castles in and around Nagoya are a priority for me.

In between, Kouya Mountain is really nice in winter

our ryoukan





Tomb of Date Masamune (well at least one them)





Shimazu graves (the shingon members of the family)





teacher/guardian "saints" of the inner sanctuary





the inner sanctuary where the founder of the singon sect is still "eternally" mediating





graves of miscarried and aborted infants





a stream inside the cemetery marking the border between life and death





the tree that stopped emperor saga from returning back to life





part of the main shingon temple complex





Tokugawa Mausoleum (there are more of course around the country)

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Flying out this Saturday

Will be going for 1/2 a day to Osaka
3 1/2 days to Kyoto
3 1/2 days to Tokyo

Wish it could be longer but school & work prevents that.

Btw does anyone known exactly how to get to the new Animate in Ikebukuro? Do I just get off at the Ikebukuro stop and it's right there or is it a little more difficult?

google maps

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Malkuth

google maps

Thanks, but I am not really sure if I will be able to find it with that.

[Cosmic Eagle]

@Malkuth....great pics in all.

I myself am going to Shirakawa-Go tomorrow. Hope to get some good shots there too

Snow in Kenroukuen is god level beauty I must say

[Malkuth]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Thanks, but I am not really sure if I will be able to find it with that.

Hehehe, I kind of understand, this is the first time in many years, that I first ask a passer-by, instead of using a map.

Nonetheless...



From the large crosswalk on the north-east of the station, proceed straight counting 3 streets on your left or 4 on your right, then turn left walk for 2-3 minutes straight, and you should see the shop on your right.

If this approach fails, walk like a snail for 10-15 minutes (should be a 3 block radius).

If still unable to find it... ask... and better have the address in japanese handy: 豊島区東池袋１−２０−７

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

@Malkuth....great pics in all.

I myself am going to Shirakawa-Go tomorrow. Hope to get some good shots there too

Looks really nice, I'll try to fit it in our schedule.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Yuwaku Onsen in Kanazwa, site of Hanasaku Iroha, is nice to visit...it even has a cider drink with a glass bottle that comes with an Iroha label for souvenir