Visiting Japan

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Veritas

But you're a foreigner. They're more afraid of you than you are of them. Gaijin SMASH!

Am also still smaller and lighter than most average man and besides, criminals don't really discriminate if you're on their list.
Then again you can tell the parents of Lindsay Ann Hawker that someday.

[Haladflire65]

I went to Japan again a few days ago and it was awesome... XD Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro are as great as ever. Only thing was, Japanese seem to have no idea that it was Christmas... Kids went to school and people went to work. Heh.

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Haladflire65

I went to Japan again a few days ago and it was awesome... XD Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro are as great as ever. Only thing was, Japanese seem to have no idea that it was Christmas... Kids went to school and people went to work. Heh.

They know, but it's not a Christian country, so it's of no national importance to them.
What's big on their list is upcoming New Years, that's the #1 holiday of Japan, so they prepare for that instead.
Otherwise the 25th is just lovers day, part 2 and wedding proposals or KFC chicken and Christmas cake

But glad you had a nice time, must have made a few good memories

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by Haladflire65

I went to Japan again a few days ago and it was awesome... XD Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro are as great as ever. Only thing was, Japanese seem to have no idea that it was Christmas... Kids went to school and people went to work. Heh.

Sorry, but Xmas isn't a national holiday in Japan. Guess what we used to use in lieu of that. The Emperor's Birthday on the 23rd of December.

[Haladflire65]

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

Sorry, but Xmas isn't a national holiday in Japan. Guess what we used to use in lieu of that. The Emperor's Birthday on the 23rd of December.

Yeah, I knew that. I went to school in Tokyo last year and I found it hilarious that we had to go to school and have a giant cleanup with mops and all that instead of opening presents at home... At least they had a Christmas Market thing in Roppongi Hills, heh.

[Haladflire65]

Originally Posted by Mystique

They know, but it's not a Christian country, so it's of no national importance to them.
What's big on their list is upcoming New Years, that's the #1 holiday of Japan, so they prepare for that instead.
Otherwise the 25th is just lovers day, part 2 and wedding proposals or KFC chicken and Christmas cake

But glad you had a nice time, must have made a few good memories

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

Sorry, but Xmas isn't a national holiday in Japan. Guess what we used to use in lieu of that. The Emperor's Birthday on the 23rd of December.

Yeah, I knew that. I went to school in Tokyo last year and I found it hilarious that we had to go to school and have a giant cleanup with mops and all that instead of opening presents at home... At least they had a Christmas Market thing in Roppongi Hills, heh.

It was great how all the anime store were open, though, so I sholdn't complain XD

[Tealeafy]

My friend and I will be visiting Japan in Aprl 2010; I'll take lots of pictures.
We plan to go to the Disney park (lol xD), Akihibara (otaku district <3), and a few historical sites.~

[lixuelai]

Make sure to buy a JR pass. Saves a ton of money if you plan to travel around a bit.

[rio]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Hello all. Some of you may remember my dispatches from my first Japan trip, last March. Many were kind enough to offer me advice which was invaluable to making it one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Now I return to your tender mercies again, seeking your guidance.

I'm planning another trip for this year - can't get it out of my blood, now. I'm thinking May, but it could slide over into late April or into early June. Two weeks if I can swing it, maybe a bit less. I have lots of plans to see what I couldn't the first time - a cat (real cats, not nekomimi) cafe, more of Kyoto, Nikko... The list is a long one and I know I won't get to see all of it.

But my main goal for this one is to partake of a really great matsuri. It's hard to describe exactly what I want, but if you're a member at this site you know what I mean. Teenagers and families in yukata scooping goldfish, fireworks, takoyaki... If I have a specialized interest it's taiko, as I play taiko myself and especially love it in a festival setting. I know Sanja Matsuri is in May, and reportedly quite the spectacle - but I don't know, a giant international festival attended by 2 million people in Tokyo doesn't feel like exactly what I want, even if it might have all the individual elements.

I'd like to tie this in with my second main goal for this trip, which is to experience small-town/village Japan. I saw amazing things in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura - but none of it felt like village Japan to me. My only real requirements are that it be reachable by train, as I'll be moving about by JR pass. Maybe I can't find my perfect matsuri in my perfect small town, but even if I can't I'd be grateful for recommendations for both - I'll have time. The Aoba Matsuri (not the Kou, the Aoba ) in Sendai sounds interesting. Sendai is hardly a small town I know, but seems like a lovely place. Ideally, I'd rather not be in a situation where travel is an all-day affair, or a plane flight - like Hokkaido. For example Takayama Matsuri sounds incredible (hell, Takayama sounds incredible) but that's a lot of time en route. Four hours from Tokyo or less via train would be ideal, but not an absolute requirement.

So can anyone offer me some suggestions? Great little towns, great festivals - I'm open to almost anything. I travel light and cheap, try to go local as much as possible, avoid international hotels and restaurants like the plague and don't require the lap of luxury. I'm even happy to have to fake my way through survival Japanese, which I know I'll have to in the smaller places. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am living in Sendai city right now This city is so beautiful and clean for a very big city that many people say they like this city a lot. Plus, this city is famous for Date Masamune, and his statue and the castle. So you can enjoy them with the matsuri And it took only within 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen (it costs about ￥20000 by the round trip).


But as you know, Sendai is a city, so you wouldn't fell village Japan.
So, Takayama matsuri is better if you focus on going to village Japan.

Anyway, Japan has a lot of Matsuri in which you can see village Japan and you'll enjoy a lot even around Tokyo or Sendai. So it's very nice that you'll look into many Matsuri and consider what you want in your visiting Japan

[Guardian Enzo]

Ah, thanks for the input. I've been reading a lot about the one-eyed legend of the north, Date Masamune. Did his horse really have exhaust pipes?

Still deciding on where to go. I've become somewhat intrigued by a trip with the Kiso Valley, walking part of the Nakasendo Road, and then spending a couple of days in Kanezawa. That also seems like a really interesting and lovely place.

[rio]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Ah, thanks for the input. I've been reading a lot about the one-eyed legend of the north, Date Masamune. Did his horse really have exhaust pipes?

Sorry I don't know about it.. I looked it up but I couldn't find it.

Still deciding on where to go. I've become somewhat intrigued by a trip with the Kiso Valley, walking part of the Nakasendo Road, and then spending a couple of days in Kanezawa. That also seems like a really interesting and lovely place.

I've heard Kanazawa is a very good place by my brother.
The place is very beautiful as being called 'Little Kyoto' he said so.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by rio

Sorry I don't know about it.. I looked it up but I couldn't find it.




I've heard Kanazawa is a very good place by my brother.
The place is very beautiful as being called 'Little Kyoto' he said so.

Thanks for the input on Kanazawa. The Date Masamune thing is a little Sengoku Basura joke - his horse in the anime (and game, I assume) had them...

[Yu Ominae]

Going back again (since the 1990s) to Tokyo this year. Will head back to Akihabara, but aniki wants to go to Kyoto and see his friend.

[SirJeannot]

going back in april as well, to visit friends
I just can't wait!

june would be better will all the matsuris around, but well, it's then or nothing.

[Seitsuki]

Lucky bums. Been ages since my last trip, and I wasted it by spending too much money on food and not enough on merch ;_; (ahh youth..)

[Guardian Enzo]

Thanks to all who advised on possible itineraries for the Japan a couple of weeks ago. After considering the input and the transportation options, I came up with something that makes sense to me and I wanted to run it by you all for feedback.

Day 1 - Fly into Tokyo. 4 nights (covering Sanja Matsuri)

Day 5 - Kiso Valley via Shinkansen to Nagoya. Hike Nakasendo Road Magome-Tsumago. Spend the night in Tsumago.

Day 6 - Rail to Matsumoto, bus to Hirayu Onsen. Spend the night at Hirayu.

Day 7 - Bus to Takayama. Stay at a ryokan in Takayama.

Day 8 - Bus to Shirakawa-go. Spend the night at a Gassho-zukuri minshuku.

Day 9 - Bus to Kanazawa. Spend the night in Kanazawa.

From there I can return to Tokyo, but I also note that it's a relatively quick rail trip to Kyoto from there. I could theoretically go to Kyoto (which I did hit in my first trip but, hey, it's Kyoto) and perhaps spend a night at a temple lodging at Koya-san (which I didn't hit on that trip). That would of course suggest the purchase of a full JR pass rather than a regional one.

Does all that sound feasible? It's a lot of travel, I know, but I do travel light.

[Seitsuki]

You are using the buses an awful lot considering you're getting a rail pass. Why not abuse it? Use the Shinkansen a bit more, visit some more prefectures o_o
If you can spare the time, I also recommend you visit Hiroshima and the Peace Museum/park there as well as Miyajima island. Both were great locations for me.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by mikita

You are using the buses an awful lot considering you're getting a rail pass. Why not abuse it? Use the Shinkansen a bit more, visit some more prefectures o_o
If you can spare the time, I also recommend you visit Hiroshima and the Peace Museum/park there as well as Miyajima island. Both were great locations for me.

That's what I did last time, but I really felt I was missing an awful lot of the country by not leaving the rail lines. I really want to see more of rural Japan, mountains and historical Japan - and the Japan Alps seemed like the best combo of all three. And there, buses are sometimes faster than trains (if trains exist at all).

Tough choices, I know.

[Seitsuki]

You want to see the country? Best way: hire a bike. You can cover a lot of ground, it's way more personal and you can stop whenever.

[MitsubishiZero]

Originally Posted by mikita

You want to see the country? Best way: hire a bike. You can cover a lot of ground, it's way more personal and you can stop whenever.

You are in the wrong country mate. When travelling in Japan, it's best to hire a car. Go anywhere, see anything. Bikes are rare in Japan (not outside cities) and it makes it more dangerous as drivers don't know how to react to your presence.