2010-01-31, 01:03 | Link #701 |
Onee!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
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We're talking about the COUNTRYSIDE. Cars can only go so many places. Bikes are much more versatile, carry-able at need even, and there isn't an Asian alive who doesn't know how to react to a bike. (namely ignore you and pass at high speed while uncomfortably close..)
Besides it's not for travelling, that's what the rail pass/buses are for. This is just for sightseeing.
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2010-01-31, 22:47 | Link #702 | |
Eternity Wish
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Above the Sky
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How much money should I bring on the trip?
Someone said she stayed at an inn for $20/night, but I doubt it's that cheap in Japan 0_0 Quote:
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Last edited by Tenken's Smile; 2010-01-31 at 23:14. |
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2010-02-01, 00:34 | Link #703 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: China
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Also the police is much more diligent about ticketing and taking away unattended bikes outside of designated bike parking lots. You should also bring a lock to stop people from stealing the bike; it's rare, esp. when compared to places like Manhattan, but can happen. Buses outside of the major metro areas can be hard to find. I remember reading recently that unprofitable routes (and/or those with few passengers), esp. those in the mountains (for example), had closed. Taxis might be your only choice if a train does not go there. Renting a car is doable as well, but check to make sure you can get an international driving permit that is accepted in Japan first. Otherwise, you have to first pass the written and road tests to get a JP license, which for a vacation, is not worth it at all. Quote:
Most of the rooms (outside of perhaps travel packages geared toward foreigners) are quoted on a per night and per person rate. That means if your room is quoted at 10,000 yen per night, that is usually 10,000 yen for you and 10,000 yen for your friend who is staying in the same room. Single person rates may be available, but you do need to ask first to make sure. I don't think even the shinkansen trains running during the "rush hour"-like period come every 3 minutes... Maybe 1 per 15-30 minutes? Not enough leeway for errors if it was that fast. Regular trains (JR and private liines) do run that fast during rush hour - about 1 every 5-10 minutes outside of then. The electronic signs (given in JP and EN) will let you know of the next 2-3 trains' schedules, though.
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Last edited by LynnieS; 2010-02-01 at 00:46. |
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2010-02-02, 14:53 | Link #704 |
AT Field
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: #animesuki
Age: 14
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yes, depending on the line and type of train (i.e. nozomi vs. the rest ), you should get one every 15 minutes. and it's really fair enough!
however, get the japan rail pass (7 or 14 days) because it's quite costy to travel around w/ the shinkansen. note: you can only buy a "pass" outside japan from a travel agency for example, and once you get in japan, you can exchange it at a JR desk if you have a travel visa (i couldn't get it the first time because of my intership visa). and it's only at that time that you chose the validity period. on the way to the narita express, there is a JR desk still inside the airport. but it's not really a problem considering there is one in all the major stations edit2: beware of the express/semi express/local system. I made a fatal mistake the very first time.
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Last edited by SirJeannot; 2010-02-02 at 18:33. Reason: details & details |
2010-02-02, 19:29 | Link #705 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: China
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Quote:
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It might be good to bring a piece of paper showing the kanji for these, yes... As well as the ones for the stations that you want to go; English should be used, but you don't get a huge amount of time before the doors close. Not really a huge problem if you miss a stop - unless you are traveling on the shinkansen...
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2010-02-03, 14:33 | Link #706 |
AT Field
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: #animesuki
Age: 14
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we did book the seats before actually going there to avoid that. In our case, we took 8 times the shinkansen, and it was really worth it with the 7 days pass at ~150€.
Nightcoaches arrive pretty early, well the one i took to Kyoto anyway, before 5... -_- it was too early for my mighty sleep I forgot the english speaking aspect By major I meant Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shinagawa & Tokyo It was only about being on time (i missed my meeting the very first day I spent there!) and ensuring arriving at all in this city halfway to kawagoe. If the whole city name is too much, the first and last kanji are usually enough. The names on the plans inside the trains are written in small characters so it's not always easy to spot from far away, especially if the train is packed. I can't wait to go back there! You're currently staying there?
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2010-02-03, 15:40 | Link #707 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
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You can probably do Kyoto/Osaka in 1-2 days. I would suggest doing that. You've only seen half of Japan if you did not go Osaka. Got to eat some okonomiyaki as well p.s. I just noticed that you said Kyoto is a quick rail trip from Tokyo. It is not that close lol. |
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2010-02-07, 06:55 | Link #709 | ||
It's how you think.
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Anywhere.
Age: 44
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For example, the Hikari 507 Westbound starts in Tokyo at 0933, and the next Hikari, 467, is at 1003. Same with the Kodama (the train to take to Mt Fuji area), Kodama 647 departs Tokyo at 1026, and the next one, 649, at 1056. In fact, train patterns are usually like N-H-N-K-N-H-N-K, one train in 15 minutes. But the Nozomi complicates matters; thus it'd be wiser to consider it as once per half-hour. Still, use Hyperdia http://www.hyperdia.com/ to plan your routes, especially in the countryside. Quote:
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2010-02-18, 19:15 | Link #712 | |
ここに居ってんねん
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Osaka
Age: 39
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In short, it's certainly doable to go from Kanazawa to Kyoto to Mt. Koya in one day, but just realize you're not going to be spending much time in Kyoto. |
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2010-02-18, 20:45 | Link #713 | |
Seishu's Ace
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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Quote:
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2010-03-04, 20:35 | Link #714 |
Eternity Wish
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Above the Sky
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My friends and I are planning a trip to Japan in the summer. I think we should go by tour because we aren't familiar with Japan. May I ask:
1/ Where should we book our tour tickets? 2/ Where should we visit? What festivals will be going on in the summer?
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2010-03-04, 23:03 | Link #715 |
Director
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I personally think that if you visit a foreign country you shouldn't go on a tour. Explore it on your own. You'll also end up interacting with more locals this way, and that's how you'll really learn the culture and stuff.
I used to want to go to Japan so badly but... I don't know, I suddenly just don't want to anymore. Just... I don't think I'd enjoy it regardless of my anime fandom and interest in their language. |
2010-03-05, 10:55 | Link #716 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: China
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Quote:
For travel in the summer, however, I would definitely recommend your not going to Kyoto. The city was insanely hot, and it was just not pleasant hiking around the city. Outside of the city was not too bad, however, but it still was an experience.
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2010-03-05, 11:25 | Link #717 | |
Eternity Wish
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Above the Sky
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Thanks yoropa and Lynnie.
I think of going on tour because I don't want to miss on anything. Quote:
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2010-03-05, 12:07 | Link #718 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: China
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Quote:
There are places like restaurants, small out-of-the-way temples, hiking trails and so on that will not be covered, but chances are, you won't be able to find them easily - if at all - by yourself. If you only have a short period to go sightseeing, doing a tour is okay. You're not likely to find many people willing to go with you, I think - although if you're cute (or thought of as cute/attractive by someone), I could be wrong. If you just go to an area with an itinerary already and then ask for some quick help, that is usually not a problem.
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2010-03-06, 11:34 | Link #719 |
Director
Join Date: Feb 2010
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You don't need people to go with you, just make small chat with various people, and definitely check out small, non-corporate shops. Those people usually don't expect to get foreigners, so they usually are quite interested in why you're there and stuff. This is from my travel experiences, though. If you do want to see all the sights and whatnot a tour will do it but you don't have real moments to interact with the locals if you do that.
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2010-03-07, 07:31 | Link #720 |
My wolfu is >> your waifu
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
Age: 42
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I was planning on going this summer before starting residency. When I told my mother, she inisisted I should wait until I finished and delay such wasteful gratification (that'd be another 5 years)... my father was fine with me going and enjoying myself before getting my butt kicked with 80+ hour work weeks. I mean I want to please my folks, but I haven't lived under their roof for years, and it's not like I have been a rebelious son, who has done questionable (or worse) things.
I relented to please her... I mean the flight would have been $1300 round trip (not bad all things considered), but there would be other expenses, and I am monstrously in debt. I mean, come on I've delayed gratification my whole life... why stop now (slight sarcasm here on this last part). Then she calls me up yeasterday and tells me she wants me to go and enjoy myself and that they'll pay for it (only now the flights would be >$1700). I hated it, but I had to decline... I can't have my family dropping cash like that especially when I know how costs have risen... I'd feel so guilty. I told her that it was for the best that I did not make such a trip and that I should be more mature in making these kinds of decisions (oh, how bitter that was to say). Now, I won't be able to make the trip until AT LEAST five years from now (and of course there's a good chance I won't be able to go then because of the possibilities of a wife and very young children... i.e. I would still be in debt and dirt poor at that point). Frustration... 'tis my life-long companion! Oh that and nachos... nachos have been there with me too!
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japan, travel |
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