Tips for Japan trip?
└ posted on Wednesday, 1 August 2018, by Novil
I’m planning a long trip to Japan next year in March or April together with my parents. Do you have any tips about things that we should not miss to see? I’m particularly interested in tips for the following regions:
- Ryukyu Islands / Okinawa
- Kyushu
- Shikoku
- Kyoto area
- Tokyo area
The Kenninji Temple in Kyoto is extremely nice and I would recommend seeing it. There are some excellent rock gardens there as well as some majestic murals of dragons.
I would suggest you stick to the Kyoto area as a base of operations. There are great things to see all over Japan, but the three old cities of Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka are filled with great adventures of all types. in 1979 is spent a year in Japan as a foreign exchange student on Kyushu. But, when my class took their school trip it was to the old cities.
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine – about 2km of walking trails, up a mountain, gated constantly by amazing orange Torii. Amazing.
Hiroshima – So very highly recommend. So many feels. A-Dome, Peace park, Museum
Nara (Kansai) – Free roaming Deer
Tokyo: Ueno Park – Huge urban park
Tokyo: Government Buildings at Shinjuku – Best view of the city (day or night).
For a cartoonist I would think that the Studio Ghibili Muserum would be an almost must! It is a truly magical experience. It is hard to get tickets to, since they sell 4 months worth on one day, but if you can do that it is only 1000 yen (so about $10), otherwise some places sell them for 10 times that. http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
See the Kyoto Imperial Palace when you’re in Kyoto. Get a phrasebook. Don’t try to bow in greeting. We gaijin will never understand the subtleties.
Okinawa: Shuri Castle, Nakagusuku Castle, Nakijin Castle, and Katsuren Castle are all good places to see. They’re all over the island, so if you can only pick one or two, do Shuri and Nakagusuku (in that priority order). Down in the southeast is the Okinawa Peace Park memorializing those lost in WWII. It also gives a lot of Okinawan perspective from the war and really shows why there’s so much enmity between Okinawans and Japanese. In the north near Nago, there’s the Churaumi Aquarium and also a Pineapple Park, both quite enjoyable. Those are the first things that come to mind for Okinawa for me.
Kyoto: As someone else said, Fushimi Inari Taisha is very much worth seeing. There’s also a nature reserve for monkeys in the southwest called Iwatayama. You can’t touch the monkeys, but they do roam freely around you. You can also feed them from within a caged building. The Gion district is the historic geisha district and is beautiful. Also, I recommend seeing a tea ceremony if you get the chance.
Tokyo: The imperial palace ruins in the center of the city are pretty cool. As someone else said, the Ghibli Museum if you can manage to get tickets. They go on sale a month in advance and sell out fast, so keep an eye on when you plan to go. You also have to choose the exact day you plan to go, something to keep in mind. The Tokyo Skytree gives a great view of the city. DEFINITELY go to the Tsukiji fish market. If you can get into the auction (you have to go early morning, like 3-4 AM), I hear that’s pretty neat. But the market in general has so many different foods. Also Sensoji is a Buddhist temple that also has a lot of local vendors and hand crafted items.
I lived in Okinawa for quite a few years, actually. Neo Park, if it’s still around (which google seems to indicate it is), is FABULOUS. You can ride giant tortoises. There’s a lot of animals roaming around free. It’s great.
http://pr1nceshawn.tumblr.com/post/100751523527/the-dos-donts-of-eating-sushi
Read this.
Get a JR Pass (only available to foreigners). It will make travel by rail (by far one of the most convenient forms of transport in Japan) a lot cheaper unless you want to use a private railway in which case you will have to buy regular tickets.
In Kyoto, places like Fushimi Inari (I went to school near here for a bit), Kiyomizu Dera, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji and so on are really nice but they’re also tourist traps so expect lots of people and high prices on things you can get elsewhere for cheaper. That being said, it’s possible to find many smaller shrines around the place which are just as pretty but without the hoards of tourists. Kyoto is also a very walk-able city and you will be able to find lots of amazing things just be going for a stroll around the city and keeping your eyes open.
Although they’re not quite in Kyoto, it would be a good idea to visit Osaka and Himeji Castles. Both are amazing and can be covered easily in a day trip each from Kyoto by train. If you like bridges, the Sanyo Mainline (NOT the shinkansen) from Osaka to Himeji goes under the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connecting Awaji Island to Honshu and as long as there isn’t any fog, this can be quite spectacular.
I’m not very familiar with Tokyo (surely someone else here knows about it!) but I wouldn’t recommend Tokyo Disneyland. All reports from friends of mine who have been there say that it is no different to a Disneyland in America, Australia or Europe except that everything is more expensive and in Japanese.
@ Xiro:
The one about using too much soy sauce is so true. I did that because I liked the taste but it made this middle aged woman get so triggered.
Also don’t stick your chopsticks into bowls of rice (and leave them like that). Japanese people traditionally do this at funerals so doing it in a cafe is a little bit awkward (supposing the cafe isn’t hosting a funeral!).
For Kyoto, do not stay in Kyoto. Kyoto hotel and rooms are very expensive, especially in spring (price can be multiplied by ten during hana matsuri).
Stay in Osaka, price are much more accessible and Kyoto is just at 20 minutes by train.
Hi,
Most of what I would suggest has been covered, but here are a few more.
Hiroshima – a trip out to Itsukushima – lovely walking around that island and you get to see the famous shrine.
Tokyo – a day trip up to Nikkō to see Nikkō Tōshō-gū, a very famous shrine.
Kyoto – a day trip to Nara to Tōdai-ji, a large temple with free roaming deer.
If you like sushi, you should go to one of the conveyor belt restaraunts. It’s been about 10 years since I’ve been to Japan, but I still remember them being quite impressive, and can only imagine that the technology has become more so.
Definitely check out a sento (traditional bath house) in Tokyo and also onsen. The japanese bathing culture is something everyone should experience. Though you should read up on bathing etiquette beforehand 😉
Also, if you visit Osaka, Okonomiyaki is a must try food.
Hiroshima – The island Itsukushima that CMB mentioned is actually more well known as Miyajima. It is a nice half-day to day trip from Hiroshima, depending on whether you want to walk up on the hill, use the ropeway or just visit the bay area with its temples and stalls.
Okinawa – I second the already mentioned Churaumi Aquarium. It’S really great! There’s also a nice cave called Gyokusendo Cave at the Okinawa World area. There are several remote islands that can be reached from Okinawa, but it might be a too long detour for you.
Kyushu – Kagoshima was quite fun for me, there’s a thermal water foot bath in front of the airport and on the volcano island Sakurajima in Kagoshima bay. You can visit various places on Sakurajima. Kirishima shrine near Kagoshima is also a very nice place.
Shikoku – There’s the famous Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama. You can rent a bicycle in the pedestrian area of Matsuyama, ride it around town and give it back at a return station near Dogo Onsen in the afternoon, before relaxing your body in the thermal water.
Kyoto area – Consider walking the philosophers path. In spring, there are many cherry blossoms. If you start the day early at Kiyomizudera, you can go to the philosophers path afterwards and walk it nort towards Ginkaku-ji, stopping on a few temples and gadens on your way. The arashiyama bamboo forest is also nice in Kyoto. Someone mentioned Nara before, which is a nice day trip from Kyoto (there are free-roaming deer in the park that you can feed!), as is Himeji Castle, especially in spring. In Himeji is also the hill shosha-zan, where some of the scenes from The Last Samurai were apparently filmed. Never watched the movie, but the area was really nice.
Tokyo area – The areas of Nippori and Nishi-Nippori are nice for a stroll. If you are interested in Hiking, Nokogiriyama in Chiba-ken, Mount Tsubasa and Mount Takao are good day trips from Tokyo. In Tokyo, Tokyo Sky Tree offers the highest views of the area. There are special tickets for foreigners that let you skip the waiting lines. they cost a bit more, but in my opinion it’s worth it if you can spare the extra money. A relatively cheap alternative in another area of Tokyo is the Tokyo World Trade Center observation deck. Japanese Garden highlights are Rikugi-en, Hamarikyu-teien and Shiba-rikyuu park. Koishikawa Kōrakuen is also nice. Kamakura is a nice day trip where you can stroll around the city and visit various famus temples and a huge budda statue out in the open. You can also hike around the area and end the day at Enoshima. Another nice day trip is Kawagoe, it has a nice old town with historic houses. If you use Narita airport, you can also take to opportunity to visit Narita city. In there, Narita-san is a large temple and park area with lots of good unagi restaurants on the way from the train station. Nikko has been mentioned already, I also recommend it as a nice day trip. Get a tourist map and from the shrine area, make a short detour to the row of buddha statues in Kammangafuchi Gorge. If you’fe got more time in Nikko, you can also visit Kegon falls (check if the sign at the parking place still says Kegon folls 😉 ) and lake Chuzenji.
In general, if you plan to do a lot of travelling by train in a short time, as others mentioned, Japan Rail Passes seem to be a good option. I never got one though. As far as I know, you have to reserve them outside of Japan and then exchange your voucher for the proper rail pass at the airport. For long-distance travel over 600km, there are also cheap flights available, though in spring it might be tough to get a good offer. After all, it’s cherry blossom season, so be sure to book everything as far in advance as possible. Basically, book everything now. 😉 Some areas like Ueno Park in Tokyo can get really packed during cherry blossom season. Also in the bigger cities, expect crazy rush hour traffic in the morning. It might be wise to enjoy breakfast at the hotel a bit longer and head out after 9 AM. Many parks, museaums and venues will open relatively late anyways.
To ease travel where a JR rail pass will not work (all private rail lines, etc), consider getting a PASMO or SUICA or similar IC card at one of the ticket vending machines. It is basically a rechargeable prepaid RFID card that lets you pass ticket gates without having to buy a new ticket all the time. You can also use it to pay at convenience stores and various vending machines. I think, the initial charge is 2000 yen, and there is a 500 yen deposit that you can get back when you give the card back in the end. You can of course keep it as a souvenir or give it to someone else.
Other people have covered the other areas pretty well, so I’ll just add some recommendations for my favorite city, Tokyo:
Asakusa (Sensoji): A Buddhist temple with a famous gate and a huge outdoor shopping area lining the path to the approach, with people selling all kinds of souvenirs and snacks. Pretty touristy, but still neat and definitely one of the must-see places.
Meiji Shrine: A shrine to the Meiji emperor, which is in a huge park right in the middle of downtown Tokyo. Very pretty Shinto architecture. And if you like architecture, the famous stadium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics is just to your right as you exit the main gate. Also, you’ll be right next to:
Harajuku: Japan’s famous fashion district, particularly Takeshita street right in front of JR Harajuku station. If you like fashion you’ll enjoy shopping. Even if you don’t, it’s fun to walk through. Eat some of the famous crepes as you do.
Shibuya: Another stop down from Harajuku is the famous Shibuya neighborhood. If coming on a JR line, look for the Hachiko exit to see the famous statue of the loyal dog Hachiko and get your picture taken with him. Then you’re right at the famous Shibuya scramble crossing that is always featured in movies. Across the street is the second largest starbucks in the world. The whole area is full of shopping and restaurants, and is great for walking around in. Also, if you’re interested in comics you might want to check out Manadarake here, a huge basement manga store that sells cheap manga and other related goods.
Shinjuku: Nearby is the famous Shinjuku area, including Kabukicho, which is a kind of red-light district, although it has become more commercialized in recent years. Maybe not a great place to go with parents, but it is fun to walk around at night, and there are lots of bars and restaurants to eat at, and tons of Karaoke places. There’s also the “Golden-gai” block, which has tons of tiny bars crammed together, which is pretty neat. If you go during the day, you can go up into one of the observatories on the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and get a bird’s-eye view of the city.
Akihabara: If you’re interested in comics and manga, this is a must-visit location: the famous Mecca of otaku culture. Just look for the “electric town” exit and walk around and you’ll see tons of anime goods shops, maid cafes, video game stores, and other things. If you’re interested in the infamous dojinshi you’ll find it here: Tora no Ana is the most well-known shop (they do have some for all-ages), but keep in mind there are three stores that each cater to different interests. Also related:
Odaiba: A modern commercial district on a reclaimed island, this has the famous Tokyo Big Site, the convention center where Komiket is held twice a year, in case you want to make a pilgrimage. There’s also a full-scale gundam model here, a ferris wheel, a Statue of Liberty, a huge mall, and the Fuji Television building, which you can tour. Probably not a must-see destination, but it can be fun.
Ueno park: Someone else mentioned it: this is a standard tourist destination, although really it’s just a park. But it really comes alive during cherry blossom season, and it sounds like you might be going around that time. Be prepared for huge crowds of people sitting under the cherry trees eating and drinking and partying. But it’s very pretty since the whole park is lined with cherries. And you can ride a swan boat! Also there are the Ueno zoo, the Tokyo national museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan art museum here.
Nakameguro: This is only if you go during cherry blossom season; it’s just a neighborhood otherwise. But there is a canal here lined with cherry trees that is very pretty during blossom season. And it’s far less crowded than other blossom-viewing destinations like Ueno and Yoyogi park.
Tokyo Station/Imperial palace: The JR station building itself is pretty neat as you exit and look back, it’s a restored old nineteenth-century brick train station. Then you’re right in Japan’s financial district. Streets here are broader and you get a less chaotic urban experience, which might make for some nice walking. Then directly across from the station is the imperial palace. You can walk around part of the grounds, see some of the walls and barracks of the old castle that used to be there, and visit a Western and a Japanese garden. The actual imperial residence or ceremony grounds are not accessible, however, and the old castle isn’t there anymore. Still, it’s a huge space and makes for a nice long walk.
Tokyo Tower: This has been surpassed by the taller Tokyo Sky Tree now, but it’s still plenty tall! It’s a fun place to see the city from up high, and it’s far, far less crowded than Sky Tree.
There are tons of other places to see, but without knowing your interests I’d say those are the “must-see” spots. For museums, in addition to the ones in Ueno, I recommend the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku if you’re interested in premodern Japan at all: it is a museum about the city and urban life before modernization. Also, the Studio Ghibli museum, as someone else said, is great for anime fans but you must buy tickets a month in advance online. And incidentally, there is the Kyoto International Manga Museum in Kyoto.
Actually, I don’t recommend getting the JR Rail Pass unless you will be traveling on shinkansen (bullet trains) a whole lot. The Rail Pass only works on JR lines, and you’ll find you need to travel on a mix of JR lines, private railways, and subways. Plus you have to find a ticket gate with an attendant to use it, which is inconvenient. It’s better to put the money you would have spent on a Rail Pass onto an IC card instead (they have different brands, Suica or Passmo in Tokyo, Icoca or Pitapa in Kyoto, etc., but they’re all compatible with each other now). That’ll allow you to just tap your card at any gate and will work on any line, and is very convenient. You can also use it on busses, vending machines, and even some taxies. However, if you do plan on doing a lot of shinkansen traveling, the rail pass might save you some money.
Don’t try to speak English, and expect to be understood. It’s much faster to write it down, show a student, wait for them to write something back, and follow the directions.
The reason is, most students are taught English, but there’s way more books written in English that can be shipped to Japan, than there are people who speak English who are willing to move to Japan.
Thank you for all the tips. They will be very helpful in our planning of the trip.
As a way to get from city to city, a much cheaper alternative to the JapanRail Pass is the bus company Willer Express. It makes the trip to each city longer, but it’s a lot more economic. Last time I saw, you could only book the trips months before (But I could be wrong).
Mystik talked about sushi restaurants with conveyor belt. One of those is Sushiro (there is one in Tokyo, but there could be more), and my friends and I LOVED it. Highly recommend.
@ Chris:
Also, at Odaiba, you can wander around one of the reclaimed island fortresses – it was part of the late Tokugawa-era naval fortifications built after Admiral Perry’s arrival in Japan. For some reason, his visit was not particularly appreciated.
I will also second Ueno Park for hanami, but will also second the warning that it will be PACKED, though everyone was very polite when I was there.
If you’re interested in the 47 Ronin, the Sengaku-ji temple (where the 47 Asano retainers, along with Asano Naganori himself, are buried) is within a pleasant walk’s distance from the Tokyo Tower.
Seeing as how they play a secondary role in the comic, I’d visit the Zao Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture! Yes, it’s a bit north of where you’re planning on being, but it’s still worth the trip. Failing that, you might explore Cat and/or Bunny Island. If you’ve ever read the novel “Shogun”, then a trip to the grave of Hosokawa Tama, the inspiration for James Clavell’s Toda Mariko. The grave of her and her huband are both in Kyoto at Daitoku-ji — The Temple of Great Virtue.
Fox Village images here: https://www.boredpanda.com/zao-fox-village-japan/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Maybe Hokkaido as well? Dunno, maybe it’s more something Nippons visit, but I’m just forking out ideas here.
Hell0, first thank you for all your hard work on these webcomics, I really appreciate the humorous and beautiful work you’ve done.
Next, I did two years teaching English in Kobe a couple years ago so I might be of a little help.
Depending on your parents mobility level and how much you want to spend on transport, cabs can be very nice in cities and helpful to get around but will add up expense-wise.
Taking the trains/subways will be a great option to see and get to know an area and are not as costly, but I strongly recommend getting a local sim card for Japan (these are often available for rental periods at Japanese international airports). Google maps can be a great help to get about wherever you plan to go.
Avoid traveling during by train on the busier lines during rush hour when possible (mainly an issue in Tokyo I’ve found).
As mentioned by another commentator above a JR pass and other smart transit cards are great ways of avoiding to have buy numerous tickets to travel by rail though if you want to take one of the Shinkansen/bullet trains to travel between locations, you will need to buy a ticket(s) for that.
There will be a language barrier, but people will be willing to help you at times to get something done, particularly transit station attendants and police officers in Kobans/local police boxes.
My advice is install a Japanese-English dictionary app on your phone beforehand (JED is my preference), to help you communicate key words and phrases (again a sim card will help you very much for data/wifi purposes here. Japan does not have as much in the way of free wifi as many other countries).
Kyoto can be absolutely gorgeous in the spring particularly if you’re there when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
For a cartoonist, I also recommend the Manga Musueum in Kyoto, which is quite fun. Its cheap to get into and you go looking through the numerous comics that they have available for browsing along with a few exhibits, though it may or may not be of as much interest to your parents.
If you’re interested in castles, they’ve redone the Osaka castle quite nicely with plenty of little battle scenes to look at.
If you want a more authentic preserved castle then I strongly recommend Himeji castle down from Kobe and Osaka.
There is tons of parks and temples/shrines to see and check out in Kyoto, but I also recommend spending time in Osaka to get a sense of modern western Japan and trying a lot of different foods options like the open air fish market Kuromon and numerous restaurants offering foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
There’s really lots of great food all over Japan, but if you or anyone in your group have any allergies, make sure to lookup and have phrases to express what the allergy is beforehand for when you eat out, especially if its seafood related.
I hope you have a fantastic time, like any country there is good and bad to it, but I hope you encounter the best parts.
I’m happy to help further if there’s anything I can do to help you prepare.
@ larkost:
Absolutely – our visit to the Ghibli Museum was a highlight of Japan. It is a magical place!
I remembered a few more things from previous trips.
If you are in the Harajuku area, there is a small woodblock print (ukiyo-e) museum, the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, with varying exhibitions.
About getting a rental SIM for Japan: Since you are travelling with your parents, I recommend getting a rental pocket WIFI device instead. They often have better rates, and you can share the connection. On the downside, it’s an additional device that needs to be charged. But they usually have standard micro USB and they are pretty small and easily last throughout the day even when constantly on.
@ larkost:
Actually in Germany the best way to get a ticket is via JTB. You don’t need to camp on the official site for weeks in Advanced and another plus is that you don’t have to specify a time slot in advance.
@ Brijeka Vervix:
Actuallly, leaving your chopsticks upright in the rice is a deadly ad grievous insult.
I have now read the latest tips too.
I lived in Japan for 10 years, all of the above suggestions are great.
I would highly recommend purchasing at least the broad Japan lonely planet guide – Lonely Planet – it is invaluable on prices, recommendations, how to get there (down to which bus, which stops and how much)
On a personal suggestion, considering you will be there during cherry blossom season:
On my first trip to Japan, before I moved there, I managed to go to Hiroshima peace park, during the cherry blossom season on a weekend, the park was filled with families picnicking, dads playing soccer with their 3 year olds, strings and strings of those paper cranes you made in elementary school.
Then to go into the museum and come back out and see that – oh so, so many feels.
Three ideas from my side:
– Hakone: there are classical one-day roundtrips from Tokyo by train, mountain train, cable car, with view to Mount Fuji, volcano with sulphur dwells, lake, shrines etc. Very worth visiting, although tons of (mostly Japanese) tourists go there!
– Miyajima close to Hiroshima is very nice, particular if you stay overnight, since then it’s empty of tourists. Lots of nature with mountains, sea and shrines.
– Koya san is a mountain area with monasteries which live from renting out sleeping rooms to guests. You can have a unique overnight stay there. Lots of old cultural sites plus nature.
And a final advise:
Think well whether a Japan Rail Pass pays off! It never did for me so far, since you really need to travel extensively in a certain region in a short time such that it is worth it.
Sorry, forget to add: Have fun and enjoy the trip! Japan is great! 🙂
(We’ll be there in autumn this year.)
I’ve always enjoyed Shikoku and was fortunate to live there a year. Some quick hotspots:
Ehime: Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle. They have a street car system and the Botchan Train.
Kagawa: I actually like Shodoshima the best for scenery, soy sauce, etc. but there is a lovely garden in Takamatsu called Ritsurin, and fantastic views at Konpira.
Tokushima: Bunraku and Awa Odori museums, Naruto whirlpools if you’re staying near, or Oboke/Koboke if you’re going far.
Kochi: Least familiar, but Kochi castle and Sunday morning street market, whale watching tours, and katsuo tataki. Good surfing too, I hear.
And of course the 88 temple pilgrimage is interesting, so catch a temple or two while traveling around.
if you can go to Hokkaido and see the Red Crowned Cranes.
I traveled many times to Fussa (NW of Tokyo). Since you are going during the March/April time frame, expect cold weather. It may be pleasant the entire time, but I learned the hard way that it can snow and get very cold, especially when you brought a lightweight jacket and no gloves.
If you can, see about climbing Mt Fuji. You will burn a full day doing it as it is on foot, but it was one of my few regrets for the times that I went that I could not get a day away from duties.
Take one of the Berlitz pocket guides with you. I found that by even pulling that out and attempting to speak in Japanese (learn the pronunciations), many Japanese will work with you. You may also find a few Japanese who want to work on their English.
Make a list of the medications you need and check with Japanese customs before going. Some of my medications I needed are banned in Japan. Also, be aware that some banned substances in your home country may be legal in Japan. Be careful what you take home.
Lastly, get a list of your country’s consulates. It’s always good to know where you can get assistance from in case of any emergencies.
One of the best resources in Japan for foreigners is the Japan Travel Bureau (JTB). It’s been mentioned here before, but to expand on it a little bit, it’s great because there are kiosks for it in most major train stations, they can provide directions and guidance, and, if necessary, help find lodgings and make reservations for you.
I had a friend who traveled on her own through most of Japan (all the way from Fukuoka-ken to Sapporo over the course of a month) on her own, and she always got her lodgings through JTB. They helped her find a vacancy, get a deal on the room, and provided good directions to the hotel. They also can help with other tourist-y type requests, too. They also can help with travel arrangements, such as getting a foreign train pass.
The other thing to recommend is “eat like a native”. Don’t expect western-size portions (at least US-western size portions), and if you can, eat like the locals do. This often means more fish and rice rather than meat and potatoes, though I will admit, I did enjoy eating the occasional McDonald’s Big Mac there – they were really good there, compared to here in the US. (And that’s fish as in cooked fish, not sushi. Sushi is still a luxury there, too.) By eating like a native it will be a more interesting experience culturally, and it will also be a LOT cheaper.
Also, don’t knock eating from convenience stores – they do have pretty good food for not too much, and it’s not like what you might expect from eating at a convenience store (at least not here in the US – I’d avoid it here as much as possible). Bentos are your friends.
Last, at least speaking culturally, when I was there (and I’ll admit, it’s been over a decade since I’ve gone), it was considered rude to eat while walking. So, if you’re walking around and you grab something to eat, it’s usually more polite to find a place to sit/squat and eat, before resuming your walk.
Enjoy your trip and hope you get to see all you can while you’re there!
Ah, I just saw in a prior post you’re going to be there when it’s a little colder – try getting food from a yatai (food cart vendor). In my experiences, it was a great cultural experience, since we don’t have anything like it here in Los Angeles, and the food was terrific – at least from the ones that I visited, and being able to get hot food during a cool/cold evening on the streets is pretty awesome.
The best bowl of ramen I have had to date was from a yatai in front of Shinjuku station at 4:30am. Though, I will admit, perhaps the situation had something to do with that – it was January, cold, my friend and I had been wandering from bar to bar as we’d missed the last train out of Tokyo at roughly midnight, and we were getting food before boarding the train to go back up north to Tochigi-shi (about two hours by Shinkansen). Maybe I’m biased? Nevertheless, it was a truly Japanese experience that I’m not likely to forget.
Hōryū-ji in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. it is the oldest wooden structure in the world.
Re: Tokyo, I implore you to check out my mom’s blog: The Tokyo Guide I wish I had.
https://jonellepatrick.com/portfolio/the-tokyo-guide/
I definitely agree with the Ghibli Museum. Tickets aren’t *that* hard to get, if you go to the Lawson site on the day they release (one month in advance). You do have to specify a day and time you will go, though. This is so the museum doesn’t get so packed that people can’t enjoy it. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
The only suggestion I can add is the Sagano Scenic Railway from Kyoto. The return trip on the Hozugawa River Cruise is also fun. It’s kind of touristy, but mostly Japanese tourists, I think.
The Fushimi Inari Shrine was on my “must see” list, and I wasn’t disappointed, despite the crowds. But I had personal reasons for wanting to go there. We also really enjoyed Nijo Castle.
Despite the prospect of long lines, we went to Tokyo Tower our first morning… and found no lines whatsoever. It was “Silver week” and I guess everyone was elsewhere on holidays. As an anime fan, I felt I really had to see the site of so many famous scenes. True to form, about half of the main 2 decks were under renovation. Presumably the last mahou shoujo vs. youma fight had just finished up and they were still picking up the pieces. 😉
As for the JR pass, we used ours a lot getting around Tokyo, although we were switching between JR lines and local rail (which required our IC card). And of course we took the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto, which was an experience in itself. (We got bento box lunch, of course!)
I hope you and your parents enjoy the trip!
When you visit Tokyo, know that it is possible to go on a guided tour of the city while driving go karts and wearing Mario costumes. I recommend going at night for the light show. All you need is an international driver’s permit; not sure exactly what is recognized from Germany, but from America all it takes is $20 and 30 minutes at a AAA to get an official booklet that basically translates your information into a bunch of other languages.
March and April are odd times for Japan, weather can still be a bit cold in the eastern part (Tokyo).
If you have some time, I’d recommend spending an afternoon in Osaka for the Haru Basho (sumo tournament) 1st half of March. Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are very close to one another. Nara is often passed by, but the athmosphere is magical. I’d suggest to pass Hakone, quite cold that time of the year. If you go to Tokyo, try to visit Tsukiji market. But next year it’ll be the new place, so maybe ask around first.. Speaking of fish, try out first in a basic Kanten Zushi (sushi on a belt) before moving on to more expensive fare to see if it’s up to your taste. And while in Kyoto, try to get a kobe steack. To finish about food, one can still buy some winter crab, excellent but expensive. Speaking of Kyoto, try to book a visit in advance in Kokedera temple (temple of moss), that it’s nickname, google it you’ll know why.
If you add Hiroshima, try to grab a pass and spend the night in an onsen or a ryokan in Miyajima, an islet just near, with a beautiful mon (gate).
I’m more used to Northen Japan, Tohoku and Hokkaido but them be quite cold that time of the year.
A big +1 for the Japan Rail Pass! You can go for free on most bullet trains, and that means you can do day trips to cities 100 km away in 30 minutes. You typically don’t need to reserve a place in advance, as trains are rarely full. We just came back from Japan, and we did 2700 km of bullet train in a week. Note that you need to reserve the JR pass in advance from outside the country.
If you are visiting in March, do check the times for Sakura blossoms (it varies depending on the place), and visit a park at the right moment. For instance, Yoyogi park in Tokyo.
In Kyoto, we found it was possible to rent a flat for short stays, much cheaper than any hotel (resistay.jp). I think Kiyomizu and Kinkakuji are a must, even though there will be a lot of tourists (Both Japanese and Westerners).
Speaking of hotels, hotel rooms tend to be tiny in Japan. If you are feeling adventurous, consider staying in Japanese-style inns, with a room used as a bedroom by night (with futons) and living room during the day. Traditional meals are often served inside your room as well. Inns often have communal baths (genders separated), with sometimes a private family bath you can reserve.
Also, remember to always carry a plastic bag for your trash, because street trash cans are basically unknown in Japan ^^
Being to Japan many times and now living here, my list would rather cover some not so often mentioned things.
And get a railpass, you can even reserve seats for free. Use this, especially on some excursion trains, like the Yufuin no mori.
I would recommend to allocate three days for Tokyo, and three to five days for Kyoto. Most cities are woth more than a day, most japanese cities look very much alike.
Late March will be cherry blossoms somewhere in Japan, so crossing it entirely is a good idea. Also the weather can be cold, but skys tend to be clear and some attractions like the walk in Miyashima feels much better without the heat of summer. And since it is March, Westerners can enjoy the hot springs so much more …
Shigoku (the island) is not so often mentioned, and needs planning with local transport (or a rental car), but if you are willing to take a large tour, it is worth. I would go to Iya valley (best rent a car for one or two days). Its its rural beauty, and you can have a stop over at the Hotel Kazurabashi, where a private cable car takes you to an open onsen pool overlooking the vally (although there are cheaper hotels to stay, booking.com has nowadays a good selection). Then continue to Matsuyama (by train), and visit Dogo Onsen and stay overnight. While the actual hot tub is small, this building stands for more than 100 years. (So it inspired the bath in spirited away.) Then continue via train to Zawatahama and then a ferry to Utsuki in Kyushu. This is a very nice old town, and also home of the 1000 stone Buddhas (Unesco world heritage). Maybe stay overnight at Beppu (40 min by train), and visit the steaming 7 hells (and you hotel will almost sure have an Onsen again).
I recommend then the Yufuin no mori train to Hakata (Fukuoka). Try to reserve the front seat above the driver, because it is one of the nicest tracks in Japan (for landscape). You cross also a town with a hot spring in the river. Then go with the shinkasen to Kumamoto and take a train to Aso (if the volcano is no too active, otherwise skip this). The track is also something to see, the train will travel forward and backwards for a few kilometres to climb to the Aso plains. Stay there and then take a long walk (2-3h) around the crater from one ropeway to the other, if weather and volano allows. Then return via Oita+Kitakyushu to the Shinkansen main line. On the way back there is Miyashima (the red gate in the water at high tide, so check the tides …) and Hiroshima, and the park in Okayama, which is most appealing to European eyes, and then Himeji castle bore reaching Kyoto again.
A second short round trip from Kyoto is a trains to Kanazawa, and visit the famous garden there and maybe also a little of the city. Next morning take the train to Nagoya via Takayama. Try to get a font seat tooThis track crosses the Japan Alps in a narrow gorge, sometimes even without a road or anything nearby. In Takayama, you can visit the old town, but you must see Hida no Sato where old houses are preserved, and a fire burns in them to keep the wood sound. You can then continue to Inuyama with a samm but old wooden castle. There is a Youth hostel which also offer crane fishing in a rowed boat in season. (Not sure about April) It is worth seeing it, while eating diner in the boat next to it. In Inuyama is also Meiji Mura, which collected a lot of the early “Westernized” Japanese buildings. This gives a good idea on how the Japanese saw (and still see) the westerner. From Nagoya you can return to Kyoto or go North to Tokyo.
March is a great season for views of Mt. Fuji. Go to Kawaguchiko (by train), and take the Katchi-yama ropeway. Up there is a trail on the ridge with lots and lots of great views of Fuji. There is also the Fuji Yurari Onsen, where you soak in the hot spring while the sun sets over Mt. Fuji!
Then of course there are the better known stuff written by others above. I would skip Nara, it feels like a tourist trap, and I never enjoyed it after Kyoto.
If you need more detailed suggesting, contact me.
There are many good recommendations in the comments. I’ll repeat a few that are must-see items based on my six years living in Japan.
Tokyo – Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower, Yoyogi Park, Imperial Palace (they are not ruins as one commenter said); recommend late March/early April for the mild temps (Tokyo in August is beastly!) and that’s when the cherry blossoms (sakura) are beginning to bloom; there’s also two Disney attractions (Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea) on the eastern outskirts of town if that’s your speed. The fish market moved to a location further out from downtown about 3 years ago, but you can still take tours. Ask the travel bureau or your hotel concierge.
Mt Fuji – only 60 miles SW of Tokyo, and quite a sight during the March/April timeframe. The snow cap will not have melted yet, so you can’t climb to the peak, but you can take a bus tour up to Station 5 at the 5,000-ft elevation point to visit the shrines and shops, and get some good photos of the trail up to the peak.
Kyoto – the park that has the Golden Pagoda is a must (sorry, can’t recall its name). Be sure to take a side-trip to Nara, the first Imperial capital for the temple, the HUGE statue of Bhudda,and the deer. They are so used to people they will eat out of your hand – and will bow politely before and after. Osaka is nearby as well, and has a world-class acquarium. There’s a samurai castle nearby, about an hour or so back toward Tokyo on the bullet train (shinkansen). If you are in Osaka in mid-March, you can catch the sumo tournament. It’s a spectacle you need to experience at least once in your life.
Hiroshima and point further south – definitely worth the visit to the Peace Museum and to see the preserved domed building that was the sight-point for Ground Zero of the atomic bomb. Temps will be warmer the further south you go. Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu is a nice city, with lots of farmlands covering the rest of the island. Beware – there are some active volcanos on Kyushu, so check current conditions before you travel.
Okinawa – tropical climate all-year round, and typhoon season starts in late April. Visiting here and the main islands of Japan will mean bringing both light- and medium-weight clothing. Lots of things to see and do, but don’t miss Sam’s By The Sea, a fantastic seafood restaurant.
A few cultural notes. Politeness is central to their society. Don’t be loud, don’t point and gesticulate wildly when you talk, and don’t touch someone to get their attention. A small bow, bending at the waist, is ALWAYS appropriate at the beginning and end of a conversation. A small repertoire of phrases is key. If you make the smallest effort effort to speak their language, the Japanese will bend over backwards to help you. Speak none and they will regard you as the arrogant foreigner you are. Here is a mall collection of such phrases.
“Sumimasen.” (The equivalent of “pardon me” to gain someone’s attention or to apologize for bumping elbows)
“Gomen-nasai.” (“I apologize”, used for more egregious errors like stepping on toes)
“Doko ni desu ka?” (“Where is ?” Note: the final “u” in many Japanese verbs like “desu” are not voiced, like the final “s” on French words)
“Onegashimasu.” (“Please take care of this”, said to cashier or waitress when tendering payment. If the cashier says the amount but the cash register doesn’t show it, say “Kaitte o kudusai” to have the amount written down for you.)
“Domo arigato.” (“Thank you”; this is preferable to the more informal “arigato” (i.e., “thanks”). To be extra polite, say “Domo arigato gozaimasu.”)
“Ohayo gozaimasu.” (“Good morning”, used sunrise until noon)
“Konnichi wa.” (“Good day”, used noon until sunset)
“Konban wa.” (“Good evening”, used in the evening)
All three are equivalent to saying “Hello.”
And of course, “Sayonara” means “Goodbye.”
@ tinman:
Argh, I used angle brackets in one part of my comment and it was taken as HTML. Let me correct it here.
“Doko ni placename desu ka?” (“Where is placename?”
@ Markus:
I thought that Nara was quite impressive. Not so much for the deers, but the wooden halls of Tōdai-ji and the giant Buddha there did really leave a lasting impression on me :). I also got the absolutely best strawberry/ichigo daifukus in Nara!
Another recommendation that I didn’t see yet is to visit the Izo peninsula, south of Tokyo. Ideal for a stopover of 1-2 days when going from Tokyo to Kyoto/Kansai region. We went with a stay in Heda, which has a very nice harbour and good views of Mount Fuji. However there are nice onsen hotels all over the peninsula.
Most places that came to my mind are already mentioned. It was fun to take a rental bike tour from Onomichi to Shikoku.
Very important: Don’t forget the food!
There are many outstanding places, some of them actually affordable 🙂
Restaurant “Wasabi” (one Michelin star) in Osaka is offering fantastic Kushikatsu – 16 seats only, sitting 50cm away from the cooking action…
Try surfing the many webpages/blogs for the bigger cities, describing interesting restaurants that you would never find by yourself (7th floor all you can eat teppanyaki…).
On the other end of the spectrum – try some small places in a living area – we had great evenings without speaking barely any Japanese in small places with the owner running a one-man-show and 4-5 regular customers from the neighbourhood.
Never been to Japan but i would love to visit their game arcades sometimes, something cool we don’t really see as much here in northern europe. Not something you should specifically book time to but if you got slack time and see one around, give it a go.
I got some good tips for Japan from the “Abroad in Japan” channel on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cmbroad44/videos
Especially on things that I originally wanted to do/see very much but that now rather moved to the bottom of my list. I also think that Chris is pretty funny but a lot of people don’t seem to get his kind of humor…
@ tinman:
Actually, what you want to say is ” wa doko desu ka?” “Doko ni”, in my experiences, is not used with “desu”. “Desu” is the verbal equivalent of an equal sign, and therefore, the way that this should be expressed is the equivalent of ” = where?” (“Ni” in that usage is specifying location, but that would be more used in the case of a location of a person or thing, and would not be used with “desu” but rather “arimasu” (inanimate object) or “imasu” (animate object), as in “Taito Center wa Shinjuku ni arimasu.” (The Taito Center is in Shinjuku.) To ask where the Taito Center is, you would say “Taito Center wa doko desu ka?”)