First time Japan! Looking for someone for introducing..

Hello Peeps,

My name is Ilton and I'm 21 years old, I'm a filmmmaker and current studying Director of Photography at the Arts Schools. I'm from the Netherlands and heading over about 9 days to Japan. I'm travelling together with my girlfriend , we planned this trip to japan, because we both like to know about it's culture and living. We can't stay stationary, we haven't sufficient money so we will backpack trough Japan, in hope to meet alot of people and discover new places.

Since we're looking for a couch for approx 2 days, we'd like someone not only to hosts us a place to stay, but also who like to tell us about Japan, tell us about what's a normal life in Japan looks like. Also since we're going to backpack, we'd like to know about cheap ways of transport, and what are the best places to go when backpacking.
In the past half year we travelled through asia, thailand, cambodja... more »

Flights London to Tokyo

Hi,
Myself and my girlfriend are flying to Japan from London to Tokyo this July. We're choosing our airlines now, we're down to 3; British Airways, KLM and Virgin. There's only about 160 Euro difference between the cheapest and the most expensive. We've never flown long haul with these airlines so if any of you have any feedback on their long haul economy comfort and entertainment that would be great!!
Looking forward to hearing form you.
Phil

Edited by: philimurphy17

Mastercard rejection in Japan

I read that Mastercard is no longer accepted by ATMs that will take western cards (i.e. JapanPost and 7/11s).

Anyone had an issues VISA or VISA debit cards since April 19th 2013 (start of Mastercard suspension)?

I was looking at Travellers Cheques, but I heard they can be a nightmare. I'm opting for cash, I hear it's relatively safe.

Also, most travellers cards that are designed for travel are Mastercard, so using those options are now out. I've read bad complaints ANZ who offer a VISA debit traveller card.

JR pass (osaka, kyoto, jigokudani, tokyo)

hi there,

i am travelling to japan (first time!) with my boyfriend in november for two weeks, flying into osaka and out through tokyo, making our way across central japan and was considering getting the JR pass for at least 7 days to cover costs of the bullet train but not too sure what it actually covers.

our itinerary is:
arrive in osaka at night (day 0)
day 1. explore osaka
day 2. explore osaka
day 3. day trip to nara
day 4. leave osaka for kyoto early in the morning by train, explore kyoto
day 5. leave kyoto for jigokudani early in the morning by train
day 6. leave jigokudani for tokyo in the afternoon by train, stopover in gunma for a few hours maybe
day 7 - 16. explore tokyo

we are tossing up between buying a JR pass to save money on all the travelling between cities (a 7 day pass as most of our time is spent in tokyo) but are not sure if it will cover all t... more »

Conditions on Mount Fuji

Anyone know the state of the snow pack this year on Mount Fuji? I'm planning to climb it pre-season on June 15th and was curious if there is likely to be too much snow to reach the summit.

Also, is one route better than another in early season? Does the snow melt more quickly on one route than another?

4 Week Trip to Japan - Money Concern

Hey Lonely Planet,

This is my first trip to Japan and Im going for 4 weeks this August. I have more than enough money, im just wondering how much liquid cash I should bring with me. I've already converted $3,100 CAD into Yen, but I do not know if its enough...Ive already payed for my flights and Hotels no problem. Its just spending money im concerned with. Im going to use the shinkansen for fast transportation between cities. I know tickets are expensive, but Ill be using my international debit or Credit card for that.

My itinerary is as follows

Week 1: Tokyo. Aug 1-8

• Visiting landmarks such as Shibuya Crossing, the Hachiko Statue, Yoyogi park, Temples around Ueno, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree etc.
• One very nice dining experience.
• shopping for small souvenirs
• Lots of subway use
• Restaurants...but mostly a lot of the mom and pop shops, cafes, street food.

6 weeks in japan at xmas

First time to japan with my husband and 2 kids 13 & 11 , want to spend about 3 weeks ckecking out lower part of japan, kyoto , hiroshima , miyajima other spots along the way if someone could recommend . then spend about 3 weeks in japan alps snowboarding in the later part of jan also tips if anyone has info . its our first time backpacking with 2 kids my husband and i backpacked the world for 3 years in the late 90's but with kids it needs lots of planning. first dilemma is getting from narita to somewhere and we land at 8pm at night, do we stay in narita and head south next day and to where first or go into tokyo for a couple of days and then move south. my husband wants to do 5-6 days in tokyo before we leave and then we can buy things without carrying around whole japan.
can we send my husbands snowboard to somewhere in snowfields and how
we don't want to do all tourist areas we... more »