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Japan

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May 25, 2013 2:34 AM
jessicafairman

last reply
May 25, 2013 2:34 AM
jessicafairman

0 replies
10 views
location: Japan

Yudanaka in Summer

Hi,

We are planning to spend one night in Yudanaka on a trip this August and just wonder if there are nice hiking trails around the area too? We aren't sure if it is worth to see the Snow Monkey Onsen at this time of year, but are so close in our travels to it, thought it would be a good idea.
Also, any idea for day hikes in Habuka? We are going to do a three day walk in Kamikochi and have a few days left in our travels. Not sure if we should go to Habuka as well, we would only have 1-2 days to spend there. We are going to Nagano, Matsumoto, hiking the Kiso Valley, and visiting Kanazawa in about 12 days of holiday.

thanks for the advice!

May 24, 2013 5:01 AM
iltonkdr

last reply
May 24, 2013 11:07 AM
bamse

2 replies
67 views
location: Japan

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 »

May 23, 2013 5:06 AM
lauraysia

last reply
May 23, 2013 3:19 PM
Tokyo_girl

3 replies
126 views
location: Japan

Sumo fights 24.05.2013 to share a box

Hi

My husband and I are looking for 2 extra person for tomorrow's Sumo' fights. Friday 24.05.2013. we are looking to share the price of a 4 person box seats B. price is 41200 in total, so 10300 per person.

May 23, 2013 3:31 AM
philimurphy17

last reply
May 23, 2013 2:51 PM
philimurphy17

7 replies
172 views
location: Japan

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

May 23, 2013 2:38 AM
mattw91

last reply
May 24, 2013 5:43 AM
Glenski

4 replies
135 views
location: Japan

Visiting Japan for first time.

Hi there, I am planning to take a holiday in Japan next year as I love the culture and really want to experience as much as I can. I am wondering what is the best time of the year to go? Here are some of the things I want to see/do; Got to a traditional festival, visit some shrines/temples, experience the nightlife (clubbing), fine dine Japanese style, drink sake, possibly dine at a temple, eat some ramen, see some cherry blossoms, possibly find a meditation garden/temple, see some traditional Japanese performances/shows and of course, go shopping in Tokyo. I would like to know the best time of the year to go and experience the culture as much as possible, not too crowded, nice enough weather that sort of thing. This is more of a cultural trip than just a jolly. Also where would be the best places to go to see/do some of these things? Thanks!

May 22, 2013 3:11 PM
marzy88

last reply
May 25, 2013 2:45 AM
Tokyo_girl

3 replies
128 views
location: Japan

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.

May 22, 2013 1:10 PM
slilly2013

last reply
May 23, 2013 8:48 AM
alexander_vi

6 replies
209 views
location: Japan

¥4,000 single room in central Tokyo location?

Hello all,

Im looking for private room for ¥4,000 or less in as central location in Tokyo as possible. Im hoping to spend at least a week there and it will be my first time in Japan. I don't care how small it is and am of course expecting to share a bathroom.

I would prefer not to use a capsule hotel for such a long stay.

It must be close to good transport links.

I have spent plenty of time searching the internet and on here but have not found a great deal.

Kimi Ryokan sounds good but also quite far from place. Google maps predicts that it is over minutes from Ryoguko. Is that right?

Kimi Ryokan is in Ikebukuro area
Juyoh hotel sounds good and is in Taito-ku area.
Palace Japan is also in Taito-ku area.

If anyone has any other options that I can investigate or advice on which of these has the best location for the average tourist spending a week in Tokyo that ... more »

May 21, 2013 9:08 PM
pintadust

last reply
May 22, 2013 11:24 PM
joytrek

3 replies
108 views
location: Japan

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 »

May 21, 2013 5:31 PM
cmeek

last reply
May 21, 2013 5:31 PM
cmeek

0 replies
21 views
location: Japan

Air quality in Nagasaki

Hi everyone, my husband and I are in Nagasaki after a week in lovely Kyoto. Nagasaki is very beautiful and interesting, and of course we went to the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter and Museum which was very moving. We didn't expect that the air quality would be so bad, though. It seems if pollution (and sand?) is blowing in from mainland China and is making it hard to enjoy walking around. So we may have to go to the penguin museum today. I found a website that is helping us to double-check our itinerary based on air quality:

http://aqicn.org/?map

Happy travels, everyone. Sayonara!

May 19, 2013 1:12 PM
dleelv

last reply
May 21, 2013 2:33 PM
tahyan

1 replies
75 views
location: Japan

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?

May 19, 2013 10:57 AM
gypsygirl60

last reply
May 24, 2013 7:08 PM
Tokyo_girl

6 replies
112 views
location: Japan

Japan Visa Requirements For South Africans

Hello

We are planning to visit Japan in Dec and a have a query on visa requirements.

I have a British & Australian passport and my fiance has South African.

We have noticed on various govt sites that for Sth Africans, apart from bank statements, they need a day by day paid for itinerary, before a visa is granted.

Would this be the same as the Chinese visa requirements, where you can book accomodation online and then cancel after receiving a visa, or is Japan's requirements different.

Any info would be appreciated. Thankyou

May 19, 2013 7:40 AM
Tripodi666

last reply
May 22, 2013 6:59 AM
slilly2013

7 replies
232 views
location: Japan

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.

Week ... more »

May 19, 2013 7:31 AM
hongkongstar

last reply
May 19, 2013 7:33 AM
hongkongstar

0 replies
51 views
location: Japan

usedbookstore moved.(8th edition : tokyo)

This year, January I went to Tokyo and brought my lonely planet guide.

When I was in Tokyo, I just wanted to buy an English book(used),

so I went to Gooddaybooks(8th Tokyo explained that was located in Ebisu). But they moved to Gotanda(near Ebisu)

If you want to buy some used-English book, when you might be traveling in Tokyo..

(http://www.gooddaybooks.com/contents/home/?language=english) Please check this site.

even if you're smartphone.. because i didn't know about that so I was roaming around the wrong site.

Have a nice trip and god bless your flight . bye.

P.S. I am not a owner at Gooddaybooks :-) I live in Korea.

Edited by: hongkongstar

May 18, 2013 7:11 PM
didi71

last reply
May 19, 2013 12:12 AM
bamse

1 replies
105 views
location: Japan

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 »

May 18, 2013 3:21 AM
rianaz

last reply
May 22, 2013 6:01 PM
rianaz

2 replies
111 views
location: Japan

Hokkaido onsen - Tokachidake or Shirogane?

Hi Japan road warriors,

I'm blowing through Hokkaido in an 8-day trip and staying for 2 days in Furano area.
If I only have time for one onsen day trip from there, should I make it Tokachidake or Shirogane?
I'm also going to Asahidake onsen for two days after that, for soaking and trekking.
Is it worth the extra slog to Tennikyo or Sounkyo onsen from there?

There are four of us and we'll have a rental car.
I'm going in early June.

Your advice is much appreciated. Cheers

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