Japan tips please!
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
Why would you not waste time on the beach resorts? We are definitely looking for a few days of R&R while we're there - is there something else that would be better? |
Anonymous
|
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/697437.page
Lots of threads on here about Japan. Do a search in the travel board. |
Anonymous
Also wanted to add- bring an empty (or near empty) piece of luggage. So much cool stuff to buy. You’ll say you’ll be good and not but very much—ha ha good luck!! |
Anonymous
You absolutely can take the train to Sapporo. |
Anonymous
|
Just stay on Honshu, the main island with Tokyo Kyoto Osaka on it.
Agree don’t fly in Japan, just take trains. For 12 days I would not go to Sapporo or Okinawa. I would also not do Tokyo Disney but that’s just me. To me, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe are all 2 hours apart from each other and all worth visits. That area, the Kansai region, is about the distance from Tokyo as Ny is to Dc. Spend 4 or 5 days there. I would not go to the beach in Japan, it’s not really that amazing. (I’ve been, the only thing that is cool is the way Japanese hibachi barbecue there sometimes) You can also hike MT Fuji in the summer, that’s between Tokyo and Kyoto. Japan’s weather is like DC, same hot and humid, but not worse than here. |
Anonymous
|
Things I would do:
Stay in a ryokan or two. Visit an onsen (bath house) or two. Osaka- visit the Dontonburi bridge area at night Kyoto: all things old Japan: kimono shopiiing, tea ceremony, ikebana, kinkakuji gold temple Nara the capital of Japan before Tokyo from 700s to 1600s, see the Huge Buddha statue, feed the deer walking around everywhere. Visit a grocery store and just marvel. Also visit the basement food hall of a department store, and the beer garden at the top. Visit an izekaya and a kaitenzushiya Eat everything you’re presented with- so much delicious stuff beyond sushi and tempura. |
Anonymous
The beaches just aren’t that nice in Japan. For recreation, visit the mountains and the hot springs… Hakone, Nikko… stay at ryokan with an onsen. |
Anonymous
This was our last big trip before lockdown. Our kids were about 9 at the time. We flew into Tokyo, went directly to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. We stayed at the Hilton right there, but could’ve just as easily stayed at the Sheraton (I think? It was a Marriott for sure). There is a hotel that’s INSIDE the park, but I understand you have to log on at midnight the day availability is released to have a shot at getting a reservation. Had I known, I would’ve tried, although I think it’s very very pricey. We spent the next five days in Tokyo, which was enough to see some highlights and also wander a bit. Try to catch a baseball game if you can (you also have to log on the second they open ticket sales to get a ticket - we did that and still ended up in the very last row). There’s also a sort of amusement park outside of the Tokyo Giants stadium, and a bowling alley nearby. Lots of fun. Even your tweens might be impressed by the Ninja Cafe restaurant (I think that’s what it’s called). Kyoto is a must do and much more difficult to navigate on your own. You will need a guide to try to see things, as the bus system in Kyoto is harder to navigate than the Tokyo subway. Japan actually offers English-speaking guides for free, you just buy their lunch. Hiroshima is a couple of hours by train from Kyoto and worth a couple of days. The city is nothing like what you’re probably imagining. The museum of the bombing is difficult but worth it. I would not take the time to go back to Tokyo to depart, wastes too much time. We flew into Tokyo and home from Osaka, which was much more convenient. We just spent one night in Osaka - long enough to see the famous “running man” ad and get dinner, then took the train to the Osaka airport the next day. Have fun! We’ve traveled a great deal and Japan is the one place my son talks about all the time. |
Anonymous
| You’re better off flying to Southeast Asia for a nice beach. Think Thailand, Malaysia, Bali/ Indonesia, The Philippines. Japan is an island but doesn’t really have great beaches. The only thing sea related is that they eat everything from the sea, and they still are allowed to whale as part of their culture. |
Anonymous
|
Here are some other amusement parks in Japan.
https://jw-webmagazine.com/10-best-theme-parks-to-visit-in-japan-7a624c9940ea/ |
Anonymous
|
things i love w kids in tokyo:
ghibli museum https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ kaiten sushi https://www.tsunagujapan.com/top-20-classic-conveyor-belt-sushi-restaurants-in-tokyo/ tokyo tower https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/en/ miraikan museum https://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/ strolling the ginza @ night buen viaje! get a jr pass stateside. great for daytrips |
Anonymous
| Do not fly inside of Japan. Covid testing is required to board an aircraft and costs $300 |
Anonymous
| Any rumors around regarding Japan opening to tourists? |
Anonymous
Wondering this too! My fiancé and I are interested in going for our honeymoon next winter but I’m nervous about them not opening. |
Anonymous
Anyone? |