Travel: Japan - General

[Estéema]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2129441\" time=\"1708388121\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2129441 time=1708388121 user_id=53606]
It’s a bit of a contradiction, choosing Tokyo but wanting to visit small towns and historical sites, because the noteworthy ones are far from Tokyo (or at least require more than a day trip out). But i get your reason for starting with tokyo as a first timer. The plus side is Tokyo has 2 international airports (Haneda and Narita) so more choices for flights.

Personally, I would choose Osaka as a base if want to see more interesting sites. That’s what we did last Nov, with day trips via train to Nara and Kyoto. Least fuss cos we stayed near a train station and planned every route via train + walk.

Tokyo is fine to start with if u’re leisurely. Day trip to Hakone, which is a hot spring area “next” to Mount Fuji. U can book the day trip via 3rd party platforms, or take a public bus (not easy with language barrier).

Getting around by train is “easy” cos signs are in English. I’m sure if you know the London Tube system then Japan rail system will be not too difficult for u.

I’d recommend spending a day in Ueno Park (pick a weekend if u like to watch more buskers) for the scenery and walking.

Imperial Palace tour comes to mind, but not sure how much of it is open to public post-covid.

U can check for other museums around tokyo to see if they interest u.

Tsukiji Fish Market is probably another dun-skip for Tokyo.[/quote]

We like Osaka too & stayed twice near the park which gave us fresh morning view of the Sakura blooms!

I agree with the Japan station, it was when we let our DH help navigate when he was 12 just after his PSLE. He was so delighted to toppo & help figure & so are we as proud parents to see him so confident. Ya, not that difficult la.

I prefer DIY trips as i don’t like to be rushed esp when i want to take nice pics or just wanna enjoy my food abit more & shop to my heart’s content. I tend to buy loads of Japanese stuff when at their markets or the like places.

I’ve enjoyed Kyoto & each time there, I love to walk thro the meandering shops & wld discover eateries & just wanna chill there. Sth a tour group will not afford my need to be leisurely. We bumped into our BS grp frds & ended up watching fireworks near the Gion area, and that was memorable as we bond & chatted. Can’t do when tour groups rushed fr pillar to post.

Hope you find a suitable trip to enjoy with yr hubby. Don’t know how many days u’re going but not difficult to research & google helps u pin down, incl hotels & places of interests. Stay near train station. Within a couple of hours, u’ll hv mapped out yr route.

Enjoy!

[sharonkhoo]

I think we are probably going to pick a package tour, probably one starting in Osaka and ending in Tokyo or vice versa. I’ll reserve my research endeavours for the next time, when we home in on an area and want to see it in more detail. This time, I’ll let someone do the deciding and just go with it! Can’t rake up energy to do this additional thing right now. But thanks for the various suggestions - will archive for the next time!

[Estéema]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129463\" time=\"1708401320\" user_id=\"28674:

I think we are probably going to pick a package tour, probably one starting in Osaka and ending in Tokyo or vice versa. I'll reserve my research endeavours for the next time, when we home in on an area and want to see it in more detail. This time, I'll let someone do the deciding and just go with it! Can't rake up energy to do this additional thing right now. But thanks for the various suggestions - will archive for the next time!

Relax & enjoy yr Japan trip!

[sharonkhoo]

Estéema\" post_id=\"2129466\" time=\"1708403183\" user_id=\"66413:

Relax & enjoy yr Japan trip!

Got to choose once first! And find a travel date that fits all the different constraints! We plan to go in May.

[zac's mum]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129467\" time=\"1708404208\" user_id=\"28674:

Got to choose once first! And find a travel date that fits all the different constraints! We plan to go in May.

Have fun! Tour group in May will prob be mostly your age group couples/females, or young working adults, sans kids.

[MyPillow]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129440\" time=\"1708388012\" user_id=\"28674:

Thanks for the tips. Esteema - I'll use your list for reference! But for this trip, we are probably going to go on a tour because I have no energy to research (too many things on my plate in the next few months, and we plan to go in May). My husband is not the kind to research these things. He will just give me a rough outline, and it's always me that works on the details! But I really can't look at trains, hotels, places to visit etc this time, so he said to look for a tour.

We are leaning towards taking a tour (9D seems the most common length) which covers the main central areas (roughly Tokyo to Kyoto), to give an overview of the country and let us have a taste of how things work there. We can then home in on specific areas in future trips.

I've been recommended Chan Bros, Nam Ho and EU so far by other friends. I know the tours will be rushed, and they will probably have more shopping than I like, but other than that, any comments?

chan is prob the most Ex package, prob they give better hotels (?) or airlines.
there are others agencies, wts, ctc, lge, eu, or some smaller ones, natas is coming, so hope u are able to find good prmos and share with us

[sharonkhoo]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"2129477\" time=\"1708408501\" user_id=\"70594:

chan is prob the most Ex package, prob they give better hotels (?) or airlines.
there are others agencies, wts, ctc, lge, eu, or some smaller ones, natas is coming, so hope u are able to find good prmos and share with us

I've given up on Chan Bros - their website is having problems, I think. Hardly anything listed, and keeps giving me blank pages. Just checked - NATAS is 1-3 Mar. Not sure if I can face the crowds.

Oh another thing I found - all the tours are conducted in Mandarin! I'm OK with that, but it does show the demographic they are targeted at.

[MyPillow]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129482\" time=\"1708409537\" user_id=\"28674:

I've given up on Chan Bros - their website is having problems, I think. Hardly anything listed, and keeps giving me blank pages. Just checked - NATAS is 1-3 Mar. Not sure if I can face the crowds.

Oh another thing I found - all the tours are conducted in Mandarin! I'm OK with that, but it does show the demographic they are targeted at.

i think shd be bilingual, i joined tour grp to korea 15yrs ago, the tour leader was fr msia.

[sharonkhoo]

One of the travel agents told me that usually at the NATAS fair, the prices will be the same as in-store, but there may be freebies given. I think I’m just going to book and not fight the crowds at NATAS. I don’t think I want freebies enough!


We’ve also invited our older girl to join us for this tour as they offer triple sharing. Hope the rooms won’t be too cramped! But we won’t spend much time in the hotels since this is a tour. Now waiting for her to get clearance to take leave for that period.

[ChiefKiasu]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129516\" time=\"1708477713\" user_id=\"28674:

One of the travel agents told me that usually at the NATAS fair, the prices will be the same as in-store, but there may be freebies given. I think I'm just going to book and not fight the crowds at NATAS. I don't think I want freebies enough!

We've also invited our older girl to join us for this tour as they offer triple sharing. Hope the rooms won't be too cramped! But we won't spend much time in the hotels since this is a tour. Now waiting for her to get clearance to take leave for that period.

I've been to Japan twice and both times the rooms are really tiny even if the hotel is decent. Anyway, as I was alone then maybe they just threw me to their smallest rooms they have to offer