Travel: Japan - General

[godiva]

starlight1968sg:

mckenzy:

Hi godiva... Kaiseki is (from what i understand) an elaborate meal consisting of numerous dishes filled with local produce from the area where you are eating... this is served to you within the confines of your room... usually a ryokan...


in some cases they serve it in restaurants, like in Kyoto... i think its quite unlikely that you'll find it in Tokyo and even if you do... it will probably be pretty expensive... and come to think about it.. for it to be a true Kaiseki experience, the food should be fresh, including the vegetables. That's why every Kaiseki experience is different... the food is prepared depending on what has been available and bought/grown that day...

the best alternative i can think of is to go westward to Hakone... or if you're into colder weather, up to Nagano area... plenty of opportunities there to try this style out...

Yes, we tried a kaiseki dinner at Kokuya in Yudanaka, Nagano.
Though expensive, but you will really be pampered by the choices of hotbath & the meals. It was one of our most memorable experience in Japan.
http://www.ichizaemon.com/lang_en/

Thanks both of you for your suggestions!

[3Boys]

Angelight:

Hi mummies and daddies,


1. Anyone who have been to Tokyo Disneyland, can share whether Disney Land OR Disney Sea is more fun and value for money? I only plan to go either one.

2. Also, which hotel/motel in Tokyo is recommended, in terms of location, price and comfort/cleanliness? Everything is ex in Tokyo, hoping to find a hotel that is affordable and convenient.

3. Is it necessary to bring stroller for 3 yo child? I heard there are alot of staircases in Tokyo.

4. Nov/Dec is it winter in Tokyo?

TIA for your sharings.

Angelight,
it depends how old and mature your kids are. Disneyland is a little more 'kiddy' with more rides for the younger set. Disneysea has a rather more mature theme and can be a little intimidating for small children. My then 4-y.o. did not take well to Disneysea.

Stroller of not? Ha ha, damned if you do, damned if you don't. If you are doing free and easy, then a stroller is essential as there is a LOT of walking and unless your kids are very used to it, they will protest. On the other hand, the train stations do not always have lifts, so its a cycle of open/close/carry up and down stairs. A real pain in the b... An alternative may be one of those 'backpack' child carriers, if you think you have the stamina.

Try the Ascott/Citadines group for hotels. Reasonably priced apartments, with a small kitchenette in each room and coin-laundry, perfect for small family F&E. I stayed at Citadines Shinjuku, it was small, but clean and fresh looking.

A piece of advice, take it slowly, don't stress yourself with trying by packing too much in.

Enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to check the height requirements for rides in Disney. There may be a bunch of things a 3-y.o. cannot do.

[mckenzy]

Hi Angelight,


1. Stroller is must. If that is your modus operandi in Singapore, you will have no issues in Tokyo. There are lifts in train stations, sometimes you just need to ask.

At one of the stations (Ikebukuro i think), we were lugging our suitcases down the escalators to the scowls (yes Japanese do scowl sometimes) of the regular traffic of humans in the station… an elderly japanese lady motioned for us smiling, to a path which led to the stations lift to the platform.

most people that use the lifts are parents with babies or toddlers…

Yes, there are a lot of stairs in Tokyo, but there are also alot of escalators. stairs are mostly found at the fringes of the underground malls…

2. Nov/Dec is coming to end of Autumn in Tokyo… hands will be cold.
(but most japanese don’t wear gloves during this period) - but who cares? my hands were cold to extent i could not carry stuff properly… so i bought a pair of gloves there to wear.

3. 3-star hotels are clean. if you’re bringing just one child (3-yr old?)… look for a business hotel near the stations.

4. for 3-yr olds i find that only thing they will enjoy in Disney (be it sea or land) will be the shows and parades… so it doesn’t really matter which one you go to…

they might enjoy Tokyo sealife park more (1 or 2 stops away i forget)…

[Angelight]

Thanks, 3Boys & Mckenzy, for your sharings and advice! Appreciate that.


I may be going for 4D3N only, enough to visit Disneyland and see most of Tokyo? For Disneyland, is one day enough? or at least 2?

Yes, I will bring stroller. But problem is DH and I have backache problems so not sure how we gonna manage with a stroller and a over 10kg tot?? :scared:

Also, any nice and not too expensive eatery places in Tokyo? DD and I can survive on sushi, but DH must eat rice or noodles.

And if I only have 4D3N in Tokyo, which places a MUST to go and see/shop?

Thanks again for your replies.

[3Boys]

1 day in Disneyland is enough.


Cheap places to eat ar? Hard to really recommend, we walked around and basically walked into places that seemed to offer reasonably priced cuisine. It would be Sushi one day, Teppanyaki the next, Ramen the day after. Randomly selected.

We visited Yasukuni shrine, Meiji shrine and Asasuka, plus Tokyo museum. All quite nice.

Try tripadvisor or frommers for more specific recommendations for eats and sights.

[3Boys]

mckenzy:

4. for 3-yr olds i find that only thing they will enjoy in Disney (be it sea or land) will be the shows and parades... so it doesn't really matter which one you go to...

they might enjoy Tokyo sealife park more (1 or 2 stops away i forget)...

Perhaps, I did find that the themes (colours, characters and construction) at DisneySea a little more geared to teens/adults. E.g Venice, Volcanoland, Ali Baba, Tower of Terror, so a bit more 'fierce', as opposed to Mickey Mouse, Snow White in Disneyland.

[mckenzy]

Hi Angelight,


Tokyo residents cannot complete seeing Tokyo in their lifetime.... so... to answer this question... 3-4 days confirm chop stamp not enough...!

Backache? Sama sama... but what to do? Self drive in Tokyo not practical...
Just take it slow and try not to accomplish too much... you will visit Japan again (also confirm chop stamp )

Rice and noodles in Japan is everywhere... no need to worry about this...

Sunday's Japan Times cited that most asian tourists to Japan focus only on two things... Eat and Shop... so i presume it is the same for you... eat no need to worry everywhere also have... shop... now shop is difficult. Everyone's taste in shopping is different.

Must elaborate a little more... you want branded goods... cheap goods (think Y100 shop)... clothes, electronics... etc etc..

Or you want to see culture... that one is abit rare for Singaporeans... except maybe the older bunch (i'm talking about my age)...

so... how? how?

planning for Japan quite laborious but also quite exciting..
...


..

[ksme]

if you are into outlet shopping, Gotemba factory outlets will satisfy you with a wide range of shops and brands. I don’t know how to get there so can’t give you directions but some of the others have travelled there so they will be able to advise you.


btw, if you are planning to catch some of the parades at Disneyland, may want to bring a ground sheet or picnic mat. Last year we went in early Dec and the floors were cold and sometimes wet. To get a good view of the parades, you will need to "chope" seats about half hour before the parade start.

Food is available everywhere. Can find lots of small eateries selling ramen, rice with sushi etc for 800 to 1000yen. The servings are quite ok. You can also get relatively cheap food at the basement food sections of big departmental stores.

Have fun!

[chergaby]

mckenzy:

Hi Angelight,


Just take it slow and try not to accomplish too much... you will visit Japan again (also confirm chop stamp )


..

:goodpost:

I've been reminding myself not to cramp too much at one go...made hubby promise me that we will go back again!!

[Herbie]

Hi 3boys


I need to check with you wrt Ascott/Citadines group for hotels. I have checked on the bookling of studio double and indicate for 2 adult and 2 children and they indicated as follows:

"The number of adults and/or children you have selected exceeds the maximum occupancy for this residence type. Please select a larger residence type or subdivide the guests into additional units by reducing the number of guests per unit and increasing the number of units booked."

But we are fine with the double studio for the 4 of us. It is possible for us to still go ahead and book the room under 2 adult and 1 child . Will it be an issue with the hotel if it is occupied by 2 adult and 2 child.

Appreciate yr advise please. Many thanks!