Japan - Another Trip to Japan Thread - August 2012

Hello everyone, my wife and I will be taking our first trip to Japan at the beginning of August this year. I have already done a fair amount of research, but I was hoping to get some opinions or suggestions. We will be flying ORD-NRT-KIX (depart Aug 2, arrive Aug 3 in the evening) on the way there and then NRT-BOS(787!)-ORD (all Aug 13) back. In Kyoto I have the Hyatt Regency Kyoto booked on points and in Tokyo we have the Conrad Tokyo reserved on points. Here are the places/sights/experiences I have picked out as possibilities for us to do (* means it is a higher priority to see):

Central Kyoto

*Nijo Castle – the creaking floorboards

*Tō-ji Temple – the tallest pagoda in Japan

Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum – a preserved roundhouse and cheap train ride

*Kyoto Imperial Palace – reservations required! (and Sento Imperial Palace)


Western Kyoto

Tenryū-ji and Ōkōchi Sansō – Zen temple, UNESCO world heritage site, house of former silent screen legend with beautiful grounds

Iwatayama Monkey Park – feed monkeys

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple – hundreds of small figures

Kokedera – need to send a letter to Japan with number of people in the party and preferred dates of visit, along with a self addressed envelope to: Saiho-ji Temple 56 Jingatani-cho, Matsuo Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8286, Japan

Suzumushi-dera – the cricket temple


Eastern Kyoto

*Kiyomizu Temple – the “pure water” temple with the beautiful wood pagoda

Yogen-in – floorboards used from a castle still have blood on them from a battle, may be difficult to get in without speaking Japanese

Gion district – May get to see a geisha here, has 2 picturesque streets
Sannen-zaka ("three-year-slope") and Ninen-zaka ("two-year-slope"),

Yasaka Shrine – has many lanterns

Kenninji Temple – lots of impressive artwork, including Edo period screens

*Philosopher’s Walk – many famous temples and sights to see along a 2km walk.

*Rakushisha Paper Crafts – best place for prints, fans and other items that appear to be of better quality than other shops.

Honkenishio Yatsuhashi – best place for raw yatsuhashi which is some sort of sweet unique to Kyoto (I think)


Northern Kyoto

*Kinkaku-ji Temple – temple of the golden pavillion

Ryōan-ji – famous dry zen garden

Saimyoji Temple – not worth a separate trip, but if visiting other temples in the area, the entrance with a bridge and lanterns is nice

Kozan-ji – world heritage site, famous painting that is considered the world’s first manga

Sanzen-in – houses a few ancient buddha statues and a moss garden

*Hosen-in – also build using the floorboards of the bloody castle. Has a famous 700 year old pine tree

Shugakuin Imperial Villa – reservations required, Princess Diana once toured here
*Zen Meditation at Shunko-in and Zen Meditation at Taizo-in – both have tours, zen meditation, and some sort of tea ceremony, but the Taizo-in you also get a calligraphy lesson. It is also more expensive (almost $75). The first tour is around $20 and takes about half the time.


Southern Kyoto
*Fushimi Inari Taisha – hundreds of red torii line the entrance

Jonangu Shrine – former Imperial villa, no reservations required

Daigo-ji – old temple complex with lots of history and a world heritage site

*Nintendo headquarters – no tours offered, probably just get a picture with the Nintendo sign

Ryomakan – a good place to get a more authentic sword

*Gekkeikan – sake brewery tour


Tokyo

*temples of Asakusa – an impressive collection of temples

*Meiji Shrine – one of the top shrines in Tokyo

*Viewpoints - Tokyo Metropolitan Government building – free and one of the highest points. World Trade Center Building – one of the better location views. Bunkyo Civic Center views of Shinjuku and Mt. Fuji

*Akihabara – electric town

Tsukiji fish market – the famous tuna auctions

Tokyu Hands – crazy items

Hachikō - the dog story

Imperial Palace – can apply online for a free tour of this and the east gardens
Edo-Tokyo Museum – one of the best museums in Tokyo

Sony building – preview new technology

Sensōji – a stunning looking temple (painted in red and it has a pagoda)


Kamakura

Good for a day trip, see and climb inside of the giant Buddhas.

Kōtokuin – home of the giant Buddha statue

Hasedera – largest wooden statue in Japan


Nara

Tōdai-ji – the largest buddha in japan and the largest wooden building in the world. You can also feed deer here

Kasuga Taisha – this is to stone lanterns what Fushimi Inari Taisha is to torii

Nara Tōka-e – a light festival that we will be in Japan during! 

Harushika – famous sake brewery

Nara specializes in calligraphy brush production and cloth


Hiroshima

May be good for a day trip from Kyoto. See the museums and bomb’s destruction.

My original thought was 5 nights in Kyoto and 6 in Tokyo, but looking at that list again maybe 6 in Kyoto and 5 in Tokyo would be better. Any thoughts on what I have picked out for us to see?

Other questions:

What would be the best way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo? I am assuming bullet train, but what about getting from the train station to the Conrad, which from my understanding is not real close to where the bullet train would arrive.

From what I have been reading, it seems like a regular rail pass wouldn't be the best option for us, but it sounds like there is some sort of rail pass for the Kyoto region that might be worth it.

I have read that the weather is pretty hot and humid around this time in Japan, but unfortunately it is the only time we can really go. It seems like the heat and humidity will be similar to what we get in Chicago around that time of year, is that pretty accurate?


I know this is a whole lot to read, but thanks in advance for any answers and suggestions.

It looks like you have a nice list of places to see with some logic to the way they are grouped. I wouldn't try to follow a rigid agenda, but leave flexibility depending on how you feel. After a couple of days of seeing temples, you may feel like you need a change of pace - see a castle or spend time shopping or whatever. To have that kind of flexibility you may want to check in advance to see if any of your "must see" sites have closing days. An awareness of what you can see on a Monday, for example, can be very helpful. (It's a shame to show up at a place and find that it's closed).

I'm glad you've put in a serious amount of research- there are at least a few threads a month expecting the regulars here to do all the legwork. Jib has great points on flexibility and finding out when things are open. Also, with regard to the August weather, you might find 1) you get exhausted quicker in the heat and 2) some of your days will be affected by torrential rains.

Since you have so many potential things to see and have hit most of the highlights just keep in mind what is close to each other, and what is indoors.

For specific suggestions- if you are going to take a trip to Hiroshima, the main things to see are the A-bomb related attractions and nearby Miyajima. Some of Miyajima's natural beauty is in its deer and monkey population, which in some aspects would be repeated in Nara and Arashiyama Monkey Park. I've been to all of those and honestly they are all stunning places, but if you are trying to cover as much variety as possible its something to keep in mind.

One thing Jib wrote that I agree with, but is simply a matter of personal taste, is getting "templed out" in Kyoto. You might start to feel like it all blends together after seeing lots of them, so if you stick to certain stunning examples - a great zen garden, the sheer brilliance of the Golden Pavilion, the views from Kiyomizudera, an open-air temple market, etc., then each one will be unique unto itself.

A few specific suggestions:

If you can catch a Kabuki play with in-ear English commentary, I find it to be a great cultural experience. I think one play is enough, and there are a few venues in Tokyo.

Also, I've been to the Sony showcase in Ginza a few times, and found it to
be less impressive this time around, maybe because the Aibo robot dogs are gone. It is a good add-on in combination with walking around the outlandish architecture of Ginza and checking out a department store basement (much cooler than it sounds), but by itself you are better served seeing whats new and hot in Akihabara.

Also, I'd add the museums in Ueno, and 2 things that require planning far in advance- Tokyo Sky Tree (may not be possible) and the Ghibli Museum (don't make my mistake, look for tix ASAP if interested)

Couple more thoughts -

Expect early August to be hot and humid. (Just awful). Might be worth carving out a day or two in the middle of the trip to visit the mountains.

If you start your trip in Kyoto, chances are you'll be awake very early the morning on the day after you arrive. Kiyomizu temple is a great place to start in that situation because it opens very early. It's a good idea to go then to get an early morning view over the city, and to miss the crowds. You should be able to find breakfast somewhere around there and then perhaps go up the Philosopher's walk, take in Nanzenji on the way. End up at Ginkakuji. You might want to go back to Kiyomizu at the end of the day to take a look around the quaint stores, which won't be open early in the morning.

Your stop at Narita airport may be four hours or more - enough time to pay a short visit to Narita, if you want to stretch your legs and see another temple and a not-untypical small city/town ...

See my comments about the Imperial Palace in the other thread ("Kyoto--4 temples in 1 day possible?") My response was, "I had to make reservations for THIS?"

I spent two weeks in Kyoto one August, and I have never been so miserably hot in my life. Kyoto is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is fairly far inland, so you can get hot, humid days with no air moving.

Because of the heat, you will need to pace yourself. I agree that the temples can all start to look alike, especially if you really wish you were lying down in an air-conditioned room, so study your guidebooks again to figure out which temples are really distinctive.

Learn to recognize the sign for kaki-gôri (shaved ice). It looks like this:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:Kakigori_hyok i.png

Its texture is more like snow than like granulated ice, and it is flavored with a variety of syrups, including diluted honey (mi-zo-reh). It's a refreshing and authentic way to rehydrate yourself if you're tired of vending machine drinks.

Another traditional summer drink is mugi-cha, or chilled barley tea. Some mom-and-pop restaurants serve it instead of water during the summer, so if someone hands you a glass of what appears to be rusty water, it's most likely mugi-cha. Be prepared for a slightly bitter but ultimately refreshing taste.

If you need relief from the heat, take a cable car or bus trip to Hiei-zan (Mt. Hiei). If you take the bus back down to Kyoto, it travels along a ridge that affords a view of Lake Biwa.

Now you may encounter a freaky August with cool weather, as I did in 1977 when I lived in Japan. But all the other Augusts have been miserable, so wear loose, lightweight, easily washable clothing.

The advantage of starting in Kyoto is that Tokyo will feel cool to you.

Kamakura

Good for a day trip, see and climb inside of the giant Buddha. (one Buddha, not plural)
I really wouldn't do this if I were you, especially in August. Spend twenty minutes waiting in line to slowly walk around in a dark, HOT, crowded hole in the ground, I mean. Unless you really like Buddhas, and your life wouldn't be complete until you've walked inside of one, I think that your time is better spent exploring other areas along the Enoden line.

If walking around in the dark is your thing, the Enoshima Iwaya Caves are much longer and cooler.

I looked inside the Great Buddha the time I took students to Kamakura, and while it's fun to say that you've been inside it, there's really nothing there but a hollow space.

Thank you everyone for the feedback so far! I wish we didn't have to go in August, but with my wife in school it was the only open time we have. I am going in expecting a Chicago-like summer (hot and muggy) and will be pleasantly surprised if we get anything different.

I didn't know about the Tokyo Sky Tree - that looks really cool and hopefully we will be able to check it out.

I have heard Kamakura was a decent day trip from Tokyo, but if there are better places, I'm all ears!

I wish the main Himeji keep wasn't under renovation right now - I would really like to go see that.

I agree that I found myself putting a bunch of temples on the Kyoto list so I'm aware that we may become templed-out! What are some of the other good things to do around Kyoto?

I am going in expecting a Chicago-like summer (hot and muggy) and will be pleasantly surprised if we get anything different.


According to About.com, the average highest / lowest temperature in August in Chicago is in Celsius,

27°C / 17°C

As for Kyoto, check out the raw data of August 2011.
http://weather.goo.ne.jp/past/2011/08/759/index.html (http://bit.ly/GHqo6B)

Please be hydrated well.

If you are interested in a Himeji-style, original-construction feudal era castle, take a half day of your Kyoto time and go to Hikone. It is a pleasant little town on the shore of Lake Biwa and the castle there is quite nice, if smaller than Himeji. The local train goes through some moderately scenic country and the view from the castle grounds out over the lake is quite nice.

sure have a lot of temples and shrines in that plan. maybe you're religious, maybe you'll convert.....maybe not. i took a similar trip twenty years ago....wanted to see all the temples and architecture...not that i was religious nor did i want to be....but all the guidebooks told me to go see these things and so i was young, impressionable and i did it because i didn't think i'd ever get back (wrong) and i wanted to see how AMAZING these things were (according to the tour books).

after about the third or fourth temple in kyoto, i said, "ok, i need a drink now."

they're cool. nice to look at. absorb the culture. then they get monotonous. my opinion.

you got 11 days or so there...take a few day trips and cut out some shrines/temples. go hike mt. fuji. no better time than august.

or take a quick flight up to Sapporo. Just check it out and hang out. how many people do you know have been to hokkaido. optimaly, you go in the winter for the snow festival but heck, why not august?

a little more adventurous - go deep into the heartland - check out hirosaki castle. optimaly, do it cherry blossom season, but heck, why not august? place is beautiful and amazing!

I have heard Kamakura was a decent day trip from Tokyo, but if there are better places, I'm all ears!

Kamakura is a great place for a day trip! I'm just saying that that one played out attraction of The Great Buddha is something that I would avoid in August. Though if you are going to be spending significant time in Kyoto already, then Kamakura may be temple overkill.

Hakone may be a better (and cooler) option for your day trip from Tokyo, though it will take you about twice as long to get there.

Nikko is another "escape to the mountains" day trip from Tokyo, and if you have a JR Pass, you can even go to Nagano for the day.

Actually, the (literally) coolest escape from the heat I ever accomplished was taking the bus from Takayama to Matsumoto over the Japan Alps. The rest stop was at Norikura-dake, which is above the timberline. Unfortunately, the brief respite made the heat in the lowlands feel even worse.

go hike mt. fuji. no better time than august.Please don't.

and if you have a JR Pass, you can even go to Nagano for the day.
Yes, if you take the bullet train, then from Tokyo, you can get to Karuizawa in about the same amount of time it would take to get to Kamakura.

From there you could rent bicycles and take in all the shopping and scenery, all the way up to John Lennon's beloved Manpei Hotel.

sure have a lot of temples and shrines in that plan. maybe you're religious, maybe you'll convert.....maybe not. i took a similar trip twenty years ago....wanted to see all the temples and architecture...not that i was religious nor did i want to be....but all the guidebooks told me to go see these things and so i was young, impressionable and i did it because i didn't think i'd ever get back (wrong) and i wanted to see how AMAZING these things were (according to the tour books).

after about the third or fourth temple in kyoto, i said, "ok, i need a drink now."

they're cool. nice to look at. absorb the culture. then they get monotonous. my opinion.

you got 11 days or so there...take a few day trips and cut out some shrines/temples. go hike mt. fuji. no better time than august.

or take a quick flight up to Sapporo. Just check it out and hang out. how many people do you know have been to hokkaido. optimaly, you go in the winter for the snow festival but heck, why not august?

a little more adventurous - go deep into the heartland - check out hirosaki castle. optimaly, do it cherry blossom season, but heck, why not august? place is beautiful and amazing!

I agree with the Kyoto comments. It's a big tourist trap and those temples are quite boring. Nijo castle is the main thing to see. Skip the rest.

But Hokkaido is peak tourist season in the summer. I don't really recommend it. I went there last year.

Also avoid Mt. Fuji in August. Better to do it outside the July-August climbing season. I hate crowds.

I agree with the Kyoto comments. It's a big tourist trap and those temples are quite boring. Nijo castle is the main thing to see. Skip the rest.
:confused: Who made those comments?

Is doing Fuji really that bad in August? From what I have read those are the only months where all of the "support" places (places to buy drinks, food, and rest) are open for sure and the mountain is clear of snow.

Also I was hoping to get an answer to my 2 most important questions:

What would be the best way to get from Kyoto to the Conrad Tokyo? Part of the way would be bullet train (I assume) but what about the rest of the way? Would it be a good idea to use a luggage forwarding service?

Based on my list of places, does it look like a rail pass will be worthwhile?

A rail pass (good only on JR trains) is worth it if you're making a roundtrip by train between Kyoto and Tokyo, or something equivalent.

For example, I'll be getting one for my upcoming trip, which includes a roundtrip between Tokyo and Hiroshima. This allows me to take the "long way" back to Tokyo via Shikoku at no extra charge except for the ferry from Hiroshima to Matsuyama.

Otherwise, single tickets are cheaper. The pass is not good on non-JR trains or subways.

I had to look at a map to figure out where in Tokyo the Conrad is, but it looks as if the most efficient route would be Shinkansen ("bullet train") from Kyoto to Tokyo followed by a cab from Tokyo Station. It isn't very far.

... those temples are quite boring. Nijo castle is the main thing to see. Skip the rest...
If this is not sarcasm, it is one of the silliest posts I recall in this forum since Phred left. :td::td:

If this is not sarcasm, it is one of the silliest posts I recall in this forum since Phred left. :td::td:

You forgot to say "I agree".

If this is not sarcasm, it is one of the silliest posts I recall in this forum since Phred left. :td::td:

Not everyone enjoys crowds and temples. If you have seen one, that's enough. I sense there is a fanaticism to run around and see everything in the tourist guides.

You'll be totally templed out...unless you are a religious/art/architecture scholar, I'd pick just a few temples..... preferably smaller and less crowded.... and then just hang out on a veranda for an hour or two, chat, read a guide book, nap.

You can get to the Conrad from Tokyo station (Shinkansen terminus) by cap for about $10 buck. Alternatively, you could take Yamate or Keihin Tohoku line to Shimbashi and walk from there if you have a rolling suitcase and don't mind the heat and the crowds.

Hiezan is nice if it's hot. Avoid Fuji in August.

I'm not inherently opposed to the idea of seeing temples but the OP has a ton of them in there - I have the feeling they are overdoing it.

I went to Nara Toukae last year and I really liked it. It wasn't overly crowded and the weather at night was nice.

I realize I have a lot of temples in Kyoto, but really I just went to Wikitravel and picked out what sounded interesting to me. As far as must see ones, this is what I was thinking:

Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha. Anything else is more of a "if we are in the area or are looking for something else to do, this might be interesting. My wife and I are usually able to cover a lot of ground/sights in a day on our trips, so that is another reason why I have so many things listed.

Alternatively, you could take Yamate or Keihin Tohoku line to Shimbashi and walk from there if you have a rolling suitcase and don't mind the heat and the crowds.

Yokosuka line is better than either of those options. Closer to NEX dropoff, only one stop, and closer walk to the Conrad.

I realize I have a lot of temples in Kyoto, but really I just went to Wikitravel and picked out what sounded interesting to me. As far as must see ones, this is what I was thinking:

Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha. Anything else is more of a "if we are in the area or are looking for something else to do, this might be interesting. My wife and I are usually able to cover a lot of ground/sights in a day on our trips, so that is another reason why I have so many things listed.

I would add sanjusangendo and nanzen-ji to that list of absolute must see Kyoto temples. Importantly each of those 5 give you something genuinely unique so it doesn't feel like you're visiting slight variations of the same theme over and over again.

And for climbing Fuji I've always done it early september when the huts are still open (or at least mostly open) but the crowds are gone. It's a much more enjoyable experience when there's 20 people on the mountain that night than when there's 2000.

You'll be totally templed out...unless you are a religious/art/architecture scholar, I'd pick just a few temples..... preferably smaller and less crowded.... and then just hang out on a veranda for an hour or two, chat, read a guide book, nap.

Haven't been to Japan (but coming up pretty quick here!) but I'm also getting the distinct impression that all those temples and shrines can quickly become Japan's version of the British Isles' ABC's. (Another Bloody Castle) Those castles are definitely worth the visit if you've never seen one first-hand and up-close but from experience I know they get to that "ABC" status pretty darn quick. Especially if you're trying to cram in as many as possible within a short period. The exception would be, as 5khours noted, for scholars or enthusiasts in this area who can really appreciate these sites in a little more in-depth way than the average "oooh that's pretty!"-type tourist like myself.

Yokosuka line is better than either of those options. Closer to NEX dropoff, only one stop, and closer walk to the Conrad.

Think OP is coming in on the Shinkansen.

[QUOTE]I would add sanjusangendo and nanzen-ji to that list of absolute must see Kyoto temples.[UNQUOTE]

+1. Also near the entrance to Nanzenji, there is a small temple, Tenjuan. I always go there when in Kyoto. Not much to see, but a very small peaceful garden.

Another thought is to go to an actual early morning worship service at Higashi Honganji. You can just walk in and sit with the congregation. Different perspective than you will get sight-seeing at the temples.

I would add sanjusangendo and nanzen-ji to that list of absolute must see Kyoto temples. Importantly each of those 5 give you something genuinely unique so it doesn't feel like you're visiting slight variations of the same theme over and over again.

And for climbing Fuji I've always done it early september when the huts are still open (or at least mostly open) but the crowds are gone. It's a much more enjoyable experience when there's 20 people on the mountain that night than when there's 2000.

Those also look like great temples to visit, thank you for the suggestions!

Think OP is coming in on the Shinkansen.

[QUOTE]I would add sanjusangendo and nanzen-ji to that list of absolute must see Kyoto temples.[UNQUOTE]

+1. Also near the entrance to Nanzenji, there is a small temple, Tenjuan. I always go there when in Kyoto. Not much to see, but a very small peaceful garden.

Another thought is to go to an actual early morning worship service at Higashi Honganji. You can just walk in and sit with the congregation. Different perspective than you will get sight-seeing at the temples.

You are correct, we will be on the shinkansen. Thank you for the suggestion, I didn't think about going to an actual service and I think that would be very worthwhile, thank you!

Can anyone suggest something tea ceremony or ikebana related? My wife and I have participated and have some knowledge of both, so I think it would be fun to do it while in Japan.

I didn't think about going to an actual service and I think that would be very worthwhile, thank you!

It's also possible to stay at a temple and become a zen master:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2002/may/24/japan.restandrelaxation

http://www.zazen.or.jp/E-HOMEPAGE/index-e.html

Or just visit briefly and become a zen yellow belt or something.

Is doing Fuji really that bad in August? From what I have read those are the only months where all of the "support" places (places to buy drinks, food, and rest) are open for sure and the mountain is clear of snow.All I can tell you is I went in July and the mountain was barren and foggy. Fuji itself is not a pretty mountain once you are on it.

I advise people that it just isn't worth the time and effort to climb Fuji, except to cross it off a list or tell people you've done it. If you are a world traveler there are just so many more beautiful mountains to hike. Fuji is gorgeous from a distance, and it is certainly one of the most iconic mountains in existence. That doesn't mean its a good one to climb.

Have to disagree. I certainly would not do it in the busy summer months. I did it in early October. Did not see one person the entire time we were climbing the mountain. Some spectacular views. There was a little snow on the mountain so we were able to run down (think leaping down a sand dune). Made it from the top to the 5th station in less than 30 minutes. One of the best experiences ever.

Good stuff.

Going for 12 nights in July or September (haven't decided on exact dates yet).

If I wanted to split between 3 cities for 3-4 nights each what should I do for the 3rd city if Tokyo and Kyoto are two of them?

Flying into and leaving from NRT.

Are there any beach areas accessible with a one day train ride?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

If I wanted to split between 3 cities for 3-4 nights each what should I do for the 3rd city if Tokyo and Kyoto are two of them?

Are there any beach areas accessible with a one day train ride?

Closest beach area to Tokyo is the Shonan/Kamakura area about an hour's ride away. But this is what you'll have to deal with:

http://www.tjf.or.jp/eng/content/japaneseculture/images/08_08.jpg

If you're interested in beaches, then I wouldn't do a third city; I'd do an island in Okinawa, such as Okinawa Honto if you want fun and partying, or Ishigakejima if you'd like something more laid back.

Closest beach area to Tokyo is the Shonan/Kamakura area about an hour's ride away. But this is what you'll have to deal with:

http://www.tjf.or.jp/eng/content/japaneseculture/images/08_08.jpg

If you're interested in beaches, then I wouldn't do a third city; I'd do an island in Okinawa, such as Okinawa Honto if you want fun and partying, or Ishigakejima if you'd like something more laid back.

Haha. Think I will pass on that.

What about the Nagoya region for the 3rd city? Not sure we want to hop on a plane again to Okinawa. wife is not the best flyer.

Haha. Think I will pass on that.

What about the Nagoya region for the 3rd city? Not sure we want to hop on a plane again to Okinawa. wife is not the best flyer.

How about Fukushima City?

http://www.f-kankou.jp/en/

The locals will be ecstatic to welcome tourists, and I doubt that three days worth of above average radiation would hurt you...

Haha. Think I will pass on that.

What about the Nagoya region for the 3rd city? Not sure we want to hop on a plane again to Okinawa. wife is not the best flyer.

Nagoya is not exactly the most interesting city in Japan. However, Hida-Takayama, a couple of hours northeast of Nagoya by train, has lovely scenery, distinctive arts and crafts, and a reconstructed old-style farm village.

Of the large cities, I'd suggest Kanazawa on the west coast. It (along with Kyoto and Nara) is one of the few larger cities that was not bombed during World War II, so it has a bit more "old Japan" atmosphere than many other cities, as well as Kenroku-en, one of the more famous gardens.

Closest beach area to Tokyo is the Shonan/Kamakura area about an hour's ride away. But this is what you'll have to deal with:

http://www.tjf.or.jp/eng/content/japaneseculture/images/08_08.jpg


I've heard Shonan beaches were less crowded last year as people feared the radiation.

This place could have become the second Normandy. (Operation Coronet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Downfall#Coronet))

Good stuff.

Going for 12 nights in July or September (haven't decided on exact dates yet).

If I wanted to split between 3 cities for 3-4 nights each what should I do for the 3rd city if Tokyo and Kyoto are two of them?

Flying into and leaving from NRT.I would vote for Nara (tho you could do it as a day trip from Kyoto), Kobe (same), or if you are willing to spend some more time on a train, Nagasaki. You could even split the time between Nagasaki and Beppu or Kagoshima. Those 3 are all in Kyushu, and there is a different vibe down there, plus you see some really interesting cities most people on the typical trip to Japan don't get to. The pain is getting back to NRT, but in any case I would recommend saving your last night for another night in Tokyo to make the trip back to Narita not as bad.

While I really like Nagasaki, it is a LONG way back to Tokyo and NRT.

For another city stay to go with Tokyo and Kyoto, consider Matsue (discussed in another thread in this forum,) Hiroshima and Miyajima or Kanazawa and Takayama. All are different from Tokyo and Kyoto and easily reachable,

Good stuff.

Going for 12 nights in July or September (haven't decided on exact dates yet).

If I wanted to split between 3 cities for 3-4 nights each what should I do for the 3rd city if Tokyo and Kyoto are two of them?

Flying into and leaving from NRT.

Are there any beach areas accessible with a one day train ride?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Did you really have to hijack my thread? Why not start your own?

Did you really have to hijack my thread? Why not start your own?

I think it's one of those use it or lose it things.

I think it's one of those use it or lose it things.

I still have some questions that no one answered - see my posts previous to my hijack comment one.

I'm just saying, what that person posted had absolutely nothing to do with anything I asked about except they are going to be in Japan at the same time. If something is that unrelated, why not just start a new thread?

Can anyone suggest something tea ceremony or ikebana related? My wife and I have participated and have some knowledge of both, so I think it would be fun to do it while in Japan.

Watch the English-language press for announcements of events that feature these two Japanese pursuits.

The various ikebana organizations hold exhibitions periodically, and sometimes temple festivals feature a tea ceremony, but I suggest looking at the websites of the ikebana and tea ceremony schools that you are interested in to see if any events are scheduled during your trip or if any of them offer special classes for short-term visitors.

For example, here is the English website of the Sogetsu school of ikebana:

http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/e/

If you prefer a different school (I don't remember all the names), they may have an English website, too.

Here's some information about tea ceremony events:

http://www.sunnypages.jp/search/tokyo_education/classes_japanese_tea_ceremony

Hope this helps.

Watch the English-language press for announcements of events that feature these two Japanese pursuits.

The various ikebana organizations hold exhibitions periodically, and sometimes temple festivals feature a tea ceremony, but I suggest looking at the websites of the ikebana and tea ceremony schools that you are interested in to see if any events are scheduled during your trip or if any of them offer special classes for short-term visitors.

For example, here is the English website of the Sogetsu school of ikebana:

http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/e/

If you prefer a different school (I don't remember all the names), they may have an English website, too.

Here's some information about tea ceremony events:

http://www.sunnypages.jp/search/tokyo_education/classes_japanese_tea_ceremony

Hope this helps.


Thanks for the information, I am sure it will prove useful!

I just wanted to ask a question and since it is about the same trip I figure I will put it here.

What does everyone think about taking a flight from Kyoto (ITM) to Tokyo (HND) instead of the bullet train? I figure I am pretty flush with BA miles so for 9000 miles + $5 (2 people) I can save myself around $225. Does anyone see issues with this?

What does everyone think about taking a flight from Kyoto (ITM) to Tokyo (HND) instead of the bullet train? I figure I am pretty flush with BA miles so for 9000 miles + $5 (2 people) I can save myself around $225. Does anyone see issues with this?

If you plan to catch a flight from HND, it makes a lot of sense to me. If you're aiming for central Tokyo, it won't save you any time and (IMHO) it's a bit more hassle, but you might still lconsider it worthwhile.

In any calculation of the cost savings, be sure to include costs of ground transportation:

Kyoto to ITM by bus is 1,280 yen per person: http://www.okkbus.co.jp/timetable/itm/f_kyt.html

HND to central Tokyo by monorail is 470 yen per person.

If you plan to catch a flight from HND, it makes a lot of sense to me. If you're aiming for central Tokyo, it won't save you any time and (IMHO) it's a bit more hassle, but you might still lconsider it worthwhile.

In any calculation of the cost savings, be sure to include costs of ground transportation:

Kyoto to ITM by bus is 1,280 yen per person: http://www.okkbus.co.jp/timetable/itm/f_kyt.html

HND to central Tokyo by monorail is 470 yen per person.

We'll probably end up taking a limousine bus from HND to the Conrad. It is more than the monorail (900 yen pp I believe), but drops us off right at their door (according to the Conrad website). Thanks for your input!

We'll probably end up taking a limousine bus from HND to the Conrad. It is more than the monorail (900 yen pp I believe), but drops us off right at their door (according to the Conrad website). Thanks for your input!

If you find that there's a long wait for a bus, take monorail to Hamamatsucho. Hamamatsucho is connected to the subway station (Daimon). Take Oedo line to Shiodome Shiosite, which is below the Conrad.

(Another option (depending on the time) - There are some Keikyu line trains from Haneda airport that connect straight into the Asakusa line subway - and you can get off at Shimbashi, which is a stone's throw from the Conrad. However, not all of the trains do this route, so you might prefer the monorail route above).

What does everyone think about taking a flight from Kyoto (ITM) to Tokyo (HND) instead of the bullet train? I figure I am pretty flush with BA miles so for 9000 miles + $5 (2 people) I can save myself around $225. Does anyone see issues with this?

As mentioned earlier, you'll pay $40 or so for airport-to-city buses between the two of you, so the savings is closer to $180, thus a mileage valuation of 2 cents per mile, which is not bad but not amazing either.

The shinkansen will give you more room, more schedule flexibility, the ability to stretch your legs in transit, and a more close-up view of the scenery between Tokyo and Kyoto. The airplane will give you a free non-alcoholic drink and maybe an aerial view of Mount Fuji (which is pretty awesome).

In terms of door-to-door travel time it is probably a wash between the two options -- this is why so many flights still exist between Tokyo and Osaka despite the shinkansen.

The airplane will give you a free non-alcoholic drink and maybe an aerial view of Mount Fuji (which is pretty awesome).


I have already booked the flight it so it is kind of a moot point, but from what I have heard there isn't a lot of room for big luggage on the shinkansen either. We are never very good about packing light so I am pretty sure we would have a large piece of luggage to send ahead as well, so that would make the shinkansen cost more as well.

In any case, you mention seeing Fuji from the plane (ITM-HND) - which side should we sit on for this? I am guessing left, but I always mess this up so I want to make sure! :)

from what I have heard there isn't a lot of room for big luggage on the shinkansen either.
It's true that there are no dedicated luggage racks at the ends of cars, but I have always found room for as much luggage as I can carry with me. The space behind the last row of seats can take several huge suitcases. The overhead storage can handle small and medium suitcases.