Asia - A few extra days in Japan - want to see S. Asia. Where should I go?

Work is bringing me to Tokyo. I've been here before, and it's expensive and I would really like to see some of South Asia, where I've never been and it seems to be quite inexpensive! ^

But I'm not sure where to go. I will have Friday-Monday to travel to SIN, BKK, or ? who knows.

I have United and American miles I'd like to use, I assume that will cover most destinations. Any suggestions would be great! I am really starting with very little knowledge of the area.

I can be very flexible, but here are some guidelines:

1) Inexpensive
2) Short plane ride (short time to spare)
3) Somewhere I can get around with English is a plus (I know some Japanese but probably won't help!)
4)relatively safe for an American
5)No difficult visa req'd

I'm sure I'll get questions such as 'what do you like to do?' Well I like all kinds of things. I mostly like to go to new places. So if it is new and different, I'll like it.

Thanks everyone.

1) Inexpensive

Cambodia, Vietnam, Jkt, Thailand/Malaysia, then Singapore


2) Short plane ride (short time to spare)

None - all btwn 6-8 hrs flight time

3) Somewhere I can get around with English is a plus (I know some Japanese but probably won't help!)

Every country


4)relatively safe for an American


Silly question


5)No difficult visa req'd

Vietnam requires visa, Indonesia at airport upon arrival.

You say "south Asia" - I've always taken that to mean India, Pakistan etc. - and these are a little way from Japan. Agree with dtsm with respect to SE Asia.

For somewhere closer, you could also consider Taiwan or Hong Kong... Think I'd go for HK with a side trip to Macao. If you did go to Taiwan, English is not so well spoken, but your Japanese could help. No visas needed, but not sure about using your miles. Taiwan/HK won't be as cheap as BKK etc, but should be cheaper than Japan.

Vietnam requires visa, Indonesia at airport upon arrival.

Cambodia also requires a visa, available on-line or at the airport on arrival.

- Michael

If you have not been all over Japan, I’d see other parts of Japan instead of wasting time traveling to other countries.

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I'm really surprised you think Japan is expensive.

By the time you've factored in the cost of a flight to a country that's at least 7 hours away you'll have more than matched what I would pay by spending those 3 days in Japan.

There must be tons of places you won't have been to, if you need any help in organising a cheap break let me know.

For starters, the International Villas around Okayama offer lodging at ¥3,000 a night and under http://www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/
(a nice review here: http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/1163/Shiraishi+Island+-+Japan's+Island+Paradise+ & http://www.stoneschool.com/Japan/HatVilla/index.html)

Japan is certainly no more expensive than Hong Kong.

I'm really surprised you think Japan is expensive.

By the time you've factored in the cost of a flight to a country that's at least 7 hours away you'll have more than matched what I would pay by spending those 3 days in Japan.

The OP was talking about burning up some miles... So really it comes down to opportunity costs, ie what else he could do with them.

I'm not sure of the time of year of his visit. I particularly like Hokkaido in winter. I felt Christmas in Sapporo was almost the way it should be but never is in London. Very cold, crisp, lots of snow, and no gloom. If I had to buy the flight tickets for cash, think I'd stay in Japan too.

Despite having some Japanese, I do find language a barrier. So probably I spend too much when I'm in Japan which makes it more expensive than Hong Kong for me. Agreed it needn't be that way.

The OP was talking about burning up some miles... So really it comes down to opportunity costs, ie what else he could do with them.
I was considering the taxes involved with award tickets when I replied and realised that it would still be cheaper for me to stay in Japan than pony up the fees and fly off somewhere.

And the OP gave the impression s/he wanted to relax in a completely different set of surroundings.

Hence the links.

My husband has promised to take me up to Hokkaido, it may be a few years before I get to go, but I'm really looking forward to it!

My husband has promised to take me up to Hokkaido, it may be a few years before I get to go, but I'm really looking forward to it!
agreed, when are we going !!!:)