Originally Posted by
mg0901
I've been to Japan twice over new years... maybe the major attractions only close on 1/1, but I found so many of the small owned coffee shops, restaurants, etc. were closed through January 4th. Plus, that time just seemed very very quiet, even in Tokyo.
I was in Shibuya on 2 Jan. Everything was open, and the buzz was that of a typical Saturday in Shibuya. It's true that some small businesses do stay closed for multiple days around New Year's. But that would depend on the part of Tokyo... would see more of that in suburbs. But even in the small town where my jikka is, majority of businesses are open 2 Jan.
Originally Posted by
mg0901
That said, I'm taking my 20 and 22 year old cousins to Japan August 3 - 13. Just how the dice landed based on timing. Should be fun and I'm glad things don't close as much during Obon.
Related, I cannot find any basic economy award flights back to mainland US from Tokyo during mid August so far. Nightmare. I've looked on AA, JAL, United/ANA. I don't have any Delta miles. booooo.
Keep looking, but unfortunately you probably needed to have snagged a seat a few months earlier. Aug is a tough month... July is always much more available. For all the criticisms Mileage Plus gets, I still think UA/NH is very generous with their saver award seat availability in Y for TPAC flights. DL is just awful in that regard... they give you nothing. I don't know about AA. If you're able to take your trip a bit later, UA/NH has plenty of saver Y seats from TYO to US in late Aug.