Originally Posted by
brownkc
We have an assortment of people going and no set itinerary. We have the usual guidebooks but are placing an emphasis on a relaxing trip. I foresee late nights mixed with some light touring during the days. All of us are computer geeks, males and single. This will be the longest trip most of us have had since we graduated college. Everyone is laid back and will have fun just people watching. Given this background, do you have any recommendations for nightlife and are there any must see sites in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Guidebooks always list a top-ten but are there some hidden gems where we could stop and just take in the culture?
Between Tokyo and Kyoto over the last 3 months of March, the likelihood is quite good that you will catch the sakura (cherry blossom) season.
If what you want is to take it easy and people watch, sounds to me that spending at least a day amongst the blossom viewing parties might be ideal for you.
I still have no real handle on you or your interests (we don't even know where you're from). You would be helping us help you by actually stating which attractions/sights in guidebooks and in this forum have so far appealed to you. I don't know whether you want us to recommend coffee shops with glass frontages over busy areas, or sporting events, or shopping districts, or areas where young people go to hang out, either on dates or to show off their clothes. Do you want to go to commercial neighbourhoods where people present a formal professional image of themselves, or mix with locals buying their groceries in residential areas. What do you do in other cities when you go 'people watching'?
Everyone seems to come to Japan with their own expectations, and no matter how odd those expectations might appear to be, most people seem to satisfy and fulfill them.
Top ten lists are top ten because of their universal appeal (apart from Tokyo Tower - which I'd suggest you avoid unless you area connoisseur of kitsch). 'Hidden gems' are often overlooked for good reason - they don't appeal to everyone. So I can offer you this thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=728752 (and point out the Osaka Onsen Ikkyu
http://www.onsen19.com/ as an interesting place to kick back, relax and people watch)
Some more off the beat recommendations here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477341 (about gardens)
And if you
really want to people watch then go to a festival (
like this one not too far from Osaka)
and yet I'll have no idea as to whether any of those will be suitable or attractive to you.
I'll just recommend the Quirky Japan website which has lots of good suggestions and leave it at that for now.
Tokyo -
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/Cool.html
Osaka -
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/kansai.htm