N
ninetales
Guest
^ I'm not sure when those events are going to take place, but would you be able to get to the band concert (FJ's front band, that is) on August 4 in Tokyo?
Recommendations for visiting Japan
- Thread starter Kugayama
- Start date
Kugayama
Moderator
^Thanks for the mention of that concert on 4 August. At this stage I'm thinking that just over 2 weeks would be my limit in terms of budget although something like the band concert you mentioned or one of Minorin's "summer camp" concerts would be good.
I still have some serious saving to do.
I still have some serious saving to do.
N
ninetales
Guest
^ No problem! Not many details have been released about it yet, but it's going to take place at the Blues Alley in Meguro. Here's the website, in case you need more information. (I once watched a livestream event from Blues Alley, and I can safely say that it's a nice venue. Pretty big, with very good lighting.)
I can imagine! It's daunting to think of the money I'd need to travel to Japan, even for a few days.
I can imagine! It's daunting to think of the money I'd need to travel to Japan, even for a few days.
R
ritardando
Guest
Maybe I could afford to go there if only for a couple of days, but it's totally waste of money if I go there for maybe only 2 or 3 days. My aunt say that the ideal time to have a visit to foreign country is more than 1 week, unless it's for work matter. But if I go there for 1 week, I'll end up using all my saving so far -.-
M
Martin
Guest
Yeah, your aunt's right. You'd want to stay for a bit longer when travelling to somewhere far away...Japan is around ten hours flight from the UK, so I made a point of staying for a fortnight. That said, I've been twice now and there are still loads of places in Tokyo that I haven't visited yet! 
Hotels and places to eat can be expensive, but there are some really good value-for-money options as well (I guess holidays are as cheap or pricey as you want them to be if you have the time to plan in advance). I travelled with friends and stayed at Sakura Hostel Asukasa, which is clean and cheap, and the staff are welcoming (and can speak English!). Getting a JR Rail Pass is another useful thing, and really pays for itself after a few days of travelling around by train.
I've no idea about booking things like concert tickets though...that's something I'll look into in future because there are loads of interesting live shows I could've gone to. Fuji Rock is on my 'to do' list, but it's held at a time of year that's expensive to fly in, and the tickets sell really quickly.
Hotels and places to eat can be expensive, but there are some really good value-for-money options as well (I guess holidays are as cheap or pricey as you want them to be if you have the time to plan in advance). I travelled with friends and stayed at Sakura Hostel Asukasa, which is clean and cheap, and the staff are welcoming (and can speak English!). Getting a JR Rail Pass is another useful thing, and really pays for itself after a few days of travelling around by train.
I've no idea about booking things like concert tickets though...that's something I'll look into in future because there are loads of interesting live shows I could've gone to. Fuji Rock is on my 'to do' list, but it's held at a time of year that's expensive to fly in, and the tickets sell really quickly.
Kugayama
Moderator
Re:
Thanks for your post Martin. My travel agent, http://www.japanholidays.com.au did an excellent job with Animelo Summer Live 2011 and they are working towards getting me tickets not just for Animelo Summer Live 2012 but also Yuki Kajiura Live #9 and some Nana Mizuki concerts.
I'd agree about the longer stay, but for my first overseas trip with one main goal of attending Animelo Summer Live 2011, 5 days and 4 nights in Tokyo worked out well.
Please let us know what you think are worthwhile places to visit, my account can be found at http://blog.animeinstrumentality.net/ca ... rt-report/
Martin said:Yeah, your aunt's right. You'd want to stay for a bit longer when travelling to somewhere far away...Japan is around ten hours flight from the UK, so I made a point of staying for a fortnight. That said, I've been twice now and there are still loads of places in Tokyo that I haven't visited yet!
Hotels and places to eat can be expensive, but there are some really good value-for-money options as well (I guess holidays are as cheap or pricey as you want them to be if you have the time to plan in advance). I travelled with friends and stayed at Sakura Hostel Asukasa, which is clean and cheap, and the staff are welcoming (and can speak English!). Getting a JR Rail Pass is another useful thing, and really pays for itself after a few days of travelling around by train.
I've no idea about booking things like concert tickets though...that's something I'll look into in future because there are loads of interesting live shows I could've gone to. Fuji Rock is on my 'to do' list, but it's held at a time of year that's expensive to fly in, and the tickets sell really quickly.
Thanks for your post Martin. My travel agent, http://www.japanholidays.com.au did an excellent job with Animelo Summer Live 2011 and they are working towards getting me tickets not just for Animelo Summer Live 2012 but also Yuki Kajiura Live #9 and some Nana Mizuki concerts.
I'd agree about the longer stay, but for my first overseas trip with one main goal of attending Animelo Summer Live 2011, 5 days and 4 nights in Tokyo worked out well.
Please let us know what you think are worthwhile places to visit, my account can be found at http://blog.animeinstrumentality.net/ca ... rt-report/
Kugayama
Moderator
Re:
Sorry to go off-topic in other threads rather than reply here... I've just looked at the Blues Alley web-site (the only other venue I had looked up before was STB 139 after seeing it on some Kaori Kobayashi clips).
Found the details at:
http://www.bluesalley.co.jp/schedule/sy ... 8&type=s#b
I'm glad that it's a no smoking venue (actually I found the lack of smoking in the streets of Tokyo refreshing compared with home in Adelaide /-:).
Will still have to look up location information and the all important budgetary considerations of staying longer in Japan.
ninetales said:^ No problem! Not many details have been released about it yet, but it's going to take place at the Blues Alley in Meguro. Here's the website, in case you need more information. (I once watched a livestream event from Blues Alley, and I can safely say that it's a nice venue. Pretty big, with very good lighting.)
I can imagine! It's daunting to think of the money I'd need to travel to Japan, even for a few days.
Sorry to go off-topic in other threads rather than reply here... I've just looked at the Blues Alley web-site (the only other venue I had looked up before was STB 139 after seeing it on some Kaori Kobayashi clips).
Found the details at:
http://www.bluesalley.co.jp/schedule/sy ... 8&type=s#b
I'm glad that it's a no smoking venue (actually I found the lack of smoking in the streets of Tokyo refreshing compared with home in Adelaide /-:).
Will still have to look up location information and the all important budgetary considerations of staying longer in Japan.
T
takfogger
Guest
ok kugayama-san,
let me see..i plan to travel to japan in july
its been exhausting as i required 2 visas..(japan and USA for transit)
i already got japanese one and i am about to get the USA one
i am staying with a friend and i may -if lucky-attend a yuki thing...
now i was very optimistic about yuki live this summer but then the dates came out....
late august ...even september...impossible...so im dealing with it
might attend kala's ttb live though
so any detail or tip you may find useful will be great..
let me see..i plan to travel to japan in july
its been exhausting as i required 2 visas..(japan and USA for transit)
i already got japanese one and i am about to get the USA one
i am staying with a friend and i may -if lucky-attend a yuki thing...
now i was very optimistic about yuki live this summer but then the dates came out....
late august ...even september...impossible...so im dealing with it
might attend kala's ttb live though
so any detail or tip you may find useful will be great..
Kugayama
Moderator
Re:
I hope to be in Tokyo for Chiaki Ishikawa's 8 July live.
I could put in a bid for a ticket for you through my travel agent if you'll be available on that date, once I get my second copy of Chiaki-san's CD with the first press bonus of a bid for a ticket.
When is the Kalafina TTB live?
takfogger said:
I hope to be in Tokyo for Chiaki Ishikawa's 8 July live.
I could put in a bid for a ticket for you through my travel agent if you'll be available on that date, once I get my second copy of Chiaki-san's CD with the first press bonus of a bid for a ticket.
takfogger said:its been exhausting as i required 2 visas..(japan and USA for transit)
i already got japanese one and i am about to get the USA one
i am staying with a friend and i may -if lucky-attend a yuki thing...
now i was very optimistic about yuki live this summer but then the dates came out....
late august ...even september...impossible...so im dealing with it
might attend kala's ttb live though
When is the Kalafina TTB live?
T
takfogger
Guest
Re: Re:
mm i dont know about that date...and i dont know much about chiaki-san's solo work...
july 16
Kugayama said:
mm i dont know about that date...and i dont know much about chiaki-san's solo work...
Kugayama said:
july 16
Kugayama
Moderator
I found myself stuck with a silly problem.
There are heaps of museums and galleries in Tokyo, but most are closed on Mondays except for when Monday is a public holiday.
The problem - finding some museums and galleries that are open on Mondays.
So far I've found:
National Museum of Nature and Science (visited last year and closed on July 9) http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/ http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/news/20 ... index.html - closed July 2-6, 9 and 17, September 3, 10, 18 and 24, October 9, 15, 22 and 29
Science Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/11.html http://www.jsf.or.jp/eng/charge/ - closed Wednesday
Yushukan at Yasukuni Jinja Shrine http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_471.html http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/precinct/index.html (appears to be open every day)
21_21 Design Sight http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_881.html http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_881.html - closed Tuesdays, New Year Holidays, Changeover periods
Jusaburo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_311.html http://www.jusaburo.net/jusaburo.html - closed Wednesday
Minato City Local History Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_405.html http://www.lib.city.minato.tokyo.jp/muse/e/guide1.html - closed Sundays, Holidays, and the third Thursday every month. (If the Thursday is a holiday, closing will be on the previous day.) Year-end and New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan. 4). Special operations period (about 2 weeks from the middle to the end of June). Special closing date (about 2 weeks before and after the special exhibition programs and for facility improvement).
Mori Art Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/194.html http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/info/access.html - closed when no exhibitions are being held
[edit - I received a reply from the gotokyo.org site and they suggested the following]
Miraikan http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/ - closed every Tuesday, and during the period from December 28, 2011 to January 1, 2012. *The Museum will be open on the following Tuesdays: July 24, July 31, throughout August, 2012.
*The Museum may close temporarily for facility maintenance.
TARO OKAMOTO memorial museum http://www.taro-okamoto.or.jp/guide.html - Closed Tuesday (In the case of public holidays the museum is open) and maintenance (12/28 ~ 1/4) New Year
MORI ART MUSEUM http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/index.html - as listed above
The National art center http://www.nact.jp/english/index.html - closed on Tuesdays, the year-end through the New Year's holidays
Suntory museum of art http://www.suntory.co.jp/sma/ - no permanent exhibitions, check site for current exhibitions
(note that the Mori Art Museum, National Art Center and Suntory Museum of Art and 21_21 Design Sight are close to each other, see: http://www.nact.jp/english/access.html and http://www.2121designsight.jp/en/access/ )
The tedious procedure for finding places open on Monday seems to be:
start at gotokyo.org:
http://www.gotokyo.org/search/en/genre? ... 1&status=1
look through each museum and gallery listed, then go to its own website and either look for an English language page or google translate pages until one finds the opening hours.
Going down the list, places that appear to be closed on Mondays are:
Communications Museum Teipark http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_340.html http://www.teipark.jp/e_ac.html - closed Monday except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
Idemitsu Museum of Arts http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/5.html http://www.idemitsu.com/museum/honkan/index.html - Closed Monday (The Museum will be open when Monday is a national holiday.), the year-end and New Year holidays, and the change of exhibits.
JCII Camera Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/69.html http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/ - Closed Mondays (In case Monday is a National Holiday, the museum will be open and be closed the following day), the beginning and end of the year, and other dates determined by the museum.
Mitsuo Aida Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/1384.html http://www.mitsuo.co.jp/museum/info/index.html - closed Mondays (In the case of national holidays and public holidays the museum is open) and closed for IMF meetings.
National Showa Memorial Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_443.html http://www.showakan.go.jp/pdf/showakan_en.pdf - closed Mondays except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
New Otani Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/72.html http://www.newotani.co.jp/group/museum/index.html - closed Mondays except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
Shokei-kan Historical Materials Hall for Wounded and Sick Retired Soldiers http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/191.html http://www.shokeikan.go.jp/sub_menu/english_page.html - closed Mondays (or Tuesdays when Monday is a holiday or deferred holiday)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/40345.html http://www.momat.go.jp/english/topics/i ... l#20110517 - closed on Mondays (except July 18)
Yonbancho Chiyoda City Museum of History and Folklore http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/1589.html ?? (can't find opening hours)
Bank of Japan Currency Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_365.html http://www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm/english_ht ... vi2_en.htm - closed Mondays
Bridgestone Museum of Art http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40389.html http://www.bridgestone-museum.gr.jp/en/ - closed on Mondays (Mondays that fall on holidays will be open)
Button Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40395.html ??? (no web site given and no hours of opening given)
Mitsui Memorial Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/200.html http://www.mitsui-museum.jp/english/english.html - closed Mondays(except 7/16, 8/13), closed 7/17; If Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open on Monday and closed the following day.
Musee Hamaguchi Yozo: Yamasa Collection http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_407.html http://www.yamasa.com/musee/info/ - closed days not clear from google translate of Japanese info page
Pen Station Museum & Cafe http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40255.html ?? - no official website given and no days/hours of opening on gotokyo.org site
TOKYO KITE MUSEUM http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40331.html ?? - no official website given and no days/hours of opening on gotokyo.org site
Advanced Technology Exhibition Hall@TEPIA http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40326.html http://www.tepia.jp/exhibition/pdf/h24_leaf_en.pdf - closed Mondays (Open when Monday falls on a holiday, but closed on the following Tuesday.)
Advertising Museum Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_259.html http://www.admt.jp/en/guide/schedule/index.html - closed Monday (closed Sunday and Tuesday if Monday falls on a holiday)
Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40375.html ?? (no web site given and no days/hours of opening given)
Institute for Nature Study, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40500.html (no web site given and no days/hours of opening given)
Shitamachi Museum http://www.taitocity.net/taito/shitamac ... glish.html - closed Monday (Open if it is a holiday and closed the next day)
Panasonic Electrical Engineering Museum in Shiodome http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_307.html http://panasonic.co.jp/es/museum/en/access/ - closed on Mondays (excluding holidays), New Year holidays, museum summer holidays, and during changes of exhibits.
To be continued...
There are heaps of museums and galleries in Tokyo, but most are closed on Mondays except for when Monday is a public holiday.
The problem - finding some museums and galleries that are open on Mondays.
So far I've found:
National Museum of Nature and Science (visited last year and closed on July 9) http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/ http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/news/20 ... index.html - closed July 2-6, 9 and 17, September 3, 10, 18 and 24, October 9, 15, 22 and 29
Science Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/11.html http://www.jsf.or.jp/eng/charge/ - closed Wednesday
Yushukan at Yasukuni Jinja Shrine http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_471.html http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/precinct/index.html (appears to be open every day)
21_21 Design Sight http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_881.html http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_881.html - closed Tuesdays, New Year Holidays, Changeover periods
Jusaburo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_311.html http://www.jusaburo.net/jusaburo.html - closed Wednesday
Minato City Local History Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_405.html http://www.lib.city.minato.tokyo.jp/muse/e/guide1.html - closed Sundays, Holidays, and the third Thursday every month. (If the Thursday is a holiday, closing will be on the previous day.) Year-end and New Year's holidays (Dec. 29 - Jan. 4). Special operations period (about 2 weeks from the middle to the end of June). Special closing date (about 2 weeks before and after the special exhibition programs and for facility improvement).
Mori Art Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/194.html http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/info/access.html - closed when no exhibitions are being held
[edit - I received a reply from the gotokyo.org site and they suggested the following]
Miraikan http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/ - closed every Tuesday, and during the period from December 28, 2011 to January 1, 2012. *The Museum will be open on the following Tuesdays: July 24, July 31, throughout August, 2012.
*The Museum may close temporarily for facility maintenance.
TARO OKAMOTO memorial museum http://www.taro-okamoto.or.jp/guide.html - Closed Tuesday (In the case of public holidays the museum is open) and maintenance (12/28 ~ 1/4) New Year
MORI ART MUSEUM http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/index.html - as listed above
The National art center http://www.nact.jp/english/index.html - closed on Tuesdays, the year-end through the New Year's holidays
Suntory museum of art http://www.suntory.co.jp/sma/ - no permanent exhibitions, check site for current exhibitions
(note that the Mori Art Museum, National Art Center and Suntory Museum of Art and 21_21 Design Sight are close to each other, see: http://www.nact.jp/english/access.html and http://www.2121designsight.jp/en/access/ )
The tedious procedure for finding places open on Monday seems to be:
start at gotokyo.org:
http://www.gotokyo.org/search/en/genre? ... 1&status=1
look through each museum and gallery listed, then go to its own website and either look for an English language page or google translate pages until one finds the opening hours.
Going down the list, places that appear to be closed on Mondays are:
Communications Museum Teipark http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_340.html http://www.teipark.jp/e_ac.html - closed Monday except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
Idemitsu Museum of Arts http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/5.html http://www.idemitsu.com/museum/honkan/index.html - Closed Monday (The Museum will be open when Monday is a national holiday.), the year-end and New Year holidays, and the change of exhibits.
JCII Camera Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/69.html http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/ - Closed Mondays (In case Monday is a National Holiday, the museum will be open and be closed the following day), the beginning and end of the year, and other dates determined by the museum.
Mitsuo Aida Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/1384.html http://www.mitsuo.co.jp/museum/info/index.html - closed Mondays (In the case of national holidays and public holidays the museum is open) and closed for IMF meetings.
National Showa Memorial Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/s_443.html http://www.showakan.go.jp/pdf/showakan_en.pdf - closed Mondays except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
New Otani Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/72.html http://www.newotani.co.jp/group/museum/index.html - closed Mondays except for public holidays, then closed on Tuesday
Shokei-kan Historical Materials Hall for Wounded and Sick Retired Soldiers http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/191.html http://www.shokeikan.go.jp/sub_menu/english_page.html - closed Mondays (or Tuesdays when Monday is a holiday or deferred holiday)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/40345.html http://www.momat.go.jp/english/topics/i ... l#20110517 - closed on Mondays (except July 18)
Yonbancho Chiyoda City Museum of History and Folklore http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chiyoda/spot/1589.html ?? (can't find opening hours)
Bank of Japan Currency Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_365.html http://www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm/english_ht ... vi2_en.htm - closed Mondays
Bridgestone Museum of Art http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40389.html http://www.bridgestone-museum.gr.jp/en/ - closed on Mondays (Mondays that fall on holidays will be open)
Button Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40395.html ??? (no web site given and no hours of opening given)
Mitsui Memorial Museum http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/200.html http://www.mitsui-museum.jp/english/english.html - closed Mondays(except 7/16, 8/13), closed 7/17; If Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open on Monday and closed the following day.
Musee Hamaguchi Yozo: Yamasa Collection http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/s_407.html http://www.yamasa.com/musee/info/ - closed days not clear from google translate of Japanese info page
Pen Station Museum & Cafe http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40255.html ?? - no official website given and no days/hours of opening on gotokyo.org site
TOKYO KITE MUSEUM http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/chuo/spot/40331.html ?? - no official website given and no days/hours of opening on gotokyo.org site
Advanced Technology Exhibition Hall@TEPIA http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40326.html http://www.tepia.jp/exhibition/pdf/h24_leaf_en.pdf - closed Mondays (Open when Monday falls on a holiday, but closed on the following Tuesday.)
Advertising Museum Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_259.html http://www.admt.jp/en/guide/schedule/index.html - closed Monday (closed Sunday and Tuesday if Monday falls on a holiday)
Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40375.html ?? (no web site given and no days/hours of opening given)
Institute for Nature Study, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/40500.html (no web site given and no days/hours of opening given)
Shitamachi Museum http://www.taitocity.net/taito/shitamac ... glish.html - closed Monday (Open if it is a holiday and closed the next day)
Panasonic Electrical Engineering Museum in Shiodome http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/minato/spot/s_307.html http://panasonic.co.jp/es/museum/en/access/ - closed on Mondays (excluding holidays), New Year holidays, museum summer holidays, and during changes of exhibits.
To be continued...
N
nomakegirl
Guest
Hi, I'll do my best to help with specific questions.
In general for planning any trip budget is the main issue, because lodging is expensive. Food is pretty cheap (yoshinoya beef bowl @ 280yen!). Transport, although mainly by train, can eat into your wallet before you know it.
In general for planning any trip budget is the main issue, because lodging is expensive. Food is pretty cheap (yoshinoya beef bowl @ 280yen!). Transport, although mainly by train, can eat into your wallet before you know it.
Kugayama
Moderator
^ I went through over 5000 yen in 3 days going from Narita to Nippori (Keisei regular service), out to the Makuhari Messe and back to Nippori, then to Shinchiba and Shimokitazawa back to Nippori, then on the last day visiting the Miraikan and the National Art Center, then Nippori and the Keisei regular train back to Narita terminal 2.
Spent a bit on merchandise, expensive breakfasts at the hotel (although they left me feeling well nourished and not hungry until dinner time) and one good dinner. Really enjoyed buying some fresh fruit and eating it.
Next trip includes Akita and Aomori for Nana Mizuki concerts.
Spent a bit on merchandise, expensive breakfasts at the hotel (although they left me feeling well nourished and not hungry until dinner time) and one good dinner. Really enjoyed buying some fresh fruit and eating it.
Next trip includes Akita and Aomori for Nana Mizuki concerts.
george1234
Moderator
^ OH! You living in Australia explains how you manage to go to Japan so often, its kinda close (~8 hours I have heard). And surely much cheaper than going from Europe 
M
Mwhlr
Guest
I'm starting a Japanese language course too - in September! I haven't been to Japan myself yet, but when I do, I am determined to be able to communicate. xD
I'm not sure how much of it you've experienced, but what do you know of the rail system? Easy to use? Is there a trick to it?
I'm not sure how much of it you've experienced, but what do you know of the rail system? Easy to use? Is there a trick to it?
Kugayama
Moderator
^ I only know the Tokyo metropolitan system.
Main tricks are:
print out the English language maps for JR-East, Suica card coverage, and the Tokyo subways (links from wikipedia pages, yell out if you can't find them);
use Google maps to plan your trips, even though it only prints out the station and line names in Kanji (plus colour coding of lines which matches the above maps), and print those out;
Get a Suica card and put a reasonable amount of credit on it, the vending/credit machine has an English language menu option;
print out English language station maps if you want of busier stations like Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku if changing trains there;
don't panic, all the station names are shown in English as well as Japanese on the on-train displays and at stations, and most announcements are in English as well as Japanese (depending on the line), and you can ask the employees at the ticket barriers for where to find a particular line's platforms, although the signs in English and Japanese should be fine.
Trickier bits (use wikipedia ahead of time) - learn whether your intended stations require a local (stop all stations) service or whether you can take a limited express or rapid service, my train from Narita was a "local" and I changed at a later station to get on a limited express and save a lot of time and stops.
Anyone care to comment on using the Shinkansen (bullet trains)?
Main tricks are:
print out the English language maps for JR-East, Suica card coverage, and the Tokyo subways (links from wikipedia pages, yell out if you can't find them);
use Google maps to plan your trips, even though it only prints out the station and line names in Kanji (plus colour coding of lines which matches the above maps), and print those out;
Get a Suica card and put a reasonable amount of credit on it, the vending/credit machine has an English language menu option;
print out English language station maps if you want of busier stations like Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku if changing trains there;
don't panic, all the station names are shown in English as well as Japanese on the on-train displays and at stations, and most announcements are in English as well as Japanese (depending on the line), and you can ask the employees at the ticket barriers for where to find a particular line's platforms, although the signs in English and Japanese should be fine.
Trickier bits (use wikipedia ahead of time) - learn whether your intended stations require a local (stop all stations) service or whether you can take a limited express or rapid service, my train from Narita was a "local" and I changed at a later station to get on a limited express and save a lot of time and stops.
Anyone care to comment on using the Shinkansen (bullet trains)?
N
nomakegirl
Guest
If you need to use bullet trains, a JR Pass would be cheaper if you go from Tokyo to Osaka and back.
The major train stations should have the bullet train timetables in English booklets. In general, there are plenty of trains. However, seats can be reserved (cost a bit more) or free (line up and pick your own seats at the free seating cars). If no seats are free, which is the case during busy periods like O-Bon, feel free to squat on the floor between cars ^^;;
For those who need to save money on long trips, consider going by overnight bus.
The major train stations should have the bullet train timetables in English booklets. In general, there are plenty of trains. However, seats can be reserved (cost a bit more) or free (line up and pick your own seats at the free seating cars). If no seats are free, which is the case during busy periods like O-Bon, feel free to squat on the floor between cars ^^;;
For those who need to save money on long trips, consider going by overnight bus.
Kugayama
Moderator
^ Thanks, just looking at getting a JR pass to cover visiting Akita and Aomori. Also had another look at http://www.hyperdia.com for trip planning.
N
nomakegirl
Guest
^ You're going Akita and Aomori? Cool. I did that about 11 years ago, including up to Sapporo. Beautiful scenery and very kind people. I think the bullet train line extends to Morioka now, but traveling along the west side of the north is still slow. Trains are few and far between. You'd have to plan well or you could be stuck in a town for half a day.