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Further to my last post, I’ve booked flights to Japan for the last week of March. If anyone’s been I’d appreciate any hints or tips to make the most of my time. Any hotel suggestions/things not miss/recommendations. Thanks. Flying into Narita (Tokyo)
fetish clubs 😉
Japan is weird. Iiwy cancel the flights and go somewhere hot instead.
Peak cherry season. What sort of things do you want to do/see? I'd suggest a trip to Kyoto of course. You'll have trouble booking accommodation.
Robot nightclub bar looks pretty mental
Mountains and resorts of Hokkaido if you like snow sports. Whisky fueled robot Godzilla fetish weirdness otherwise.
Jet lag for me was appalling, the flights were long and dull! I went 10 years ago for 2 weeks, I can't imagine going for less.
But yeah it's the weirdest place I have been to. Things I liked were public outdoor onsons - in the snow - eating out, you will have no idea what you're getting, cafes where babies would be on the back of the ladies working, in small papooses. Drinking sake. Friendly japanese. No one speaking english (taxis drive off when they hear you speak!), my gf wearing shoes indoors by mistake (hilarious)
I would avoid western style hotels/accommodation, go for cheap local places for true immersion. Western food was bad and expensive, local food was good value and incredible
On the way home a good think about the sustainability of long haul flights. I know it was my last one.
Mix and match - traditional onsen in the mountains (lake suwa is about 2 hours from Tokyo on the train and fairly well developed so ok for first time visitor, you can come back via the Hokushu whiskey distillery and Fuji) , then weird techno fetish clubs in Tokyo. Don’t bother with roppongi unless you want to be ripped off by Gaijin hustlers (according to a “friend”, who left a “bar” $1500 lighter)
Go up and have a drink in the Hyatt. Bay cruise with lunch is pretty good as well, then just wander about eating and drinking.
Definitely avoid Roppongi; its the Japanese equivalent of Magaluf. We loved the nightlife in Shibuya though.
I found the food great with the exception of breakfast. I would definitely recommend going to a restaurant outside of the usual tourist hotspots.
Unfortunately i was with work when i went so i did not get chance to see much. I would love to go again though.
panic, not being able to decide what to do. bring bcak lots of handtools...
I travel to Japan regularly for work. Sometimes for just 36 hours.
Karting dressed at Mario in the streets of Tokyo is a good laugh.
Kyoto is beautiful, especially at Cherry Blosom time.
Matsumoto castle is worth a visit if you’re nearby and some good walking to be had in the southern alps.
Teamlab exhibition in Tokyo bay near the Tokyo wheel is excellent and well worth a trip.
Normally stay in shinjuku one Tokyo and it’s super safe. Never had any bother.
Enjoy, but it’s as mad as a box of frogs!
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I’m in Asia for work anyway so ragged on a trip to Japan to make it worthwhile. I thought about south to warmth but will do that next time. I’m a fussy eater so nervous about the food but if I come back lighter that’ll be a good thing.
I'd go to some bike shops!
https://allcitycycles.com/blog/_single_entry/kato_cycles_nagoya_japan
Have you seen the BBC series on Japans landscape? On iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02n9v33
Be sure to buy some used panties from a used panty vending machine.
I'll write at length later, but we had the BEST holiday a few years back - here's what we were advised. 🙂
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/things-to-do-in-japan
I’m a fussy eater so nervous about the food but if I come back lighter that’ll be a good thing.
Japanese is lovely, there are plenty of Japanese eateries in the U.K., like Yo! Sushi, and they’re in most British cities, so find one and try a few dishes, make notes on what you like, and any that take your fancy, and take your notes with you.
There’s a great little Japanese restaurant in South Kensington, called Tombo (dragonfly), which I always go to if I’m going to the museums.
Even Pret a Mange do sushi takeaways that are worth checking out. Japanese cakes are less sweet than we usually have, and are really quite tasty.
Roast pork flavour boiled sweets!
Kyoto was good but I really really liked Osaka
Definitely don't spend 2 hours commuting each way to go to a keirin meet in one of the big stadia, only to find when you arrive that it has been cancelled. Otherwise you can't go too far wrong. It's an awesome country.
Watching this thread with interest, I’ve been to Japan once before for work, but am going back with wife and boys (7 and 4) in April. Thanks for the inspiration so far everyone!
Tokyo for a day or 2 then hire a motorbike, head to hills, get your kit off and into an Onsen or two.
Currently stuck in Finland on way back from Japan. Just been for 11 days as Mrs jet was working there.
Amazing place - spent most of our time in Kyoto/Osaka/Nara which is enough to fill ten days, if you include a day or two to go to Hiroshima. Lots of Japanese history - temples, shrines etc and Osaka is a mad and crazy busy but v friendly city.
Has food options for just about anything you can name and a few you definitely can't!
Happy to drop you a mail if helpful
Can recommend Nara but not sure if do-able in 5 days without rushing around and not enjoying Tokyo. Maybe look into Kamakura and Enoshima if fancy a bit of beach and quiet not far from Tokyo.
Go whale hunting.
Go whale hunting.
Topical 👍
In an ideal world something like this but with classic motorbikes instead like a sdr200 or xt 500 or a little sports 400 like a honda cb1