anyaslilbro

My boyfriend and I have been saving up for a few years, and the time has now come to take a vacation. We want to go to Japan for the month of January, and we are looking for ideas on where to go and what to see. This will be our first trip there, and we really don't know what we want to do there other than visit the places that my parents grew up and where I was born. And that won't take a whole month.

any ideas?

__________________
Dr. Zorders : "Jerri, I don't think you're hearing what I'm saying!"
Jerri Blank : "That's OK, you're not saying what I'm hearing!"

Craven Morehead

Went to Tokyo last Oct. Wonderful place to go. Japan and in particular Tokyo is served by several train/subways. Study this before you go. Can be very imposing but it starts to make sense when you're there. There are so many places to visit the best I can suggest is check out internet sites or travel books to find what suits your tastes. One place I will suggest if you are in Tokyo is the Tsukiji fish market. Get there early and be overwhelmed by the size of it, the largest fish market in the world. Actually be prepared to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of Tokyo, the largest metropolitan area in the world. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Annapolis

Kyoto, Nara, and since you'll be there in the winter hit the slopes up north. I use the Lonely Planet Guide books when I travel and they have suited me well. It depends on your budget as to the guide book, but CM's advise on advanced research is especially good. The trains in Japan are some of the finest in the world. I would absolutely recommend that you have a place to sleep lined up for your first night there because Narita airport is so far from Tokyo that you'll be exhausted when you get to town.

Intense1

Hi, thought I'd give my two yen worth here, since I lived in Japan for seven and a half years. Some of my visits:

TOKYO

1. Yoyogi Park on Sunday afternoons - this park is accessable easily from Shibuya Station (after about a 10 minute walk) or Harajuku station (right there, depending on the exit you use.) They close off a street and all kinds of bands, dance groups and extertainers of all sorts stake out a place on the street and do their thing, lending the feeling of a street fair. There's lots of vendors selling food (fried noodles, hotdogs and squid on a stick, to name a few) and if the noise gets too much, the actual park is a very nice stroll. Plus its next to Meiji Shrine, which is very interesting to see, if you're into that. But since it's January, it might be too cold to have the street fair thing, so it could be a hit and miss thing.

BTW - Shibuya station itself is quite the thing to experience on a Sunday afternoon, as there are just scads of people there. Don't go if you're claustrophobic or people shy, though. There is no sense of personal space with all that throng around.

2. Shinjuku, most anywhere. Lots of stuff to see and do.

3. For electronics, it's Akihabara.

OUTSIDE TOKYO

1. Hakone - in the mountains a few hours out of Tokyo by train. There is an outdoor sculpture museum that has an extensive Henry Moore collection, as well as an indoor Picaso collection. And the hot springs are nice.

2. Kyoto - for the best "old style" sense of Japanese life. Streets are laid out in a numerical way so you can go to #4 street and stroll a nice market. Plus, most people from Western Japan say Kyoto has the best food.

SOME ADVICE

1. Plan your travel times in Tokyo so that you're not having to get on a train before 9 am or after 4 pm. If you're in Shinjuku station at 5 pm, God help you! You might want to go there one day just to experience it, though. It's a hoot to see the station platform staff have to kick people in the legs just so they'll pull in all their extremities in order for the train doors to close. And to be on such a train that is literally full like a brick of vacuum-packed Folger's coffee is a lesson in proxemics that will be hard to forget. (Warning: if one finds oneself in this situation, do not be surprised if one is groped)

2. Money, money, money. Don't forget that you'll need absolute gobs of it for everything. And don't forget the airport departure tax (2,100 yen when I was there last - not sure if it's still at that rate.) Most restaurants don't give free coffee refills; you'll have to buy another cup of coffee if you want more.
Plus, the last time I was there (winter of '98), there weren't many regular ATMs that would take American ATM or debit cards. Best to go with travelers' checks and cash. (Sorry if you already know this bit - it's just that when I think of going to Japan, I immediately think of MONEY)

3. Language and culture - many Japanese don't speak English, or if they do, they're shy to use it. Most bigger train stations and department stores will have an Info booth with some English speaking staff. If you ask someone for directions to some place, and they point you in a direction and then leave quickly, it might be wise to ask another person. In tight spots, a smile and a bow with a Thank you will be an appropriate and well accepted gesture. Openness and kindness is always accepted and reciprocated; tension and a "fierce face" will not be looked upon with happiness.

There is an English Tourist help line - get tourist brochures at the airport and it should be listed in most.

Sorry if you know most (or all) of this already. Much of the above I had to learn the hard way. Have a wonderful trip - it's a great place, and I thoroughly enjoyed my life there. Japanese are a thoroughly decent people, and love having guests in their country.

__________________
(none yet, still thinkin')