Planning a trip to Japan: What should I know?
 

I'm planning a trip to Japan this spring. What should I know? Any advice or tips would be great.

For starters: The cost of living. It's outrageous.

http://www.rosettastone.com/personal/languages/japanese
I know that English isn't uncommon in Japan, but there are only so many places that "eigo o hanasemasu ka" will fly.

And yes, bring a shitload of money. I ended up spending something like $135 a night on a decent room (even getting a discount, and the room wasn't one of the best) and like $20 a meal not including decent dinners, which ran more like $60.

Oh, and do your homework regarding transportation.

I hope that you enjoy Japan. I enjoyed my trip there very much. If you are moving around Tokyo, I would recommend getting a daily pass for subways instead of buying as you go (but, keep in mind that many lines are independently owned and require separate passes). The Takanawa Prince was a great place to stay; Shinigawa Station is just up the road for the Shinkansen and other lines. I look forward to visiting again some day.

Perhaps there are other questions that you could ask to help us give better advice. Cash is king. Bring lots.

How much cash should I bring for a week?

Do they take visa everywhere in Japan?

Are there subways from the airport?

One thing I always have done on every vacation: found a grocery store. Eating out gets outrageous if in the wrong country (ie Japan). Figure out if your hotel has a kitchen the guests can use... very helpful.

Simple, yet brilliant. Nice.

Yeah but I heard Japan has amazing food. Like I heard their Italian food is better than any Italian food you can find in the US because they're so meticulous about everything they do.

You can buy used underwear from a vending machine.

The food there is awesome. If you get a chance, eat at a beef bowl. It's fairly cheep for Japan, and just so damn tasty. If you are going to the Tokyo area, the Imperial Palace is pretty cool to check out, and it's not to from Tokyo Tower. The view from the top of if is pretty awesome. It's also about a 10 minute walk from Ropongi, which is the pretty much the party district of Tokyo. Lots of bars and what not. Be prepared to spend a LOT of money if you go drinking in the bars. Mostly, just remember to be polite to people and you will get along great out there. The Japanese are very friendly and polite people as long as you are not a dick. I got totally lost once, and one of the locals went three blocks out of his way to point me to the train station because he didn't speak enough English and I didn't speak enough Japanese for him to be able to tell me where it was.

I'll be fucked... It's true. Straight from the mouth of a Japanese tourist in my hotel.

No question about that. But do you want to eat out everyday? I came to Italy for some authentic Italian food one time deal... and it is was very expensive even at the cheapest of restaurants. I am living off of tuna mixed with pesto sauce (really good), bread, and tomatoes. Works fine.

I'm not some poor American japanophile otaku. I love food, which one of the reason I'm visiting Japan besides sight seeing.

How much cash you bring depends on what you want to do. Fill us in, and we can make an estimate. You will need cash, because many places, especially the cheap ones, don't take credit cards.

If you are flying in to Narita, the cheapest options are to take either the regular Keisei line trains or the regular JR trains, i.e., neither the Keisei Skyliner nor the NEX. Some of the Keisei trains connect to the Asakusa-line subway, which is handy if that's the direction you're going. You can also take the regular JR trains, which go to Tokyo station or all the way to Zushi. Trains stop in both terminals at Narita.

Basically I'm going to Japan mainly to sight see and enjoy culinary delights. I'm thinking a few days in tokyo and a few days in Kyoto. I also want to check out Akihabara for crazy gadgets and tech as well as do some clothes shopping where ever district is good for that. I don't want to buy too much stuff though since I hate lugging around things. So right now I'm thinking of going for a week or so.

Oh yeah I plan on taking a lot of photographs. Does Japan have any crazy laws on photography in public?

Staying around Akihabara could be interesting. The neighbourhoods around it are fun. I like Kanda.

One of my favourite places in Tokyo is the yakitori place just across from Shinjuku station. Go out the S. exit, turn right, and it's at the first corner. I also like wandering around in Nezu and Hongo (Not far from Akihabara) and just popping into little places. Mind you, i'm completely at home in Japanese. Tokyo has some very good Western food, but the good stuff is quite expensive.

Kyoto? I'd say skip it and go to Kamakura, which is one hour from Tokyo station. Like Kyoto, Kamakura was once the capital, and it's temples are also quite nice. It also has nice views of Sagami Bay and Enoshima. (The Hiroshige print "Wave" is a view from a beach near Kamakura.)

There's nothing wrong with Kyoto, but it's not a day trip, and you have only a week. I love the Tetsugakunomichi and Kokedera.

So how much spending cash do you think I should have for my trip?

I'm thinking 20,000 yen a day for pocket money. Some days you may use more, other days less. If you want to eat at really fancy places, then adjust accordingly. You can probably do your shopping with a credit card, so i haven't figured that in.

Thanks Guyy, I have booked my flight and hotel for next month. Just in time for the Cherry Blossoms :D

Where will you be staying?

Cherry blossoms are a cliche, but they're lovely, too. I'm so jealous!

I'm staying at the Hotel Hanzomon. Yeah cherry blossums are totally cliche. Here's a silly question, but are there plentiful public restrooms everywhere? I have a weak bladder and fear for it in a foreign country.

Oh, yes. Plentiful.



Also,

Public toliets are not a problem in Japan. It's much easier to deal with bodily functions in Tokyo than say, New York. The subways & train stations still have toliets, unlike in many American cities.

Hanzoemon is a convenient spot to get in and out of. I've only changed trains there, so i can't give you all that much advice. You'll be seeing the cherry blossoms around the imperial palazzo. You'll also be seeing hordes of drunks. Have fun!