How do you visit Japan properly ?

[DonniePeverley]

Guys i am thinking of taking 7/10 days out to Japan. I keep hearing all these glorious reviews on how glorious it is. 

 

I have been numerous times to Tokyo and have never shared that experience. I've found it pretty normal, a standard western metropolis. The people are polite and nice, it's a clean city, but in the way of tourist attractions around there not much to see, it's a sprawling vast city. We did the standard attractions in a day. We found some neighbourhoods but in the end we were like 'is that is?' It's alot of hype by hipsters who like to push it knowing full well most people won't go. 

 

I found the energy of cities like Seoul much better. 

 

Of course though Japan is not just Tokyo. So this time i plan to visit the country. Take advantage of the train travel around the country. 

 

I am seeking some advice on here on those who have been round Japan how they fared, experiences, and where they want and did ?

[josephbloggs]

21 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Guys i am thinking of taking 7/10 days out to Japan. I keep hearing all these glorious reviews on how glorious it is. 

 

I have been numerous times to Tokyo and have never shared that experience. I've found it pretty normal, a standard western metropolis. The people are polite and nice, it's a clean city, but in the way of tourist attractions around there not much to see, it's a sprawling vast city. We did the standard attractions in a day. We found some neighbourhoods but in the end we were like 'is that is?' It's alot of hype by hipsters who like to push it knowing full well most people won't go. 

 

I found the energy of cities like Seoul much better. 

 

Of course though Japan is not just Tokyo. So this time i plan to visit the country. Take advantage of the train travel around the country. 

 

I am seeking some advice on here on those who have been round Japan how they fared, experiences, and where they want and did ?

I went in winter time a few years ago and absolutely loved it. We got JR Rail Passes in Gold Glass (1st class) which were amazing value. Unlimited rail travel, just go in to any JR office when you arrive and make reservations for all your trains at no cost. If you decide to add more journeys just go in to a JR rail office and book them whenever you like. Properly unlimited.

A few days in Tokyo, then Mt Fuji. Two hour Shinkansen to Otsuki (which gives great views of Mt Fuji) then a cute Fujikyuko line train to Kawaguchi. We stayed close to Lake Kawaguchi which is stunningly beautiful with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Just Google it, highly recommended.

From there was passed through Tokyo and went up to Sapporo. We took the train but the Shinkansen doesn't yet go all the way to Sapporo (under construction) but it boots it up to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto which is on Hokkaido Island, then you transfer to an old slow diesel train the rest of the way. It really surprised us to be on such a train in Japan, but it was a pretty journey. Sapporo is a great city, the snow was incredible - you can ski if you want or go to mountain parks and mess around (which we did as we had young kids). Beautiful clean, deep, powdery snow. My favourite bit was drinking Sapporo in Sapporo on the side of a mountain in a mountain cabin.

After that went back for a night in Tokyo then Shinkansen up to Kyoto which was a totally different experience and only a 2hr 15m journey. Beautiful old city, old temples, geishas, fantastic restaurants. Again, highly recommended.

It was one of the best trips I have done and my kids still talk about it and would love to go back. Every city had a completely different culture and feel to it and they were very different to each other. I think we did all that in 10 days or so (I can't remember exactly).

Just make sure you buy a JR rail pass before you go, then you can travel around the country in comfort and style and use as many trains as you like (only a few restrictions). And the Shinkansens are awesome.

This is Lake Kawaguchi and the cute little train that takes you the rest of the way locally after you get off the Shinkansen. (Not my photos)

[DonniePeverley]

2 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I went in winter time a few years ago and absolutely loved it. We got JR Rail Passes in Gold Glass (1st class) which were amazing value. Unlimited rail travel, just go in to any JR office when you arrive and make reservations for all your trains at no cost. If you decide to add more journeys just go in to a JR rail office and book them whenever you like. Properly unlimited.

A few days in Tokyo, then Mt Fuji. Two hour Shinkansen to Otsuki (which gives great views of Mt Fuji) then a cute Fujikyuko line train to Kawaguchi. We stayed close to Lake Kawaguchi which is stunningly beautiful with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Just Google it, highly recommended.

From there was passed through Tokyo and went up to Sapporo. We took the train but the Shinkansen doesn't yet go all the way to Sapporo (under construction) but it boots it up to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto which is on Hokkaido Island, then you transfer to an old slow diesel train the rest of the way. It really surprised us to be on such a train in Japan, but it was a pretty journey. Sapporo is a great city, the snow was incredible - you can ski if you want or go to mountain parks and mess around (which we did as we had young kids). Beautiful clean, deep, powdery snow. My favourite bit was drinking Sapporo in Sapporo on the side of a mountain in a mountain cabin.

After that went back for a night in Tokyo then Shinkansen up to Kyoto which was a totally different experience and only a 2hr 15m journey. Beautiful old city, old temples, geishas, fantastic restaurants. Again, highly recommended.

It was one of the best trips I have done and my kids still talk about it and would love to go back. Every city had a completely different culture and feel to it and they were very different to each other. 

Just make sure you buy a JR rail pass before you go, then you can travel around the country in comfort and style and use as many trains as you like (only a few restrictions). And the Shinkansens are awesome.

This is Lake Kawaguchi and the cute little train that takes you the rest of the way locally after you get off the Shinkansen. (Not my photos)

 

 

You've sold it to  me !

 

I'm wondering if it's best to go during the winter ?

[josephbloggs]

4 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

You've sold it to  me !

Ha ha, pressure!

 

Quote

I'm wondering if it's best to go during the winter ?

For me, yes. Mainly because I've lived here for so long and I am only ever hot so it's nice and it was crisp, clear weather. Not like the miserable cold you get in the UK. And my kids had never seen snow so it was worth it for that alone. We didn't get snow in Tokyo, but the Lake in Kawaguchi had icy parts and Mt Fuji was perfectly snow capped.

Sapporo was so snowy. Even in the city there are parts (away from pavements) where it can be 2-3 foot deep. So all the fun of snowballs, snowmen, are just generally arsing around in it. It's really magical.

I think going there at cherry blossom time would also be pretty magical, but for me it really seemed perfect in winter. I would share some pictures but they have nearly all got my kids in. Here are a few of those that don't, all in Sapporo.

 

[Patong2021]

I enjoyed a day trip to Mount Fuji and hiking on the volcanic sand and rock trail. The Japanese  really take care of their  popular hiking trails.

Tokyo has multiple  districts worth visiting. For a bit of a rip off extravagance, there is the short boat cruise in Tokyo Bay. For an easy couple of hours  sightseeing, there is the  monorail to Haneda. For extra fun, there are Ferry rides to some of the islands. The rooms are ok and  less expensive than a  hotel.  The only downside to Japan, is that the knowledge of foreign languages is low, so one is best served by having a translation option.