Hi all…
Have read through some awesome posts on this forum!
I am wondering if anyone has some specific / extra suggestions (particularly for Saitama, Hayama, Tsukuba, Chiba, Fukuoka areas) for my visit to Japan.
I will be flying from Shanghai to Tokyo (Haneda airport) next week and staying in Japan for around 5 weeks before leaving from the Osaka airport.
I have organised to spend some time in various acupuncture clinics in Tokyo and in surrounding areas. So I have a strong interest in oriental medicine & wellness but also the arts and crafts of Japan. I have a rough plan for my 5 weeks… but very open to suggestions.
Tokyo – 3 days – visit shibuya, harajuku, etc.
Kamakura – 2 days (2nd day - trip to Hayama)
Chiba prefecture – few days on route to…
Tsukuba university – 1 week
Tokyo – 1 week (in clinic)
Nikko – day trip
Maybe a visit to Yokohama
Tokyo – 2 days - International symposium in Saitama
Takayama – 2 days
Kyoto – 3 days
Narra – 2 days
Osaka – 1 week (day visit to Kobe)
Fukuoka – during week in Osaka
Also still needing guidance on the following:
I am thinking of purchasing the 21 day JR rail pass and possibly a Suica card to use for the initial 16 days that I will be in Japan. I could activate the JR pass once I leave Tokyo…. But still not sure whether this is the best plan??
Accommodation suggestions – preferably not a dormitory but a place with single rooms (even a very very small room is fine). I have read some good stuff on “House Ikebukuro” in Tokyo… budget is around 3000 – 4000 / night… any ideas for the other areas in Japan where I will be visiting?
Places to visit in Saitama, Hayama, Tsukuba, Chiba, Fukuoka areas – i.e. gardens / arts, crafts, fabrics, antiques / onsens / museums / markets / vegetarian or macrobiotic restaurants / festivals / beaches or natural places with fresh air etc... or anything you can recommend?
Look forward to hearing any suggestions…
Thanks again