Planning another trip in 2011

[godwine]

Hey guys

I am planning another trip in 2011. And I need some help and suggestions

We will be there from June 12-June 22.

June 12-25 - Hokkaido, will be traveling between Furano, Sapporo and Noboribetsu

June 16-20 - Will be in Tokyo area

June 21-22 - Will be in Osaka

The main objective is to do a lot of shopping and eating, this is a trip for my in laws, and they are not interested in culture and history, just want to shop and eat. So here is my question

1. Is there any shirne festival or street festival during my stay?

2. For the days in Osaka, I plan to book us in around the Namba area as its close to Dotonbori, so food and shopping is covered. While researching Osaka, one thing stood out to me: Shinsekai

I did some research, it appears to be filled with street food, but some site suggest that Shinsekai is the most dangerous place anyone want to set foot in, is this the case? Or is that statement stone aged?

While in Tokyo, we are going to stay at the Tokyo price, I plan to take them to the shinjuku Omoideyokocho for yakitori and izakaya type food. Is there anywhere else with similar setting and food type? Or for Ramen? I wanted to take them to somewhere with Yatai like Naka river in Kyushu, but i don't think such thing is available in Tokyo, so I am going to try anything that is similar to Omoide Yokocho

Thanks in advance
Godwine

[godwine]

Anyone want to help ?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by godwine

2. For the days in Osaka, I plan to book us in around the Namba area as its close to Dotonbori, so food and shopping is covered. While researching Osaka, one thing stood out to me: Shinsekai

I did some research, it appears to be filled with street food, but some site suggest that Shinsekai is the most dangerous place anyone want to set foot in, is this the case? Or is that statement stone aged?

Lots of great shopping in Umeda, which is due north of Namba/Shinsaibashi by about four stops on the subway. Good food up there, too.

Shinsekai, or the Tennoji area has been much cleaned up in recent years. It is worth seeing as it is a unique area. I wouldn't spend days there, but is worth checking out for an hour or two during the daylight hours.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by MMM

Lots of great shopping in Umeda, which is due north of Namba/Shinsaibashi by about four stops on the subway. Good food up there, too.

Shinsekai, or the Tennoji area has been much cleaned up in recent years. It is worth seeing as it is a unique area. I wouldn't spend days there, but is worth checking out for an hour or two during the daylight hours.

Thanks MMM, what about after dark? Is it bad to stay around shinsekai?

I am looking for some form of street festival too for some street food, i notice that there is something happening in hokkaido starting June 18, so we may shift our schedule to match that.

Anything else you guys can suggest for street festivals? My wife and her family would love yakitori, butabara etc etc... so assuming we are there around June 18-july 1?????

[fujikuro]

Originally Posted by godwine

Anything else you guys can suggest for street festivals? My wife and her family would love yakitori, butabara etc etc... so assuming we are there around June 18-july 1?????

June never be better month for festivals in Japan(other than Hokkaido). Rainy season.That's why you couldn't get a reply.

Sapporo ：
2011/6/8～12 Yosakoi soran festival
One of the biggest dance festival.

2011/6/14～16 Sapporo matauri( main festival of Hokkaido Shrine)
HOKKAIDO JINGU / Annual Major Festivals
After that festivals, I think you can't expect in Sapporo while you are visiting.

Ｔokyo,Osaka..hmm..

[godwine]

Originally Posted by fujikuro

June never be better month for festivals in Japan(other than Hokkaido). Rainy season.That's why you couldn't get a reply.

Sapporo ：
2011/6/8～12 Yosakoi soran festival
One of the biggest dance festival.

2011/6/14～16 Sapporo matauri( main festival of Hokkaido Shrine)
HOKKAIDO JINGU / Annual Major Festivals
After that festivals, I think you can't expect in Sapporo while you are visiting.

Ｔokyo,Osaka..hmm..

Nice.. so lots of street food during these time??? it will be great if there are lots and lots of food, thats what my father in law will LOVE to hear

[fujikuro]

Originally Posted by godwine

Nice.. so lots of street food during these time??? it will be great if there are lots and lots of food, thats what my father in law will LOVE to hear

According to the city government's HP, about 500 yatai(not always food yatai) in the shrine and中島公園(Nakajima park )during the Sapporo matsuri.
Events in June 2009

[godwine]

Originally Posted by fujikuro

According to the city government's HP, about 500 yatai(not always food yatai) in the shrine and中島公園(Nakajima park )during the Sapporo matsuri.
Events in June 2009

Thanks Fujikuro, i will have to replan the entire thing now

[MMM]

Originally Posted by godwine

Thanks MMM, what about after dark? Is it bad to stay around shinsekai?

I am looking for some form of street festival too for some street food, i notice that there is something happening in hokkaido starting June 18, so we may shift our schedule to match that.

Anything else you guys can suggest for street festivals? My wife and her family would love yakitori, butabara etc etc... so assuming we are there around June 18-july 1?????

I would not hang around Shinsekai after dark. There are still many questionable types in that area. Perfectly fine during the day, though.

That's quite a haul just to go to a festival.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by MMM

I would not hang around Shinsekai after dark. There are still many questionable types in that area. Perfectly fine during the day, though.

That's quite a haul just to go to a festival.

yeah, the wife wants it, so i have to plan it in, of course if you can suggest something else in a different location that fits my original plan, i am willing to listen