Advice for Backpacking in Japan

[Swordmaster]

Yes, yes... some may call me insane, stupid or whatnot... but I aim to backpack in Japan for a couple weeks during April/May (Whenever my exams finish...)

First order of business... does anyone know any efficient ways to deal with airfare? I haven't seen any topics during my two days of lurking... so... ideas?

Next, I checked out the hotels topic - that was immensely helpful - no questions needed.

Three... I'm under the impression that Tokyo is small - tiny - miniature. Would it be practical to walk everywhere? I mean, I live in Toronto and I bike/blade everywhere 'cause everything's just so close. Then again... I have biked out to Aurora, up Yonge street...

Next... what exactly should I bring - I want to travel as light as possible. Chances are, I'll be wearing some of my custom clothing so I can just stuff everything I need in a pocket. However, there's the question of toiletries, a change of clothes, etc. As much as I like traveling light, I enjoy being clean.

That brings up another question... I have rather long hair and I've seen that the last summer in Japan was absolutely scorching... should I depart with my hair? Being Canadian an' all... the heat really irks me.

A list of awesome places to eat would be helpful. The only condition is that I absolutely detest seafood (yes, yes... I know that this trip is a rather terrible combination for this...). Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up some recipes, though. Learning is good.

Err... what else...? I was wondering if I should see some other places like Osaka and Kyoto. I'm a double major in religion and philosophy and a minor in East Asian Studies (Japan)... so... I figured I should check out some temples. In fact, I'm contemplating spending a few days there as a monk (layman).


On another note... is there anywhere I should scout for snowboarding? I mean, I'll be heading over there for an exchange trip that coming September school-year... it'd be absolutely awesome if I could board a bit while I'm there.


I think that's all, for the moment.

[JohnBraden]

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Three... I'm under the impression that Tokyo is small - tiny - miniature. Would it be practical to walk everywhere? I mean, I live in Toronto and I bike/blade everywhere 'cause everything's just so close. Then again... I have biked out to Aurora, up Yonge street...

Wow... I've never associated Tokyo with being small... There are about as many people in the greater Tokyo area as in the whole of Canada. Walking to train stations would be practical, because it could take you many hours to walk from Shibuya to Asakusa, for example....

Please say you were kidding!

[godwine]

Originally Posted by JohnBraden

Wow... I've never associated Tokyo with being small... There are about as many people in the greater Tokyo area as in the whole of Canada. Walking to train stations would be practical, because it could take you many hours to walk from Shibuya to Asakusa, for example....

Please say you were kidding!

I think he is referring to the "Tokyo" as in Tokyo area around the station. Its insane to say tokyo is small, just look at the crazy transit map

And while you enjoy your rollerblading and biking in Canada (I am from Markham myself, so i do bike a lot), you don't want to make yourself stand out, "making a statement" in japan is not advisable. So do spend some time researching how everone else dress and act before making a decision on how you will travel

backpacking is doable, I've done it before, but its not easy, we only took about 4 days worth of clothing, thinking that we can just use coin laundry.. but we end up haing to buy a few t shirts and jeans when we were there.

I am not sure what do you mean by an "Efficient way to deal with airfare"? You mean how to pay for it, or how to search for a flight? To search for a flight, you can either go with JTB Canada, they are just off of Carlton and Yonge, or IACE travel, which I don't know their actual location, I usually just purchase E-Tickets form them

The hair thing, its a personal preference, I always keep my hair short because i sweat a lot and can't sleep with long hair, and the heat will be worse in Japan comparing to Toronto, its not just hot, its humid....

Not sure how you will "pick up" recipes on the trip, I copy most of my recipes online. You can find TONES of Japanese food recipes, and if you can read japanese, use Google.co.jp, it makes it just that much more authentic.

Japan is not just only about seafood, whoever told you that is ignorant, if you don't like it, you always have other non-seafood choices, for most of my trips, we actually rarely have any seafood, seafood is something that you really have to go to specific places for, most restaurante around will serve non-seafood items

Snowboarding, you will have to go to Furano for the best snow... but i believe there are some palces around Aomori for it too

I persoinally beleive that to really travel Japan, Tokyo shouldn't be your focus. Instead you should spend more time in places that is filled with more culture and history, so yes Kyoto will be a good choice. Osaka offer almost everything that Tokyo has to offer, plus good food. Yokohama, along the bay area has a lot of historic background that you can investigate into

[samurai007]

I persoinally beleive that to really travel Japan, Tokyo shouldn't be your focus. Instead you should spend more time in places that is filled with more culture and history, so yes Kyoto will be a good choice. Osaka offer almost everything that Tokyo has to offer, plus good food. Yokohama, along the bay area has a lot of historic background that you can investigate into

I agree with Godwine, I'd visit the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc) instead of Tokyo. Much more variety and historical places, hiking, etc.

For clothes, bring what you want and do laundry when it gets dirty. If you are small enough you can even buy more clothes there.

There are lots of non-seafood Japanese food... look for donburi, tonkatsu, kara'age, yakisoba, etc.

Snowboarding is best somewhere in the Japan Alps.

[Columbine]

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

a couple weeks during April/May

Shouldn't be scorching or overly humid at that time in Tokyo. So you'll survive just fine heat wise. I actually did a trip up to Tokyo from Osaka at the end of May 2007 and wished I'd bought a jumper with me as it was cooler than I expected. Down south it might be warmer, but the bulk of the heavy summer weather doesn't really kick in until June really. Anticipate rain (and possibly shedloads of it) if you hit the end of May/June time.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Three... I'm under the impression that Tokyo is small - tiny - miniature.

Yes the central area is small, No the whole city is MASSIVE. As in, you can sit on a train for 40 mins and still not really cross the city. Are ~things~ there small? In terms of road width, yes, so if you do skate be aware of your surroundings and remember, pedestrians have right of way and they won't get out of your path. You'll have to wait or go around them.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Next... what exactly should I bring - I want to travel as light as possible.

Travel towel, small padlock (combination not key), get an all-in-one skin/hair/clothing soap (lush's solid shampoo's are perfect for this) so you can at least wash out socks and things in the sink. Bear in mind hostels don't really like you hanging laundry around the room but many offer a cheap laundry service, although primarily only in bigger places. Phrasebook/dictionary and map that has BOTH romaji (latin letters) and kanji. If you don't speak or read much Japanese having both will be more useful than just romaji if you need to identify a sign or ask directions. Shoes that ideally come off easily- it's a faff doing laces all the time if you're visiting temples/houses etc. Maybe A piece of paper that lists any important allergies/medical info in Japanese, in case of emergency. If you're out in the sticks, or a smaller town, sometimes it can be harder to find an english speaking doctor, so in the worst case scenario that you need immediate attention having that info to hand is essential. Coin purse. waterproof coat.

I would certainly consider seeing Kyoto if you're a religion major, and Nara or Hiroshima/Miyajima rather than Osaka. Some of the oldest and most important shrines and temples are in these cities, and (I'm lead to believe) somewhat different to the ones in Tokyo.

[Swordmaster]

Hours? It takes hours to get from Shibuya to other districts? Erm... scaling was never a specialty of mine... but seriously... I figure that Japan is incredibly tiny compared to Ontario... I figure that it'd be a walk in the park... I guess not... I'll still walk everywhere, probably. That's insanity for you, at its height, mind you.

Also, what's so bad about "making a statement"? I do that here and I haven't been shot, kidnapped, reprimanded, etc. yet... I mean, my hair is down to my posterior, that draws attention as is, and I don't think I'll have the heart to take a blade to it.

When I say "efficient" I'll be honest and say "cheap". I'm not a huge stick in the mud with spending a bit, but I'll save where I can. JTB looks pretty awesome for smart flights, though. Thanks.

The question of heat is: it may be alright for you, but is it alright for me? I've earned the nickname "snowman" among friends. If I'm out any more than I am, during the summer, I'm sure I'll melt.

As for recipes... I think I went ahead of myself... it's not like there are English recipe books... over there, I mean.

As for seafood - it's not all they have, for sure; but, it's no small part of their diet, I think.


Sweet snowboarding direction. I'll be sure to check 'em out next school year.


I've gotta take note of all these places and do some personal investigation... it'll be a long while before I can get to that... curse university studies!


Specifically, Sam's comment on being small enough to fit into their clothes... that's a blow to the ego, if I've ever seen one. I may be half Japanese, and short... but I have a strong build. Japanese people, being the twigs they are... it'd be tight, methinks... I'll just retreat to my corner now...



Hm... so... what I gather is that I'll probably take two other sets of clothes, other than the ones I would wear...

a coin pouch for the yen coins...

a travel towel...

soap/shampoo/conditioner mix...

a phrase dictionary...

and a lock...

[MMM]

[quote=Swordmaster;830905] Hours? It takes hours to get from Shibuya to other districts? Erm... scaling was never a specialty of mine... but seriously... I figure that Japan is incredibly tiny compared to Ontario... I figure that it'd be a walk in the park... I guess not... I'll still walk everywhere, probably. That's insanity for you, at its height, mind you. The entire country of Japan is about 1/3 the size of Ontario.

I guess I am confused as to what you want to do. Are you wanting to backpack Tokyo, or get out there and see more of the country? Backpacking Tokyo seems a little silly, to me. I am not sure why you would want to walk everywhere spending all day getting from one place to the next when you can get there for $1.50 in 10 or 15 minutes. It isn't like most of Tokyo is really beautiful to look at.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Also, what's so bad about "making a statement"? I do that here and I haven't been shot, kidnapped, reprimanded, etc. yet... I mean, my hair is down to my posterior, that draws attention as is, and I don't think I'll have the heart to take a blade to it.

Since you asked, it makes things harder for other foreigners living in Japan when people come over and draw a lot of attention to themselves. It isn't a big deal.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

The question of heat is: it may be alright for you, but is it alright for me? I've earned the nickname "snowman" among friends. If I'm out any more than I am, during the summer, I'm sure I'll melt.

April/May should be fine....June it starts getting warmer.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

As for recipes... I think I went ahead of myself... it's not like there are English recipe books... over there, I mean.

I guess the more important question is, where are you planning on cooking?

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

As for seafood - it's not all they have, for sure; but, it's no small part of their diet, I think.

You can easily survive in Japan without ever eating fish.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Specifically, Sam's comment on being small enough to fit into their clothes... that's a blow to the ego, if I've ever seen one. I may be half Japanese, and short... but I have a strong build. Japanese people, being the twigs they are... it'd be tight, methinks... I'll just retreat to my corner now...

They aren't all twigs. Trust me.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Hm... so... what I gather is that I'll probably take two other sets of clothes, other than the ones I would wear...

a coin pouch for the yen coins...

a travel towel...

soap/shampoo/conditioner mix...

a phrase dictionary...

and a lock...

Just curious, where are you planning on staying at night? Backpacking in Japan is different than in Europe. You can't just sleep on a bench or put up a tent in the park. I guess I am not understanding the plan well.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Also, what's so bad about "making a statement"? I do that here and I haven't been shot, kidnapped, reprimanded, etc. yet... I mean, my hair is down to my posterior, that draws attention as is, and I don't think I'll have the heart to take a blade to it.

Well, all that I am saying is to avoid anything (action, the way you dress, the way you speak etc) that attract attention. Being a foreigner stood out enough as is

[Swordmaster]

Err... I suppose I really should just get a rail pass and take the train...

As for cooking... I was originally just thinking about picking up recipes and bringing them hope to make - but it doesn't really work too well since I wouldn't be able to read the recipe. That, and I can just search it up over here...

I hope they don't have weird temperatures like we did over here...

As for the fact of them being not being complete twigs... that's a relief... I can get extra clothes!

As for staying the night, I looked at some of the hostels - they look rather well-priced for this frugal university student. Although, I will intend to stay at a ryokan for a night in the very least.


As for being a foreigner... there's not way they'll know, unless I keep this terrible tan and open my big mouth.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

Err... I suppose I really should just get a rail pass and take the train...

not if you are planning on staying in Tokyo the whole time. It would be a waste of money.

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

As for cooking... I was originally just thinking about picking up recipes and bringing them hope to make - but it doesn't really work too well since I wouldn't be able to read the recipe. That, and I can just search it up over here...

You mean "home", but home where? There are tons of Japanese recipe books in English, but where are you going to be cooking in Japan?

Originally Posted by Swordmaster

As for staying the night, I looked at some of the hostels - they look rather well-priced for this frugal university student. Although, I will intend to stay at a ryokan for a night in the very least.


As for being a foreigner... there's not way they'll know, unless I keep this terrible tan and open my big mouth.

You will be pegged as a foreigner from a mile away by your hair, clothes and the way you walk.