|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
14 days trips in May 2011, need advices! -
12-16-2010, 09:11 PM
Hello Japanforum! (Sorry in advance for the long post!)
Like I said in my title, I'm going to Japan for the first time in May 2011, alone. I'm trying to make my itinerary now and I fin dit hard since I don't know how much time I should predict (anticipate) for each attractions I want to do. I'll be landing in Haneda on 14th of May at 22h45 so I'll sleep in Toyoko Inn for one night. So the first day is Sunday, May 15th and I need to be at Narita Airport on Sunday 29th at 19h to fly back to Quebec. Before putting the long list of things I want to visit/do. Here's some things to not forget... - When I'll be in Tokyo, I'm sleeping at a friend's house in Fuchu, so I'll take the train from Bubaigawara station. When I'll be in Kansai area, I'm sleeping in a rent in Osaka. - Not sure yet, but I'll probaly need a JR 14 days pass. I'll need your advice about this ^.^ - I would like to see the Sanja Matsuri on May 20,21 or 22 (Not all days) in Asakusa - I would like to be in Tokyo for the first week, since my friend live there and I'm not used to Japan. Now...here's the long lists, if you know an average of the time I should predict for each place (Or the complete district). I would really appreciate! Also, this is not the final lists, if you think there's place worth of going that aren't in the list, please suggest it! And if there's place you think I should not waste my time that are on the list, feel free to tell me please! You'll see that I want to visit both Kanto and Kansai region. *Tokyo* -Asakusa- Kaminarimon Nakamise Dori Sensoji Temple Shin-Nakamise Dori -Ueno- Ueno Park Ueno Zoo Shitamashi Museum Ameyoko -Akihabara- Visit the District, suggestions? -Tsukiji & Tsukishima- (Okonomiyaki) Hamarikyu Garden Just go visit and eat sushis for breakfast or dinner(possible?) -Tokyo- Imperial Garden -Korakuen- Koishikawa Korakuen -Shinjuku- Metropolitan Government Office Building Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Station Mail Visit the district -Shibuya,Harajuku- (Harajuku on sunday) Koen Dori Yoyogi Park Meji Shrine Daiso Harajuku (100yen shop) Oriental Bazaaz Takeshita Dori *Side Trips close to Tokyo* -Motegi Twin Ring (Honda Museum), Motegi (Utsunomiya St. 90min N) -Jiyugaoka & Shimokitazawa (Visit) -Yokohama- Minato Mirai Sankein Garden Chinatown *Between Tokyo & Kyoto* -Fuji Five Lakes- (Pictures & Onsen) Kawaguchiko Lake Chureito Pagoda Oshino Hakkai *Kansai* -Nara Perfecture- Todaji Temple Isuen Garden Yoshikien Garden Horyuji Temple -Osaka Perfecture- Osaka Castle Kaiyukan Minami (Den Den Town) Umeda Sky Building -Kyoto Perfecture- Kiyomizudera Temple Ginkakuji Kinkakuji Kyoto Station Fushimi Inari Shrine Daigoji Temple Toji Temples Tetsugaku no Michi Imperial Palace/Sento Gosho Nishikikoji Dori -Side trips outside of Kansai- Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine Okayama: Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle (I think people will be scared to read all this post....) By the way, I'm aware that I may have too much place to visit for two week. That's why I would like to know the time needed for each place. I will wait for other questions (I think this post is enough for now). Thanks a lot in advance for your help! Guillaume 
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
12-16-2010, 11:31 PM
Quote:
 Monjyayaki is famous. Quote:
Cult Quote:
Foolishness all over the world and criminal area Quote:
 Quote:
Quote:
 Quote:
Cryptanalysis is necessary for you. set a goal：English at the same level as Johan Cruyff
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
12-17-2010, 12:21 AM
Quote:
Nikko travel guide - Wikitravel
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
12-17-2010, 12:40 AM
Siokan
Thanks for the answer! Thanks for the head up on Monjyayaki! I may have mistaken when I was taking notes. Why do you say "cult" about Harajuku and 100yen shop? Rippongi Hills will be deleted, thanks! About Motegi Twin Ring, I want to go there for the Honda Museum only since I'm a dead fan of the company  It's sad for Himeji....but Osaka Castle and Okayama Castle will be visited for 3 reason: -I'll stay in Osaka when I'll be in Kansai -Oakayama one is close to Korakuen Garden which is my main purpose of the visit -I don't mind them being imitation. JohnBraden Thanks for the head up on Nikko! I thought about visiting the Toshogu Shrine while I'll be in the area. Like I said above, I'm not going to Motegi for the race but for the Honda Museum so I don't think I'll need the complete day. Thoughts? Thanks for your help!
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
12-20-2010, 12:29 AM
Thanks MMM.
If got answers from two of my friends in Japan (One in Tokyo, one in Osaka) regarding the time needed for each places. I've putted comment about each places in the list. I would love to know your opinions as well about them. *Tokyo* She told me that the best thing to do would be to spend one day in each district to visit everything. Sadly, I don't have that time... -Asakusa- Kaminarimon Nakamise Dori Sensoji Temple Shin-Nakamise Dori She told me it was a must see, she didn't tell me how long to take though. Do you think I can visit both Asakusa and Ueno in the same day??? (Morning,Afternoon and Evening) -Ueno- Ueno Park Ueno Zoo Shitamashi Museum Ameyoko See above -Akihabara- Visit the District, suggestions? Can take only an afternoon or a complete day depending on me. -Tsukiji & Tsukishima- (Morning, 0.5 day) Hamarikyu Garden Just go visit and eat sushis for breakfast or dinner(possible?) I think I sould be okay with the first half of the day. -Tokyo- Imperial Garden Still don't have any info yet... -Korakuen- Koishikawa Korakuen Still don't have any info yet... -Shinjuku- Metropolitan Government Office Building Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Station Mail Visit the district See below -Shibuya,Harajuku- (Harajuku on sunday) Koen Dori Yoyogi Park Meji Shrine Daiso Harajuku (100yen shop) Oriental Bazaaz Takeshita Dori She told me that Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku, since there so close to each other, I should be able to make it in a day.(1 Day) -Roppongi- Tokyo Mori Midtown Tower I'm thinking of deleting this one from the list, is there really a must see thing in Roppongi? *Side Trips close to Tokyo* -Motegi Twin Ring (Honda Museum), Motegi (Utsunomiya St. 90min N) (1 Day) -Jiyugaoka & Shimokitazawa (Visit) (1 day) -Yokohama- (1 day) Minato Mirai Sankein Garden Chinatown *Between Tokyo & Kyoto* I want to take the day to visit Fuji Five Lakes but I'm including the time I'll be in the train -Fuji Five Lakes- (Pictures & Onsen) (1 day) Kawaguchiko Lake Chureito Pagoda Oshino Hakkai *Kansai* -Wakayama Perfecture- Nachi Tashi Garan Kangobuji Temple I'm thinking to delete the visit to this perfecture since it's far, what do you think? Is it worth to take the day to go or not? -Hyogo Perfecture- Himeji Castle Kokoen Garden Thinking to delete the visit since Himeji Castle will be in reparation -Nara Perfecture- (1.5 day) Todaji Temple Isuen Garden Yoshikien Garden Horyuji Temple Do you think I could visit Nara's attraction in one day? -Osaka Perfecture- Osaka Castle Kaiyukan Minami (Den Den Town) Umeda Sky Building Didn't have the information... -Kyoto Perfecture- (3days) Kiyomizudera Temple Ginkakuji Kinkakuji Kyoto Station Fushimi Inari Shrine Daigoji Temple Toji Temples Tetsugaku no Michi Imperial Palace/Sento Gosho Nishikikoji Dori I'm a bit suprised here since my friend told me I'll need 3 days to visit every sight in Kyoto, is he right or I can do everything faster? -Side trips outside of Kansai- Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine (1day) Okayama: Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle (1 day) Since I have only 14 days avalaible to visit Japan, I'm a worried I will not be able to visit everything. Thanks again!
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
12-20-2010, 01:36 AM
When you're planning trips such as these down to the minute, one feels like you're on a timetable and you end up rushing things. Sometimes it's best to have a general idea and plan accordingly. Not that you are doing so, but plan on breaking from your itinerary some....
Asakusa and Ueno can be done in one day if you centralize your "targets". The area around Senso-Ji in Asakusa and the museum campus in Ueno. If you like going to museums, that'll add time to your stay there.... Akihabara can be done in half a day but it depends on how much you want to do there. If you're an anime fan you may want to go in and out of every store there, so plan accordingly. Sunday would be the best day to go there, preferably afternoon to evening so you see it in its full splendor of activity and lights. As far as Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya... it's best to start in Shinjuku and visit the TMG towers for the view.... then proceed east back to the station and the eastern part of the station, stopping by the discount camera and electronic places that rival Akiba in deals. Once you're done there in Shinjuku, take the Yamanote to Harajuku, get off , go to the right to cross the tracks to get to Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine. Once you see that head back the way you came back to the station and cross the tracks once again to the station entrance and you'll run into Takeshita Dori. Take that to the Meiji Dori, hang a right and take it until you hit Omotesando. Take a left and go up to Aoyama Dori, then back down until you hit the little side streets on the left just prior to the old site of Kiddyland toy store... take those little streets down until you hit the Meiji Dori, which will take you to Shibuya.... It's a nice walk and if the weather's good, so much better.... I wouldn't do Roppongi either.... though I haven't been there so I can't say if it's worth it.... there are so many places to see, you have to chose wisely and really savour and relish the ones you're in, because if you hit too many places, you feel rushed and don't enjoy them as much as you should.... Have these places in mind, along with a vague itinerary, with the plan that they can change in a moments notice.... If it's raining outside, then it wouldn't be a good day to go taking photos outside, etc. When I was there last, I had my Sunday reserved for Harajuku and Akiba, since I thought they would be where the action was. There was not a soul at the Harajuku Station cosplay area and this was past noon on a sunny 75 degree October day. I headed to Akiba after the Formula One race (I'm a fan). If this is going to be your only trip to Japan in your life, then I'd cram as much as possible, but if it isn't, then plan to see what you missed, if it's worth it, on your next trip. My last one was the second tourist trip the Japan for me and while I saw more than the first one, I still missed many parts of Japan, which I plan to rectify in about 14 months.... I don't know what more to say, I am not even close to being anywhere near the vicinity of knowing my way around Tokyo, much less, Japan, so just take my advice as one person's observation, based on his own experience. Hope it helped a bit and, with the advice of others here, you can get a better picture of what's ahead for ya.... Just have fun and enjoy what you DO see and do.... Everything else will still be there for the next time you go! And I apologize for the excessively long post....
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
12-20-2010, 01:41 AM
Quote:
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
12-20-2010, 03:21 AM
Thanks a lot for your post.
That's exactly that kind of advice I wanted to know! It's really appreciated! It's my first trip to Japan but I'm pretty sure it won't be the last one. (Hopefully) Thanks for the advice about the itinerary. I want this itinerary to be a guide for me, only. So I won't waste time thinking what to do and to much train travel time. Thanks again!
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
12-20-2010, 08:56 PM
Your interenary for Tokyo is pretty decent, heck I walked to Akiba from Shinjuku and you go through Shibuya getting there, killing two birds with one stone, took me roughly 2 hours to walk all the way. Took the subway back.
However Shibuya does have some killer buildings if your into architecture. Fashion row along with Catwalk St, that's a couple hours right there. As for the Imperial Gardens, I found Shinjuku Goyen (which is actually the Imperial gardens as well) more interesting, it costs you I think 2-300 yen or so. Awesome park !   You could throw in Meiji-Jingu as well, pretty cool Shinto shrine and a HUGE one at that. Pretty much next door to Shinjuku. As for Shinjuku station heh ... it's got over 150 exits, one of the more popular places to meet up was/still is the Studio Alta LCD display. It's a seriously kick butt subway station. Roppongi is worth a walk around during the day, some neat stuff to be seen  AVOID it at night.
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
