Going to Japan (Tokyo / Kyoto) Any Advice?

[socialpro]

My wife and I have 7 days in March for a getaway and we're thinking of doing Tokyo with most likely Kyoto (OR Osaka).

So total of 5 days in JAPAN, maybe 6 if we can stretch and extra day out of it.

Any tips, recommendations, or general guidelines on what to do or not to do once we are there? Is this reasonable time to see 2 cities (with back and forth between them) as well. We will fly into Tokyo and then stay 2 nights in Kyoto etc before coming back to Tokyo for the flight back out.

Any suggestions are welcomed!

[pickettt]

Get a JR Rail Pass. You have to buy the voucher here, and redeem it in Japan. If you're interested, I'll elaborate.

[TheVTCGuy]

Take me with you...

[sensui]

That's very little time to do anything.....so you have to really plan accordingly. I'm not going to list every little thing there is to do as there is A LOT of culture in Japan (especially since you're travelling between Kansai and Kanto).....way too much to see in a lifetime much less in a couple days. I would keep an open mind about cuisine (I'd argue they have the best food scene in the world)/culture and be respectful as a tourist....Japanese people love tourists so in general they're very nice/open (especially gaijins from the west). Make sure you get a wifi hotspot so you have constant data to access online tourist guides wherever you are.....and if you can, have a local/someone who lives in Japan show you around....you get a far better experience than any tour you can find. My favorite place to visit really.

[Fabrice M]

Tokyo is the largest city in the world, so trying to do Kyoto as well in 6 days may be a bit rushing it. My advice is to plan every minutes of your time there. Japan i very challenging for foreigners to navigate and few people speak English. It's a good idea to reserve and research everything you want to do in advance... It's a great country, and Tokyo is amazing.

[AK797]

If you're into food, try to get up early to have fresh sushi at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, where the first tuna of the season goes for well over a $1m, and between them, near Nagoya is Matsusaka which rears the best, most marbled beef in the world, better than Kobe. In Kyoto try to see a Geisha performance if you can, and an authentic tea ceremony.

[jackdot]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

Tokyo is the largest city in the world, so trying to do Kyoto as well in 6 days may be a bit rushing it. My advice is to plan every minutes of your time there. Japan i very challenging for foreigners to navigate and few people speak English. It's a good idea to reserve and research everything you want to do in advance... It's a great country, and Tokyo is amazing.

I'd agree on the planing and research part, but Tokyo really isn't very challenging to navigate anymore with Google Maps and Google Translate. Just make sure you have some type of cellular data (rented mi-fi, etc) and you are good to go. In fact, most signs are in both english and japanese in Tokyo.

OP What do you like doing? Tokyo itself is huge with lots to do, but can be boring to some. Lots of great food, nice museums, etc.

This could also be a good opportunity to pick up a SS sport Rolex at MSRP if you so desire. Although the exchange rate is pretty meh right now.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Take me with you...

[jb335]

I was there in November.

Everyone tells you that there is no litter in Tokyo, and that is absolutely true. No litter whatsoever. But what they don't tell you, there is also NO TRASH CANS in Tokyo ethier! No litter and no trash cans. Crazy.

Ridding the subways was my favorite part of the city. It is insane how efficient, extensive and clean those subways are.

[locutus49]

I lived there for 7 years. If you don't speak Japanese, I would stick to the main haunts: Ginza, Shinjuku, Roppongi, etc, where there will be many other non-Japanese tourists who can help you.

Subway signs are in english at the main stops. Subway system is excellent.

Ton-katsu (or hire-katsu, which is higher quality cut) are breaded pork cutlets that you can order in many places if you are unsure about the food.

I haven't been there for years, but when I was there I found that many Japanese spoke English, they are just hesitant to do so as they lack confidence in their ability (which is usually good).

Enjoy the experience. Learn a couple of phrases (good morning, good afternoon) and that will go a long way to making your experience a bit more pleasant.

[jw0n]

Great post! I'm headed to Tokyo for 10 days from late March to early April as well, so could do with some tips of where to go and what to see!

[socialpro]

Originally Posted by jackdot

I'd agree on the planing and research part, but Tokyo really isn't very challenging to navigate anymore with Google Maps and Google Translate. Just make sure you have some type of cellular data (rented mi-fi, etc) and you are good to go. In fact, most signs are in both english and japanese in Tokyo.

OP What do you like doing? Tokyo itself is huge with lots to do, but can be boring to some. Lots of great food, nice museums, etc.

This could also be a good opportunity to pick up a SS sport Rolex at MSRP if you so desire. Although the exchange rate is pretty meh right now.

Thank you all so far all great posts and advice. We are both foodies so cuisine, great fish, culinary delights of sorts is a must for us (on almost any trip). Experiencing culture, various parts of the city, etc is always a top priority for us as well. Never been super big into seeing the tourist traps / shopping / attractions / statues etc --- but if it's something completely different than what you can find anywhere else, sometimes its worth a visit.

Doing some research as well, will report back on what I find and discover.

[jb335]

Subways are pretty easy to navigate but definitely download the Tokyo Subways app. No need for taxis, and they are very expensive.


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[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by jb335

I was there in November.

Everyone tells you that there is no litter in Tokyo, and that is absolutely true. No litter whatsoever. But what they don't tell you, there is also NO TRASH CANS in Tokyo ethier! No litter and no trash cans. Crazy.

Ridding the subways was my favorite part of the city. It is insane how efficient, extensive and clean those subways are.

There used to be trash cans everywhere. Especially on train platforms. They were removed after the Aum Shinrikyo Sarin gas attacks in 1995 where the trash cans were used by the group to hide live sarin gas canisters set to go off.

Dam shame. But like you said the streets and sidewalks have no litter (for the most part.) Japanese people are very conscious of others and would not want to inconvenience anyone. It is pretty awesome. Makes for a peaceful place.

So what do you do with your rubbish you ask? You pocket it or bag it long enough to dispose of it. Most Japanese drop garbage into the trash bins of convenience stores but usually buy a cheap item while there so as not to inconvenience the store too much.

Same with if you run into a convenience store to take a leak You buy something small to say thanks to the store for them letting you use the can.

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Take me with you...

If that’s an option, can I also throw my hat into the ring? Lol

[junamuan]

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities to visit. You'll never get tire of it. Simply mind boggling specially if you're from North America and Europe.

[Jay (Eire)]

I think I have been in Tokyo twice a year every year for the last 10 or 11 years, here right now actually, and also to other parts of Japan although less regularly.

Tokyo, and Japan in general, has become so much more tourist friendly in the last 3-5 years. You won't have problems anywhere in Tokyo, just be organized about your destination (address written down for taxi driver, or in your phone/google maps). Almost every restaurant you'll want to go to will have English menu, although some will only take reservation by Japanense speaker (friend, or hotel concierge more likely). Based on my last trip to Kyoto, 14 months ago, I would say the same. Although on the trip previous to that, maybe 5 years ago, and elsewhere in Japan it was a little harder without any Japanese.

Note, AT&T have a international day pass which is $10 a day for the same data/call usage you might have at home. If you are with another carrier I'm sure they have the same. I say just suck it up and pay to have this as it will make your trip much more hassle free.

For food, Google Robbie Swinerton / Tokyo Food File / Japan Times. Enough good ideas to keep you happy. Or just sort through the Michelin Guide.

You said you guys are foodies, so here are some thoughts for Tokyo. At the high end, although not rated the highest, Takazawa is my favourite restaurant in Tokyo. For Sushi, keep it simple and do lunch time only (much cheaper) with places like Sushi Iwa, Sushi Taichi or Sushi Tokami which are all in Ginza, all with English speakers (more or less). You don't need to go to or try to go to Jiro or any of the other top top rated Sushi places in Tokyo. Ramen, my favourite has always been Ichiran, but I also have a soft spot for Afuri which is a little different or Kagari which is different again. Tonkatsu either Maisen (Omotosando) or Butagumi (the original location in Nishiazabu not the one in the basement near Roppongi Hills). Another food related suggestion is the basement food halls of each of the big department stores, these are good for a quick bite on the go (and most of the department stores have outside roof gardens where you can take your food and eat) and even better if you have a sweet tooth (all have a huge variety of western pastries and chocolates and also Japanese sweets and confectionary).

I could keep going but there's enough there to be useful but not spoil your own discovery. DM me if you have specific questions.

[Gaijin]

Seems like a lot of you pass through here, have been here or love it here. Would be great to get a Japan GTG somehow. A scheduling nightmare perhaps, but would be a blast.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Seems like a lot of you pass through here, have been here or love it here. Would be great to get a Japan GTG somehow. A scheduling nightmare perhaps, but would be a blast.

That would be cool. We just bought a house a mile from the beach in Atami. It's a vacation home. Though my wife is Japanese-American, we could never live there permanently (as we're not fooled by tatemae.)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by pickettt

That would be cool. We just bought a house a mile from the beach in Atami. It's a vacation home. Though my wife is Japanese-American, we could never live there permanently (as we're not fooled by tatemae.)

Learned a new word today (and concept, yikes).

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by pickettt

That would be cool. We just bought a house a mile from the beach in Atami. It's a vacation home. Though my wife is Japanese-American, we could never live there permanently (as we're not fooled by tatemae.)

It does take some getting used to... I was fooled numerous times. Now not so much.

but after awhile you can read the air as they say. Kuki yomeru..

[littleolemoi]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Take me with you...

Me tooooo ☺!!!!!

I can read people very well plus I'm also Asian haaaa!!!

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[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

It does take some getting used to... I was fooled numerous times. Now not so much.

but after awhile you can read the air as they say. Kuki yomeru..

I know, I've been dealing with it for 25 years. It's just exhausting sometimes.

Originally Posted by littleolemoi

Me tooooo ☺!!!!!

I can read people very well plus I'm also Asian haaaa!!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Asian is one thing, Japanese are a whole different breed when it comes to this type of thing.