BS: Holidays in Japan

Subject: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 02:11 PM

I want to go to Japan for a holiday, during which I want to ride the Bullet train. I've looked on the net for holiday packages, but for some reason, I can find no multiple destination holidays. I am now faced with making up an itinerary of my own, and am looking for help and advice from you globe trotting Mudcatters. I want to go to Mount Fuji, and visit temples, and gardens, and I want to try good sushi, and I like markets,and of course music. I don't do golf, or anything sporty, apart from fishing.
So come on you guys thinking caps on, I expect lots of pukka gen.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: GUEST,peter
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 08:20 PM

I lived in Nihon 12years ago, and really enjoyed it.
Id recommend getting a Japan Rail pass for a couple days - (kind of like Eurail) but you have to get it outside of Japan, (works on the Shinkansen (Bullet) and JR rail lines and buses).
Plenty to see around Tokyo, nearby is Kamakura theres a huge Buddha you can go inside, plus theres a beach nearby. (I found that around Tokyo even though its surrounded by mountains and ocean) generally most waterfront is industrial, so you dont see much of either.

couple hours northeast of Tokyo is Nikko, known for its temple complex. If you take the railpass its worth taking the Shinkansen down
From Tokyo to Kyoto the former capital, there are some interesting temples, and go along to Himeji castle, HIroshima etc.
Id definitely recommend Nara - the old capital.

YOull find Japan very safe, of course its crowded so its better to avoid peak hours. People are quite helpful if you look lost.

enjoy.
gambatte.

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 02:53 AM

I kived in Japan for two years, working and studying kendo. Great place.

If you go down to Hiroshima, then take the time to cross to Miyajima Island which is very close. This is the site of the big red torii gate that is on many photo shots of Japan. This is opposite the Itsukushima shrine and stands in the sea.

Nara. Go to the Todaiji, it is the largest wooden building in the world and the statue of Buddha inside is stunning.

Near Tokyo is Hakone, from there on a clear day you can get very good views of Fuji-san. But it is a shy mountain in the summer. Hakone is well elevated and is cooler than the area around Tokyo. Also lots of natural hot springs, onsen, well worth a visit to one to bathe.

In Tokyo go and see the tombs of the 47 ronin at the Sengaku-ji near Shinagawa station. Their Daimyo was forced by a coutier to commit suicide, so they became masterless. They waited and planned a revenge. They cut the head of the courtier, but in doing so they too were forced to commit suicide. All 47 plus their Daimyo are bureid there.

Also in Tokyo near the national Sumo stadium is the Edo Museum. It is huge and inside are reconstructions of many of the old houses of Tokyo. Well worth a visit.

And if you have a chance ask at the place where you are staying if there is a kendo dojo nearby you can visit and see a kendo practice. I have studied kendo for 20 years now and a good practise (kendo no keiko) is spectacular when the free practice starts after the warm up exercises.

Advice for eating. If you look in the windows of many of the resteraunts in Japan you will see models in plastic of the food. They are very realistic and show a price too. It is exactly what you will get. So if there is no English menu, take the waitress outside and show her what you want by pointing at the model food.

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Splott Man
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 07:55 AM

I recommend the Hokane trip.
A great day out which you can do all on one ticket from the central station in Tokyo.
You start with a suburban train out of the city, then transfer to a steep mountain railway with tunnels and sudden gorges, then to a very steep short train ride up to a viewpoint where you then take a funicular over a volcano and down to a large crater lake. if the weather is good you can explore here for a bit, then you take a pirate ship (honest!) across the lake where you are returned to the suburban train by a coach trip down a picturesque valley.

enjoy

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 09:15 PM

John, did you ever make your trip to Japan?

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: GUEST,Giok After the power cut
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 06:46 AM

I'm afraid I couldn't find a package to suit, I want a sort of rooms and hire car deal, and not in a big city. Still looking though.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 06:54 AM

Have you checked the youth hostel circuit? If they are willing to cater to old folks like me they should be willing to take anybody. Hire a car and hit the youth hostels. There are a lot of them here in Japan. Plan on April if you can so you can see the cherry blossoms.

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:59 AM

Seen in the Spectator at some point...

         Tired of chaos?

Come to Japan, where everything works!

    5* hotels, bullet train etc


For those who don't know, the Spectator is an old political magazine. And it's general readership are not short of the odd penny...

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: GUEST,Com Seangan
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 11:36 AM

I go there each year to visit my son. Can be expensive but the culture is something else. The safest place on the planet. I was amazed that so few people can speak English - but I would prefer that they take pride intheir own heritage. Yes, eating out can be very good. Some Italian restaurants insist on doing the Italian food the Japaese way which they seem to think is an improvement !!.

I love the Temples, the trains and the honesty of the people. Indeed, I ofetn wonder why Japan with the lowest crime rate, is also the country of least formal religion !!

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 02:56 PM

Wow! Good point. I hadn't thought of that before.

Subject: RE: BS: Holidays in Japan
From: GUEST,Ooh-Aah 2
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 03:56 PM

I agree with you, but keep your voices down in case any of our religious friends hear you...