Visit to Japan- suggestions beyond Bethel Tour

[Amber]

My 18 year old daughter is going on her first solo international trip to Tokyo in July. She is planning to visit and tour Japan Bethel and attend a local meeting in English. She has a few things planned including a tour to Mount Fuji. Are there any suggestions of places to see, the best gardens to visit or any private JW day tours? Thanks!

[Dages]

She may want to visit Kyoto for the nice and traditionnal feel... and Osaka for the food  

 

[johnnyjw01]

i’m going in December too for the first time

[Dages]

I'm moving there this year, Jehovah willing.

[Asele]

I feel jealous of those who have the opportunity to travel to any country of their choice. I hope someday I have such an opportunity to visit different Bethel homes. 

[hatcheckgirl]

Are you moving to Osaka? @Dages

 

I’m visiting in May, and this is my 4th time. May I suggest @Amber that you tell your daughter to expect extremely uncomfortable hot and wet weather in July, and to be prepared for that.  But, there are so many things to do that she can still enjoy.

 

A day trip to Hakone https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/digital-hakone-freepass/

Museums and small zoo in Ueno

The Imperial gardens https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3018.html

Day trips from Tokyo, like to Karuizawa on the Shinkansen (using a 3 day pass called JR Tokyo Wide Pass https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokyowidepass.html )

Explore the French inspired suburb of Kagurazaka (very cute)

Explore Akihabara, Ikebukuro .and Nakano for anime

Explore Harajuku and Shibuya for young fashion (and some cool hedgehog cafes)

Explore Koenji for vintage clothes and quirky cafes.

Book tickets early for the Ghibli Museum (very early) if she likes that sort of thing.

and so much more!

 

What I liked best about the summer season was the beautiful hydrangeas are out, and they were spectacular. She will love the Bethel too, of course. It has a view of Mt Fuji close by, but in summer it’s harder to see due to the haze.

@johnnyjw01 I’ve been in winter too, and it was just so beautiful. Don’t forget to visit the snow monkeys at Nagano! These bathe in the onsen there, but you can’t see them in the summer of course. Enjoy your trip Giovanni!

https://www.japan.travel/it/itineraries/snow-monkeys-and-hot-springs-in-nagano/

 

[BLEmom]

3 hours ago, Dages said:

I'm moving there this year, Jehovah willing.

Do you speak Japanese?  What made you choose Japan?  
Sounds like an awesome adventure in store for you!

[johnnyjw01]

I wish I could move there too one day

[johnnyjw01]

1 hour ago, hatcheckgirl said:

 

@johnnyjw01 I’ve been in winter too, and it was just so beautiful. Don’t forget to visit the snow monkeys at Nagano! These bathe in the onsen there, but you can’t see them in the summer of course. Enjoy your trip Giovanni!

https://www.japan.travel/it/itineraries/snow-monkeys-and-hot-springs-in-nagano/

 

 

I didn’t know about this… It looks like a great experience, Thank you so much!!!

[Amber]

@hatcheckgirl Well it will feel like home then! We are from Central Florida- hot and humid is our norm! I will pass on your ideas, thank you!

[hatcheckgirl]

And in winter, visit Shirakawago. It’s just beautiful!

 

 

https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/en/

[Dages]

8 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Are you moving to Osaka?

Yes I'm going back there

 

7 hours ago, BLEmom said:

Do you speak Japanese?  What made you choose Japan?  
Sounds like an awesome adventure in store for you!

Yes.

I've lived there already, between 2012 and 2016, my wife is Japanese.

 

7 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

And in winter, visit Shirakawago. It’s just beautiful!

 

 

https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/en/

It's really great. And Gero-onsen isn't far away and is a very fine hot springs spot.

 

8 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

tell your daughter to expect extremely uncomfortable hot and wet weather in July, and to be prepared for that.

My goodness, summer in Japan is so awful for that.

100% humidity and +35°C

 

[Asele]

15 hours ago, Amber said:

My 18 year old daughter is go18-year-oldfirst solo international trip to Tokyo in July. She is planning to visit and tour Japan Bethel and attend a local meeting in English. She has a few things planned including a tour to Mount Fuji. Are there any suggestions of places to see, the best gardens to visit,  or any private JW day tours? Thanks!

Am happy for her she should enjoy herself 

[cme]

4 hours ago, Dages said:

Yes I'm going back there

 

Yes.

I've lived there already, between 2012 and 2016, my wife is Japanese.

 

It's really great. And Gero-onsen isn't far away and is a very fine hot springs spot.

 

My goodness, summer in Japan is so awful for that.

100% humidity and +35°C

 

Why are you moving to Japan?

[Dages]

51 minutes ago, cme said:

Why are you moving to Japan?

To take care of my family who lives there  I'll join a neighbor cong where the need is great at the same time.

[coony77]

I did a Japan tour last year and I fell in love with that country and its people (and food)

I liked ALL 10-12 places I visited, but my favorites were Kyoto, Hakone and Yokohama. If she wants to, your daughter can check out some of the places I visited here to get some impressions: https://www.chrissy-on-tour.de/japan.html

[hatcheckgirl]

On 2/14/2024 at 12:02 AM, Amber said:

tour to Mount Fuji

Ok, I’ve just come back. And I have to say this was the worst part of my trip due to the massive increase in tourism. It was awful. 
 

If she is planning to do Lake Kawaguchiko at the foot of Mt Fuji, tell her to skip the Red line bus that goes around that lake. It’s too full to enjoy, and sometimes you are stranded because the but can’t stop to pick you up it’s so full. 
 

instead, take the Green line bus around Lake Saiko. It’s untouched and very picturesque. The bus is near empty. And you can enjoy this:

 

[daydream]

On 2/14/2024 at 8:29 AM, hatcheckgirl said:

in winter, visit Shirakawago. It’s just beautiful!

https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/2031/

 

Spoiler

 

Visit a fairy-tale village of traditional thatched-roof houses and step back to a bygone era

At the foot of the sacred Mt. Hakusan , Shirakawa-go is one of Gifu's must-visit destinations. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this beautiful traditional village is the definition of picture-postcard perfect.