Hoping to travel to Tokyo soon

[MrNiceGuy233012]

I am hoping to finally take my dream vacation to Japan soon.

 

I was wondering if anyone here lives there or has been there and has any great destinations I should check out

 

Also if there are any brothers or sisters here that live in Tokyo that want to meet. I'd love to meet you.

[hatcheckgirl]

Hello Behn,

 

I'm sure you’ll enjoy your trip! I’ve been 4 times now, and each time was amazing. There are brothers on this forum that live there, and they can offer you some advice too.

 

The best advice is to watch some YouTube videos on visiting Japan, do your research on the government tourist websites, learn how the trains and tickets work (sometimes the JR pass is not worth buying as it’s doubled in price), learn how to say basic Japanese phrases, learn about the different accommodation choices and expectations (Eg shoes off in the home, so wear easy to take off shoes). Download the disaster app that will help you in an emergency.

 

Also, think about the season you will be travelling there. Summer is particularly brutal if you are not used to hot and humid and wet weather. But the greenery and stupendous colours of the flowers are amazing (there’s still good points).  Do you like Anime? Then in Tokyo, you'll be visiting Akihabara and Nakano, and Studio Ghibli (which you need to book one month before you go). In Osaka you'll visit Denden Town. In Kyoto, there is the Manga museum. This is just a start, and your research will find more.

 

Do you like culture? Tokyo has Ueno Park which conveniently has quite a few museums and art galleries all in a picturesque park. Close by is Yanaka Ginza (and the Yanaka cememtary) which is an older area and feels like you are going back in time. There is the Imperial palace, which you need to book to view, but the grounds are free and very historic.

 

Close by, you have the Godzilla statue in nearby Chiyoda/Ginza. There is also another one atop the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku. This is the place of fantastic eateries, nightlife, skyscrapers and the Kabukicho “red light” district (which is mostly safe now it’s been cleaned up for tourists). Shinjuku also has a beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, an oasis in the city.

 

Research also day trips from Tokyo, such as Yokohama, Hakone, Enoshima, Kamakura, Nikko, Mt Takao. From Osaka and Kyoto, you can visit Omihachiman on Lake Biwa, Nara, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Amanohashidate. And of course, the best day trip is Bethel - book first on the website.

 

And one of the best things I found to do is to catch a local train, get off and explore the neighbourhood. Every stop has its own vibe and village atmosphere. 
 

Enjoy!

[Dages]

1 hour ago, MrNiceGuy233012 said:

I am hoping to finally take my dream vacation to Japan soon.

 

I was wondering if anyone here lives there or has been there and has any great destinations I should check out

 

Also if there are any brothers or sisters here that live in Tokyo that want to meet. I'd love to meet you.

Come to Kansai area, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, it's great, food is nice, people are open-minded and funny (especially Osaka)

[MrNiceGuy233012]

15 hours ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Hello Behn,

 

I'm sure you’ll enjoy your trip! I’ve been 4 times now, and each time was amazing. There are brothers on this forum that live there, and they can offer you some advice too.

 

The best advice is to watch some YouTube videos on visiting Japan, do your research on the government tourist websites, learn how the trains and tickets work (sometimes the JR pass is not worth buying as it’s doubled in price), learn how to say basic Japanese phrases, learn about the different accommodation choices and expectations (Eg shoes off in the home, so wear easy to take off shoes). Download the disaster app that will help you in an emergency.

 

Also, think about the season you will be travelling there. Summer is particularly brutal if you are not used to hot and humid and wet weather. But the greenery and stupendous colours of the flowers are amazing (there’s still good points).  Do you like Anime? Then in Tokyo, you'll be visiting Akihabara and Nakano, and Studio Ghibli (which you need to book one month before you go). In Osaka you'll visit Denden Town. In Kyoto, there is the Manga museum. This is just a start, and your research will find more.

 

Do you like culture? Tokyo has Ueno Park which conveniently has quite a few museums and art galleries all in a picturesque park. Close by is Yanaka Ginza (and the Yanaka cememtary) which is an older area and feels like you are going back in time. There is the Imperial palace, which you need to book to view, but the grounds are free and very historic.

 

Close by, you have the Godzilla statue in nearby Chiyoda/Ginza. There is also another one atop the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku. This is the place of fantastic eateries, nightlife, skyscrapers and the Kabukicho “red light” district (which is mostly safe now it’s been cleaned up for tourists). Shinjuku also has a beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, an oasis in the city.

 

Research also day trips from Tokyo, such as Yokohama, Hakone, Enoshima, Kamakura, Nikko, Mt Takao. From Osaka and Kyoto, you can visit Omihachiman on Lake Biwa, Nara, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Amanohashidate. And of course, the best day trip is Bethel - book first on the website.

 

And one of the best things I found to do is to catch a local train, get off and explore the neighbourhood. Every stop has its own vibe and village atmosphere. 
 

Enjoy!

I have been watching a lot of videos on Youtube. I have loved Japan for as long as I can remember, most likely due to anime. I love the summer, so I can take the heat. I would rather it be hot than cold. I will keep these places in mind for sure. I never even though of taking a look at Studio Ghibli. That would be a treat! Thank you for the ideas.

[Dages]

8 hours ago, MrNiceGuy233012 said:

I love the summer, so I can take the heat.

the problem isn't the heat, it's the 100% humidity

[hatcheckgirl]

Yes, that was brutal. 

[hatcheckgirl]

12 hours ago, MrNiceGuy233012 said:

 I have loved Japan for as long as I can remember, most likely due to anime.

What anime does you like? Cause you can visit the actual locations. YouTube can help find them. I like Clannad (a rather old anime now) but I was thrilled to visit the actual locations in Tokyo. Same as “Your Name”, which is set in Shinjuku and Ropppongi. 
https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/your-name-real-life-locations/45058

 

 

 

 

[MrNiceGuy233012]

12 hours ago, Dages said:

the problem isn't the heat, it's the 100% humidity

I can work with that. I live in Ontario Canada, and our summers can get quite humid!