GOING to japan dec 2008
 

Hi everyone, i am heading to japan in the middle of december and i was wondering if i should go ahead and book tours here in canada or explore japan on my own? and which tour company should i go with..does anyone know???

i am visiting tokyo, kyoto and not sure where else? any suggestions?

i love shopping and the latest fashions and trends but i would also like to get a chance to see japanese culture etc..so what would be the most convenient and best way to do this? any recommendations??

and i wanted to add that i only have about 2 and a half weeks in japan !!:vsign:

Are you going by yourself?

no i am going with my boyfriend !!!

Welcome fellow Canadian :) Where are you from? Toronto?

You have plenty of time to plan it out between now till December. You can travel on your own. 2 and a half weeks is a long time. I took my friends there for 2 weeks last year, I picked mostly tourist attraction because thats what interest them, if you want I can send you my itinerary

I wouldn't spend too much time on tours...Japan is more fun explored on your own, and it's safe so you don't have to worry about going into the wrong neighborhood (though there are some neighborhoods you might not want your BF to venture into).

Hey thanks! yes that would be very helpful!!! i was just scared of getting lost around japan, its so huge!
NO i am from vancouver actually!

You won't get lost, and people and policemen are always very helpful if you do.

Hello Babyboo :ywave:

When are you coming in December? If you're going to be here around Christmas time, it is very different to back home. There are still lots of decorations but there is little else Christmasey about it - that's just a heads up for you.

If you're here over the New Year period that's a different story. This is a major event on the Japanese calendar and you need to book in advance if you're traveling across Japan at this time. Why? Most of Japan will be going home at this time so seats on trains fill up. You can see more about it at Japanese Calendar | TokyoTopia | National Holiday Events and Dates

Tokyo is my city and I love it. I've lived here since 2001 so if you want to know anything about it just drop me a line. Take a look round my site too. I've tried to put info together that will be useful and help you decide what you want to do.

Happy planning :)

I am from Toronto myself. PM me with your email address, i will send you my old itinerary along with the hotels that i reserved

December is cold but not so cold in the south. Enjoy onsens in winter with snow surrounding them. Head north away from the typical touristy areas and see what most DO NOT see.

The photos on my blog will show some stuff most sites won't.

Cheers...