Australian citizen, Shanghai resident, Japan visitor

[kingstonalia]

Hi all…

Have read through some awesome posts on this forum! I am wondering if anyone has some specific / extra suggestions (particularly for Saitama, Hayama, Tsukuba, Chiba, Fukuoka areas) for my visit to Japan.

I will be flying from Shanghai to Tokyo (Haneda airport) next week and staying in Japan for around 5 weeks before leaving from the Osaka airport.

I have organised to spend some time in various acupuncture clinics in Tokyo and in surrounding areas. So I have a strong interest in oriental medicine & wellness but also the arts and crafts of Japan. I have a rough plan for my 5 weeks… but very open to suggestions.

Tokyo – 3 days – visit shibuya, harajuku, etc.
Kamakura – 2 days (2nd day - trip to Hayama)
Chiba prefecture – few days on route to…
Tsukuba university – 1 week
Tokyo – 1 week (in clinic)
Nikko – day trip
Maybe a visit to Yokohama
Tokyo – 2 days - International symposium in Saitama
Takayama – 2 days
Kyoto – 3 days
Narra – 2 days
Osaka – 1 week (day visit to Kobe)
Fukuoka – during week in Osaka

Also still needing guidance on the following:
I am thinking of purchasing the 21 day JR rail pass and possibly a Suica card to use for the initial 16 days that I will be in Japan. I could activate the JR pass once I leave Tokyo…. But still not sure whether this is the best plan??

Accommodation suggestions – preferably not a dormitory but a place with single rooms (even a very very small room is fine). I have read some good stuff on “House Ikebukuro” in Tokyo… budget is around 3000 – 4000 / night… any ideas for the other areas in Japan where I will be visiting?

Places to visit in Saitama, Hayama, Tsukuba, Chiba, Fukuoka areas – i.e. gardens / arts, crafts, fabrics, antiques / onsens / museums / markets / vegetarian or macrobiotic restaurants / festivals / beaches or natural places with fresh air etc... or anything you can recommend?

Look forward to hearing any suggestions…
Thanks again

[Troo]

I love Fukuoka. In particular you might like to visit the Genko Historical Museum, which houses both Japanese and Mongolian arms and armour from the 13th century.

The Fukuoka city museum has some great exhibits from the region's history. Fukuoka also contains Japan's very first Zen temple.

More info here: Fukuoka Travel Guide.

If you have time, I really reccommend heading down to Kumamoto. The castle is well worth the journey. Only the donjon is a concrete reconstruction - the other buildings are wooden. It's a genuinely beautiful building in gorgeous surrounds.

From Kumamoto you can also visit Mount Aso.

More info here: Kumamoto Travel Guide

[tyoko]

house ikebukuro is near my house!
I dont know about the hotel,but I saw chinese around there many time.

IF you go to NIKKO,you can ride a `specia ` at Ikebukuro station(JR).
it takes about 2hours trip Ikebukuro to NIkko.
sorry I couldnt find English page
日本語 3

[Troo]

*Slaps forehead* Should've thought of this sooner.

For a great list of arts and crafts shops in Tokyo see: Tokyo Shopping Guide | asking for trouble

[kingstonalia]

Thank you Troo... the website link for arts and crafts is excellent! Thanks for the suggestions for Fukuoka and Kumamoto.
Thanks Tyoko also for your Nikko info.
All very helpful!