A few questions for my trip (leaving 28th March)
 

Hi all! And thanks for the warm reception I've recieved on this site.
A friend and I will be travelling to Japan on the 29th March, and leaving on the 14th April. While we have some general ideas about what to expect, there are a few things I'd like to know about before we leave, if anyone here can respond to my queries, please do. I'd appreciate any help at all :).

Firstly, I'll explain our situation. I'm 18 and my friend is 19, and visiting Japan has been a dream for us for years. I have *some* (limited) skill in speaking and reading Japanese, probably not enough to actually be useful..

Budget: My friend and I are staying for 14 days and have booked all of our hotels etc. For spending money/food money/getting around/"doing stuff" money we each have about £900, is this a reasonable amount to survive on if we budget or should we take out a little loan? This money is for everything except flights/accomodation. We intend on visiting quite a few paid-entry places like Disney-Sea while in Tokyo, but we are also staying in Kyoto for 5 days, I imagine the attractions will be less expensive there..

Weather: We are both from Scotland (which is usually a fairly cold place). Does anyone know what the weather is likely to be like during our stay? For example, should we pack mostly shorts and t-shirts, or is it likely we'll need jackets and jeans?

Trains/Getting around: I believe we will purchase the JR pass as we are going to be travelling around the country a fair bit, but I'm slightly confused as to where it can be used. Is it ONLY for city to city transport or are there inner city lines too? Generally, how expensive is it to get around Tokyo/Kyoto?

Tokyo Nightlife: I'm sorry, I know this has been asked a million times before.. I'm 18 and my friend is 19, from being from the UK we're used to being able to get into bars/clubs. I've heard conflicting reports about the strictness in Japan, some say they are really lax to foreigners while others say we won't get in anywhere. Can anyone here shed some light on this? Also, can anyone recommend any especially good places? We're used to paying huge amounts for booze here in Edinburgh, (£3.00 for a pint of beer in some places!) what are the prices generally like in Tokyo?

Your recommendations: So far we've planed quite a few outings, but we still have many free days. Are there any must-see attractions (we want to experience everything from Temples and shrines to arcades!) you could recommend in Tokyo/Kyoto? I believe we'll also visit Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima, so points of interest there would be handy too. We really want to see a cherry blossom festival, if there are any on!

I'm sure I have more questions that have evaded me for the moment..
I'm sorry for asking so many questions! I just want to make sure this trip is as enjoyable as possible.
Any and all responses are greatly appreciated!! :)

P.S- Who else here is going to see X-Japan on the 29th!?

Budget: If you're frugal, that should last you considering it doesn't include hotels or JR trains (because of the pass). But it'll be a bit tight, especially if you go out drinking, as alcohol can be expensive in Japan.

Weather: It'll be spring, but the years I was there, spring tended to be fairly short. So it may still be chilly, it may be quite warm, or it may be nice spring temperature. Not sure. I'd check weather forecasts for Japan before you leave and pack accordingly, taking at least 1 light-med jacket for cooler days and evenings, and some t-shirts for warmer days.

Trains: There are some JR trains within some cities, but subways tend to be very useful too (and they aren't covered by the JR pass). A subway ride is usually only about 200-300 yen though.

Tokyo nightlife: Can't help here, I never went to any night clubs in Tokyo, and besides, I was in my mid 20's when I was in Japan, so I'd have gotten in no problem anyway.

Recommendations: Look over some of the Travel Report threads for places to go and things to see. There are some common recommendations, like Nikko, Hakone, Nara, Himeji castle, Miyajima Island, the various temples in Kyoto, Koya-san, etc.

i think the money will be enough!

im going to be in tokyo starting from march 28th as an exchange student...4 months there.

anyways...I was also wondering about the clubs and nightlife since i am 19 as well...if anyone could provide some insight on that it would be helpful

Also, to the OP, the drinking age in Japan is 20..it kinda sucks especially for you to go to japan being from Scotland where the legal drinking age is 18? From what i hear...the japanese don't really enforce it.

Besides, they sell alcohol from vending machines...truthfully, who's going to ask you for your ID when you buy it from a vending machine?

I wouldn't expect too much trouble getting into places unless you are trying to get into a high-end club, which you really can't afford to.

Personally, I would bring a little more money, especially if you plan to go out drinking. If you are going to Disney-Sea and places like that, those are going to be expensive days. If you think £3.00 is expensivefor a drink, then that's probably what you'll be paying (500 to 800 yen a beer).

Everyone, thanks very much for the replies, you are being very helpful and informative.

I think on the money issue I'll try and bring a bit extra then, I'll beg my relatives for sympathy money; "Please, you don't want me to be sober for two weeks, do you? Have some humanity!"
Or I could just sweet talk some rich Japanese girls into buying me drinks... *cough*.

As for the vending machines, orangedude, I've heard they have dual mounted machine guns. And if you don't present ID, you're in serious trouble - like the ED-209 from Robocop, So watch out man.
I more just want to go to clubs etc to meet people, I'll just buy a couple of drinks to save money and sip them like fine champagne if I have to!

There are a few other things I'd like to know if you guys don't mind me asking;

Firstly, what is the best way of me keeping my money in Japan? I'm aware credit cards aren't widely accepted (at least not as widely as in the west), but I don't really want to walk around Japan with 200,000円 cash in my pocket. Are traveller's cheques or other methods advisable?

Secondly, there are some attractions that you have to book tickets for from your home country, such as the Studio Ghibli museum. Why is this? And what other kind of attractions may I have to do this for?

Lastly, this may be a bit of a longshot.. but my friend and I really want to see a sumo match during our stay, but I've heard it's off-season so there are no matches. I'm aware it would be difficult to get tickets, I'm just wondering if there are small amateur competitions or something we could see instead. Where could I find out about this?

Thanks very much everyone, this information will really help me with my trip.
Cheers!

People in Japan typically carry much more cash than at least we do in the US. 200,000 yen actually isn't atypical in a wallet, but I understand your feelings, totally. A VISA or MASTERCARD is your best bet, pretty widely used. I wouldn't recommend Traveller's Cheques, except for maybe Disneyland and the most touristy places. Usually you have to exchange traveller's cheques for cash at offices in the top floors of departments stores. It's a real hassle, to be honest.

I have never heard of being forced to book tickets in your home country. I have been to at least a few museums in Japan and I have never been turned away.

At about 20,000 yen a ticket for sumo, I'd pass on it. I have never heard of non-pro tickets, but maybe someone else does. I'm going next week, so I'd love to hear about it.

ghibli is a little bit difficult to reserve.. its best to book while in your country than here. First, you can't buy ticket in ghibli , you have to have it reserve. If you are already in japan you can do it online or in the convenience store which might be difficult for you since it's all in Japanese. If you want to go to ghibli better get the ticket beforehand..

Really? That's good to know.

Thanks again for the replies.
Yeah looks like I'm going to have to book the tickets for the Ghibli museum before I leave. What I want to know is the Ghibli museum an exception or are there other places that I will have book before I leave?

Anyone know of any good up to date maps for Tokyo/Kyoto I can buy? I realise I could pick one up when I get there, but are there any especially good ones for slightly inexperienced foreigners?

Also, my friend and I (being Scottish), want to wear kilts while in Japan. For those who don't know, a kilt is basically a tartan man-skirt. Is this likely to be a bad idea or attract unwelcome attention? Surely Japanese people have seen Braveheart!?

Cheers guys.

as far as i encounter, ghibli is the only one where it is required to reserve.. other musuems sells ticket on the location itself.

wear a kilt? it is not forbidden.. hey you are in japan, you can wear anything :D
enjoy your trip..

The kilts will be fine, but I would wear underwear, unless you want your beans and franks to appear on some weird "up-kilt" website.

*du-dun cha!*
haha that was a good one man. To be honest, I'd be honoured to know that somewhere in Japan someone was staring at my junk. I'd feel like I really left "my mark" on the country.
There is something quite liberating about going sans underwear in a kilt.. but maybe there's a middle ground for me. I'll look into leather thongs. Maybe I can buy a Hard Gay one in Japan!
I will, however, possibly avoid going "true Scotsman" at the theme parks I plan on visiting, I can imagine vertical loops may show everyone more than they want to see..

Anyhoo I'd like to thank you all for your replies, I think I've asked enough questions for now and from exploring this site I'm sure I'll find all the rest of the information I need. Unless of course a vitally important question comes to mind..
I'll update this thread with my itinerary once I have it planned.
So cheers everyone, you've all been a super big help!

I'm leaving for Japan on the 28th of March too!! :D

Let us know how it goes!

man you must be so happy my dream is to go and live in japan:ywave:

Tokyo night life: i know a good amount bout that =P

gona get expensive 500 yen is considered happy hour for a beer or drink. your looking at like 900yen-1200 yen per drink in most places.

My friend has this place called sheesha bar in Roppongi, its down the street from Don quixote.

Feria is decent, Vanilla is a big place also.

id try roppongi at first cuz its a gaijin area, if your feeling more adventurous check out shibuya.

Lot of celebrities and models hang out at "the new lex" formerly known as "lex"


night life is expensive and can cost 4k yen just to get into some places.

they dont ID hard but more highend clubs will.

Gaspanic is decent but they some times card.

Honestly i guess its good and bad.

Good for younger kids cuz they can go play around.

but its sure annoying having lil teens running around the bars acting like idiots.

act accordingly.

if your looking for a lounge scene check out sheesha bar

more hiphop/trendy music check out the new lex

techno/house/hiphiop mix check out Vanilla

Gaspanic is lil more hiphop/trendy side

Feria is mostly hiphop and techno.

look to shell out a good amount of cash.

i think you should pull more then 900 for the trip if thats for 2 people to spend.

your gona wana buy alot of stuff

lots of people wear different things in Tokyo, a kilt wouldnt be a problem.

maybe even get people asking for pictures.

Hey Housetek thanks for the replies, that list of clubs is going to be really helpful, thanks, I'll be sure to check a lot of them out.

My friend and I have pulled together a bit of extra cash, now I have about £1000, and he has about £1200. So hopefully we will be able to afford everything we want + a couple of good Tokyo nights.

I'm surprised at how expensive booze is in Japan, at least it means I won't be able to afford to get super drunk and end up waking up under a tree somewhere in Tokyo.. I'm trying to avoid being seperated from my friend.

heres a great tip for ya.

PREGAME!

go to corner store they sell like bottles of beer and stuff for 300 Yen

where in the club they are like 900.

Also if you go to kareoki, ask for all you can drink.

bascially

sing and drink for 30 mins.

me and my friends go to kareoki places and drink all you can in 30 mins then go hang out.

its about like 3k Yen but that'd buy you like 3-4 drinks at a club.

most clubs that charge a Fee to get in give ya like 1 drink pass

also at Lex they have nights were from 9 to 11 its all you can drink.

its 4k Yen for guys to get in... and 300 Yen for girls lol

so TONS of ladies there.

lmao... :D

I leave in seven hours, I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I think I'm just going to stay up all night so I can snooze on the plane and so I don't get so jetlagged.

Anyway, we have a fairly good idea of what we want to and plenty of cash to do it with, so I can safely say I think this trip is going to rock.

So thanks for all the help everyone.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to pace around my room in excitement :).

You're so lucky! Have fun :)