Visiting Japan in Sept.: Need Suggestions/Opinions
 

Hi,

I'll be visiting Japan for the first time in Sept. for 3 weeks by myself and I need some opinions on places to visit/stay as I'm making my itinerary for the trip. I know I have to visit the major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but what other cities should I visit since I have 3 weeks to fit everything in?

I'm not into sighting that much, but more into doing things that are fun/adventurous so any suggestions in that direction would be helpful. One of the things I wanted to do is climb Mt. Fuji, has anyone done this? Any info. regarding this would be great, including booking in advance, cost, etc.

I was also wondering since I'll traveling all over Japan, should I book a hotel/hostel in advance before arriving in the city or will I be able to book one that day/night?

I don't want to ramble on so... Any and all opinion/suggestions/info. are welcome. Thanks in advance!

As a rule of thumb of travel always try and book your hostel/hotel at least two days in advance, unless you really can't help it. The worst scenario is finding only one hostel in the area, arriving on the night and finding it full with no idea where to go next. I mean, the place might help you out, but that's not something you should just rely on. At least if you book (and it's very easy online, try hostelbookers or hostelworld) you can travel without worry and really scout where you want to stay too. 'K's House' in Kyoto is a reasonable place to stay; it's right by kyoto station and Shichijo on the keihan (handy for Osaka) and you can day trip from there to hiroshima, Nara, Osaka, although if you're not interested in sight seeing, Hiroshima is probably not worth the effort.

Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel this site has an 'adventure' section which you might be interested in. There's plenty of available information about Mt Fuji online so just google for it.

If you want something really random, there's a mountain hiking trail at Kisaichi (take the keihan line osaka-bound from Shichijo, Kyoto and change at Hirakata) that rambles up and terminates at (oddly) a row-boating lake cum farm. It's non-touristy, scenic and a lot of fun with random climbing walls and towers along the way, plus easy to get back to the city for dinner when you're done.

It really depends on what you want to do, you can't just go everywhere, its not a petting zoo. I suggest spending a day in Kagoshima, a day in Hakata, almost everywhere in Japan can be an adventure. I don't know how one can climb Fuji, never planned for it, so i don't know, you will have to ask others, but I can suggest the best view of it.

Tell us what you like to do and maybe we can offer something???

Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations! I've looked at a few sites regarding hostels/hotels already, but haven't booked anything yet since I'm still planning my trip and debating how many days I'll stay in ea. city. I've read so many things regarding this trip and the amount of info. is quite overwhelming sometimes.

I think the most confusing thing is the rail system and transition from city to city. I'm going to purchase the Rail Pass for 21 days; will this be enough to get around most of Japan or at least the places I want to go?

David

In theory you could see a large part of Japan in those 21 days, but the question is, how much of your trip do you want to spend sitting in a train.

I would pick (like you did) a few main cities to use a bases, and then satellite out. I think people forget that just moving and checking in takes time.

Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, are all day trips from Osaka (I would stay in Umeda, probably) A night in Kyoto wouldn't be a bad idea.

I apologize about being vague in my question. I'm really up for anything, and this may sound naive, but I want to experience Japan instead of just looking at it. I want to be able to experience the culture of Japan say like going to a festival, learning a technique for doing something, etc. I know that's still a little vague, but I hope it helps.

If you could suggest one thing you have to do, one place you have to eat at, or one thing you have to see in this any particular city; was the type of suggestions/recommendation I was looking for. Know what I mean? Thanks for the above suggestions!

Northern + Central Kyushu tips
 

I you plan to visit also Kyushu island I would suggest to see:

Beppu city - the most famous onsen city in Japan (you can try many kinds of treatment there - onsen, sand bathing, mud bathing, steam bath)
For cheap accommodation in a traditional Japanese house there, google for HAPPY NEKO, BEPPU

Mt. Aso - the biggest active volcano in Japan (accessible by cable car or by hiking trail)

For more information on the places, just google for them.

If you would like to try zen-meditation there check - zenretreat.com > vitamins for the soul

Thanks guys for all the replies, I've gotten some great info. it has helped me in my planning.

Here's my itinerary for Japan:
Sept. 7-9 Tokyo
Sept. 9-13 Osaka
Sept. 14-17 Kyoto
Sept. 17-24 Fukuoka, Hiroshima, etc.
Sept. 25-28 Tokyo - Flying back home

What do you guys think? Feel free to suggested or comment on anything, I'm all ears. Thanks for sharing.

David

7 days in Kyushu area seems a bit much. Will you be making side trips to city like Hiroshima, Himeji and such?

I think it GREATLY depends on what you want to see.
Japan consists of almost entirely of mountains, seaside areas, cities, and a mixture of those three. Unless there is something specific you want to see in each city, hopping from one city to another is not going to give you a very balanced trip. In the end, most cities are quite similar. If you`re looking to see Japanese city life, then it is fine... But I`d personally go for a wider variety. Sticking with city tourist spots is going to get old pretty quickly, in my opinion, as it`s going to be temple, shrine, something different, temple, shrine, wash and repeat in most places.

If you want to really "experience" the country, and not go from one full-of-tourists spot to the next... Look somewhere off the beaten path of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and the like. There are lots of great areas that you won`t have to wade through sweaty crowds to enjoy.

Yes, I'll be traveling to other cities during that time such as Hiroshima, Himeji, etc. in the area. I'll be honest when I say I'm not sure what to expect from Japan so I'm just going to wander and see where it takes me :D . If you have any suggestions on where else to go, that be great too. Thanks once again.

Hmm, you better have a really good map and can a good dictionary, I won't recommend just "wandering off" anywhere

Why not spend just 4 days in Kyushu and base yourself in Osaka?

I wasn't playing to just wonder, but pick cities to visit here and there that might be interesting based on other ppl's recommendation.

That's not a bad idea, being base in the Kyushu area then going from there. Thanks! :)

You aren't by chance in Japan are you?

Bloodstone003,

Just returned from 2 months there.

The JapanRail Pass is a fantastic deal IF you are planning on traveling long distances a bunch. To see if the "payback" is there, go to the Hyperdia site and load in a few of the travel plans you have. ( Enter the station name ) The fares for those trips will show. Compare the costs to the cost of the Railpass. Then you can decide if a one week, two week, or three week one makes sense for you.

The above comment about "spending your life on trains" is a VERY true one. The shinkansen trains themselves are certainly VERY fast....... but there is a lot of time used in getting from station to station, platform to platform, and waiting for the trains themselves to assure connections. Local trains have even more of this factor because they themselves are slower. Planning in advance helps a lot with this factor to be efficient in the use of travel time.

One place that is not too far from Tokyo that is pretty amazing...and has a LOT to see in the "hiking" category......, is Nikko, in Tochigi-ken. The shrines and temples there classify as a "World Heritige Site". The mountainous landscape is beautiful. There are tons of trails. Don't miss walking along the river thru the gorge with the Jizo statues (it is on the local "tourist" maps) to the southwest side of town. The downside is that Nikko is a MAJOR tourist attraction and close to Tokyo, so it can get crowded at times. Go on a rainy period...... it is still beautiful...and the crowds disappear.

Check out the Chichibu area to the southwest of Tokyo. A lot of history there, and still some what is left of the "old" Japan has its last vestiges there.

Try to get to a real onsen at least once. It is a VERY "Japanese" experience. There are many all over Japan, thanks to the volcanic nature of the islands. Day visits are generally actually rather cheap; it is more expensive to stay at one.... but not absurdly at most.

If you are an "adventurous eater", try to eat at little "hole in the wall" places that the locals use. If you don't have the language skills, it might be a bnit "interesting" sometimes to get your food...... but generally the food will be fantastic. And WAY cheaper than at more "tourist" oriented places. And more truly "Japanese".

Also, take a couple of friends and hit small izakaya (little bar/eating establishments that seat maybe 10 to 20 people) in the evening for Nihonshu (sake) or bieru (beer) and some FANTASTIC bar food. Another truly "Japanese" experience.

Head for the prefectures and cities that the tourist brochures DON'T tend to list. Harder to plan and schedule, but you'll see more of the "real" Japan.

Gotta' go.

best,

..............john

Nope, not currently, will be there on October 23-Nov 13... then again sometime next April and August....

Fukuoka is great that time of year. Dazaifu will be full of nice autumn flowers still.

Oh and not too many foreign toursists know about Yufuin, a few hours from Fukuoka, so its good to check that out too.

Thanks for all the great info./advice. I am in Japan right now; was in Tokyo for 2 days and then came to Osaka. I already bought the JR Rail Pass for 14 days so I will try to get as much use out of it as possible.

I agree w/ the statement about spending your life on trains; it seems everyone is either walking towards a station or leaving one. The train system is nice but it seems a bit overly complicated; I managed to figure it out after getting lost a few times, hehe.

I will have to definitely check out those places when I return to Tokyo (well Yokahama specifically). I am willing to try most things, but I have been walking around so much my feet are killing me. I will have to check out a hole in the wall one of these days. As far as drinking goes, I am here by myself and I particularly like drinking alone, maybe I can ask a cute Japanese chic to join me :p. (By the way, anyone have any advice on what I can say to a cute Japanese chic walking on the streets to join me that won^t get me slapped?)

Anyhow, got any advice on where to go in Osaka other than the castle?

Thanks!

Namba and Dotonbori for your nightlife, food and shopping. There is a gian aquarium south around the port area. You can take the Namba train to Awaza, then change to Osakako. The aquarium is within walking distance from Osakako station. Den Den town is like Akiba in Tokyo.

Try taking a side trip to Kobe if you have the time, there isn't much to see (The port area is nice), but food is good :)

Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely have to check those places out. Den Den sounds interesting since I like anime and such. I will definitely try to go to Kobe before I leave.

I have found that there are places to rent bicycles and that beats walking everywhere; my feet are done! Biking is so much easier and a lot fast if you are trying to get somewhere.

Anyhow, thanks! :)

I think you will find you need the 7 days in Kyushu. Once you get onto local trains travel is slower but JR has lovely old special tourist trains that run around these areas. We had 2 nights in Aso and wished we had another as there are wonderful full day activities out of Aso. Fukuoka needs at least 2 nights but 3 would be better to have time to explore nearby temples, eat near the river and get to the beachfront area. Shopping is good there too. I was a bit put off by the glitzy image of Beppu but it was inexpensive and fun.

If you decide to leave Kyushu and break the journey back to Tokyo Hiroshima (big 1/2 day) and Himeji (1/2 day) are worthwhile and both have a lot of cheap accommodation.

Thanks for the recommendations. However, I didn't get a chance to go to Fukuoka at all since it was a bit out of the way and the ppl I was suppose to meet there weren't available. I did, however, visited Hiroshima today. I only spend half a day there since I was basing myself out of Osaka so I had to get back.

I'm heading to Yokohama tomorrow, anyone have any suggestions on things to do in Yokohama? I'll probably also spend a couple days back in Tokyo as well since I didn't visit Shibuya or Harajuku. Anyhow, any suggestions/advice for either area are welcome. Thanks in advance.

David