Fall 2010 trip to Japan
 

Hi people of JF,

I am new to this forum and would like to say hello. My name is Kylie and planning to stop by Japan for 6 days while traveling through Taiwan this Fall.

I plan to visit Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima and Okinawa. This will be my second trip to Japan, but first to Fukushima. I have been to Tokyo before but only stayed for 2 days and 1 night during my conference. I am looking for any insights to where to visit in those cities, especially Fukushima as I will probably spend 3 days there.

I have a friend who lives in Tokyo and will show me around her city and Chiba but I will be spending the remaining 3 days in Fukushima alone and hoping to take this opportunity to tour around that city.

Any good tips on where to go and what to avoid?

I speak every little to no Japanese. I don't think Mandarin or Norwegian will fly in Japan. Do you know if most citizens can communicate with me in English?

thanks

K. Jensen

What are you hoping to see in Chiba and Fukushima? There isn't a whole lot to see for a newbie who isn't visiting relatives.

Are you going to be flying from Tokyo to Okinawa, then Okinawa to Taiwan?

Everyone speaks a little English, but not that many are fluent. You will find more fluent speakers of English in Tokyo than you will in less urban areas.

A rule of thumb I say is "Don't depend on someone else's ability in English to get you where you need to be."

I am interested in seeing historical buildings, landmarks, and places that holds some type of a meaning to the locals. I will have a japanese-english translation book with me and hope to use it when I am there. I enjoy traveling and do it often, so I have some experience on traveling but just want to get an insight to where to go, and what to see.

I will be in Taiwan first as I will be visiting my relatives there. Yes, I do not look Asian at all with my hair but I am half Taiwanese (other half Norwegian). I will be flying from TaoYuan, Taiwan to Okinawa, then to Tokyo and take the train from Tokyo to Fukushima and back to fly to LA then back to NY.

I will try not to dress too foreign there (or look too much like a tourist) but I am afraid my platinum blond hair won't get unoticed in Japan. I get that often when I go back to Taiwan every few years so I know what it feels like being the sore thumb.

K. Jensen

There are plenty of historical sites in Tokyo, tons...it just seems like a lot of energy to go to Chiba and Fukushima, which are famously suburban, and rather boring. Chiba has Disneyland, and that's about it. How did you choose Chiba and Fukushima?

You mentioned three days in Fukushima. If seeing historical sites is your goal, your time and money would be better spent going to Kyoto...

My main trip to Japan is actually Fukushima, where I have to give a presentation/seminar in Fukushima University. Since I will be in Japan, I might as well take this opportunity to visit my college friend who has been bugging me to go visit her for the last 5 years. I will have to visit my aunt as well in Okinawa and it only seemed fit to go there first.

My friend Kaiyo plans on taking me to Disneyland in Chiba and like you mentioned, is the exact reason why I will be visiting Chiba. So in essence, Tokyo, Chiba and Okinawa are all cities I will be enjoying but Fukushima is my main reason there and since I have 3 days there, I might as well take some time off to go sightseeing. I wish I can see the whole Japan but that will have to be another time.

I will take your advice on Tokyo, I am facinated with historical building and architectures so I always like to sightsee those things.

I guess all that information would have been helpful at the beginning.

sorry MMM, I did not think people would ask these specific questions. Usually, most would just give me general tips and guidelines.

That's OK...it just looked like you had chosen Fukushima and Chiba by throwing darts at a map. I don't think you are going to find anything more interesting in Chiba than Disneyland.

I see, Yes, I did pull out the map of Japan. I knew I was going to Fukushima, and I was just looking to see where the nearest place I can visit. When my friend and aunt found out I was going to Japan, I then had to make Okinawa and Tokyo one of my destinations. Chiba was just a city Kaiyo plans to take me since I've never been to Disneyland in Japan.

If I had more time, I would certainly like to visit other cities. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury to spend that much time in Japan.

So you are saying in Fukushima, there aren't too many sites to see? I was actually hoping to see some arts and places that's famous. I have been doing some reading on Japan Travel and Fukushima tourism as well.

I would think that area would be most rich in hot springs and natural beauty. I'm not sure if you want to go to hot springs if it's still warm when you are there. The Iwaya-Kannon seems like an interesting place to see.