Japan
Jan 30th, 2012, 02:16 PM
#1
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Japan
Going to Japan for 16 days. My wife and I are healthy and look forward to active days with
Lots of varied activites. How many days do you recommend in Tokyo and Kyoto?
Thank you for your help.
Lots of varied activites. How many days do you recommend in Tokyo and Kyoto?
Thank you for your help.
Jan 30th, 2012, 02:19 PM
#2
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A few added notes. We have done some research, seen the Japan travel guides, top site recommendations on the web, trip advisor, fodors, frommers and Michelin, yet it is not clear to us if one had the choice how many days should we spend in these amazing places.
Jan 30th, 2012, 04:36 PM
#3
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What time of year do you plan on traveling to Japan? What other areas of Japan would you like to see if any? Are you a slow traveler or like to travel on the run? What are your interests and more importantly what do expect to see in Japan? What is your budget range?
We should be able to build you a sixteen day itinerary if you don't mind answering a few questions. You may not realize it yet but you have come to the right place.
For a first timer to Japan, 4 nights in Tokyo and 5 nights in Kyoto would give you a good taste of what those two cities are all about but all would depend on what you are comfortable doing.
Aloha!
We should be able to build you a sixteen day itinerary if you don't mind answering a few questions. You may not realize it yet but you have come to the right place.
For a first timer to Japan, 4 nights in Tokyo and 5 nights in Kyoto would give you a good taste of what those two cities are all about but all would depend on what you are comfortable doing.
Aloha!
Jan 30th, 2012, 06:56 PM
#5
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Thanks for the quick response. We are medium travelers. We dont like to jump around but enjoy a bit of diversity. We are interested in visiting places where we can see, learn about and purchase top quality bronze, ceramic and lacquer goods. We are vegetarians and enjoy great food. We will be in Japan in mid August, and are happy to visit other regions to see things of great interest. We also enjoy touring factories to see how things are made. I like your suggestion of 4 nights in Tokyp and 5 in Kyoto. That way we can get to knbow the place. Although I have been to Japan 3 times for business, and once as a tourist about 30 years ago I dont feel like I know any place, so we are open to see everything as if it was the first time. Thanks again for taking the time to help us.
Jan 30th, 2012, 08:38 PM
#7
You can buy Japanese ceramics in Tokyo or Kyoto, OR you can go to the sources:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-806.pdf
The only place on that pdf that I could tell you about would be Hagi.
And then there is this, which might give you more ideas:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-803.pdf
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-806.pdf
The only place on that pdf that I could tell you about would be Hagi.
And then there is this, which might give you more ideas:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-803.pdf
Feb 1st, 2012, 08:25 AM
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Great suggestions above.
Mid August will put you smack dab in Obon season and the hottest, muggiest weather Japan has to offer.....escaping to the mountains or even Hokkaido would be good idea.
Along with your time in Tokyo and Kyoto you might want to include an overnight temple stay at Koyasan which is at elevation and might offer a respite from the heat. The vegan meals served there would be of interest to you also.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d...koya/index.htm
Tokugawa Ieyasu moved his summer palace to Nikko from Edo(Tokyo) to avoid the summer heat and maybe a place that might interest you for a couple of nights. There is a lot of vegan food served in Nikko at ryokans and restaurants with their specialties of yuba being at the top of the list. IIRC in old Japan only temples in Koya and Nikko were allowed to make yuba. Yuba comes in all shapes and makes as we say here in HI. Fried, rolled and stuffed, steamed, boiled, served cold or hot....its interesting flavor.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
Mid August will put you smack dab in Obon season and the hottest, muggiest weather Japan has to offer.....escaping to the mountains or even Hokkaido would be good idea.
Along with your time in Tokyo and Kyoto you might want to include an overnight temple stay at Koyasan which is at elevation and might offer a respite from the heat. The vegan meals served there would be of interest to you also.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d...koya/index.htm
Tokugawa Ieyasu moved his summer palace to Nikko from Edo(Tokyo) to avoid the summer heat and maybe a place that might interest you for a couple of nights. There is a lot of vegan food served in Nikko at ryokans and restaurants with their specialties of yuba being at the top of the list. IIRC in old Japan only temples in Koya and Nikko were allowed to make yuba. Yuba comes in all shapes and makes as we say here in HI. Fried, rolled and stuffed, steamed, boiled, served cold or hot....its interesting flavor.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html
Feb 1st, 2012, 08:29 AM
#9
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hit the post button instead of the preview button, I hate when that happens.....
You will also be in the middle of the Hanabi(fireworks) season if that interests you at all.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2267.html
Aloha!
You will also be in the middle of the Hanabi(fireworks) season if that interests you at all.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2267.html
Aloha!
Feb 1st, 2012, 07:20 PM
#10
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Thank you again. These sound great and getting away from the heat makes them even better.
What do you think the idea number of days to spedn in Tokyo and Kyoto are. Days that you can be leisurely with your time, explore sites without being rushed, enjoy long meals and feel like you have the chance to dive into some area and even come back for a little bit more?
Are there any exceptional world class spas or retreats on Okinanwa or the yaeyama islands.
Thank you again for all your help
What do you think the idea number of days to spedn in Tokyo and Kyoto are. Days that you can be leisurely with your time, explore sites without being rushed, enjoy long meals and feel like you have the chance to dive into some area and even come back for a little bit more?
Are there any exceptional world class spas or retreats on Okinanwa or the yaeyama islands.
Thank you again for all your help
Feb 1st, 2012, 07:43 PM
#11
Yarri, you could keep busy doing what you describe for weeks in Tokyo or Kyoto!
As hawaiiantraveler said above , 4 nights in Tokyo and 5 nights in Kyoto would be the minimum to see just the major sights and still have leisurely meals.
If I had 16 days in August, I'd spend 5 days in Kyoto or the surrounding area, 4 in Tokyo and the rest somewhere in at higher elevation: Takayama, Nikko/Chusenji, Kanazawa (for the arts), Karuizawa. Actually, I'd probably skip Tokyo. Tall buildings +lots of concrete= too hot
Trust me, you do not want to go to Okinawa in August. The heat & humidity will be brutal.
As hawaiiantraveler said above , 4 nights in Tokyo and 5 nights in Kyoto would be the minimum to see just the major sights and still have leisurely meals.
If I had 16 days in August, I'd spend 5 days in Kyoto or the surrounding area, 4 in Tokyo and the rest somewhere in at higher elevation: Takayama, Nikko/Chusenji, Kanazawa (for the arts), Karuizawa. Actually, I'd probably skip Tokyo. Tall buildings +lots of concrete= too hot
Trust me, you do not want to go to Okinawa in August. The heat & humidity will be brutal.
Feb 21st, 2012, 09:51 AM
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One more question. After leaving Kyoto we have time for one overnight and one day somewhere else.
We are debating between MIyajima or Nara. We will have already been to Tokyo, Takayama, Hakone,
Nikko, and Kyoto. Between Miyajima and Nara which would you recommend. Thank you again for your time and help.
We are debating between MIyajima or Nara. We will have already been to Tokyo, Takayama, Hakone,
Nikko, and Kyoto. Between Miyajima and Nara which would you recommend. Thank you again for your time and help.
Feb 21st, 2012, 05:10 PM
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I loved both Miyajima and Nara for different reasons.
Miyajima is in a beautiful setting. Seeing the Itsukushima Shrine's torii "floating" - and then again a low tide - was a joy. I went to the top of Mount Misen, enjoying the forested paths and cable car and hike at the top and stunning views over the Inland Sea. (The monkeys were not where they could be seen when I was there.) Like Nara, Miyajima has its share of deer roaming around town - but unlike Nara, I saw them only in the very early morning and they weren't as tourist-oriented (tourist dependent?) as the ones in Nara's park. But it is some distance from Kyoto. And if you are going that far, it would make sense to consider stopping in Hiroshima for a few hours to see the moving Peace Park and Peace Museum.
Nara is much closer to Kyoto and it is more ancient. Among the things I liked most about Nara were the National Museum and the Kufukuji treasure hall, both of which house some of the most beautiful and expressive statues I saw while in Japan; the very old Horyuji and Chuguji temples (which are a bit outside Nara in Ikaruga); the lanterns of Kasuga Shrine; and the small, charming former merchant district known as Naramachi.
I saw and enjoyed other things in each place; these were the things that most impressed me.
Hope that helps!
Miyajima is in a beautiful setting. Seeing the Itsukushima Shrine's torii "floating" - and then again a low tide - was a joy. I went to the top of Mount Misen, enjoying the forested paths and cable car and hike at the top and stunning views over the Inland Sea. (The monkeys were not where they could be seen when I was there.) Like Nara, Miyajima has its share of deer roaming around town - but unlike Nara, I saw them only in the very early morning and they weren't as tourist-oriented (tourist dependent?) as the ones in Nara's park. But it is some distance from Kyoto. And if you are going that far, it would make sense to consider stopping in Hiroshima for a few hours to see the moving Peace Park and Peace Museum.
Nara is much closer to Kyoto and it is more ancient. Among the things I liked most about Nara were the National Museum and the Kufukuji treasure hall, both of which house some of the most beautiful and expressive statues I saw while in Japan; the very old Horyuji and Chuguji temples (which are a bit outside Nara in Ikaruga); the lanterns of Kasuga Shrine; and the small, charming former merchant district known as Naramachi.
I saw and enjoyed other things in each place; these were the things that most impressed me.
Hope that helps!
Feb 21st, 2012, 05:15 PM
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I am waiting for mrwunrfl to respond and say that Nara was once the capital of Japan, and that 8 temples, shrines and ruins in Nara collectively form a Unesco World Heritage site, and that tame deer roam the town (like in Miyajima)and Nara is a do not miss.
(I am taking bets if anyone wants to get in on this, lol.)
Personally I have been only to Miyajima and I didn't stay overnight, so I can not be of help.
(I am taking bets if anyone wants to get in on this, lol.)
Personally I have been only to Miyajima and I didn't stay overnight, so I can not be of help.
Feb 21st, 2012, 07:02 PM
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lol...emd3.....there are lots of deer in Miyajima....
I haven't been to Nara yet but will be there in about a month and I'm not particularly looking forward to the deer although I am eager to see the temples and shrines et al.....
However, I do recommend Miyajima for an overnight stay - it was great to walk along the beach to the Torii gate and see it at high tide....also very quiet, few tourists then....
I haven't been to Nara yet but will be there in about a month and I'm not particularly looking forward to the deer although I am eager to see the temples and shrines et al.....
However, I do recommend Miyajima for an overnight stay - it was great to walk along the beach to the Torii gate and see it at high tide....also very quiet, few tourists then....
Feb 21st, 2012, 08:18 PM
#19
I suppose that the order of the stops would be Tokyo, Hakone/Nikko, then Takayama then Kyoto. You could insert Shirakawago after Takayama.
You could visit Nara (whose temples, shrines, and ruins collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as a day trip from Kyoto.
But where in this trip would you fulfill your interests in ceramics, lacquerware, factory tours, etc.
Maybe a stop in Nagoya for a Toyota factory tour, if one could be arranged.
Or take a day from Kyoto and go to Kanazawa for lacquerware and ceramics. Hagi and Saga might not fit your criterion of "great interest", but I think that Kanazawa does.
You could visit Nara (whose temples, shrines, and ruins collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as a day trip from Kyoto.
But where in this trip would you fulfill your interests in ceramics, lacquerware, factory tours, etc.
Maybe a stop in Nagoya for a Toyota factory tour, if one could be arranged.
Or take a day from Kyoto and go to Kanazawa for lacquerware and ceramics. Hagi and Saga might not fit your criterion of "great interest", but I think that Kanazawa does.
Feb 21st, 2012, 08:35 PM
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"You could visit Nara (whose temples, shrines, and ruins collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as a day trip from Kyoto."
One can easily visit Nara as a day trip from Kyoto - if you are selective in what you choose to see. Visiting the "temples, shrines, and ruins [that are] collectively a ... UNESCO World Heritage Site" in that time frame seems unlikely to me. I spent 2 full days and nights in Nara and did not see everything that I would have liked to see.
One can easily visit Nara as a day trip from Kyoto - if you are selective in what you choose to see. Visiting the "temples, shrines, and ruins [that are] collectively a ... UNESCO World Heritage Site" in that time frame seems unlikely to me. I spent 2 full days and nights in Nara and did not see everything that I would have liked to see.
