Kanazawa-Takayama
Nov 1st, 2006, 06:45 PM
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Kanazawa-Takayama
Our first trip to Japan...and we speak no Japanese and are doing independent travel.
Rather than the bus, we would like opinions of if we could rent a car for the drive from Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go - Takayama. Is the road fairly simple to follow for that area. Husband drives well and we think once out of the city it would be fine...any suggestions? Thanks All
Rather than the bus, we would like opinions of if we could rent a car for the drive from Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go - Takayama. Is the road fairly simple to follow for that area. Husband drives well and we think once out of the city it would be fine...any suggestions? Thanks All
Nov 1st, 2006, 07:03 PM
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You could drive. I drive here every day. The road is relatively simple, yes, but some signs are only in Japanese. You could request a navigation system in the car...they might have English, but even one in Japanese is very easy to follow...maybe have the rental staff pre program the destinations for you, that's simple enough to do.
You will need an international driver's license to drive legally, though they may not ask for it when you rent. Rental costs will be around 8000 yen per day for a small car.
You will need an international driver's license to drive legally, though they may not ask for it when you rent. Rental costs will be around 8000 yen per day for a small car.
Nov 1st, 2006, 07:09 PM
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One thing to be aware of is liability in Japan. In the event of a crash or accident of any sort, even if you are clearly hit by another vehicle and you made no mistake, you are still partly at fault in the eyes of insurance and the law. You also will carry the majority of responsibility for any incident involving a pedestrian or cyclist or anything smaller than your vehicle. If a cyclist pedals head on into you, it's mostly your fault. So, drivers are taught to be very egocentric...it's all about me...because it really is. It is your responsibility to avoid accidents at all costs. At the same time, drivers must keep traffic moving. It is not unusual to have the cars behind you swerve around you and continue on should you stop for some obstruction in the road or to avoid a cyclist or pedestrian.
It's not bad driving here, really, but the rules are slightly different and you need to be aware of that.
It's not bad driving here, really, but the rules are slightly different and you need to be aware of that.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 03:37 AM
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Bonjour Bec_saba and Kimjapan,
a slight derail, but given the title of the thread ...
The last number of in Nipponia is running a feature about Kanazawa:
http://web-jpn.org/nipponia/nipponia...vel/index.html
a slight derail, but given the title of the thread ...
The last number of in Nipponia is running a feature about Kanazawa:
http://web-jpn.org/nipponia/nipponia...vel/index.html
Nov 2nd, 2006, 03:38 AM
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Bonjour Bec_saba and Kimjapan,
a slight derail, but given the title of the thread ...
The last number of Nipponia is running a feature about Kanazawa:
http://web-jpn.org/nipponia/nipponia...vel/index.html
a slight derail, but given the title of the thread ...
The last number of Nipponia is running a feature about Kanazawa:
http://web-jpn.org/nipponia/nipponia...vel/index.html
Nov 2nd, 2006, 06:06 PM
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Okay folks...change in plans. Seems at 57 and 63 yrs. old I was looking at too agressive plans for both of us.
So, looks like we will do 2 nites in Kanazawa more thoroughly and then back to Tokyo to flight out the following day, as then we go to Vietnam & Cambodia.
So, next question is...I have accommodation for first nite Kanazawa at a ryokan, but that leaves for me to find a nice place for the second night, Nov. 22. We're not on a strict budget, but like to have something nice for the money. Any suggestions in Kanazawa...(first night is near the train station)...as it appears a busy place that time of year. We see two on the Expedia Website, but thought someone might have something they think would be a bit special and available for that one night, perhaps something we don't see on US websites or asiahotels.com
Thanks for your help in advance.
Bec_Saba
So, looks like we will do 2 nites in Kanazawa more thoroughly and then back to Tokyo to flight out the following day, as then we go to Vietnam & Cambodia.
So, next question is...I have accommodation for first nite Kanazawa at a ryokan, but that leaves for me to find a nice place for the second night, Nov. 22. We're not on a strict budget, but like to have something nice for the money. Any suggestions in Kanazawa...(first night is near the train station)...as it appears a busy place that time of year. We see two on the Expedia Website, but thought someone might have something they think would be a bit special and available for that one night, perhaps something we don't see on US websites or asiahotels.com
Thanks for your help in advance.
Bec_Saba
Nov 2nd, 2006, 07:05 PM
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How much do you want to spend?
Websites like asiarooms and asiahotels and expedia etc. tend to have the highest possible prices for hotels in Japan. With the exception of some large international chains, hotel prices booked in Japanese can be as much as 50% less than if booked in English.
So, if you tell me what you are looking for I can check prices in Japanese for you.
For sightseeing, the area around the station is less than optimal...nothing within walking distance. Around Kohrinbo and Katamachi is more convenient for just about everything. Both the ANA and Nikko hotels there are high priced and poor value...the other hotels around the station are business hotels...there isn't really any reason to stay in any of the hotels there as you will need to taxi or bus everywhere. If you can change that first night, I'd recommend doing that.
The APA Chuo is very reasonably priced, usually under ¥10,000 per room per night often including breakfast as well...the rooms are small and not special but the rooftop bath is lovely and the location is great. The Tokyu Excel is similarly located and only slightly higher priced. The rooms could use an update but they are clean, everything works and they are a bit bigger in size than the APA Chuo's.
For ryokan, Matsumoto and Asadaya are the nicest in the city IMO. Chaya is also perfectly nice, though lacks that "special atmosphere" that both Matsumoto and Asadaya have. Chaya's location is also a minus, right near the station.
One new thing that opens today the Forus shopping center in Kanazawa station, with 4 floors of shops and many restaurants. Haven't been there yet...it's only lunch time on day one and I'm not going near the place til the opening crowds thin down in about a month or so, but it looks promising as a way to draw business to the station area. Since the opening of the new station, the area is looking better, but not a good location for sightseeing.
Outside of the city there are plenty of lovely ryokan and onsen hotels, and a stay at some of them would be really special. Do know that that sort of place is a destination in and of itself...check in and don't leave the place until check out. There is also the issue of transportation...no car means train/bus and taxi to them, which isn't a problem but adds time and cost.
Websites like asiarooms and asiahotels and expedia etc. tend to have the highest possible prices for hotels in Japan. With the exception of some large international chains, hotel prices booked in Japanese can be as much as 50% less than if booked in English.
So, if you tell me what you are looking for I can check prices in Japanese for you.
For sightseeing, the area around the station is less than optimal...nothing within walking distance. Around Kohrinbo and Katamachi is more convenient for just about everything. Both the ANA and Nikko hotels there are high priced and poor value...the other hotels around the station are business hotels...there isn't really any reason to stay in any of the hotels there as you will need to taxi or bus everywhere. If you can change that first night, I'd recommend doing that.
The APA Chuo is very reasonably priced, usually under ¥10,000 per room per night often including breakfast as well...the rooms are small and not special but the rooftop bath is lovely and the location is great. The Tokyu Excel is similarly located and only slightly higher priced. The rooms could use an update but they are clean, everything works and they are a bit bigger in size than the APA Chuo's.
For ryokan, Matsumoto and Asadaya are the nicest in the city IMO. Chaya is also perfectly nice, though lacks that "special atmosphere" that both Matsumoto and Asadaya have. Chaya's location is also a minus, right near the station.
One new thing that opens today the Forus shopping center in Kanazawa station, with 4 floors of shops and many restaurants. Haven't been there yet...it's only lunch time on day one and I'm not going near the place til the opening crowds thin down in about a month or so, but it looks promising as a way to draw business to the station area. Since the opening of the new station, the area is looking better, but not a good location for sightseeing.
Outside of the city there are plenty of lovely ryokan and onsen hotels, and a stay at some of them would be really special. Do know that that sort of place is a destination in and of itself...check in and don't leave the place until check out. There is also the issue of transportation...no car means train/bus and taxi to them, which isn't a problem but adds time and cost.
Nov 2nd, 2006, 08:27 PM
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This place is featured in this month's local entertainment/restaurant/hotel/etc. magaziine and looks great. It is a fair distance away from Kanazawa up the Noto peninsula, and I haven't been there, but it does look lovely.
http://www.lampnoyado.co.jp/english/e_index.html
http://www.lampnoyado.co.jp/english/e_index.html
Nov 3rd, 2006, 04:12 AM
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Kim, Lamp looks so lovely it is almost worth a trip back to Japan.
The hotel we stayed in was fine. It was also very relaxing since it was just like an American chain hotel. After dealing with "different" all day, staying in a "normal" place is calming. Also they had CNN.
The hotel we stayed in was fine. It was also very relaxing since it was just like an American chain hotel. After dealing with "different" all day, staying in a "normal" place is calming. Also they had CNN.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 01:07 PM
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Elaine, come back anytime. You can even skip the Kanazawa hotel and stay with us! And we'll go to Lamp with you...it looks like it is lovely any time of year, but the in the summer it seems to be best as you can enjoy their pool.
Nov 4th, 2006, 03:14 PM
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Kim:
Can I e-mail you rather than continue on here...I love your suggestions and
would like to know a bit more but don't want to fill up the thread...and need to have you check on availability
before I cancel Nikko and Chaya...obviously poor choices on my part. Or here's mine: wkopcza at yahoo dot com
Thanks, Bec
Can I e-mail you rather than continue on here...I love your suggestions and
would like to know a bit more but don't want to fill up the thread...and need to have you check on availability
before I cancel Nikko and Chaya...obviously poor choices on my part. Or here's mine: wkopcza at yahoo dot com
Thanks, Bec
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