mlauzon

I've got some money to finally do this! I should mention, this will be my first time *outside* of Canada -- I don't consider just going across the border to northern New York State really going 'outside' of my country -- in my life, although it may be the second if I go to the UK first...haven't decided fully yet.

I'm more interested in Tokyo than other parts of the country, but that is up for discussion, as it may be my first -- and only -- time I'd have the money to go.

I think if I go, the summer would be the best time for me to do so, granted I don't get to see the cherry blossoms in the spring, but that doesn't matter much to me.

So, where should I visit in Tokyo?

Hopefully I can make some friends here who'd show me around, either guys or girls...preferably girls.

I wouldn't mind seeing some of the areas that are in the movie "Enter the Void", even though I hated said movie!

Can anyone tell me why is there such a big price disparity between Air Canada & Japan Airlines:

AC (Tango), round trip: CAD$1912.95

JAL, round trip: CAD$8967.64 (I don't have this kind of money, so obviously JAL is not an option)

And I've chosen the same dates: Jul 1 - Jul 15, 2014. Just looking at prices at the moment. But don't you find it strange that there is such a disparity?

JC98

What are your interests and what aspects of Japan interest you? Contemporary culture or traditional culture?

If you could, adding Kyoto would be worth it.

rhkkmk

japan air is always expensive... those prices are all way too high... it may be you are looking too soon..

also look at ANA, Korean air... take a look at www.kayak.com and www.expedia.com.

you might find flts even cheaper from nyc. easy to get there from Canada.

kja

You might find japan-guide.com helpful. Enjoy!

pinkpeony

I'm not recommended to go to Japan that time because it's rain season. Rain and typhoon a lots. Rain season are humid, too. If you are thinking to go to Japan in summer, you better go to there end of July or August even September. I think best season to go to Japan is spring and autumn.

gregg001

Here is my opinon. I took my 3 kids to Japan a few years ago and they said it was the best vacation we have ever had. (I lived in Japan 35 years for 2 years as a missionary.) Everyone has their own opinion, but here is mine. Tokyo is not where I would go for a Family vacation in Japan. It would be like going to New York City for an American vacation. I strongly recommend flying into Osaka, staying in Kyoto and Hiroshima. Visit Kyoto (Sanjusangendo, Fujimiinari, Kiyomizu, Kinkakuji, Monkey Park, etc., etc. etc.), Mt Heie, Nara, Koyasan, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Hemeji, Rent bikes ($10 a day) and spend a day on the Kibi plain bike ride in the countryside. You will spend 1/3 money and have ten times more fun. We didn't pay over $90 for lodging and never spent more than $5 to $10 for a meal. We stayed in Kyoto for a week and Higashi Hiroshima for 5 days. Buy a JR 7-day pass and spend the first week in Kyoto/Nara area, then use the pass for the last 7 days and go South down through the Hiroshima area. You will see rural, traditional Japan instead of a modern Neon city of 20 million people. As stated above, the rainy season starts in Mid June through the end of July. And summers are humid on top of that. May or September are the best months if possible. We went the end of May through Mid-June and only had two days of rain toward the end.

Kavey

Would echo Kja's recommendation to invest some time reading the Japan Guide site and narrow down the kinds of things that appeal most to you.

I would review the summer time frame - unless you can only travel in summer because of school or work commitments, spring or autumn are going to be more pleasant for travelling.

Also, it would help to know how long you'll have there and what your personal interests are, to be able to give any suggestions on potential places to visit...

Or is duration based on budget?

Also, with the two fares, are both direct or does one include stops en route?

DobbyTheTurtle

Dye your hair blonde, they will like you a lot more

mrwunrfl

http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo

mlauzon

Sorry, never got any notifications that there were replies to my post, that is why I never answered.

pinkpeony, I love rain -- and snow for that matter -- so a 'rainy season' would be fine by me.

gregg001, 'family', what 'family'? I've been single all my life, never been on a date, never been kissed, never had a girlfriend, and am still a virgin -- not by choice, because women don't want anything to do with me -- at 37 years of age. So, as you can tell, I'd be going by myself, so Tokyo would be perfect for me.

Kavey, I don't have a job, I haven't worked -- except for extreme temp. seasonal positions -- for 5 years, and I have been in school since I left highschool almost 20 years ago. There may have been stops, but I don't remember, I haven't checked again.

DobbyTheTurtle, oh isn't that genius, a black person walking around with dyed hair...as you can tell I'm being sarcastic!

mlauzon

That should read:

"...and I haven't been in school since I left highschool almost 20 years ago..."

And not:

'...and I have been in school since I left highschool almost 20 years ago...'

Kavey

Thanks for the personal info... but I'm not sure it really helps us in understanding either your travel budget, time restrictions or personal interests ... in terms of helping you shape a trip!

Kathie

If you have options to go at different times of the year, I'd highly recommend that you plan for seeing either the koyo (fall colors) or the sakura (cherry blossoms). We were in Kyoto at the height of the koyo and it was spectacular.

I'm from Seattle, so well accustomed to rain, but we hit two solid days of rain In Kanazawa and were able to do less than we had planned (most of what we had planned was gardens). So maybe you will want to sightsee through torrential rains, but maybe not. It's impossible to predict what you will like or not like in Japan. The best you can do is to read, read, read and look at lots of photos and see what appeals to you. For instance, I thought I'd love Tokyo as I'm such a big city person. But I found Tokyo the least compelling place we visited. Yes, I enjoyed visiting Tokyo, but I didn't love it.

You might find some of our photos to be helpful: www.marlandc.com/japan-2013.html

Happy planning!

JC98

Nice photos and annotations, Kathie. Thanks for sharing!

MinnBeef

Agree with all Kathie's points. One must go to Tokyo because it's Tokyo and one of the world's largest cities. But other than Kappabashi, the restaurant supplies district that I went to twice because I love to cook, there isn't really anything in my mind that stands out about Tokyo. I gave it 3 days and that was fine. Two places that I really enjoyed were Miyajima and Matsumoto.

kja

@MinnBeef - welcome back! I look forward to hearing about your trip.

JC98

mlauzon, maybe you should try to get on a Japanese game show. Something totally different and crazy and fun. Google to find out how. Japanese love foreigners doing goofy things on their game shows. Who knows, you might turn into a celebrity there.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.