Thank You Fabulous Fodorites, and some Upcoming Trip Questions
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Thank You Fabulous Fodorites, and some Upcoming Trip Questions
Good Evening Fodorites!
First off, I wanted to thank all of you for your amazing advice and trip reports. I have been stalking this website for months and finally decided to join!! Lol. Reading your trip reports at night has become my guilty pleasure after long days as a pharmaceutical sales rep and rangling two crazy toddlers when I get home!! My husband is always asking, "what are you reading????"!!!!! I have been enjoying rachill_az's Japan trip report, and have read those by MinnBeef, Kathie and Kavey......and I know I have more to go!. They were all excellent and gave me such great ideas! I am planning a trip to Japan in April for my husband and I (no kids!!!!) I have a few questions I was hoping you guys could help with, and I promise to pay it forward and write a trip report on my return, although I don't think my writing will live up to some of yours!!!
We are traveling to Japan from March 31 to April 1, itinerary below,
March 31, depart EWR to Narita
April 1- 4 Tokyo at Hyatt Regency
April 4-5 Hakone at Musashino Bekkan
April 5-8 Kyoto at Hotel Sunline Kyoto Gion
April 8, fly ITM to NRT, then NRT to EWR (obviously will be in need of some ambien... )
A little background on us, I have traveled pretty extensively before I got married, my husband, not so much. His first trip out of the country was with me when we went to Spain on our babymoon! I try to balance fun days, lots of eating, we like cocktails too, sightseeing, some museums, but mostly just want to have great time on vacation! Ok so here goes my questions!
- I had a hard time with the Kyoto hotel reservations, even though I booked three months ago!! There was almost nothing left. I ended up booking the Westin, as well as the Sunline Kyoto Gion. They are both refundable so I'm deciding between the two. The Westin gets awful reviews and is very expensive! The Sunline is a more basic hotel but is in an excellent location. My gut is telling me Sunline. Anyone have experience with either they want to share?
- I am looking to book a private day tour of first full day in Tokyo. Recommendations?
- I started my 2 year old an international doll collection (she could care less about them, but I think it's so cool...). So I'm looking to bring back a Japanese doll. Not super expensive, just authentic looking. Suggestions???
Thanks so much in advance!
Kelly
First off, I wanted to thank all of you for your amazing advice and trip reports. I have been stalking this website for months and finally decided to join!! Lol. Reading your trip reports at night has become my guilty pleasure after long days as a pharmaceutical sales rep and rangling two crazy toddlers when I get home!! My husband is always asking, "what are you reading????"!!!!! I have been enjoying rachill_az's Japan trip report, and have read those by MinnBeef, Kathie and Kavey......and I know I have more to go!. They were all excellent and gave me such great ideas! I am planning a trip to Japan in April for my husband and I (no kids!!!!) I have a few questions I was hoping you guys could help with, and I promise to pay it forward and write a trip report on my return, although I don't think my writing will live up to some of yours!!!
We are traveling to Japan from March 31 to April 1, itinerary below,
March 31, depart EWR to Narita
April 1- 4 Tokyo at Hyatt Regency
April 4-5 Hakone at Musashino Bekkan
April 5-8 Kyoto at Hotel Sunline Kyoto Gion
April 8, fly ITM to NRT, then NRT to EWR (obviously will be in need of some ambien... )
A little background on us, I have traveled pretty extensively before I got married, my husband, not so much. His first trip out of the country was with me when we went to Spain on our babymoon! I try to balance fun days, lots of eating, we like cocktails too, sightseeing, some museums, but mostly just want to have great time on vacation! Ok so here goes my questions!
- I had a hard time with the Kyoto hotel reservations, even though I booked three months ago!! There was almost nothing left. I ended up booking the Westin, as well as the Sunline Kyoto Gion. They are both refundable so I'm deciding between the two. The Westin gets awful reviews and is very expensive! The Sunline is a more basic hotel but is in an excellent location. My gut is telling me Sunline. Anyone have experience with either they want to share?
- I am looking to book a private day tour of first full day in Tokyo. Recommendations?
- I started my 2 year old an international doll collection (she could care less about them, but I think it's so cool...). So I'm looking to bring back a Japanese doll. Not super expensive, just authentic looking. Suggestions???
Thanks so much in advance!
Kelly
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If I'm understanding your plan correctly, you have 3+ days in Tokyo, an overnight in Hakone, and 2+ days in Kyoto? If so, then I think you will need to think through your priorities very clearly in advance, as you have very little time for a wealth of options.
FWIW, I think many of us would say that for a one-week visit, one might consider 4 days in Kyoto and 3 in Tokyo, or even 5 Kyoto / 2 Tokyo -- but it really depends on what you want to see and experience.
The best single source of information on Japan that I know is japan-guide:
http://www.japan-guide.com
You would do well to spend some time there, as you can learn all sorts of things about how to travel in Japan, not just what to do when there.
And much as I appreciate trip reports, I would suggest that you consult planning threads, too -- a trip report tell you what ONE traveler (or group of travelers) did; planning threads pull in the advice of MANY travelers, including those whose trip reports are no longer available.
Re: your Kyoto lodging -- Many accommodations in Japan don't book more than 3 months out, so keep checking. If you haven't already done so, consult booking.com and japaneseguesthouses.com
I'm not sure I can help you with a private tour of Tokyo. Japan's "goodwill" guides (volunteers who serve as guides for personal reasons, e.g., to improve their English, with no payment other than the cost of their admissions and any meals or snacks you share) would be my first choice, but you can also check the JNTO website for other options:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
Re: Japanese dolls:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2104.html
Hope that helps, and welcome to Fodor's!
(P.S. -- One very small request: Please make sure your posts include paragraph spacing -- LONG posts with NO breaks are very hard to read!)
FWIW, I think many of us would say that for a one-week visit, one might consider 4 days in Kyoto and 3 in Tokyo, or even 5 Kyoto / 2 Tokyo -- but it really depends on what you want to see and experience.
The best single source of information on Japan that I know is japan-guide:
http://www.japan-guide.com
You would do well to spend some time there, as you can learn all sorts of things about how to travel in Japan, not just what to do when there.
And much as I appreciate trip reports, I would suggest that you consult planning threads, too -- a trip report tell you what ONE traveler (or group of travelers) did; planning threads pull in the advice of MANY travelers, including those whose trip reports are no longer available.
Re: your Kyoto lodging -- Many accommodations in Japan don't book more than 3 months out, so keep checking. If you haven't already done so, consult booking.com and japaneseguesthouses.com
I'm not sure I can help you with a private tour of Tokyo. Japan's "goodwill" guides (volunteers who serve as guides for personal reasons, e.g., to improve their English, with no payment other than the cost of their admissions and any meals or snacks you share) would be my first choice, but you can also check the JNTO website for other options:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/tr...deservice.html
Re: Japanese dolls:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2104.html
Hope that helps, and welcome to Fodor's!
(P.S. -- One very small request: Please make sure your posts include paragraph spacing -- LONG posts with NO breaks are very hard to read!)
#3
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Thanks so much @kja! Will note the paragraphs, it's been quite awhile since I've been at the computer writing! Love the doll link, I will be on a mission to find them! And I will keep checking on the Kyoto accommodation!
I wish we had more time, but we can only leave the kids for about a week. I've done quite a bit of research and I think for our intents the itinerary should do the trick,
Tokyo will be 2.5 days (3 nights), Hakone 1 day with overnight, and Kyoto 3.5 days ( 3 nights). Wish we had more time in Kyoto, but I really wanted to experience Hakone. I booked a ryokan with a private onsen, which we are really looking forward too!!
Been online tonight looking at all the food options in each city. Making me super excited, and very hungry. Should go to bed before I raid the fridge!! Thanks again
I wish we had more time, but we can only leave the kids for about a week. I've done quite a bit of research and I think for our intents the itinerary should do the trick,
Tokyo will be 2.5 days (3 nights), Hakone 1 day with overnight, and Kyoto 3.5 days ( 3 nights). Wish we had more time in Kyoto, but I really wanted to experience Hakone. I booked a ryokan with a private onsen, which we are really looking forward too!!
Been online tonight looking at all the food options in each city. Making me super excited, and very hungry. Should go to bed before I raid the fridge!! Thanks again
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Haven't stayed at either but the location of the Sunline is much more convenient in general imo. Also you are probably there the prime days for cherry blossom viewing so you were clever to reserve way in advance.
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Your itinerary looks pretty good with only 7 days in the ground. If you can, I would take one day from Tokyo and give it to Kyoto. So much more to see there. But if you can't, prioritize your Kyoto sights since only 2 1/2 days there will FLY by.
#7
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I've stayed at the Westin, and I can't say I was thrilled with it. The location isn't bad: though not in the center of town, it is adjacent to a subway stop, and it's also convenient to several sites.
But I found the hotel itself unappealing. It's enormous, the rooms I stayed in/saw were really dated, with bathrooms that were especially small and disappointing. I'd planned to stay there for 3 nights, but moved to the (thousand times nicer) Hyatt Regency after 1 night.
But I found the hotel itself unappealing. It's enormous, the rooms I stayed in/saw were really dated, with bathrooms that were especially small and disappointing. I'd planned to stay there for 3 nights, but moved to the (thousand times nicer) Hyatt Regency after 1 night.
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Read Rachill's recent report, she booked a guide through The Backstreet Guides in Tokyo:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...t-to-japan.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...t-to-japan.cfm
#9
Do a search for trip reports from emd.
For inexpensive dolls, try the handicraft center in Kyoto. They had a variety of doll types.
http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com...ail.html?id=18
Here is a link about Kyo dolls:
http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com...ail.html?id=18
The link that kja gave mentions Hakata dolls. These are beautiful and inexpensive but are not toys. With my first Hakata doll I was given a pair of white gloves to handle her with.
For inexpensive dolls, try the handicraft center in Kyoto. They had a variety of doll types.
http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com...ail.html?id=18
Here is a link about Kyo dolls:
http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com...ail.html?id=18
The link that kja gave mentions Hakata dolls. These are beautiful and inexpensive but are not toys. With my first Hakata doll I was given a pair of white gloves to handle her with.
#10
Oops, this is the Kyo doll link:
http://teikokublog.com/2014/05/14/tr...to-kyo-ningyo/
http://teikokublog.com/2014/05/14/tr...to-kyo-ningyo/
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