lery

My family and I (2 teenagers) are planning a trip to Japan and Hong Kong next January. As it'll be our first time to these countries, we are beginning to make some research, but we are totally lost as we do not find much info about it as we did last year when we went to Thailand (how much marvelous info we had with you fodorites then!!!)
Here are some of my questions:
-how many days in Tokyo (we are both interested in the "old "Japan as in the modern one).
-Is the Disneyland easily reachable?
-which is the best neighborhood to stay? Ginza?
_Can we find hotels in Japan of about US$ 200 plus breakfast? Any suggestions?
-how many days in Kyoto?
-hotel in Kyoto?
-any other city?
-what about Hong kong? How many days and what hotel?

I know I am asking too many questions, but please help me with my trip as you did last year.
THANK you again.

ducky2

We spent 3 weeks in Japan last Nov. and used Japan-guide.com for all our planning. Excellent website with tons of info and excellent forum for any questions related to Japan. We stayed in Park Hotel in Shimbashi area. Nice hotel under $200, can walk to Ginza and trains nearby. Underground levels a little tricky to navigate in beginning. Tokyo and Kyoto makes a good base for 1 day side trips to other cities.

puttakka

I highly recommend the Villa Fontaine Hotel Mita. It is a five minute walk from the JR Yamanote Line Tamachi station and the breakfast was fabulous. We paid $140 per night for a double room that included 2 breakfasts.

I think three days in Tokyo are sufficient, as long as you are organized. It is an expensive city but the old and new are well integrated. I'd try to be there during the weekdays as it gets pretty crowded on the weekends - people like to play!!!

Don't know about Disneyland but the Tokyodome area was a ton of fun!!!

Kyoto - I think three days are also sufficent.

W9London

I believe there is a direct JR train link to Disneyland from Tokyo station. On hotels, are you referring to $200 per room or $200 for all of you? (I don't know if there are such things as family rooms in Tokyo--in any case you'll need to ask for actual sq m of the room). I won't be too concerned about breakfast--there are starbucks and other coffee shops for breakfast.

Kyoto: you'll need FULL 3 days. We stayed at Fujita Hotel, centrally located right behind Okura, came with breakfast, though small and old room, tiny bathroom.

HK: Ideally 3 days NET. See if you can get a harbour view room at YMCA Salisbury in Kowloon. The tricky bit is to avoid the Chinese New Year (the last week of Jan).

kja

Hi, lery -

I also recommend japan-guide.com, which I found extremely helpful.

How much time to devote to various places depends on what you want to see and do. In general, I think 3 days is about right for Tokyo, but I think many people would want more than that in Kyoto, where you might want to consider spending 5 or more days.

Hope that helps!