Travel recommendation ideas in Japan with teen
Aug 5th, 2011, 06:36 PM
#1
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Travel recommendation ideas in Japan with teen
I am planning a trip to Japan next summer with my 18 year old son. He would like to go to "old school" destinations any ideas? He is interested in samurai swords, history, and would like to go on bus tours. However, that could get pricey, so I'm thinking of getting accomodations for a week in Kanagawa or Tokyo or Kyoto, etc through RCI and have a basecamp then go on excursions from there? Any ideas, recommendations on itinerary, accomodations, tour groups, etc? Thank you.
Aug 5th, 2011, 07:14 PM
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80% of all the NT (national treasure) swords, armor, etc. are in Oyamazumi-Jinja on Omishima. Figuring out how to get there, where to stay, etc. would be a good project for your son.
Alternatively, there are 12 original castles in Japan. Developing a plan to visit as many of them as possible would be a cool exercise. (The most famous, Himeji, is under massive reconstruction at the moment. However, there's a major 1,000 year old temple complex nearby that most people miss.)
My experience is that traveling with a personal "mission" like these is far more rewarding than just ticking off the usual tourist sites.
Alternatively, there are 12 original castles in Japan. Developing a plan to visit as many of them as possible would be a cool exercise. (The most famous, Himeji, is under massive reconstruction at the moment. However, there's a major 1,000 year old temple complex nearby that most people miss.)
My experience is that traveling with a personal "mission" like these is far more rewarding than just ticking off the usual tourist sites.
Aug 6th, 2011, 09:11 AM
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A rail pass for your week would open up your options and quicken your pace as opposed to the bus. There are several rail passes to choose from. Your final itinerary would be needed to figure out which one would be best for you.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
If samurai is his interest(mine also) then the town of Kakunodate should be on your agenda. They have an interesting samurai district complete with samurai households still intact which you can enter at a small price(most are 400to500 yen). The family history is on display complete with swords and armory from the past centuries. The Folkloro Hotel right outside the JR Station is a good place for an overnight. Not much English spoken but that should not be a problem.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html
If you go to Kakunodate you should also stop by Hiraizumi for a few hours on your way back into Tokyo. You mentioned history and there is a lot there along with the temples.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5000.html
I was studying about Kanazawa earlier this year as we were planning a trip there this fall. Our vacation time was shortened by several events so Kanazawa will have to wait till next year but they do have samurai and chaya(tea houses)districts there also along with their national treasure Kenrokuen.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html
Kyoto of course is full of history.....
We have to know your budget in order to recommend any accommodations.
Aloha!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
If samurai is his interest(mine also) then the town of Kakunodate should be on your agenda. They have an interesting samurai district complete with samurai households still intact which you can enter at a small price(most are 400to500 yen). The family history is on display complete with swords and armory from the past centuries. The Folkloro Hotel right outside the JR Station is a good place for an overnight. Not much English spoken but that should not be a problem.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html
If you go to Kakunodate you should also stop by Hiraizumi for a few hours on your way back into Tokyo. You mentioned history and there is a lot there along with the temples.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5000.html
I was studying about Kanazawa earlier this year as we were planning a trip there this fall. Our vacation time was shortened by several events so Kanazawa will have to wait till next year but they do have samurai and chaya(tea houses)districts there also along with their national treasure Kenrokuen.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html
Kyoto of course is full of history.....
We have to know your budget in order to recommend any accommodations.
Aloha!
Aug 6th, 2011, 09:42 AM
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Here is a listing of the original and other Japanese castles if you are interested.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2296.html
I have been to fifteen of these castles and palaces. Matsumoto-jo has a picture museum in its front garden with the pictures of all Japan's castles and palaces....quite impressive.
Aloha!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2296.html
I have been to fifteen of these castles and palaces. Matsumoto-jo has a picture museum in its front garden with the pictures of all Japan's castles and palaces....quite impressive.
Aloha!
Aug 6th, 2011, 10:37 PM
#5
The other posts have mentioned restored castles, but don't count out the reconstructed ones. They also have displays of arms and armor.
Bus tours aren't necessary at all.
You should consider visiting Shirakawago and staying in a traditional farmhouse (gassho zukuri). This is not a samurai thing, but it is old school.
Nagoya is not usually mentioned as a destination to visit, but I will make an exception here.
Summer would be baseball season. If he likes baseball then I think going to a game or two really should be on your itinerary.
If you are there in July then that is when the grand sumo tournament is held in Nagoya. They also have a baseball team. There are also some interesting castles thereabouts. Nagoya castle is a reconstruction (with elevator) and has some exhibits. Nearby is Gifu castle (reconstruction) which is small but kind of fun to get to. Also Inuyama caslte (restored, I think) is nearby. South of Nagoya is Ise Jingu (shrine) which is kind of mysterious.
North of Nagoya are the towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley. You should do some research on this area. North of there is the marvelous restored castle at Matsumoto.
I am building an itin here. From Matsumoto go by bus to Takayama after a stop at Kamikochi, and then on to Shirakawago and Kanazawa and Kyoto.
Bus tours aren't necessary at all.
You should consider visiting Shirakawago and staying in a traditional farmhouse (gassho zukuri). This is not a samurai thing, but it is old school.
Nagoya is not usually mentioned as a destination to visit, but I will make an exception here.
Summer would be baseball season. If he likes baseball then I think going to a game or two really should be on your itinerary.
If you are there in July then that is when the grand sumo tournament is held in Nagoya. They also have a baseball team. There are also some interesting castles thereabouts. Nagoya castle is a reconstruction (with elevator) and has some exhibits. Nearby is Gifu castle (reconstruction) which is small but kind of fun to get to. Also Inuyama caslte (restored, I think) is nearby. South of Nagoya is Ise Jingu (shrine) which is kind of mysterious.
North of Nagoya are the towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley. You should do some research on this area. North of there is the marvelous restored castle at Matsumoto.
I am building an itin here. From Matsumoto go by bus to Takayama after a stop at Kamikochi, and then on to Shirakawago and Kanazawa and Kyoto.
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