Hey, my family and I consisting, 3 adults and children have decided to go to Japan! Woohoo! We are from Malaysia, for your information. A few things I would like to ask: Do all of them in Japan speaks only Japanese, not English? And all their maps seems to be Japanese and the train station is really big. So how do you guys manage to do it? I am planning to buy the 21 day train pass, but will it be wiser to buy the 14 days one? I would like to travel, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido and some suggestions from all of you, as seeing those Japanese states really blow my mind up. I am planning to go from the end of November to Mid of December. Is the timing good? How much will it cost? I would like to go to Disneyland and Universal Studio. We are going for a budget-mid cost trip. Can I accomodate in temples, and some special, japanese style hotel, perhaps 2 nights in temples, and 1 night in japanese style hotel, you know... And plz teach me a bit of the train pass, does it goes everywhere in Japan or just Tokyo and Osaka?

MIKE12123 - STOP right there!

One thing at a time. Too many generic questions by you.

First - "I am planning to go from the end of November to Mid of December. Is the timing good?" Have a look at the weather in Japan at this time of year. If you like it cold, then go but be prepared with warm clothes like jackets etc. It's gets much colder than Malaysia.

Second - Rail Pass. Have a look here http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/ and READ the information NOW.

Third - "I would like to travel, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido" PLS PLS PLS have a look at Google maps and see where all these places are. Hokkaido is an island, not a city. Even with the fastest train it will take you 10+ hours to get from Tokyo to Sapporo (on Hokkaido island) with at least 3 train changes! With just 3 weeks, you don't have time to really see Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima AND 'Hokkaido" so I suggest you leave out Hokkaido. Also I would leave out Osaka as there is not that much to see, substitute Kyoto instead.

Fourthly - "Do all of them in Japan speaks only Japanese, not English?" No, English is spoken but really only in major tourist spots and facilities like hotels and theme park.

Lastly, "How much will it cost?" Depends on where you stay and what you eat and drink. Accommodation would probably be the biggest expense ranging from USD$100 upwards of USD$500 per night per room. Food is also much more expensive than Malaysia - a basic bowl of ramen would set you back USD$5 or more.

You need to do more detailed research before heading off to Japan.

The best resource on the web for information about Japan is
www.japan-guide.com

You do have lots of research to do! With 3 of you (how old is the child?) accommodation costs will go up. While some hotels will allow a small child in a room with the parents for no extra charge, many do charge extra. And if it is an older child, you need a "triple" room which costs more. Look at some of the business hotels like Tokyo Inn and Dormy Inn for good prices. Rooms will be small, but very clean.

If you have flexibility with your dates, let me suggest your trip for November, which means you may get to see the koyo (fall colors).

It might be helpful for you to read trip reports: go to the top of the page and choose "View by country" then choose Japan. Look for trip reports.

It's way too early to determine if the rail pass makes sense for you. First you need to decide exactly where you want to go.

What Kathie said.

Except that I think your time would be better spent with japan-guide and a few good guidebooks than with trip reports. Trip reports can, IME, provide great inspiration -- but it sounds like you've already got that covered! So I think it's time to hit the books to learn enough more to make some tough decisions about what you will and won't include....

A few specifics in response to your questions:

> Do all of them in Japan speaks only Japanese, not English?

In most places, you are likely to encounter people -- especially young people -- who speak English. But of course, not everyone will speak English. Do learn at least a few civilities.

"the train station"

You need to do your research! Many places you might want to visit have web-sites that tell you which exits to take and what to do when you leave those exits, and good guidebooks also provide that information. And that information is, indeed, critical to getting where you want to go as easily as possible. Use a GOOD guidebook, or start googling to figure out what YOU need to do.

"Can I accomodate in temples, and some special, japanese style hotel"

If you are willing to pay the price! Look at your options here:
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com

"plz teach me a bit of the train pass"
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html

As others have said, it seems that you have a lot of research to do. Come back with more informed questions when you are ready to do so.

Happy planning!

Great advice above. One more Japan-guide link for you:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400_tokyo_19.html

This is the suggested itineary for a 21 day trip. Personally, it's too many places for me, and not enough time in each. I suggest cutting out Ise, Nagoya,Osaka and Nagasaki, and adding that time to Kyoto. Try to fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka or Fukuoka for less back tracking. Of course, your research and preferences may lead you to a different itinerary, but this is a good starting point. Have fun!

Fascinating, Russ! I travel hard -- and even so, I think that plan looks ridiculously and unpleasantly ambitious to me. I think you've identified the places that would generally make most sense to cut. I guess I'm going to have to start tempering my comments about japan-guide.....

Japan-guide is like the dictionary for travel planning (which I guess makes a well edited itinerary a Haiku).

@ russ_in_LA -- I love your way with words!

>>It's way too early to determine if the rail pass makes sense for you. First you need to decide exactly where you want to go.

That and how long you want to stay in each place.

You do have a lot of homework to do. At some point you will then get to this idea: scratch Hokkaido or fly to/from there.

What are the must go places in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto?

Mike, none of us can tell you what you want to see, this is what you need to figure out. Get to reading about these places!

Hi Mike,

Below are two links from Japan-guide with suggested itineraries in and around Tokyo and Kyoto for what it has deemed the most important/popular sites.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950.html

Allow more time than the itineraries suggest, especially for Kyoto. For my first trip I followed Eastern Kyoto full day (which I split into two days), Arashiyama and Northern Tokyo (with some editing) and added in Nijo Castle and had a very successful Kyoto visit.

As others have suggested, read, read, read Japan-guide from front to back and top to bottom for the areas you would like to visit, edit it down to what interests you. Also read trip reports from the many posters here who regularly answer Japan questions on Fodors. Once you have done so, post focused questions about a specific place or itinerary you have landed on, and you will find that Fodorites will be very helpful filling in the blanks where info might still be missing. Good luck!