the_king_from_leon

I am leaving in 2 weeks exactly today (will land in Japan on Wed 22nd) and I have to plan a 3 week holiday (returning 12th May), I could really do with some help as to where to travel to. I have a friend who is in Tokyo and we can stay with him (its me and my girlfriend travelling).

My plan was to buy a 2 week JR Rail Pass and try and see some of the more interesting parts of Japan, however the guidebooks which I am reading make it all sound amazing! Which will leave us 1 week to spend with my friend in Tokyo.

We are also thinking of going up to Matsumae as apparently we may still be able to see the cherry blossom at the start of May, if anyone can tell me any dates when they think it should be getting up there it would really help!

Other things I want to do is go to the Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on the 11th May, and see the Yomiuri Giants play on the 10th. I would also like to eat fugu and Kobe beef, so any advise on wheres good to eat that would be appreciated.

The real kicker is that I am also looking to try and do this on the cheaper side of things, I just cant afford the high end prices around!

Thank you all for what will probably be one of the most interesting organisations of a holiday I can do!

Felix

Alec

I suggest you avoid the May Golden Week (28 April to 5 May) when you do your travels, staying in Tokyo instead. Transport will be crowded, hotels raise their rates and will be heavily booked, and it's crowded just about anywhere that's picturesque and culturally-rich.
Sumo tickets shouldn't be a problem at the start of the tournament (begins 10th May), but get your friend to book tickets for you in advance - easily done through box office or convenience stores. Same with Giants tickets - demand will be high as it's on a Sunday.
Ask your friend to check details on http://www.sumo.or.jp/ticket/tokyo.html
Kobe beef, together with other high-end beef products like Konoe beef, will be very expensive (genuine article, not fakes). Expect to pay between 10,000 to 20,000 yen (more like the latter) for a set course including Kobe or Konoe beef. Fugu will be more accessible - 5000 to 10,000 yen for a set.

the_king_from_leon

Thanks for the info, unfortunately my guess would be that we are going to have to do most of our travelling during May Golden week just due to the dates that we are out there on, It wont make a massive issue about the crowded transport we are more than used to that over here in the UK!

Thanks for the info on Kobe and Fugu thats very helpful, what parts of the country do you advise to check out?

Alec

If you are travelling during Golden Week, I suggest you book your accommodation ASAP - many places will probaby be already full or near full. You should be able to travel despite crowding - most trains have unreserved carriages so you can get a seat just by waiting on platfom, esp if you join at the start of their journey. But getting seat reservation even a day or two in advance will make life easier and comfortable (free with JR Pass). If you haven't bought the exchange order for JR Pass, may I suggest http://www.tteuk.com/japan-rail-pass/ - just about the cheapest source in UK. If you live in London, go in person and pay with debit card - otherwise there's postage and handling of £5 per pass.
As for places to visit, Kyoto, Nara for sure; Mount Koya; Takayama, Kanazawa, Matsumoto; Himeji (castle isn't covered up for restoration yet!) and Hiroshima with Miyajima. Near Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone and Kamakura. If you still have time, try Tohoku - less crowded and lots of natural beauty. Just about any part of japan has local, specially-reared beef herds that are as good as more famous (and overpriced) Kobe or Konoe beef. Just ask for wagyu (Japanese beef). Mecca for fugu is areas around Yamaguchi-ken like Shimonoseki, but is available anywhere.

the_king_from_leon

Thank you soo much that seems to be the most useful information I have heard about it, I will get on with booking places ASAP, do you know where is the best place to look at train schedules? Also do you have any idea if there will still be any cherry blossom spots during those dates? Its something the girlfriend really wants to see!

Alec

For Tokyo - Kansai - Hioshima - Kyushu, look at JR Central and West JR sites. For Central and northern Japan (including around Tokyo) see JR East site. www.hyperdia.com has train schedules in English, in the form of a journey planner.
You will only find cherry blossoms on higher elevation in Tohoku or Hokkaido. See reports and forecast on http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html

the_king_from_leon

Does anyone know of a place to stay in Morioka? It seems like the cherry blossom will just be in full bloom when we arrive there?

the_king_from_leon

Also does anyone have a good website for searching for Guesthouses in Japan? Id rather stay in B&B/guesthouses than hotels if possible

mrwunrfl

www.itcj.jp for some inexpensive lodging
www.japaneseguesthouses.com

There is an inexpensive place at Kakunodate station. Good cb viewing there I am told.

you can still use hyperdia.com for all Japan travel, or did that change Alec?

Shimonoseki would be the place to go for fugu. There is a small fish market that you can visit. I am not sure if it is fugu season when you are in Japan. But most fugu in Japan is now farm raised so it is always available. Having tried it, I think that the reason to eat fugu is because it is fugu and not because it is good. It is not bad, just that I would rather eat fish that I enjoy.

Besides Kobe beef there are other local beefs around, like Yonezawa beef or Iwate beef. Try the local beef when you head north from Tokyo looking for cherry blossoms.

hawaiiantraveler

You have been very fortunate to have the excellent recommendations of Alec and mrwunrfl

If it were me, I would head up to Kakunodate as mrwunrfl suggests. You are fortunate to be planning so late, then maybe unfortunate in trying to get a hotel reservation. You can make your shinkansen reservations now online(I would) if you are traveling north of Tokyo

http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation...menu/menu.aspx

Head to Kakunodate around April 21-25, maybe you will be the lucky one

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html

After Kakunodate you should head to Hirosaki. I would guess that Hirosaki would be in full bloom this year about or around April 24-May 3

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r.../hirosaki.html

These two places are the best viewing spots in N Tohoku and you are there at the right times. Hope you can make it.

In Kakunodate try the JR Folkloro Hotel at the station. In Hirosaki there is a Toyoko Hotel and Best Western right outside the station entrance. The Best Western is more convenient for the English speaking traveler but both are more than adequate. I stayed at the BW in Hirosaki last April 2008 for cherry blossoms. It was unbelievable, the best cherry blossoms I have ever seen.

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/selectHotel.do

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00164/index.html

Read my last trip report for more info

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ossom-tour.cfm

Aloha!

the_king_from_leon

Thanks everyone this is really helpful, I am starting to be able to put together a trip now! Even though its clearly going to miss out a few bits here and there just due to the time restraints!

Can someone please let me know if there is a good onsen near Aomori or between Aomori and Tokyo? Or even somewhere which is near enough Mt. Fuji as I would love to see it, not necessarily climb it.

Thanks a lot in advance for your amazing responses!

Felix

joyinjapan

to help keep things cheap, buying obento in supermarkets will save you a lot instead of eating in cafes or restaurants. obentos get marked down after dinnertime, and up to fifty percent one hour after closing (10pm for most supermarkets). you can also try those quick soba, ramen or donburi places where you get a ticket from a vending machine before you go in. stop a passing japanese for help with the items.

100 yen stores all over carry drinks, snacks, personal items, souvenirs, just about everything.

have a good visit in japan. blessings!

hawaiiantraveler

>Can someone please let me know if there is a good onsen near Aomori or between Aomori and Tokyo?<

By onsen I assume you are looking a ryokan or place to stay in an onsen village?
If so I can recommend this minshuku we stayed in two years ago. This place is simply magic.

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/ak...unoyuonsen.htm

Some other info on onsens

http://www.onsenjapan.net/index.php

http://www.onsenexpress.com/site/dis...displaypage=20

Aloha!