Japan August 2016 Basics
Feb 16th, 2016, 08:51 PM
#21
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If the affordable ryokans in Miyajima are no longer available, check booking.com to see your options, ryokan or not. Honestly, if you can stay on that island overnight, I don't think you'll regret it.
If you still want to try for a ryokan on a limited budget somewhere during your trip, look at booking.com and select "ryokan" as the type of lodging. I'd recommend opting for just one night, even if in a city where you have multiple nights, as they don't suit everybody, can cost more than other lodging, and may interfere with limited sightseeing opportunities (because you may need to be at the ryokan by late afternoon to experience its meal). JMO. But also JMO, if you can make experiencing a ryokan part of your time in Japan, do so!
For guides, I personally would not pay for one in Japan -- you have lots of options for FREE knowledgeable people who want the chance to practice speaking English for nothing other than the chance to share their knowledge, paid admission to the sites they show you, and the cost of any meals you share. The GoodWill guides are run through Japan's National Tourism Organization and are quite reputable:
www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/gu…
Just be sure not to offer anything other than nominal gifts -- gift-giving norms in Japan are a bit complicated!
If you still want to try for a ryokan on a limited budget somewhere during your trip, look at booking.com and select "ryokan" as the type of lodging. I'd recommend opting for just one night, even if in a city where you have multiple nights, as they don't suit everybody, can cost more than other lodging, and may interfere with limited sightseeing opportunities (because you may need to be at the ryokan by late afternoon to experience its meal). JMO. But also JMO, if you can make experiencing a ryokan part of your time in Japan, do so!
For guides, I personally would not pay for one in Japan -- you have lots of options for FREE knowledgeable people who want the chance to practice speaking English for nothing other than the chance to share their knowledge, paid admission to the sites they show you, and the cost of any meals you share. The GoodWill guides are run through Japan's National Tourism Organization and are quite reputable:
www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/gu…
Just be sure not to offer anything other than nominal gifts -- gift-giving norms in Japan are a bit complicated!
Feb 16th, 2016, 09:46 PM
#22
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Take my recommendations for Kyoto with a pinch of salt since my requirements for a hotel are at a different level to the Park Hyatt / Westin / Mandarin Oriental...
On our second trip I got a deal at Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa - that's a fancy name for a regular hotel but the room we were assigned for our 5 nights was large, recently refurbished (2012) and the location was absolutely superb for us. And I got a deal on booking.com which made it 9,000 Yen a night!!!
We also like the budget chains such as Dormy (which we've used several times across 2 Japan trips). We go for the larger room type available and have always found the rooms comfortable, well laid out to maximise space and again, well-located. These are like your budget Formule 1 / Ibis in France, perhaps I'd think of them like motel in US, though as everywhere in Japan, space is more of a premium than in the US.
For my first trip I happened to get decent rate at Granvia for 3 nights, but that's certainly more spendy. The room there was absolutely no better than my Kyoto Royal and their ancillaries (breakfast, food, bar) were far more expensive, in fact we chose not to use them at all.
For Miyajima, really really hope you can find a way to overnight there. It doesn't have to be in a ryokan, you could have that experience somewhere else. I do think a traditional ryokan is something you should do once. As for the futons, you can ask them to make the bed up with double futon underneath for each person.
On our second trip I got a deal at Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa - that's a fancy name for a regular hotel but the room we were assigned for our 5 nights was large, recently refurbished (2012) and the location was absolutely superb for us. And I got a deal on booking.com which made it 9,000 Yen a night!!!
We also like the budget chains such as Dormy (which we've used several times across 2 Japan trips). We go for the larger room type available and have always found the rooms comfortable, well laid out to maximise space and again, well-located. These are like your budget Formule 1 / Ibis in France, perhaps I'd think of them like motel in US, though as everywhere in Japan, space is more of a premium than in the US.
For my first trip I happened to get decent rate at Granvia for 3 nights, but that's certainly more spendy. The room there was absolutely no better than my Kyoto Royal and their ancillaries (breakfast, food, bar) were far more expensive, in fact we chose not to use them at all.
For Miyajima, really really hope you can find a way to overnight there. It doesn't have to be in a ryokan, you could have that experience somewhere else. I do think a traditional ryokan is something you should do once. As for the futons, you can ask them to make the bed up with double futon underneath for each person.
Feb 17th, 2016, 09:34 AM
#23
>>How soon prior to our departure do I need to purchase the JR pass?
Any time prior to departure to Japan.
I really enjoyed staying at Momijiso. Only thing was that, by 7:30PM or so, I was wishing I was in the city.
You can try again later for Momijiso. Hakone would be a good place for a ryokan stay with an onsen.
There is no baseball on August 8, which I think is the night that you would be in Hiroshima. If I read the J-ball schedule correctly then the Carp will be at home the 3 days before and three days after the 8th. They are in a new stadium near JR Hiroshima station and the Sheraton.
http://www.japanballtickets.com/japa...le_august.html
Any time prior to departure to Japan.
I really enjoyed staying at Momijiso. Only thing was that, by 7:30PM or so, I was wishing I was in the city.
You can try again later for Momijiso. Hakone would be a good place for a ryokan stay with an onsen.
There is no baseball on August 8, which I think is the night that you would be in Hiroshima. If I read the J-ball schedule correctly then the Carp will be at home the 3 days before and three days after the 8th. They are in a new stadium near JR Hiroshima station and the Sheraton.
http://www.japanballtickets.com/japa...le_august.html
Feb 17th, 2016, 11:22 AM
#24
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Unfortunately, no baseball on Mondays, but watching the Carps at home is a lot of fun (even in the rain).
You can get the rail pass up to three months before you need to exchange it. With end of July dates, that means you could get it in May (earliest).
Great you get to use the Marriot points. I haven't bothered to stay on Miyajima yet (normally at the Sheraton or Granvia back in Hiroshima), but there are other good value hotels there - I booked the ANA Crowne for some guests last year and they liked it (less than US100/night). That particular trip we did the Hiroshima to Narita transfer - made for a tedious day, but often departure days are like that anyway.
Futons are quite comfortable - it's just a bit different.
And some ideas for Kyoto - Sakura Terrace can be pretty cheap for a comfortable hotel (I've stayed there a few times), and the New Miyako is a good location. My other favourites might be outside the price you are wanting to spend. The MyStays is another place I use a bit (I'll be there twice in April).
You can get the rail pass up to three months before you need to exchange it. With end of July dates, that means you could get it in May (earliest).
Great you get to use the Marriot points. I haven't bothered to stay on Miyajima yet (normally at the Sheraton or Granvia back in Hiroshima), but there are other good value hotels there - I booked the ANA Crowne for some guests last year and they liked it (less than US100/night). That particular trip we did the Hiroshima to Narita transfer - made for a tedious day, but often departure days are like that anyway.
Futons are quite comfortable - it's just a bit different.
And some ideas for Kyoto - Sakura Terrace can be pretty cheap for a comfortable hotel (I've stayed there a few times), and the New Miyako is a good location. My other favourites might be outside the price you are wanting to spend. The MyStays is another place I use a bit (I'll be there twice in April).
Feb 17th, 2016, 11:31 AM
#25
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Lot's of great advice for your trip. Haven't been to Japan in August for many years, but one of the great summer treats is kaki gori, Japanese style shaved ice. Many ways to have it, plain with syrup, with fruit, ice cream, perhaps sweet azuki beans. Wonderful way to refresh yourself on a hot, humid day.
http://jqrmag.com/en/feature/shaved-...-for-summer/2/
http://jqrmag.com/en/feature/shaved-...-for-summer/2/
Feb 17th, 2016, 06:35 PM
#26
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I am pleased to announce the booking of a ryokan on Miyajima. Phew.
Working on Kyoto tonight with all the new great recommendations... We can probably afford the Granvia for 2-3 nights if we use points for the Westin 2-3 nights. Which raises a new question...
Booking.com clearly spelled out that the ryokan is cash only, pay on site. When traveling abroad, we usually charge everything for convenience, protection (dispute charges, avoid loss of cash) and best exchange rate (although cash out of an ATM without a fee is slightly better).
Are credit cards widely accepted? The best method? Is it easy to get cash at ATMs? So many details to learn with this new, foreign destination.
I'm also excited to look into the Goodwill tour thing..
Working on Kyoto tonight with all the new great recommendations... We can probably afford the Granvia for 2-3 nights if we use points for the Westin 2-3 nights. Which raises a new question...
Booking.com clearly spelled out that the ryokan is cash only, pay on site. When traveling abroad, we usually charge everything for convenience, protection (dispute charges, avoid loss of cash) and best exchange rate (although cash out of an ATM without a fee is slightly better).
Are credit cards widely accepted? The best method? Is it easy to get cash at ATMs? So many details to learn with this new, foreign destination.
I'm also excited to look into the Goodwill tour thing..
Feb 17th, 2016, 06:53 PM
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Congratulations on booking a ryokan in Miyajima! I don't think you'll regret it.
Payment for ryokan is normally cash only paid in advance. For other hotels and for most restaurants, I did not have trouble with credit cards that I recall (which doesn't mean much of anything), but be sure to check the options at the places YOU have reserved and don't be surprised to be asked to charge your full stay at the start of your stay. And be sure to let your CC companies know, in advance, that you will be using your cards in Japan.
ATMs that accept US credit cards are widely available at post offices and 7/11s in Japan, though rarely elsewhere. Here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
If you have a question, just check japan-guide -- almost everything is covered there!
Payment for ryokan is normally cash only paid in advance. For other hotels and for most restaurants, I did not have trouble with credit cards that I recall (which doesn't mean much of anything), but be sure to check the options at the places YOU have reserved and don't be surprised to be asked to charge your full stay at the start of your stay. And be sure to let your CC companies know, in advance, that you will be using your cards in Japan.
ATMs that accept US credit cards are widely available at post offices and 7/11s in Japan, though rarely elsewhere. Here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
If you have a question, just check japan-guide -- almost everything is covered there!
Feb 18th, 2016, 11:55 AM
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Many ryokan operate pretty low margins so do not want to incur the credit card fees. One of the places I usually stay I have the option for credit card, but I try to have cash for the stay.
Elsewhere, hotels and major stores should be fine with CC. Smaller stores, and a lot of restaurants do not take CC, or do not take overseas issued cards - the situation is getting better.
ATMs, better to use a debit card than credit card and 7/11's (and JPpost) are common enough you shouldn't have too many problems. You can take USD and exchange at Narita (make sure you use an actual bank and not a cash-window) and you'll probably be a few yen ahead of getting cash before you leave.
Elsewhere, hotels and major stores should be fine with CC. Smaller stores, and a lot of restaurants do not take CC, or do not take overseas issued cards - the situation is getting better.
ATMs, better to use a debit card than credit card and 7/11's (and JPpost) are common enough you shouldn't have too many problems. You can take USD and exchange at Narita (make sure you use an actual bank and not a cash-window) and you'll probably be a few yen ahead of getting cash before you leave.
