Japan in April 2017
 

Dear travelers,

I am interested in traveling to Japan in April 2017. I have the flexibility to go any time in April Is late April better than early?

Also, lets say budget is not an issue, considering that I am gonna travel alone would you suggest taking a tour to Tokyo, Kyoto or to travel alone?

I know that getting from the airport to Tokyo is not very straightforward and I have heard that in Tokyo not that many people speak English, that is why I though maybe a tour would be better. On the other hand I have traveled alone to Europe myself in the past and it was great...

Thanks a lot in advance,
S

There might be advantages to either early or late April, depending on where, exactly, you want to go, as you might hit cherry-blossom season during that time:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

I am among many people who have thoroughly enjoyed visiting Japan solo and independently -- no need to take a tour unless that is your preference.

IME, enough people (especially young people) in Japan, and particularly in the major tourist destinations, speak English so that language should not be a major concern. Learn a few words to ensure that you can be polite; have a pocket dictionary or smart phone/tablet with some translation functions; be sure to have the name of anything you want to visit (and your hotels) written in both English and kanji; etc.

And getting to Tokyo shouldn't be all that difficult, though it depends on which airport and where, exactly, you want to end up in that city
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2017.html

Best advice I can give you at this point is to spend LOTS of time with japan-guide.com, which is the single best available source of information on traveling in that country. You might also want to read some of the trip reports and especially the planning threads on this board.


Enjoy!

Any time in April as long as you leave by the 28th, before Golden Week starts.

Thank you very much. I heard nice things about the cherry blossom season. Is that a time you recommend to be there?

Yes, and that is when you will be there, depending on latitude and elevation. I'm headed to the Kyoto area in early April and expect to see some sakura. Also, to attend Miyako Odori.

Why do you want to go to Japan?

Great question, I have a lot of places on my list including Prague, Vienna, Amalie coast... I went to Italy last year and the year before so although I still wanna go back I think it's time for something different.

I love see food, I love design/style, nature/water and art. Japan offers all. The only thing is learning their transportation system and trying to avoid traffic/crowds as I love to relax on vacations.

The other thing is that I do not know how I will be in Seattle. If I move to east coast or mid west then getting to Japan would not as easy so best to do it before any potential move.


Why do you want to go to Japan?

* seafood. Sorry for the typos

My first trip to Japan was to see a horse race. After I decided to go I studied the country and a bit of the language and had a great.

Japan is a great place for seefood. As far as "design/style, nature/water and art" goes, I will feign and ask you what you mean by that in terms of a visit to Japan.

My advice at this point is to take, at least, the best advice that kja gave you.

@ mrwunrfl: :-)

You are an experienced traveler so Japan solo should not be a problem. Like kja, I found it to be a piece of cake. No need for tours, whether in the big cities or out in the countryside. And while yes, the west coast is closest in terms of distance, we here in the Midwest have direct flights to Tokyo, including here in Minneapolis, along with Chicago and probably Detroit.

:) right back

Tokyo is the largest metropolis in the world and not a day at the beach as far as relaxing goes

corrections with no apologies, because you already figured it out:
... had a great time.
... feign ignorance ...

Yes, I heard Kyoto is more relaxed than Tokyo.

As for nature, I am attracted to rivers, lakes and greenery. For example Stanley park in Vancouver, Arno river in Florence or all the water in Venice took my heart away.

As for style and design, I mean beauty. For example in Florence you will see so many beautifully designed clothes, shoes and accessories. I know that Japan has a lot of cute stuff which especially nice for petite people like me.

As for art, temples, museums and other type of historical monuments count.


When I went to time few years ago I found it less relaxing than girls example Florence or Venice. It was the traffic and congestion that I disliked. On the other hand I would enjoy 3-4 days by any beach area but beyond that I would get bored. I thought that with Tokyos advanced transportation system one could potentially beat the traffic. Isn't that true?

Correction: when I went to Rome* few years ago...

"I thought that with Tokyos advanced transportation system one could potentially beat the traffic. Isn't that true?"

Tokyo has a very efficient public transportation system, but with so many people using it every day, congestion is inevitable -- even without considering traffic on the streets. (You are, perhaps, aware of Tokyo's subway "pushers"?)

Tokyo is justifiably well-known for its cutting edge in certain aspects of style and design; it is not a city for those who want an escape crowds, explore nature, or seek beach time. But you can take a boat ride on the Sumida River or find a niche or two away from the crowds in one of more of the cities parks, gardens, temples, or shrines. Again, please see japan-guide.com

And remember -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Only you can decide, based on your research, what you want to see the things that Japan offers in any of its many and very different locations.

The guide is great. Thank you

Indeed -- I wish there was a japan-guide.com for every country! It really is a tremendous resource. Enjoy!

Kja, you have no idea how often I've wished exactly that!!!!

>> As far as "design/style, nature/water and art" goes ...

Thanks for the reply to that, august77, but it was not in terms of Japan. Am saying that you have homework to do

>>beat the traffic. Isn't that true?
I was not referring to traffic. Subways, trains in Tokyo can get crowded.

Meiji Jingu is a relaxing spot in Tokyo.

Will do the home work. It is very fun yo learn about thus country....

Yes!
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

I was thinking march 27th till April 7th; 7 days in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto. I thought this will be the best time to see the cherry blossoms...any thoughts?

Also let's say budget is not an issue, would you vote for any of the hotels next to the impartial palaces?

That's more time for Tokyo and less for Kyoto than I would want, but then, it's not my trip. ;-) It really depends on what YOU want to see and experience.

Where to stay is also a matter of personal preference. For my particular interests in these cities, staying near their respective imperial palaces would <u>not</u> have been a good plan. Your trip, your call.

What are you favorite areas that you enjoyed staying nearby?

For my interests in Kyoto, I prefer to stay in the Kawaramachi district.

For my interests in Tokyo, I prefer to stay near Ueno Park and its museums or in Asakusa.

JMO.

Please note that the OP has another thread going:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...oto-timing.cfm

Would it be better to stay in tokyo first or kyoto? I am coming from Seattle

Have you checked the cherry blossom predictions?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html

In Tokyo, I like staying in Asakusa, especially on our last trip this April - Asakusa was more lively than it was during a previous stay there a few years earlier.

We have also spent a couple of nights in Shinjuku, our first two nights in Japan on our first trip in 2012. We liked it as a first place to stay, though it might not be my choice now. If you have 5 nights in Tokyo, you could easily do 2 in one place and 3 in another.

Didn't love Tokyo Station as a location, personally.

In Kyoto, I also prefer Kawaramachi and my usual choice is close to the cross between Kawaramachi Dori and Sanjo Dori. It's good for local buses, local metro, there are lots and lots of local restaurants and bars within walking distance, and shopping as well.

I have booked the palace hotel in Tokyo and it looks pretty good. I will report when I return...