japan suggestions for second trip
 

i'm hoping that some of the experts here can give some advice on a second tour of Japan. Two years ago (Nov. 2-17) we spent 16 days in Japan...Tokyo, Nikko, Kamakura, Kyoto, Nara, Uji (Byodo-in),Koya-san, Himeji,Osaka were the main destinations of that trip. We stayed at the Shigetsu ryokan in Tokyo and Westin Miyako in Kyoto...saw the wonderful momiji...this time (late March/Early April 2005) we hope to see some cherry blossoms...but we are very interested in advice on other locations ...Kanazawa, Kurashiki, Tsumago, Matsue, etc...(yes, we know that we still have things to see in Tokyo/Kyoto as 16 days wasn't enough the first time!)

restaurants, onsen, museums, gardens/parks,cultural sights...all suggestions welcome...

we thought about hitting some of the gardens on this list:

http://www.jgarden.org/articles_jojg.asp?ID=417

anybody ever stay here?
http://www.minami-g.co.jp/minamikan/

or visit:
http://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/

i realize such general questions sometimes don't get much response on this board...but i'm keeping my fingers crossed...

thanks, greg

I think I would want to fly into Osaka if I was travelling in March when the sumo tournament was being held. Sounds like you might be too late for that.

I'll suggest going to Hiroshima and Miyajima. I think that the garden in Kumamoto is fairly famous. Would definitely head to Nagasaki. Maybe catch a baseball game in Fukuoka, if possible. More elsewhere in Kyushu, depending on the sakuranbo.

I will leave it for KimJapan to suggest her home town and S-go, etc.

OK :) I certainly suggest Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawa-go...you can see a lot of Japan that isn't big city...very different from Tokyo and Kyoto areas.

Since i'm a bit short on time, I can't type a long message today...I suggest you click on my name to fine all my messages and go through them. There are tons of past messages from me and many others with lots of good info for you.

Thanks for the suggestions...I know we'll have difficult time pulling ourselves away from Tokyo..that city is truly mesmerizing.

greg

Hi Greg,

I was in Japan this summer and with the advise from the folks on this board had a great time. The highlight of my trip was the visit to the Miho museum (http://www.miho.or.jp/english/)You may catch a re run of the video showing the history of the place, etc. in the Ovation channel. A second highlight (how many highlights do I get???) is the Hakone Open Air Museum. They are truly hidden gems, way out of the tourist path.

I am thinking of going in late winter again...so much I loved Japan!

Susana

Hi Susana,

Many thanks for the suggestion...I had a friend come back from Japan a year or so ago and say the same about the Miho...so it appears we'll have to put this on the agenda!

Thanks, Greg

Hi,

We're planning to go about the same time as you Greg. What is it that people say about the Miho that makes it so spectacular? I went on the site but its not that descriptive... although, I'm almost sold anyway. I am a sucker for anything IM Pei. 70 minutes from Kyoto? Did I read that right?

I used to live in Japan and I have to agree about Hakone Open Air Museum, to this day, its one of my favorite museums in the world. There is nothing like it.

I'd also recommend Hida Takayama for a look into a more traditional Japan. And Gero Onsen is close by. Actually has anyone ever stayed at Yunoshimakan? I'm thinking of going there myself.

The Miho Museum was also the highlight of our trip. It's a must see.

I also loved Kanazawa. Wished we had spent more time there.

Takayama I felt was over rated. It was by far the most touristy place we went.

And I'd spend more time in Kyoto. We were there for two weeks and barely scratched the surface.