Japan Trip September 2012
 

Two active seniors looking to plan a 3or 4 week trip to Japan. What are the "must sees", and what are some wonderful surprises. We enjoy museums,(although we don't know much about Asian art,) classical music, gardens, culture, architecture, folk art, and ancient peoples. How long shall we spend in Tokyo? (is it best to fly into Tokyo to begin). How long in Kyoto. How much luggage can we take, and use trains. Anyone have the names of good local guides? We were in Nagasaki, with a cruise two years ago and want to explore more. If we were to go in March for "Cherry Blossoms" are there just too many people? We can go any time. Thanks

Hi @micarda. Your trip sounds wonderful!
One gem I wouldn't miss, is Horyuji Complex (in Nara). This is the oldest wooden structure in the world, predating China's Nanchan Si temple (Wutai Shan, China) by 70 years; this Tang period (618-906) temple is a must-see site and easily accessible by train from Kyoto.
If you are interested in brushing up on Japanese art and architecture, this book may help: http://ow.ly/3MCSV
Enjoy!

Thank you App. Guides. It sounds (and looks) great. How much time would you allow? Another thought is the Samurai culture. Where in Japan would we find it's history?
Thanks again Micarda

Hi Micarda.
We took a day trip from Kyoto to visit Nara, which was enough for the visit. Kyoto is beautiful and we spent four days exploring the temples and gardens.
I unfortunately don't have much information on Samurai, but saw many books on Amazon I am now thinking of buying. :-)
Enjoy your trip!

Thank you very much for your help

Do you like to stay in one place (and do some day trips) or move around a bit and see different places? Or some combination?

If you travel around then you really want/need to keep to one rollaboard apiece. Japan has a marvelous baggage delivery service called takkyubin which is as inexpensive as it is efficient.

I agree about Horyuji as well as the famous sites of Nara. There are many castles in Japan, some restored, some reconstructed (with elevators in some). These often have samurai armor and arms on display.

Based on what I have read, and my experience, I think that the first three weeks of April would be better than March. May and November are very good times to go.

You can certainly find everything that you enjoy in Japan, even classical <i>Japanese</i> music.

Your OP is very broad and I think you might do well to spend some time at www.jnto.go.jp to find out more. Japan is big on festivals.

I would recommend going to the Edo Tokyo museum, as that museum has exhibits that show the evolution and transformation of Edo from medieval times to the super metropolis of Tokyo. Tokyo has loads of art and other museums and it might be worth your while getting the Tokyo Museum Pass, which gives you discounted entry to a number of Tokyo's museums.

Thank you to both mrwunrfl, and Sydney2K. I'm not sure I can do 1 roller bag for 3 1/2-4 1/2 weeks. I will for sure look into the "takkyubin" service. We're thinking that we would like to stay put in about 4 or 5 locals then maybe do an overnights out of town. Starting in the North and working south. W're thinking fall now. Is October too early to catch any of the fall color? Are there just as many crowds in April as in November. We would have o put off the trip for an additional 6 months to do spring. Is there an air pass available? Thanks again

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html

Here's some info on discount air travel within Japan - there are tickets you can buy in advance before you leave in conjunction with your flight to and from Japan as well as tickets you can buy in advance with some good discounts - check out the sites for JAL and ANA for more info.....

Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku would be nice in October, so would the Japan Alps areas.... See here for the details on about when the fall foliage (koyo)happens in Japan.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_when.html

I have been to Japan in the fall a few times now and did a report if you are interested.....

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...japan-2009.cfm

The Spring or Fall are our favorite times to travel in Japan. More crowds in the cherry blossom season but the koyo viewers have their crowds too. Use the takkuhaibin service mentioned above to move your luggage around ahead of you and you should be fine. See here for more detail:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

You can also click on my screen name and read some of the other reports on our travels throughout Japan we've done at other times of the year to get a better perspective and maybe some info about Japan travel. Come back with any questions!

Aloha!

Thanks, it's raining here so its a good day to read.

Have a look at the Ueno museum as well. Great for Japanese art. ANybody who has other advices ...

thank you ccmelk noted, I will check into it.