Male, 52, solo: step 1, so far so good...
 

Hi all, here's a follow up on my former topic. I did alter my initial ideas a bit. Please advice and or suggest on my itinerary (total length of stay two weeks, including flights from/to Europe, first time visit):

I sort of decided on a forked ticket, inbound Osaka, outbound Tokyo. Buy me a JR Kansai pass to travel to Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. I reserved 4-5 days for this but I probably should reserve more days, please advise on Kobe (and Osaka), maybe skip these in favour of Nara and Kyoto. Follow one of the sushi making workshops and sightseeing. Next would be to take Nozomi/Shinkansen to Tokyo. Should I layover in one of the stops? (Although I haven't found the stops yet...) Then in Tokyo get me a Tokyo subway ticket for multiple days. I would like to stay in Tokyo for 3-4 nights I think.

I got a couple of questions:
Should I reverse in-/outbound cities? Any reason why i shouldn't do a forked ticket? (Price wise there is no difference.)
Is shopping (for clothes mainly, perhaps some nice design utensils) more expensive in Tokyo then the other major cities? Does Tokyo offer more choice? Or are all the major cities more or less comparable?

You should definitely do an open-jaw ticket. (I've never heard the term "forked" for this type of ticket - where are you from?) It doesn't really matter which city is first. Look carefully at the various rail passes - in general, they don't make sense unless you are doing a lot of traveling while you are there. Don't just assume the rail pass will save you money.

With two weeks, you will likely want 5-6 days for Kyoto/Nara. We skipped Kobe and Osaka. Take a good look at www.japan-guide.com to help you decide which places to visit, which to skip. There is so much to see and do in Japan, we found we had to be careful not to try to cram in too many destinations. And I wouldn't bother to layover on your relatively short train journey between Kyoto and Tokyo.

Thank U Kathie! And you're right, I'm from The Netherlands and I got lost in translation from German booking site...

Any thoughts on the shopping side to Kyoto/Tokyo?

I agree with Kathie -- an open jaw flight makes tremendous sense and if you have any interest in traditional Japan, then give Kyoto and Nara at least 5 or 6 full days.

There are a few things you might consider before deciding where to start and end: For example, if you are hoping to see the cherry blossoms or fall leaves, then you should take that into consideration. There may be special events in one city or the other that you might want to visit. Etc.

I can't answer your questions on shopping -- I'm not a shopper.

If by "design utensils" you mean silverware, knives, etc. then I would highly recommend Kappabashi in Tokyo. Nishiki Market in Kyoto is also fun. I bought a wonderful 5" santoku knife in Kappabashi on my first trip and hope to find a nice sashimi knife on my trip this coming Spring.

I'm not a shopper either, but if you are thinking about clothes you may have a problem with sizes. I am an aging English woman, but I am taller than most Japanese, often by quite a bit.

We found interesting "design" items in both Kyoto and Tokyo, but we didn't do a lot of shopping in Japan. I can simply confirm for you that you will find things in both cities. I do agree with Thursdays that unless you are "Japanese-sized" you may find clothing shopping frustrating.

Booked! Open jaw ticket, to Osaka and from Tokyo. In between Nara (two nights), Kyoto (five nights), Nagano (two nights in ryokan) and finally 6 nights in Tokyo. All nights but Tokyo booked.

I will have to adapt my interests on the shopping due to my length...

You have a good start to your planning. Consider that you might want to take a day trip from Tokyo, as you have plenty of time there. Lots of possibilities.

FWIW, Tokyo itself isn't worth much more than3 full days, IMHO. Kathie's point about day trips is a good one, with Kamakura and Nikko being the most common. Since you are going to be in Nagano, give consideration to a day/night in Matsumoto. The castle is absolutely breathtaking and they have a small, pleasant merchants' district.

Good progress!

Many people visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo; I was glad to spend a night there.

Just great to hear all the suggestions, thank you! I will for sure make trips from Tokyo, Nikko is one of the many options I'll take into consideration. After Nagano I haven't booked anything yet, so I'm flexible on the rest of the nights. I'll have a look into Matsumoto.

Busy working on my itinerary. It has never ever been that detailed, thx to Hyperdia and google maps.

On traveling by train: I've read about the ticket buying procedure, I expect it to be somewhat overwhelming, but I'll manage. (The one thing I'm not sure about is knowing when to get off, I haven't read anything on the signs inside the trains are also presented in English.) Am I right that it would be wise to have a printed version (or photo on phone) of my train routes? Or how did you went with it?

Most trains will have electronic signs and will at least tell you the next station in English shortly before you get tere. Important trains will have an announcement in English as well. I have been on a couple of minor trains with no English, and of course commuter rail may have no announcements in any language. However, I keep track on the maps app on my smart phone. If you aren't traveling with a smart phone you may want to print/copy the train timetable. And maybe plan to pattern match the characters for your destination.

Train travel, both within major cities and intra-city was surprisingly easy.

Just what I needed, thx Thursdays!

When I bought tickets, I simply printed out the trains I wanted from hyperdia. This made purchasing the tickets very easy. But my tickets were printed in Japanese and I couldn't tell which tickets were for which trains. I had the concierge at my hotel write down for me what the tickets were for. I then found out that if you ask, the tickets can be printed in English. I later had the remaining tickets printed in English.

All of the trains I traveled on had an electronic sign showing the next station in both Japanese and English.

You can always look out the window when the train arrives at a station and look for the station name in English on a sign above the platform.

Make sure to get your JR tickets printed in English. Say it or write it.

I just saw your post, Kathie. I was thinking of you when I wrote the post that followed.

All tickets in Japanese... Thank you for sharing and hopefully saving other travellers a panic attack!
You mention 'asking', do you mean that the ticket vending machines also have the option to print them in English? (If not, do you know if it's possible?)

And yes, I thought about reading the signs outside, but then thinking about getting my things together, unlock luggage etc. I definitely don't want to jeopardize their on-time percentage. Does one have enough time for getting out? Is there a standard x minute wait before leaving again?

You are worrying way to much about this. Traveling on Japanese trains is easy and fun, and this is advice coming from an uptight traveler.

May I add:

1. I always purchase the tickets from the live guy in the booth, rather than the machine, so I can make sure I get it right.

2. There are always a bunch of employees standing by to direct you to the right track.

3. I keep my ticket in my hand, and virtually every Japanese person will be glad to help you.

4. I count the number of stops, in addition to looking at the signs. I also go by my watch and the expected arrival time.

5. I never miss an opportunity to start a conversation with someone near me on the train. Most people love helping and pointing out my stops.

Part of traveling in Japan is the ease of logistics, and you need to relax about that part. Just arrive at the train stations in plenty of time.

What California Lady said....x's 10!

Regarding your question about exiting the train, I always ask the conductor early on which door, right or left side, will be used when I exit. Then I begin gathering my stuff after we leave the previous stop, and I go stand by the proper door. It is easy to walk around on a moving Japanese train.

>> unlock luggage

Huh? What do you mean?

I need to adjust last part of the title of this topic into something like '(close to) travel zen style'...

Thank u CaliforniaLady for sharing your experience, handy tips!

About the unlocking, I thought the trains don't have an overbin (if that's a correct word, meaning over your head storage compartment). But a central luggage storage facility somewhere in the wagon instead. On those racks there is a sort of lock wire to prevent fellow tourist take your luggage by accident. Appears not to be the case?

There is overhead storage on all of the trains I rode. But if you want specifics, look at the Man in Seat 61 website. There are luggage storage areas at the ends of the cars, particularly on the Narita Express.

I have only seen separate storage areas in the front part of the car in the Narita Express, as Kathie said, and they have some sort of cable lock that the passenger can set up with a password/number. I've never used it though as my suitcase is small enough to fit in adjacent to my legs at the seat....

I really would not worry about the security of your luggage on a Japanese train, or most anywhere else in the country.

All of my train tickets have been printed in English without me asking. I always write everything down and hand the paper to the clerk:

Date. From place to place, From time to time, Name of train. Reserved seat window.

The shinkansen stops are brief, othes more leisurely. I have had one commuter train run late, everthing else on time, so you can go by time. But this trip I am relying on my smart phone.

Thought of some more.

If you are making a connection, put it all one piece of paper (if it will fit, lol).

Main start and end places and overall time, and then each section, places and times. If you are not using a pass you will get one ticket for the whole trip, and one seat ticket for each leg. If you are using a pass you just get the seat tickets.

At the ticket gates, if you are using a pass you do not go through the gates, you show your pass to a person, usually in an office off to the side. You may need to show the seat ticket to the conductor on the train.

If you do not have a pass you will need to feed the main ticket and the first seat ticket into the ticket gate at the start. If you change from a shinkansen to an ordinary train you will need to feed the main ticket, the shinkansen seat ticket and the ordinary seat ticket into the transfer gate together...

There will be an official standing around who can help! And English on the signs.

IIRC, there were signs in Japanese and English at each JR station showing not only the name of the current station (larger, in the center), but also, with arrows, the last and next stations.

I did see some trains with a space for luggage near the doors.

If your luggage is large, you can also take advantage of Japan's excellent luggage-forwarding option so you only need to take an overnight bag with you. Luggage-forwarding is called takuhaibin; here's the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html

So glad with this forum, all the detailed info, it's unbelievable. I've added Matsumoto but skipped Nikko. Two more questions came up.

On contact with people, as a male, asking for help/inquiery should I be reluctant towrds Japanese women? And preferebly ask men?

In Tokyo I saw one can stay dirt cheap via airbnb. Price depends also on location. What are your thoughts on staying in or out of central Tokyo? As I understood, my stay here in comparison to 'standards' is twice as long, six nights. May I ask to share your experience on this?

Yes kja, but the next station on the railway line isn't necessarily the next stop for your train. And I defy you to read the sign when you are whizzing through the next station at speed. You may not even see the station (I went through three in succession on a limited express today, and barely saw one of them). I've found those signs of more use on locals, but then you don't need them on shinkasens.

I highly recommend a smart phone with a data plan. (I'm still happy with T-Mobile) Failing that, know the stop before yours and the time you arrive at your destination. The kind of trains you will be riding will be on time: if you are due in at 16:05, and the train is showing 16:03, better get ready to get off. If you hear music, definitely get ready. However, with your routing, your destination may well be the terminus, so no worries at all.

I am not a fan of Tokyo. I stayed in a budget ryokan in Asakusa, and liked the ryokan and the area. I am also not a fan of AirBnB, so can't help with that.

A bit more specific: Nikko is skipped due to timetables and lodging.

And: I can stay in Tokyo near Morishita station and Rougoku station for ¥15.000 ($145/€131/£117) in dormitory (6p) for six nights. Tempting but I prefer a private room, which is possible (¥24.000/$235/€212/£119) in a shared house. But my request on your experience/advice on location is still on.

My wife added another thing. She asks me why I'm not using our roller suitcase (size of a standard suitcase). Main aspect is her concern for all those breakable/handle with care souvenirs that I'm going to/supposed to bring home. (Think of a smiley here!) I on the other hand prefer to use a soft case, more like a weekend bag, no rollers but traveling light. I mentioned the size of the lockers at the train station but I have to admit that I would be needing them just twice (Osaka and Matsumoto). Please advice...

If you are on a budget requiring you to share bedrooms and baths, what souvenirs do you think you are going to buy? Good stuff in Japan is NOT cheap, what is cheap is not worth hauling home.

Whenever it is of my intrest and good/special, I'm very much willing to pay for it. Not any souvenir/at every price obviously, I do have a budget. The shared bath- and bedrooms isn't a requirement in that way, more of an possibility to save hard earned money. I don't mind sharing those...

I have come to an age that I enjoy good stuff that lasts and was worth every dime/penny. Quality pays itself. Trying to convince my kids on that, it's starting to come...

On the souvenirs itself, I really have no idea. I thought I maybe could wrap that porcelain cup and sent it home by mail.

I agree that most wheeled suitcases are better suited to the protection of gifts that could break than most soft-sided bags, but of course, it would depend on the packaging. Certainly, consider deferring any purchases until your last city so you don't have to lug them around before then. I have no idea what it would cost to ship or mail something from Japan to the Netherlands, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was not inexpensive. Your call!

For Tokyo, I chose a location that maximized my public transportation options and the convenience to the places that I, specifically, wanted to see. I ended up with a place near Ueno Park, but at a place that would not suit a tall person (you commented on your "length" above).

@ thursdaysd: Jeesh! I was just trying to provide a bit more assurance that the trains in Japan are easy for those who use English to use, without repeating all the wonderful information that you and others had already provided!

We too found the trains superbly easy and certainly in the regions you're visiting, there will be English signs on station platforms and the station name will be announced just before arrival to the station. Even if the announcement is in Japanese, it's not usually difficult to pick out the station name amongst that, but in any case, we found most trains in tourist areas certainly announced in English as well.

Buying tickets really not complicated at all. For any intercity trains, we used the manned JR ticket desks and had no difficulty at all. For local metro and buses, we picked up PASMO / SUICA cards and loaded money on to them as and when we needed using the local ticket machines. Most of them had English language option and where that wasn't the case, there was always some kind person to ask for help.

For accommodation, my minimum is private room with en suite bathroom, so I've never stayed in the kinds of places you're looking at. We usually look at budget hotel chains such as Dormy, Toyoko, Route Inn etc. But all are still going to way more than £20 per night!

If you want to also visit Osaka, Kobe and Nara, I'd recommend at least 7 nights in Kyoto area. I can also suggest Uji for tea/ temple/ river and a half day trip to Yamazaki if you like whisky. Kyoto itself merits as many days as you can give it.

For shopping, it's hard to know what you are wanting to buy. We have often bought an extra cargo-suitable bag or case as I've shopped far too much. We also filled such a bag in one place and then used the Takuhaibin luggage forwarding service to send that bag on to our final night's hotel so we didn't need to lug it around.

@kja - sorry if I cam across too heavy. I just don't think those signs are useful unless you're on a Japanese only local.

Hi fellow travellers! Thx again for your thoughts on suitcases and again on travelling the trains! May I ask another thing on this issue? With Hyperdia I found arriving and departing tracknumbers, in some cases they were absent. Does this mean the station has just two tracks? I also found out that prices really differ based on route and, date and time, worth getting to know about Hyperdia, thank u!

I read about the luggage forwarding, probably won't (have to) use it. I decided for the soft pack. We'll see how it works out. I'll get me a Tokyo metro pas for three days in stead of Pasmo card I think. And walk around, guide came in today!

(Nara: 2 nights, Kyoto: 5 nights, not bad for a beginner is it? Lenght: 1.85, that is in meters!)

I think 2 nights in Nara and 5 nights in Kyoto wonderful for a beginner with interests in traditional Japan!

Consider visiting Horyu-ji and Chugu-ji, just outside of Nara in Ikaruga. And as Kavey mentioned, consider visiting Uji (and Byodo-in) between Nara and Kyoto. Fushimi Inari is also between Nara and Kyoto and is open 24/7.

Yes, you are too tall for the place I stayed in Tokyo!

"On contact with people, as a male, asking for help/inquiery should I be reluctant towrds Japanese women? And preferebly ask men?" Yes, as a single male travelling alone, it is better to approach other men for travel help.