Need Help with Japan in Wnter
Oct 17th, 2016, 05:47 AM
#21
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For our 3 trips we found that accommodation is more expensive than other countries we've visited, especially for what we look for - very centrally located and always with private bathrooms en suite. But there are still ways to save money here, by booking budget hotel chains such as Dormy, and finding places that are offering special rates directly or via sites like booking.com. For us the splurges were higher end ryokans, which are pricy but we were willing to pay for those experiences, and the incredible kaiseki dining that is included.
We found eating much cheaper than many countries we've visited, though again that depends on what you are looking for. We didn't do any of the big list of famous restaurants often discussed on Chow Hound and elsewhere, and most of which cost 10x more per person than what we usually ate. We live in London so that's our comparison point and food was cheaper, but drinks (both soft and alcoholic) were about the same. We found it cheaper to have soft drinks from vending machines and convenience stores than during restaurant meals, where we usually just drank the ice water, ice tea or hot tea provided. Of course, sometimes we'd have drinks at restaurants too.
Entrance into most sites was very inexpensive.
Trains are pricy, yes but... again I'm from the UK and our trains are not only overpriced but seriously undeliver, whereas taking public transport in Japan was a delight.
We also self-drove on two of our trips, which we loved doing.
We found eating much cheaper than many countries we've visited, though again that depends on what you are looking for. We didn't do any of the big list of famous restaurants often discussed on Chow Hound and elsewhere, and most of which cost 10x more per person than what we usually ate. We live in London so that's our comparison point and food was cheaper, but drinks (both soft and alcoholic) were about the same. We found it cheaper to have soft drinks from vending machines and convenience stores than during restaurant meals, where we usually just drank the ice water, ice tea or hot tea provided. Of course, sometimes we'd have drinks at restaurants too.
Entrance into most sites was very inexpensive.
Trains are pricy, yes but... again I'm from the UK and our trains are not only overpriced but seriously undeliver, whereas taking public transport in Japan was a delight.
We also self-drove on two of our trips, which we loved doing.
Oct 17th, 2016, 09:31 AM
#22
Your costs of getting to/from Naha (Okinawa) or Sapporo (for Otaru) are about the same. You would use an Osaka airport to get to Kyoto.
For example, Feb 15 +/- 3 days, one-way nonstop fares at www.fly-ana.com:
$104 between Okinawa and Osaka or Kobe
$107 between Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda)
$107 between Sapporo and Tokyo (Haneda)
$104 between Sapporo and Osaka or Kobe
$104 between Sapporo and Okinawa (on the one daily nonstop)
Basically, it is less than $110 to fly between cities in Japan on a nonstop flight. The price is per segment, so a one-connection trip would cost double.
It doesn't matter what airline that you use to get to Japan.
Flights to Kyushu cost $55. In fact, I could buy a ticket today to fly from Tokyo to Kumamoto on Thursday for $54.63.
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_co...experience_jp/
For example, Feb 15 +/- 3 days, one-way nonstop fares at www.fly-ana.com:
$104 between Okinawa and Osaka or Kobe
$107 between Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda)
$107 between Sapporo and Tokyo (Haneda)
$104 between Sapporo and Osaka or Kobe
$104 between Sapporo and Okinawa (on the one daily nonstop)
Basically, it is less than $110 to fly between cities in Japan on a nonstop flight. The price is per segment, so a one-connection trip would cost double.
It doesn't matter what airline that you use to get to Japan.
Flights to Kyushu cost $55. In fact, I could buy a ticket today to fly from Tokyo to Kumamoto on Thursday for $54.63.
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/wws_co...experience_jp/
Oct 17th, 2016, 04:01 PM
#23
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It would be warmer in Kyushu, than in Kyoto or in Tokyo. http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201606/003864.html
The best aquarium in the mainland could be this (the best in Okinawa).
http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/
The best aquarium in the mainland could be this (the best in Okinawa).
http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/
Oct 18th, 2016, 03:01 AM
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Most of the $300 pp quoted to visit the Fox village is due to shinkansen costs. If you have a JR Pass, that cost would be covered. It is also possible to go by bus from Tokyo, as detailed here on the Japan Cheapo website (https://japancheapo.com/entertainmen...llage-japan/):
"The village is up in the mountains, and it is a bit of a trek. From Tokyo you have two main options, and you can choose what suits you best based on prioritizing money or time.
Shinkansen: You can travel from Tokyo Station direct to Shiroishizao Station by bullet train, which takes 109 minutes on the Yamabiko 145. These leave about once an hour but check your route beforehand. This is a pricey option though costing about 10,000 yen each way. If you have the JR Rail Pass, then you’re set, as this will cover the shinkansen costs.
Highway Bus: Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Sendai and catch a regular train to Shiroishi Station. Buses cost between 3,000-5,000 yen and take about 6 hours, so an early morning start can get you there for lunch time. This is a lot of time, but helps cut down the cost significantly and a night bus back to Tokyo means you don’t lose too much useful time. The train portion costs about 750 yen and take roughly 50 minutes."
The Japan Cheapo and more comprehensive Tokyo Cheapo websites are good sources of info, relied upon by many of us expats in Tokyo.
"The village is up in the mountains, and it is a bit of a trek. From Tokyo you have two main options, and you can choose what suits you best based on prioritizing money or time.
Shinkansen: You can travel from Tokyo Station direct to Shiroishizao Station by bullet train, which takes 109 minutes on the Yamabiko 145. These leave about once an hour but check your route beforehand. This is a pricey option though costing about 10,000 yen each way. If you have the JR Rail Pass, then you’re set, as this will cover the shinkansen costs.
Highway Bus: Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Sendai and catch a regular train to Shiroishi Station. Buses cost between 3,000-5,000 yen and take about 6 hours, so an early morning start can get you there for lunch time. This is a lot of time, but helps cut down the cost significantly and a night bus back to Tokyo means you don’t lose too much useful time. The train portion costs about 750 yen and take roughly 50 minutes."
The Japan Cheapo and more comprehensive Tokyo Cheapo websites are good sources of info, relied upon by many of us expats in Tokyo.
Nov 26th, 2016, 12:45 AM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
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More on plum blossoms, fascinated to learn that they were once more celebrated than the cherry blossoms!
https://taiken.co/single/plum-blosso...en-in-shizuoka
https://taiken.co/single/plum-blosso...en-in-shizuoka
