Our second Japan trip
Oct 3rd, 2016, 08:48 PM
#21
I've attended sumo 3 times. First was Kyushu Bassho and I got a seat, a plastic chair, way at the top in the 'end zone'. The second time was in Tokyo and I got a great seat. Both of those were last-minute. The third one was with a couple of friends in Fukuoka who purchased in advance. Maybe the site that you would use is a good one if they can advise, or give you seat selection options, on where to sit (esp. if you are aware of the two sides, which you are now, and finding the names of each could help). You can also take a look at http://www.sumo.or.jp/En
It is a good idea to buy tix in advance, of course. My advice is not to buy the highest priced tickets because you think they must better. Like many things, middle-pricied tix have better value, IMO. Still it dependds on what seats you like. I don'[t want row 2 behind the dugout in a baseball. Give me row 20 so that I can see the field. Or better yet, give me the lower section on the upper deck. I guess I am going on about this but my typing is fluid right now, so I will use it
A problem with buying tickets online is that they (ticketmaster, for example) give you the easy seat for them to find. For a baseball ticket on the lowest part of the upper deck and seats are wide open then they present you with a seat direclty behind home plate. I don't want what the computer thinks is the best seat and if I can't choose seats halfway up the first base line then I don't want it. I guess the point of this ramble is: be sure that you get what you want (so know what you want) and you might not be offered exactly what you want.
>>do you think one can always buy same day sumo tickets?
Mara, no, of course not. There are a lot of variables. I would expect the last couple of days, and at least the first day, to be sold out. Am sure that other dates are sold out depending on circumstances (like two yokozuna going at it on a particular day). Or mid-week might have more, better, availability than a weekend. But I have an advantage as a solo event-attender as there are often single seats available where a pair, sitting together, is not available. And there are often people who have an extra ticket to sell (am thinking a Vegas show, not sumo). So, I take my chances and win at the Kokugikan in Tokyo but get a crappy seat in Fukuoka but at least get in.
So, that's it, I don't want to spend the time to make this more concise and coherent.
It is a good idea to buy tix in advance, of course. My advice is not to buy the highest priced tickets because you think they must better. Like many things, middle-pricied tix have better value, IMO. Still it dependds on what seats you like. I don'[t want row 2 behind the dugout in a baseball. Give me row 20 so that I can see the field. Or better yet, give me the lower section on the upper deck. I guess I am going on about this but my typing is fluid right now, so I will use it
A problem with buying tickets online is that they (ticketmaster, for example) give you the easy seat for them to find. For a baseball ticket on the lowest part of the upper deck and seats are wide open then they present you with a seat direclty behind home plate. I don't want what the computer thinks is the best seat and if I can't choose seats halfway up the first base line then I don't want it. I guess the point of this ramble is: be sure that you get what you want (so know what you want) and you might not be offered exactly what you want.>>do you think one can always buy same day sumo tickets?
Mara, no, of course not. There are a lot of variables. I would expect the last couple of days, and at least the first day, to be sold out. Am sure that other dates are sold out depending on circumstances (like two yokozuna going at it on a particular day). Or mid-week might have more, better, availability than a weekend. But I have an advantage as a solo event-attender as there are often single seats available where a pair, sitting together, is not available. And there are often people who have an extra ticket to sell (am thinking a Vegas show, not sumo). So, I take my chances and win at the Kokugikan in Tokyo but get a crappy seat in Fukuoka but at least get in.
So, that's it, I don't want to spend the time to make this more concise and coherent.
Oct 3rd, 2016, 09:00 PM
#22
Mara is right about flying. Tokyo-Sapporo is one of the busiest airline routes in the world.
I checked a couple of dates at fly-ana.com and their Super Value (ANA Experience Japan) fare was available for the trip I chose. That was for Tokyo to Sapporo on Jan 8 and Sapporo to Hiroshima on Jan 15, both nonstop flights and the fare is $216.
No reason to take the train to Sappor (and probably other Hokkaido destinations) for $110 one-way.
I checked a couple of dates at fly-ana.com and their Super Value (ANA Experience Japan) fare was available for the trip I chose. That was for Tokyo to Sapporo on Jan 8 and Sapporo to Hiroshima on Jan 15, both nonstop flights and the fare is $216.
No reason to take the train to Sappor (and probably other Hokkaido destinations) for $110 one-way.
Oct 5th, 2016, 06:31 PM
#23
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I know that flying makes a lot more sense for Sapporo, however I hate to fly and avoid it where possible- if theres a train line I'm using it. Sadly I think Sapporo will have to wait until next time.
So far I am thinking (while trying to minimise short stints where possible):
4 nights in Tokyo with day trips to Kamakura and Yokohama
1 night in Matsumoto/Nagoya
5 nights Osaka with day trips to Kobe, Uji and Okayama
1 night Miyajima
2 nights in Fukuoka
(ending with another).. 4 nights in Tokyo with day trips to Nara, Nikko and Fuji 5 lakes
...madness?
So far I am thinking (while trying to minimise short stints where possible):
4 nights in Tokyo with day trips to Kamakura and Yokohama
1 night in Matsumoto/Nagoya
5 nights Osaka with day trips to Kobe, Uji and Okayama
1 night Miyajima
2 nights in Fukuoka
(ending with another).. 4 nights in Tokyo with day trips to Nara, Nikko and Fuji 5 lakes
...madness?
Oct 5th, 2016, 06:45 PM
#25
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I would not consider Nara a convenient day trip from Tokyo. Given your bases, I would think it would make more sense from Osaka.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html
is there a reason to stay in Tokyo at both the start and end of your trip? There might be advantages to shifting all your time there to the end if you can.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html
is there a reason to stay in Tokyo at both the start and end of your trip? There might be advantages to shifting all your time there to the end if you can.
Oct 5th, 2016, 08:36 PM
#26
>>..madness?
No, but the day trip to Nara from Tokyo is pretty wackiy. You can stop in Nara on the way from Fukuoka back to Tokyo. Or visit Nara from Osaka and stop inn Okayama on the way to Tokyo.
No, but the day trip to Nara from Tokyo is pretty wackiy. You can stop in Nara on the way from Fukuoka back to Tokyo. Or visit Nara from Osaka and stop inn Okayama on the way to Tokyo.
Oct 5th, 2016, 10:44 PM
#27
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thanks guys I must have gotten my wires crossed there- we went as a day trip to Nara last time and for some reason I remembered going from Tokyo but I'm obviously remembering wrong your absolutely right Osaka is far closer.
The reason to stay in Tokyo at the start and end is because thats where we fly in and out of -and we need to be there at the start because thats when the Sumo tournament is.... so I figured I would break it up.
Ive actually fallen upon Nagoya in my research of Matsumoto... I think I am going to add 2 nights there to see the monkeys and Matsumoto.
The reason to stay in Tokyo at the start and end is because thats where we fly in and out of -and we need to be there at the start because thats when the Sumo tournament is.... so I figured I would break it up.
Ive actually fallen upon Nagoya in my research of Matsumoto... I think I am going to add 2 nights there to see the monkeys and Matsumoto.
Oct 6th, 2016, 07:42 AM
#28
You mean Nagano again. For the monkeys, you must mean Yudanaka Onsen.
Am not sure how that part of the plan would work, but I think it can.
Something like this:
Day 1, early morning departure from Tokyo - 1.5 hrs shinkansen - Nagano
1 hr to check in at Nagano hotel and get back to station
1.5 to 2 hours roundtrip Nagano-Yudanaka
some time ?? to get from Yudanaka to the snow monkeys
couple of hours at the onsen
night in Nagano
Day 2, day trip to Matsumoto, about 50 min each way. Night in Nagano. Backtracking on this trip costs about a half-hour.
Next day, Nagano-Osaka via Kanazawa or Tokyo
So, it is doable, maybe busy on the first day at least. At that time of year it is good to know how much daylight you will have. Nagano sunset on January 31 will be at 5:12PM.
Am not sure how that part of the plan would work, but I think it can.
Something like this:
Day 1, early morning departure from Tokyo - 1.5 hrs shinkansen - Nagano
1 hr to check in at Nagano hotel and get back to station
1.5 to 2 hours roundtrip Nagano-Yudanaka
some time ?? to get from Yudanaka to the snow monkeys
couple of hours at the onsen
night in Nagano
Day 2, day trip to Matsumoto, about 50 min each way. Night in Nagano. Backtracking on this trip costs about a half-hour.
Next day, Nagano-Osaka via Kanazawa or Tokyo
So, it is doable, maybe busy on the first day at least. At that time of year it is good to know how much daylight you will have. Nagano sunset on January 31 will be at 5:12PM.
Oct 7th, 2016, 07:10 PM
#30
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The Shinkasen (fast train) to Hokkaido opened in March. It goes under the ocean and ends at Hakodate. Hakodate is a lovely small town that is very interesting in itself. You could then take a regular train to Sapporo.
Another suggestion would be a short trip from Tokyo to Yokohama. It has a lovely seaside park and remodelled warehouse retail area. It also has the largest Chinatown in Japan with great food and shopping. There is also a 500Y hop on, hop off trolley that is a great bargain.
Another suggestion would be a short trip from Tokyo to Yokohama. It has a lovely seaside park and remodelled warehouse retail area. It also has the largest Chinatown in Japan with great food and shopping. There is also a 500Y hop on, hop off trolley that is a great bargain.
Oct 8th, 2016, 03:50 AM
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For us, we didn't find the remodelled warehouse retail area in Yokohama very interesting, it was just a modern shopping mall, much like any around the world. We did enjoy walking around China Town, seeing one of the ornate temples, stopping for streetfood items. We didn't feel it warranted more than an hour or so, though you could spend longer if you explore all the temples and in in more detail. You could of course take a meal there too, though local friends had warned us that the majority of the restaurants are not particularly authentic, with very tourist-oriented menus.
I'd second or third the suggestion of Kamakura as a day trip from Tokyo - there's plenty to see there for sure. Also, I wish I could remember the restaurant, but there are some local specialities - my local friend chose a restaurant that specialised in those teeny tiny fishes, the ones that are a few mm in size and served in a big heap. The place he chose not only offered them cooked but also fresh and raw as well, though that may be a seasonal thing. There were also some unusual mochi-type sweets but made with a different flour instead of rice flour - I'm sorry I can't recall which.
I'd second or third the suggestion of Kamakura as a day trip from Tokyo - there's plenty to see there for sure. Also, I wish I could remember the restaurant, but there are some local specialities - my local friend chose a restaurant that specialised in those teeny tiny fishes, the ones that are a few mm in size and served in a big heap. The place he chose not only offered them cooked but also fresh and raw as well, though that may be a seasonal thing. There were also some unusual mochi-type sweets but made with a different flour instead of rice flour - I'm sorry I can't recall which.
Oct 9th, 2016, 06:32 AM
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Am in Gero Onsen right now. Went to Shinakawa-go two days ago. It's hard to get to, not a lot of public transportation. I also felt that it's overrated. From Gero it was a full day by public bus with less than 2 hours to explore the village,which is very commercial. It was also costly $56 round trip.
I am sure that you can find better places to visit.
I am sure that you can find better places to visit.
Oct 15th, 2016, 04:16 AM
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Some comments:
"the little maple leaf filled pancake things" should be Momoji-manju.
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momiji_manju
Anago-meshi is also popular in Miyajima.
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81...81%94%E9%A3%AF
Most Onsens are not related with ski.
Nagoya, as the third city in Japan, is a food paradise; Hitsumabushi, Misonikomi, Kishimen, Misonikomi-udon, Tenmusu, ...
http://nagoya.xtone.jp/
"Nagano-Osaka via Kanazawa or Tokyo":
Via Nagoya is a standard way and likely fastest.
"the ones that are a few mm in size and served in a big heap":
Shirasu is a speciallity in Enoshima, but not in season.
https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/destin...wa/shirasu-don
"some unusual mochi-type sweets but made with a different flour instead of rice flour":
That might be Warabi-mochi. It would be offered in any traditional area; Nara, Kyoto, Kamakura, and more.
"the little maple leaf filled pancake things" should be Momoji-manju.
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momiji_manju
Anago-meshi is also popular in Miyajima.
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81...81%94%E9%A3%AF
Most Onsens are not related with ski.
Nagoya, as the third city in Japan, is a food paradise; Hitsumabushi, Misonikomi, Kishimen, Misonikomi-udon, Tenmusu, ...
http://nagoya.xtone.jp/
"Nagano-Osaka via Kanazawa or Tokyo":
Via Nagoya is a standard way and likely fastest.
"the ones that are a few mm in size and served in a big heap":
Shirasu is a speciallity in Enoshima, but not in season.
https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/destin...wa/shirasu-don
"some unusual mochi-type sweets but made with a different flour instead of rice flour":
That might be Warabi-mochi. It would be offered in any traditional area; Nara, Kyoto, Kamakura, and more.
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