Planning First Family Trip to Japan - Advice Needed!
Sep 21st, 2014, 10:31 AM
#22
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Looks good!
If you are going to stay in a ryokan on Miyajima, you will have to be there at a specific time, usually late afternoon as I recall. Be sure you know what time you must be there and plan your departure from Hiroshima accordingly. Taking the last ferry of the day could be too late.
Luggage forwarding services in Japan are outstanding. They are called takuhaiban and here's everything you need to know about it:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html
If you are going to stay in a ryokan on Miyajima, you will have to be there at a specific time, usually late afternoon as I recall. Be sure you know what time you must be there and plan your departure from Hiroshima accordingly. Taking the last ferry of the day could be too late.
Luggage forwarding services in Japan are outstanding. They are called takuhaiban and here's everything you need to know about it:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html
Sep 21st, 2014, 11:28 AM
#23
Agree with kja that the late ferry idea has some issues. You might be too late for dinner at the ryokan.
If so, then you would want a ryokan that has a lodging-only option. Do that for the first night and then lodging + meals rate for the second night. Many ryokan do not offer a lodging-only rate.
It is probably a valid assumption that the ryokan will pick up guests arriving on the last ferry, but I would make it known to them that that is the plan.
I recommend spending one night in Hiroshima.
If so, then you would want a ryokan that has a lodging-only option. Do that for the first night and then lodging + meals rate for the second night. Many ryokan do not offer a lodging-only rate.
It is probably a valid assumption that the ryokan will pick up guests arriving on the last ferry, but I would make it known to them that that is the plan.
I recommend spending one night in Hiroshima.
Sep 21st, 2014, 02:26 PM
#24
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For hands on things how about bamboo baskets, Japanese wax relief dying - roketsuzome, shibori dying, yuzen dying, gold leaf and lacquer, calligraphy, flower arranging, tea ceremony, sushi making, martial arts....?
Disney Sea is unique to Japan and fabulously themed - I recommend it!
There are many machiya for short term rental in Kyoto.
A good guide can make the trip.
There are some awesome hands on things in Bali, too! batik, wood carving, music and dance, cooking...
Disney Sea is unique to Japan and fabulously themed - I recommend it!
There are many machiya for short term rental in Kyoto.
A good guide can make the trip.
There are some awesome hands on things in Bali, too! batik, wood carving, music and dance, cooking...
Sep 24th, 2014, 08:40 AM
#25
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For a great cultural activity that both you and the kids would enjoy, I highly recommend the Edo-Tokyo Museum. They have lots of scale and full sized models of buildings, bridges, kabuki theaters and other items from the Edo period, and the free English speaking guides really bring it to life. We combined this with our trip to Asakusa and it made for a great day. If you would like more details, you can find them in the first day of this trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...e-to-japan.cfm
Have fun!
Have fun!
Sep 25th, 2014, 03:51 AM
#26
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Kim Japan, thanks for your lovely suggestions. My children would love to engage in anyone of your suggestions and they sound fun for the whole family.
russ_in_LA your trip report was sensational and made for a sleepless night which I posted on your thread among other fun comments. I have bookmarked so many links and am excited to peruse them thoroughly this evening. I will post comments and questions then. Your suggestion above sounds fantastic too and is noted!
Have a great day everyone!
russ_in_LA your trip report was sensational and made for a sleepless night which I posted on your thread among other fun comments. I have bookmarked so many links and am excited to peruse them thoroughly this evening. I will post comments and questions then. Your suggestion above sounds fantastic too and is noted!
Have a great day everyone!
Sep 28th, 2014, 12:33 PM
#27
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>>>Where to stay in Tokyo and Kyoto...any suggestions? Here we are looking for modern western style hotels Our budget is a good one as I have already told myself this is where I will spend the most money.<<<
Warm greetings Lolazahra (love your handle) from San Francisco Bay Area and congratulations on your forthcoming initial family journey to Japan. (And do wish to thank you - and russ_in_LA - for some truly thoughtful trip reports; always a pleasure to read, particularly when on the road for work, such as this fine Sunday afternoon.)
Regarding Tokyo lodgings, will give another promotion of a property that treated me rather well during an extended business stay ~ six months back, the Mandarin Oriental. Current business travel schedule has me returning by year-end. (Full disclosure: for quite some time, have been involved with work entailing various MO properties within the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Class operation; have always been treated kindly by some marvelous managers, staff and friends.)
Kyoto lodgings, will leave that to other esteemed Fodorites, as almost all of my visits have entailed stays with long-time family friends. Will give the highest praise to Kyoto's Kikunoi restaurant, as noted on my profile page.
Regarding Bali lodgings, will leave that to the esteemed Fodorite, marmot. Our most recent Bali stay was last year; wedding guests at the Jimbaran Puri Bali. So many lovely Bali properties; enjoy.
Finally, do wish to congratulate you, Lolazahra, on travelling to such fine locales with your children. I was privileged to do similar travelling, particularly that "exotic far east", as a young lad with my parents and siblings. Certainly one reason my current and primary posting for work, family and residence is Singapore; so love that city-state. (And should you ever desire SIN lodging - and aviation - suggestions, honoured to assist.)
Savour your planning, Lola, very happy for you. Warm wishes to you and all from SF Bay Area,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Warm greetings Lolazahra (love your handle) from San Francisco Bay Area and congratulations on your forthcoming initial family journey to Japan. (And do wish to thank you - and russ_in_LA - for some truly thoughtful trip reports; always a pleasure to read, particularly when on the road for work, such as this fine Sunday afternoon.)
Regarding Tokyo lodgings, will give another promotion of a property that treated me rather well during an extended business stay ~ six months back, the Mandarin Oriental. Current business travel schedule has me returning by year-end. (Full disclosure: for quite some time, have been involved with work entailing various MO properties within the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Class operation; have always been treated kindly by some marvelous managers, staff and friends.)
Kyoto lodgings, will leave that to other esteemed Fodorites, as almost all of my visits have entailed stays with long-time family friends. Will give the highest praise to Kyoto's Kikunoi restaurant, as noted on my profile page.
Regarding Bali lodgings, will leave that to the esteemed Fodorite, marmot. Our most recent Bali stay was last year; wedding guests at the Jimbaran Puri Bali. So many lovely Bali properties; enjoy.
Finally, do wish to congratulate you, Lolazahra, on travelling to such fine locales with your children. I was privileged to do similar travelling, particularly that "exotic far east", as a young lad with my parents and siblings. Certainly one reason my current and primary posting for work, family and residence is Singapore; so love that city-state. (And should you ever desire SIN lodging - and aviation - suggestions, honoured to assist.)
Savour your planning, Lola, very happy for you. Warm wishes to you and all from SF Bay Area,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Feb 21st, 2017, 05:53 AM
#28
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Hello!
Please forgive my writing to you on this forum about Japan and Bali. I saw somewhere (and could not find a way to contact your directly) that you had investigated and/or travelled to Japan and Bali in the same trip. I am eager to learn more about your experience doing that. Two of us (adventurous ladies in our mid 30s), interested in culture, nature, sightseeing, meditation, yoga, beach, are planning to see Japan and Bali from mid June-early July. Any advice/itinerary/suggestions you might be able to offer would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Valerie
Please forgive my writing to you on this forum about Japan and Bali. I saw somewhere (and could not find a way to contact your directly) that you had investigated and/or travelled to Japan and Bali in the same trip. I am eager to learn more about your experience doing that. Two of us (adventurous ladies in our mid 30s), interested in culture, nature, sightseeing, meditation, yoga, beach, are planning to see Japan and Bali from mid June-early July. Any advice/itinerary/suggestions you might be able to offer would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Valerie
Feb 21st, 2017, 05:55 AM
#29
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This was the post that lead me to you from a while back:
"Lolazahra on Sep 29, 16 at 1:22pm
We did a similar trip two summers ago.
We flew JFK to Tokyo through Seoul,since we flew Asiana. Our itinerary included Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto in that order. So after 5 days in Kyoto, we flew one way from Osaka to Bali on Garuda. We then flew back to Seoul to connect back to JFK.
Bali was lovely after Japan, but we stayed 8 nights and were dreaming of more. I am sure after just staying a week, you will feel the same way!
Good luck with your flights."
"Lolazahra on Sep 29, 16 at 1:22pm
We did a similar trip two summers ago.
We flew JFK to Tokyo through Seoul,since we flew Asiana. Our itinerary included Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto in that order. So after 5 days in Kyoto, we flew one way from Osaka to Bali on Garuda. We then flew back to Seoul to connect back to JFK.
Bali was lovely after Japan, but we stayed 8 nights and were dreaming of more. I am sure after just staying a week, you will feel the same way!
Good luck with your flights."
Feb 21st, 2017, 07:58 AM
#30
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To eat, I highly recommend going to Hatsu Tsubomi in Tokyo for her 13th birthday. I took my 13 year old there, and we had a blast. I'm not going to tell you anything more about it, but there is plenty of wow factor here. An only-in-Tokyo experience. You'll see when the elevator opens up. Order the whole dried red bream; it is excellent. Yes, they have sushi. The food here is very fine.
東京都千代田区神田佐久間町1-6-4
1 Chome-6-4 Kanda Sakumachō
Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to
Japan
Plug the Japanese into Google Maps and print out the map, street view photo, and this post, or you might have trouble finding it.
For kids I also recommend going to Namjatown in Sunshine City Ikebukuro. Sunshine City is a multi-skyscraper complex with an aquarium, zoo, shopping mall, planetarium, and a 60th floor observation deck. Namjatown is an indoor theme park. It is dazzling. Inside, you can eat at Gyoza Stadium, which is a recreation of a Tokyo street scene form the Showa period. About a dozen different gyoza vendors from all over Japan.
東京都千代田区神田佐久間町1-6-4
1 Chome-6-4 Kanda Sakumachō
Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to
Japan
Plug the Japanese into Google Maps and print out the map, street view photo, and this post, or you might have trouble finding it.
For kids I also recommend going to Namjatown in Sunshine City Ikebukuro. Sunshine City is a multi-skyscraper complex with an aquarium, zoo, shopping mall, planetarium, and a 60th floor observation deck. Namjatown is an indoor theme park. It is dazzling. Inside, you can eat at Gyoza Stadium, which is a recreation of a Tokyo street scene form the Showa period. About a dozen different gyoza vendors from all over Japan.
