I will be going to Japan for 10 days with my 22 year old daughter at the end of May. We are flying into Tokyo. I have always wanted to see Kyoto. What else is not to be missed in a 10 trip to Japan? Thanks for all your advice!

Bonjour Calavan,<BR><BR>Since you don't give many details of what you and your daughter expect to see and do, here are a few tips:<BR><BR>- book a hotel only for the first 2-3 nights of your stay in Tokyo or Kyoto, then have the TIC in either city do it for you according to what you'll decide while there. This way, you remain free to stay longer or visit a place that piques your fancy.<BR><BR>- buy a 7 days railpass before you leave. It is a good deal even if you only use it for the roundtrip between Tokyo and Kyoto.<BR><BR>- either use it immediately to go from Narita to Kyoto and visit the Kansai area (if you arrive early enough in the day), and spend the last 3 days in Tokyo, or <BR><BR>- stay for the 2-3 first days in Tokyo, then validate it for the last 7 days and go to Kyoto.<BR><BR>- base yourself in Kyoto, or Nara, and make daytrips. Avoid changing hotels too often or you'll see more stations and hotels lobbies than temples and gardens ;-)<BR><BR>- Don't plan too rigidly. Visit the TIC and the Tokyo wards tourists offices (especially Asakusa) before you decide what to do, and be ready to alter your schedule. You'd hate yourself for being somewhere so-so on the day of THE big event (there are usually a lot in May). <BR><BR>- Make sure to tell your daughter that the girls with outlandish attire hanging around Harajuku station in Tokyo don't dress like this all the time and are actually on their day off, far, far away from home and their office where anyone they know might see them ;-) <BR><BR>And last but not least, have a great time together !<BR>

Great tips in the last post, esp. with the rail pass, it's a must. Hiroshima is also recommended. Have a great time!

I second the recommendation for Hiroshima -- if you're interested in history, it's not to be missed. I did this last year as a one day excursion from Kyoto via Shinkansen. I spent 9 days total in Japan: 4 in Tokyo, 2 in Kyoto, 1 in Osaka, and 1 in Hiroshima. I can't wait to go back.

Agreed with all of the above. Hiroshima is an easy day trip from Kyoto, and if you leave early in the morning you can also stop at Himeji to see the castle. Very nice look at castle architecture. The walk from the station in Himeji is not bad, but the castle is on a hill, so it's a good walk up. Very easy place to visit. <BR><BR>For a good lunch, there's also a lunch stand on the right side of the main road as you leave the castle grounds. We picked up a bite to take on the train and it was excellent. <BR><BR>Another place we went to get out of the urban sprawl was Takayama in the Hida district. It's in the mountains (on the JR Takayama line from Nagoya), and is a beautiful place to visit. Sake breweries, temples, and Hida beef. Worth consideration if you want to get out of the big cities. It is a tourist destination for Japanese as well, so it may be crowded depending on when you go. I really can't recommend that town enough.

<BR>In theory I like the idea of arriving in Narita and going straight to Kyoto, but it's just not practical. Too much travel.<BR><BR>So, start your trip in Tokyo.<BR><BR>3 nights Tokyo.<BR>1 night at an onsen near, not necessarily in, Hakkone. Ask at JTB for suggestions--they have a catalog with pictures and are very helpful.<BR>4 nights based in Kyoto with daytrip to Nara/Hiroshima/Osaka. <BR>(possible one night in Hiroshima--its kind of a long daytrip I think...)<BR>2 nights final in Tokyo (daytrip to Kamakura OR Nikko)<BR><BR>Catch a baseball game for me and have a great time!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

I did Tokyo, Nagasaki, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka in 6 days/5 nights. Of course, I had an insane Japanese friend as a tour guide. I came home and slept for 3 days. <BR><BR>My new motto is 'do less, enjoy more'. <BR><BR>I really enjoyed Nara. I stayed at the Nara Hotel - absolutely beautiful.<BR><BR>Kyoto is full of riches, but it might take a few days to see them all. <BR><BR>Tokyo is huge. Pick a few sights and plan the rest of your time there around them.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

First of all get a really good guide book!<BR> My suggestions, in Tokyo, do go to Askausa (Pronounced Ahhsahksah, which is the oldest area in Tokyo. There is a Budhist Temple, that have very old stalls leading up to it. <BR> You will be up early so head down to Tsukiji, the fish market. Lots of fun and lots of bargains to buy down here that go beyond just fish in the stalls. While down here, there are also some great sushi restaurants here. Head up the street to Ginza, where you will pass the Kubuki Theater. In Ginza, which is considered the most expensive shopping area in the world, there are many good dept. stores, also the Sony building. Go up to the seventh floor and walk down and get a look at new stuff and stuff they are testing for future use. <BR> I would also head to Meiji Shrine in Omontesondo (sp??) here you will find the kids all dressed up on Sunday in odd creations of love for different rock stars. Also many shops, go down Takeshita street for the newest in teen fashion.You will also find the best place to buy Japanese souvenirs, Oriental Bazzar. (If in Shibuya go see the 109 building for the latest fashions that will be coming the USA way in about a year, look for Hachiko here too. The famous dog) <BR> Outside Tokyo, do see Kamakura, Hakone for Fuji-San, Nikko for the old shrines, Kyoto, a must, and while there see Nara, where the sacred deer still rule. Those are things off the top of my head. If you would like more precise directions or information, please email me at [email protected]. I am currently living in Tokyo as an expat from Michigan.