Tips on Japan

[LuBlu]

Am going on Honeymoon to japan next June and wondered if anyone could pass on any tips. We're flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka 11 days later. Any places we shouls see/avoid etc. Thanks...

[SteveD]

Have a look in a Pachinko parlour:

http://www.mangajin.com/mangajin/samplemj/pach inko/pachinko.htm

If you go to Shinjuko, also visit all the floors of one or more of the many electronics and household equipment stores. Check out the high-tech toilets! Just look at the "Cleanse" and "Seat " features of this one:

http://www.magicjohn.com/toto.htm

[Pomp]

I spent just over a week in Japan, and did the following:- 3 days in Tokyo, then got a bus to Mt Fuji, and spent a couple of days there. Can only climb Fuji in the summer as all the infrastructure shuts down for winter. Stayed in a hotel with a jacuzzi over looking the lake and Mt Fuji, very relaxing.

Then got train to Kyoto. Fantastic place. Lots more to see in Kyoto than Osaka. Spent a few days in Kyoto seeing temples and wondering around. Some very good restaurants in Kyoto.

Then went on day trips to Hiroshima and Osaka from Kyoto.

Got bus / cab to Osaka from Kyoto to fly out.

As a foreigner you can but a Japanese train ticket for a few days / week, but you have to do this outside of the country. It seems pretty expensive, but when in Japan, and you realise that everything is nearby by train, you use them a lot more than planned ie Hiroshima is over 300miles from Kyoto, but only just over a couple of hours by train. Well worth it in the end.

The other thing is it is supposedly crazy busy in spring, as everyone is there for the cherry blossom. I was there in autumn and it was busy then as people are there to see the leaves changing colours.

[mrsann]

We went to Nagasaki last year and it was an amazing experience.I couldn't believe how friendly the people were towards us.The peace park gives a whole new aspect on life and the museum is more than you would expect it to be.Its a beautiful place as well with the Grover Gardens which were the home of the inspiration for the opera Madama Butterfly.The views from there to the harbour have to be seen to be believed