The wife and I heading to Japan in June. We were going to go to China but got some unreal flights on boxing day sale so Japanesseee here we come.

Just want to know for those who have been over there have you got any pointers? (regarding dos and donts)

Suggestions on must see?

Any tips on accessing dollars over there?

I want to freshen up on (meaning learn) as much Japanese as possible. (i learnt a bit in highschool) Any online sites that arent too expensive. Or a good book as i am a visual person and learn better reading rather than listening.


anything else fire away.

Thread subject typo :P

All I can suggest is to be on your best behaviour. By all accounts I wouldn't last 10 minutes over there. I am a loud mouthed female. BIG no no.
There is very little room at home so everyone stays out until late.
You pay a lot for service, so while it is cheaper to buy a bottle of alcohol and food and eat in there just isn't room and it's not done.

And visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara

wizard clear advantage mastercard is the way to get monies anywhere ever

Load it up with cash on bpay, no withdraw fees or international currency transaction fees or annual fee, also 44 days interest free

Just general win all round

I just got back from 2 weeks over there - frigging awesome time. We went to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

Highlights:
Osaka Aquarium
Hiroshima (did a day trip here, definitely my personal highlight)
Hiring bikes and riding around Kyoto
Day trip to Arashiyama from Kyoto (beautiful temple village, awesome hot springs)
Drinking in The Tent, on Imadegawa St in Kyoto
Fishimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo - go early (6am) to see the tuna auctions
Drinking in the coolest bars ever in Golden Gai, Tokyo (Bar Plastic Model and Bar Albatross are foreigner-friendly and really cool)

Recommendations:
If you're planning on travelling to more than one city, definitely buy a Japan Rail pass. This gives you unlimited travel on the major bullet trains and most of the local trains within and between all cities. You have to buy them here before you go, and you can get a 7-day pass or a 14-day pass. You will save lots of money doing this.

Japan is a cash society - I didn't use my credit card once over there. ATM machines that accept foreign cards can be somewhat hard to come by however almost all 7-11s have them and these are (usually) easy to find.

A lot less people speak English than you would expect.

We stayed in a great traditional Japanese home in Kyoto, called B&B Juno - run by a Canadian guy and his Austrian wife. 3 rooms for rent so max of 6 people there at any one time, with an awesome (Western) breakfast included in the rate. Good location on the major buslines and near a lot of attractions.
http://www.gotokandk.com/casa.html

Out hotel in Osaka was also pretty sweet - small basic rooms but very clean and an awesome location, with English speaking staff. Was called the Hearton Hotel in Shinsaibashi.

It was one of the best holidays I've ever had. If I think of anything more I'll let you knoW

I am a loud mouthed female. BIG no no.

Does it matter if you're loud mouthed in english ? I assume you mean you like to use swear words.

Go to Hiroshima and then the ferry across to Miyajima. They were my highlights.

Kat was rejected by the Harijuku crowd so she started throwing down and got b&

link to cheap flights plzz

im sure those japs would love your bag persay

Did 4 nights in August this year all in Osaka, you will have an awesome time no matter what. Easy to get around with only English and everyone is very helpful plus visitor centres where they speak English all over the city. I found that I got best information on what to see and where to go from the Visitor centres (obv. all very touristy but still great stuff). If I was there longer I would go information centres first then ask locals what they'd suggest, which is imo always the best way to find interesting stuff. Emphasis on the fact that most everyone will speak some amount of English and if all else fails school kids are your friend as they will defo speak some amount of English.

Have a good time!!!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html

Must see IMO is

Around Tokyo:
Shijuku
Shibuya
Harajuku (was dead when I went there. I think the cool dressing peaked in the late 80s)
Nikko (day trip)
Kamakura (day trip)
Tsukiji Fish Market (get there at 6am)
Akihabara (only if youre a bit of a nerd otherwise you wont find it that interesting)

Around Kyoto:
Kiyomizudera Temple
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kinkakuji (gold pavilion?)
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Philosopher's Path (one of my favorite parts of kyoto)

Take some japanese occupation of australia currency for laffs

thanks. all very helpful and good detail.


typo fixed. thanks.

link to cheap flights plzz

not sure what site it was. my mrs did it all. we payed about 1200 for both of us return. departing g/coast airport though. i just hope we dont have to pedal power over there. jetstar. didnt order the interwebs or the food cause the food always sucks and we are going to Japan so there will be lots of unreal food to eat over there.

not a bad price. i've seen japan return for $400 before, and we got gold coast to KL fo $250 return. crazy how cheap you can get flights for these days during sales if you're happy to book far in advance.

Absolutely top spot. 1st rate nation with 1st rate people. Food is excellent. Can be expensive.

Yeah I got flights Gold Coast - Osaka return on Jetstar for $420. So cheap. And once you're over there, it's really not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. Pretty much comparable to Australian prices for most things, except for alcoholic drinks in bars and restaurants - expect to pay around $AU10 for a beer (so buy your massive Asahi cans from the convenience stores for $5 and pre-drink before you head out!)...

I'm going in March for 2 weeks, skiing for a week then hit Tokyo, and the surroundings. Will keep an eye on this thread :)

Don't forget to visit the vending machine that has used panties in it.....

^ Already got that planned hahahahahah f*** me that's bad but so funny :)

I have a cool story. It paints me as vain, but whatever.

I was in international transfer in Narita Airport and the chick asked to see my passport.

Anyhoo, as it turns out, I studied Japanese for six years and was quite good at one stage (up to yr12) - I could converse pretty well.

So, chick looks at passport, says to other chick (in Jap), "How old do you think this guy is?"

Other chick, "I dunno, 28?"

(I was 24 at the time). I just looked blankly around as though I had no understanding of the conversation.

First chick sorta looks at me, sees me staring into space, says to second chick, "I think he's cute."

Ahahaha. I pipe up (in Japanese), "28!!!?? No!" (And that much would have sounded 100% fluent, so they freaked out)

Chicks start going red and saying, "Excuse me! Excuse me!"

Made my day ;-)

Love the Japanese people, culture and food.

To provide something useful to thread: worst thing you can do with chopsticks is spike your food. Chopsticks (ohashi) are a revered item and table manners are very important.

Best attitude to take to Japan is patience and politeness, especially when you are a guest of someone. Just watch what they do and copy.