Scored Subsidised Japan Trip

scottb721 on 07/11/2014 - 22:19
Last edited 08/11/2014 - 11:59

My local council is offering a subsidised trip to Japan as part of an annual 'sister city' promotion.

They kick in $500 towards the trip and accommodation is billet style staying with a host family at no charge. Airport transfers are also included as well as 'experiences in Japanese culture'.

Got the news today that I've made the list if I want to go. I am keen as Japan is one of the places I'd like to visit, however as it's only for 5-6 days I wondering if the other expenses of travelling there, which I'm yet to research, would make the $500 rebate a marginal benefit. The free accommodation could be a different matter altogether.

My main dilemma is whether to just wait til my GF and I can go together another time. In that case most expenses would be split between us. There's always the option of doing that as well I guess.

Any thoughts ?

Thank you

Travel

Comments

  • plmko on 07/11/2014 - 22:30
    +10

    I would be going twice.

  • Tal_Shiar on 07/11/2014 - 22:37
    +1

    depends on how tight money is for you, surely a trip on your lonesome couldn't hurt to make a trip with your gf better?

  • scottb721 on 07/11/2014 - 22:58

    Think I'll go for it. I just didn't want a 'cheap' trip blowing out once all the other stuff gets added on. Airfares should be about $700 out of pocket I guess after the rebate.

    Thanks for the input.

  • Free Fall on 07/11/2014 - 23:41
    +1

    Food is actually very reasonable there, a bowl of noodles would set you back about $7-$8. Exchange rate is fantastic at the moment, nearly $1 to 100Y, considering going again myself!

  • StewBalls on 08/11/2014 - 00:30
    +3

    Scott, it's not too far for me to drive up there from Newy & slap some sense into you bro…get your arse over to Japan & have a great time, this is one of those rare absolute no-brainers! Plus, someone actually getting money back out of Port Stephens Council is just gravy… :)

  • Grillman on 08/11/2014 - 02:03

    Port Stephens!? So close!

    So the deal only lets you go for 5-6 days or is that how long they will billet you?

    • scottb721 on 08/11/2014 - 06:16

      You can stay on in Japan but I'd imagine the accomm deal would be limited to that period. Perhaps some extra days could be discussed with the hosts. I think I'll be limited anyway due to my leave balance.

  • scottb721 on 08/11/2014 - 06:20
    +4

    Have given myself a good upper-cut and started some chop stick practice :-)

    Cheers

    • nismo on 08/11/2014 - 06:58
      +2

      Shoryuken!

      Glad to hear. Japan is awesome. I go once per year, non-subsidised!

  • djones145 on 08/11/2014 - 09:26

    which city in japan is the sister city?
    fukushima???? o.O

    if u can score Tokyo or Osaka, that would be quite good
    Jetstar usually has cheap tickets there and u would have accom

    u can live cheap and explore those city cheap

    • donga100 on 08/11/2014 - 11:32
      +1

      I think it would be better if it was somewhere other than Osaka or Tokyo. Those cities are easy to see as a tourist while some of the smaller towns or cities are not as easy for tourists and not as well documented so local insight is invaluable.

  • scottb721 on 08/11/2014 - 11:57
    +1

    The stay is in Tateyama so I assume flying into Narita.

    I'll be finding out more this coming week hopefully.

  • scottb721 on 24/11/2014 - 09:47
    +1

    Japan trip is all booked, but didn't stop at one trip. Just booked a family trip there in May too (hopefully)

  • scottb721 on 13/01/2015 - 21:34
    +3

    One week to go :)

    • PVA on 13/01/2015 - 21:37

      lucky bugger. i'm jealous.

  • titanman on 19/01/2015 - 02:28

    Just returned from 3 and half weeks in Japan and am already planning my return, awesome country.

  • anna10 on 19/01/2015 - 09:15

    I have seen some great AirBnB places in Tokyo.

  • scottb721 on 19/01/2015 - 14:17
    +1

    I'm staying at the Prince on my first night and the Ibis my last night. Both in Shinjuku. Hitting the Robot Restaurant too. All my other nights are with a host family down in Tateyama.

  • anna10 on 20/01/2015 - 07:48

    I enjoyed Kyoto a lot, easy,to,get around and some lovely things to look at.

  • scottb721 on 30/01/2015 - 21:37
    +1

    WOW. What can I say. What a fantastic trip.

    Did my own thing in Shinjuku and Ginza the first and last two days, respectively. The 5 days in between were spent down in Tateyama. Both the city council and my host family had me fully occupied, and entertained, with activites. This included the focus of the trip, the 10km fun run on the Sunday :)

    Already booked to take my kids back in May.

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