Dec 18/Jan 19 Japan Trip Report

fivespice on 16/01/2019 - 09:34

Hi all,

I have gotten great benefit from forum members regarding travel in Japan, so I thought I will share a spreadsheet with some thoughts from my recent trip.

A couple of things to note:

-I travelled with my partner and stayed with another couple for a few days at the start of the trip.

-I understand that this itinerary is quite full-on with a lot movement but my partner and I enjoy this style of travel so I understand it is not for everyone.

-It was our third time in Japan and we had an amazing time.

I have linked the doc as follows and there are three sheets within the document (might be easier to view on desktop):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS4a24657JI7…

Not a super thorough report or anything but I hope somebody will find something beneficial.

Travel

Comments

  • Unofficialking on 16/01/2019 - 11:58
    +2

    Thank you for sharing! I am planning to go to Japan later this year and would certainly use this as a guide.

    • fivespice on 16/01/2019 - 12:31
      +1

      Welcome. Hope it is of some help!

  • carlJack on 16/01/2019 - 12:49

    Thanks for sharing. It will be helpful. Cheers

  • yoonibear on 16/01/2019 - 12:52

    How was the bamboo grove? We went in April/May this year and it was sort of lacklustre :(
    We were thinking of heading back there this year (Dec/Jan) - did you get a chance to do the new year sales-bag-thing?

    • fivespice on 16/01/2019 - 13:08

      Hey, I actually went to the bamboo grove in a previous trip around November and it was a really nice walk around for an afternoon. Tonne of tourists though.

      I have never even heard of the new year sales bag! What did I miss out on?

      • yoonibear on 16/01/2019 - 13:49
        +1

        Same! I had no idea until I watched some Youtube channel a few weeks back - I think they're called "fukubukuro", wanted to get one as an experience :D

        How cold was it during your stay?

        • fivespice on 16/01/2019 - 14:04

          In Osaka and Kyoto, think it was between 2 and 6 degrees; similar in Tokyo although it felt colder as it was a good bit windier. Think similar in Hiroshima too.

          Takayama/Shirakawa-go/Hirayu was probably between -5 and 2 degrees with a good amount of snow.

          I'm a big fan of this kind of weather while traveling compared to the heat.

  • madreece on 16/01/2019 - 12:53

    How did you get the Hilton at half price?

  • doweyy on 16/01/2019 - 12:53
    +1

    What a great write up! Thanks for providing this, we did a similar itinerary in 2017, Japan is a great place.

  • Clear on 16/01/2019 - 14:20
    +1

    Thanks for the write up. I'm planning a trip this year around Sep-Nov and this will be handy

  • burningrage on 16/01/2019 - 14:50
    +1

    Ah you went to Shirakawago. I stayed at Takayama and went to Toyama instead. The Nohi bus was full at the time.

    Thanks for the share. Will keep this in mind

  • starburstyellow on 16/01/2019 - 15:01
    +1

    Went to Japan for a month mid December only got back in Sunday. Man was it cold this winter. Went to Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, Yokohama and Tokyo. This is our 7th trip to Japan in the last 10 years. Going again in Dec but further west near Kumamoto.

    • fivespice on 16/01/2019 - 15:59

      Sounds like a great trip. I assume Sapporo would have been the coldest.

      Crazy that you have been 7 times! I love Japan but I reallllly miss that excitement of being there for the first time. I remember being in awe from just going to a sushi train restaurant and unfortunately it all seems so normal now haha.

      Any great spots you would recommend that may not be common knowledge?

    • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 13:23

      go to Kagoshima, check out the volcano and eat some kurobuta (black pig pork). In Kyushu i also recommend the hot springs in Oita, particularly suginoi palace.
      I live in Nagasaki. I dont recommend travel during the winter months (too cold). September would be a lovely time, at the end of Summer.

      • fivespice on 17/01/2019 - 15:11

        Can I ask what you do in Nagasaki? I'm always intrigued by Australians who live/work overseas as it's something I have wanted to do forever but never really committed to pursuing.

        • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 16:53
          +1

          Teaching english. I couldn't recommend it more. Change your life and get the experience. It took me 10 years to getting around to committing to this. I'll stay forever now.

          • John on 19/01/2019 - 10:13

            @DarthAntz: Let me guess, you must be caucasian? I always think this is one of the plus side of being a caucasian, you have easier opportunity to live in Asian country by teaching English and getting decent pay. Unlike Asians, even if we speak perfect English it is less appreciated because we don’t have the look.. Similarly if a caucasian speak their local language, the locals tend to look up to you highly compared to another asian person speaking their local language. Maybe because asians look the same?…. What’s your thought, would you agree?

            Anyway, how long have you lived there and what’s the reason of still trawling over OzBargain?

            • DarthAntz on 19/01/2019 - 15:23

              @John: 1 in 5 of the people who came over with the group of teachers starting were Asian, male and female. 2 in 5 of the people in my team are Asian. For students, theyre encouraged when they see an Asian with two languages, or the international life with mixed/shared culture. Young children are less likely to cry when they see an Asian face.
              Currently, my students love everything Korean. The music and style is taking over.
              Your attitude is the most important thing. Have the attitude you expect from the best person to learn from. Don't worry about your race, consider the attitude people will benefit from you, and how you'll make them learn from your experience.

              Still on ozbargain for free books and games, great forum, and the sexy orange and white. The colours remind me of Brisbane Roar, when they were winning.
              Lots of culture on here too. Saves me the dirty feeling of missing life lived long ago.
              I've wanted to post a few deals but cannot because of being in Asia, and the deals I found are on AliExpress. Too suss.
              I've been overseas 4 years now, staying indefinitely.

              • John on 19/01/2019 - 17:54

                @DarthAntz: That's awesome to hear. It's always on my mind because I haven't seen any Asian-Australian figures teaching English in Japan. Almost always it's the caucasian. I'm glad that I'm wrong. Though the possibility of me moving there is pretty low.. two kids, mortgage etc. But the thought of living in Japan always provoke me. If I am still single I'd probably pack my bag and give it a go. Well done on you for making the move, its one of the best countries to live in!

                • DarthAntz on 19/01/2019 - 20:43

                  @John: Don't let your heart die young. Your children will benefit from the awesome health care and dentist here. They won't get an English education however.
                  You're stopping yourself. People in your situation have done it. Have a look around Redditfor experiences of living overseas teaching English with a family. It will take planning and effort. It's totally possible.
                  I took a 40% paycut for the job (compared to my last Australia salary), but I haven't felt richer because of the lower tax and rent. I still need to buy tech from Amazon US as local prices are not for me

  • DarthAntz on 17/01/2019 - 13:20

    this was in the news today, should help anyone who is heading to Japan for Hanami, Cherry blossom this year

    https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/01/15/national/cherry…

  • virhlpool on 03/03/2019 - 14:34

    I am traveling to Japan for the first time (for 10-11 days) in April and I plan to go to Tokyo, Kyoto and probably Osaka, with a couple of day-trips to places like Haneko, Nara, Nikko etc within that duration. I am confused if I should try to fit Kanazawa/ Takamaya and Ainokura/ Ogimachi in the itinerary though it will mean that I will have fewer days in Tokyo. And will we need a hired car if we want to drive to those places? What do you recommend to the first timer? We do have a 5-yr old kid with us.

    Current plan is to spend 6-8 days in Tokyo, 4-5 days in/ around Kyoto and probably a day in Osaka. With kid, our travel is often slow paced, hence taking more time in all places.

  • Yarra Warrior on 07/09/2023 - 19:30

    Hi OP, thanks for putting lots of effort by sharing this. These write-ups surely would help me a lot :). Much appreciated.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join