Japan - tell me all about it

ok, my DH and I have decided that Japan will be our next big holiday. We're aiming for sometime between 2010 and 2012 as the plan will be that from there we'll fly to Scotland to see his sister and her family, so it'll be a big trip.

I've been to Scotland already but I don't know anyone who's been to Japan. DH and I love historical and cultural sites but also like the quirky and off centre sort of sites. Have you been to Japan and whereabouts in Japan have you been? What can you recommend as a must-see? And what cities within Japan should we plan to visit?

Tell me all about it!

I haven't been yet (it's also our next OS holiday!), but DH has been 4 times and worked there for a while teaching English. His sister also spent a year there on an exchange program and they've made really good friends with her host family and they come out here often to visit us.

Anyway, he loves it! He says it's incredibly safe in the city, they have Disney Land (which is a lot cheaper than going to the US one) and a few other big theme parks (similar to the ones we have in QLD) the country is absolutely beautiful, lots of cheap buys/bargains and everyone is friendly! My SIL went over for Yoko's wedding (our friend) and the photos were amazing (full traditional wedding - 7 dress changes!!).

The family friends are from ***uoka, and he spent a lot of time there before travelling and spending some time in Tokyo.

I have some links but not sure if I can post them here???

DH went to most of the theme parks, he went with just a few basic Japanese words but said it was really easy to pick up more (he's currently trying to teach me some before the family come out here in 7 weeks for the wedding!).

If you want more specifics, I can ask him when he gets home from work :)

Have fun planning, it will make for a wonderful holiday destination (from what he has told me about it anyway!).

Lisa,

can you PM me those links please? Or email me at sushee@bellybelly.com.au. I would love to hear more!

Hi Sushee, I went to Japan in 2004. We only went to Tokyo but there was heaps to see & do! We have a friend who lived in Asakasubashi (sp) so we visited there too which was nice & quiet.

The people are SO FRIENDLY & so respectful too! Its really nice to experience.

We went to some markets in Tokyo, I'm sorry I cant remember what they were called but I think they're very well known & they are HUGE! We got alot of bargains there, also a great spot to get souvineers for friends & family at home.

We went to "Electric city" I cant remember the real name for it but everyone will know where you mean by that title. This is where you get all cheap electronics from, we got a few good bargains there too.

We also did the theme parks which were fun :)

There were a few other places too but I'm so sorry I just cant think of the names at the moment. Sounds like you're going to have a great holiday!! I'm sure you'll have the times of your lives :)

Just emailed you :)

Japan is great!
We went a few years ago =DH is half Japanese! Anyway I LOVED Kyoto - its known as the cultural capital and its full of beautiful gardens, temples and gorgeous little laneways. Its not as busy as Tokyo (although its still busy!) and its home of the Geisha (its worth reading Memoirs of a Geisha before yo go if you havent already - you will feel like you are walking through the book in the little laneways that it mentions!)

Also well worth it is Hiroshima - its really sad but the memorial is amazing and definately worth it.
Have to feed Iz will have a think and post more later!

hello! Our family went to Japan in 1998 and it certainly was an exciting trip!

We went to Tokyo, Sapporo, Kyoto, Osaka....and in between!

You must see the temples...especially the gold temple. Sapporo beer house was awesome. Its all you can eat meat and beer...lots of fun there.

There is a disneyland in Tokyo which is wonderful too.

umm im not sure what else...

The communal bathes are something you have to try. Most of them are like public swimming pools with fountains and spas...but everyone is in the nude! :D

Oh Sushee I am so excited for you and so jealous. I have been twice - the first time I lived there for a year as an exchange student and the second time was 13 years later and boy had things changed. I love the place so much. I could write an essay for you on all the things to do, especially if you love getting off the beaten track and into the cuture. Lucky for you I don't have time to do it now. But if you are interested let me know and I'll post more details. Off the top of my head, I would recommend Tokyo (just to say you've been there, I wouldn't spend too long there), Kyoto, Sapporo, Hiroshima and maybe Nagoya and surrounds (I lived in a beautiful country town near-ish to Nagoya and the attractions in the general area include hot springs and cormorant fishing).

You are going to have such a great time. You lucky thing.