3 Weeks in Japan - The Post COVID Version!

[VPS]

This what I get; you need to select the car symbol, rather than train. Won't be exactly accurate roite of course, but will give an overview. Although I'm surprised it doesn't seem to want to add another rail destination.

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That's the really annoying thing about Google maps - it won't let you add destination for public transport or walking

 

[Quickstatus]

Use a proper N95 mask as they shouldn’t have an air leak so no fogging of glasses

helpful hint about wearing masks

Yes agree.

If fogging then the fit is not correct.
Get a shaped one so it only touch face at the edges.

 

[Quickstatus]

Question for Japan experts. @rbjhan @drron

Have 1 week free in Japan (not me). What’s the recommendation for someone who have not been there before.
I suggested not spending much time in Tokyo but Kyoto/Osaka.

Will be in Rusutsu for the white stuff then 1 week of sightseeing.

@rbjhan thanl you for an excellent TR. living vicariously…

 

[rbjhan]

Question for Japan experts. @rbjhan @drron

Have 1 week free in Japan (not me). What’s the recommendation for someone who have not been there before.
I suggested not spending much time in Tokyo but Kyoto/Osaka.

Will be in Rusutsu for the white stuff then 1 week of sightseeing.

@rbjhan thanl you for an excellent TR. living vicariously…

By Rusutsu I assume this person will be skiing?
Also assuming the outbound flight will be from Tokyo.
In which case I suggest take the train from Hokkaido to Tokyo and making several stops in between.

For example, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Hakodate, Sendai, Nikko (not all of them just some places I like), then maybe 2 days in Tokyo.

Of course flying to Kyoto would also work great but that's kind of obvious answer

 

[SCM]

How much of a big deal do shopkeepers make if you don't wear masks inside? Say restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. I am going in a month, and I'm really not wanting to go back in time 2 years.

 

[rbjhan]

And if you or anyone has a recommendation for somewhere to eat in Okayama, we will give it a try in these 4 days. We are right beside the canal and the illuminations look great.

Canal? You mean in Kurashiki? I didn't eat in Kurashiki at all...

In terms of Okayama I ate mostly at the restaurants in the station or Aeon Mall.

 

[rbjhan]

How much of a big deal do shopkeepers make if you don't wear masks inside? Say restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. I am going in a month, and I'm really not wanting to go back in time 2 years.

Simple, I don't think you will be allowed in.

 

[rbjhan]

Sigh, Japanese are ultra non-confrontational. They don't say anything to your face does not mean they have no objections...their society actually works on layers upon layers of unwritten rules and everyone sticking to it.

I've seen so many tourists happily floating around in Kyoto san-mask, honestly that made me feel uncomfortable and who knows what locals think!

You won't see me wearing one in Melbourne, but when in Rome...

 

[rbjhan]

This what I get; you need to select the car symbol, rather than train. Won't be exactly accurate roite of course, but will give an overview. Although I'm surprised it doesn't seem to want to add another rail destination.

Okay this is part one....although my previously saved places are getting in the way a lot!

Haneda - Yokohama - Izu Atagawa - Shuzenji - Nagoya - Toba - Kyoto

 

[rbjhan]

Part 2 San'in Area

 

[karen blancfield]

Canal? You mean in Kurashiki? I didn't eat in Kurashiki at all...

In terms of Okayama I ate mostly at the restaurants in the station or Aeon Mall.

The hotel in Okayama has a small canal running beside it, the Nishigawa Canal and it’s all lit up for Christmas. Yes, plenty of places inside the station and mall but it’s great to find a little spot that’s just local, which we did tonight. Thanks.

 

[rbjhan]

The hotel in Okayama has a small canal running beside it, the Nishigawa Canal and it’s all lit up for Christmas. Yes, plenty of places inside the station and mall but it’s great to find a little spot that’s just local, which we did tonight. Thanks.

Ha I had to check google maps to see where it was...upstream from the castle?

As a general rule I book hotels near JR station coz it will be much easier to find shops/restaurants, etc. Especially in smaller cities, other area would be dead quiet at night.

 

[pyffii]

We have a 24 hour layover in May and it was suggested to stay at Shibuya and visit Ebisu,Daikanyama and Meguro and particularly the Starbucks Roaster....Thought and sugestions appreciated

 

[drron]

Question for Japan experts. @rbjhan @drron

Have 1 week free in Japan (not me). What’s the recommendation for someone who have not been there before.
I suggested not spending much time in Tokyo but Kyoto/Osaka.

Will be in Rusutsu for the white stuff then 1 week of sightseeing.

@rbjhan thanl you for an excellent TR. living vicariously…

I agree with @rbjhan that spending the time at places between Hokkaido and Tokyo is a good idea. It does depend a bit on exactly when they are travelling.
If in early February then the Sapporo snow festival is on. If in December then the Sendai illumination festival is well worth visiting. However after that is the Matsushima harbour light up which runs through to the end of March. That is just a short train ride from Sendai.

Hakodate in the south of Hokkaido also worth a visit.

Don’t underestimate Tokyo. We have been about 50 times and nearly always find something new to do. There are many areas of Tokyo and they are all different. I remember the time we first visited the Tokyo Tower and noticed a large gathering nearby. Turned out to be a local festival and market. That used up the rest of the day.

It also depends what your interests are. There are many Japan guides on the internet now and a good idea to start looking at a few.

 

[rbjhan]

We have a 24 hour layover in May and it was suggested to stay at Shibuya and visit Ebisu,Daikanyama and Meguro and particularly the Starbucks Roaster....Thought and sugestions appreciated

Depends on what your interest are...

But I would not choose to stay in Shibuya as it does not have good transport links to either airport.

 

[MattA]

But I would not choose to stay in Shibuya as it does not have good transport links to either airport.

Is the Narita Express not back up and running? Did a few work trips to Tokyo pre COVID and we always stayed in Shibuya, as that was where our Tokyo office was at the time. Always caught the Narita Express direct from NRT to Shibuya, which was very straightforward, if long (but that’s more to do with how far away NRT is, I think). Of course since then QF have moved most (all?) of their arrivals to HND, so that’s the more likely arrival point for most AU travellers now.

Great TR btw. Really enjoyed following along. Hope to get back to Japan later this year…

 

[pyffii]

Depends on what your interest are...

But I would not choose to stay in Shibuya as it does not have good transport links to either airport.

the airport limousine bus stops at Mark City and the Shibuya Excel Holiday is right there !!

 

[Quickstatus]

They don't say anything to your face does not mean they have no objections

Yes have a friend who runs a Hakuba area ski lodge. Fluent in the local lingo but the locals don’t know that (as per usual human assumptions). They just talk about you rather than to you. Part of that is the non confrontational -polite nature of the Japanese, and partly because they can’t speak non Japanese either.

My friend often listens in then replies in fluent Japanese and in a nonchalant way. Catches them off guard everytime.

Japan is monocultural and very conforming. Visitors should do the same when in Rome/Japan.

 

[rbjhan]

Is the Narita Express not back up and running? Did a few work trips to Tokyo pre COVID and we always stayed in Shibuya, as that was where our Tokyo office was at the time. Always caught the Narita Express direct from NRT to Shibuya, which was very straightforward, if long (but that’s more to do with how far away NRT is, I think). Of course since then QF have moved most (all?) of their arrivals to HND, so that’s the more likely arrival point for most AU travellers now.

Great TR btw. Really enjoyed following along. Hope to get back to Japan later this year…

Looks like we have different definition of what is good transport links.
I didn't say there's none. But a few NEX is not what I would call good.
Most NEX stop at Tokyo Station, I don't know how many go to Shibuya since I never used it.

Also they have only 24H, if they are staying for a week then it really doesn't matter as much.

 

[sjk]

They just talk about you rather than to you. Part of that is the non confrontational -polite nature of the Japanese, and partly because they can’t speak non Japanese either.

My friend often listens in then replies in fluent Japanese and in a nonchalant way. Catches them off guard everytime.

Japan is monocultural and very conforming.

Doesn’t sound a whole lot like the Japan I live in. Perhaps your friend’s body language is the issue.