The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

So where would be a good place to "get out of Tokyo", preferably a place accessible via a direct Shinkansen?

Tokyo isn't bad, but just understand it's one very, very, very big city. For some people, that can get daunting and repetitive. On the other hand, it's great to explore the notable districts.

Outside of Tokyo, as tuapekastar mentioned (and having attended the recent Japan Do, likely to have more recent experience than me), you have Osaka, the other well known metropolis on Honshu. Not as big and a different set of attractions to be had.

Outside of those, I've visited and can recommend the following. Not necessarily based from Tokyo (except Hakone), but easily accessible from Osaka. For more travel details, use Wikivoyage.

• Hakone. Little hilly town with many onsen. You can take a cable car ride up and above a smouldering valley. Long day trip or nice to overnight in.
• Kyoto. The ancient capital of Japan. Very much new-meets-old. Site of the famous Kinkakuji, or golden temple.
• Nara. Big temple here and great to walk around the large gardens. You may even meet some of the local deer. Day trip.
• Himeji. The famous white castle here purported to resemble the shape of a great crane. Nice day trip.
• Hiroshima. Needs no introduction, and worth overnighting or two so you can also visit the nearby Miyajima (island). There you can walk the trails on the island, see the world's largest rice scoop, and see a Japanese gate on the water (in the harbour).

I haven't visited parts north of Tokyo or north Honshu, so can't give much insight into these.

If you are considering covering a bit of Japan via rail, consider the JR Rail Passes. They are region based and priced and last only for a contiguous period of time, but after a few Shinkansen rides they pay for themselves (even if you can't ride the Nozomi services on them). Also, you can very comfortably travel around Tokyo using the JR rail system (cf. the subway, which is also handy but you can't use the JR rail pass on them).

Before you leave Japan, why not overnight near Narita airport... and visit the local town of Narita as well...

 

[kpc]

So where would be a good place to "get out of Tokyo", preferably a place accessible via a direct Shinkansen?

Depends how much time you have....Kyoto (about 3.5 hours from Tokyo), and Hiroshima (further 1.5 hrs from Kyoto)...if you have at least 2- 3 nights, I would this. You could do a day trip to Nagano (1.5 hours from Tokyo). Only mentioned these places as I have personally been to them...

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Before you leave Japan, why not overnight near Narita airport... and visit the local town of Narita as well...

We often do that. Narita has an "old town" look in one street down to the temple ( walk past the McDonalds !!)

I think my favourite place is Nagoya, but you have to stay at the Westin to get the great view of the Castle

Sapporo is interesting as well, you can get there by train, and we are doing that in Sept '14, last time we flew. (I am talking not winter !)

 

[amaroo]

So where would be a good place to "get out of Tokyo", preferably a place accessible via a direct Shinkansen?

The basket is full of options. We did a day trip to Kyoto and had plenty of time to see the sights, squeeze in a nice lunch and enjoy a few bevvies on the way back to Tokyo

Plenty of TR's to wet the appetite.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The view from our room at the Westin Nagoya !

Nagoya has lots to see - there is the Toyota factory tour, Noritake factory tour, Arimatsu village, as well as the castle.

 

[Hvr]

So where would be a good place to "get out of Tokyo", preferably a place accessible via a direct Shinkansen?

Have you ever wanted to see the Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani?
–쉎Œö‰‘ƒ‰ƒCƒuƒJƒ€

Directions in English.

Basically take the Shinkansen to Nagano and then catch the local train to Yudanaka and then a local bus up to the park. It is all very well sign posted in English, they're used to tourists.

The local train is a very old but perfectly maintained suburban train that is history on its own.

Well worth a day trip and you'll see some great sites.

 

[amaroo]

Wow - where did that 17 months go:shock:

Just over a month before the pre-paid (rebate included ) Private Health Insurance perk conks out Wonder what the premiums will be......:?:

 

[kpc]

Wow - where did that 17 months go:shock:

Just over a month before the pre-paid (rebate included ) Private Health Insurance perk conks out Wonder what the premiums will be......:?:

I'm also dreading my renewal notice which is due soon...Thanks Julia / Wayne:evil:

 

[JohnK]

It's Loy Krathong in Thailand, with a touch of Guy Fawkes night.
Full moon, BBQ, a monster bonfire in the back yard, industrial strength karaoke and a truck-load of of illegal fireworks.

Sounds good. I have never been to Thailand at that time of the year.

That is about to change next year.

 

[Hvr]

I'm also dreading my renewal notice which is due soon...Thanks Julia / Wayne:evil:

Given it is essentially middle class welfare I am surprised Joe and Tony haven't reinstated the subsidy.

 

[Buzzard]

Our newest driver is about to have her wings clipped with a 3 month suspension :shock:
Got back from PER today to find a fixed penalty notice from a speed camera in Pacific Highway Sydney North Shore. Luckily for me I was at work over a hundred ks away
Luckily for her we'll be in the LOTFAP for most of the suspension period, I can only hope it's taught her a lesson :!:

In South Australia if you have a vehicle registered to a business, you can either nominate the driver who will pay the standard fine + demerit points or pay a higher fine and nobody gets demerit points. I don't know too many business owners that nominate somebody esp themselves (camera fines only)

 

[penegal]

OMG the neighbours house just sold for $792k! This housing market is ridiculous!

Australian property is crazy.

My baby sister is currently looking at open houses - $500k to $600k will get you a 20 or 30-year old two bedroom flat in Ashwood / Glen Iris (VIC), and a lot of them would need some work inside to be "comfortable" to live in.

 

[JohnK]

Here is a win for the good guys. Or me at least.

Went to renew my NSW drivers licence earlier and because I have been a good boy for 5 years I only had to pay 1/2 price or $83. Excellent. Only problem Amex appeared to be down....

 

[Buzzard]

Here is a win for the good guys. Or me at least.

Went to renew my NSW drivers licence earlier and because I have been a good boy for 5 years I only had to pay 1/2 price or $83. Excellent. Only problem Amex appeared to be down....

Obviously subsidised by Princess Fiona's daughter

 

[Hvr]

Here is a win for the good guys. Or me at least.

Went to renew my NSW drivers licence earlier and because I have been a good boy for 5 years I only had to pay 1/2 price or $83. Excellent. Only problem Amex appeared to be down....

I've had this before as well and believe that it is a just reward for driving safely on the roads.

 

[Flashback]

Looks like my brother in law may have some work over here for a few months, so my sister, niece & nephew etc. may be over here for a little while in the new year. How exciting.

 

[JohnK]

I've had this before as well and believe that it is a just reward for driving safely on the roads.

First time I have been offered this discount which was a surprise.

If I am caught for speeding it is not because I speed intentionally but more to do with me not realising I have gone slightly over the speed limit.

 

[serfty]

I had a 10 year license renewal in June -I received a 25% discount for having a good record. I believe the Victorian government has since discontinued this (Sept. 1?).

 

[erkpod]

I think the discount for a NSW motorist was for 5 years without losing a demerit point. I missed out because I got a BS speeding fine in a school zone in 2009.

I got done for 50kph in a 40kph (school zone) at 2.32pm (according to the ticket). Frustrating because I thought it was before 2.30 & there were no flashing lights.

 

[erkpod]

Thanks to everyone for the Japan tips. I'd done a day trip to Hiroshima in 2011 as a part of my week in Tokyo. I'll be there for a week in February & might spend longer there mid 2014.