School me on Japan

[DrunkenSailor]

Kids want to go so looks like we are making plans for next summer. Only plan so far is lax to tokyo. I know one airport is close and the other is pretty far outside the city. Daughter wants to do one day at Disney. Wife wants to do Kyoto. Also thinking about Okinawa. Any must see or do items we should add to the list?

 

[Gelcoater]

Kids want to go so looks like we are making plans for next summer. Only plan so far is lax to tokyo. I know one airport is close and the other is pretty far outside the city. Daughter wants to do one day at Disney. Wife wants to do Kyoto. Also thinking about Okinawa. Any must see or do items we should add to the list?

Any of these 4 places!!

 

[monkeyswrench]

My view of the area is twisted, Godzilla movies from the 50's, Karate Kid II and Tokyo Drift...
As a history dork, I'd say anything 12th to 13th century at the height of Samurai rule...honestly, when would you get another chance?

 

[Tank]

Japan is on the bucket list. Buddy bought a house out there, south west region. I’d say see the big cities but also spend time away from them as well. His place is in a sleepy little town. I’ve seen lots of pics. Amazing. The people, the food, the culture, etc.

Looking forward to the thread.

 

[poncho]

Been to Sendai, Osaka and Tokyo. Tokyo for obvious reasons but I'm not really a big city person. Osaka was a nice blend of large city but not Tokyo crazy, bullet trains all over the country, in an hour you're in some of the most beautiful countryside you'll ever see. Sendai was my favorite buts it's more a of a laid back seaside town.
Very nice people, never felt unwelcome anywhere. Study the buses, subways and bullet trains once you decide what you want to do, all connected by easy one or two block walks.
Love it there.

Disclaimer, last time there was 97 so I'm sure a lot has changed but not the culture.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Might be heading there next year myself for 10 days in May or October....following

I had to agree to go to Tokyo Disney as well.....lol Aggggghhhhhh

 

[CLdrinker]

Only thing I know about Japan is they know not to eff with our boats.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Doesn't @Ziggy have family on that side of the world?

My wife and I have a friend that was on our swim team back in school. He's Japanese, and after college moved there to be closer to grandparents. He lives in some really pretty "village", that has a bullet train station. The pics seemed weird, but commutes a long way into Tokyo.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

So much to see and do.. I've been to Japan a couple of times for work, I absolutely loved it both times.. Japan is totally amazing.. I bought a JR rail pass before going, they have an office in Torrance, with the pass you fly through the train stations. Both times I rented a pocket Wifi device that gives you high speed internet throughout Japan and your entire family and hop on it, phones, laptops,ipads can all be connected, they will send the device to your hotel and you drop them off at the airport when you leave. Kyoto is a good call, you're gonna need at least 2 days to experience it. I would spend multiple days in Tokyo, then take a bullet train and head off into the countryside and get a real feel for Japan. I took a Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano, then to a town called "Shibu".. They have one of (if not the oldest) Onsen's there, "Shibu Olsen" and it's crazy.. It's a historical hot spring, one of the most amazing things I have done. There's also a famous Monkey Park in Shibu, it was great and I think the kids would love it too.. I could go on and on about Japan, the food, the people, the culture etc.... I'm tempted to go skiing in Niseko this year, we'll see.

 

[monkeyswrench]

So much to see and do.. I've been to Japan a couple of times for work, I absolutely loved it both times.. Japan is totally amazing.. I bought a JR rail pass before going, they have an office in Torrance, with the pass you fly through the train stations. Both times I rented a pocket Wifi device that gives you high speed internet throughout Japan and your entire family and hop on it, phones, laptops,ipads can all be connected, they will send the device to your hotel and you drop them off at the airport when you leave. Kyoto is a good call, you're gonna need at least 2 days to experience it. I would spend multiple days in Tokyo, then take a bullet train and head off into the countryside and get a real feel for Japan. I took a Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano, then to a town called "Shibu".. They have one of (if not the oldest) Onsen's there, "Shibu Olsen" and it's crazy.. It's a historical hot spring, one of the most amazing things I have done. There's also a famous Monkey Park in Shibu, it was great and I think the kids would love it too.. I could go on and on about Japan, the food, the people, the culture etc.... I'm tempted to go skiing in Niseko this year, we'll see.

View attachment 1425393

Did I hear monkey park?
Sounds like a great place!

 

[76 Hondo]

We went to Japan a few years back, when my SIL was stationed in Okinawa, 4 days in Tokyo with my daughter as a guide was great it was July so it was hot. Toured the Imperial Palace, and many cultural sites, saw a Japanese baseball game at the Tokyo Dome what a trip, cheer girls, game ended with a walk off grand slam!
Tokyo is very crowded but the people are very polite, people would stop and say welcome to Japan, also very clean.
Now Okinawa was the best SIL USMC Osprey pilot, shared a great evening on base with us where the Officer’s and their wives make the inlisted their favorite meals and serve them.
Both my Father and my Wife’s Father served in the Pacific during World War I’ll, in fact My Father’s destroyer was sunk off the coast of Okinawa April 6 1945.
Okinawa is called the Hawaii of Japan, beautiful beaches, and jungles. The Peace Memorial is incredible, the site of Hacksaw Ridge.

 

[outboard_256]

I speak limited Japanese. I can read signs but forgot what most of the words mean so still doesn't help. I felt in Tokyo it was easy to get around with out speaking Japanese. Most signs are in Japanese, then Chinese under it, then English. You can talk to most people and get by with hand gestures (pointing, thumbs up, etc) and saying words. Like you ask, where is 711?, they repeat 711?, you gives thumbs up, they point a direction, and off you go. The farther away from Tokyo I got the harder it was and less English words I saw. Usually I was visiting family so relied on them as tour guide and translator in those cities. So just keep that in mind if you are planning on smaller non-tourist type cities.

One great thing I did in Tokyo was send my luggage from hotel to hotel. There is a service you can get so when you check out of a hotel they come pick up your luggage and take it to the next hotel. So when you get to your next one and check in the luggage is already there and you don't have to lug it around on the subway/busses. Very reasonable priced. Helped because the cars in Japan are Tiny. Think a Suzuki Samurai looks like a mini van over there. So we had 4 people and would often have to take 2 taxis, epically if we had luggage. Same with subways and busses, hard to lug big suitcases on them. Do able but they can get crowded depending on time of day.

Subway system is efficient but massive. Maybe do some research on them before hand if you plan on using it. The ticket buying and transfers can get confusing if you are not used to it. Several different ways to pay and different prices for local/tourist (with cheaper for tourist) but they are talking about changing that.

If you are 6 foot tall or taller be prepared to duck a lot. I was hitting my head on door ways, beams, signs, etc. Feels like 6 foot is the height hang everything, haha.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

We went to Japan a few years back, when my SIL was stationed in Okinawa, 4 days in Tokyo with my daughter as a guide was great it was July so it was hot. Toured the Imperial Palace, and many cultural sites, saw a Japanese baseball game at the Tokyo Dome what a trip, cheer girls, game ended with a walk off grand slam!
Tokyo is very crowded but the people are very polite, people would stop and say welcome to Japan, also very clean.
Now Okinawa was the best SIL USMC Osprey pilot, shared a great evening on base with us where the Officer’s and their wives make the inlisted their favorite meals and serve them.
Both my Father and my Wife’s Father served in the Pacific during World War I’ll, in fact My Father’s destroyer was sunk off the coast of Okinawa April 6 1945.
Okinawa is called the Hawaii of Japan, beautiful beaches, and jungles. The Peace Memorial is incredible, the site of Hacksaw Ridge.

I definitely want to check out a ball game. We are debating the couple hour flight to Okinawa after the flight from LAX but it sounds like we should do it. A day or two on the beach needs to be on my itinerary.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

So much to see and do.. I've been to Japan a couple of times for work, I absolutely loved it both times.. Japan is totally amazing.. I bought a JR rail pass before going, they have an office in Torrance, with the pass you fly through the train stations. Both times I rented a pocket Wifi device that gives you high speed internet throughout Japan and your entire family and hop on it, phones, laptops,ipads can all be connected, they will send the device to your hotel and you drop them off at the airport when you leave. Kyoto is a good call, you're gonna need at least 2 days to experience it. I would spend multiple days in Tokyo, then take a bullet train and head off into the countryside and get a real feel for Japan. I took a Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano, then to a town called "Shibu".. They have one of (if not the oldest) Onsen's there, "Shibu Olsen" and it's crazy.. It's a historical hot spring, one of the most amazing things I have done. There's also a famous Monkey Park in Shibu, it was great and I think the kids would love it too.. I could go on and on about Japan, the food, the people, the culture etc.... I'm tempted to go skiing in Niseko this year, we'll see.

View attachment 1425393

Monkey park in shibu looks awesome.

 

[Ziggy]

Doesn't @Ziggy have family on that side of the world?

My wife and I have a friend that was on our swim team back in school. He's Japanese, and after college moved there to be closer to grandparents. He lives in some really pretty "village", that has a bullet train station. The pics seemed weird, but commutes a long way into Tokyo.

My daughter is in So.Korea but has traveled multiple times to Japan. Weekend type trips, like SoCal'rs would go to Vegas.
@HallettBill might have more insight, he used to go there regularly & visit cool spots.

 

[Hondo-407]

I'm also looking forward to this thread! Japan is on my, "do it soon bucket list"!

A couple of fun things I wanna see:

https://www.mooneyes.co.jp/en/

 

[Jonas Grumby]

All I know, American pussy ( l ) Japanese pussy (—)

 

[Hypnautic]

Been too many years since Ive been.
in Tokyo there are some famous restaurants where Sumo Wrestlers eat. the meal is pricy but a family of 5 could not finish it. I dont remember the name--sorry.
Shinjuku is where we go to buy any electronics. This area especially has the "English" version. Many places in Japan will sell you, say a camera--but all the writing on the camera will be in Japanese. Shinjuku has the American version.
Ride the city trains--they are clean and safe. Many locals will help you with directions--remember to thank them with a small smile and a bow of your head. On the floor of the train stations are painted lines--so if you need the red, blue, yellow, etc train--just follow the line.
Kyoto, Nagasaki would also be high on the visit list. Okinawa--is still by many considered 2nd class Japanese people and not much to see.
Visit the popular Shinto Shrines and Pagoda's--take note how the floor squeaks--they are called "nightingale floors".
Bullet Train will take you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
My favorite places to eat are where locals eat. This is true for anyplace. In Japan since I cant read or speak--those restaurants will give you a picture menu.

Background--my Japanese ancestry, Shimojo, moved from Okinawa to Hawaii in the late 1800's. They settled, worked the farms and set up small village shops. Eventually married into Hawaiian family's

 

[cofooter]

Been too many years since Ive been.
in Tokyo there are some famous restaurants where Sumo Wrestlers eat. the meal is pricy but a family of 5 could not finish it. I dont remember the name--sorry.
Shinjuku is where we go to buy any electronics. This area especially has the "English" version. Many places in Japan will sell you, say a camera--but all the writing on the camera will be in Japanese. Shinjuku has the American version.
Ride the city trains--they are clean and safe. Many locals will help you with directions--remember to thank them with a small smile and a bow of your head. On the floor of the train stations are painted lines--so if you need the red, blue, yellow, etc train--just follow the line.
Kyoto, Nagasaki would also be high on the visit list. Okinawa--is still by many considered 2nd class Japanese people and not much to see.
Visit the popular Shinto Shrines and Pagoda's--take note how the floor squeaks--they are called "nightingale floors".
Bullet Train will take you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
My favorite places to eat are where locals eat. This is true for anyplace. In Japan since I cant read or speak--those restaurants will give you a picture menu.

Background--my Japanese ancestry, Shimojo, moved from Okinawa to Hawaii in the late 1800's. They settled, worked the farms and set up small village shops. Eventually married into Hawaiian family's

This! Gotta see Southern Japan, especially Kyoto with the family, home of the Shoguns, historic wooden buildings, temples, gardens, and tons of history. I used to go to Japan (mostly Tokyo) for work at least 4 times a year, and my favorite part was going down to Kyoto to see one of our suppliers.

 

[steamin rice]

I used to travel to Tokyo 1-2 times per year for business, and had a great time there. I learned early on to take the Narita Express into Tokyo from the airport rather than the "Limo Bus" which takes forever due to traffic.

The train system around Tokyo is great, very easy to use, and will get you all over the place.

It was already mentioned, but try to stop in some of the smaller, local places to get food, I think they are called Izakaya's which are basically bars that have casual food. Chicken Yakitori is basically a grilled teriyaki chicken skewer and usually pretty tasty. Lots of different types of noodles to try as well as sushi, Kobe/Wagyu beef, etc. Some of the smaller places might not have english menus and they might not speak english very well, but if you are patient you shold be able to figure out how to get some good food that you won't find in the touristy spots.

Also take the bullet train (shinkansen) somewhere - I did on a few trips and was surprised at how smooth the train was at 180 MPH.

 

[76 Hondo]

All I know, American pussy ( l ) Japanese pussy (—)

That’s an old wife’s tale, it’s just how you’re lookin at it!

 

[boatpi]

If you can get a shuttle bus from either airport to your hotel, that would be best and I personally stay in Tokyo, maybe a little bit towards Yokohama or up on the hill we stayed at the Westin
If you use a taxi, it’s gonna run about $110

Definitely get the real pass and do not miss Osaka these trips out and about they’re gonna take you a couple days at a time you have to book alternative hotels you’re not gonna be home in one day. It’s an interesting place as queen is Singapore.

In Yokohama there’s some good stuff for the kids. I’ll post a virtual daytime attraction down by the seashore. It’s pretty cool. I’ll enjoy it. I went through it.

So what is worth if you wanna make it a double vacation Hawaiian airlines flies from Honolulu to Tokyo once or twice a day you could go to to Hawaii if they haven’t been spend a day or two and hop on a Hawaiian Airlines flight to Tokyo

 

[jonnyd]

My Son is in Japan right now. He flew out Saturday to Tokyo and met up with others for a group type tour. So far he his having a great time and loving the food! He has tickets one day for a Sumo match which he is a fan of. For the kid in High School who didn't want to learn Spanish, he studied the Japanese language and symbols on his own and so far he's doing well.

 

[Racey]

This! Gotta see Southern Japan, especially Kyoto with the family, home of the Shoguns, historic wooden buildings, temples, gardens, and tons of history. I used to go to Japan (mostly Tokyo) for work at least 4 times a year, and my favorite part was going down to Kyoto to see one of our suppliers.

I've never been but i have heard the same thing, Kyoto is supposed to be amazing.

Also remember, respect the culture, it's not America. mimic what the locals do... You are a guest

Definitely on my list to go. There are some really good youtube videos if you go down the rabbit hole

 

[Jonas Grumby]

That’s an old wife’s tale, it’s just how you’re lookin at it!

Ahhhhsooo

 

[HallettBill]

I’ve travelled to Tokyo over 100 times for work. Mostly Narita and some Haneda. Tokyo itself is worth a few days. Tsukiji fish market, Shibuya and royal palace are cool. The morning commuter trains like packed sardines is fun to see.
Walking thru the bamboo forests and thru small towns are my favorites. Awesome food and very polite people everywhere. The temples are incredible.
A lot of people are going to Tokyo Disney now because it’s cheaper than Anaheim, it’s a fun and safe country.

 

[rrrr]

I went to Japan with my IndyCar team in 2004 for the race at the Honda owned Twin Ring Motegi. It's near Utsunomiya, about 100 miles from Tokyo. Before I left home, I went to the local Western wear store and bought a bunch of Texas themed postcards.

They were a huge hit with the locals. I gave them to restaurant and hotel personnel, and people I met on the street. My interactions with the populace were always positive, all of those I spoke to were friendly and polite. The best reaction was from a cop on the street. He took me to the police station, and my picture was taken with most of the cops, including the chief. They traded phones with each other so they had photos to take home.

I stayed over for a few days afterwards, took the Shinkansen to Tokyo, and stayed at the Hyatt Roppongi. It was the first time I had paid more than $500 per night for a room, but was worth it just for the toilet. It had a wall mounted control panel that looked like it belonged in a private jet cockpit, and had settings for heat, fans, music, mood lighting, and other stuff.



The streets were filled with people, including some I think were women ( ) offering the Happy Ending. A restaurant I went to had Wagyu beef medallions that were served raw, accompanied by a straw basket filled with large round flat stones heated to 700°C. They were used to cook the meat, it was a pretty neat meal.

Typical tourist, I didn't know anything of the Japanese language except arigatou.



The trip was a great experience, and the people were wonderful. I'd love to go again.

 

[Nordie]

One of my guys at work took his wife and daughter for a month. His daughter didn't want a quinceneria, so they did Japan and South Korea.

He said he loved it, the food was awesome and cheap. The rooms were also super cheap. He actually wants to go back.

I want to goto that restaurant that has fish in a tank that you fish for and then they cook up what you catch.

 

[cofooter]

One of my guys at work took his wife and daughter for a month. His daughter didn't want a quinceneria, so they did Japan and South Korea.

He said he loved it, the food was awesome and cheap. The rooms were also super cheap. He actually wants to go back.

I want to goto that restaurant that has fish in a tank that you fish for and then they cook up what you catch.

Lots of places like that, some places don't even cook it, just sashimi if up live and put the slices of sashimi back on the fish carcass that is still quivering, haha. Talk about a bit of a culture shock, yes, I will have some more sake and beer please!!!

 

[Cobalt232]

My favorite place near Kyoto is Lake Biwa. If you stay at the Marriott there, they have rooms with the hot spring water pumped inside. Your own private onsen.

Also, the Toyota plant tour is fun if you are in Nagoya. You need to make reservations well in advance though.