Travelling to Japan

[majes]

Kyoto is wonderful, as long as you aren't arrogant and make some attempt to communicate in Japanese, people will love you (in general). Also, the signs for public transport are in English so it's easy to get around. Kyoto is packed with tourist sites of the historical variety which is great if you like history. Personal favorites are Ginkaku-ji and Honno-ji, the latter being where Oda Nobunaga died. Also, Nintendo HQ is about 11-12 blocks directly south of the major train station. It's a great city to build a trip around, because it's smaller than Tokyo so there isn't quite as much to experience, and it's extremely friendly to foreigners. I can't say enough about how nice the people are. It's also right next to Osaka which is the second largest city in the country.

For food, you can't go wrong with Okonomiyaki, and Katatori-kun is spot on with the prices. If you really want to treat yourself, go to a Korean BBQ place. It's pretty expensive, I think around $30 a person, but really good. If you want to travel, the JR Rail Pass is absolutely what you want to do. Taking the bullet train is crazy expensive otherwise. Just be sure to purchase the pass before you go because it's only available to foreigners.

As for other sights, I've only toured the southern region but Miyajima is gorgeous though probably a tad pricey, Nara is really fun to visit because of the older temples and the deer. Kinosaki-onsen makes a great mid-trip relaxation spot just be sure to do some research beforehand on proper customs of Japanese public baths because they take bathing very seriously and you don't want to be "that guy".

If manga and gaming are your thing, also be sure to visit a chain called "Book-off" because they've got a great selection for pretty cheap. Gaming is more expensive than in America, but manga is dirt cheap. Book-off sells high-quality secondhand manga volumes for only 105 yen and the new stuff is only 250-450 yen. I bought the entire series of Urusei Yatsura (32 volumes) for less than Pokemon Black 2, and the game was tax-free.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Kyoto is wonderful, as long as you aren't arrogant and make some attempt to communicate in Japanese, people will love you (in general). Also, the signs for public transport are in English so it's easy to get around. Kyoto is packed with tourist sites of the historical variety which is great if you like history. Personal favorites are Ginkaku-ji and Honno-ji, the latter being where Oda Nobunaga died. Also, Nintendo HQ is about 11-12 blocks directly south of the major train station. It's a great city to build a trip around, because it's smaller than Tokyo so there isn't quite as much to experience, and it's extremely friendly to foreigners. I can't say enough about how nice the people are. It's also right next to Osaka which is the second largest city in the country.

For food, you can't go wrong with Okonomiyaki, and Katatori-kun is spot on with the prices. If you really want to treat yourself, go to a Korean BBQ place. It's pretty expensive, I think around $30 a person, but really good. If you want to travel, the JR Rail Pass is absolutely what you want to do. Taking the bullet train is crazy expensive otherwise. Just be sure to purchase the pass before you go because it's only available to foreigners.

As for other sights, I've only toured the southern region but Miyajima is gorgeous though probably a tad pricey, Nara is really fun to visit because of the older temples and the deer. Kinosaki-onsen makes a great mid-trip relaxation spot just be sure to do some research beforehand on proper customs of Japanese public baths because they take bathing very seriously and you don't want to be "that guy".

If manga and gaming are your thing, also be sure to visit a chain called "Book-off" because they've got a great selection for pretty cheap. Gaming is more expensive than in America, but manga is dirt cheap. Book-off sells high-quality secondhand manga volumes for only 105 yen and the new stuff is only 250-450 yen. I bought the entire series of Urusei Yatsura (32 volumes) for less than Pokemon Black 2, and the game was tax-free.

You hit all the spots I'd love to visit. I'm definetely going to Kyoto, and I'm SO spending at least a full day inside Book Off. I'm a huge used books freak. I went to NYC last March and I stopped by the Strand Bookstore at least once a day for two weeks. I'm sure I'll love it. Also, is there an English section in Book Off, or is everything in Japanese? I might get a new console near the end of the journey, if the money's right and I can carry the extra luggage. The Nintendo HQ is another must-stop, do they do guided tours there? Also, do shrines charge an entry fee (how much)? And are there explanatory signs to go along with then?

 

[Blondefool]

Hi Johnny,

I'm just back from a 2 week trip to Japan where I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone and I can recommend all three. Also, all are easy to travel to as well. I've added my blog below as it actually covers the two weeks there and it might give you some ideas about where to go and what to do. I also have a guide i wrote up if you're interested as well. In terms
of money, I probably spent about £1000 - £1500 for the two weeks but that includes the bullet train, good hotels, sightseeing and shopping as well. I will say that you can live fairly cheaply as well, if you want.

If you have any questions or want any advice, just message me (though everyone seems to have brilliant advice). I'll leave you with this: going to Japan was the best thing I have ever done.


http://robbe-basford.blogspot.com/

 

[Terramax]

I've been doing some hard thinking for about a couple of years now and I've decided I want to travel to Japan. I've been checking the internets for people who've gone there as tourists to see what kind of budget you need to visit for 2 weeks, a month maybe (I'd really like to travel around the country as opposed to staying in Tokyo)? But most posts are horribly dated. If you've been to Japan (better yet, if you live there) could you give me a rough estimate as to how much money I should carry on myself, how much the trip would cost overall? Assuming I play it safe and I'm not a big spender (I really am not, I'm not thinking of making any major purchase, I assume most money will go on the tickets, lounging and eating whenever I'm on the edge of starving). By the way, this is a long-term plan, I'm thinking late 2013, early 2014.

Hi there. I live in Japan and have been doing so for almost 5 months now. I'm currently living in Kyoto, but I'll be moving to just outside of Tokyo in a month's time from now.

I can write a heap load of stuff to you, but best to do it by PM rather than on a forum, but I'll give you a basic heads up.

- Most places in Japan DON'T accept credit cards. They only accept cash. So enter the country with cash, preferrably a big wad of cash so you don't have to withdraw from the bank often (which incurs lots of overseas charges). Luckily, if you're only staying in Japan for 2 weeks, this isn't a big problem.

-The cost of where you're staying depends on what kind of place you want to stay. If you're staying in a hotel, I suggest you google places. When I first travelled to Japan 2 years ago, I went to hostals in Kyoto. Very good. They cost between 1500-2400 yen per night. To find out how much that is in your currency, check out the converter here.

http://www.expedia.co.uk/p/currency-converter

You should find hostels equals very cheap, but of course you'll likely be sharing a room with other people.

- Regarding food, the cheapest places eating out, on average, are between 400-850yen a meal. These are usually places such as Sukiyaki, Nakau, etc. Places that sell rice or noodle dishes (I personally find these places rather tasty). Generally, sushi places will cost more. At least 1200 for a decent meal. More expensive sushi places cost amounts of money that will make your wallet cry.

- Buying food to cook is a mixed bag. It can be either super cheap, or super expensive. You will find that western food, in supermarkets, go through the roof. Blocks of cheese, for instance, are inexistant in Japan. pizzas cost a bomb most places (We're talking 2500yen at the cheapest, but regularly cost 4000yen on average). However, if you like rice or noodle dishes, there are plenty of places where you can buy the ingrediants for these meals for just 200-500 yen a go. Again, check out the converter to get an idea.

- Regarding travel, the best way to travel around the country is by train. There is a special train ticket you can buy PRIOR to entering Japan, that can be either 2 weeks or more, unlimited travel on just about any train in Japan (including the bullet train) for a set price. Someone once told me it was about £250, but I don't know if it costs more or less than that now, 2 years later. If you're seriously thinking of going around the whole of Japan, I highly recommend you check the internet about this ticket).

So, if you want to know how much it cost me per day, I would say, in Kyoto, I bought an all day bus ticket for 500 yen, spent about 1000-1400yen on food per day, and about 2000 average per night at a hostel. That's on average 3500-4000yen a day. Use the calc to find out how much that is in your country. This is living in Kyoto though, NOT Tokyo. So, 42000-48000yen over 2 weeks.

However, this REALLY depends on what kind of food you like to eat. Because I'll eat just about anything, sometimes I was spending less than 1000 a day on food. But if you like quality foods.... you could be spending a heck of a lot more.

FINALLY, take into account what you're wanting to do over there. If you're looking to going sightseeing a lot, find out how much places charge. Going to shrines, or historical places cost me about 300-600 entry fees each time.

Oh, yeah, if you do come, don't forget to give me a shout. If I'm still in Japan by the time you come over, I'll see if I can help make your time easier/ better here. Maybe we can meet up. Any more questions, give me a PM (or ask them on this thread if you'd prefer).

Regarding Kyoto, it's a fantastic place to go to in terms of safety, and if you love temples and shrines, you'll have a field day here. The people are generally pleasant, and a fair few people know English. The ones that don't, it's easy to get or do anything i.e. order foot, etc, but simply pointing or using hand gestures.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Hi Johnny,

I'm just back from a 2 week trip to Japan where I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone and I can recommend all three. Also, all are easy to travel to as well. I've added my blog below as it actually covers the two weeks there and it might give you some ideas about where to go and what to do. I also have a guide i wrote up if you're interested as well. In terms
of money, I probably spent about £1000 - £1500 for the two weeks but that includes the bullet train, good hotels, sightseeing and shopping as well. I will say that you can live fairly cheaply as well, if you want.

If you have any questions or want any advice, just message me (though everyone seems to have brilliant advice). I'll leave you with this: going to Japan was the best thing I have ever done.


http://robbe-basford.blogspot.com/

Well I'm definitely getting psyched from all the advice and recommendations. Thanks for the input, I checked out part 4 of your blog and saw you went to the Ghibli Museum! How much does a ticket cost? The official site says I have to buy one in advance at "Lawson"? Can't I just buy one at the museum? Also, could you give me an estimate as to the price of admission for the Hama Rikyu Gardens? I'm travelling on a very tight budget and I would like to be able to account for all the activities I'm planning along... is it possible to get a tour of the Nintendo/Sony HQs?

 

[Blondefool]

Hi Johnny,

I'm just back from a 2 week trip to Japan where I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone and I can recommend all three. Also, all are easy to travel to as well. I've added my blog below as it actually covers the two weeks there and it might give you some ideas about where to go and what to do. I also have a guide i wrote up if you're interested as well. In terms
of money, I probably spent about £1000 - £1500 for the two weeks but that includes the bullet train, good hotels, sightseeing and shopping as well. I will say that you can live fairly cheaply as well, if you want.

If you have any questions or want any advice, just message me (though everyone seems to have brilliant advice). I'll leave you with this: going to Japan was the best thing I have ever done.


http://robbe-basford.blogspot.com/

Well I'm definitely getting psyched from all the advice and recommendations. Thanks for the input, I checked out part 4 of your blog and saw you went to the Ghibli Museum! How much does a ticket cost? The official site says I have to buy one in advance at "Lawson"? Can't I just buy one at the museum? Also, could you give me an estimate as to the price of admission for the Hama Rikyu Gardens? I'm travelling on a very tight budget and I would like to be able to account for all the activities I'm planning along... is it possible to get a tour of the Nintendo/Sony HQs?

You actually can't buy one at the museum as it is so popular. In fact, I believe there are only around 2000 tickets a day. It might seem like a lot but I arrived just after opening and there was a huge queue formed. I actually bought my ticket in the UK but as you are in Argentina, Lawson may be the best bet. I would budget this in though. If you're a fan of the films, then it is unmissable.

Hama Rikyu was around 800 Yen but I really enjoyed it. That said, there are loads of beautiful gardens and parks so you can miss out a few to save money. For example, the Imperial Palace Gardens are free and are a nice way to spend an hour or so.

You can enter the sony building as it has show rooms etc but I'm not sure about the Nintendo building.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

-snip-

Hi there. I'm actually travelling to Japan on Monday. Against the advice of the following very helpful soul.

-snip-

Unfortunately the situation I chose instead (teaching English in Indonesia) is essentially untenable. Now I'm heading over to Japan looking for work on whatever visa I can get on arrival.

(I'm aware this is illegal but I'm hoping that I can get a full-time visa from Singapore/Hong Kong after work is located)

I'll be travelling to Osaka which appears to be close to Kyoto so I'd love to meet up with @Terramax for a natter if you're willing.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

-snip-

Sorry for butting into your thread. It was just relevant to my situation.

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

Are your accommodation/meals paid for? That sounds a very small amount for a year.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

-snip-

Sorry for butting into your thread. It was just relevant to my situation.

Not at all, I hope you make good use of it

 

[Blondefool]

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

Uhh... that depends on what "exploring" is for you, and how much of your expenses are covered by your program. For example, when I factored out rent, if I was really studious about saving money, then I could get by on about 20,000Y per week. That covered my cooking, train fares, incidental shopping, and very occasional restaurants/nights out. If you don't drink much, if your food expenses are already covered, if you don't have any plans for shopping, and if you can build your travel plans around crashing at friends' houses and taking slow trains, you should be okay.

One potential problem: your mobile phone. I would find it very hard to get by in Japan without one in this day and age (though I did many years ago). I would expect to spend 3000Y/mo for a bottom-end phone you pretty much only use in emergencies, and 10,000/mo for a smart phone.

Also, I do plan on spending money and travelling over Japan since I am there for a year. Maybe visit Mt. Fuji, visit the hot springs, go to Hokkaido, etc. Also I may spend a lot at Super Potato when I am in Tokyo >.>

Dear Capitano,

I easily spent around £1500 in two weeks. You can live cheaper I imagine but I think $2000 might be too low.

 

[Terramax]

-snip-

Hi there. I'm actually travelling to Japan on Monday. Against the advice of the following very helpful soul.

-snip-

Unfortunately the situation I chose instead (teaching English in Indonesia) is essentially untenable. Now I'm heading over to Japan looking for work on whatever visa I can get on arrival.

(I'm aware this is illegal but I'm hoping that I can get a full-time visa from Singapore/Hong Kong after work is located)

I'll be travelling to Osaka which appears to be close to Kyoto so I'd love to meet up with @Terramax for a natter if you're willing.

Indeed, I could do a natter on either a Saturday or Sunday. Trying to meet in Osaka will be difficult though as I don't know the area that well.

Regarding getting a visa, are you sure it will be illegal? Depending on what country you're living in, you can stay legally for a certain number of months. For instance, Brits like me can stay up to 3 months with but a passport. Ozzies are 6 months I believe.

If you want a job, getting a work visa should be fairly easy. At the moment, all I've been asked to do it support copies proving I've finished school and college from native England. What I would suggest, is that you do the same. Bring copies, or better yet, might be worth bringing originals if you're not afraid to take those with you.

Regarding how hard it is to get a job in English, I'm not sure. I applied to 6 jobs in the space of a week. Only 1 of those replied, and it ended up being the job I agreed on, so I didn't continue applying. Other teachers have told me they're desperate for native English speakers, but I'm a tad dubious on the matter. But you're much more likely to get a job if you're applying from within the country, that's for certain.

 

[Terramax]

Question for 'ya. I am moving Japan to study Abroad for a year. Would 200,000 Yen be good for a year's worth of exploring and what not? That is the equivalent to roughly 2000 USD, right?

That's an ok figure as long as a.) you're not going sightseeing every week (which I doubt if you're studying) and b.) you don't go out drinking every night. As mentioned before, clubbing can be very expensive.

So I assume the phone I have now is useless in Japan? iPhone 5.

Yes. Most phones don't work in Japan. Or, if they do, the price of calling or texting is astronomical. I think the cheapest phone (which is the one I and everyone else buys) is a phone from softbank. The phone itself is about 3000-5000yen, I think. You have to buy a phone card to add money, so that's an additional 3000yen. And then the phone charger. Usually phone chargers are 1500yen, but if you go to a 100yen store, you can get a usb charger, and just charge the phone from your laptop for just 100yen

Which reminds me, as well as convenience stores, there are loads of 100yen stores in Japan (the equivalent of £1 stores in England), where most products are just 100yen. If you're on a very tight budget, you can buy a heck of a lot of items from these places. Plates, cups, cutlery, and other cooking utensils. Foods of all kinds, clothes like scarfs and gloves. stationary for studies. Tonnes of stuff, all for 100yen. There have been some days where, bored to go to real supermarkets, I've spent just 600 in 1 day on all 3 meals (I have a 100yen store, literally around the corner from my apartment, which I'm going to now to get some milk).