The focus of these links is primarily on Tokyo and Hakodate, Hokkaido since that's where I went. Some were more useful than others, but this is pretty much the assortment I used. It really paid off financially to spend a significant amount of time following links. I found travel deals that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I didn't use them all, but I did feel well-prepared for my trip. And if you're a strictly English-speaking never-been-overseas-before person like me, I strongly recommend spending some time on cultural research, too.
These are in no particular order:
Tokyo Metro Sightseeing Plans- has some suggested locations to visit and instructions for hwo to get there. Be sure to follow side links- you might find something that is more useful for your particular itinerary.
Eating Out in Tokyo for About $25 a Day- Not a recent entry, but some general information.
GALA Yuzawa- We didn't have time for this day trip, but will try on another trip. Looks fun and rates are good.
Welcome Inn Reservation Center- I didn't use this for any reservations, but it was good for some basic lodging cost information.
Akihabara Town Guide- If you're planning to visit Akiba, this site has a map. We left the station from the end opposite Electric Town and wondered what the big deal was at first until we got our bearings. But in so doing, we discovered a wonderful stationary shop where we had one of our best experiences in Japan. Sometimes taking the wrong turn ends up being a good thing :)
Edo-Tokyo Museum- Another place we wanted to visit, but didn't. No worries...now we know we have to go back to Japan!
Tokyo Zoo Net- Lists the zoos in Tokyo and directions for getting to them. Not recommended for people who expect wide open grassy plains and free-range roaming of animals. Just so you know.
Tokyo International Hostel- You can check availability online. Cheap rates. Didn't stay here, so I can't give you any more details than that.
Sakura Hostel Asakusa- We did stay here and I still recommend it. Will stay here again, especially since they have a couple of rooms that will house my whole gang.
Jalpak Tour Packages- Tour packages by rail and air.
JapaniCan- Lots of tour packages. Link will lead you to one for Tokyo to Kyoto. I really wanted to visit Kyoto, but wanted to see Hokkaido more. Hopefully, I can take the kids to Kyoto next year. They might lynch me if I don't.
Japan Rail Pass- Some good rail travel deals for foreigners. Be sure to purchase your exchange voucher in enough time that it can be shipped to you prior to your departure. I had to order mine online, but they FedEx'd them and the vouchers came in just two days. Depending on where you live, you may have a local office that is an authorized distributor (pretty much major cities only).
7-11 ATM Information- Okay, I have to say that combini like 7-11 will be your friends. You can get a good, tasty meal for a good price. Don't be afraid to buy meat dishes or sushi. It's safe to heat. The cashier will even offer to heat your meal in the microwave. You'll get hashi and oshibori to take with you. It's a deal you can't beat!
As for ATMs, I didn't use them much. I exchanged my cash at the airport and once in Akiba. It was easier to manage our budget (we were on a tight one!) by splitting physical cash into little piles for each day. I did use my VISA debit card at stores in Tokyo, but don't stake your trip on being able to use it everywhere. Have some cash on-hand. And on that note, too...NO TIPPING in Japan. Yes, it's true. NO TIPPING. Wheee!!! The only exception that I know of is your housekeeper in a ryokan. So double-check for your itinerary.
Japan National Tourism Organization- Lots of interest-specific tours and activities listed here. I think the link will take you to information on Tea Ceremonies for English Speakers. You definitely want to spend a little time on this site for info on annual events, etc.
Taito City- Information on Asakusa and Ueno.
US Department of State- Passport Information for Americans traveling abroad. You can also check the status of your passport application on the site. By the time mine had posted, it was already in my hands, though.
Tobu World Square- I would like to visit this place someday. Looks cool and there are some other interesting attractions nearby.
Tobu Railway- Did you visit the link above and want to go? Check this site for some package deals that include those other cool places I mentioned.
Ghibli Museum- If you want to visit the Ghibli Museum, do your homework first or you may not see more than the entrance. Click the link for info.
Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum- You just don't know how badly I wanted to visit one of these places. But they were too far away to fit in our itinerary. Waaa!! Invest a little time with your favorite search engine and you'll find several, including some as part of theme parks.
Japan-Guide- I used this site for some of the Hakodate trip planning. It has info for other locales, but this link will take you straight to the Hakodate page.
Well, this is far from a comprehensive guide to trip planning, but a few of these links should be helpful starting points for your own adventure. Once you arrive in Japan, be flexible. Traveling by rail takes up more of your time than you may have anticipated. And be sure to ask at your local lodging- they know all of the good places in the area, and can point you to practical locations like the grocery store and post office, too. Enjoy your trip and save some room in your suitcase for me!
These are in no particular order:
Tokyo Metro Sightseeing Plans- has some suggested locations to visit and instructions for hwo to get there. Be sure to follow side links- you might find something that is more useful for your particular itinerary.
Eating Out in Tokyo for About $25 a Day- Not a recent entry, but some general information.
GALA Yuzawa- We didn't have time for this day trip, but will try on another trip. Looks fun and rates are good.
Welcome Inn Reservation Center- I didn't use this for any reservations, but it was good for some basic lodging cost information.
Akihabara Town Guide- If you're planning to visit Akiba, this site has a map. We left the station from the end opposite Electric Town and wondered what the big deal was at first until we got our bearings. But in so doing, we discovered a wonderful stationary shop where we had one of our best experiences in Japan. Sometimes taking the wrong turn ends up being a good thing :)
Edo-Tokyo Museum- Another place we wanted to visit, but didn't. No worries...now we know we have to go back to Japan!
Tokyo Zoo Net- Lists the zoos in Tokyo and directions for getting to them. Not recommended for people who expect wide open grassy plains and free-range roaming of animals. Just so you know.
Tokyo International Hostel- You can check availability online. Cheap rates. Didn't stay here, so I can't give you any more details than that.
Sakura Hostel Asakusa- We did stay here and I still recommend it. Will stay here again, especially since they have a couple of rooms that will house my whole gang.
Jalpak Tour Packages- Tour packages by rail and air.
JapaniCan- Lots of tour packages. Link will lead you to one for Tokyo to Kyoto. I really wanted to visit Kyoto, but wanted to see Hokkaido more. Hopefully, I can take the kids to Kyoto next year. They might lynch me if I don't.
Japan Rail Pass- Some good rail travel deals for foreigners. Be sure to purchase your exchange voucher in enough time that it can be shipped to you prior to your departure. I had to order mine online, but they FedEx'd them and the vouchers came in just two days. Depending on where you live, you may have a local office that is an authorized distributor (pretty much major cities only).
7-11 ATM Information- Okay, I have to say that combini like 7-11 will be your friends. You can get a good, tasty meal for a good price. Don't be afraid to buy meat dishes or sushi. It's safe to heat. The cashier will even offer to heat your meal in the microwave. You'll get hashi and oshibori to take with you. It's a deal you can't beat!
As for ATMs, I didn't use them much. I exchanged my cash at the airport and once in Akiba. It was easier to manage our budget (we were on a tight one!) by splitting physical cash into little piles for each day. I did use my VISA debit card at stores in Tokyo, but don't stake your trip on being able to use it everywhere. Have some cash on-hand. And on that note, too...NO TIPPING in Japan. Yes, it's true. NO TIPPING. Wheee!!! The only exception that I know of is your housekeeper in a ryokan. So double-check for your itinerary.
Japan National Tourism Organization- Lots of interest-specific tours and activities listed here. I think the link will take you to information on Tea Ceremonies for English Speakers. You definitely want to spend a little time on this site for info on annual events, etc.
Taito City- Information on Asakusa and Ueno.
US Department of State- Passport Information for Americans traveling abroad. You can also check the status of your passport application on the site. By the time mine had posted, it was already in my hands, though.
Tobu World Square- I would like to visit this place someday. Looks cool and there are some other interesting attractions nearby.
Tobu Railway- Did you visit the link above and want to go? Check this site for some package deals that include those other cool places I mentioned.
Ghibli Museum- If you want to visit the Ghibli Museum, do your homework first or you may not see more than the entrance. Click the link for info.
Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum- You just don't know how badly I wanted to visit one of these places. But they were too far away to fit in our itinerary. Waaa!! Invest a little time with your favorite search engine and you'll find several, including some as part of theme parks.
Japan-Guide- I used this site for some of the Hakodate trip planning. It has info for other locales, but this link will take you straight to the Hakodate page.
Well, this is far from a comprehensive guide to trip planning, but a few of these links should be helpful starting points for your own adventure. Once you arrive in Japan, be flexible. Traveling by rail takes up more of your time than you may have anticipated. And be sure to ask at your local lodging- they know all of the good places in the area, and can point you to practical locations like the grocery store and post office, too. Enjoy your trip and save some room in your suitcase for me!
Woot! *takes down all the links* THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'm so ready to go! *prays that I get to go*
ReplyDeleteThe more you research, the better prepared you'll be and the less alien everything will seem. And the added bonus is that you can find less expensive ways to travel!
ReplyDelete