A week in Japan, ideas please
Discussion
Evening PH Massive,
My 19-year old son and I will spend almost a week in Japan, flying into Tokyo and then flying on to Singapore, first week of August. Courtesy of British Airways and a bunch of avios.
I haven’t been to Japan for 20 years, I am guessing things may have moved on a bit.
In my head we would do a day in Tokyo, go to Hiroshima, day there, then a day in the temples in the mountains above Osaka, maybe a day in Osaka then back to Tokyo (maybe take in a car auction).
But would really appreciate some local knowledge and other ideas.
We land early Sunday morning and leave late Friday and want to get as much in as possible, happy for lots of bullet trains and basically 6 full days to fill.
Many thanks in advance!
PS no I cannot carry a package to Japan for you :-o
My 19-year old son and I will spend almost a week in Japan, flying into Tokyo and then flying on to Singapore, first week of August. Courtesy of British Airways and a bunch of avios.
I haven’t been to Japan for 20 years, I am guessing things may have moved on a bit.
In my head we would do a day in Tokyo, go to Hiroshima, day there, then a day in the temples in the mountains above Osaka, maybe a day in Osaka then back to Tokyo (maybe take in a car auction).
But would really appreciate some local knowledge and other ideas.
We land early Sunday morning and leave late Friday and want to get as much in as possible, happy for lots of bullet trains and basically 6 full days to fill.
Many thanks in advance!
PS no I cannot carry a package to Japan for you :-o
Edited by ReformedPistonhead on Tuesday 28th March 19:53
ReformedPistonhead said:
Evening PH Massive,
My 19-year old son and I will spend almost a week in Japan, flying into Tokyo and then flying on to Singapore, first week of August. Courtesy of British Airways and a bunch of avios.
I haven’t been to Japan for 20 years, I am guessing things may have moved on a bit.
In my head we would do a day in Tokyo, go to Hiroshima, day there, then a day in the temples in the mountains above Osaka, maybe a day in Osaka then back to Tokyo (maybe take in a car auction).
But would really appreciate some local knowledge and other ideas.
We land early Sunday morning and leave late Friday and want to get as much in as possible, happy for lots of bullet trains and basically 6 full days to fill.
Many thanks in advance!
PS no I cannot carry a package Japan for you :-o
I will report back after my trip in April.My 19-year old son and I will spend almost a week in Japan, flying into Tokyo and then flying on to Singapore, first week of August. Courtesy of British Airways and a bunch of avios.
I haven’t been to Japan for 20 years, I am guessing things may have moved on a bit.
In my head we would do a day in Tokyo, go to Hiroshima, day there, then a day in the temples in the mountains above Osaka, maybe a day in Osaka then back to Tokyo (maybe take in a car auction).
But would really appreciate some local knowledge and other ideas.
We land early Sunday morning and leave late Friday and want to get as much in as possible, happy for lots of bullet trains and basically 6 full days to fill.
Many thanks in advance!
PS no I cannot carry a package Japan for you :-o
What are your priorities in terms of things to do/see?
Thanks both.
Japanese culture. Sushi. Hiroshima museum. Hiking. (Maybe day trip to Fuji). City stuff. My son loves fast n furious and is very into JDM.
So a mix of all of that really. It can be full on we have two days in Singapore to chill afterwards before flying home.
Bullet train to Hiroshima is around 4 hours I think so takes out half a day each way. Osaka in between and gets you close to some of the mountain temples.
Mount Fuji can apparently be a good day trip in a hired car/driver from Tokyo.
Don’t mind spending a little, our turn left seats on each flight cost me peanuts due to vouchers and miles.
Japanese culture. Sushi. Hiroshima museum. Hiking. (Maybe day trip to Fuji). City stuff. My son loves fast n furious and is very into JDM.
So a mix of all of that really. It can be full on we have two days in Singapore to chill afterwards before flying home.
Bullet train to Hiroshima is around 4 hours I think so takes out half a day each way. Osaka in between and gets you close to some of the mountain temples.
Mount Fuji can apparently be a good day trip in a hired car/driver from Tokyo.
Don’t mind spending a little, our turn left seats on each flight cost me peanuts due to vouchers and miles.
ReformedPistonhead said:
Thanks both.
Japanese culture. Sushi. Hiroshima museum. Hiking. (Maybe day trip to Fuji). City stuff. My son loves fast n furious and is very into JDM.
So a mix of all of that really. It can be full on we have two days in Singapore to chill afterwards before flying home.
Bullet train to Hiroshima is around 4 hours I think so takes out half a day each way. Osaka in between and gets you close to some of the mountain temples.
Mount Fuji can apparently be a good day trip in a hired car/driver from Tokyo.
Don’t mind spending a little, our turn left seats on each flight cost me peanuts due to vouchers and miles.
Trip sounds brilliant mate, enjoy. I'd love to do this with my lad when he's older. Japanese culture. Sushi. Hiroshima museum. Hiking. (Maybe day trip to Fuji). City stuff. My son loves fast n furious and is very into JDM.
So a mix of all of that really. It can be full on we have two days in Singapore to chill afterwards before flying home.
Bullet train to Hiroshima is around 4 hours I think so takes out half a day each way. Osaka in between and gets you close to some of the mountain temples.
Mount Fuji can apparently be a good day trip in a hired car/driver from Tokyo.
Don’t mind spending a little, our turn left seats on each flight cost me peanuts due to vouchers and miles.
Do you reckon there might be a car meet you and your son could go to?
With less than a week, and it being his first trip, I think he'll probably find plenty to see just in Tokyo, hitting the popular tourist spots and perhaps a trip to Kamakura to see the Buddha.
With a longer trip I'd definitely say travel farther afield, but I think in this case doing any long train trips would take up a disproportionate amount of his time.
Edit: reading your other replies (my fault for having the window open too long), I'd say maybe go to Kyoto, you can do both Hiroshima and Nara as day trips from there easily enough, and the journey from Toyko could include stopping at Nagoya to visit some of the Toyota museums, if that appeals.
Also, if he likes JDM cars, consider hiring something from Omoren to spend a day driving about in.
With a longer trip I'd definitely say travel farther afield, but I think in this case doing any long train trips would take up a disproportionate amount of his time.
Edit: reading your other replies (my fault for having the window open too long), I'd say maybe go to Kyoto, you can do both Hiroshima and Nara as day trips from there easily enough, and the journey from Toyko could include stopping at Nagoya to visit some of the Toyota museums, if that appeals.
Also, if he likes JDM cars, consider hiring something from Omoren to spend a day driving about in.
Edited by InitialDave on Tuesday 28th March 21:23
Not sure when it is in 2023, but the Suzuka 8 hours motorbike race was on 7 August in 2022 and there are practice and quali sessions in the days beforehand. It's very big in Japan of course with Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha and there is usually some of the big boys from World Superbikes riding.
Morning all.
We are now in Japan.
Day 1: flight from LHR to Haneda cancelled and we rebooked via Hong Kong. Turned a 13h flight into 19h. Got to the hotel at 22:30 last night instead of 13:00. Kudos to BA for rebooking us so fast and to the lovely folks in the Qantas lounge at Hong Kong for sorting out showers in between the flights but of course I am annoyed BA cancelled the direct flight. On the upside got the new BA Club suite which is much better than the old one.
Japan airlines service is impeccable (the HK to Tokyo leg) and enjoyed eating octopus and other things on the plane.
Travelled monorail and Tokyo tube in from Haneda which is a fun experience late on a Saturday night. Persuaded the hotel restaurant kitchen to stay open and had a nice club sandwich (not exactly local food) and a pint with live jazz until midnight.
Just breakfasted and shortly will be collected by a local guide we have booked to show us around the best bits of Tokyo. Mario karts on the streets tonight.
We are now in Japan.
Day 1: flight from LHR to Haneda cancelled and we rebooked via Hong Kong. Turned a 13h flight into 19h. Got to the hotel at 22:30 last night instead of 13:00. Kudos to BA for rebooking us so fast and to the lovely folks in the Qantas lounge at Hong Kong for sorting out showers in between the flights but of course I am annoyed BA cancelled the direct flight. On the upside got the new BA Club suite which is much better than the old one.
Japan airlines service is impeccable (the HK to Tokyo leg) and enjoyed eating octopus and other things on the plane.
Travelled monorail and Tokyo tube in from Haneda which is a fun experience late on a Saturday night. Persuaded the hotel restaurant kitchen to stay open and had a nice club sandwich (not exactly local food) and a pint with live jazz until midnight.
Just breakfasted and shortly will be collected by a local guide we have booked to show us around the best bits of Tokyo. Mario karts on the streets tonight.
In case it helps those planning a similar trip here is Day 2, just finished. Don’t wish to be tone deaf to cost of living crisis etc so no offence intended…
Breakfast at hotel, Hilton Tokyo. Mobbed would be an understatement, but the staff somehow cope with it, every imaginable breakfast option available. Our choice, ample juice, fruit salad, granola, coffee, coffee, coffee, bacon, potato wedges, curried beans, croissants, baguette. Seems like a lot when I write it down.
Went from hotel in Shinjuku to the Meiji Jingu Shrine at Harajuku. Amazing sights, 8m high wooden gates (tip don’t walk through, walk round, the middle is for the deities). Get to the shrine, bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer, bow again and on your way. Everyone respectful, quiet, nice and all set in a massive park with 30m high trees. Lovely.
Then went to Shibuya to walk the famous crossing, then found an amazing tiny sushi bar for lunch. Two pieces of freshly made tuna belly nigiri for £0.90. In London that would be £12. Stuffed our faces. You order on an iPad in front of you and then it shoots out of the kitchen on a conveyor and stops in front of your bar seat. Bonkers.
After that a trip to Akihabara, went to see some Japanese gaming and Anime places, not my bag but good cultural experience.
Then back to Shinjuku, got in the Karts. 10 minute safety briefing and you basically get in a road legal go kart and follow a guide on a Can-am three wheeler at around 40 kmh through Tokyo. Police were parked outside watching us leave and they take things quite seriously apparently. Was a brilliant experience, 1 hour 15 minutes around the main bits of Tokyo, you see everything and people see happy to see you on a noisy petrol go-kart, somehow. Was well organised and the Australian guide was excellent (Monkey Karts in case you fancy it).
Then found a tiny local noodle bar for noodles and the best pint of Asahi ever (it doesn’t taste like this at home). 35 degrees all day so was a bit of a struggle.
Have even managed to navigate the Tokyo subway, which makes the Tube look simples.
Tomorrow the Shinkansen to Hiroshima to do the memorials etc.
TTFN
Breakfast at hotel, Hilton Tokyo. Mobbed would be an understatement, but the staff somehow cope with it, every imaginable breakfast option available. Our choice, ample juice, fruit salad, granola, coffee, coffee, coffee, bacon, potato wedges, curried beans, croissants, baguette. Seems like a lot when I write it down.
Went from hotel in Shinjuku to the Meiji Jingu Shrine at Harajuku. Amazing sights, 8m high wooden gates (tip don’t walk through, walk round, the middle is for the deities). Get to the shrine, bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer, bow again and on your way. Everyone respectful, quiet, nice and all set in a massive park with 30m high trees. Lovely.
Then went to Shibuya to walk the famous crossing, then found an amazing tiny sushi bar for lunch. Two pieces of freshly made tuna belly nigiri for £0.90. In London that would be £12. Stuffed our faces. You order on an iPad in front of you and then it shoots out of the kitchen on a conveyor and stops in front of your bar seat. Bonkers.
After that a trip to Akihabara, went to see some Japanese gaming and Anime places, not my bag but good cultural experience.
Then back to Shinjuku, got in the Karts. 10 minute safety briefing and you basically get in a road legal go kart and follow a guide on a Can-am three wheeler at around 40 kmh through Tokyo. Police were parked outside watching us leave and they take things quite seriously apparently. Was a brilliant experience, 1 hour 15 minutes around the main bits of Tokyo, you see everything and people see happy to see you on a noisy petrol go-kart, somehow. Was well organised and the Australian guide was excellent (Monkey Karts in case you fancy it).
Then found a tiny local noodle bar for noodles and the best pint of Asahi ever (it doesn’t taste like this at home). 35 degrees all day so was a bit of a struggle.
Have even managed to navigate the Tokyo subway, which makes the Tube look simples.
Tomorrow the Shinkansen to Hiroshima to do the memorials etc.
TTFN
See if the Mazda factory has an English-language tour on while you're in Hiroshima, I think they alternate them between English and Japanese.
Also, depending on when you're travelling there/back, the Suzuki history museum at their factory in Hamamatsu isn't that far off route, I think what you'd want to do is get off the shinkansen at Hamamatsu station and take the regular line over to Takatsuka station, which should put you about 500 yards from the museum. Double check, that, though, as I drove when I went.
If you're into models, the Tamiya plastic model factory in Shizuoka has a small display of vehicles in their lobby, but tbh it's only worth the detour if you're a serious nerd for such things.
Also, depending on when you're travelling there/back, the Suzuki history museum at their factory in Hamamatsu isn't that far off route, I think what you'd want to do is get off the shinkansen at Hamamatsu station and take the regular line over to Takatsuka station, which should put you about 500 yards from the museum. Double check, that, though, as I drove when I went.
If you're into models, the Tamiya plastic model factory in Shizuoka has a small display of vehicles in their lobby, but tbh it's only worth the detour if you're a serious nerd for such things.
Edited by InitialDave on Sunday 30th July 15:29
Re Tamiya there are 2 main stores in Tokyo. Also just go to any big hobby store - they will have thousands of Tamiya kits. I spent a couple of hours in one of the big stores. It was mind boggling.
Enjoy the 180JPY>£1 too. Its a sweet exchange rate.
If you are going down to Osaka then I have heard its not that busy right now so might be a good time. Its very touristy though. Osaka castle is great but mega busy when we went.
We really enjoyed a trip to Koyasan - if you like that sort of thing plus a cool train ride (I like trains).
Hiroshima - we found it one of the busiest places we went too. It was good to go and take it all in. But I will be honest, if you only have a week I dont know if its worth it. I would personally rather see Kyoto than Hiroshima in a one week trip. Each to their own though.
Out of all the viewing platforms I thought Skytree was the best. Then Tokyo Metro Bldg. Then Tokyo Tower.
We didnt bother with Shibua Sky.
There is so much to do you wont be stuck for things to see for a week, we were in Tokyo for over 2 weeks and we didnt get to do everything we wanted!!
Enjoy the 180JPY>£1 too. Its a sweet exchange rate.
If you are going down to Osaka then I have heard its not that busy right now so might be a good time. Its very touristy though. Osaka castle is great but mega busy when we went.
We really enjoyed a trip to Koyasan - if you like that sort of thing plus a cool train ride (I like trains).
Hiroshima - we found it one of the busiest places we went too. It was good to go and take it all in. But I will be honest, if you only have a week I dont know if its worth it. I would personally rather see Kyoto than Hiroshima in a one week trip. Each to their own though.
Out of all the viewing platforms I thought Skytree was the best. Then Tokyo Metro Bldg. Then Tokyo Tower.
We didnt bother with Shibua Sky.
There is so much to do you wont be stuck for things to see for a week, we were in Tokyo for over 2 weeks and we didnt get to do everything we wanted!!
gotoPzero said:
Re Tamiya there are 2 main stores in Tokyo. Also just go to any big hobby store - they will have thousands of Tamiya kits. I spent a couple of hours in one of the big stores. It was mind boggling.
For radio control stuff specifically, Super Rajikon on the east side of Akihabara have a great selection and prices, and they'll do tax-free pricing for foreigners, too.Just to add that I’m currently in Japan with my family. Keeping it PH following a recommendation on here we stopped by the fun2drive car club between Hakone and Gora and hired the Initial D rep AE86 as my boys are fans of that particular anime,
A nice set up but a shame about the weather. We followed Yoshi in his lead Legacy and another hirer in a R32 GTR. Due to the weather it was a fairly sedate pace which suited us 4 up in the Levin Corolla!
Earlier in Tokyo we also visited the Tamiya place which had a few interesting display pieces including the ultra rare BDR Caterham.
Other highlight so far was the Teamlabs art installation at Odaiba and a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome which is amazingly reasonable - try the Orange fan zone if you want to get into the atmosphere.
I think we want a kei car when we get home. There are some many weird things on the road, especially the Suzuki Hustler.
A nice set up but a shame about the weather. We followed Yoshi in his lead Legacy and another hirer in a R32 GTR. Due to the weather it was a fairly sedate pace which suited us 4 up in the Levin Corolla!
Earlier in Tokyo we also visited the Tamiya place which had a few interesting display pieces including the ultra rare BDR Caterham.
Other highlight so far was the Teamlabs art installation at Odaiba and a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome which is amazingly reasonable - try the Orange fan zone if you want to get into the atmosphere.
I think we want a kei car when we get home. There are some many weird things on the road, especially the Suzuki Hustler.
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