Toying over the idea of going to Tokyo for 10-14 days.
I was thinking of going in October, less heat, tourists, generally cheaper airfare and hotels, possibly less expensive in general, though, it suggests, it can be quite stormy?
Anyone been? Any recommendations, suggestions, time of year, package tour, etc.
Anyone wishing to derail the thread, transfer rumours etc welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
I've been there a load of times and funny enough was looking up flights just a moment ago. What sort of things are you into?
Indeed October is stormy - The Japanese Gp has been moved as it always got rained off by Typhoons every other season! We went in August and jesus christ was it hot. I have been Death Valley in August, Singapore, Thailand, SE USA and this was another level of humidity. April is meant to be a great time to go - all the trees are in blossom, the weather is good, and no storms.
I was with kids so not sure if the same as you or not..... but that meant we did things like found a Karaoke bar, went to a cat cafe, - dont need a car or anything as the tube / train system is outstanding. Do a Japanese BBQ where you cook it at the table.... it was odd taking your shoes off before you go in a restaurant, but everywhere is absolutely immaculate. When you get on the tube, bring some dettol wipes etc as it is polite to wipe the seat clean before you get off.
Tokyo Tower was good, and we also got a train to Mt Fuji which included a bus at the other end, so c2 hours.
We stayed near akihabara, electric town but tbh the trains are so good you could stay anywhere, there's a few lines which aren't 24 hours thou so watch out, there was a very expensive taxi ride 1 night!!
it’s a big investment in time and money - have a look on the websites of some reputable tour operators - Wendy Wu or Inside Japan are good start points.
Personally for a holiday of this scale, expense and complexity I’d do an organised trip rather than DIY !
With that amount of time you have enough time to get a bullet train (shinkasen) to another city. Kyoto is very traditional and Osaka more modern and crazy. Both are 2.5 hours on the bullet train and 30 minutes away from each other. I feel that the whole time in Tokyo would mean you would be missing out.
The food is what's best about Japan and when that's done the toilets are an experience!
I go any time but summers can get very hot. Sadly October doesn't have any sumo tournaments!
I don’t intend to spend 10-14 days in Tokyo, just a starting point.
こにちわ
Maybe it’s just that they are shy around strangers/foreigners.
https://youtu.be/ZKAxRN3cooQ?si=M96Lhx8DZm4qE2dF
You can get it on Freeview, but I see there are loads here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/japanrailway/
PS
Any chance you can stick Fukuda in your suitcase when you come back ?
But we were amazed by how cheap food was! You must try a Gyudon at Sukiya (chain of Gyudon restaurants).
1/2 litre of Asahi: £2.20
Also, can recommend Golden Gai which is a narrow street with lots of tiny bars (space for 4-6 people).
There are either 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Mini Mart or Lawson anywhere you go. You can get an egg and rice sandwich for approx 70 pence.
We stayed in Ueno, which was handy as the train from Narita Airport goes straight there (no change required). And Haneda Airport, that we flew out from, was an easy reach from Ueno.
I would also echo that 10-14 days is a long time for Tokyo. You could easily fit in a few days at Kyoto/Osaka as well.
My favourite neighbourhood in Tokyo is Omotesando, which is not often recommended, but is very cool.
Enjoy the wonderful yakitori restaurants, steaming bowls of ramen, and as mentioned above, the incredible array of snacks in the 7-11s.
October would be a great time to visit, we always went to Japan in winter. The only downside of storm season is experiencing a plane landing during a typhoon... Not something I'm in a hurry to re-live.