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Tokyo
Comments
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Golden Gai is an experience. Very small bars, some up very steep and narrow stairs and very little space. Many are for locals only (some have “no foreigner” signs), and you should ask permission to be let in - don’t be offended if you are told, quite abruptly, to go away. Typically no photography allowed. You’ll also have a minimum spend / cover charge. Many are themed. I spent a few hours in a dildo themed bar (“Foreigners allowed Tuesdays”).0
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The Misono building in Osaka is similar. One of the bars is like a messy students bedroom. I found a computer game one and played Mario on an original NES. For a game that's about 40 years old it still holds up well!0
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Actually a few people have reminded me, but when I went in August last year the exchange rate must have really been on our side, because it was ludicrously cheap. Even at Disneyland where you usually have to sell a kidney for anything, I was getting lunch for the whole family for a £15. It was ridiculous.0
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I've lived in Osaka for about 10 years. October can be a fantastic time but you can get unlucky with the rain. Typhoon season is September but it can still rain a lot in October - 50/50 chance. Temperature is great then though - mid twenties.
Japan is a great place to visit for a holiday.0 -
Never been but general applications for the 2026 Tokyo marathon open tomorrow so will revisit this post if I get in.1
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All sound very good but as a vegetarian and non drinker. Yeah, I know, I'm now completely boring, the temptation may be too great;)Danepak said:I only spent 2 nights there back in June (stopover from Auckland to Copenhagen).
But we were amazed by how cheap food was! You must try a Gyudon at Sukiya (chain of Gyudon restaurants).A bowl of Gyudon with kimchi on top: £3.50.
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.
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So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto
I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?
Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?0 -
I've booked Japan in March. China Eastern were/are offering flights for £500 return. You have to change plane in Shanghai but you can explore Shanghai visa free for 24 hours. I'd never planned to visit China so it's a bonus.
Japan-wise I'll be in Osaka, with day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and maybe Hiroshima.
Sillav, look up Nara if you've not already. It would be easy to fit in.0 -
I've never bothered with Fuji. Real tourist trap by all accounts. Very rigid excursions and you'd struggle getting vegetarian food if you hiked it.sillav nitram said:So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto
I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?
Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?
Naoshima looks good though.
I'd try and get out into the countryside in Kyoto, if I were you. There's some amazing scenery and little cafes and mochi shops dotted about. Just check the opening times on Google maps. You'd need a car or a bike to get about, but it'll be worth it.2 -
3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!0
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Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.0 -
Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.sillav nitram said:
Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.1 -
Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.Friend Or Defoe said:
Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.sillav nitram said:
Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.1 -
Ok, thanks.Cloudworm said:
I've never bothered with Fuji. Real tourist trap by all accounts. Very rigid excursions and you'd struggle getting vegetarian food if you hiked it.sillav nitram said:So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto
I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?
Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?
Naoshima looks good though.
I'd try and get out into the countryside in Kyoto, if I were you. There's some amazing scenery and little cafes and mochi shops dotted about. Just check the opening times on Google maps. You'd need a car or a bike to get about, but it'll be worth it.0 -
Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.sillav nitram said:
Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.Friend Or Defoe said:
Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.sillav nitram said:
Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.0 -
Am i correct in assuming you've never been to Japan?Covered End said:
Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.sillav nitram said:
Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.Friend Or Defoe said:
Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.sillav nitram said:
Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.0 -
No.Friend Or Defoe said:
Am i correct in assuming you've never been to Japan?Covered End said:
Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.sillav nitram said:
Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.Friend Or Defoe said:
Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.sillav nitram said:
Ah but I’m not you.Friend Or Defoe said:3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!
if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.0 -
So you've been, although i'm not ruling out the chances of you not knowing a double negative, offer no advice yourself but do a bizarre post where you ignore:
1) I stated, if you like cycling...
2) the reply where i asked why it wasn't mentioned previously (i had asked earlier what he was into) then recommend not doing long walks due to this.
You can see why i'm hesitant to give too much advice on this forum. So many strange posters posting random off topic things of no relevance. What do they gain from this?!
If anyone wants advice on what to do on Japan drop me a PM. I've been multiple times and have family out there. I'll be living there myself one day.
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If someone asks a person & particularly asks a 70 year old man with heart trouble "what sort of things are you into?"
I don't think the expected reply would be "not cycling".
I've had very many conversations over the years asking people their hobbies and interests and no one has ever replied "not cycling".
It seems a tad unfair to be digging out a retired man for not mentioning that his interests are "not cycling".
You seem very angry and somewhat rude.0 -
As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature.1
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Japan is a beautiful country for countryside etc, it's fair enough for @FriendOrDefoe, who knows the country well, to recommend cycling during a visit there. That's a helpful recommendation. How was they supposed to know that original poster is not fit and not looking for any active experiences such as cycling.Covered End said:If someone asks a person & particularly asks a 70 year old man with heart trouble "what sort of things are you into?"
I don't think the expected reply would be "not cycling".
I've had very many conversations over the years asking people their hobbies and interests and no one has ever replied "not cycling".
It seems a tad unfair to be digging out a retired man for not mentioning that his interests are "not cycling".
You seem very angry and somewhat rude.Calling them out for being rude is unfair, when they received a reply of "Ah but I’m not you", when they took time to recommend something in Japan.1 -
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature.
If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.0 -
Minoh NP would be my alternative. Only takes about 20 minutes by train out of Osaka. Very pretty trails and the waterfall there is worth visiting too.RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.1 -
RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.
It's not exactly close to Osaka but you can visit Hiroshima by shinkansen. It's a surprisingly pleasant city considering it was totally destroyed and the Peace Museum is well worth a vist. Miyajima island is quite touristy but for my money, much nicer than Nara with Itsukushima shrine, the floating torii gate and deer wandering about the place. If you stay on the island overnight, you can enjoy the scenery after all the tourists have gone home and before they turn up next day3 -
Mount Koya is nearby and you can spend the night in a Buddhist Temple, eat vegan food, watch the morning prayers etc. A huge contrast to Osaka.RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.
That said there is loads to do in Osaka and the night life is amazing. Hopefully no recovering alcoholic gets offended by my suggestion!2 -
Equally busy, unless you go early morning. It is beautiful, but the main walk gets a bit like Oxford Street in mid-December at peak times. As for the monkeys, you're very unlikely to see them unless you're up on the road, early in the morning. I can't remember the last time I saw one after about 8 and I go through at least once a week.RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.1 -
Have you cycled around Kansai, FoD?Friend Or Defoe said:
Mount Koya is nearby and you can spend the night in a Buddhist Temple, eat vegan food, watch the morning prayers etc. A huge contrast to Osaka.RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.
That said there is loads to do in Osaka and the night life is amazing. Hopefully no recovering alcoholic gets offended by my suggestion!0 -
I haven't, only Onomichi which is something else. For the benefit of those that don't know, it's 70km of cycle routes like the below crossing over various small islands. I've also hiked in Yakushima, which is another incredible experience away from the hustle of Japanese cities.Cloudworm said:
Have you cycled around Kansai, FoD?Friend Or Defoe said:
Mount Koya is nearby and you can spend the night in a Buddhist Temple, eat vegan food, watch the morning prayers etc. A huge contrast to Osaka.RedPanda said:
What alternatives would you recommend near Osaka please?stoneroses19 said:As a couple of people have mentioned interest in visiting Nara, I'd suggest not visiting. It was a lovely place up to a few years ago, now really not, and is one of the worst places for over tourism in Japan and mostly people acting badly like they're in a zoo with the deer.There's plenty of calmer options around Kyoto/Osaka if you're keen on nature. If Nara is that busy I can see myself getting irritated.
I'm planning on visiting Minoh as it looks a nice national park with wild macaques.
That said there is loads to do in Osaka and the night life is amazing. Hopefully no recovering alcoholic gets offended by my suggestion!
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