Japan Highlights

[ScottUK]

Hiya people,

A quick one for you - what would be the top 10 things you would recommend seeing to someone who is visiting Japan for the first time. Please include a mix of typical touristy-type things and more cultural/less-known places.

Cheers...

[Gonzo Nakayui]

You definitely have to visit one of the many Soapu Lando! Except for kangeiko and eating raw squid, it's the best Japan experience you will ever have.

[ScottUK]

I'm heading there with the wife, so I expect Soapland is out... :D

[don don]

My first three are in Kyoto city. but there's much more there to see.

1) Kendo at Budokuden
2) Sanjusangendo
3) Saihouji (kokedera)
Then...
4) Yoshino in the cherry blossom season
5) Koya san (Wakayama)
6) Miyajima
7) Matsushima
8) Eiheiji Temple (stay overnight)
9) Tokyo City - it knocks me sideways.
10) The Daibutsu at Nara and whatever else I haven't discovered yet.

[Nanbanjin]

Hiya people,

A quick one for you - what would be the top 10 things you would recommend seeing to someone who is visiting Japan for the first time. Please include a mix of typical touristy-type things and more cultural/less-known places.

Cheers...
I've heard that if you go to a "health salon" there's a service where you get naked and a young girl covers you in oil and then the girl gets naked and rubs herself all over you. I've never done it, but a friend was telling me it's something you have to experience at least once before you die.

[ScottUK]

Yeah, that's a variation on 'Soapland'.... the missus would do her nut...!

Don Don, got a breakdown of what your list is in English - and why go there? Miyajima is on my list, as is a practice with some friends (not kendo though - am rank beginner!) and some of the major cities etc etc...

[Gonzo Nakayui]

I've heard that if you go to a "health salon" there's a service where you get naked and a young girl covers you in oil and then the girl gets naked and rubs herself all over you. I've never done it, but a friend was telling me it's something you have to experience at least once before you die.

You got your geopgraphy all wrong! The naked girls who rub themselves all over you are in Thailand. You better go to Bangkok for that kind of dirty business, Japan is a very polite and civilized country, hahahahaha!

[Hisham]

May be Nanbanjin can give us an address lol

[Kenshi]

what would be the top 10 things you would recommend seeing to someone who is visiting Japan for the first time. Please include a mix of typical touristy-type things and more cultural/less-known places.


im more of a OSAKA-AND-WEST type of person, but this is my list. its pretty much a history/culture/temple/castle fest. christ, i sound reeeeally boring.

In Kanto:
1. Kamakura and the Great Buddha.
Kamakura is full of temples, very leafy. The Buddha there is really cool.
2. Nikko (never been, but everyone says its fantastic).
This is where Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried.

In Kansai:
3. Kyoto.
Try Kiyomizu-dera, Tofukuji, Ni-jo-jo, and pop by the butokuden (built 1899, center of early kendo development. let me know when you are coming and we can look to see if there is anything on at that time).
4. Nara.
Ancient capital, very close to Kyoto. More temples. Daibutsuden and the Great Buddha (compare it to the Kamakura one).
5. Himeji.
Himeji castle is considered the best in Japan. In its original state and a World Heritage site.

In Chugoku (Western Japan)
6. Hiroshima.
You can see all 3 of Hiroshimas treats in a day - Hiroshima Castle, Miyajima (1/2 hr train ride from the station), and the Genbaku Domu (A-Bomb Dome). The last one is a bit sobering, but is a must see if you go to Hiroshima.
7. Matsue.
Not on the shinkansen route... but the castle and the buke-yashiki give you a feel of old japan more than most places ive been to in japan.
8. Shimonoseki.
Eat blow fish and live, and visit Ganryujima - the site where Musashi and Kojiro fought way back in the mists of time. You can also go to dan-no-ura, if you are that way inclined.

Kyushu
9. Kumamoto.
Off the shinkansen route but you can eat horse, visit the castle (which is massive). Last bastion of pro-bakufu resistance, etc.

Shikoku
10. Matsuyama.
Again, here the shinkansen does not runeth.. but its about 1hr30mins by ferry from Hiroshima. Excellent castle and Dogen Onsen (most famous in Japan).

Personally, thats my best-bets (thus far). If you come to Osaka/Kyoto PM me and I will let you buy me a beer.

If that doesnt tickle your fancy, then here are some alternatives:
Kabukicho in the late evening (for sheer numbers and, erm, chicks). The last train north on the saikyo-sen (for drunk-businessmen watching). Slamming an automatic taxi door closed (for pissing of a taxi driver). going into any restaurant and asking what the vegetarian option is (for the look of utter perplexion on their face) etc etc etc

[ScottUK]

Thanks for all replies so far. Am putting an itiniery together - I may post it on here to see what you all think.

George - thanks for the 'alternative' ideas...! :D

[JSchmidt]

Skip the giant buddha in Kamakura unless you got time to kill.It's surrounded by concrete, tourist shops and giant spiders..oh and about half the school children in Japan. There's a gazillion other temples there, that are far more interesting.

[Kenshi]

oh, be careful about seeing too many temples... after a while they all start looking the same..... :confused2 :confused2 :confused2

[Karana]

If you're into unagi (eel) and i mean REALLY into eel, you should go to Hamamatsu. They're famous for their unagi and with good reason too! They have the best around and you really should check out their unagi-pie, unagi biscuits, and unagi ice-cream ^^



In Kanto:
2. Nikko (never been, but everyone says its fantastic).
This is where Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried.

If you're talking about Nikko waterfalls, they're really beautiful and the atmosphere there is really calm and serene. Oh and don't forget to drop by one of those small restaurants tucked away at the corner of the streets if you go there because they have really good food. :smiley:

Then of course in Tokyo there's Shibuya and Harajuku and stuff which is the usual tourists destination for shopping (I think), but the crowds can be rather unnerving...

Hope you have a good time there! ^^

[ShinKenshi]

For a non-traditional type of feel, touring downtown Tokyo is definitely something you shouldn't miss.

1. Harajaku. The bridge leading to Meiji Shrine is always covered with people doing cos-play seven days a week. They love getting their picture taken

2. Tokyo Tower. Yeah, it's all been done but it really shows you how expansive the city is.

3. The Edo Museum. Not sure if that's the actual name of it and I don't rememeber where it is but inside it has life size reproductions of life in Japan all through the various time periods from around the Jomon period and earlier to the present. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and knows what the exact name and location is, please post it!

4. There's a katana shop not too far from where I used to live and I think it was called Japan Sword. Look it up.

5. If you're into electronics, then visit Akihabara. You'll never see such an assortment of top of the line electronics in your life!

That's all I can think of right now but that should give you a taste of downtown life. Everything that has been suggested so far are great places to visit and if you can, visit them all! If anything, kendo at the budokuden is something you DEFINITELY do NOT want to pass up!

[ScottUK]

Hehe, I hope to do some practice, but not kendo - am rank beginner...

As for food - I am a dull, miserable eater. The missus may enjoy it though. I am there for sightseeing, architecture and keiko (not that order)... :D

[emitbrownne]

Get yourself into a Pachinko Parlour.. do not ask anyone how to play, just try it.......


Pachinko

Pachinko
Pachinko
Pachinko

One tip though.. do not go to one 10 minutes before its closed and attempt to get to grips with it... Gmason, Scarface Halls, and myself all tried this to our shame/joy.

Walking down the streets with fistfulls of buscuits... YAY!

[mingshi]

2. Tokyo Tower. Yeah, it's all been done but it really shows you how expansive the city is.
The latest spot for this seems to be Roppongi Hills. Saw that only on Discovery Channel and it's a great structure, especially if you are into city planning and modern architecture...

[kendokamax]

Shinkenshi I have to agree with you the Edo Musuem is great! I went with my parents there and they loved it!

You learn quite a lot of things in only one visit.

[kendokamax]

Get yourself into a Pachinko Parlour.. do not ask anyone how to play, just try it.......


Pachinko

Pachinko
Pachinko
Pachinko



I hate pachinko so much..........1000 yen .....you lose it in 30 seconds....cant eat anymore.......whats the point!?!?!

My friends and I thought they should put fake boobs and not the usual round thing...I'm sure it would make it more enjoyable.

[Neil Gendzwill]

As for food - I am a dull, miserable eater.
Well you hail from the right country, then! Hope you enjoy your trip.

[Aden]

I think Shin-Kenshi means the Edo-Tokyo Museum - whopping great cement building - lots of dioramas etc. Near Ryogoku station.

Aden

[Flylkorean]

Make sure you watch some dojo practices !

[Gonzo Nakayui]

If you go to the Tokyo-Edo Museum, go to the sumoschool nearby first. They have practise early in the morning (from 5 or 6, but I was there with a group from 7). It's great to watch, you must have seen it at least one time. They have their own form of kakarigeiko, it's really tough. I don't have the adress of the school, just follow big guys with samurai hair wearing yukatta and you know where it is.

[ScottUK]

Hehe, I never considered Sumo. That'd be cool....

[Kenshi]

Well you hail from the right country

neil, this is an extremely narrow view about "British food," whatever that is.

scott.... if you tell people when you are coming, then they might be able to make better recommedations re:festivals and stuff.

[ShinKenshi]

The latest spot for this seems to be Roppongi Hills. Saw that only on Discovery Channel and it's a great structure, especially if you are into city planning and modern architecture... Funny that you mention Roppongi Hills. I used to live a couple block down from that area (right around the corner from the intersection with the giant TV screen). I moved when they began building it and I haven't been able to get back since. I hear that a lot of the shops inside are very expensive and full of designer stuff. I think there's a movie theater inside too. Yeah, the sumo guys aren't that hard to miss. In middle school we had our own sumo club (no joke guys) and we'd even use the mawashi (belt) but for the sake of others we were allowed to wear clothes :). At the end of the year we went and took a trip to a local training stable and got to train on a real dohyo (sumo ring). Anyhow, if you can make it to one of their early morning practices you'll be impressed. Follow it up with a trip to the museum and you'll have your day set.

[ScottUK]

scott.... if you tell people when you are coming, then they might be able to make better recommedations re:festivals and stuff.Hiya George,

I hope to be there for the last week of March 2006 for 2-3 weeks. It has to be then as I hope to bump into a friend who will be there until the beginning of April.

The last couple of holidays I had I just turned up and went for an adventure - this time I'd like to plan it out before I go... now I have a load more ideas thanks to you all. Cheers :)

[Nanbanjin]

Funny that you mention Roppongi Hills. I used to live a couple block down from that area (right around the corner from the intersection with the giant TV screen). I moved when they began building it and I haven't been able to get back since. I hear that a lot of the shops inside are very expensive and full of designer stuff. I think there's a movie theater inside too.
Went to Roppongi Hills on my first day here. Highly recommended. Great gallery upstairs was exhibiting Chinese art when I was there. Best view in Tokyo - heaps better than Tokyo Tower or the Tocho.

[Neil Gendzwill]

neil, this is an extremely narrow view about "British food," whatever that is.

Can you recommend some good British food? I was there for a couple of months spread over three trips and didn't find any. Mind you it was mostly Cornwall, I expect the pickings are better in less isolated areas.

[kendokamax]

its not like there is any canadian food haha expect maybe poutine

[Lloromannic]

Can you recommend some good British food? I was there for a couple of months spread over three trips and didn't find any. Mind you it was mostly Cornwall, I expect the pickings are better in less isolated areas.

Cornish (yes, from Cornwall) Pasties and many Indian Type ( but British) foods like vindaloo

[Neil Gendzwill]

OK, the pasties were a notable exception. Pub food in general was acceptable, if not great. Once you got to the restaurants though...

[Kenshi]

"british food" is just some wierd generic term that, to me, means nothing. its like saying "american food" or "canadian food"... define it! in most places in the UK, and certainly in almost all supermarkets, you will find a wide range of food from all over. if i go home, then the first thing i am going to eat is a spicy-vegetarian-bajan, then im gonna head to the nearest indian and eat like a madman.

Scott:
Maaaaaaaaaarch is.... the hinna-matsuri (dolls festival) which I guess isnt up your street. so i suggest hitting the HOUNEN MATSURI, which is more manly:

"every March 15th, the small town of Komaki, Japan celebrates Hounen Matsuri. Matsuri means festival and Hounen, I'm fairly sure, means Big Wooden Penis. Okay, actually it means something much less interesting, but it SHOULD mean Big Wooden Penis, because there is, in fact, a Big Wooden Penis featured prominently throughout the festival."

check it out :
http://www.2camels.com/destination4.php3
http://farstrider.net/Japan/Festivals/HounenMatsuri/

[mingshi]

I hope to be there for the last week of March 2006 for 2-3 weeks. It has to be then as I hope to bump into a friend who will be there until the beginning of April.
According to my Kendo Nippon, there seem to be Iaido Taikai in both Tokyo and Kanazawa (Ishikawa-ken) on the first weekend of April... If you are into this sort of thing... Not sure about the date next year tho.

[nebosuke]

Nihon Minka-en (http://www.city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/minka_e.htm), a 20 minute train ride from Shinjuku.

[ScottUK]

George - With all my luggage & bokuto, I'm not sure I can take my collection of wooden penii. Sorry.

Mingshi - Oh yeah. Right up my street. Any more info on it? Is it open to non-Japanese (so I can get my arse kicked!)?

Are you back at Vic's dojo yet or still travelling the world?

[JSchmidt]

Can you recommend some good British food? I was there for a couple of months spread over three trips and didn't find any. Mind you it was mostly Cornwall, I expect the pickings are better in less isolated areas.

Pasties, pies, roast, sausages. There's plenty of good dishes, the trick is to find the right places to eat them and there's still plenty of places in the UK, that by default, destroys the food. Regardless, the quality of the food has gone up in the 14-odd years I've been here. If you compare the average American (I haven't been to Canada,sorry, so I will presume a reasonable equality for this purpose) cafe/diner to a UK one, yes, the American is much better.

Jakob

[Kenshi]

With all my luggage & bokuto, I'm not sure I can take my collection of wooden penii. Sorry.

wait... isnt a shina/bokuto a sort of p*nis replacement anyway? dont know why you are taking your bokuto with you, just buy one here. a longer one.

JS - i lived in NY got 4 years dude.. but i dont think i ate "american food" but prob agree that on average the food service/industry is better. sorry (Neil too), but its just a pain in the arse listening to so many japanese people saying "oh, british food is so horrible.." without being able to define what it is they mean!! and as a vegetarian the entire Nation of Japan has been trying to starve me for 2 years!!! I.... wont...die....yet....just....1...more...year...if. ..i...can....

[Neil Gendzwill]

Hmm, British food - boiled beef, gristly gray sausages, fish 'n' chips (with the batter soggy from so much grease), cold dry toast, mushy peas, vegetables of any sort boiled to death. It's been over 10 years since I was last there, so I'll buy that it has improved. I was talking to one local restaurant owner who was griping about how hard it was to introduce good food. If he served a vegetable that had any hint of texture or flavour left in it, he got complaints (mainly from the older customers).

I do love the pasties though - that might be a product of summers spent in northern Michigan where many Cornish miners settled. And the beer was terrific.

[Hank]

Maaaaaaaaaarch is.... the hinna-matsuri (dolls festival) which I guess isnt up your street. so i suggest hitting the HOUNEN MATSURI, which is more manly:

"every March 15th, the small town of Komaki, Japan celebrates Hounen Matsuri. Matsuri means festival and Hounen, I'm fairly sure, means Big Wooden Penis. Okay, actually it means something much less interesting, but it SHOULD mean Big Wooden Penis, because there is, in fact, a Big Wooden Penis featured prominently throughout the festival."

check it out :
http://www.2camels.com/destination4.php3
http://farstrider.net/Japan/Festivals/HounenMatsuri/Wow, I'm very happy that this festival falls on my birthday. Explains a few things, really.

Hank.

[ScottUK]

dont know why you are taking your bokuto with you, just buy one here. a longer one.I prefer a regular-sized bokuto as I am only 6'5"... :D

Agreed - could buy one there - save me some luggage space...

[JSchmidt]

I was talking to one local restaurant owner who was griping about how hard it was to introduce good food. If he served a vegetable that had any hint of texture or flavour left in it, he got complaints (mainly from the older customers).

It *has* changed..at least in the south :). It's not hard to find the type of food you describe, but decent/good food has become a lot easier to get. It's still very hard to get decent beef, but even that is slowly improving.

Jakob

[Aaramis]

DonDon and GeorgeMcall have both provided some excellent lists, and there's little else I can offer, except to ask exactly *when* you plan to be in Japan?
(and if previously mentioned and I missed it, I apologize).

The reason is you can optomize certain aspects of the trip, for example, depending on the time of year.
If winter - Sapporo's Snow Festival is a must-see.
If spring - cherry blossom festivals (hanami) are wonderful, and a visit to Yoshino mountain (as previously mentioned) or Kyoto's Maruyama park are both wonderful - although most castles and parks are also very nice spots for a BBQ and some sakura-flavored ice cream ;) (eg. Osaka-jo, or Himeji are 2 great spots)
If summer - it's all about the summer festivals. Hanabi (firework festivals) or Matsuris are great to watch, and there are some amazing ones all across Japan.
As far as the Kansai area goes, Kyoto offers Gion Matsuri, and Osaka offers some of the biggest firework festivals in the world.
If autumn/fall - take advantage of the beautiful landscapes and go hiking! Miyajima, as previously mentioned (just off the coast of Hiroshima - an easy day trip by ferry!) is gorgeous in autumn... as are many of the mountains, especially in the Alps.

And, if you're the crazy type like myself, and you want some mountain climbing, I'd suggest picking up Lonely Planet's "Hiking in Japan". It's definitely worth it.
I just climbed Tate-yama and Tsurugi-dake last week, and it was *sooo* worth the trip up there from Osaka (bit pricey, but worth it!).

Some excellent suggestions already though, and the problem with Japan is that while it's certainly a small country, there is a LOT to see, and travel can be expensive. You really might have to pick just one area, and then devour as much as you can there. It depends on your funds, of course.

But yeah, as a fellow Kansai guy, I'd have to agree with the suggestions of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and then Himeji, Koyasan (the seat of Buddhism - the train ride alone up the mountainside is well worth the yen), and so on.

GL to ya, and hope you enjoy Japan.
Remember, cold sake = "reshu", and hot sake = "atsukan".
Add "icho" at the end when ordering (old language for "one" - more common now is "hitotsu"), and you'll really impress the local waiter/waitress ;)

[chidokan]

Scott, watch out you dont get stung for overweight cases...JAL got me for £250 just coz I was 20 kilos over. That was down to 10 obi, 5 kimono/gi, an iaito and two new hakama...

How come Canadian food doesnt get hammered? I thought it would only be salmon, whale, or bear for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... :smiley:

[ScottUK]

DonDon and GeorgeMcall have both provided some excellent lists, and there's little else I can offer, except to ask exactly *when* you plan to be in Japan?End of March to mid-april.


Scott, watch out you dont get stung for overweight cases...JAL got me for £250 just coz I was 20 kilos over. That was down to 10 obi, 5 kimono/gi, an iaito and two new hakama...Won't be flying JAL as I understand they have less legroom than most, and I am 6'5"...


How come Canadian food doesnt get hammered? I thought it would only be salmon, whale, or bear for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... :smiley:Ah, to defend them - the Portly Penguin in Guelph serves a stunning steak at a very good price. Main course + drinks + a bloody great big brownie & ice-cream in a pint mug + decent tip = £10

[nodachi]

"Won't be flying JAL as I understand they have less legroom than most, and I am 6'5"..."

I was so much happier flying a JAL flight here. The people, flight crew, and atmosphere in general was much more polite and peaceful than the flights I have taken on other airlines. And it seemed that the leg room was less if you were sitting up, but if you put the chair back into recline mode, the foot room under the front seat was longer so you would be more comfortable lying down.

[ScottUK]

Guys - to continue...

One hotel centrally and travel out from it or a few days here, a few days there type of approach?

[chidokan]

I was actually flying Air France (I'm a natural born cheapskate, but hoped for decent french cuisine. WRONG!same old airfood, but better than Korean airways stuff) but had to go through the JAL desk. If it had been KLM I reckon I would have gotten away with it... :rolleyes:

May I recommend the 'Nishimoto sensei hotel'... central Kyoto, just buy him a nice bottle of whiskey and get a load of those cheapo sweets from Woolies, he loves 'em! :smiley:
Seriously though, stay away from Nara airport hotels in Tokyo, you have to go through customs every time you come or go to the hotel. Up to you where or what you want to do, but travel is fairly easy and pretty cheap by train if you get the rail pass, but only get one if you intend to use the train a lot. I quite like Kyoto, quite a lot to get round, but if you are going April time try and go late so it goes over Golden week and you get to see a few more things like the 8th dan grading at the Budokan, (compulsory visit due to kyudo, loads of different iaido ryu, shinai making demos, and more iaito/shinken than you could shake a shinai at!) There is also the mounted archers at one of the shrines, Sanjusangendo and a load of other shrines and museums to see. You will not get round it all, I spent four days there and didnt manage it! Also visit the second hand area where obi go for a tenner, kimono that make into gi for the same price etc... its pretty close to the 'gadget electrical section' of the city centre, and Meirin isnt that far away either. For gods sake dont visit the shopping centre at the main train station with the mrs, you'll never escape, it felt like there were 20 floors of all sorts of stuff... :wink:

[ScottUK]

I quite like Kyoto, quite a lot to get round, but if you are going April time try and go late so it goes over Golden week and you get to see a few more things like the 8th dan grading at the BudokanWhen is the grading? Any idea of the date?


For gods sake dont visit the shopping centre at the main train station with the mrs, you'll never escape, it felt like there were 20 floors of all sorts of stuff... :wink:This will be the least I can do, considering I will be dragging her around a load of MA-related sights. :D

[tamaki]

if you are into architecture,you should definitely visit roppongi.Not only roppongi hills,but many more shopping centres there.Their insides(with waterfalls etc) are amazing.I cannot remember particular names and addresses,sorry.also,you can get nice view of the city from their upper floors.
check out a very small sample
http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=443099107&security=tVBpgN

also,harajuku and shibuya have very interesting architecture.In harajuku,try to find the "ape" brand shop.(it is so 'big in japan' that they dont bother to put some name outside the shop!) Near it (very near)you can also find the "gouk" brand shop,for contemporary fashion with strong traditional japanese elements.Very-very nice!your wife might love it too.Its clothes will be a very nice reminder of your trip and your love for japan.And you can also wear them outside your house(unlike yukata,kimono and the like)