The wife and I are starting to plan next year’s escape from the dreaded Songkran holiday. We, like many, many others, like to leave the country for the period – two years ago was Vietnam, this year the US – and while a few months ago I did start a thread asking about gorilla trekking in Rwanda, that won’t be for three or four more years. For next April, I promised the wife Japan.
We’ve both been to Japan but separately, not together, and never to Tokyo. I had some business to attend to in Osaka once 16 years ago, and managed to spend a day in nearby Kyoto. The wife attended a conference in Kyoto a year or two ago but did not get to see much of the place outside of the venue. I don’t care about Osaka but would like to spend some more time in Kyoto, which I found to be a very pleasant city.
So tentatively, we’re figuring on 5 days/6 nights in Tokyo and 4 days/5 nights in Kyoto. Plus an intermediate day to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto and get settled in. We hope to be able to fly into Tokyo and back from Osaka without having to return to the capital.
Given that time frame, what’s good to see and do? This will be about mid-April, so hopefully we can see some of the cherry blossoms (which we were too late to see in Washington this year).
One thing I would recommend is spending a day or two in Nara. It isn’t too far from Kyoto – I seem to remember about an hour train ride – and it is a true gem of a place. The historical part of the city is in a large park that is simply lovely, and there are deer walking around everywhere… like, everywhere.
For Kyoto, last time I visited I stayed near the train station, but I would have preferred somewhere closer to the sites, more in the north of town. Honestly, 5 nights in Kyoto seems like a little much.
One thing to think about is maybe spending a little less time in Tokyo and Kyoto, and try to make a diversion to Takayama. I haven’t been there but it looks amazing. The drawback is that it is somewhat out of the way.
I’d recommend getting to a Sumo tournament if you can, fascinating and alot of fun. In Tokyo, I’ve really enjoyed walking around the areas of Asakusa, Harujuku (Cosplay kids), Shibuya, and of course the Kabuchiko (SP?) area of Shinjuku at night, particularly the Golden Gai. I agree that 5 nights in Kyoto may be a little much, but if temples and gardens are your thing, that’s certainly the place. I rented a bike there and had a great time exploring, but only felt I needed a day or two there.
I’m jealous, probably my favorite place. Enjoy!
For some reason, that reminds me of a Sumo seminar in Honolulu one time while I lived there. The newspaper carried a photo of all the wrestlers hitting the hotel buffet. That was not a pretty sight.
Then definitely plan on a full day in Nara. As you make your way around the historic sites, take a look at the Isuien Garden. It is a magical little place just off the beaten path.
Oh also, if you haven’t been, a baseball game in Japan is a great experience, if you’re at all inclined.
Beer girls w/ mini kegs on their backs roving the stands is something we really oughta adopt in the US!
Point out to random people that in the Roman alphabet, Tokyo and Kyoto are anagrams of each other. Collect video of them looking at you as if you are from another planet.
Tokyo: check out Tsukiji fish market. If you get up early enough I think you can bear witness to the tuna auctions. Even after that though, it’s fascinating to see the variety and quantity of seafood for sale there.
Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji are a couple of spectactular temples/shrines worth visiting. From Kiyomizu you can take a walk past several blocks of shops as you move toward Yasaka shrine.
For a laugh, go visit Iwatayama monkey park. It’s a pretty half-hour hike up a hillside, but once there you walk around amidst a troop of Japanese macaques. Don’t stare, don’t try to touch them. If you enter the shelter you can buy peanuts and apple slices which you are then allowed to pass through the windows to the monkeys on the outside of the shelter. Look up Iwatayama on YouTube, and you’ll get the idea.
While you’re near Iwatayama, take a walk through the Sagano bamboo forest.
Day trip: check out Banpaku park. Wife and I started at the west end and spent half a day exploring the SW quadrant of this massive park. Lots of differently landscaped areas and trails, including a huge field full of cosmo flowers (probably not in bloom in April). Food and drink are available near the center of the park.
As has been mentioned, consider a day trip to Nara. The deer there are almost as entertaining as the Iwatayama monkeys. They are completely tame, and there are vendors who will sell you stacks of biscuits to feed the deer. Watch your back: if you don’t pay attention they may nibble on your purse or jacket. A good hike from the train station will take you to Todai-ji, site of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, contained within one of the world’s largest wooden structures.
When in Kyoto, take a side trip to Arashiyama. Absolutely lovely area on the western outskirts of the city, full of shops and restaurants and temples, and an absolutely stunning bamboo grove. (Actually, it’s the same area Machine Elf mentioned, so…seconded!)
Around 20$ per head, beautiful lunch in a old samurai’s estate. Afterwards, stroll around the general area - it’s where they film TV dramas of ancient Japan, because most of the buildings and streets have been preserved in their ancient form.
Do not fail to visit the Temple of Chion-in in Kyoto. I was absolutely staggered by its beauty. Staggered. If you google it, you will get photos of the outside, but they absolutely do not allow photos inside. The “philosopher’s walk” is also very interesting. And I took a guided tour of the old imperial palace (Kyoto used to be the capital), but I could have lived without that. I also recommend a tour of the temple of Kiyomizu-dera. I’m sure you could spend weeks in Kyoto.
Forgot to mention:probably the coolest thing I’ve been was lucky enough to experience in Japan has been the Himeji castle. If I’m remembering right, its about an hour south of Nagoya. Just an astonishing Japanese fortress. Sometimes refered to as The White Swan. Really fantastic to explore inside and around it.
