Has anyone been to Japan?

[roosta]

Righto!
Ive decided that if not this year, then in the next 2 years im gonna go to Japan on holidays. Ive always been fascinated by Japan, and im gonna get off my arse and go. Me and some mates have made some quick inquiries into what to do, how to live etc, (were planning 2 weeks there). This website i went to made up a sample itinerary and claimed with room, board and travel it wouldnt cost us near what we expected.
It advised we go to Tokyo (2 days) Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and stay at a Buddhist temple at Mt. Koyo

Have any of ye been there? IS it really expensive as people say? This site seemed to suggest that food wasnt all that dear, and that we could stay in some temples and traditional Japanese inns for a good enough price..
Whats worth seeing?
Any advice?
I hear booze is mad expensive?

[jabumbo]

i know its crowded and beef is expensive

thats about it

[Parkey]

I've been! It wasn't expensive in comparison with the UK; about the same. It's just like anywhere: Tokyo is quite pricey for accomodation, but food is well cheap. Booze ain't too bad (same as here) and travel costs/conditions are brilliant! (y)

[Kid Presentable]

LOL at the Japanese Rugby Team. :D

[ms.peachy]

Dude, don't you remember every detail of my life that I post here? I was just there in Sept/Oct. Whaddya wanna know?

[roosta]

Dude, don't you remember every detail of my life that I post here? I was just there in Sept/Oct. Whaddya wanna know?

ha, i was waiting for you to post, didnt wanna just ask ya! dont worry,ill be firing querys in your general direction.

im hearing conflicting things bout the cost. parkey seems to think its ok, same with some sites, others say its wild expensive, whats your take?

[ms.peachy]

im hearing conflicting things bout the cost. parkey seems to think its ok, same with some sites, others say its wild expensive, whats your take?
I think it depends where you're coming from, what you're used to. Coming from London, we are used to getting assraped daily, so it did not seem terribly expensive by comparison. You can eat fairly cheaply at noodle bars, which are pretty much everywhere, and are open 24 hours a day or nearly so in some part of pretty much any city. Cheap accomodation might be harder to come by though.

[abcdefz]

Has anyone been to Japan?





...I keep wanting to be a smartass and say, "Why, yes! Someone has been to Japan!"





















































There. Out of my system now. (y)

[roosta]

I think it depends where you're coming from, what you're used to. Coming from London, we are used to getting assraped daily, so it did not seem terribly expensive by comparison. You can eat fairly cheaply at noodle bars, which are pretty much everywhere, and are open 24 hours a day or nearly so in some part of pretty much any city. Cheap accomodation might be harder to come by though.

well, i live in rip-off Ireland, we're constantly being told we're the most ass-raped in Europe, so im probably in the same boat as ye

[roosta]

peach/parkey/anyone from HERE who has been ( ;) a-z)

here's another question:
how hard is it to make your way around? my big fear is landing in tokyo, and all the signs being in japanese and noone understanding me, and me not being able to find my way anywhere...

[ms.peachy]

peach/parkey/anyone from HERE who has been ( ;) a-z)

here's another question:
how hard is it to make your way around? my big fear is landing in tokyo, and all the signs being in japanese and noone understanding me, and me not being able to find my way anywhere...
It isn't super-easy, but it isn't super-hard. The subways are not terribly difficult to figure out where you are and where you're going, once you work out how the ticket machines work. (Some helpfully have English signage, some don't.) Be aware though that not all subways are run by the same company - so you may think you've bought a 3-day pass, and then it won't work on all lines.

In general, we were blown away by how incredibly helpful the people were. We could not open a map and stand there for more than 20 seconds without someone coming over and saying "Can I help you?" (even if the only English they know is how to say, Can I help you?). Not only that but when you tell them where you are trying to go, they want to walk you at least halfway there, even if it is the complete opposite of the way they were going.

All the same, as you are not planning to go for sometime, it would be well worth your while to start learning and practising some basic phrases like simple directions, ordering in a restaurant, buying stamps, etc. (I think that anytime you are in an another-language country, people appreciate you trying your best, even if it's not so good! Making the effort is the important thing.)

[abcdefz]

peach/parkey/anyone from HERE who has been ( ;) a-z)




Ah. Well.

I think Yauch has been there.