Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
I figured I would bump this thread. Flying into Tokyo and spending 12 days in Japan in the spring with the family (4 of us). It's our first trip, so is it worth staying in Tokyo or should we travel to different cities like Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima? Would there be enough different things to do in those places (that we wouldn't experience near or in Tokyo) that would makes the rail travel for the 4 of us worth moving around?
|
i am super jealous... was there last year, and found it to be truly an amazing, weirdly fascinating place... totally missed the Robot Restaurant though!
i think the JR passes now allow you to passage on the bullet trains (a couple of people i went with arranged everything, so i am not 100% sure)
the Senjosi Temple is pretty amazing, and i think there's typically a market right next to it that pretty cool... the Meiji Shrine is also really beautiful...
the Golden pavillion is in Kyoto, so you'd have to go out of town on one of the Shinkansen (bullet trains)... but you'll need to catch a bus from Kyoto station...ideally, you'll have exact change for the buses!
The Nezu Museum of Fine arts is in Tokyo; the museum itself is very beautiful, but the garden on the grounds is really spectacular... esp this time of year, as the leaves will just be turning color...
Best piece of advice i would give is that you have to get a Pasmo card, for the subways...its like a prepaid debit card you use in the turnstiles... if you don't have enough left on your card as you exit the station, just back track to one of the machines to recharge your cards...
also, there's a difference between the trains; some use pasmo (so you can used your card in a machine) but if you are going to a JR rail, you have to pass through the JR ticket office (just hold up your pass to the attendant as you pass by)...these can all be part of one station, so it can be a tad disorientating
Definitely get a international package for your phones, like a big data plan, as using google to navigate makes it pretty simple... OR consider renting a pocket mobile wifi unit for the week...basically a wireless router you can rent (so you won't need a additional data plan if you do this)...it's a great deal and you'll have solid internet during your entire stay (for your whole family)... there's a couple in the airport so you can pick one up there when you land and return it when you leave...definitely recommended
oh, make you keep your garbage with you until you find a trash bin (which are few and far between), littering is a definite no no.... and loud talking on subway trains is frowned upon... tons of hilarious signs in the subway stations.
again super jealous...loved it there