ACCOMODATION:TOKYO & OSAKA
- Thread starter pinkett
- Start date
You can try
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
hi vinmei
personally, i prefer free and easy tours because i like to walk with the locals along the streets, and i'm practically free to go anywhere and no time limit for sight seeing and no long bus rides.
Language may be a problem, but picking up some simple japanese like 'sumimasen' (means "excuse me" for hailing down locals for asking directions, or "Sorry" for accidents like bumping into people), 'arigato' (means Thank you) helps... usually the young japanese adults knows a bit of english, so is not too bad after all. In City areas, maps, road guides, train station names comes with english (or rather romanji), but if you wander off the city areas (like what me and hubby did who went to the outskirts), english is not a language to communicate as not many folks (esp the older generation) and sign boards will be able to help.
However, if you are really scared of getting lost and too shy to approach anybody for help, then, booking for a guided tour will be a better option.
personally, i prefer free and easy tours because i like to walk with the locals along the streets, and i'm practically free to go anywhere and no time limit for sight seeing and no long bus rides.
Language may be a problem, but picking up some simple japanese like 'sumimasen' (means "excuse me" for hailing down locals for asking directions, or "Sorry" for accidents like bumping into people), 'arigato' (means Thank you) helps... usually the young japanese adults knows a bit of english, so is not too bad after all. In City areas, maps, road guides, train station names comes with english (or rather romanji), but if you wander off the city areas (like what me and hubby did who went to the outskirts), english is not a language to communicate as not many folks (esp the older generation) and sign boards will be able to help.
However, if you are really scared of getting lost and too shy to approach anybody for help, then, booking for a guided tour will be a better option.
Bride to be, Definitely free and easy!!! I did a 9-day trip to Tokyo and the surrounding areas (Hakone, Nikko and Kamakura) and it cost us
$4500 for 2 persons including airfare. Contrary to common thought, it's not that difficult to get around Japan, esp Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka. Tour packages can be cheaper but if you look at the itineraries of most of the tour agencies, they're very very rushed and you spend alot of time on the coach and getting stuck in traffic jams. I've been to Japan twice and my recommendation is always to do it yourself
$4500 for 2 persons including airfare. Contrary to common thought, it's not that difficult to get around Japan, esp Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka. Tour packages can be cheaper but if you look at the itineraries of most of the tour agencies, they're very very rushed and you spend alot of time on the coach and getting stuck in traffic jams. I've been to Japan twice and my recommendation is always to do it yourself
Hi Jane & Sakurasan,
Thanks for ur recommendation!
For me, I do not like to follow tour as it can be very hectic and I got to wait for other pple. Hate all those. With all ur comments, think I am confident to go F&E to Japan!
Me had planned a 10day F&E to Perth last year! It was really fun mann!!! How I wish to go Holiday soon!!!
Thanks for ur recommendation!
For me, I do not like to follow tour as it can be very hectic and I got to wait for other pple. Hate all those. With all ur comments, think I am confident to go F&E to Japan!
Me had planned a 10day F&E to Perth last year! It was really fun mann!!! How I wish to go Holiday soon!!!
babyshannon
New Member
Hi all,
My FH and i planned our own tour when we visit Japan last year. Its a 9D7N trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. If you are interested, you can leave me yr email address and i will send u copy.
it included some of the cheaper accommodation that our friends had recommended. We stay in ryokan most of the time to experience japan traditional living.
My FH and i planned our own tour when we visit Japan last year. Its a 9D7N trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. If you are interested, you can leave me yr email address and i will send u copy.
it included some of the cheaper accommodation that our friends had recommended. We stay in ryokan most of the time to experience japan traditional living.
Hi Shannon, pls email me a copy. Thanks for sharing! [email protected]
Hi Shannon, please send a copy to [email protected] too please, thanks a lot!
Hi shannon, can you please sned me a copy please? My email is [email protected] Thanks alot.
babyshannon
New Member
Hi Eggie, Winnie, Jess and Fritt
U hav got mail. I had included the schedule that my FH and I had come up wif.
For the rest who are interested,
Here are some of the links of accomodations in japan.
http://www.matsubayainn.com/rooms/index.htm
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/list_kinki.html#kyoto
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/PS/hotelAndRyokan.html
http://www.jpinn.com/
http://www.jnto.go.jp/a-search/search/search_form.php
http://www.itcj.or.jp/search/pref.html
U hav got mail. I had included the schedule that my FH and I had come up wif.
For the rest who are interested,
Here are some of the links of accomodations in japan.
http://www.matsubayainn.com/rooms/index.htm
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/list_kinki.html#kyoto
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/PS/hotelAndRyokan.html
http://www.jpinn.com/
http://www.jnto.go.jp/a-search/search/search_form.php
http://www.itcj.or.jp/search/pref.html
Hi Shanon,
Can I share a copy of your itineary as well @ [email protected]
Don't mind share how much you spend for whole trip ? Thanks
Can I share a copy of your itineary as well @ [email protected]
Don't mind share how much you spend for whole trip ? Thanks
babyshannon
New Member
Hi bluesand, snowbelle and kissbb,
U've got mail.
for your info, my FH and I bought a japan lonely planet book along during our trip. the lonely planet book is very useful when we did our planning for the trip.
U've got mail.
for your info, my FH and I bought a japan lonely planet book along during our trip. the lonely planet book is very useful when we did our planning for the trip.
cottoncandy
New Member
Hi shannon,
Can share with me your Japan itineary at [email protected]
Btw, which hotel/ryokan did u stay at in Tokyo?
Thanks!!!
Can share with me your Japan itineary at [email protected]
Btw, which hotel/ryokan did u stay at in Tokyo?
Thanks!!!
Hi Shannon,
Can you pls share your itinery with me? Thanks!
[email protected]
BTW, for sept, jpn tokyo will be autumn ?
Can you pls share your itinery with me? Thanks!
[email protected]
BTW, for sept, jpn tokyo will be autumn ?
Hi Shannon,
Can you please share your itinery and cost wtih me too? As you've mentioned ealier that you've planned the perth trip, do you still have? If yes, can I have too.
[email protected]
Many thks,
tulip
Can you please share your itinery and cost wtih me too? As you've mentioned ealier that you've planned the perth trip, do you still have? If yes, can I have too.
[email protected]
Many thks,
tulip
HI gals,
This is a place in Kyoto that i have stayed in and would highly recommend.
http://www.budgetinnjp.com/price.html
5 minute walk to train station. safe neighbourhood. come out and walk in any directions for 5 minutes and you will get lawsons or food stalls.
If you are travelling in the area, Kyoto is where the tourist attractions are. Osaka is just 30 minutes away by train. (JR west pass to save $$) We "base" in Kyoto and made day trips to the wonderful nearby areas like osaka, nara, otsu, ohara etc.if you go now, you can also catch the dying art of catching fish using birds in the nearby arashiyama.
The place is new-opened in 2002, spotlessly clean and with great owners.
Do not worry about the dorm thing. it is safe. one dorm can fit up to 5 person. when i went there, there were only 2 of us gals, and a group of angmoh guys wanted to get a place there too. the owner asked us if we are comfortable sharing, we said "not really", and they turned the guys away. we felt pretty bad about it, but it really impressed us. the owners are very sensitive to this sort of things and would rather keep rooms empty than make us share.
This is a place in Kyoto that i have stayed in and would highly recommend.
http://www.budgetinnjp.com/price.html
5 minute walk to train station. safe neighbourhood. come out and walk in any directions for 5 minutes and you will get lawsons or food stalls.
If you are travelling in the area, Kyoto is where the tourist attractions are. Osaka is just 30 minutes away by train. (JR west pass to save $$) We "base" in Kyoto and made day trips to the wonderful nearby areas like osaka, nara, otsu, ohara etc.if you go now, you can also catch the dying art of catching fish using birds in the nearby arashiyama.
The place is new-opened in 2002, spotlessly clean and with great owners.
Do not worry about the dorm thing. it is safe. one dorm can fit up to 5 person. when i went there, there were only 2 of us gals, and a group of angmoh guys wanted to get a place there too. the owner asked us if we are comfortable sharing, we said "not really", and they turned the guys away. we felt pretty bad about it, but it really impressed us. the owners are very sensitive to this sort of things and would rather keep rooms empty than make us share.
merryberrys
New Member
shannon, can share with me too?
[email protected]
[email protected]
chubbybaby
New Member
Hi Shannon
Can share with me too? also planning to go Japan for honeymoon. Thanks!
[email protected]
Can share with me too? also planning to go Japan for honeymoon. Thanks!
[email protected]
angelinetan
New Member
Hi durian! Me n hubby intend to go 7d Hokkaido pkg tour than extend 3nites in either osaka or kyoto. Which would u recommend for easy move around? N wat type of train pass should we buy?
Was recommended by another forum on the above buget inn u mention... but how come it looks so diff huh...n the price oso diff leh...? Which is the latest?
http://www.kyotojp.com/index.html
Was recommended by another forum on the above buget inn u mention... but how come it looks so diff huh...n the price oso diff leh...? Which is the latest?
http://www.kyotojp.com/index.html
chickensoup
New Member
HI,
anyone knows of a ryokan that has private onsen (in Tokyo)? Can also recom good onsen ryokan in tokyo? Does ryokan comes with attached bathroom n toilet?
Thanks
anyone knows of a ryokan that has private onsen (in Tokyo)? Can also recom good onsen ryokan in tokyo? Does ryokan comes with attached bathroom n toilet?
Thanks
mashybrainz
New Member
LV
TOkyo isn't an onsen area. If u want, u can go to Odaiba, they've a fake onsen theme park there.
Or rather, take a train to Hakone for a true onsen experience at their ryokans. U can choose whether to have attached bathroom depending on the hotel. Of course, it comes at a price.
TOkyo isn't an onsen area. If u want, u can go to Odaiba, they've a fake onsen theme park there.
Or rather, take a train to Hakone for a true onsen experience at their ryokans. U can choose whether to have attached bathroom depending on the hotel. Of course, it comes at a price.
chickensoup
New Member
hi mashy
thanks for replying. I'm tinking of going to hakone for onsen n ryokan experience. any recom.
also any idea if Ikebukuro is ok or near shopping places because my hotel is around there. is there such things like unsafe red light district where there's gangsters? sorry for sounding stupid
thanks for replying. I'm tinking of going to hakone for onsen n ryokan experience. any recom.
also any idea if Ikebukuro is ok or near shopping places because my hotel is around there. is there such things like unsafe red light district where there's gangsters? sorry for sounding stupid
hi LV
i been to this one at Mt Mitake which is at the outskirts of Tokyo (mind you, it is outside tourist map & you may need to know a bit of Japanese to ask for directions). Anyway, there's a onsen there (according to the local tourists we met when hiking on the nearby mountains.
The ryokan i lived @ Mt Mitake have a nice bath area. however, no attached bathroom.
as for Ikebukuro, hmm... i used to stay there for about 3 days @ hotel Sunroute Ikebukuro, i agree is it some kind of red light district, but it is relatively safe, didn't see any gangsters fight... but there's one night we saw a gang of big motorcycles 'brooming' past. Heard there's a good buffet place near this hotel, didn't get to try (only know after i come back)
i been to this one at Mt Mitake which is at the outskirts of Tokyo (mind you, it is outside tourist map & you may need to know a bit of Japanese to ask for directions). Anyway, there's a onsen there (according to the local tourists we met when hiking on the nearby mountains.
The ryokan i lived @ Mt Mitake have a nice bath area. however, no attached bathroom.
as for Ikebukuro, hmm... i used to stay there for about 3 days @ hotel Sunroute Ikebukuro, i agree is it some kind of red light district, but it is relatively safe, didn't see any gangsters fight... but there's one night we saw a gang of big motorcycles 'brooming' past. Heard there's a good buffet place near this hotel, didn't get to try (only know after i come back)
chickensoup
New Member
jane,
is mt mitake at hakone? I'm searching for a ryokan with private bathroom. U think i should go to tokyo and ask the people there to make arrangement for my ryokan stay or book myself from sin?
is mt mitake at hakone? I'm searching for a ryokan with private bathroom. U think i should go to tokyo and ask the people there to make arrangement for my ryokan stay or book myself from sin?
LV
I've replied your PM. Ikebukuro is a very lively place, very convenient too. If you like shopping in Shinjuku, you'll love this place. My hb and i like this place better than Shinjuku coz it's got lots of shopping but not as crowded and cramped like Shinjuku.
Japan is relatively safe. So don't have to worry. We were carrying a lot of Yen coz in Japan, they don't usually accept credit cards. Even for many motels & ryokans. We were so scared we'll get robbed. But thank God, nothing happened.
If you're going Hakone, get their 2 or 3 days pass. Cheaper that way, coz u get unlimited travel on their public transport in Hakone as well as take their cable cars, ropeways, ferry rides.
I've replied your PM. Ikebukuro is a very lively place, very convenient too. If you like shopping in Shinjuku, you'll love this place. My hb and i like this place better than Shinjuku coz it's got lots of shopping but not as crowded and cramped like Shinjuku.
Japan is relatively safe. So don't have to worry. We were carrying a lot of Yen coz in Japan, they don't usually accept credit cards. Even for many motels & ryokans. We were so scared we'll get robbed. But thank God, nothing happened.
If you're going Hakone, get their 2 or 3 days pass. Cheaper that way, coz u get unlimited travel on their public transport in Hakone as well as take their cable cars, ropeways, ferry rides.
LV.
no mt mitake(my photos) is not at hakone, it is at tokyo and as i said it is not exactly found in tourist maps. in the matter of fact, from the cluster of mountains around mitake, we can see Mt Fuji at quite a small scale (which is where hakone is).
anyway, this is the site of the ryokan i stayed (http://www.komadori.com/)
i think either ways is ok. but, what we usually do is to book a day hotel stay from singapore and then book ryokan when in Japan after getting the updated list of ryokans @ the airport.
no mt mitake(my photos) is not at hakone, it is at tokyo and as i said it is not exactly found in tourist maps. in the matter of fact, from the cluster of mountains around mitake, we can see Mt Fuji at quite a small scale (which is where hakone is).
anyway, this is the site of the ryokan i stayed (http://www.komadori.com/)
i think either ways is ok. but, what we usually do is to book a day hotel stay from singapore and then book ryokan when in Japan after getting the updated list of ryokans @ the airport.
chickensoup
New Member
Jane,
i went to the website of the ryokan u stayed in. Did u mange to find your way with their 'how to get there'? Sounds confusing isnt it?
apple ,
THanks a lot!! EVerytime i go on a holiday, I'm always on the alert mode. quite scary right. meant to relax but in the end so fearful
Did u go to the fish market? I heard not all the restuarants there serve cheap seafood. i'm searching for more info on that
i went to the website of the ryokan u stayed in. Did u mange to find your way with their 'how to get there'? Sounds confusing isnt it?
apple ,
THanks a lot!! EVerytime i go on a holiday, I'm always on the alert mode. quite scary right. meant to relax but in the end so fearful
Did u go to the fish market? I heard not all the restuarants there serve cheap seafood. i'm searching for more info on that
Hi Jane,
Saw ur posting on the Mt mitake ryokan.
Wow~~~ The ryokan looks lovely from the pixs. May i know how much did u spend there? Do they have any 10% service charge & GST?
And how's the food there?
Thanks!
Hi LV,
R u also planning to go Japan? Coz i'm intending to go around 2nd week of Nov'05, preferably F&E.
I havent started doing any planning thou......
So far only checking out the air tixs hehehe
Saw ur posting on the Mt mitake ryokan.
Wow~~~ The ryokan looks lovely from the pixs. May i know how much did u spend there? Do they have any 10% service charge & GST?
And how's the food there?
Thanks!
Hi LV,
R u also planning to go Japan? Coz i'm intending to go around 2nd week of Nov'05, preferably F&E.
I havent started doing any planning thou......
So far only checking out the air tixs
heheheLV
Yah, i went to Tsukiji. But i was lazy, so always end up being there only after all the action is over. Anyway, i think they closed the auction grounds to public already, coz too many tourists. Can just walk thru the market, it's quite a sight to see the huge tunas lying there.
The sushi is not that cheap there but it's very fresh. Also, if you're not the sushi type, u may find it yucky to eat sushi for breakfast. U can try going there for lunch if u want. U can still get good sushi at other places. We went to one restaurant at ikebukuro which served 1000y sashimi set lunch. Really value for money! But of course, u've to learn some basic Japanese coz the set lunches are all written in Japanese only. So to get good deals, you've to learn to read a bit of katakana & hiragana. If u don't want to learn too many things, at least learn to decipher "set lunch :teishoku", "buffet: tabehoodai", "sushi" & "sashimi"
Yah, i went to Tsukiji. But i was lazy, so always end up being there only after all the action is over. Anyway, i think they closed the auction grounds to public already, coz too many tourists. Can just walk thru the market, it's quite a sight to see the huge tunas lying there.
The sushi is not that cheap there but it's very fresh. Also, if you're not the sushi type, u may find it yucky to eat sushi for breakfast. U can try going there for lunch if u want. U can still get good sushi at other places. We went to one restaurant at ikebukuro which served 1000y sashimi set lunch. Really value for money! But of course, u've to learn some basic Japanese coz the set lunches are all written in Japanese only. So to get good deals, you've to learn to read a bit of katakana & hiragana. If u don't want to learn too many things, at least learn to decipher "set lunch :teishoku", "buffet: tabehoodai", "sushi" & "sashimi"
