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Japan trip

A trip from May 26, 2011 to June 09, 2011, travelling to Tokyo, Kyoto-Shi, Okayama, Narita-Shi
Our 2-week visit to Japan. The budget should be set to … More  
Our 2-week visit to Japan. The budget should be set to around $150 a night for hotels (giving us a total of $2,000) and most likely at least $75 a day for travel and food for the two of us ($1,000).
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Location:
Tokyo, Kyoto-Shi...
Day:
05/26/2011 to 06/09/2011
Category:
City, Things to do...

Unscheduled - Tokyo

Average Rating (134):
     

City
Tokyo
Tokyo, 13, Japan
Notes
See the nightlife in Tokyo in the Shinjuku or Roppongi districts.

Check out one of the world's largest fish markets: tsukiji fish market!

The harajuku district is a good place for brunch on a Sunday or strolling down Omotesando Dori, the main street full of shops and flea markets.

Temples and gardens:
Meiji Jingu Shrine is a good forested refuge in the middle of Tokyo.
Rikugien Gardens are somewhat out of the way in Tokyo but the vistas are unmarred by skyscrapers and the gardens are lovely. Teahouses included!
Asakusa is the best place to experience Tokyo's old downtown, with its popular Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping lane with crafts and kitsch, and casual traditional restaurants.

Hotels:

Tokyo Ueno New Izu Hotel, $89/117 - BOOKED!
Prices vary based on room size and type. Japanese style is more expensive. Hotel is 3 blocks from Ueno station, free internet/wifi.

Grand House Chang Tee Hotel, $94/night.
Hotel is near Ikebukuro station on yamanote line. Has free wifi and western or Japanese style rooms.

Ueno Touganeya Hotel, $100/night,
Located a few blocks from Ueno station, free wired internet, close to station for airport. Rooms are super small.

Hotel Horidome Villa, $70/night.
Near Kanda station, this cheap hotel seems decent and offers wired internet.

Flexstay Nippori Inn, $74/night.
Very close to Nippori station on the yamanote line, this clean cheap hotel offers a communal kitchenette, wired internet, and is close to Akihabara neighborhood.

Oak Hotel, $78. (weekly mansion ueno very similar)
Small rooms very close to Ueno station. Offers free internet, bike rental and a kitchenette.

Hotel Tateshina, $110/night
Located near Shinjuku station, free wifi.

Ikebukuro Hotel Theatre, $100/night
Located in the shopping and business district, this hotel is also right next to Ikebukuro station. Free wired internet.

Shinjuku New City Hotel, $105/night
Very close to Shinjuku station, this hotel also has a shuttle to the station. Free wired internet and fridge in room.
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Unscheduled

These areas surrounding Tokyo might be worth visiting.
City
Notes
Nagano
Getting to Nagano takes about 2 hours by shinkansen from Tokyo.
Visit Zenko-ji, a Buddhist temple.

Togakushi
Near Nagano, this area has lots of alpine hiking and soba noodles to eat!
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Nara, Osaka, and Nagoya are all relatively easy to reach from Kyoto via trains.
Thing to Do
Notes
Osaka - a busy city
The nightlife district in Osaka is Dotombori.
Osaka also has a cool aquarium where we can check out native fishes.

Nagoya

Nara

Mt. Koya - peaceful moutain
Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum on Mt. Koya, next to Nara/Kyoto, is a lovely walk at night due to the lanterns etc.
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Thing to Do
Notes
Imbe
Located in the Bizen region which has tons of pottery and ceramics to check out. The style is earthy and subdued, mostly used for tea ceremonies. The city of Bizen is a sprawling area covering the mountains with rice paddies and small towns east of Okayama. Take the Ako line from Okayama.

Kurashiki
Kurashiki is a good day trip from Okayama as it is only 14 minutes by train. It's main attraction is an area of old historic buildings by an old canal where the warehouses now house museums.
If we want to stay in an old-fashioned ryokan, this city might be a good bet.

Shikoku is the large island across from Okayama and it might be fun to take the train to the island to see the gorge next to Oboke/Koboke.
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The five lakes region (Go-Ko) is nearby Mt. Fuji and offers nice views of the moutain as well as spas and hiking.
City
Notes
Mt. Fuji (Hakone and Fuji Go-ko)
Nearby, the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is at the base of Mt. Fuji and offers spas and nice views of the mountain.

Hotels:

Sunnide Resort, $270/night - BOOKED!
Lonely planet pick, North side of the lake with great Fuji views, onsen, meals are included.


Guesthouse Sakuya, $141/night
In Kawaguchi-ko region, hotel has hot spring bath, free wifi and views of mt. fuji. Not next to lake. Bikes for rent.

Tominoko Hotel, $173/night
On lake kawaguchi, breakfast/dinner included, includes onsen, room with balcony, view of mt. fuji from room.

Hotel new century, $225/night
Includes two meals, Japanese style food. Mountain view room, West side of lake. For a few dolalrs more, get hot pot for dinner.

KORAKU ONYADO FUJIGINKEI (Ex.New Fuji) $283/night
Meals included, free shuttle, views of Fuji from every room, onsen available, outdoor onsen.

Kawaguchiko Urban Resort Villa, $236
Modern fancy villa including breakfast and dinner, set away from the lake.

Yamagishi ryokan, $230/night
On lake kawaguchi, this hotel offers meals and free transport to and from the train station. May not have views of Fuji.

Mizuno hotel, $300/night
This price is for a double room and includes breakfast and dinner. Has onsen and views of the lake and mountain from each room.

Hotel Fuji, $212/night
Includes 2 meals, hotel is in Yamanashi. Hotel has tons of pools/hot springs.

Kozantei Ubuya, $683
On the north side of the lake, facing mt. fuji, this ryokan has outdoor and indoor baths and shuttles to/from the station. gets great reviews! Room rate includes breakfast and dinner.
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Unscheduled - Kyoto-Shi

Average Rating (31):
     

City
Kyoto
Kyoto-Shi, 26, Japan
Notes
Temples and gardens:
Ryoanji Temple is the most famous zen rock garden in Japan. Come early to beat the crowds.
Saihoji is the most famous moss garden. Beautiful after rainfall.
Most beautiful garden is Katsura Imperial Villa.
Kinkakuji is the temple of the gold pavilion. Very shiny.
Kiyomizu Temple is very well-known with a nice view of Kyoto.
Jishu shrine in kyoto is nearby and dedicated to lovers. kissy kissy!

Kyoto's Higashiyama-ku District is a lovely combination of wooded hills, temples, shrines, museums, shops, and traditional restaurants, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Japan for a stroll.

For hiking, Mt Hiei is now open to women and the top of the mountain has a Buddhist temple.

Hotels:

Matsubaya Ryokan, $155 a night - BOOKED! (may switch to 1F room)
near kyoto station, traditional rooms.

Kyoto Dai-ni tower
~140 a night, right next to kyoto station, bikes for rent.

Hotel Oaks Kyoto-Shijo
$93 a night on booking.com. 1 mile north of kyoto station.

Hotel Gimmond Kyoto ($80)
Free internet, central location Oike Boulevard.

Kyoto royal hotel and spa ($108 on book.com)
Internet included and centrally located on Kawaramchi Street (near Gion). 2 miles north of kyoto station, and they rent bikes!

Hotel vista kyoto
($140 on booking.com) Located across the street from kyoto station. Also offers bike rentals.

Kyoto garden hotel
132 a night - Near Nijo castle, a ways north of kyoto station.

Hearton hotel kyoto
135 a night - Near Nijo castle and nishiki market, and free bikes.
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Unscheduled - Okayama

Average Rating (4):
     

City
Okayama, 33, Japan
Notes
The Okayama region has lots of rural character. The city itself is reknowned for its beautiful gardens (Korakuen Garden) that surround Crow castle. There are also tea houses in the gardens.

We can also rent bikes and do the kibi plain bicycle route that will take us around the countryside to view temples, shrines, burial mounds, and a sake brewery.

If we want to do some shopping, the kanko bussankan (exhibition hall) sells locally produced items.

On our way to or from Okayama, we should stop by Himeji castle in Himeji. Supposedly the most beautiful castle in Japan but it will be partially under construction during this time.

Hotels:

Toyoko Inn Okayama-eki Higashi-guchi, $86/night - BOOKED!
There are 3 very simmilar hotels right next to the Okayama JR station. Free breakfast and internet.

Comfort Hotel Okayama, $70/night
Located in the tourist district of okayama near the castle and gardens. A 5 minute tram ride to the JR station. Free breakfast and wireless internet. Book a larger room for $82/night.

Hotel Maira - $70/night
10 minute walk to Okayama station, this hotel gets good reviews. Seems very standard.

Hotel Excel Okayama - $91
This hotel has views of the city and castle and is on the tram line to okayama station (or a 15 minute walk). Free internet.

Okayama View Hotel, $100/night
This hotel is on the tram route between the JR station in okayama and the castle. Offers bike rentals.

Kooraku Hotel, $110/night
This hotel is a 5 minute walk to okayama station, located between the station at the castle area. Free breakfast and wireless internet.

Matsunoki Ryokan, $95 - probably closed.
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Unscheduled - Narita-Shi

City
Narita
Narita-Shi, 12, Japan
Notes
This town is next to Narita international airport. We'll only stay here overnight before our flight back.

Hotels:

Toyoko Inn Narita Kuko, $75 - BOOKED!
Right next to the airport, hotel has free breakfast/dinner, internet, next to temple/shopping. Free wireless in lobby.

Narita U-City Hotel, $62/night
Has a free shuttle to airport, right next to train station. Free wireless in public areas. Somewhat small/outdated.

Richmond Hotel Narita, $78/night
New hotel located next to JR station in Narita, free shuttle to airport,

Narita Tobu Hotel Airport, $95
Located at airport, free internet, pool (for a fee).

Center Hotel Narita, $100/night
Free shuttle to airport, free internet, free breakfast, fridge/tea kettle.
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