M63
3 weeks in Japan
October 13 2024
Meeka and I are on our way in November and so far we’ve booked 4 nights in the red district of Tokyo, but we will probably hire a car, drive and take those fast trains we wish we had between Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
On my list is the Poo Museum, a French maid cafe, a love hotel and some snow monkeys in a hot tub.
November came around too quick to plan anything!
Comments
RHP User
2 months ago
Jump on a train to Mount Fuji. Go to Harajuku - the youth fashion district which is amazing to see. Eat street food in Tokyo - stop to eat don't eat while walking as that is considered bad manners. In Japan it is important to be polite. Visit the Ginza upmarket shopping area - for window shopping only as prices are insanely expensive.
There are also these cool hostess bars. They are not sex services at all. Women are there to be your companion. Chat with you, have a drink or meal. Men pay or sometimes give them gifts. Some western women work in these bars as the Japanese men enjoy their company. They are NOT sex workers. It's a cultural tradition. I was lucky as I had a Japanese business colleague who showed me around and got into places that many Westerners would not even know about. Japan is an amazing place and you will enjoy it.
FeistyFatty
2 months ago
We love Japan. Have taken the kids many times.
Get yourself a JRail Pass. Saves you heaps in the long run.... No need to drive as the metro and loop lines literally take you everywhere and they're second to none in the world.
Maid Cafes are kitschy and fun, but a little cringey too..... Cool for novelty value.
Snow monkey's are phenomenal, and lots of tiny ramen places up there to warm you up.
Make sure to take in the Shinjuku sites while in Tokyo, its like out of a comic book.
Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagano, Osaka are all our go to places. And Nara Island to see the wild deer and Sea Gates.
Alexis
2 months ago
I went with my school when I was 14. Really wonderful country.
The temples around Kyoto and Himeji castle stand out as amazing memories.
We also did a homestay with a rural family for a few days which was wonderful. If you can meet a local to have dinner with they are the most amazing hosts you'll ever meet.
Primal_Curiosity
2 months ago
Teamlabs planet tokyo.
They have some incredible digital art exhibits. I was there in July and they had one of the most sensory immersive experiences I've had anywhere in the world. Look them up and see what's on.
For me personally, I found walking out of Shibuya station to be a WOW moment. It's easy to get to but just see it and take it all in. There are some excellent alley ways there too for food and so forth.
uptomischief
2 months ago
Do not get duty free alcohol on the way over. Alcohol is ridiculously cheap in Japan so buy it there. Toiletries however are expensive.
Maid cafes are not sexy in any way really. Kids can go to them and it’s the worst food we had over there. Maybe a soap bar is what you are after but I’m pretty sure they are just brothels.
Driving is easy in Japan although you will pay a lot for tolls on the highways. Pre book your car. Getting petrol can be a unique experience you won’t get in Australia.
Get portable wifi internet. Definitely worth it despite the cost. You’ll need access to maps.
English isn’t actually widely spoken. Download Google translator. It’ll save you a lot of pain because it has a camera mode you can use on signage to translate it. Good for menus.
Depending on your taste, food costs about half of what you’ll pay in Australia.
Do go to 7/11, Family Mart, Lawson and Daily Yamazaki convenience stores. You can get dinner for $5 and Jim Beam will cost $15 a bottle from Family Mart. They also like a beer over there if that’s your preference.
And be prepared to want to go back. It’s a great place to holiday. We went last year and this year for three weeks at a time.
ReyandJean
2 months ago
We had a difficult time at love hotels. They pretty much ignored us at reception and we didn't have enough language to persuade them to book us into a room. Tried half a dozen before giving up. Hopefully your experience is better.
Osaka has a great red light district. A tip is to walk separate from your female companion, or to have them dress like a man. That way you'll get some attention, otherwise half the women will simply hide their faces to show lack of interest.
We got into a swingers club (Hap Bar; Happening Bar) in Kyoto. It was a tiny place but everyone (10 men and 5 women) worked to be friendly, given our lack of language.
It's pretty difficult to gain access to a Happening Bar, but at a minimum you need passports and a modicum of Japanese.
Google translate and Deepl phone based apps suck. Spend money and buy a direct translator device - it'll improve your communication.
Titsntatts4561
2 months ago
One day bus trip out of Tokyo to Fuji and 4 other beautiful destinations was the best money I've ever spent travelling.
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