Seeing all of Japan in a week

motion · 02-22-2015, 04:34 PM

... or as much as possible

I'm flying in to Tokyo on April 2 for a week. I've already seen Tokyo, so I can skip that. The goal is to see as much as the country that snow-free roads allow in a weeks time.

My options are to rent a car, which is hideously expensive when you add in the tolls

or

Get a JL rail pass and zip around

As far as cities go, I do want to see Kyoto and Hiroshima, but other than that, I'm pretty open. My fear in using the rail lines is that I'm gonna be stuck in cities, without seeing much of the countryside. I'm more of a small village/countryside kind of person. Mountains and coastlines are my thing.

What says the Pelican brain trust? How can I accomplish this without spending $100 a day on tolls? Or, how to use the rail lines and not be stuck in and around the rail stops? Maybe I can throw my bags in a hotel and jump on a scooter for day trips? Are they readily available throughout the country? When I was in Vietnam, you could find scooters for $3 a day anywhere... not sure about Japan.

I ask some of these questions over on Flyertalk, as well, but that group is a bit odd. They're all skeered of driving in Japan. I really don't true their opinions.

biosurfer1 · 02-22-2015, 07:28 PM

wow, you do travel a lot!

AFC-911 · 02-22-2015, 07:50 PM

Not that I've been, but traveling via rail in Japan seems fitting to me...But I'm a FlyerTalker, so...

lol

pc100porsche · pc100porsche's Garage

If you go to Kyoto also checkout Nara.
Checkout Kamakura just Sth of Yokohama.
Train tends to be the easiest.
I've been there 3 x but no expert ..... Haven't we got some Pelicans in Japan

john70t · 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

I'm more of a small village/countryside kind of person. Mountains and coastlines are my thing.

It would take months/years to find that kind of unique experience.

There are many many Japans on all levels.
1). Very southern warm beach islands and American military bases.
2). "Liberal/original" Kyoto.
3). "Warrior/samurai/business/traditional" Tokyo.
4). Northern areas and cold Hokkaido Island. That is the most countryside. You are on your own there.

My suggestion would be to travel on the bullet train https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen along the Tokaido road.
This is the south-eastern route and will provide the most castle/temple stops.
See Kinkakuji and Kiyomisudera temple in Kyoto, and then on to Himeji Castle to the south (my personal tourista bias).

Learn to bow, humbly, and know a few basic japanese words like "thank you, I'm sorry, where is"...ku da sai...

look 171 · 08:25 PM

I was flipping channels the other day and came upon this Japanese channel (all in English). The whole show was about this region, Chiba and Boso peninsular. These guys restored an old train (electric) that services the small villages along the route. I tell you, I was in love and could spend 6 months there. Time stood still for sure.

I think its called the Izumi railway. This place isn't too far from Tokyo. Kyoto is one place I like to see someday.

look 171 · 02-22-2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

wow, you do travel a lot!

I think he's overseas move then he's home

Royze · Royze's Garage

Take an international license with you, and use the shinkansen bullet train to get around far distances with your JR pass. once you get off at any major train station you can rent a car for 30$ a day or so and get around the small towns and mountains.
also, make sure to ask them for "ETC card" at the rental car places, they can lend you a card to pay at auto toll gates.

learn the simple road laws, emergency numbers if you get stuck and get an insurance to cover your trip.

pcardude · 08:54 PM

dude. GET the rail pass! You won't get to see much if you are driving everywhere. Their highways aren't like ours. It's slow going man.

If you make it far enough south try to find Chanpon. It's super good eats and its famous in Nagasaki.

If you want a smaller town I can vouch for Wakayama, the fish market there was amazing. definitely go to Koya-san and Kumano kodo world heritage. Sounds like that may be off your path though.

dan79brooklyn · 02-22-2015, 08:31 PM

I live in Okayama, in Western Japan. You can get to many places including small towns with a JR pass.

The train system is VERY good and the pass is unlimited.

Renting a car might be doable, but I don't think you would enjoy the experience. Tolls are high as well as gas, though full service stations are a nice experience you might find filling up at a self service station challenging etc.

However, you really won't be able to see much of Japan in a week. I think you need to narrow it down to a few cities and then branch off to smaller areas from there.

Definitely stay at Ryokan (Japanese style Inns) for a more Japanese experience they will prepare breakfast and dinner at most places, Onsen (hot springs) towns are enjoyable. Mountains are really beautiful in the winter.

Let me know if you make it to Okayama...

masraum · 02-22-2015, 08:39 PM

It's been a VERY long time since I was there, and I was a kid in an area that you aren't likely to visit. I'm VERY jealous.

You may want to hit up sapporoguy via PM if he's still around. He'll probably have some pointers and good info.

Lots and lots of history in Kyoto. Tokyo, you could spend a whole week there and still probably not see it all. To see some of the weird life, if you are in Tokyo on a weekend, visit Harajaku. It's a part of Tokyo, and it's where all of the crazy young people go on the weekends.

If you want a more authentic experience, maybe you can find a Ryokan in a smaller town (or at least a small family run Ryokan). I think you could think of a Ryokan as being more like a B&B than a Hotel/Motel, but I understand there are some that are more like large hotels. I've read about the small family run joints and it sounds like something I'd like to do if I was there.
Make sure you partake in some onsen (hot baths). If you want a crazy experience, check this out, an onsen with an electrified bath. Yep, you get into a tub of hot water that is guaranteed to give you a mild electrocution.

Lots of history in the south end of the main island (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc...). Lots of stuff to see in the Islands south of the main island (Shikoku and Kyushu). My time was primarily spent in the north. It's much more rural up there, or at least, it was. I've also been to Sapporo in Hokkaido. That's where Ramen is from, and is also, I believe where the monkeys hang out in the hot baths in the winter. It is usually pretty cold up there in the winter, but it should be warmer by then. Not necessarily warm, just warmer.

Easter egg hunting Apr '79

IROC · IROC's Garage

If you find yourself a couple of hours north of Tokyo, find a way to go to Motegi. Not only does the track itself (Twin Ring Motegi) offer a lot to do, but the Honda museum is there (Honda Collection Hall). Easily the most impressive automotive museum I have ever seen. A picture to whet your appetite:

It seems that trains are the best way to get around and see the country, but sometimes it is hard to get from point A to point B and all of the intermediate stops make for slow going unless you're on an express.

David · David's Garage

I've only been to a couple of cities there so no real tips on what to see, but the train really seems the best way to get around. They're always on time within about a minute and you can cab from a train to almost anywhere.

Holger · 02-23-2015, 06:13 AM

I loved Kyoto!
Other then that I only visited Toyohashi and Toyokawa.

Take the bullet train and watch the beautiful show when they arrive and depart.

Seahawk · 02-23-2015, 06:43 AM

My son spent six weeks in Japan two summers ago and lived with a host family in Kanazawa at the base of the Noto Peninsula.

I emailed him last night and asked what he recommends. His recommendation was that seeing Japan from a locals perspective changes everything. The Grandfather of the host family he stayed with took a shine to Jack and took him to the local bars and places to eat. He has great memories.

That is how to experience Japan, at least in his mind. He is willing to contact the family on your behalf, but the area (Jack was at a language school there) may not be compelling enough for you.

My parents lived in Japan for three years before I was born. My sister was born there. She has been back many times and knows a lot of locals as well.

Enjoy!

Aragorn · 02-23-2015, 12:12 PM

Watching the Top Gear episode The one with... the race across Japan - BBC Top Gear where they race around Japan on rail, it seemed the hardest part was buying tickets and getting on the correct trains.

Just wondering if anyone has used the Apple apps (Waygo and Yomiwa) which use the camera to read the signs and translate into English.

motion · 02-23-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royze

Take an international license with you, and use the shinkansen bullet train to get around far distances with your JR pass. once you get off at any major train station you can rent a car for 30$ a day or so and get around the small towns and mountains.
also, make sure to ask them for "ETC card" at the rental car places, they can lend you a card to pay at auto toll gates.

learn the simple road laws, emergency numbers if you get stuck and get an insurance to cover your trip.

Thanks!

motion · 02-23-2015, 04:10 PM

Great info here, thanks all. I guess the train really is the way to go. I just don't want to be stuck on foot or at the mercy of cabs. I'll look into the rental car situation, as that seems the best way to do day trips.

motion · 02-23-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

Let me know if you make it to Okayama...

I will, thanks!

motion · 02-23-2015, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

My son spent six weeks in Japan two summers ago and lived with a host family in Kanazawa at the base of the Noto Peninsula.

I emailed him last night and asked what he recommends. His recommendation was that seeing Japan from a locals perspective changes everything. The Grandfather of the host family he stayed with took a shine to Jack and took him to the local bars and places to eat. He has great memories.

That is how to experience Japan, at least in his mind. He is willing to contact the family on your behalf, but the area (Jack was at a language school there) may not be compelling enough for you.

My parents lived in Japan for three years before I was born. My sister was born there. She has been back many times and knows a lot of locals as well.

Enjoy!

I would very much like to figure out how to see Japan as more of a local. Not sure how I'll do it, but I might contact some of my 2-stroke friends living in Japan and see if I can meet up with them. Thanks for the offer by your son, but I don't want to impose to that extent