I know nothing about Japan

[kirkles409]

Hey there, I am going on semester at sea next fall and will be in Japan for 5 days sometime during September, and I have no idea what to do. One of my friends reccomended this forum to get some ideas, so here I am. All I know is that I dock in Kobe. Most likely I will be getting a rail pass. I would like to spend half my time in a big city (head good things about Tokyo and Osaka), and I'd also like to go to a more historical/traditional city. I have no knowledge of the Japanese language either. Any ideas about things to see or would be greatly appreciated. I would like to go to some crazy clubs, see some of the temples, anything adventurous, and eat some really good food. thanks

[mr. sparkle]

Hi K.
Well, you don't have much time and since you'll be docking in Kobe--why not use that as your base of operations?

It's not far from Osaka--where you can get a look at city life.
It's also close to Kyoto, where you can get your traditional fix.
I've heard Nara is also interesting.

Get your train pass and follow your nose. My favorite thing to do is to get off at some random train stop and just wander in some direction and "see what happens"--'cuz something always does happen. It's fun!

You might want to get some books to read up on stuff you really want to see. You've got time to even learn some phrases.

I know mostly about Tokyo, but the other FG aboard can assist you as well. It would help if you asked specific Q's that we can riff on!

[logboy]

you should find some good english language guided around :

http://club.nokia.co.jp/tokyoq/index.html

...for instance... its great...

[kirkles409]

So far I am thinking that I want to at least go to Tokyo, but since it is soo huge I don't wnat to miss anything. Another thing I like is watching K1 and other mixed martial arts fights. Do these types of fights happen frequently? Where would I go to catch one?

Hmmm specific questions . . .
how about, what are peoples favorite night clubs in tokyo or Osaka?

If I could go to either Osaka or Tokyo, what do people reccomend?

Best places to shop?

Are there any good hikes or mountain bike tours?

My friends will be turning 21 when I am there, reccomend any good strip clubs?

uhhh that's what all I got for now, I'm gonna keep doing some research.

[Caustic Saint]

So far I am thinking that I want to at least go to Tokyo, but since it is soo huge I don't wnat to miss anything.

You don't want to miss anything in 5 days? You could live in Tokyo your whole life and still not see everything. Best to make a list of things you really want to see, then pick your faves of those and see what you can in the time you've got.

[kidrock12xp]

HAVE FUN IN JAPAN. HEHE

[kirkles409]

OK I thought of another thing I'd like to do, Any reccomendations about art museums? I am a fan of modern and historical

[mr. sparkle]

Especially in outlying remote areas.

I meant in the city--where you can see maps and find your way around--see train stations in every direction. Have a chance to chat up some cuties...

Even so, I would know "basically" how to get back to the home base.

For sure I wouldn't wanna be lost in the sticks!

[maraboutslim]

You don't want to miss anything in 5 days? You could live in Tokyo your whole life and still not see everything.

Ain't that the truth. After a few years, when I thought I had most of the parts of town I went to regularly pretty much figured out, I happened to look *up* and realize that there is a whole other level of shops, clubs, etc. that I hadn't been paying attention to, ha!

[mr. sparkle]

I guess yer right. I almost forgot what it was like the first time.

Listen to the wise Pongi san. Planning is better.

[GuyJean]

Knowing nothing about Japan and traveling all over it with a JR Rail Pass at 'random' could be a recipe for disaster!.

Planning, shmanning.. A bottle of Suntory and couple Valium never did me no harm... Or did it?.. I don't remember..

I say flipping through the Lonely Planet on the plane ride over is enough preparation. Oh, and about $2,000.

GJ

[GomiGirl]

I guess yer right. I almost forgot what it was like the first time.

You should never forget your first time!!

[tetsujin gaijin]

If you have only five days I would skip Tokyo. The reason beign is that you are going to waste a lot of time travelling up to Tokyo, even by Shinkasen, and returning to Kobe to ship out. I assume you have to get back on your ship, right?

Anyway, the suggestion of making Kobe your base is a great one. Kobe is a beautiful city. It's a good size, but not too big and is less cosmopolitan and more Japanese. For your big city fix, Osaka is really close. Then there is, of course, Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji.

Have fun!

[kirkles409]

Ok, I know I can't possibly see anything, I was mostly referring to not missing something REALLY cool, that first time visitors might miss. Anything that is strictly unique to Japan that I may have never heard about is cool too. thought of a few more specific questions for all of you too.

Since I am docking in Kobe, is there anything you have done that you would reccomend me seeing/doing right off the bat?

How about going to see Sumo wrestling? is that possible?

Would it be cool to go to a crazy kareoke bar?

How about a good people watching district/area/place?

[BlueSi_425]

Hey Kirk I got a idea, How about you hide in my carry on when I leave in June Its a direct flight so its not that long. Don't worrie Ill take care of you, Ill be sure not to throw you around and Ill make sure you get some peanuts or something to snack on. Then you can have two weeks extra to see Japan.

[kamome]

Rob has pretty much summed it all up, but I would say: forget about going to Tokyo. Make your trip a "Kansai experience". Kansai refers to the region that Kobe is in and is chock full of places with historical significance as well as all the modern stuff. In five days, you can get a nice taste of Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Osaka. Or you could just concentrate on two of those cities to really feel it.

GuyJean is right, buy a Lonely Planet guide and start planning your trip. But don't wait to do it on the plane. Get your planning in early so you don't find yourself stranded without a place to stay upon arrival!

[GuyJean]

But don't wait to do it on the plane. Get your planning in early so you don't find yourself stranded without a place to stay upon arrival!

How long does it take you do decide where to stay? Longer than the 10 hour flight here?

.. never taking you to a love hotel..

Personally, I think over-planning assures disappointment.

GJ

[cstaylor]

3. Hiroshima (Atomic Dome, Peace Park, Museum all are must see locations)

On a five-day trip, I wouldn't waste my time with Peace Park. It's ugly, and unless you're going on August 6th, you can read it all online or in a history book.

If you can make it on the 6th, get there early. I've only seen it on TV, but everyone lays down at 9:16 (the time the bomb exploded).

If you can't make the ceremony, but you're headed that direction, take the ferry to Miyajima, one of the most beautiful places in Japan (according to the Japanese travel board). I've been three times, and I love it.

[cstaylor]

There's a slight difference between reading about it and actually being there to experience the place first-hand.

That said, it would be a stretch to try and make it down there during a 5-day trip. There's plenty to keep you busy in Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.

I'll take symbols of life over chronicles of death anyday. Visiting Peace Park is a great way to put you in a deep blue funk for at least a day, so on a five day trip that's a waste of a day.

However, if you ever feel yourself filled with war fever, a trip to both Yasukuni's museum and Peace Park will show you two things: there's no single view of war in the Japanese psyche, and one puts the other in perspective.

[Jack]

5 Days in Japan and docking at Kobe? You absolutely ant to see Tokyo? Then skip everything else and head straight to Tokyo and stay there for the whole time. Or else, Do Nara, Kyoto, Osaka and maybe Hiroshima and forget Tokyo.

[kirkles409]

At this point I am getting the feeling that since Tokyo is farther out of my way, I should stay closer to Kobe, so that I can pack more in to my trip. I was never that set on Tokyo, and it is sounding like a place I should hit up when I go back to Japan and stay longer. I like the Kansai region idea the most so far. My plan as of this moment is Kobe, Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka. So if anyone has had a really memorable time at one of these places doing something, I'd like to hear about. Oh and thanks a lot for all your guys help I appreciate it.

[mr. sparkle]

At this point I am getting the feeling that since Tokyo is farther out of my way, I should stay closer to Kobe, so that I can pack more in to my trip. I was never that set on Tokyo, and it is sounding like a place I should hit up when I go back to Japan and stay longer. I like the Kansai region idea the most so far. My plan as of this moment is Kobe, Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka. So if anyone has had a really memorable time at one of these places doing something, I'd like to hear about. Oh and thanks a lot for all your guys help I appreciate it.

Maybe do a separate trip to Tokyo the next time you go? You see, once you get the J-Fever, you'll want to keep exploring this wild, weird world called Japan. Regardless of what you decide, I am sure you will have a good time. Start working on those survival phrases:

This will help you at Starbucks....
"Honjitsu no kohi gurande saizu o hitotsu kudasai"

One grande coffee of the day please.

[Jack]

My plan as of this moment is Kobe, Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka. So if anyone has had a really memorable time at one of these places doing something, I'd like to hear about.

Memorable time? In those places? Yes, yes, yes and yes to the four places you mention. I don't think you mean it in the same way that I understand it. OK kids, flame away.

[kirkles409]

Here is another question for all of you, What is the weather like in mid-september? rainy, cool, warm, cold?

[cstaylor]

Muggy...slowly becoming tolerable as October approaches.

[Steve Bildermann]

Muggy...slowly becoming tolerable as October approaches.

Hmm good to know but what's the weather like?

[Blah Pete]

Since you only have 5 days I would skip Tokyo as it will burn almost 1 day even is you go by air.
I would suggest a day trip to Himeji which is close to Kobe and fast if you take the Kodama (local) Shinkansen. Himeji castle is one of the best preserved castles in Japan. The town of Himeji is easy to get around in and you can walk to the castle from the train station.
I would also suggest a day trip or overnight to Kyoto. If you are short on time and have to choose between Kyoto and Nara I would choose Kyoto.

[kirkles409]

I would like to thank you "blah pete," I think you are the first person to give me some good specifics on what to do. I still appreciate what everyone else has said, but some specific things would be greatly appreciated since I have picked out which cities I will hit (Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka). THanks again!