I'm on the same train too. Three weeks back from my trip and I already can't wait to go back... but there are other places in the world to visit :alone:

Not when there's real life mariokart!

Hopefully its still around the next time I make my way to Japan. :alone:

Just came back from Japan earlier today.

Thoughts? It's easy to solo travel throughout Japan.

I flew into Osaka, stayed for 2 nights - from Osaka, I checked out Nara and the deers & surrounding temples. The Earthquake centre there was also neat. I sat in the chair to experience the varying levels of earthquakes experienced throughout the years in Japan.

I then flew into Kyoto for 3 nights, where I went to the popular place. Fushimi Inari, Arashayami Park - fed the monkeys - the Bridge.

From Kyoto, I went to Tokyo for 5 nights and did the typical districts. Man, tokyo is huge.....Best Ramen ever at Tsuta.

http://imgur.com/a/XBSYF

From Tokyo to Kyoto (I enjoyed Kyoto). I also did a day trip to Mayijima for the floating gates.

Overall, Japan is great. Pocket wifi is a life saver. I'm glad I listened to the advice from members here. All thee different trains/subways and routes.

I find it a bit stupid their transit sytem shuts down early, when Tokyo is bustling. If there was one thing, I also wish I had this trip planned in advance. Being able to speak more Japanese would have been nice.

Just spent a couple nights in Nagoya. Toyota Automotive Museum is a must. Great history of all automobiles, and a 2000GT. Wait... that was 6!!!

Just came back from my trip to Japan, visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Hakone.

It was my first time visiting Kyoto and I've got to say it was a let down...Maybe it was due to people I know hyping it as an amazing historic city but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I expected. For starters there are just way too many tourists everywhere, you notice tourists a lot more in Kyoto than say Tokyo for example.

All the main Kyoto attractions are also way too far away from each other making it cumbersome, I would recommend renting bike for certain areas. That being said it's still a must visit if you're in the Kansai area, we based out of Osaka and its a short trip to Kyoto.

Best parts of the trip were the food of course, got to try whale for the first time at Sushi Masuda and it was amazing. Visited 3 Michelin restaurants and all were well worth the price. Next trip I am definitely going to visit the north.

Maricart was also insanely fun but incredibly stupid safety wise, there are no seat belts and you have to ask for a helmet. No clue how it's legal, we were going 60-80 km/hr on the rainbow bridge.

I wanted to do the maricart thing too but saw you had to have an international drivers license, and noticed it when I was just about to head off to the airport.

Sounds like we were in Japan around the same time frames.

I agree, Kyoto is kind of spread out with the attractions/tourist stuff, and even then, its' Packed!

hmm, Would travel insurance even cover you for an accident while driving with Maricart. No seatbelts...helmets..

Yea I thought about the insurance thing too...was pretty close to bailing but my GF insisted she was going to do it so I just yolo'd. In the end I was the only one in the group wearing a helmet lol. It's a good thing Tokyo roads are always kept in good shape and everyone is drives pretty safe, even taxis.

You guys should try to visit Tokyo for Halloween weekend. It's Halloween like I've never experienced before. Imagine turning Shibuya into one big club.

Or better yet, remember Vancouver 2010 when the entire Vancouver downtown was like a one big party for 3 weeks. It's exactly like that, except with costumes and for the entire weekend only.

How are the temperatures during that time? Still reasonably warm?

It's a bit cold; but not all that different from Vancouver weather & temperature around the same time.

Have a coming flight that could involve a 7+hr layover in Naha/Okinawa.

Any suggestion if it's worth the trouble? Total time there is 7:40. Taking away time to clear immigration and time to/from airport, I'm estimating around 5hr in the city during day time. I'm a sucker for Japanese food... so, I'm aiming for food.

The other option is 2:20 in KIX, but not enough to do anything really.

For Okinawa, u have time only to visit the main strip and some shopping food.(Train goes directly, if I remember correctly) That's about it.rest is pretty much outside the city and long drive. Hoping to visit Okinawa/Osaka for free in nov

Thanks. Any suggestion on where to go on that "main strip"?

Any cool souvenirs to bring back from Japan besides treats? My cousin is currently there and he's asking what I want lol

I'd get some stuff that's available only in Japan or relatively difficult/expensive to get outside of it.

I.E: if you are into mechanical keyboards, Japan has a great selection. The arguably holy grail of them all, those based on Topre electrostatic/capacitive switches can be found for almost half the price and are Made in Japan. :)

I have a HHKB and never looked back. Topre Realforce is another great option if you can't get over the HHKB layout.

Booked a week in Japan for March 7-16. No conflicting holidays, but I feel that I may only have time to go through Tokyo itself, or possibly Yokohama? I have Tsukiji, Ginza, Akihabara, possibly seeing FC Tokyo, and Toyota Megaweb on my list so far since I got a cheap accommodation right in Ginza itself.

Is there time to add anything else in a week?

go to diver city, it's right next to toyota megaweb and you can check out the new gundam they put up and the gundam store (if you're into that kinda thing)

Most places in Tokyo are so close together that you can do them in half a day. A week more than enough to explore Tokyo and even some of the cities around it. Their train is awesome and in some cases it only takes 40min to 1hour to travel to a nearby city. I mean if you are into models/vintage toys you can check out nakano broadway they have way more stuff than akihabara, more vintage collections and price are cheaper also.

Thinking of stopping Tokyo for a week. You guys think I can get by without knowing how to speak and read Japanese lol?

I have a buddy that can show me around that lives there, but he's got a family and work, so likely can't hang with him everyday. Wondering if I'll be able to get around fine?

If you are planning on only sticking to touristy things and eating, you will be more then fine, it would be worth your while to look into getting a pocket wifi for the week you will be there!

Yeah, it'll be my first time visiting. I'll still learn the basic phrases before hand.

there is an app you can get that will translate most of the bus/train messages for you. i only found out about it about half way through my trip when i was in kyoto lol. i don't remember the name of the app however D:

Has anyone successfully used their debit card to withdraw money from a Japanese ATM, specifically Coast Capital's? Or does it make more sense to convert some cash here and then convert the remainder of CAD when I arrive at the airport? I'm concerned that if my debit card is a no go, I'll be way short on funds compared to getting all my money when I get there.

I was able to use my debit card at the convenience stores in Japan this year. Specifically, I remember withdrawing at 7-11 (I think there wasn't a local fee for this because of the Cirrus network?), and Lawsons.