Vacations and World Travel Visiting our beautiful city? Come stay at the Arbutus Vista - Vancouver's Bed & Breakfast.
How was your trip? Which tour packages would you recommend/avoid? Must do's and must eats? Share tips, photos and experiences with other senior RS members who just want to get away.. |
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06-23-2015, 11:38 AM
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#101 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Revscene
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^ I can't compare to bcrdukes.
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06-23-2015, 12:11 PM
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#102 | | Say NO to blade grinders!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,083
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lol! Anyways I forgot to add more to my post.
Sunroute is one of those places that won't reserve restaurants for you AT ALL. If you want to hit any nice restaurant you're going need to book in advance asap. That kind of leads to the main problem because most restaurants will only take reservations from your hotel. This was 2 years ago, their policy may have changed. I would double check.
Tsukiji is Sushi Dai or bust. Everything else won't taste much better than what you can get at a quality sushi joint in Vancouver. Get there at 4-4:30am to get the first seating or be prepared to wait 2 hours plus.
Forget about Jiro...it's not even rated that high on Tabelog (aka Japan version of urbanspoon). The end all be all is Saito right now. Yasuda was enjoyable, affordable and he speaks english and likes to talk if you engage him. Makes for a nicer dining experience vs. some of the other sushi-yas where they can barely tell you what you are eating. I used these links to help with my dining itinerary: http://www.luxeat.com/blog/50-tokyo-...g-com-users-2/ http://www.luxeat.com/blog/50-tokyo-...belog-users-3/
I think you really have to search for craft beer to find it. 90% of places only stock Suntory/Kirin/Sapporo etc...
For a quick Ryokan experience, maybe try Hakone. It's closer to Tokyo, but their mainly known for their onsens.
As for shopping, specifically for Japanese denim/leather go to Ueno and hit up Ameyoko. Raw denim heaven and yes it's cheaper. Free chain stitch hemming if you have the time as well.
Last edited by Expresso; 06-23-2015 at 12:24 PM.
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06-27-2015, 03:25 PM
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#103 | | My AFC gave me an ABS CEL code of LOL while at WOT!
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond
Posts: 1,866
Thanked 360 Times in 154 Posts
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Expresso lol! Anyways I forgot to add more to my post.
Sunroute is one of those places that won't reserve restaurants for you AT ALL. If you want to hit any nice restaurant you're going need to book in advance asap. That kind of leads to the main problem because most restaurants will only take reservations from your hotel. This was 2 years ago, their policy may have changed. I would double check.
Tsukiji is Sushi Dai or bust. Everything else won't taste much better than what you can get at a quality sushi joint in Vancouver. Get there at 4-4:30am to get the first seating or be prepared to wait 2 hours plus.
Forget about Jiro...it's not even rated that high on Tabelog (aka Japan version of urbanspoon). The end all be all is Saito right now. Yasuda was enjoyable, affordable and he speaks english and likes to talk if you engage him. Makes for a nicer dining experience vs. some of the other sushi-yas where they can barely tell you what you are eating. I used these links to help with my dining itinerary: 50 best Tokyo sushi restaurants according to Tabelog.com users Luxeat 50 best Tokyo restaurants according to Tabelog users Luxeat
I think you really have to search for craft beer to find it. 90% of places only stock Suntory/Kirin/Sapporo etc...
For a quick Ryokan experience, maybe try Hakone. It's closer to Tokyo, but their mainly known for their onsens.
As for shopping, specifically for Japanese denim/leather go to Ueno and hit up Ameyoko. Raw denim heaven and yes it's cheaper. Free chain stitch hemming if you have the time as well. | sushi saito is super hard to book from my experience. yasuda is the easiest to book since you can make an email reservation.
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06-30-2015, 12:04 PM
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#104 | | RS has made me the bitter person i am today!
Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In your head
Posts: 4,591
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Originally Posted by sonick Just booked the Sunroute Plaza right near Shinjuku station for now... Might look into the possibility of 2 nights in Kyoto perhaps in a Ryokan.
Food so far... definitely gonna hit up a sushi stand in Tsukiji, a high end sushi place (perhaps Yasuda; Jiro is probably way overbooked), Rokurinsha Tsukemen, maybe a fancy michelin place (L'atelier or Robuchon, etc.) for lunch when its cheaper.
Not so much into cocktails but gonna see if there's a craft beer scene there.
For shopping, looking to see if raw Japanese denim is cheaper there, as well as leather craft goods. | Don't waste your time at L'aterlier. You can just go to another l'atelier in another part of the world... oh and also, it is no damn good. I had the full tasting and walked out of there so angry.
Skip sushi dai.. either go lower end or higher end for no line-ups. Lining up for 2 hrs - never again. Sawada is easier to book than Saito. Mizutani is also relatively easy to book. Daisan harumi is also easy to book. The guy is funny because he claims to have learned english in vancouver... he lived in vancouver... he most certainly did not learn english.
Walk around Tsukiji for the experience and then go somewhere else.
Edit: Tabelog.com is your friend. Put through google translate if you don't know japanese.
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06-30-2015, 01:11 PM
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#105 | | My AFC gave me an ABS CEL code of LOL while at WOT!
Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Van
Posts: 1,805
Thanked 1,731 Times in 649 Posts
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Expresso For a quick Ryokan experience, maybe try Hakone. It's closer to Tokyo, but their mainly known for their onsens. | Hakone is somewhere you should stay away from at this time, unless you like liquid hot magma.  | |
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09-03-2015, 01:54 PM
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#106 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: somewhere in bc
Posts: 2,125
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Planning a trip to Japan. It's likely going to be Osaka for a 3 days then Tokyo for 4 days. What's the best way travelling from Osaka to Tokyo?
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09-03-2015, 08:01 PM
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#107 | | private modder
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: North Shore
Posts: 6,853
Thanked 2,812 Times in 789 Posts
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Bullet train.
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09-06-2015, 12:26 PM
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#108 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Vancouver
Posts: 2,605
Thanked 966 Times in 248 Posts
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Going to Japan in april next year with the GF. Does anybody have any Ryokans they can recommend around Kyoto or Tokyo? Hopefully something with reserveable baths or places that allow tattoos.
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09-06-2015, 06:17 PM
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#109 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,327
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I'm going to Japan end of September,
So far I got the following restaurants booked, let me know if there is any other must try restaurants that I should do.
In Tokyo,
Esakai
Sushi Yoshitake
Sukiyabashi Jiro - Roppongi
(I couldn't get sushi Saito or Jiro in Ginza)
Osaka
Fujiya 1935
Shunsaiten Tsuchiya
Kyoto
Chihana
Kichisen
Kobe
Setsugekka
I am travelling solo, so a lot of restaurants that I want to try don't take solo reservations, I'm still looking to book an authentic Japanese Sukiyaki restaurant.
Let me know if there are some must try spots that I missed. Thanks!
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09-07-2015, 09:52 AM
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#110 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,469
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i went to one in mount hakone resort had private ones that can be rented as well as an insuite one on the balcony for a single person.
stayed over night. was expensive
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09-07-2015, 10:59 AM
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#111 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: somewhere in bc
Posts: 2,125
Thanked 825 Times in 330 Posts
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Originally Posted by Eff-1 Bullet train. | Is the JR pass worth it?
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09-07-2015, 12:27 PM
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#112 | | Say NO to blade grinders!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,083
Thanked 1,256 Times in 580 Posts
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Originally Posted by iwantaskyline Is the JR pass worth it? | Its worth it if you do your research...
Without knowing about your itinerary, how would we know?
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09-07-2015, 01:53 PM
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#113 | | sneaky beaky like
Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: vancouver
Posts: 2,262
Thanked 4,512 Times in 638 Posts
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Originally Posted by iwantaskyline Is the JR pass worth it? | my gf and i are heading from toyko to osaka, just the one trip alone round trip is already more than the jr pass
__________________ '19 honda civic fk8
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09-07-2015, 03:49 PM
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#114 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,327
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Now is the difference in price between the green class and the regular Jr pass worth it?
I was hoping to ride the granclass, but apparently there is no trains with granclass between Osaka and Tokyo
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09-07-2015, 04:13 PM
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#115 | | private modder
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: North Shore
Posts: 6,853
Thanked 2,812 Times in 789 Posts
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Originally Posted by skiiipi Now is the difference in price between the green class and the regular Jr pass worth it?
I was hoping to ride the granclass, but apparently there is no trains with granclass between Osaka and Tokyo | I don't really think green car is worth it personally. The regular car is nice enough! Lots of legroom, big windows and power outlets at most seats and on most trains.
And another thing is I noticed not very many people pay for the green car (usually just a few of older japanese businessmen) that you may actually enjoy more riding in the regular car for the people watching and small chance of meeting someone since you are solo.
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09-07-2015, 05:07 PM
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#116 | | フルコンボ
Join Date: May 2004 Location: YVR
Posts: 5,214
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Originally Posted by Peturbo Going to Japan in april next year with the GF. Does anybody have any Ryokans they can recommend around Kyoto or Tokyo? Hopefully something with reserveable baths or places that allow tattoos. | Hakone Ginyu. highly recommended. a bit on the expensive side but worth it.
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09-07-2015, 05:26 PM
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#117 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,327
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Which company do you guys recommend for pocket wifi rental?
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09-09-2015, 12:26 AM
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#119 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: somewhere in bc
Posts: 2,125
Thanked 825 Times in 330 Posts
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Originally Posted by Expresso Its worth it if you do your research...
Without knowing about your itinerary, how would we know? | Heh my bad..Flying into Tokyo on 26th, staying until 30th and leaving for Osaka then on Oct 3rd gotta go back to Tokyo to catch the flight home.
Been debating if JR pass is worth it or just fly with peach airlines from Tokyo to Osaka.
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09-09-2015, 03:17 AM
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#120 | | Need my Daily Fix of RS
Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 254
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Might be heading to Japan with 4 other homies for a skate trip after spring semester. Staying at a friends house, not sure where it is. How cheap can one live in Japan for 2 weeks? Not caring about high key sushi or tourist attractions.
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09-09-2015, 12:19 PM
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#121 | | Say NO to blade grinders!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,083
Thanked 1,256 Times in 580 Posts
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Originally Posted by iwantaskyline Heh my bad..Flying into Tokyo on 26th, staying until 30th and leaving for Osaka then on Oct 3rd gotta go back to Tokyo to catch the flight home.
Been debating if JR pass is worth it or just fly with peach airlines from Tokyo to Osaka. | Are you flying home same day?
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09-09-2015, 12:28 PM
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#122 | | Say NO to blade grinders!
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,083
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Originally Posted by skiiipi Let me know if there are some must try spots that I missed. Thanks! | Check out Sushi Sho, and Kushiwakamaru.
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09-09-2015, 02:14 PM
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#123 | | private modder
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: North Shore
Posts: 6,853
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Originally Posted by iwantaskyline Heh my bad..Flying into Tokyo on 26th, staying until 30th and leaving for Osaka then on Oct 3rd gotta go back to Tokyo to catch the flight home.
Been debating if JR pass is worth it or just fly with peach airlines from Tokyo to Osaka. | You know if you just did a bit of research yourself, you could figure this out easily.
Peach Airlines return fare between Narita and Kansai is 10,530 yen
Bullet Train each way between Tokyo and Osaka is around 13,000 yen
JR pass for 7 days is $325 CAD
Factor in the cost of the train between Narita and Tokyo and from Kansai to Osaka and the time spent, vs taking the train from downtown to downtown.
You can also use the JR pass on JR trains within Tokyo and Osaka.
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09-10-2015, 12:01 PM
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#124 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,327
Thanked 1,645 Times in 446 Posts
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Originally Posted by iwantaskyline Heh my bad..Flying into Tokyo on 26th, staying until 30th and leaving for Osaka then on Oct 3rd gotta go back to Tokyo to catch the flight home.
Been debating if JR pass is worth it or just fly with peach airlines from Tokyo to Osaka. | You and I have a very similar itinerary, and I bought a JR pass, the return trip from Osaka to Tokyo is worth the pass alone, plus I want to train to Kyoto and Kobe as well.
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09-10-2015, 12:56 PM
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#125 | | My homepage has been set to RS
Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,327
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Originally Posted by Jer3 sushi saito is super hard to book from my experience. yasuda is the easiest to book since you can make an email reservation. | Yea Saito was basically impossible for me, I had both the westin and four seasons concierge try, they don't take reso from Amex concierge.
I ended up "settling" with Yoshitake and sukiyabashi jiro roppongi (Ginza supposedly doesn't even take reso unless the diner goes with someone that speaks fluent Japanese, and as a solo traveller that was not possible)
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