Tokyo

SporadicAddick · August 14

Golden Gai is an experience. Very small bars, some up very steep and narrow stairs and very little space. Many are for locals only (some have “no foreigner” signs), and you should ask permission to be let in - don’t be offended if you are told, quite abruptly, to go away. Typically no photography allowed. You’ll also have a minimum spend / cover charge. Many are themed. I spent a few hours in a dildo themed bar (“Foreigners allowed Tuesdays”).

Friend Or Defoe · August 14

The Misono building in Osaka is similar. One of the bars is like a messy students bedroom. I found a computer game one and played Mario on an original NES. For a game that's about 40 years old it still holds up well!

DamoNorthStand · August 14

Actually a few people have reminded me, but when I went in August last year the exchange rate must have really been on our side, because it was ludicrously cheap. Even at Disneyland where you usually have to sell a kidney for anything, I was getting lunch for the whole family for a £15. It was ridiculous.

Cloudworm · August 14

I've lived in Osaka for about 10 years. October can be a fantastic time but you can get unlucky with the rain. Typhoon season is September but it can still rain a lot in October - 50/50 chance. Temperature is great then though - mid twenties.

Japan is a great place to visit for a holiday.

stop_shouting · August 14

Never been but general applications for the 2026 Tokyo marathon open tomorrow so will revisit this post if I get in.

sillav nitram · 12:53PM

Danepak said:

I only spent 2 nights there back in June (stopover from Auckland to Copenhagen).
But we were amazed by how cheap food was! You must try a Gyudon at Sukiya (chain of Gyudon restaurants).

A bowl of Gyudon with kimchi on top: £3.50.
1/2 litre of Asahi: £2.20

Also, can recommend Golden Gai which is a narrow street with lots of tiny bars (space for 4-6 people).

There are either 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Mini Mart or Lawson anywhere you go. You can get an egg and rice sandwich for approx 70 pence.

We stayed in Ueno, which was handy as the train from Narita Airport goes straight there (no change required). And Haneda Airport, that we flew out from, was an easy reach from Ueno.

All sound very good but as a vegetarian and non drinker. Yeah, I know, I'm now completely boring, the temptation may be too great;)

sillav nitram · 12:58PM

So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto

I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?

Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?

RedPanda · 1:10PM

I've booked Japan in March. China Eastern were/are offering flights for £500 return. You have to change plane in Shanghai but you can explore Shanghai visa free for 24 hours. I'd never planned to visit China so it's a bonus.

Japan-wise I'll be in Osaka, with day trips to Kyoto, Nara, and maybe Hiroshima.

Sillav, look up Nara if you've not already. It would be easy to fit in.

Cloudworm · 1:27PM

sillav nitram said:

So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto

I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?

Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?

I've never bothered with Fuji. Real tourist trap by all accounts. Very rigid excursions and you'd struggle getting vegetarian food if you hiked it.

Naoshima looks good though.

I'd try and get out into the countryside in Kyoto, if I were you. There's some amazing scenery and little cafes and mochi shops dotted about. Just check the opening times on Google maps. You'd need a car or a bike to get about, but it'll be worth it.

Friend Or Defoe · 2:11PM

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

sillav nitram · 2:49PM

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Friend Or Defoe · 5:07PM

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.

sillav nitram · 5:41PM

Friend Or Defoe said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.

Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.

sillav nitram · 5:44PM

Cloudworm said:

sillav nitram said:

So far, 3 nights in Tokyo (bearing in mind I'll be returning to the city when I leave)
2 nights in Hiroshima
4 nights in Kyoto

I'd quite like to go here, https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/art/teshima-artmuseum.html has anyone been?

Is Mt Fuji a must visit, thoughts?

I've never bothered with Fuji. Real tourist trap by all accounts. Very rigid excursions and you'd struggle getting vegetarian food if you hiked it.

Naoshima looks good though.

I'd try and get out into the countryside in Kyoto, if I were you. There's some amazing scenery and little cafes and mochi shops dotted about. Just check the opening times on Google maps. You'd need a car or a bike to get about, but it'll be worth it.

Ok, thanks.

Covered End · 6:50PM

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.

Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.

Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.

Friend Or Defoe · 7:27PM

Covered End said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.

Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.

Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.

Am i correct in assuming you've never been to Japan?

Covered End · 7:46PM

Friend Or Defoe said:

Covered End said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

sillav nitram said:

Friend Or Defoe said:

3 nights in Tokyo and 4 in Kyoto isn't something i would do. If you like cycling head to Onomichi near Hiroshima for cycling heaven!

Ah but I’m not you.

if I was fit, I’m not, and without physical ailments then cycling might have been an option. As it is, it’s not.

Why not that mention that earlier? Nara would involve a lot of walking so perhaps give that a miss.

Well until you posted your comment, cycling hadn't crossed my mind and wouldn't have been in my list of things to do.

Don't worry I can't think of anyone asking for holiday advice that would mention that they they didn't expect to be cycling.

Am i correct in assuming you've never been to Japan?

No.

Friend Or Defoe · 8:06PM

So you've been, although i'm not ruling out the chances of you not knowing a double negative, offer no advice yourself but do a bizarre post where you ignore:

1) I stated, if you like cycling...
2) the reply where i asked why it wasn't mentioned previously (i had asked earlier what he was into) then recommend not doing long walks due to this.

You can see why i'm hesitant to give too much advice on this forum. So many strange posters posting random off topic things of no relevance. What do they gain from this?!

If anyone wants advice on what to do on Japan drop me a PM. I've been multiple times and have family out there. I'll be living there myself one day.

Covered End · 8:30PM

If someone asks a person & particularly asks a 70 year old man with heart trouble "what sort of things are you into?"
I don't think the expected reply would be "not cycling".

I've had very many conversations over the years asking people their hobbies and interests and no one has ever replied "not cycling".

It seems a tad unfair to be digging out a retired man for not mentioning that his interests are "not cycling".

You seem very angry and somewhat rude.

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