Japan Advice needed, can anyone help?

Hi everyone,

The bf and I were thinking about popping over to Japan in February over his birthday, as he is in some kind of Japan-mad mood at the moment and wants to go there asap! Now I need a little bit of advice on where's good to go and where's good to stay. We can only go for about a 7-10 days so we need suggestions that allow us to see loads but not spend all our time travelling...

So...any ideas on what cities we should definitely visit (apart from Tokyo) and where's good value to stay... I appreciate it's vague, but I haven't got a clue where to start!

Thanks,

Scott

I would say that 7 to 10 days is not enough to see 'loads' of Japan and do it justice, but there is certainly enough time to be selective and see several things comprehensively. Not knowing anything about you and your tastes I am hesitant to offer advice, but there are several sites to be found on google that will act as Japan guides.

But here goes anyway [ii] :
You will arrive early at Narita and you can catch the Narita express into Tokyo, Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. This is a very efficient service and you may well be too early to check in at most hotels, so I would therefore use the time to catch a shinkansen (Bullet train) to the west and visit Osaka and Kobe. There is lots to see and do there. Apart from ordinary hotels, you may well choose to spend a night in a ryokan with an onsen (hot spring) for a more traditional Japanese experience.

I would then travel to mount Fuji and climb it during the night so that I could watch the sunset with my partner and confess my undying love [:X]. There are lots of outdoor activities to be experienced in the region, but after a late night and hopefully a good climb you may well feel the need to check in to one of the many love hotels which charge by the hour.[:I]

I would then return to Tokyo and spend the last few days checking out Shinjuku and Ginza for shopping. Akihabara is good to visit to look at electronics, but prices for gadgets can be found much cheaper if you know where to look in Shinjuku. You will of course need to check out the nightlife in Roppongi and there is plenty to do no matter what your tastes. There are so many other activities you could check out in Tokyo and any guide will be able to give you more info.

You will then be close to the Narita express and can arrange a speedy journey back to the airport for your early flight home. The duty free is not particularly appealing here, but if you don;t have access to one of the lounges there are plenty of places to get a bite to eat before your flight home.

Can't believe I've written so much. Hope some of it helps.

I would also go to Tokyo Disneyland. Its a cultural juxtaposition of all the Disney stuff with Japanese guests. Quite odd.

Well, I just got back from Fukuoka, which (except all but 4 hours of constant rain) was a pleasant city at the south end of the Bullet Train network.
I think thanks to the super efficient railways (with plenty of english signs) Travel around japan is very easy, and you can buy a "Rail Pass" if you intend to move around a bit.
I guess in February you will have a mixed bag of weather to deal with.

Himeji Castle is worth a look,used a lot as a film location, You only live twice filmed there as well as Akira Kurosawa's Ran,about 4 hours on the train from Tokyo.

I'#ve never actually been to Japan, but one thing I'd really like to do if I was to go there is stay for a night in a traditional japanese guest house.[8D]:D:)

VS.