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Japan Vacation

AudioKeith

AudioKeith

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Planning a family vacation in Japan for parts of Aug/Sep. Will be in Tokyo, Asakusabashi/Akihabara area (yes, will be visiting some electronics store). Then plan to rent a car, travel down through Miura area, over to Mt Fuji area (Ryokan/Onsen already booked), then back to Toyko.
We generally don't like to do the usual tourist things, prefer to get off the beaten path and go local. Any suggestions for sites to see, restaurants to seek out (we like to eat), or other advise welcome.
Would also be fun to meet up with any members if it can be arranged.
 
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I don't know Tokyo really, so no real suggestions. But just advising you will be there in the hottest, humidest(?) time of year (39°C+/98%), so pack clothes accordingly.

I only use Toyota Rentacar, and a pro-tip for you, is they have an option to rent an ETC card for the toll roads.
https://rent.toyota.co.jp/eng/

You might think you aren't going far, so just use non toll roads....very scenic. Yes, but beware most of your driving will be 40-50 kmh as you'll ALWAYS be going through what seems like an endless town. Tolls can be expensive, but definitely worth it.

Good food is easy to find, it's taken very seriously here. If you see a line, it's worth the wait.
 
I'd personally go via train, only because I'd drive on the wrong side..haha. Bring extra luggage for record albums, 6 floor record stores with seperate floor by genre's. Can I place my order now or later?
 
felix_katze said:
I don't know Tokyo really, so no real suggestions. But just advising you will be there in the hottest, humidest(?) time of year (39°C+/98%), so pack clothes accordingly.

I only use Toyota Rentacar, and a pro-tip for you, is they have an option to rent an ETC card for the toll roads.
https://rent.toyota.co.jp/eng/

You might think you aren't going far, so just use non toll roads....very scenic. Yes, but beware most of your driving will be 40-50 kmh as you'll ALWAYS be going through what seems like an endless town. Tolls can be expensive, but definitely worth it.

Good food is easy to find, it's taken very seriously here. If you see a line, it's worth the wait.
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Thanks. I know trains are easier but like the freedom of the car to be spontaneous. Driven all around the world so I’m ok with the wrong side.
 
Hajidub said:
I'd personally go via train, only because I'd drive on the wrong side..haha. Bring extra luggage for record albums, 6 floor record stores with seperate floor by genre's. Can I place my order now or later?
Click to expand...
I’m sure I’ll have a little extra room so feel free to order. If I do get any electronics will probably have them shipped back.
 
With the exchange rate, now is a really good time to visit Japan. BUT August/September may be still uncomfortably hot and humid. Fall is great with the cooler weather and the autumn colors are fantastic! Great for sitting in outdoor hot springs/baths. Then wandering out for a bite to eat. The food is freakin' awesome, everywhere!

Check our seerasan's (Sarah-san) Japan videos. She lives there, so the videos are quite in-depth and cover nearly everything. Her Japanese is better than mine and I love her charming Aussie accent. To cute!

Music Stores. There are lots.

Hopefully I can make it this fall or winter!

Have fun!
 
onepixel said:
With the exchange rate, now is a really good time to visit Japan. BUT August/September may be still uncomfortably hot and humid. Fall is great with the cooler weather and the autumn colors are fantastic! Great for sitting in outdoor hot springs/baths. Then wandering out for a bite to eat. The food is freakin' awesome, everywhere!

Check our seerasan's (Sarah-san) Japan videos. She lives there, so the videos are quite in-depth and cover nearly everything. Her Japanese is better than mine and I love her charming Aussie accent. To cute!

Music Stores. There are lots.

Hopefully I can make it this fall or winter!

Have fun!
Click to expand...
Thanks. The dates were not my choice, just the only time frame we had available. Should be a great time though.
 
The Heat's already been mentioned a few times . I work in Japan often, I am used to working in Florida in the summertime, Japan Heat makes Florida look like Child's Play! Just be prepared for it, it's oppressive!
 
GChief said:
The Heat's already been mentioned a few times . I work in Japan often, I am used to working in Florida in the summertime, Japan Heat makes Florida look like Child's Play! Just be prepared for it, it's oppressive!
Click to expand...

I actually think Valdosta GA is worse than most of Florida, and more like Japan.

I remember many days one summer there- 100 degree temp, 100 percent humidity. It would rain for 30 minutes, then the sun would come out and evaporate the rain- then the air would get so super-saturated that about an hour later, it would rain for 30 minutes again, then the sun would come back out. No wind. At all. Not even a breeze. What goes up, must come down... over and over and over. You could sweat all you wanted- it didn't do anything.

And this pattern would continue all afternoon, every day, for weeks on end.

For Valdosta, it was its proximity to the Okefenokee Swamp, I believe...

Regards,
Gordon.
 
AudioKeith said:
Planning a family vacation in Japan for parts of Aug/Sep. Will be in Tokyo, Asakusabashi/Akihabara area (yes, will be visiting some electronics store). Then plan to rent a car, travel down through Miura area, over to Mt Fuji area (Ryokan/Onsen already booked), then back to Toyko.
We generally don't like to do the usual tourist things, prefer to get off the beaten path and go local. Any suggestions for sites to see, restaurants to seek out (we like to eat), or other advise welcome.
Would also be fun to meet up with any members if it can be arranged.
Click to expand...
I've been told the Osaka region is more traditional Japanese, not as modern and hurried as Tokyo.
 
AudioKeith said:
Planning a family vacation in Japan for parts of Aug/Sep. Will be in Tokyo, Asakusabashi/Akihabara area (yes, will be visiting some electronics store). Then plan to rent a car, travel down through Miura area, over to Mt Fuji area (Ryokan/Onsen already booked), then back to Toyko.
We generally don't like to do the usual tourist things, prefer to get off the beaten path and go local. Any suggestions for sites to see, restaurants to seek out (we like to eat), or other advise welcome.
Would also be fun to meet up with any members if it can be arranged.
Click to expand...

Take a quick (allow an hour) around the 6-floor electronics store in Akihabara, no bargains really but a mind-boggling array of merchandise. Nice restaurant on the top floor

The more interesting electronic shops are in the side streets, take your time to go up and down. We spent 2 days wandering about there

We also used Google Translate on a phone and bought a portable LTE router and a Japanese data SIM and a 5000mAH power bank to keep the router on all day
 
chrisclarke said:
Take a quick (allow an hour) around the 6-floor electronics store in Akihabara, no bargains really but a mind-boggling array of merchandise. Nice restaurant on the top floor

The more interesting electronic shops are in the side streets, take your time to go up and down. We spent 2 days wandering about there

We also used Google Translate on a phone and bought a portable LTE router and a Japanese data SIM and a 5000mAH power bank to keep the router on all day
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris
 
GChief said:
The Heat's already been mentioned a few times . I work in Japan often, I am used to working in Florida in the summertime, Japan Heat makes Florida look like Child's Play! Just be prepared for it, it's oppressive!
Click to expand...
Interesting comment. Never been to Florida in the summer, but only heard how brutal the summers are.

Been to Tokyo, Osaka, and even Okinawa in July/Aug, and imagined Florida to be the same heat/humidity.
 
frahengeo said:
Interesting comment. Never been to Florida in the summer, but only heard how brutal the summers are.

Been to Tokyo, Osaka, and even Okinawa in July/Aug, and imagined Florida to be the same heat/humidity.
Click to expand...
Doing the same work in none AC conditions I think Yokosuka is "worst" than Florida, Sasebo definitely is worst IME.

Using August in all 3 as a standard.
 
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