Japan travel tales

Our customers share their travelling experiences in Japan. Read about first hand stories on travel tips and guides, events, entertainment,shopping, food, business and transportation. Also, you might want to read our city guide.

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G Green	05 May 2005
Stayed at Grand Mer, Hotel - Okinawa Island, Japan.
Many things to do and see. I recommend Sam's by the Sea for great steak and seafood. There are also many Sushi places and the hotel staff is very good about recommending good ones and directions to them.
D Archbold	24 April 2005
Stayed at Osaka Airport Hotel - Osaka, Japan.
We stayed at this hotel on completion of a cruise that ended in Osaka. The cruise line provided transfers only to Kansia International Airport (KIX) and not to Itami (ITM) so we took a cab. It costs approximately US$70 (7,000 yen) and took about 35 minutes from the pier. You can also get there by train, but we had too much luggage to use that option. The airport opens at 6am and we were told to be there at that time in order to check-in for our 8 am flight. In practice there were only short lines and we could have waited at least until 6.30 am.
L Popeil	11 April 2005
Stayed at Cypress Garden Hotel - Nagoya, Japan.
Just stayed one night after attending the Aichi/Nagoya Expo 2005. I was intrigued by the nearby Hawaiian restaurant in the new mall adjacent to the station. But the music was painfully loud, so we left. Found a little gem of a place, also in the mall: the Soya Cafe - a real hoot. Miniature complex combo dinners with soy in almost everything. Delicious, fun and at a good price.
L Loi	05 April 2005
Stayed at Park Hotel Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan.
To find food near the hotel, take the lift that serves directly to B2, walk a short distance to nearby buildings such as Shiodome City Center or Caretta Shiodome and be spoit for choice by the extensive range of restaurants and cafes. At lunch time, you can easily find a great set meal for about US$10. There are many shops, cafes, restaurants located along the linkway between the hotel and Shimbashi Station. For a nice day trip, visit Yokohama and see the reputed world's biggest Chinatown. The place is really buzzing with activities. Take the subway from Shimbashi to Shibuya (Ginza Line) and transfer directly to Yokohama line. It takes about 40 minutes on the express train.
G Straight	04 April 2005
Stayed at Dai-Ichi - Osaka, Japan.
Visited Osaka Castle, the Osaka Aquarium (fantastic), Kyoto (about 25 minutes by train), went to Gion district and saw a Geisha show, tea ceremony, there are over 1,500 temples to see in Kyoto. The cherry blossoms in April are something you should not miss. Nara is a remarkable city, bring food to feed the deer that walk around free. Plenty of museums, shopping. Wear your walking shoes as you do plenty of walking. In Kyoto, get an all day bus pass so you can get on and off the bus at different locations for one price. Trains and subways are pretty easy to learn. Food is great almost everywhere. Don't miss the shopping underneath the Hanshin Dept store. The pastries made each day are beautiful. Fun to see all the different food.
M Cicci	01 April 2005
Stayed at Park Hotel Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan.
Tokyo is exciting and fun. there is a lot to see and do. Try to take a water bus down the Sumida River for an interesting way to see Tokyo.
S Olofsson	29 March 2005
Stayed at Sunroute Hiroshima, Hotel - Hiroshima, Japan.
We didn't have a lot of time in Hiroshima so decided to visit Miyajima on the afternoon we arrived and save the Memorial Park and museum for the following morning. Would definitely recommend Miyajima, so quite and peaceful after the hustle and bustle of many of the cities we visited...the tame deer, the temples, the wooden buildings and the atmosphere. Unfortunately we didn't have time to take the forest walk as well. The following morning we visited the Hiroshima Memorial Park, Hall of Rememberance and the A-bomb Museum. Also, consider using a JR railpass if you intend to travel around. Our children had a great couple of hours at 'Edo Movie Land' in Kyoto, 10mins by JR from Kyoto main railway station. It is a smaller japanese version of Universal Studios, with lots of traditional houses and sets used in japanese costume dramas, soap operas, films etc. The children really enjoyed the stunt show featuring the samuri and the ninja. You can also dress up as a geisha or a samurai warrior and have your photo taken (for a fee!). Could be an excellent bribe if the younger ones are all 'templed out'! Universal Studios Osaka is wonderful but the queues are long, you need a full day or try to go on a weekday which is not a school holiday and remember to check the information boards in the park for attraction queue times...Also I would recommend Himeji Castle...we were lucky and had an english speaking guide who explained the history of the castle including all the secret defense mechanisms much to the delight of our sons who couldn't wait to discover the whereabouts of the next 'booby trap! For me, strolling around Kyoto's Gion district at dusk and catching a glimpse of the Geishas/Meikos on their way to their engagements was definately one of the highlights of my stay. I was reading Memoirs of a Geisha at the time and it was literally as though the novel was brought to life in front of me. Oh and don't forget Nara, full of history,culture and easy to walk around.
A Loo	25 March 2005
Stayed at Mansions at Roppongi, The - Tokyo, Japan.
I would recommend Hotel Senkyoro in Hakone. Great onsen, very courteous staff and best of all, there is a studio for guests to make their own Japanese ceramics. (There is an instructor there to show you how of course.) My plate is sure to win many design awards! :)
I Marcouse	19 March 2005
Stayed at Mansions at Roppongi, The - Tokyo, Japan.
People watching takes a lot of beating in Tokyo. Go to Harajuku station to see the bizarre clothes of the 'Harajuku girls'. We thought that 'Electric Town' was disappointing, but really enjoyed the Sunday markets.
J Mata	19 March 2005
Stayed at Mansions at Roppongi, The - Tokyo, Japan.
Awesome place for lunch - Danto, about a couple blocks from Ginza station - located in the basement of an office building. Cute, traditional style lunch establishment with very friendly staff. One of the waitresses was especially amused at the size of my gaijin Born loafers ("Oki-desu!") which failed to fit in the shoe cabinets. Food is great, and you cannot beat the set courses for value and taste. Check out Frommer's Tokyo Guidebook for more details. We also loved a Koren BBQ place in the mall ourside of the Disney Resort - a bit on the expensive side (naturally, given its location), but DELICIOUS. Take a Japanese friend, as (surprisingly, again given its location) there are no English menus. Freshness Burger - not so much. Avoid this place unless you need something to soak up the booze after a night in Roppongi/Shinjuku/etc. Getting around: incredibly easy. Public transport in Tokyo is a completely hassle-free experience. Read the maps carefully (if possible, plan out your trip beforehand using a site like zone81.com's subway planner) and check out the Romanji translations in all stations, and you are set! We loved Tokyo (and our one day in Kyoto). We hope to come back very soon to experience more of the city - eight days and we only scratched the surface!