Must see places in Japan?

**carrot026** · 04-12-2012, 03:15 PM

If you love shopping and dont mind walking around and taking the train a lot, I'd recommend going to Harajuku and Ginza.

For sightseeing, its okay to go to Mt. Fuji but with the cold and unpredictable weather, you might be able to go up to the first station only(like us!) Also it's better to get a package tour for sightseeing as having an English speaking guide is essential for you to know the history of the places you see as well. We've also been to Kyoto and I can say that its one of the best places to go sightseeing in Japan because its the cultural center.

**pavlos** · 04-12-2012, 03:17 PM

@ hrhnina, only buy a jr rail pass if you plan to go outside of tokyo. Otherwise, purchase the special 2 day open ticket for Tokyo Metro at Narita Airport Ticket counter. Then, after it expires, just head to any tokyo metro station to purchase the regular 1 day open ticket for your everyday needs.

Don't forget to see the Rainbow Bridge and the life-size gundam, this year it might be in Diver City. Have your picture taken in scramble crossing in shibuya, gawk at ginza on sunday when the whole street is closed, walk the streets of omotensando going to harajuku, do a side trip to aoyama, ebisu if you want to drink (pub style), tiny karaoke bars in shibuya for cheap booze, sample fresh seafood at tsukiji, visit yodobashi camera and maid cafes in akihabara.

**hrhnina** · 04-13-2012, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the tips! I appreciate it.

I did some more research and it seems like it's better to take in a view of mt. fuji from one of the surrounding lakes. So instead of going to Mt. Fuji directly, I'm now looking for good lake-resort. Has anyone tried this?

**barre05** · 04-15-2012, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by pavlos

@ hrhnina, only buy a jr rail pass if you plan to go outside of tokyo. Otherwise, purchase the special 2 day open ticket for Tokyo Metro at Narita Airport Ticket counter. Then, after it expires, just head to any tokyo metro station to purchase the regular 1 day open ticket for your everyday needs.

Don't forget to see the Rainbow Bridge and the life-size gundam, this year it might be in Diver City. Have your picture taken in scramble crossing in shibuya, gawk at ginza on sunday when the whole street is closed, walk the streets of omotensando going to harajuku, do a side trip to aoyama, ebisu if you want to drink (pub style), tiny karaoke bars in shibuya for cheap booze, sample fresh seafood at tsukiji, visit yodobashi camera and maid cafes in akihabara.

What does the special 2 day pass do? Unlmited MTR rides?

**pavlos** · 04-17-2012, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by barre05

What does the special 2 day pass do? Unlmited MTR rides?

It's the cheapest option for an unlimited Tokyo Metro Ride.

**hrhnina** · 04-23-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by gravija_flare

hmm, from here, the 7-day ordinary pass is 28300 yen. i would suggest planning your destinations first and their locations with respect to the nearest train stations. then check the estimate cost of total train fares using this train route finder. looking at train maps can be quite daunting at first, but to get to most tourist spots, going by train and walking is usually the easy and affordable way.

This is a late reply but thanks for the train route finder. I'm finding it super useful as I'm currently planning our day to day itinerary. I wish there was an app for it. We were only able to find a Tokyo subway system guide but no information on cost. Also, it would only show one route unlike the one in the website where it would show at least two routes.

**mcmarc** · 04-26-2012, 09:00 AM

You can try to download Hyperdia, it includes the cost.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hyper...379001449?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hyperdia.android.activity&hl=en

Note: You may need to use a Japan or US itunes account to buy the app. Android gets it free.

**maxx** · 04-26-2012, 11:53 AM

anybody tried a volunteer tour guide service in Tokyo such as this? - http://tokyofreeguide.com/

TIA.

**kolim** · 04-26-2012, 04:50 PM

We tried having a free tour guide in Kyoto. She is from the Good Samaritan Club. You just need to pay for their bus fares, lunch, and entrance to the attractions.

**ninetyproof** · 05-13-2012, 12:41 PM

Just wanna mention that JetStar now flies to Osaka from NAIA. Might wanna compare prices if you're the kind who likes cheap fares. Haven't tried them personally but people I know who tried it had no complaints :-) Out of curiosity I made a random price check: October 2012 roundtrip MNL-KIX-MNL came out to around Php13k+ so that's pretty good. Book Cheap Flights | Jetstar