Hi all,

I am thinking of going to Honshu next year. The reasons are
1) To watch the famous sakura bloom.
2) To force myself to actually go to Japan rather than to say "mada... shourai ..."
3) to (hopefully) celebrate passing JLPT 2.

Thinking of a 7 to 10 day affair.
Late March or April to catch the sakura bloom.
Since this may be once in a lifetime trip, shouldn't scrimp too much,
so thinking of a budget between 2 to 3k.
Anyone else interested to join or lead?

Dennis

Dennis, at least 3k-4k if u staying in hotel.

2.5k is enough for hostel...

All right then, 3 to 4k.
Have to start saving now...
Anyone can recommend part-time job? :)

Was actually thinking of a tour to Kyoto next year...would b beginning of April..We would base in Kyoto and tour around there by Trains...how? mayb 1 week or 1 week nad half enough la

Was actually thinking of a tour to Kyoto next year...would b beginning of April..We would base in Kyoto and tour around there by Trains...how? mayb 1 week or 1 week nad half enough la

Sure! It's a great idea to have the local yakuza show the way! :)

so should start making a plan for next year..where to go, what to see, what to do..maybe can find something unusual, interesting, exciting, etc from a japanese tour guide..

so should start making a plan for next year..where to go, what to see, what to do..maybe can find something unusual, interesting, exciting, etc from a japanese tour guide..

Hi all,
had a really fruitful discussion with Shingo and this is what we have decided:
1) 10 days trip
2) mainly central part of honshuu
3) Theme : Off the beaten track, so we will avoid Tokyo and will NOT take the Shinkansen, save on JR Pass
4) Stay in a fixed area and explore more rather than cover too much.
5) Cost : 200,000 yen or about $3k.
Lodging : 7000 yen * 10 = 70,000 yen
Food : 1000 yen * 3 * 10 = 30,000 yen
Air ticket + Transport: 10,000 yen * 10 = 100,000 yen
6) Early April 2010 - catch sakura
7) Limited to 10 pax.
8) Entry/ Depart at Kansai International Airport.
9) Places to visit : 1)Kyoto - try shouyinryori (vegetarian temple food)
2)Osaka - skip famous Osaka Jyou and instead visit the "better" one at Hijime, Okonomiyaki
3) Nara - visit Deer Park and Temples. Eat Senbei?
4) Shigo - Biwako
5) Nagoya
6) etc
We plan to visit about 5 major cities and spend average 2 days per city, so not too rushed. Focus is on exploring local culture and skip touristy places.

That's all we came up with after 2 hrs. Anyone want to join us or offer suggestions/changes to itinary?

Dennis

Dennis-san,

I would love to go.. :) I like the idea of "Off-The-Beaten" path. You may like to visit "www.jnto.go.jp" for ideas. They got local one called "www.jnto.org.sg". You might want to consider "seishun18kippu" or something like that, an offer by JR, so you can travel by train, unlimited for the period of 18 days for I think around 12K yen. You're limited from take the express though (but since the purpose is to sightseeing around, it may be fine.. :).

Please keep me in the loop. I'm saving for it already.. hahahaha.. (^^)

Lina

So far, just three of us showed interest..umm..never mind..I think maximum 10 pple are too many..

Of course I AM interested, but it's like a year later, hard to say whether i can take leave at that time!
But count me in!!