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So I'm basically organising my Mum's 60th birthday which we've decided is going to be in Japan (woot!)
About 6 years ago we visited tokyo and went to a hot springs for a week. It was great! This time we have a longer stay (about 10 days) and since it's a special occassion, going a bit more all out. I'm not financing this trip, so money isn't much of an issue
Probably looking to house her in a 5 star hotel and eat at some expensive restaurants
Also want to spend some time travelling out of tokyo to see some things.
In tokyo I'm pretty sure i've got a good idea of what to do - I'll setup some nice restaurants, spend a day or two taking her shopping/random sightseeing.
Any suggestions for any top tier restaurants? (Jiro has already been suggested to me haha - more likely to do Sushi Kanesaka)
This trip will be in october so i've got approx 2 months of booking in advance for this (anything that requires more than that is not likely the kind of restaurant we'd want to goto)
The main thing is I'd like to take her to see some shrines/temples. and maybe some kind of beach trip? (Is that even a good idea during that time of the year)? Any other kinds of suggestions involving the countryside a bit more? She's a fan of hiking so any thoughts there? We already did a semi hike+drive up mt Fuji the last time so that's already been done
Any suggestions or help/ideas especially those with personal experience appreciated. Likely to spend 3-4 days in tokyo and the rest of the time travelling outside
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I've been to Japan a few times but one of the nicest places for tourists I found was Hamamatsu. Big lake thing (might be a bay) full of eels which is one of the local delicacies. Eel (or oonagi) pies are sugar cookies with smoked eel and amazingly it evens out the flavours. But the Hamamatsu flower park is something I would think a 60 year old would enjoy because its just spectacular viewing.
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1001 YEARS KESPAJAIL22272 Posts
There's a Joel Robuchon restaurant in Ebisu. Michelin star restaurant. But not Japanese food. I usually just recommend eating at random restaurants in Japan, you'll never know what you discover.
The nearest resorty place I can think of near Tokyo that's nice is Nikko. It has Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum, Kegon falls and lake Chuzenji. Nice during autumn if you get there when the leaves are red.
If you want shrines and temples, Kyoto is the most tourist friendly and has the greatest concentration. From there, a nice hike in Yoshinoyama is recommended during October when it's autumn. You should look for foliage reports to see if you'll be there at a good time though.
You can also spend a night or two in a shrine in Koyasan, 2 hrs from Osaka. It's a nice experience and the mountain town is quaint.
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The best place for historical Japan that is close to Tokyo is Kamakura. The big buddha and numerous temples are all within walking distance once you get there. The Taya Caves were also cool, on the way to Kamakura, and should just take 1.5 - 2hrs as a detour.
Enoshima is also another option if you want to extend your time around the Kamakura area to 2 days. There will be some light hiking involved here. Check it out.
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T.O.P.
Hong Kong4685 Posts
On July 27 2014 14:12 lichter wrote:
There's a Joel Robuchon restaurant in Ebisu. Michelin star restaurant. But not Japanese food. I usually just recommend eating at random restaurants in Japan, you'll never know what you discover.
The nearest resorty place I can think of near Tokyo that's nice is Nikko. It has Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum, Kegon falls and lake Chuzenji. Nice during autumn if you get there when the leaves are red.
If you want shrines and temples, Kyoto is the most tourist friendly and has the greatest concentration. From there, a nice hike in Yoshinoyama is recommended during October when it's autumn. You should look for foliage reports to see if you'll be there at a good time though.
You can also spend a night or two in a shrine in Koyasan, 2 hrs from Osaka. It's a nice experience and the mountain town is quaint.
I agree with Kyoto. Spend 10 days in the Kansai region. Tokyo is just a big city. Osaka will give you the big city experience. Nearby Osaka is Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
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Foolishness
United States3044 Posts
On July 27 2014 14:12 lichter wrote:
There's a Joel Robuchon restaurant in Ebisu. Michelin star restaurant. But not Japanese food. I usually just recommend eating at random restaurants in Japan, you'll never know what you discover.
The nearest resorty place I can think of near Tokyo that's nice is Nikko. It has Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum, Kegon falls and lake Chuzenji. Nice during autumn if you get there when the leaves are red.
If you want shrines and temples, Kyoto is the most tourist friendly and has the greatest concentration. From there, a nice hike in Yoshinoyama is recommended during October when it's autumn. You should look for foliage reports to see if you'll be there at a good time though.
You can also spend a night or two in a shrine in Koyasan, 2 hrs from Osaka. It's a nice experience and the mountain town is quaint.
Would also recommend staying in Nikko for 2-3 days. It's got a nice small town feel (I think it's important to get away from big cities for at least a few days when travelling to different countries).
As already said Kyoto is the most tourist friendly and there's plenty to do both in the city and in nearby places (like day trips). I spent 7 days there and could have easily spent 7 more.
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Suggestion: Stop making me jelly.
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Thx for the suggestions guys! I think i've got a better idea of what to do and where to take her now
I'll report back to you when i've got more of a solid plan and ask you guys what you think
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First suggestion, get JR passes. A couple shinkansen rides and it pays for itself.
There's lots of interesting things in the Kansai area (my hometown is Kobe). A particularly interesting temple I went to recently in Kyoto is Kokedera (Moss temple). It requires an advance reservation because they only let 1 group of ~100 people go through each day to keep the moss covered grounds from getting damaged. It's Y3000/person, but definitely worth it.
If you want to do a beach trip, Kagoshima all the way down south is supposed to be beautiful. I've never made it down there, but my wife spent a weekend down there with some friends and loved it.
I could write about Japan all day, but I have work to do. Feel free to PM me and I can help you come up with ideas.
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Hey mate, I'm currently planning a 3 week holiday in Japan in November and have been researching extensively on what to do and where to eat. There are heaps of michelin star restaurants in Tokyo alone and I'd recommend you just look them up on their website. I am personally going to try a degustation course for the following cuisines: Kaiseki, Sushi, Tempura & Wagyu/Kobe beef speciality. Like a few of the others have suggested, Nikko is a great tourist location in Kansai. I would also recommend going to Hakone (for a Ryokan + Onsen experience). For travel, I don't think the JR pass will be worth it for you if you just stay within the Kansai area - there's a website called hyperdia where you can compare costs of rail transport in Japan. Feel free to PM me if you're interested in my itinerary.
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If you get a spots at Jiro's, then it will be a meal of a lifetime.
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On August 01 2014 11:06 maggle wrote:For travel, I don't think the JR pass will be worth it for you if you just stay within the Kansai area
It sounds like they're going to be in both the Tokyo area and down in the Kansai area. A round trip from Tokyo to Osaka alone will pay for a 7-day pass ($280USD I think?), let alone all the local travel.
For just the Kansai area, I know JR-West also has a pass that allows use of all non-Shinkansen JR trains in the Kansai region, plus all Sanyo region (including Shinkansen) and that was only ~$60USD for a 4-day pass. Might be an option if you're thinking of flying from Tokyo to Osaka instead of taking the Shinkansen.
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Hi guys, thanks for all the help!!
Turns out my holiday is going to be from 4th-11th (leaving 12th morning) only so i've booked 3 days in tokyo and the rest of the time in kyoto at Seikoro inn (ryokan)
Going to book sushi kanesaka for my mums actual birthday on the 11th. Anyone know about restaurants in kyoto? Looking for a wagyu beef place
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Osaka27172 Posts
Just wander around and find one. Kyoto is full of expensive wagyu places. Old wood building with understated signage = good spot.
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EPT
