EPTAny suggestions for hostels or guest share housing? Budget is going to be limited. I'll try to keep this updated as the time goes on and the date nears.
Cheers and thanks!
Japan Vacation
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
Any suggestions for hostels or guest share housing? Budget is going to be limited. I'll try to keep this updated as the time goes on and the date nears. Cheers and thanks! | ||
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hellokitty[hk]
United States1309 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
Since I study architecture, I want to try to visit firms. Tokyo Sky Tree and the site of the 2020 Olympics are a must for me. | ||
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coverpunch
United States2093 Posts
The Akasaka area is also pretty cool to see office buildings and Japanese government buildings (which are uninspired and boring, if we're honest). There are a few of the emperor's palaces around there as well. Depending on your interest in eating, Tsukiji is cool to see sushi in action and a Japanese street market. Japan in general is really cool because it is very rangy - you can eat 100 yen rice balls or corn dogs from convenience stores or you can pay the moon at Michelin-starred restaurants and it's all really good. You might also check out rice cookers for a similar ranginess - you can buy a cheapo one for 1000 yen or you can see the ones they're selling for outrageous prices, made by people who have thought more about how to boil grains in water than you could ever imagine. Japan is lifting the law against late night dancing so you might want to check that out, as it will still be relatively new and probably quite popular. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
On June 01 2016 22:24 coverpunch wrote: If you like architecture, you might also want to check out Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi. Tokyo Station is the beating heart of the Japanese rail system. Every major train line in Japan goes through there. Nihonbashi has special significance in Japanese history as a mercantile center, which is reflected in Mitsukoshi as a huge shopping mall and the Bank of Japan is nearby. Those are all pretty good examples of Japan's unique position as adopting lots of Western ideas but maintaining the Japanese soul. The Akasaka area is also pretty cool to see office buildings and Japanese government buildings (which are uninspired and boring, if we're honest). There are a few of the emperor's palaces around there as well. Depending on your interest in eating, Tsukiji is cool to see sushi in action and a Japanese street market. Japan in general is really cool because it is very rangy - you can eat 100 yen rice balls or corn dogs from convenience stores or you can pay the moon at Michelin-starred restaurants and it's all really good. You might also check out rice cookers for a similar ranginess - you can buy a cheapo one for 1000 yen or you can see the ones they're selling for outrageous prices, made by people who have thought more about how to boil grains in water than you could ever imagine. Japan is lifting the law against late night dancing so you might want to check that out, as it will still be relatively new and probably quite popular. When I visited Osaka in 2012, they had late night dancing. I remember dancing until 7am on a Sunday. They also had it in Okinawa where the clubs closed at 2am and the bars stayed open until 7am. I loved it. I'll definitely reference this thread when I finally make my trip. Architecture can be very boring, but there's that one little detail that just blows you away. I hope to see that. I'm also really into the art of Japanese joinery, so I want to see some while I'm there if possible. I can only imagine the thought that goes into boiling grains. They've perfected cooking rice and which grains are the right ones for every meal. Blows my mind at the immense variety of what you can buy if you go to the Japanese market here in San Diego. Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna go all touristy and be in awe of everything all over again. | ||
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parkufarku
882 Posts
has english version also. will save your ass for japanese metro. use this to get around everyone in japan. you'll thank me for this. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
On June 02 2016 13:34 parkufarku wrote: www.hyperdia.com has english version also. will save your ass for japanese metro. use this to get around everyone in japan. you'll thank me for this. Bookmarked. Thanks a ton! Checking it now to see how much it'll cost. I'm sure the cost will fluctuate in the next few months. But this will be very useful. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
So I've been talking with my Japanese classmate and good friend and he's been recommending some things to me. I'm onyl staying 2 weeks so I can't do Sakura House (sakura-house.com. I found this one instead: Hostel World. Has anyone used something similar and have suggestions for rates and when to book? September is that kind of perfect storm time to take a vacation. We've also established that seeing the CyberJapan Dancers is also on the docket when I visit. And to make it to Yokohama for late night partying. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
www.hostelworld.com Would it be better to stay at a hostel in another city other than Tokyo if the price is better or would the cost of taking the metro make it counter? I'll be out most of the day and only need to store my luggage. I doubt I sleep much the first 4 nights, if at all. Still can't believe I got a ticket round trip for $575. That's an incredible deal if I may say so. Might have to go again in winter or for spring break! | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
Trains are freaking awesome here and the city is super safe. So you can book in the outer areas and it won't be dangerous. The problem is that trains stop at 12am and if you miss it... You better and up sleeping in the street that paying for a taxi 😆. If you plan on going out until late I suggest booking near the Yamanote line (green) or Sobu line (yellow). Those work until 12.30 ~ 1.00ish. | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
On August 07 2016 02:04 Silvana wrote: Hi! I'm in Tokyo right now. I arrived a week ago and didn't really do an extensive search, but one thing I learned is that the sooner you book the better. Prices will only go up for any date as it gets closer, not because they rise it but because the cheapest options get booked and you end up left with the mid or high range options. Trains are freaking awesome here and the city is super safe. So you can book in the outer areas and it won't be dangerous. The problem is that trains stop at 12am and if you miss it... You better and up sleeping in the street that paying for a taxi 😆. If you plan on going out until late I suggest booking near the Yamanote line (green) or Sobu line (yellow). Those work until 12.30 ~ 1.00ish. Thanks Silvana, I was debating on if I should. I'll see what those sites I mentioned above have. I really just don't want to spend $600 for 2 weeks when it'll be primarily luggage storage. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
EDIT: Just looked it up. Damn. That is way too expensive. I'd rather walk everywhere than drop $500 USD for a 14 day vacation just for transportation. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
Keep in mind the most cheap fare for train/subway is 170 yen (~1.7 USD). It adds up very quickly. Tokyo is huge and not centralized, I mean you won't take a single train ride to one location and walk from there to all other places. But if you don't plan on going to other cities, it's not worth it at all. Speaking about transportation, you beter get the subway/trains prepaid card. It won't save you money but it will save you lots of time that otherwise you'd spend using the ticket machine and figuring out the right fare for every trip. Finally, it's good that you are willing to walk a lot. I think the best way to experience Tokyo is exploring the small streets, improvising routes and ultimately getting lost here  | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
I'm not leaving Tokyo since I only have 2 weeks. It would be better getting to understand that city and when I return, see everything else. I won't go past Fuji, so the JRP won't serve me at all. I'll look into the subway/train pass. I'm on a $1000 budget, so everything has to be budgeted. Except food. I love Japanese cuisine. | ||
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Silvana
3713 Posts
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
I also had a friend of a friend help me prepare and he broke it down for me. It was impressive how he had it all laid out. So with everyone's advice here and his thorough instructions, I think I'll survive these 2 weeks on a shoestring budget and still be able to make some memorable moments happen. ^_^ | ||
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ZerOCoolSC2
8834 Posts
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