Page 1 of Anybody been on holiday to Japan?

Hi,

I have always had an interest in Japanese and east Asian culture, i used to practice Japanese language a few years ago and am still very interested but my lessons have fell away since i am so busy with work for the past few years.

I am not really a holiday person, i don't like the sun too much and will not be out sun bathing since i had 3 melanomas cut out my back and stomach a few years ago.

I can read and write Hiragana and Katakana
  but don't know all the words i am looking at and know very little Kanji.


I planned just to go to Japan myself this year but now thinking i will probably get lost or something and being a quite natured guy i will be too shy to ask people for help.


So, was going to ask my very forwarded
 sister to come with me.

Anybody been to Japan and could give a price and spending money for two people for a couple of weeks?

I would probably travel myself after this first journey.

Cheers.

i wouldnt worry about the language. I went to Taiwan a few years ago with some friends, we were fine.

a friend of mine about 15 years didnt know Japanese, on a whim she went to Japan to do a TEFL course, she's come back here a few times since! she decided to stay there, learned Japanese married a nice Japanese guy :)

I think they'll appreciate you making the effort.

have a nice time :)

I'll see what advice she has for you.

This item was edited on Friday, 29th April 2016, 07:49

I have travelled in far east but never Japan, the reason is an ex of mine was a teacher there for a couple of years and was suicidal and came home desperate, she really couldn't handle the male female dynamics at all, from what she said the women are not 2nd class (at least then maybe 7 or 8 years ago) but 4th or 5th class citizens, Also if I am honest I always figured it would be very expensive from what I am used too,

Yep, been there on holiday twice, and if you think you are shy you want to see them, never seen so shy people dealing with westerners. 

You will find that most of them outside of Tokyo do not speak English, they smile try to be friendly, but have no idea what we are talking about. We had to resort to hand signals and carry a sketch book to draw, to get directions or pick food.

Signs for Public transport trains are horrendous, and may as well be gobbly gook, but the sketch book was good.

We did have the option of a paid interpteter guide from the Tokyo hotel we were staying in, but only used this for one day, as the guide was only taking us to their idea of tourist haunts. Wife and I like off the beaten track on holidays.

I am not going back to Japan, simply because of radiation levels in Japan since Fukushema melt down. 

I rather prefered Bali as an exotic destination.

Wish I could travel but I would be a bit out of place when I don't know the language not just Japan .I feel like mm when your invited to a party yet you don't really know anyone or understand their language Feel totally lost.Hope you enjoy your trip.

Thank's for the replies

I have been a click away so many times of booking a holiday to Japan but the fear of going myself has made me back out.

I think this may be the year though i decide to take the plunge.

Cheers.

Go for it 

I'm working for a large Japanese motor company right now, so I work with lots of Japanese folk - they are very polite and friendly.

Where In Japan were you looking at? I can always ask them at work where some nice places to visit and cost if you like.

I think cost of living is quite high there (in cities especially) so thus the hotels and food won't be much different to London prices.

G




I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which i`m dying are the best i`ve ever had.

Not decided yet where my base would be but have heard that the first thing to do if you want to see most of the country is buy a Japanese rail pass which costs about £400 last time i checked.

I also want to visit when its the cold/cool season, think i may have missed that for this year.

Cheers.

This item was edited on Friday, 29th April 2016, 20:37

In Tokyo you need to see the Imperial Palace also the Meiji Shinto Shrine (that's the main tourist attractions), but also have a look at the Yanaka old quarter, its a bit like something out of blade runner at night.

We also took the train and visited the old capital Kyoto to take in its history and temples.

Its really down to what you want to see, plan your holiday, check out the holiday destination webpages on the internet, and go see what you want to do.