I have not yet been to Japan, but I always hear about how expensive it is. Since Japan is a set of islands whose major cities are ports, would a cruise of Japan be a cheaper alternative to land based hotels? (I realize this may sacrifice some of the exposure to Japanese culture.)
2006-08-21 07:00:07 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Yeah, I wouldn't get to see small villages in isolated mountain valleys, but most of Japan is sea coast.
2006-08-21 07:14:40 · update #1
Uh, you guys do know that you can get off the boat and wander around on land while you are on a cruise, right?
The advantage to a cruise is that if apples in Japan really are $10 and melons are $50, I can go back to the cruiseship and get an apple for free.
2006-08-21 10:01:05 · update #2
Kait: I prefer answers that make sense. If someone say, "Don't take a cruise because the seas around Japan are full of sea serpents," I find that unsatisfying. Likewise, if people don't seem to know what a cruise even is, they can't really give a rational answer to the question.
2006-08-22 06:14:03 · update #3
And Kait: No matter what type of vacation you plan, you can only spend a limited amount of time there. Vacationing is different from immigrating.
2006-08-22 06:16:11 · update #4
I would imagine that a cruise would be more expensive. The best bet depending on how much you plan to spend and how long you will be there is to find a hostel with cheaper rooms( they will always be spotless). You can buy an all-day (or several days) pass for the trains and go see all the sights. And there are well-priced apples. You don't have to fork over $10...unless it is a REEALLY good apple. It's the watermelons you have to worry about......;)
2006-08-21 16:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by tankgirl190 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, first off, you sound like you only will accept one answer: yes. If that is the case, why use Yahoo! Answers?
In my opinion, I would not suggest a cruise. First of all, you only get a limited amount of time in each city. Second of all, you wouldn't be experiencing the culture as much, which is one of the main reasons you should go to a foriegn country. You could get the same experience going on a cruise to Jamaica.
An alternative might be to pick a city (maybe Sapporo, Osaka, Kyoto or Fukuoka, if you are worried about prices. They also are very interesting cities) or region ( I suggest Kansai or Shikoku for culture enthusiasts and Hokkaido for outdoorsy types) and just explore that region. That way you don't have to pay that much for travel, and you can stay at just one cheap hotel!! Good luck!
2006-08-22 13:01:24 · answer #2 · answered by Jinx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a cheaper way to see Japan!
There are 3 great cities (among others) that you can visit: Tokyo, Yokohama and Kyoto. Those are +- closer...
In Tokyo you'll find everything new. Try shinjuku, ueno station, take the ring train and visit the whole town! Akihabara a must see because the new goods they have. Tokyo tower don't miss. Asakusa by ferry. Odaiba island!
Yokohama: China town! Yokohama Land Mark Tower! Really good places.
Kyoto: The oldest temples are here. So you'll find a closer insight of their culture.
2006-08-21 16:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by Martin Arganaraz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about cruises, but there are scheduled ferry services between major ports in Japan. In fact it's possible to go all the way from Hokkaido to Taiwan by scheduled ferry, or over to Korea. If you go on the boat "tatami class"-sleep on the deck on a foam mattress in a communal room, it's cheap. A stateroom is not cheap however. But your getting accommodations and transport at the same time. These are not pleasure boats-they mostly run at night, mostly serve truckers, and run through all but the worst weather. However it would be possible to fly into Sapporo and then island hop all the way to Taiwan and then return from Taipei.
2006-08-21 23:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Japan is best seen by land. Although japan's considered an island, it's not really an "island nation". Much of the culture and sightseeing spots are inland. It would probably be beneficial for you to tour by bus or train or any other type of land transportation. Foreigners can also purchase a Japan Rail Pass if they are planning on traveling on the bullet train or any other Japan Railroad (JR) train.
2006-08-21 21:41:14 · answer #5 · answered by derpiao 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely not. How come you visit Tokyo? How do you to hot spring? how do you tour around? You can not find good food if on cruises. Their cost of living is expensive, but it's probably a little bit more than in USA. I wouldn't worry too much about money since you are spending about the same as you do here.
2006-08-21 16:21:11 · answer #6 · answered by PF 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But you will miss out on the mountains! The hot springs! The baths! I think I'm going to cry right now ;_;
2006-08-21 15:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by K-Flo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are lots of cruises that go around japan but you wont really get to see japan by doing that
2006-08-21 14:10:52 · answer #8 · answered by hanumistee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋