We want to go around June 2008 preferably in time to go to the Changu Changu Umako horse festival. We are also major anime/ manga buffs so we want to visit places relating. We are also on a very strict budget, meaning we need the cheapest possible things but they still need to be great quality. We need help planning and we do not know where to begin. can anyone please help. We are trying to stay away from tour groups, considering they are expencive and most likely will not cover all we want to do. We also plan to stay about 2 possibly 3 weeks.
2007-10-04 16:59:12 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
We want to go around June 2008 preferably in time to go to the Changu Changu Umako horse festival though that is not the only event we want to go to f there are more in that time range please do suggest. We are also major anime/ manga buffs so we want to visit places relating. We are on a very strict budget, meaning we need the cheapest possible things but they still need to be great quality. We need help planning and we do not know where to begin. can anyone please help. We are trying to stay away from tour groups, considering they are expencive and most likely will not cover all we want to do. We also plan to stay about 2 possibly 3 weeks. I am an art student as well (as in drawing, painting, etc.) I want to see the beauty of Japan in person and take pictures home with me(though I doubt pictures do it justice), I want it to be something of an adventure.
2007-10-07 16:19:31 · update #1
Refer to this blog.
2007-10-04 22:11:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Crime in Japan is some of the lowest in the world. Just use good common sense and you will be fine. A city that I highly recommend visiting is Kyoto. It is close to Osaka and easily accessible by train. Kyoto is an amazing city filled with the most beautiful temples and landscape. There is also a fun nightlife there and plenty to do. I wouldn't advise getting a rail pass. It will probably make more sense to pay for individual tickets, assuming you will really take a few trips by train. I have never in my life taken a tour and I have visiting every continent (except Antarctica) you will be fine! Take a map from the hotel and a hotel business card so that if you get lost you can simply show the card to a taxi driver to be brought back and not have to worry about the language barrier. Summer is a good time to go, but it will be hot! Spring or fall will be more pleasant weather wise. Also in spring, generally late March - May, the cherry blossoms bloom and it really is beautiful to see. Another thing I might consider is not going for three weeks. That really is a lot of time and while Osaka and Kyoto are very cool places, I really doubt you will be entertained for three weeks. I would consider going for two weeks maximum, which will also save you considerable money on hotel costs. Are you planning on going to Tokyo as well? I would carve out a couple of days to see Tokyo if I were you. It is a unique and very interesting city. Have an awesome trip! Japan is a great country!
2016-05-21 04:05:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've got the right idea staying away from the guided tours.
I highly recommend the book Lonely Planet - Japan if you don't have it already. It's a bible, even for people living in Japan a couple years.
Congrats on going for it too. There are a lot of people who shy away from Japan due to costs. A lot of young people go over, like me, initially as English teachers. That way we sort of absorb the shock of costs.
The reality is that it doesn't have to be expensive. Tokyo can be extremely expensive, but even in Tokyo you can shop the right places.
I would suggest buying food at grocery stores. Check the cheap eats section of Lonely Planet for the areas you're in. Also just keep your eyes out. The more Japanese you understand the better, so I would also suggest studying as much as you can before going, and studying on the way too. Definitely have a working knowledge of at least hiragana and katakana if you don't already.
Akihabara in Tokyo is the electronics area, but a lot of otaku manga people hang out there too. You don't want to miss Harajuku and Shibuya as well. Definitely Harajuku, Tokyo.
There are museums around various parts of Japan that have connections to famous manga artists, so do some research to find out where and how it can fall into your overall visit.
You can stay at youth hostels, or if you're daring, love hotels. You have to go to the love hotels late though, otherwise they'll charge you by the hour. Get there late and do the overnight rate. Again, the more Japanese you know, the better. I heard that temples sometimes offer free or cheap overnights for travelers.
Have fun.
2007-10-06 02:35:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Recently I visited Japan on a school exchange trip. It is an absolutely beautiful country!
I highly suggest you visit Kyoto. It's not as busy as Tokyo, and the people are very kind.
There are many attractions in Kyoto, such as the Golden Pavilion Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine, to which entry is free for both. These provide a very traditional and cultural experience, which is great.
You may also want to visit the town of Gion, famous for its Geishas and Maikos.
Kyoto is filled with narrow streets and small shops selling lots of touristy-things. Out the front of restaurants you can even see models of the meals!
Hope you have a great holiday and consider this info =)
2007-10-05 03:23:28 · answer #4 · answered by Elle 1 · 3⤊ 4⤋
the chagu chagu umako festival is in morioka... I'm not sure about anime/manga places to visit in the area. I lived in Misawa for about 4 years which is a bit north from there and it's more of the countryside there ^^;. but i'm sure morioka would have some anime/manga stores... if you want the ultimate anime/manga place in all of japan, I recommend akihabara in tokyo. It is the electronic/gaming/anime/manga capital of japan. It is one of my absolute favorite places in Japan.
i'd suggest staying in hostels or ryokans or business hotels to save money. Japan really doesn't have motels...they have love hotels. Normal hotels will cost you an arm and a leg. I can't find any hostels in morioka though... :/ tokyo has tons. You can probably find business hotels and ryokans(japanese style inns) for cheap though even in that area.
Make sure you have your passport and get vaccinations done that need to be done. June is when it's gonna be raining alot too so be prepared for that. Also, Morioka might not have very many English speaking people so it'd be good to know the language.
Travelling by train is probably your best bet. Depending on how much you travel on train, you might want to get a jr rail pass. local trips usually are about $1.30-$5.00 depending where you go. bullet trains will cost more.
Airfare will probably cost around $800+ roundtrip. Food can be found for cheap anywhere for great quality. Convinience stores in japan are decent and have pretty good food for cheap. Also, there are tons of restaurants that are open for 24 hours and that have great food for cheap.
Basically I guess it would depend on where you plan on staying for the whole trip? But basically wherever you go, the above should help at least a little bit.
2007-10-04 20:25:52 · answer #5 · answered by alyssadarkcloud 2 · 4⤊ 6⤋
If it horses you like you should consider the Soma horse festival as well. Trust me, I have been to both...Haramachi is nothing like New York.
http://japundit.com/archives/2006/07/11/3016/
2007-10-05 05:44:52 · answer #6 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you really would like to go somewhere, go to china. Japan is a terrible place by means of vacation. It's like going to new-york with asians. If you really want to go though, you'll need to get some vaccines, update your visa and other credential documents, as well as preparing yourself to speak the language. You say your not going with tour groups but more than likely you're just a teen who likes all that japanamation stuff and really don't know how to speak the langauge and know their rules. Trust me, if you don't know the area or have the money it's not worth the trip.
2007-10-04 17:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 7⤋
Y
2007-10-12 14:46:29 · answer #8 · answered by . 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋