Hello again /trv/, I got solid advice from people here on my Montreal trip 2 years ago, so I'm hoping to get more for a Japan trip. I'm looking to go in early November, so not sure if I'll catch any festivals/holidays between the 1st and 15th. The purpose of the trip is to explore the Japan I grew up being fascinated by, especially the feudal period. I don't know much about the prime historic sites, but I've narrowed down the options: Tokyo - Nara - Kyoto OR Tokyo - Kyoto - Kanizawa. I'm really into traditional crafts and handmade goods, so Kanizawa drew my attention when I was perusing through wiki travel. Not sure if anyone is familiar with it, maybe I'm romanticizing a bland tourist trap. If anyone has a good knowledge of *actual* castles to see, rather than the reconstructions, I'd also appreciate that. For lodgings, I'm not sure what works best for a single traveler on a budget. I've read from the Japan general that there are shrine-associated lodgings you can rent for very cheap, so long as you follow the rules and are quiet. I'm not going on a cooming trip in the slightest (not into Asian women in general), so the focus of this trip is entirely on the local culture, peeking my head around weird places, and savoring some nature between cities. Good eating too, but that I've managed pretty well on all my travels. Suggestions, rebukes, etc. are all appreciated (and no, I'm not trans. Bet that poster is still here)
>>2717384>>2715028 read this
>>2717566It's a good reference anon but I've already gone through the thread. I also chose my cities based on what I read on wikivoyage, so I was hoping to get more personal accounts from other /trv/lers.
>>2717384>*actual* castles to see, rather than the reconstructions, Kanazawa Castle aims to be rebuilt based on feudal drawings, and various turrets have been rebuilt in wood, but they are still few in number. The large moat and stone walls remain almost intact, showing the original layout in feudal times.Near the castle there is a history museum and art gallery, as well as a large Japanese garden.Maruoka Castle (36.1522,136.2721) has a feudal castle tower, but little else remains and it is surprisingly small.Ichijodani (35.9994,136.2954) is the site of a medieval lord's residence and medieval city, where excavations have been carried out and some buildings have been restored.Hikone Castle (35.2763,136.2519) will meet all your needs.
>>2717587Why not see more than just the castle? Eiheiji (36.0562,136.3565) is the largest Zen temple in Japan.Zuiryuji (36.7355,137.0107) is a temple worth visiting.The closest hot spring (36.4879,136.7559) to Kanazawa is difficult to access, and there are old houses that were relocated and preserved after the construction of a dam upstream.Gokasho (36.4271,136.9368) is in the same cultural area as Shirakawa-go (36.2571,136.9060) and has similar scenery, but there are fewer foreign tourists.If you're looking for a hot spring with good transportation access, I recommend Unazuki (36.8167,137.5825). Transfer at the Shinkansen station (36.8740,137.4811).>I've read from the Japan general that there are shrine-associated lodgings you can rent for very cheap,Although this information is questionable, Eiheiji does indeed offer residential training courses, but it certainly would not want to be known as a lodging facility.
>>2717572nobody cares about your blog post. a thread died for it. use the general. that's what it's for.
>>2717384Post in the general retard. Where the fuck do you people even come from? Can you read?
>>2717384Avoid Japan until it stops being the current meme country. Other gaijins are fucking retards and probably going to ruin Japan for gaijins again after we basically just started getting good graces and places closed off to us opening their doors in some areas.
>>2717717Will it ever end though?
>>2717587>>2717588Thanks anon, I'll review this with the map on the general.>>2717698>>2717589Fucking troglodytes, this board is dying because of retards like you. Stay in your coomer general, I'll do what I please. >>2717717I'm actually worried about this, I know stores will refuse foreigners due to bad behavior being the norm from recent arrivals. I dress well enough, ideally this avoids being associated with degenerate retards trying to ruin another country.
>>2717741It will once some youtubefag or tiktokfag finds a new country to make popular. Hopefully it's China so they can all get eaten by escalators.>>2717745You're unlikely to encounter it doing above board touristy stuff, but, you can expect to see more of it. Other tourists in general are absolute faggots.
>>2717717The places being closed off are tourist meme places anyway. Kyoto is simply a place to avoid as there are too many tourists. Go to Fukuoka and there is no tourists, well, the odd one but nothing compared to Kyoto
>>2717384avoid konbini
I hope Sapporo doesn’t explode with Tourists
>>2717384I'll be there too. Let's meet up and get a group discount at a soaplandI'm going from Tokyo to Osaka, then Kobe, then a bullet train back to Tokyo with a friend.
>>2721163OP said no cooming, learn to read
Sounds interesting. Enjoy Japan!
>>2717384I'll be on a working holiday next year.How much money on average should I expect to spend per month I I poorfag my way through it?
>>2717745>I'm actually worried about this, I know stores will refuse foreigners due to bad behavior being the norm from recent arrivals. I dress well enough, ideally this avoids being associated with degenerate retards trying to ruin another countryDon't worry about this at all. Japanese love westernersGo to kanizawa it's much nicer than nara although I think the gardens are better in Nara. it's very comfy 3 districts of old buildings which is rare because America firebombed every city in japan, one of samurai houses, one a geisha district, several folk arts and crafts museums, the castle isnt much to see but really none of them are in japan the best part are the walls and gardens. In kyoto get out for a walk at dawn thru the historic districts and the bar districts it's funny seeing the drunk japs walking home they will completely ignore you. Better get your lodging sorted I just looked at the apa in kyoto I stayed at for $50 a night and it's now $150
>>2723749I've spent 4 months all over japan this year for between $2500 and $3000 per month, everything is cheap except trains and lodgings on weekends. Seems like the further north you go things get more expensive Saturday nights you get raped on hotel prices
>>2723862>>2723868I've noticed lodgings are expensive as hell. I managed to get a hotel in downtown Tokyo (Kangaroo hotel, built like a prison) for $23 a night. Guess I should book soon. Starting to think Kanazawa is a big investment weighed against Kyoto/Osaka, but I also don't know when I'll get to visit again (probably years).
>>2723875Osaka was boring, tokyo is interesting and has a comfy vibe despite being 40 million people but not much historic feel to it, kyoto and kanazawa have the feudal vibe
>>2723875I stayed at a minshuku in Kanazawa called Nakayasu Ryokan. Some rooms use the shared bathroom on the second floor, some have a private bathroom. It's around $80 USD/night with breakfast included, even cheaper if you don't include breakfast. It's convenient to all the major tourist sites in Kanazawa and right in the middle of the traditional district. Even if you don't stay there, Kanazawa has a bunch of cheap minshuku in that area.
>>2717384>festivals/holidays between the 1st and 15thI'd highly recommend Tori-no-Ichi (November 5). It was beautiful. One of the things I thought I might not have time for but was one of my favorites, high on my list to see again when I go back. Be careful on getting souvenirs that will go through customs though, and that the people there will know even less English than general service workers. Get a small charm, eat at a stall, look at the lanterns.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb82J9ItPIYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVJeFZQWVsYI went to Tokyo and Kyoto. Kyoto was the comfiest. I definitely say try to go to both depending on your time. Tokyo has so much (but can feel westernized) and Kyoto is easier to take a day trip to historical areas and travel to Osaka/Nara (35 min train ride)
Anybody have advice for new years? I’m aware some shops close down but I plan to be in Tokyo for new years
>>2724084you are correct, most shops are closed on new years, at least they were when I went, however most bars, restaurants and Izakayas were open, yamanote line runs 24/7 on new years if you want to get around the city, however some of the other lines may be closed, so be aware of that, new years day i'd say head to a temple, it's Japanese tradition to do so,
>>2721163Going to be in Tokyo the next week or so?I'm down for a soapland visit
>>2717384Lived in Northern Japan from 17-19. Wonderful years, I miss it immensely. I hear it's not the same anymore, and maybe that's true around the big cities. But I doubt my stomping grounds have changed that much. Anyway, amazing people and fantastic culture. Even better food and I made the friends of a lifetime there. Highly recommend taking some time in rural Japan to counter the high stimulation of Tokyo, Osaka. Morioka, Hachinohe, Aomori are cities I would recommend with a a great mix of both lifestyles.
>>2725374any hokkaido spots you'd recommend?
Gonna lurk this thread. Going to Japan near the end of November for 3-5 weeks. Hoping that late in the year will have less crowds
>>2725537Looking hotel bookings... yeah, no.
Was planning on going mid-late march for 2 weeks, is this a bad time? I wanted to avoid the cherry blossom tourism bloom but not be too cold like jan/feb. I hear the plum blossoms are alright as well.Is it a decent off-season?
>>2726547The closer you get to major holidays the more expensive I'm thinking. Went in October
>>2727085Mid-late March is exactly the time for cherry blossoms you silly sausage
