Japan: Advice needed to set up a Trip

[Lynn CC]

I want to surprise DS with a trip to Japan. If anyone has any info on guided tours or anything else I'd appreciate it! I don't know where to begin, I've looked online but it's hard to tell about reputation and prices without getting some recommendations.
I was thinking late July into early Aug. a couple of weeks should be enough time, something fun for the two of us to do! I know it's last minute, but some trips I've planned last minute have been the best.
Anyone have any favorite places to visit in Japan?

 

[Disney Doll]

Never been to Japan. When we went to Italy in April, we used hotels.com to book hotels and found that their ratings and recommendations were pretty much on the money.

For a trip like Japan, I'd probably use a travel agent.

 

[Christine]

It's been a long time since I've lived in Japan but beware if they are still doing this: Either the last week of July or first week of August was "Golden" week in Japan. Basically the whole country takes a week off and goes on vacation. Many business are shut down and the tourist areas are packed. You might want to avoid Japan during that week. Again, it was a big deal when I lived there but that was 20 years ago.

 

[Christine]

Nevermind. Golden Week appears to be in April.

But I still had some nagging feeling that there was a week long holiday for them in July/August.

 

[wasabi girl]

My husband is Japanese. This is the travel organization that he worked for as a student in Japan. They've been around for a long time and are very respected. I'm giving a link to their home page. Hope it helps.

http://www.jtbusa.com/enhome/

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks for the website!

Wasabi girl...could you ask your husband if that's a good time to go? I'm thinking the last week of July into the first week or two of August.

 

[wasabi girl]

Sure! I'll ask him and get back to you. He's working at the moment but I'll let you know ASAP. Where In Japan are you thinking of going? The weather in Japan at least in the Central and Southern parts tends to be quite humid and hot.
If you guys like history and beautiful places I'd really suggest going to Kyoto and Nara. They are very old and beautiful cities. Miyazaki is a beautiful coastal town. Ibusuki is an interesting resort town, you can be buried in therapeutic "hot sand" on the beach.

 

[Lynn CC]

Wasabi girl, I haven't decided yet exactly what type tour to take, but those suggestions sound great! He's double majoring in college to become an international lawyer, and he's learning how to speak Chinese and Japanese(I don't know how he can learn 2 at once).He takes a lot of Asian history courses and has always read the books and watched foreign films.
He decorated his apartment near his college in the Asian theme (it's beautiful), and has had samurai swords hanging in his room here at home for years. He loves the culture so I want to be sure to include all that into our tour as well as food tastings.

I would love to do a tea ceremony, and eat lots of tofu! Getting buried hot sand sounds like something I'd like too. I do have my homework cut out for me to try to include everything. The bullet train sounds like it's the way to get around to see everything the fastest way, which is included in a lot of the tours. I'd also like to book an actual "Japanese type room" that they offer to stay in for one night. I think we will be able to get a lot in in 2 weeks time.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

 

[J/T Gramdma]

Nevermind. Golden Week appears to be in April.

But I still had some nagging feeling that there was a week long holiday for them in July/August.

I left Japan 10 yrs ago and you are right the first week or so of August the entire country shuts down and evertyone goes on vacation. the trains, planes and roads are completely packed.

 

[Lynn CC]

I left Japan 10 yrs ago and you are right the first week or so of August the entire country shuts down and evertyone goes on vacation. the trains, planes and roads are completely packed.

Oh Boy, Thanks for that info...I've been reading DS's Japanese History Books to try to get more info on these things. There is a lot of info to learn.

 

[wasabi girl]

To the OP, DH agrees that August is summer vacation time. So July might be better. You might enjoy going to Kyoto and Nara and then maybe the island of Kyushu, it is the southern island and not as "touristy" as some of the other places. The city of Kagoshima on Kyushu has a lovely harbor with a very active volcano which you can tour (Sakurajima), it is also kysushu which has the "hot sand" beach and many, many areas of active geothermal features. Food wise, there are some fabulous eateries in Kyushu. They take great pride in their local dishes and will love to show them off. There is a garden in kagoshima, formerly a "lords" mansion, now a public garden in which you can tour and choose to participate in a tea ceremony. They also specialize in some beautiful pottery that you can see being made. A Japan rail pass would be a good investment for you. And the JTB should be able to direct you to everything, types of inns (ryokan is the traditional one) and so on. Have a great trip!

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks for all the info! I may look into planning it for 2 weeks in January instead of August, since they have a vacation then. Is January a good time to go? DS has 4 weeks off then.

 

[RachelEllen]

I don't know what your budget, but my brother and his wife had a great experience with this agency: www.esprittravel.com

They put together the entire trip, start to finish...

 

[wasabi girl]

January, I'm sure would be fine. It is winter. And cold, as it is the US (the Southern islands obviously less so). And for them, the New Year, not Christmas is THE holiday.