Trip to Japan

[Aussie Willy]

I have booked a tour for the south part of Japan next year. It will be around this time of the year so I am hoping that NHK Trophy will be on while I am there.
Probably easier just to post a link to the tour so people can see where it goes.

Japan with Kyushu and Okinawa

Japan with Kyushu and Okinawa | Uncover the soulful south of Japan in this journey through the regions of Kyushu, Okinawa, and finishing in vibrant Osaka.

mycruises.com.au

Good thing about this tour is it includes the flights to and from Japan but they are flexible with where I arrive and leave from and the dates of those. It is 13 days.

So apart from this tour, I am planning on being there for about 4 weeks. Hey if I have enough money I might do 5 weeks. Will do the tour first and it finishes in Osaka. Definitely want to go to Hiroshima and Tokyo. I also have Hashima Island on my bucket list so will probably do that before the tour (take that tour from Nagasaki). Want to see gardens, museums, art (Naoshima Island I have on the list), the restaurant from Kill Bill, fabric shopping (which I have already researched). Am a fan of Studio Ghibli too - understand there is a museum. Also maybe see Sumo. And also something crafty like making something.

My biggest question is about accommodation. What do people recommend? Not too expensive but I am not looking for budget. Want to be comfortable and in quiet areas.

 

[moebius]

You could stay at a traditional ryokan at least one of your stops if you don't mind sleeping on a tatami mat. It's more interesting than staying in a hotel or air bnb.

 

[chantilly]

When I went, I stayed at APA hotels. Very reasonable for Tokyo. They are peppered throughout.
Very small rooms but clean and nice. Usually lots of people staying there, so sometimes the elevator took a long time. There are a few budget hotels in Japan.
I definitely suggest buying the speed train pass. You need to do this on line before you go to Japan.

You also will need a Suica train pass to get around Japan/ Tokyo.

You also will need Google maps and Google translate. A lot of people don't speak English in Japan. Some menus are in Japanese only. Google translate can take a picture and translate for you. Google maps in Tokyo is a godsend. It tells you exactly what train, platform, time, stops etc.

A pocket charger and a pocket wifi are essential IMO.

I wouldn't miss The "Lab's" museums.

Lots of beautiful park space.

If you go to YouTube and type Japan travel tips or budget hotels, you'll get a lot of information.

I'd definitely do a bunch of research and planning before you go.

Also just so you know, restaurants prices include tax and tip. It's generally considered rude to tip in most cases.