Honeymoon in Japan or Thailand?
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- CincodeMayo
The wife and I weren't able to take a real honeymoon after we got married last May, so we're trying to plan one for November.
We have some AmEx and SPG points we want to burn but I'm sure we will have to put in some of our own money (hopefully not too much).
I know Thailand is the cheaper option, but it's also the rainy season and I feel like we'll be bored after a few days. We're looking at Phuket and Koh Samui. Wanted to spend a couple nights in Bangkok too but flights to both cities up the price a lot.
So now I'm thinking maybe Tokyo is the better option. I know it's more expensive, but I feel like that'll be the better experience? If we do Tokyo, ideally we'd probably do 3 days there, then hopefully a night in Hakone and a couple nights in Osaka or Kyoto. All depending on $$$.
I guess my question is has anyone been to either country? Would you recommend one over the other? OR do you just have tips for either of these countries?
We do like a good beach resort and hanging by a pool, but we also like food and taking in the culture.
Any advice helps. Thanks!
- VectorMasked0
I've been to Japan. I think you'll just be disappointed you were there 3 days. So much to do and see. I was there close to 4 weeks and I felt this way.
- CincodeMayo0
We don't necessarily need to go to another city. Just figured since we were in the area we'd split it up.
I know there's a ton to see and do, but can you give me some ideas of what to do in and around Tokyo if we stay there for the week?
- pango0
Theme hotel!!!!
- VectorMasked0
I'm not the right guy to answer that I think. I went with some Japanese friends and stayed at my friend's place. Kinda lived like a local for 4 weeks. Didn't a lot of the touristy things people usually do.
I just pretty much just stayed in Tokyo the whole time. And it was snowy half the time. We of course did Tokyo Disney and things like that. Went to Odaiba where there are a lot of arcades and Fuji TV. Tried a bunch of random and diverse restaurants, but nothing unique. Just wanted to try a little of everything. Good sushi in japan is orgasmic. Went to Akihabara to look around and buy a bunch of electronics I never actually used. Fun place if you like gadgets. Ikebukuro also competes with Akihabara, but did not find it as fun for me. Of course we did Shinjuku... tons of things to see. Cool stores, high end stores, erotic massage places, yakuza dudes walking around and guarding their buildings, played pachinko, tons of people wearing some of the coolest things and some of the weirdest shit you have ever seen. Tons of black guys waiting outside the train station trying to pick up younger females.
Did Shibuya too. It's kinda like Shinjuku. Just walking around Shinjuku and Shibuya can be fun.
Didn't go to Harajuku, but it's supposed to be trendier that Shinjuku and Shibuya. Way crazier in term of fashion. Lot's of younger people here hanging out.
Went to Ginza, but it wasn't that amazing. It's just a a district with high ends shops. Half of the stuff here can be bought anywere in the world with designer brands. The other half is very pricey japanese stuff.
Like I said I didn't get out of that prefecture, but once. I went to Shizuoka and spend a day just outside the city in a small town. Went there to visit a friend who arranged to have us welcomed by a group of woman in kimonos (don't know how they are called) at a temple. They showed us around the temple and did a tea ceremony. After that he took us to his mom's house where his mom runs like an evening school for kids. We got to hang out with them. Funny how respectful the kids were to us, but also very curious... like why our eyes were not like theirs. Did a batting cage afterwards with some beer, and by midnight we drove back to Meguro, where my friend lived.
Wish I had gone to Osaka and Kyoto. Way more historic than Tokyo.
In a way the smallest and the most insignificant things are the ones I remember the most. Like driving with my friends for hours around Tokyo with all the lights and chaos and fresh air, while listing to Morning Musume.
- MrT0
Phuket is not bad at all in (earlier) November, that's the start of the rain season. You'll get a late afternoon downpour rather than all day every day. I kind of like it as even then it gets pretty hot for farangs. Both there and KS are beautiful but will likely be full of Aussies and English as well - party central. Mentioned that because honeymoon...
Bangkok is great although getting a little sterile right in the centre with one or two boring Western-style malls opening up. A bit of exploration and it's still there though. Definitely go to the floating markets and a day or two out to the River Kwai is worth considering.
And if food was the deciding factor Thailand would always win for me!
- omg1
I heard the red light district in Thailand is nuts!
- nutsmonospaced
- meh, depravity is a worldwide problemimbecile
- CincodeMayo0
Thanks VectorMasked and MrT.
MrT - is there enough to do in Phuket or Koh Samui for 6 days? Hoping to split the time with a stop in Bangkok but flights are way more when going to two cities.
And food is definitely a factor! But we love both Japanese and Thai food so we're open to both.
- all food in japan is amazing.
a few qbners live in tokyo
QBN Honeymoon Tokyo Drinks?e-pill - Ha, works for me.CincodeMayo
- Yeah, I love Japan and the food too but I was forced to make a choice!MrT
- 6 days is (probably more than) enough. That's your beach time, a couple of days on Phi Phi island is a MUST.MrT
- KS and Phuket are developed though, I'm pointing out to be realistic. Beautiful but busy. Search for off the beaten track if that's your thing...MrT
- http://www.phuket101… for example!MrT
- Why didn't I do a proper post?MrT
- sucked into the...
brett bash feet lover's association of posting side notes caz you care to be seen!! ahem.. MR T!!!!!!!!! https://www.youtube.…e-pill - sorry about that.. qbn doesnt let us post videos about yay hooray..e-pill
- all food in japan is amazing.
- i_monk0
Isn't Thailand still in a civil war or something?
- It's not that bad. Probably not a good idea to call the leader a bitch on Facebook but otherwise all good.MrT
- There was never civil war, just some protests and violence between two sides mostly in Bangkok a few years ago. The military then took over, which sounds scaryyuekit
- but is not unusual for Thailand. Throughout all of this life goes on pretty much as normal for most of the people there.yuekit
- e-pill0
hey mr 5 of may... you need to ask an old school'r nt'r hat's what
- *grrrrrrrrrrrr @QBN
what's whate-pill - @QBN-
you should create an algorithm that deviates from auto correct to NT TALK
Oi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...e-pill - .... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...e-pill - ... !! !e-pill
- [so like mr5MAY] Japan's url still works after 13 years of MX_0nD cock calls ..that says more than most QBN'rs.. i have so many bookmarks from QBN'rs - broken !e-pill
- ..what i'm triyng to say is..
HAPPY HONEYMOON!!!!!!e-pill
- *grrrrrrrrrrrr @QBN
- e-pill0
happy honeymoon cinco!!! [5]
goto japan.. see a city!!!
or goto an island.. n have hot tub fun like this!!!
"you can rock it in 75° weather and go do yoga!!!"
-e
- inteliboy0
Japan is perfect for a honeymoon. Super picturesque, amazing weird foreign culture, great food... you need weeks there, not days.
Thailand is good for a vacation. It's a humid loud slap in the face of a country. Cheap food under fans with plastic chairs, pepsi cola umbrellas. Fun but more just to get away and soak in. Though you could go to a resort and make it more laid back romantic...
- e-pill0
you guys keep talking "weeks" is only appropriate in JAPAN..
i been to Japan 23 times in 9 years.. and believe me 3 days with wife is enough.
trust me. no one here does.. but I'm not lying or deceiving you..
3 days of more info than usual is equal to endless days of same.
remember.. after all the GIANT ROBOTS n the killer NINJA sushi spots.. it is your bestie.. your wife.. your best friend that has boobies that you can fondle when ever.. remember to fart in her face!!! and yell QBN!!!!!!!!!
have a happy honeymoon.. in Walt Disney Land Tokyo!!!!
:)
-e
- SteveZissou0
As far as Thailand goes, I live in Bangkok but wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a honeymoon, it's much hotter than the coast and can be stressful at first (you may end up losing a fair bit of time in traffic!) but those things might be fine for you and your wife. There are obviously a load of fantastic beach resorts (I'd stick to the Andaman sea) and you'll get a lot for your money, even a luxury private-beach type place is do-able.
Military rule sounds rough but is actually a good thing so don't worry about that.
If you've enough time to add second stop, you could go into Malaysia or Cambodia. Penang isn't far and has a lot to offer, very strong Indian/Chinese/Malay/British colonial vibes all mixed together on a small island. Or there's Cambodia (Siem Reap) if you're into temples, Angkor Wat is about as amazing as they get, and Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider set) and The Bayon (Nat Geo cover!) are close by.
- yuekit0
If you go to Phuket you can do a day tour to Phi Phi and other nearby islands, so you probably won't get bored. From Ko Samui you can visit Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan.
In terms of similar options might want to consider Indonesia as well..Bali and Gili Islands.
- lvl_130
Where are you flying from? A week in either place is way too short imho. I've never been to Japan, but Thailand is fucking amazing.
Just checked your profile, and assuming you are flying from LA, I would say both of your locations will be a poor choice if you are only considering a week there. 2+days just in travel time (with time change). Is there any way you can go longer? Thailand is currently about 3 to 1 exchange, so your money will go a lot longer than Japan.
- VectorMasked0
Have you considered Tijuana?
- autoflavour0
havent been to Thailand, but japan is amazing. definitely need more than a few days tho.. but if you stay in Ryokans, eat noodles from vending machines and generally live like a japanese person would (ie not eat western food every meal) its actually kind of affordable.
- autoflavour1
go to Tokyo, stay at the kimi ryokan in Ikebukero.. visit the Ghibli Museum and nerd out at all the synth shops..
wait, thats what i would do
- johndiggity0
My wife and I actually just did a three week honeymoon: Tokyo > Kyoto > Bangkok > Koh Samui. We broke up the trip back with a night in Bangkok by the airport and a night in Narita before flying back to New York.
Great trip. I'm a city person and my wife is a beach person so it was the perfect compromise. We stayed at the same place in Shinjuku in Tokyo for 5 nights and made some some excursions to Yokohama and all around Tokyo. It's a massive city. 3 days is definitely not enough to see it all. You are also going to be majorly jet lagged. We really enjoyed our spot in Shinjuku. Near the JR/rail stations and was amazingly easy to get around the city. We didn't use a taxi the entire time.
Kyoto was awesome. Really great city. I didn't know what to expect but there's a really good mix of the old and the new. Lots to do and see and it's compact enough that you can see most of it in three or four days. We stayed at a small ryokan and the hospitality was excellent. Definitely recommend.
Bangkok was probably the most disappointing stop. It was super hot and our hotel was not in a really accessible place so we had to take cabs and they all try to scam you. It became really tiresome after a day. It just didn't seem as accessible as Tokyo.
Koh Samui was fine. We stayed at a resort on Choeng Mon Beach at the north of the island. Not my thing and it got old after a while My wife loved it, she just sat in the sun and read all day. We were too far from the downtown area so it was a pain to get to other restaurants and the hotel food was overpriced and not really that good.
Narita is worth a stop if you have an extra day or want to break up the trip through Tokyo. Interesting little town with a lot of foreigners which I think is strange for Japan.
