Honeymoon in Japan or Thailand?
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- microkorg0
Visiting Chiang Mai for a few days then onto Bangkok for a week.
Any recommendations of must see/do's from folk who've been - especially SteveZissou who lives there.
- CincodeMayo0
Thanks for all the suggestions.
@johndiggity – Sounds like if you had to pick one place it'd be Tokyo? Any recs on hotels, places to eat, places to see, etc. would be awesome.
Would love to take a longer trip but we already did a mini honeymoon in May right after our wedding. Just a cruise to the Caribbean. So this will be a little more adventurous. But neither of us can take a whole lot of time off. I know it'll be rushed no matter where we choose, but I'm sure it'll still be an experience.
- johndiggity1
Yeah, we both loved Tokyo. We love food too so it was a dream. Pretty much all we did was eat and drink.
We stayed at the Granbell in Shinjuku. Not a super fancy hotel, but the more expensive rooms are nice. Still pretty affordable. It's designy. Get the inclusive breakfast.
We did a bunch of random stuff: batting cages around the corner, Shinjuku Goyen (massive garden), sushi (the hotel had a list of good places nearby, along with good ramen places). It's also right near Golden Gai, which is a warren of tiny bars (probably over 100) in a few blocks. It's very cool and we met an amazingly nice bartender and had drinks spilled on us with some very nice Japanese family in a bar the size of a closet. Piss Alley is also close, similar concept, but more food focused.
Honestly the best thing we ate was at the weekend festival at the Hanzono temple next to Golden Gai. Tons of stalls with yakitori, takoyaki, sweets, beer, snacks, all sorts of weird shit.
We saw a baseball game at the Tokyo Dome which was cool, went to the museums in Roppongi (2121 Design Sight, Mori, the FujiFilm museum). The National Museum and Zoo in Ueno. Walked a ton. Checked out Shibuya. Spent too much time in Uniqlo (free WiFi). The song will drive you insane.
My wife switched to T Mobile before we went to get the international roaming for free. The cell network there is 3G and can get overloaded easily in dense areas. But Google maps was a lifesaver when we did have service which was about 80% of the time and will give you train and subway info down to what # car you should get in. The translate app wasn't much help though.
It was an amazing trip and we already want to go back. It was intimidating when we first got their not really knowing how to talk to people, but you can just kind of point at stuff and some basic english and most people are really helpful.
Have an awesome time!
- SteveZissou0
@microkorg
I go up to Chiang Mai fairly often but don't go out much, but I can tell you Doi Suthep mountain temple is worth a visit and the Grand Canyon is skippable! Also, the northern food is a lot less spicy than the south, so if you're not a fan of the heat, then get a plenty of food sampling done in the north. The huge central night market is cool and the Tuk Tuks are reasonable there.
Bangkok, obviously there's a load of info online, but some tips from me are:
Travel
I'd stay somewhere on the MRT/BTS lines as the traffic gets ridiculous, and anyway, Tuk Tuks are expensive and motorbike taxis are more like an extreme sport than a travel option. It takes a bit of effort to get a taxi to take you on the meter (and it's not a tourist thing, locals have it even worse), the average is three taxis before you get one willing.Eating and Drinking
Of course the street food is high quality as it is generally in Thailand, but the better cheap option in Bangkok is food courts, either at a mall, mini mall or Tesco Lotus! It's pretty much the same hawker stall set up and is only around 10-15 baht more expensive than the street and is cleaner and air conditioned. For a mid price option, steamboat and self grill places are popular here (even big blue river shrimp are included in the all-you-can-eat price at the better ones). You'll probably want to spend a night or two in Khao San, but the nicer areas are along the river. Chinatown is awesome for food and a must.Hotspots
Take your pick of floating markets, night markets and temples, but make sure you include the grand palace and Wat Pho as these are must sees. I recommend the flower market too, it's lovely. You might have time to take a trip out to Ayutthaya (the old city), there are a bunch of old temples, but I'd also make time for Bang Pa In Palace (and rent the golf cart, it's a tough walk in the heat).Maggie Choo's bar in Silom is a cool spot with ace music (although not particularly Thai). People like to visit the Skybar at Lebua, but honestly it's not much fun, you get ushered about and you can wait half an hour for your drink (after you've paid £20/$30 for it upfront), there are better options. My tip is to skip Lebua and go to the buffet at the Baiyoke, you can buy the VIP tickets to sit out on the balcony on the 81st floor right up against the glass. The food is mediocre by local standards, but the views are incredible, you can get comfortable and relax with some cocktails, and it's cheap too.
Have a good one man :-)
- sothere1
go to vietnam instead. Hanoi is an amazing laid back city with tons of culture, then theres the food! OMG! french to die for or Vietnamese to die for too and there's some of the most amazing beaches ever. Halong bay is pretty awesome.
The internal flights are cheap. fly to Hoian get clothes made in the 400 year old viollage while the beach is 3k away.
The Philippines is another option. Incredibly senic and people are great. only the food lets it down a bit. but its not awful.anyway, enjoy what ever you decide.
- CincodeMayo0
Looks like we decided on Japan. We got enough points for the airfare and 3 nights in Tokyo. Then we're hoping to do a night in Hakone or some other city with Fuji views. Then a couple nights in Osaka or Kyoto (or Hiroshima) thanks to Starwood points. We really only have about 7 days there but we'll have to pack it in. I'm sure we'll be exhausted after our trip, but seems like it'll be worth it.
Now on to the important stuff...
Who's been to the Tokyo Robot Evening Cabaret Show? Worth going to?
- We went. If you are staying in Shinjuku/Kabukicho it's right there. Totally worth it. We were able to get tix through hotel.johndiggity
- But book ahead if you are tight on time as the shows sell out.johndiggity
- YES! It's awesome.MrT
- detritus0
if you timed a trip to Japan in conjunction with their annual cherry blossom, would that be a romantic thing for you?
- Thought about that but we can't wait til the spring due to work. Gotta take the trip in November.CincodeMayo
- antimotion0
Wife and I did honeymoon in Kyoto and took a side trip to Nara.
Both really beautiful cities.
Kyoto is like a chilled Tokyo - nowhere near as busy. Nara is super relaxed, almost a hometown feel. Deer everywhere in the main section and if you're there in the fall - the leaves are astounding.
If you want to save a little cash - try to find a "BUSINESS" hotel. They are smaller rooms usually for businessmen who missed the last train or have to stay overnight. Try to get a non-smoking room (unless you smoke of course haha)...
OR
Stay at an onsen - if you've never been, it's really nice and refreshing. Usually room comes with small dishes, dinner and breakfast.
Then take the small train from Kyoto station over to Nara and walk around the old temples - visit the Todaiji temple - has a massive Buddha.
I believe there's a temple near there where you can get blessed for your marriage or job - Last time we were there, it was under construction however...
Congrats on the marriage - have a wonderful time no matter where you end up on your travels ; )
- Miguex0
I just came from Japan, was there for nearly a month and I went with my girl. We both loved it.
If you use airbnb it's not that expensive to stay there actually, on average you can get good places from u$s 50 to u$s130 and up.
One of those business hotels (APA, popular in tokyo) are around $80 a night.in 3 days you won't be able to see anything and it will be a torture, you will want more. You need 3 months at least!! in 3 days only stay in one city.
I was in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo all of them amazing, but my guess is that Kyoto is the most "romantic" one, my girl loved it.
The only thing about Kyoto is that is the one that has more tourists, so it feels a bit like going to disneyland there, everything is super packed with foreigners and it's hard to separate yourself from the pack. Airbnb is a great way to do this, because you will live like japanese people do. Just make sure is close to a train/ subway station and you are good.
- CincodeMayo0
Thanks for all the suggestions. We just booked our flights this morning. We'll be there from Oct. 30 - Nov. 8. Hopefully that's enough time to get to know the city a bit.
Now the planning begins.
Is Hakone a good city to overnight in (maybe a ryokan) with views of Mt. Fuji? Any other recs where we can do that sorta thing?
And should we stay in Osaka or Kyoto (or Hiroshima)? We're torn. Osaka looks a little livelier but Kyoto looks really nice. Is Kyoto a better day trip? And someone recommended Hiroshima – haven't looked into it too much yet. Worth checking out or should we just stick with Tokyo & Osaka/Kyoto?
- CincodeMayo0
And has anyone been to the Robot Restaurant? It looks amazing...
- johndiggity0
It's going to be tough to travel as much as you want given the short amount of time you are there. Personally, given your timeline, I'd stick to Tokyo for the first leg and Kyoto for the last. Try to connect to your departing flight in Narita from Kansai in Osaka rather than taking the train. It will be much easier and faster than going back through Tokyo (assuming you are flying out of NRT).
If you do want to go to Osaka, you can stay there and do Arashiyama in Kyoto in a day, but there's a lot more to the Kyoto (the Gion district, markets, food, shopping) that you'll miss. If you want a more "traditional" Japanese experience, I'd nix Osaka and stay in Kyoto. I think you will get a good balance of the old and new splitting time between Tokyo and Kyoto.
And yes, see my note above about Robot Restaurant. It's worth it if you stay in the area.
- I agree with tokyo / kyoto.
But try to arrive in haneda instead of narita, is closer to tokyo.Miguex - I'd say take the bullet train/ shinkansen to kyoto, would be crazy to go to japan and not ride the bullet train, it's only 2.5 hs and its a nice trip!Miguex
- It's hard to find a US flight that goes to Haneda.johndiggity
- I agree with tokyo / kyoto.
- CincodeMayo0
Awesome, thanks johndiggity.
Yeah, we're kind of cramming it in, but I think we'll end up doing 3 days in Tokyo, a night in Hakone or Kyoto, and then another 3 days in Osaka/Kyoto. I'll look into flying out of Osaka though...good suggestion. And I think we'll definitely check out the Robot Restaurant. Thanks for the tips.
- Miguex0
I say fly into haneda (closer to tokyo than narita) instead of osaka and do the shinkansen to osaka. Its a nice trip, you can see a bit of the countryside of japan, grab breakfast to go at the train station and eat it on the train (trip is only 2.5hs, there is one that has fewer stops and it's the same price, (I think only makes 3 or 4 stops max). Osaka and Kyoto train stations alone are both really nice.
Make sure you try takoyaki / okonomiyaki in osaka, I hear from locals that is the best in japan.
For the shinkansen is best you buy unreserved seats, so in case you get lost you can take any train at any time. Unreserved seats are on carts 1, 2 and 3 only just be there 10 minutes early and you will find a window seat.
- Find a choco-cro and get pastry/ coffee from there on the train http://s3.amazonaws.…Miguex
- if you get a traditional ryokan, book it now, those things fill out super fast. specially in kyotoMiguex
- Miguex0
In kyoto, is worth staying here 1 night.
You and your girl will sleep on different floors, but it's a very cool experience.Hotel is walking distance to everything, arrive there early, check your bags in, and go roam around till it's time to sleep.
- I can vouch for 9hrs too. Stayed there one night a few years back. They have one at Narita airport now as well.Nathan_Adams
- Miguex0
Also, there are "Limo buses" that take you from most big hotels / train stations in tokyo, directly to haneda airport for really cheap. This way you don't have to take train, monorail or taxi. Ask for "Limo bus" at the information booth anywhere, it sounds fancy, but it's cheap and really just a direct bus. I wish I would have known that going in.
- Just read about those earlier today. Will definitely as about those. Thanks!CincodeMayo
- Not exactly cheap: it's more expensive than both NEX and the Skyliner. And slower. The only win is not having to carry your luggage to/from a station.Peter
- CincodeMayo0
Thanks Miguel! We are actually flying in and out of Haneda and there's no chance of changing the flight. So we'll be arriving and leaving from Tokyo.
We're going to get our JR Rail passes ASAP. Won't have time for the capsule hotel but we're looking into ryokans. Just trying to figure out which one works best. Takoyako and okonomiyaki are high on our list! I'll add choco-cro to that too.
- CincodeMayo0
Hey @johndiggity – do you remember the name of the Golden Gai you went to? And do you guys speak Japanese? Heard that not all stalls there welcome foreigners, but the ones that do are great. Can't wait to go there.
- I speak a little bit. Something that helps is to get a sim card so you can use google maps there. it's worth it. You can get them for a minimum of a monthMiguex
- 100mb per day for 30 days, I think it was like $40 bucksMiguex
- So you get the sim card when you get there? Rather than using your own US sim card? I was going to call AT&T and see what their international plan was.CincodeMayo
- Well, I will assume that AT&T will be more expensive. Just make sure they unlock your phone before you leave the countryMiguex
- johndiggity0
We randomly found a bar called "Baltimore" which is where I'm from and went in there. The bartender's name was Miku, and she spoke some english, we speak zero Japanese and didn't have a problem the whole time. She worked at that bar and the one next door upstairs. We are all Facebook friends now to give you an idea of how friendly she was. The ones that don't want foreigners have signs on the doors. There are a ton of foreigners around, so don't be worried about that.
- johndiggity0
Also I had AT&T and their data/intl plan was ridiculous so I just did without and we used my wife's phone. I'd try to find either a good data only package, or you can rent handsets at the airport. You really only need Google maps and even if you don't have any data and keep your phone in airplane mode, your GPS will show you where you are on Google maps (though it can be really slow sometimes). Apple maps does not work though.