please tell me how to get there? = fly or sail.

please tell me the major sites? = Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe etc...

are there any good restaurants? = I've heard the Japanese restaurant there are good and authentic.

will they take american money? = If you keep printing it they will take it.

are they friendly? = After 1945 yes!

do they have western toilets? = and then some! I've believe that with their latest version you don't need to wipe or aim anymore!

are there any good hotels? = from coffin like capsules to old ancient inn where you can dress like a Samurai!

does it smell there? = not if you bath.

can i drink the water? = all their water comes from Fiji!

is it safe to swim there? = only in the winter months.

hope this help!

I will be at the JW Marriott beginning of November in Beijing, another GTG would be very nice ....

Oh Bob, really...

Flying would be a good way to get there. We are doing Air Canada. Alternatively, you can swim. If you do decide to swim, I will pay for Karen's flight in business class.

I like Pook's comment and I bet you do too: "if you keep printing it"...

I suggest 3 nights in Kanazawa October 28 -31 with a geisha performance on one of those nights and 5 nights in Kyoto November 2 -6.

Sorry you are overwhelmed and confused. Asian travel can be pretty complicated, especially for novices like you. But you can count on our friendly forum for good advice. Remember that (almost) no question is too stupid or naive for us - just ask away...

Hanuman, you know that Bob isn't interested in Japanese food. He wants to know if there are any good Italian restaurants!

Bob, just agree to pay my expenses and I'll make sure the locals are nice to you.

I forgot about that lcuy! Bob the next time you're in Bangkok you can get a taste of Japanese Italian food at the newly opened "Pacata" restaurant on Khao San Road. The spaghetti with teriyaki sauce is suppose to be good.

http://www.facebook.com/mypacata

isn't geisha a type of tuna and also crabmeat??

Great thread! Lots of important information....... "bookmarking" this one... haha

One of these days I'll have to make it to Japan. Right now, Bangkok is calling again... I'm leaving Monday for 3 weeks.

Get a good guidebook preferably the new Fodor's Japan Guide or the other guys Frommers.

Great information given to you by the above fodors members as usual.

I especially like:

If you keep printing it they will take it

Alternatively, you can swim.

Remember that (almost) no question is too stupid or naive for us

He wants to know if there are any good Italian restaurants!

As someone who has been to Japan many times, I can assure you to these things being true(honto in Japanese).
Also need to mention that canned Geisha crabmeat and tuna are very popular items in Japan always cherished as gifts to the Japanese people by us from America so remember to fill your luggage with these cans and hand them out as gifts or "omiyage" to people you will meet. tic

As for the question of what sites to see you can check this site out and click on the names of the cities you intend to visit. In your case I would guess it might include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and maybe Kanazawa though I cannot imagine you sitting on the floor for a two hour geisha outing. When you click the names of the cities you are interested in the cities information will pop up with all the favorite sites within the city listed and explained for you with detail and pictures.

http://www.japan-guide.com/

Finally you asked "is it safe to swim there?" The answer for you is NO, the Japanese have an affinity for whale meat.

Aloha!

This is sooo entertaining in typical Bob-style!

why can't any of you just give me a straight answer?

"whale meat....."

LOL!!!

Table and chairs for dinner and geisha Italian can be provided.

I thought geisha was an adjective, an impolite term describing a gentile.

I know the answers to none of rhkkmk-san's queries, but I do have one question for him that might help put us on the right track: Why do you want to go to Japan?

p.s.: No, you may not borrow my yukata. Finding one that size was not so easy!

reasons: i miss all those made in japan things from the 1950's---cheap stuff..

i love canned tuna

i have a loud voice so i know i will be noticed

i want to try wrestling

i want to be the next emperor

i've heard that there are other airports there besides narita

i've never tried sake

why not?

i want to assure myself that that horrible robe was actually made in a sweat shop in mongolia

Perfect.

Lots of vintage shops.

Canned tuna is a popular pizza topping.

How about a tour "Day in the Life of a Sumo Wrestler?"

Next emperor may be an empress...

That's true, but Narita is the only one with a house in the middle.

I'll take you to a brewery.

Why not?

And narita is the only one with a direct flight from BOS

That is very true!

Why does RHK want to go to Japan???? Because his wife does! What better reason can he have?

ok, its all set, we will go to japan right after my reassignment surgery... i would make a good empress.. love all those funny outfits.

LOL

After your surgery will you headline at my club in Patpong?

patpong I or II?? i have standards..

I haven't come onto the Asia Forum for ages and now this! Good for you, Bob!

First China, then Japan, mayhaps the rest of the world after that?

One thing you didn't ask but here it is: the Japanese drive on the left hand side (have you ever wondered why two island nations on opposite sides of the world both drive on the left?) So, if you are on one of the numerous escalators and want to let others pass, stand on the left side. OTOH, it probably doesn't matter which side of the escalator Bob is on...

i love blocking the escalators

Isn't that how you met kuranosuke?

LOL, lcuy - I remember that...

i was on an excalator at emporium but i was not blocking it..

i am still overwhelmed especially about the expensive hotels... i was told most hotels in tokyo would be about $75 but that is not true i am finding...

Oh, Bob, you misunderstood, the hotels are $75 an hour!

Good one Kathie!

or a minute... i prefer thai prices

Here's a place in the Shinjuku area for $30/night: http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/shinjuku-kuyakusho-mae-capsule.en.html . I would pay for you to stay there (1 night only), but photos would be required.

Actually, most hotels in Tokyo (not including the by-the-hour hotels) probably do have rooms for $75 or less. But they would be single rooms, minuscule beyond belief, and any web site would likely be in Japanese only. Still, they would be clean.

However, if you're looking to stay at the "hyatt, ritz, oriental" as you suggested elsewhere, that's a different story. One of the very best deals you might find is at the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills, where the fully-cancelable Senior rate is about 25000 yen/night. This is a superb hotel, one of the very best and most comfortable in the city (though probably a small notch below Four Seasons, Mandarin, and maybe Park Hyatt). It's in an excellent location, in an upscale shopping area and with direct access to 2 subway lines. 25k yen isn't cheap, but the regular, non-senior rate is 45000 yen. And you'd likely pay at least twice that for a comparable place in NYC, Paris, or Hong Kong.

For more modest rates -- and much more modest accommodations -- the Japanese chains such as Toyoko Inn or B Hotels would be worth a look. Others in this forum have stayed there and can give more info. I stayed a few weeks ago at the Mitsui Garden Hotel in Ueno for 10000/night for one of their better rooms -- king bed, high floor, etc. Room would have been barely big enough room for 2 people, but hotel is new and location ok.

Bobb-o...important advice..please never admit to any Japanese natives that you're a Needham-ite. My army buddies from your quaint New England village, are all personas-non-grata after raising two years of hell in Beppu. Many Japanese I know in cities all over the country swear that if a Needhamite has the chutzpah (Japanese for "nerve") to show up, they will retalliate for the shame inflicted on their forebears by Needham "boys"..even though it was 66 years ago...so be forewarned! Quincy guys are most welcome because of the many good deeds I was known for. Happy travels..but skip Japan.

Stu, Beppu's guardian.

stu, you fathered and support how many...

Great thread.
Is it safe to swim there? It will take a very long time, quicker to fly.

Bob...lost track for the 'fathering" bit..but "support"?...I skipped town when Uncle Sam discharged me...left no address.

Nywoman...great comment!

Thai prices have risen since we were there 5 years ago. The 5-star hotels are not so cheap anymore.....

$75.00 per night???

Ohhhhh you must mean $75.00 to transport the two of you from the Narita airport to your Tokyo hotel.

If you are worried you can book the Westin with the cash and points deal now being offered @ $150.00 + points per night and cancel for something else better later when it comes along. You have about 11 months so something should pop up in Shinagawa or somewhere else easier transport wise for you.

Aloha!

not so worried as horrified

No worries. You can easily get a 10m2 room with unit bath for $75.00/night.

But horror, yes. The room will have no space aside from what the bed and the spot of carpet between the bed and the bathroom door and room entrance. And the bathroom is doll-sized.

Consider a machiya in Kyoto. Whole house. Even has beds and furniture. And reasonable price. My friend rents them.

In Tokyo, after spring some special rates will come up for fall. Luxury hotels in Tokyo are quite a nice value - much less than comparable in NY or Paris or London with great service.

Bob in a 10 sq meter room????

pook, even the rug would disappear..

kim, i have interest.. are there 2 bedroom, 2 bath units?? do any have regular beds?

bob

Bob, just sent you an email regarding the Kyoto house.....

Mele Kalikimaka!

i saw it and replied... thanks..

Hanuman, I have been to Japan just this year (april-may) so I think I can give you great insights and info on how to plan your trip. There are things to consider like a VISA, unlike S.E Asia where you don't have to get a visa Japan requires one and they are pretty strict - kinda-like-US-or-UK-visa-application. So you have to tell me where you are from, coz procedure also depends on which passport you are holding.

The RAMEN/ Japanese noodles are to die for!!!!

wandering_gal,

I have been to Japan many times and even have a house there. I think you meant to address your post to rhkkmk, or Bob.

Hanuman has a house for rent in Japan?

Don't think rhk does any ramen but I may be wrong. Yes, I agree about the ramen being good in Japan.....makes sense.

Aloha!

Hanuman,

haha sorry yeah its rhkkmk. i got confused!! with your name Hanuman I should have know ur from Jap. haha..
great country, great food, friendly people, but cost of living is really high and Im really not into cities having narrow street and crowded places and they dont play much english stuff on tv. But overall one of the best in Asia.
cheers.

I'm not from Japan nor do I live there but my family have a house there. Sorry for the confusion!

now i am totally confused... please help

some guy named peter keeps emailing me asking to rent a house with me... all very odd

rhkkmk,

hahaha. Maybe Peter is just really friendly. but it is really weird.

I think weird is the right word wandering gal