Leslie

What would you recommend as a small(ish), picturesque yet culturally-interesting "3rd" overnight place to visit in addition to Tokyo and Kyoto. We're considering either Nara, Takayama, Kanakura, Hakone, or Nikko? Others?<BR><BR>We are a family of 4 (kids are age 11 and 13)planning an early April trip of 9-11 days on the ground. Will fly in/out of Tokyo and Osaka (FF miles). Want to see Tokyo & Kyoto, but where else? We are mostly interested in staying in traditional places (ryokan/minshuku) and minimally interested in the modern Japan..though a taste of that too will be fine. Hoping to stay in Asakusa while in Tokyo.<BR><BR>Also, can anyone advise about how to see Kabuki and Sumo wrestling on this trip..or anything else that will excite the kids after they burn out on museums and temples? (Please don't say Disneyland - we're from Southern California!)... <BR><BR>Any advice is much appreciated.

Florence

Bonjour Leslie,<BR><BR>First, take care of the hotels reservation early, since April is the month of entrance examinations to universities, and cheap lodging (i.e. ryokan/minshuku) are rather full in big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.<BR><BR>In Tokyo, you could also consider staying in Yanaka, a rather well preserved and quiet traditional area, full of temples, gardens, crafts studios and traditional shops (Sawanoya ryokan for example). In Kyoto, my favorite is Hiraiwa ryokan. Both place cost around Yen 4500/night/person; many hotels offer discounts for the children under 16.<BR><BR>Takayama is a bit out of the way and involves a day's train ride. For an overnight stay, you might consider Kurashiki and the inland sea, or Himeji and its castle that is sure to thrill children.<BR><BR>You can watch Kabuki in Tokyo at the Kabukiza (subway Higashi-Ginza), where you can go during the day and buy a cheap seat for 1-2 hours. There is no sumo tournament during April (the next in is May in Tokyo) , and the rikishi (wrestlers) might be out of Tokyo on tour. Look for the schedules at http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng (Nihon Sumo Kyokai - Japanese Sumo association).<BR><BR>In Asakusa, don't miss the Drums museum in Kokusai dori: it's small but has samples from all over the world, and the better part is that you are encouraged to beat them !<BR><BR>Buy your kids "Tokyo for Free", by Susan Pompian: this book is full of all the things you can do for no more than a subway ticket, but beware, once your kids discover what there is to do and see in Tokyo, they won't be leaving there (and so will you).<BR><BR>Have a look at www.jnto.go.jp for travel tips, www.jinjapan.org for general informations on Japan, for accomodation, Japanese Inn Group: http://members.aol.com/jinngroup/<BR>Welcome Inns: http://www.itcj.or.jp/index.html<BR><BR>Kyoto Visitor's Guide: http://www.kyotoguide.com/e-whatson/index.html<BR><BR>Good planning and better travel!<BR>Florence<BR><BR><BR>

Lcuy

We spent 14 days in Japan last summer with our 13 and 15 year old girls. Arrival night in Tokyo (Ryokan Shigetsu, right by Asakusa), 2 nights in Nikko at the old youth hostel(loved the shrines and the falls nearby, but one night 2 days would have been plenty), 3 nights in Kyoto at Central Inn, (great location...get a Japan style room as it is bigger and cheaper for 4 people), then 2 nights in Takayama (our favorite town..loved the matsuri float museum, the old merchant shops, the merchant house museum, the toy museum/shop, bicycling, and the folk village), 2 nights in Nagoya (should have just visited the Aquarium, then headed out), and finished in Tokyo.<BR><BR>We've visited other cities on other trips and the girls' favorites are: Takayama, Kyoto, and Nara(day trip from Kyoto...they loved the deer). A little farther afield, but high on their memory list were Himeji Castle and Hiroshima. <BR>Allow plenty of time to get to Osaka Kansai Airport. We fly out of there for the first time in October, and it took forever, even on the express! The good thing though, is that Kansai has lots of shopping...including food shops and even some nice quality crafts. We had hauled a cooler of pickled vegetables, pastries, and bentos from Kyoto then found most of them at the airport at pretty much the same prices! <BR>I know you'll have fun where ever you go..Japan is such a family friendly country.

leo

Hi Leslie,<BR><BR>In Tokyo, the kids will love the Sony Building and it's free.They have the lastest video games and electronic equipment (big TV's and Steros). My son spent about 3 hours there and begged to go back another time.<BR>It is very close to the TIC, so I went there while he played. At the TIC you can get the most current information about special events all throughout Japan. April is a time of many interesting festivals and temple celebrations. If you are there on Sunday stroll along the tree-lined Omotesando dori and see the show of the dressed up teenage girls at Harajuku station. I remember that there was Sumo wrestling on a Sunday in late April when we were there. You can read my Japan travelogue at [email protected], the password is information. I hope you have fun. My son is begging me to go again this spring. Also I highly recommend a nightime visit to an illuminated Temples in Kyoto for a totally different temple experience.

greg

I hope your trip takes place around the first week of April as it is the cherry blossom time in Japan. Of course, the exact time varies from year to year. We were in Kyoto at the end of first week in April. The sight of pink cherry blossom petals falling down continuously like light snow flakes at Kiyomizu Temple was an ethereal experience. We were told by the innkeeper that we were in Kyoto at the end of the cherry blossom time for that year.

Leslie

Thank you all for this great information!

Thomas

Hiroshima isn't exactly small, but if you want to make a culturally interesting and lasting impression on the kids (and yourselves) go visit the original "Ground Zero." The peace park and museum create a great reference point to consider the events since September 11. The palm trees will also make your kids feel at home.