Doing a little research on onsens and it is very interesting with all the formal customs that go with it. I am looking forward to relaxing and enjoying an onsen. One thing we are concerned about it is getting naked...you know Western culture. I think I wouldn't mind it if was separated and with strangers, but in front of my friends is a little embarrassing. I don't want them to know all of my soft spots. We are actually trying to find a coed bath where you can wear some minimal clothes. It won't be completely traditional, but it is a compromise with what everyone wants to experience.
I also learned about "balneotherapy" or "hydrotherapy" where spas are used to heal, sooth, and treat diseases. I love Wikipedia.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hotel Info
From Pete (04-17-06)
Well, one anyway. The Shiba Park Hotel is in a convenient area, just a short walk from Zojoji Temple, built in the 1300's and also near Tokyo Tower. The Temple was the family temple of the Tokugawa Family and their masoleum is also on the grounds.
http://www.shibaparkhotel.com/en/
It's $1503 for the ten day package through Expedia...$1550 to add another day should we want to allow for a long trip like Shikinejima Island. Been searching for flights and hotels separately but the prices still end up being more than Expedia. Hopefully United has that $500 RT sale in the Fall because that's the only deal that makes a difference.
Pete
P.S. Check this out! Can't wait to go here! http://r.gnavi.co.jp/fl/en/a384133/ ...and the price is right.
Well, one anyway. The Shiba Park Hotel is in a convenient area, just a short walk from Zojoji Temple, built in the 1300's and also near Tokyo Tower. The Temple was the family temple of the Tokugawa Family and their masoleum is also on the grounds.
http://www.shibaparkhotel.com/en/
It's $1503 for the ten day package through Expedia...$1550 to add another day should we want to allow for a long trip like Shikinejima Island. Been searching for flights and hotels separately but the prices still end up being more than Expedia. Hopefully United has that $500 RT sale in the Fall because that's the only deal that makes a difference.
Pete
P.S. Check this out! Can't wait to go here! http://r.gnavi.co.jp/fl/en/a384133/ ...and the price is right.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Onsen information
Talked to Pete today and saw some great places for an onsen:
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/ttws/spot16.html
http://www.secret-japan.com/onsen/
--> Map --> Lime green section --> scroll to the bottom two for yellow water onsen!!
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/ttws/spot16.html
http://www.secret-japan.com/onsen/
--> Map --> Lime green section --> scroll to the bottom two for yellow water onsen!!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Pete Replies
From Pete (4-10-06)
Very cool...maybe she has ideas we haven't thought about. Once we get
somewhat of an itinerary you can show her to see if there's a "can't miss, must do"
that we need to add. Yeah, I want to see Kyoto too...it's about $550 for a
fully guided trip on the bullet train including one night's stay. Maybe we can
downgrade the hotel and use that money to buffer some costs. (Or start that
business whatever we decide to do!) Here's that electronics place which was
definitely in the plans...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara ...there are some links at the bottom
too. Seems there's a "geek population" thing going on. LOL
Been wanting to get that Frommer's guide! Going to try and find it at
Borders or one of the bookstores. There are a few others too. Maybe we each get
one and look through it.
We can go to Hakone and back for less than $100. That's where your hot spa
is! Ask your friend if she's been to "Oedo Onsen Monogatari" on Odaiba island.
Very cool...maybe she has ideas we haven't thought about. Once we get
somewhat of an itinerary you can show her to see if there's a "can't miss, must do"
that we need to add. Yeah, I want to see Kyoto too...it's about $550 for a
fully guided trip on the bullet train including one night's stay. Maybe we can
downgrade the hotel and use that money to buffer some costs. (Or start that
business whatever we decide to do!) Here's that electronics place which was
definitely in the plans...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara ...there are some links at the bottom
too. Seems there's a "geek population" thing going on. LOL
Been wanting to get that Frommer's guide! Going to try and find it at
Borders or one of the bookstores. There are a few others too. Maybe we each get
one and look through it.
We can go to Hakone and back for less than $100. That's where your hot spa
is! Ask your friend if she's been to "Oedo Onsen Monogatari" on Odaiba island.
Suggestions from Atsugi
From Mahalia (4-10-06)
Well Tokyo is a pretty big place. Roppongi is the big party/bar/restaurant district. Lots of great eateries, especially at night. Asakusa, there's a temple at the heart of Tokyo, really neat. There's an electronic district, I've forgotten the name, where you can go bananas. I suggest going to the imperial palace in Tokyo and gardens. You can set up to meet a Japanese family at their home and eat dinner with them. I have this Frommer's big about Japan that's really quite handy. I suggest getting it. If you have the time and money, I highly suggest to take the bullet train to Kyoto. So far its been my favorite place in Japan. If you're into the whole temples and cultural experience, go there. Hakone, is not in Tokyo but it's a beautiful place with lots of spas, volcanic activity...lots to do. =o)
Well Tokyo is a pretty big place. Roppongi is the big party/bar/restaurant district. Lots of great eateries, especially at night. Asakusa, there's a temple at the heart of Tokyo, really neat. There's an electronic district, I've forgotten the name, where you can go bananas. I suggest going to the imperial palace in Tokyo and gardens. You can set up to meet a Japanese family at their home and eat dinner with them. I have this Frommer's big about Japan that's really quite handy. I suggest getting it. If you have the time and money, I highly suggest to take the bullet train to Kyoto. So far its been my favorite place in Japan. If you're into the whole temples and cultural experience, go there. Hakone, is not in Tokyo but it's a beautiful place with lots of spas, volcanic activity...lots to do. =o)
Ice Hockey
From Pete (4-10-06)
There's an "Asia League Ice Hockey" which used to be the "Japan Ice Hockey League" but now there are teams from China and Korea. 4 are from Japan, 2 are from Korea and 3 are from China, although one of the Chinese teams are actually Swedish owned and the players are Scandinavian. The team that has won the last two championships are the Kokudo Lions and they are based in Tokyo. According to this past season's schedule, the season started on Sept. 24 so they will be up and running while we are there! The arena is right across from the subway station so it is convenient. They only play 38 games. Another thing we can do if we choose.
There's an "Asia League Ice Hockey" which used to be the "Japan Ice Hockey League" but now there are teams from China and Korea. 4 are from Japan, 2 are from Korea and 3 are from China, although one of the Chinese teams are actually Swedish owned and the players are Scandinavian. The team that has won the last two championships are the Kokudo Lions and they are based in Tokyo. According to this past season's schedule, the season started on Sept. 24 so they will be up and running while we are there! The arena is right across from the subway station so it is convenient. They only play 38 games. Another thing we can do if we choose.
Japanese Baseball
From Pete (4-10-06)
Hey,
Good news for Paul...the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows are in town around the same time we are thinking of going. Both teams are Tokyo teams but play in different stadiums...like the Dodgers and Angels. In Japan, most baseball teams are named after the company that owns them. Yomiuri is THE newspaper in Tokyo and Yakult is some type of yogurt-like drink. The Giants are the New York Yankees of Japanese baseball.
Sat. Sept.30 Hiroshima Carp at Giants (Tokyo Dome)
Sun. Oct.1 Hiroshima Carp at Giants
Tue. Oct.3 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants (Pete's birthday!)
Wed. Oct.4 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants (Pete's US time zone bday!)
Thur. Oct.5 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants
*Last series of the season
Tue. Oct.3 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows (Jingu Stadium, Tokyo)
Wed. Oct.4 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows
Thur. Oct.5 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows
*Last series of the season
The Giants are extremely popular and tickets are harder to get but I found a service that says they have had pretty good luck with Giants tickets but ask for a backup game just in case. The Tigers seem to be the second most popular team. There's a player on the Tigers that has played in EVERY SINGLE INNING of 904 straight games! He just broke Cal Ripken Jr's record of 903. Ripken's 2600+ record counted the games he ENTERED, even if it was just as a pinch hitter. The service charges $50 per order (regardless of number of tickets) and a $10 courier fee because they deliver to the hotel. If we do this I would see if they can send the tickets over here. The tickets are $40 each for good seats. If the only seats left are cheaper they will give you change back. So if we have 4 people it will be $55 per person.
Hey,
Good news for Paul...the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows are in town around the same time we are thinking of going. Both teams are Tokyo teams but play in different stadiums...like the Dodgers and Angels. In Japan, most baseball teams are named after the company that owns them. Yomiuri is THE newspaper in Tokyo and Yakult is some type of yogurt-like drink. The Giants are the New York Yankees of Japanese baseball.
Sat. Sept.30 Hiroshima Carp at Giants (Tokyo Dome)
Sun. Oct.1 Hiroshima Carp at Giants
Tue. Oct.3 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants (Pete's birthday!)
Wed. Oct.4 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants (Pete's US time zone bday!)
Thur. Oct.5 Yokohama Bay Stars at Giants
*Last series of the season
Tue. Oct.3 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows (Jingu Stadium, Tokyo)
Wed. Oct.4 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows
Thur. Oct.5 Hanshin Tigers at Swallows
*Last series of the season
The Giants are extremely popular and tickets are harder to get but I found a service that says they have had pretty good luck with Giants tickets but ask for a backup game just in case. The Tigers seem to be the second most popular team. There's a player on the Tigers that has played in EVERY SINGLE INNING of 904 straight games! He just broke Cal Ripken Jr's record of 903. Ripken's 2600+ record counted the games he ENTERED, even if it was just as a pinch hitter. The service charges $50 per order (regardless of number of tickets) and a $10 courier fee because they deliver to the hotel. If we do this I would see if they can send the tickets over here. The tickets are $40 each for good seats. If the only seats left are cheaper they will give you change back. So if we have 4 people it will be $55 per person.
Affordable Japan
haven't looked through it yet but seems informative. There's even an article as you scroll down that called "Hints for affordable Japan." Should give you some ideas.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
Haven't been to this place myself but seems like a type of place you would like...google search "daikanyama" and read about it.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
Haven't been to this place myself but seems like a type of place you would like...google search "daikanyama" and read about it.
Tours
From Pete (3-23-06)
Here's a company that has little trips once you get to Japan. There's some day trips that are pretty reasonable...$100 or even a little less. "Guided Tours" are obviously trips that are totally catered..."Free Plan" are trips that get you there and back (includes hotel if more than one day) but you are on your own once there. Look around and see if there's anything you would like to do. Look under the category "From Tokyo". Divide the yen figures by 120 to get an idea of US dollars. There's hot springs, Mt. Fuji, even Kyoto would be cool if affordable. Maybe we should come up with a little business between now and Sept. to raise some "Japan Funds"!
http://www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/
Here's a company that has little trips once you get to Japan. There's some day trips that are pretty reasonable...$100 or even a little less. "Guided Tours" are obviously trips that are totally catered..."Free Plan" are trips that get you there and back (includes hotel if more than one day) but you are on your own once there. Look around and see if there's anything you would like to do. Look under the category "From Tokyo". Divide the yen figures by 120 to get an idea of US dollars. There's hot springs, Mt. Fuji, even Kyoto would be cool if affordable. Maybe we should come up with a little business between now and Sept. to raise some "Japan Funds"!
http://www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/
Hawaiian burger place
From Pete (3-17-06)
That Hawaiian place that had the burgers...not that you'd go all the way to Japan for burgers, is called Kua' Aina...the same chain from Hawaii.
I went to a few different sites, found all these prices for flights and separate prices for hotels and when I added the two cheapest it was $17 more than the Expedia package for the same hotel. LOL
I did find a hotel only package at the "B" Hotel in Roppongi for $646 per person. Didn't you find a RT flight for $500? That would be an awesome deal. Most places have been about $870 for flights.
Check out http://www.bento.com/. Lots of food stuff.
That Hawaiian place that had the burgers...not that you'd go all the way to Japan for burgers, is called Kua' Aina...the same chain from Hawaii.
I went to a few different sites, found all these prices for flights and separate prices for hotels and when I added the two cheapest it was $17 more than the Expedia package for the same hotel. LOL
I did find a hotel only package at the "B" Hotel in Roppongi for $646 per person. Didn't you find a RT flight for $500? That would be an awesome deal. Most places have been about $870 for flights.
Check out http://www.bento.com/. Lots of food stuff.
Expensive dinner for one night only
From Pete (3-16-06)
Would like to "splurge" one night in Japan if it's okay with everyone and eat here. Maybe do it the very last day we spend in Japan. It's not really crazy expensive...the range is about $40 to $80 for full meals...so the average is about $55 to $60. I think if we go at lunch it is alot cheaper as is every restaurant in Japan but night time here looks awesome. The way to go I hear is to get to Mt. Takao, where the restaurant is, during the day to see the scenery and enjoy the lit up surroundings to eat dinner to. The draw is the atmostphere...about as Japan as you can get. Here's a link to the place...it's in Japanese but just click all the links and you'll see pics.
Ukai Toriyama
Would like to "splurge" one night in Japan if it's okay with everyone and eat here. Maybe do it the very last day we spend in Japan. It's not really crazy expensive...the range is about $40 to $80 for full meals...so the average is about $55 to $60. I think if we go at lunch it is alot cheaper as is every restaurant in Japan but night time here looks awesome. The way to go I hear is to get to Mt. Takao, where the restaurant is, during the day to see the scenery and enjoy the lit up surroundings to eat dinner to. The draw is the atmostphere...about as Japan as you can get. Here's a link to the place...it's in Japanese but just click all the links and you'll see pics.
Ukai Toriyama
Things to do
From Pete (3-15-06)
All of these packages include airfare as well...the "working" vacation dates are leaving Friday afternoon on Sept.29 and returning Monday morning Oct.9, which is Columbus Day which is a holiday we can take advantage of and stay in Japan an extra day.
The "B" at Roppongi $1521
http://www.ishinhotels.com/theb-roppongi/en/index.html
Oakwood Apartments Roppongi Central $1805
http://www.oakwood.com/corporate-apartments/furnished/JP/Tokyo/prop4870.html
About Roppongi...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Roppongi
**********
Park Hotel Tokyo $1704
http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com/
The area where the Park Hotel is at...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Shiodome
Dai Ichi Hotel Annex $1458
http://www.daiichihotels.com/hotel/annex/
Both of these hotels are walking distance to the Ginza district. The Dai Ichi is closer.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Ginza
These are just a handful of packages...as you can see there is a range of prices. These were picked on the basis of convenience to subways (The Park Hotel is connected to the Shiodome Station) and "hot spots". Which of these look good to you? The Annex or the "B" are probably the best bargains.
Also...just for you!
There's a "onsen" (hot springs) package that you might want to consider. It's a couple of days (one night stay) and here is the place...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakone
Here is the hotel...
http://www2.princehotels.co.jp/app_room/epiq0010.asp?hotel=040
It's about $200 if we want everything done for us, like the lake cruise and the cable car up the mountain and stuff. It's only about $75 if we just want to be dropped off and then we are on our own. Both packages include bullet train and hotel. There's other onsen areas, thousands to be exact!, but this is a sample. Hakone is cool cuz you can see Mt. Fuji.
Here's another unusual onsen place right in the city...
http://club.nokia.co.jp/tokyoq/weekly_updates/tqoole/onsen.html
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/ttws/spot16.html
both of these links are of the same place. The district this place is in is...
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html
A cool evening would be to hang out in Odaiba in the evening and then go soak in the wee hours of the morning. It's only like $15 late night and it's open until 9am the next morning!
More to come...
All of these packages include airfare as well...the "working" vacation dates are leaving Friday afternoon on Sept.29 and returning Monday morning Oct.9, which is Columbus Day which is a holiday we can take advantage of and stay in Japan an extra day.
The "B" at Roppongi $1521
http://www.ishinhotels.com/theb-roppongi/en/index.html
Oakwood Apartments Roppongi Central $1805
http://www.oakwood.com/corporate-apartments/furnished/JP/Tokyo/prop4870.html
About Roppongi...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Roppongi
**********
Park Hotel Tokyo $1704
http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com/
The area where the Park Hotel is at...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Shiodome
Dai Ichi Hotel Annex $1458
http://www.daiichihotels.com/hotel/annex/
Both of these hotels are walking distance to the Ginza district. The Dai Ichi is closer.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Ginza
These are just a handful of packages...as you can see there is a range of prices. These were picked on the basis of convenience to subways (The Park Hotel is connected to the Shiodome Station) and "hot spots". Which of these look good to you? The Annex or the "B" are probably the best bargains.
Also...just for you!
There's a "onsen" (hot springs) package that you might want to consider. It's a couple of days (one night stay) and here is the place...
http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakone
Here is the hotel...
http://www2.princehotels.co.jp/app_room/epiq0010.asp?hotel=040
It's about $200 if we want everything done for us, like the lake cruise and the cable car up the mountain and stuff. It's only about $75 if we just want to be dropped off and then we are on our own. Both packages include bullet train and hotel. There's other onsen areas, thousands to be exact!, but this is a sample. Hakone is cool cuz you can see Mt. Fuji.
Here's another unusual onsen place right in the city...
http://club.nokia.co.jp/tokyoq/weekly_updates/tqoole/onsen.html
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/ttws/spot16.html
both of these links are of the same place. The district this place is in is...
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html
A cool evening would be to hang out in Odaiba in the evening and then go soak in the wee hours of the morning. It's only like $15 late night and it's open until 9am the next morning!
More to come...
Japan Fund
I know that my good friend Mahalia is not going to be in Japan forever; so I finally started a Japan fund. My goal was to visit her by the end of the year, and I think that will be a reality. Paul and I have been saving like crazy, and we plan to go to Japan end of September/beginning of October. I am so excited! We are currently shopping for prices and looking for tourist things to do. We're going to have a couple of friends coming with us. I'm going to take a ton of pictures. I can't wait. I'm going to post all of the things Paul, Pete, I have been thinking about doing or going. Let the countdown to Japan begin.
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