Ask MetaFilter

I have a week-long business trip to Japan (near Osaka) scheduled at the end of May, if I were to tack on a few days where would I go? [more inside]
posted by LarryC around Japan at 12:13 PM - 8 answers

I have four extra days by myself in Japan before flying out of the Osaka airport. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by monologish around Japan at 10:29 AM - 9 answers

I will have a 12-hour layover (flight gets in at 6:30 AM, flight leaves at 6:30 PM) in Tokyo-Narita airport in early February on my way from Jakarta to Boston. I've seen recommendations to go into Tokyo, or to go into Narita. What should I do with my 12 hours, and how cold should I plan to be? [more inside]
posted by ChuraChura around Narita, Japan at 3:32 PM - 7 answers

I will have 2.5 free days during the end of January in Tokyo after a snowboarding trip in Hokkaido (Niseko) and I'm looking for recommendations on any new and interesting things in the Tokyo area. Also seeking advice on a day trip like Kamakura during the winter time. [more inside]
posted by xtine around Tokyo, Japan at 10:27 AM - 12 answers

As per this previous question I'm going to be in Japan for almost three weeks in December. We decided to spend 4-5 days in Okinawa because beaches (where we live has cold, bleak winters). The Japan guidebooks I have include very little information about Okinawa besides a few sites in Naha. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter around Ginoza, Japan at 12:01 PM - 4 answers

I am going to have the opportunity to travel to Japan for 17 days this December (flying back to the states on Christmas Day). I know next to nothing about Japan and am feeling really overwhelmed with figuring out an itinerary. Going to plan for at least 7 days in Tokyo, but what are some other places that would be lovely to check out in winter for someone who doesn't ski or snowboard? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter around Japan at 3:50 PM - 9 answers

Spouse and I will be in Tokyo while I attend a workshop November 26-30. We're planning to add a second week to our trip and do some sightseeing! Where should we plan to go? And should our extra week be the 3rd week of November or the 1st week of December? [more inside]
posted by heatherlogan around Japan at 10:36 AM - 7 answers

Western Japan has been exceptionally rainy in the last few days and flooding seems to be affecting infrastructure like railways and roads. I'll be in Japan for about a month starting tomorrow, and my original itinerary included five days driving around Kochi and Ehime prefectures (specifically flying into Kochi on July 25 and driving to Cape Ashizuri, then along the west coast staying in Otsuki, Seiyo and Matsuyama and visiting Ozu, Uchiko and Uwajima), then flying to Fukuoka on July 30. Will this still work? Or should I go elsewhere in Japan? [more inside]
posted by mdonley around Japan at 9:45 PM - 7 answers

We are spending one night in Osaka, in the Umeda area. What are best (not necessarily fanciest) places to eat? We are interested in everything.
posted by molla around Japan at 7:04 PM - 5 answers

I'm flying from the US to Singapore via Narita and I have a four hour layover in Tokyo. Will I have time to do some shopping? [more inside]
posted by pyjammy around Tokyo, Japan at 7:34 AM - 5 answers

I am visiting Tokyo for the first time, and am looking for something besides a guidebook (fiction or nonfiction) that will provide an interesting layer of interpretation as I move about the city. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 around Tokyo, Japan at 5:59 AM - 15 answers

I am taking three weeks to explore Japan by air from July 13 to August 4 on Japan Airlines (JAL). I am doing this instead of a train pass because all my domestic flights will be totally free. I can fly anywhere on this map. Help me plan some amazing trips! [more inside]
posted by mdonley around Japan at 9:28 AM - 3 answers

My husband and I are traveling to Japan in a few months. He has celiac disease. Due to the prevalence of gluten in Japanese food, we anticipate not being able to eat out much, if at all. What are some food items that are easy to bring along and eat, assuming we have access to very basic cooking facilities? [more inside]
posted by galaxypeachtea around Japan at 11:57 AM - 23 answers

Thanks to a whole lot of United miles (yay credit cards & business travel!), Mrs. Photo Guy and myself will be headed to Japan at the end of March for two weeks to visit her brother and his wife (expats living in Tokyo) and to do some sightseeing. We've done some planning but still had a few questions, so I thought I'd ask for some pointers. [more inside]
posted by photo guy around Japan at 11:55 AM - 10 answers

Looking for nicely situated botique hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo-- can anyone recommend something that would be memorable w/o breaking the bank?
posted by xmutex around Japan at 6:34 PM - 8 answers

If you had 12is days in Japan this spring, as a first-time traveler there, where would you go? What would be the must sees on the first time? Other than seeing some of Tokyo, of course, I do want to see Hiroshima. Other than that, what should I see and do? Just me and a guidebook.
posted by jtexman1 around Japan at 2:17 PM - 31 answers

Are there coin lockers or other left luggage services inside customs in the Kansai International Airport? I have an overnight layover in Osaka, and I've also newly started taking a medication that's prohibited in Japan (but legal with Rx everywhere else I'll be). Is there a way to leave it in coin lockers or with other left luggage before I go through customs? And overnight? [more inside]
posted by tapir-whorf around Osaka, Japan at 12:06 AM - 5 answers

I'm spending 9 days in Japan over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I'm pretty well-covered as far as general Japan tourism suggestions, but I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on places to go and things to see that are *particularly* scenic, lovely, uncrowded-but-accessible, or otherwise worthwhile in the winter months. (I am aware that Japan is a world-class skiing destination, but I don't ski.) I currently plan to spend my time in Osaka/Kobe, Kyoto, Tokyo, and the Kii peninsula, but am flexible if something else enticing presents itself.
posted by eugenen around Japan at 8:50 AM - 8 answers

I'd like to stay somewhere rural and beautiful with an hour or two of travel from Kyoto (but not in Nara) for five nights at the end of September. Requirements: reliable Internet access, price <= $125USD/night. Strong desires: onsen, somen. Further details inside. [more inside]
posted by yomimono around Hachinohe-Shi, Japan at 12:18 PM - 3 answers

Please help me find a hotel in Tokyo! (details within) [more inside]
posted by bluecore around Tokyo, Japan at 5:54 PM - 13 answers