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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

Due to a SNAFU, I'm landing at Kansai Airport, but staying (very) near Osaka Airport. I arrive at 9PM on Friday, but my hotel doesn't allow check-in after midnight. I'm concerned about making it there on time. Online calculators show taxis costing around $200. Is there a better way for me to make the journey?
posted by fake around Osaka, Japan at 4:45 PM - 6 answers

Japan travel question, with some specific wants. My 11-year-old niece loves Minecraft and YouTube, and has expressed interest in learning to code. What are some things that might interest her in Tokyo & Kyoto on a short trip? [more inside]
posted by shortfuse around Japan at 7:39 AM - 6 answers

I'll be in Japan (arrive Tokyo) for 2 weeks in early-mid April. I'm really into: hot springs, local food and drink (esp fermented), hiking & mountaineering, live music, herbal medicine & botany, artisanal crafts. [more inside]
posted by buckaroo_benzai around Tokyo, Japan at 11:38 AM - 10 answers

I bought printed hemmed fabric squares in Japan that I thought were furoshiki, the gift-wrapping fabrics. But they feel too stiff and seem too small for this purpose. What are they really? Tea towels, maybe? (Links to photos in the "more inside") [more inside]
posted by cadge around Tokyo, Japan at 5:24 PM - 4 answers

I will have one day in Tokyo during the week next week and what I'd most like to do is go to a nice onsen to refresh myself after the long plan ride. Then I want to eat some delicious mochi and wander around someplace interesting. I will arrive at Ueno station from Narita in the morning and need to be back to Ueno in the late afternoon. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane around Tokyo, Japan at 5:23 AM - 8 answers

How many days should we spend in Tokyo vs Kyoto and where could we take a day trip to from either? [more inside]
posted by Bunglegirl around Japan at 6:20 PM - 17 answers

Our family will be in Tokyo during the first week of February, and we thought this might be a good time for the kids (ages 7 and 2) to see snow for the first time. If we hopped on a train in Tokyo in the morning, is there a good place we could hop off and--without too much additional transportation--end up somewhere where we could slide down a hill on something, toss a few snowballs, and make a snowperson? Ideally we’d like to make it back to Tokyo the same day, but will consider staying overnight. [more inside]
posted by ultrogonic around Tokyo, Japan at 2:13 AM - 3 answers

My wife and I are planning a 5~6 week trip to Japan this spring. (post-grad-school, pre-starting-new-jobs) I am bilingual and speak to my 5-year-old daughter in Japanese daily, and she understands it at maybe a Japanese 3-year-old's level. We'll put her in a nursery school over there, and I'm looking for things I can do (both now and when we're there) to keep her from having (or reduce her inevitable) full-blown culture shock. [more inside]
posted by chickencoop around Japan at 10:58 AM - 12 answers

I have a conference in Fukuoka Japan in June. I think that I want to take my 7 year old. [more inside]
posted by k8t around Fukuoka, Japan at 8:02 AM - 9 answers

I am going on vacation! To Tokyo! I will be there from Christmas to a few days after the new year, and I've seen a lot of people saying their office is closed for that week. As a first timer and tourist, what can I expect to be disrupted by the New Year's holidays? Transit? Restaurants? Museums? Is there anything going on I positively must see?
posted by bensherman around Tokyo, Japan at 12:07 PM - 6 answers

Next summer, a friend of mine and I will be traveling in Japan. We would like to do a combination of cultural tourism and hiking, so our preference would be to choose bases from which it would be easy to do day hikes. Our preference is for longer and/or more strenuous day hikes. Where should we go? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb around Japan at 2:34 PM - 8 answers

My 7th grader is fascinated with Japan and Japanese culture and has been asking for a long time if we can go to Japan. I've never traveled overseas and have no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by Flannery Culp around Japan at 9:17 AM - 24 answers

Since Maximian is asking about Japan just down the page, and since we'll be traveling there with our (older) daughter at that same time, and since my question regards ryokan as well... Thought I'd better ask: How does one stretch out and nap in a ryokan (during the day)? Since the bedding is brought out in the evening, I'm wondering what to do if I want a brief respite or a horizontal read before the bedding is available.
posted by ecorrocio around Japan at 5:26 PM - 5 answers

Myself, my wife, and our 3-year-old daughter will be traveling in Japan in late October/early November, and we're interested in spending 2 nights in natural surroundings. The Mt Fuji area, specifically Hakone, is the leading candidate, but many of the ryokans are either booked or don't allow small children. Any advice on specific places to stay or alternative/similar destinations? [more inside]
posted by Maximian around Japan at 5:08 PM - 6 answers

I'm going to be spending a week in Tokyo Oct 23-30, and my plan is mainly to eat delicious food and wander around. I lived there for 2 years 1997-99 so I've pretty much seen all the major tourist stuff. Current locals, what are your favorite things to do or eat? [more inside]
posted by exceptinsects around Tokyo, Japan at 3:35 PM - 6 answers

Traveling to Japan for the first time in October! We (party of 2) have JR Passes, which apparently means we can board non-reserved shinkansen cars w/o any interaction with ticket booth staff. The question is, is this wise, or are we still likely to find ourselves standing or split up on some trains? [more inside]
posted by cyrusdogstar around Japan at 9:54 AM - 17 answers