AusBonsai

hoody6980 wrote:How do you find yourself getting around over there??? There is obviously a language barrier an was wandering if this is a big issue?
This is probably the one thing stopping me from going over at a time that suits me, instead I'm thinking I will have to go with a tour or something at a time that suits them???

No issue.
It has got to be one of the easiest non-english speaking countries to get around by public transport.
Everything signposted in English as well as Japanese.
Every one speaks enough English to get by.
Everything super-efficient.
The Japanese have to be the nicest people on earth too, so if in doubt, just ask, and they will go out of their way to help you.
Occasionally in the local eating haunts there is a language barrier with the waiting staff, but every menu has pictures, so pointing followed by the number of dishes has never failed me.
But it is all part of the fun and adventure.... that it what travelling means to me - putting yourself out there in the local culture and community to get some idea of where you are.
I never travel in tours anywhere in the world. It limits your choices, experiences, time, and freedom, and costs a bomb. I don't see the point?
Whenever the better-half and I are overseas and faced with a choice... we have a motto that we always take the path less travelled. That motto has never failed us, and has lead us to see some amazing sights and experiences off the tourist trail that, unfortunately, most visitors would have missed.

excellent thanks a lot for your help!
If flying into Tokyo like you have where are the best places you have been? And how far away are they?

hoody6980 wrote: excellent thanks a lot for your help!
If flying into Tokyo like you have where are the best places you have been? And how far away are they?

Wrcmad has hit the nail on the head!

Everyone is so nice and helpful. You will be fine.

You have to go here:

http://www.kunio-kobayashi.com/english/syunkaen.html

Absolutely incredible.....

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I have booked a flight and will be going to see the Taiken Ten Bonsai Show in Kyoto this November with a good mate as well as anything else that we can fit in.

hoody6980 wrote: excellent thanks a lot for your help!
If flying into Tokyo like you have where are the best places you have been? And how far away are they?

My recommendations for a week in Tokyo (for someone who has never been there before), and keeping in mind that this is a bonsai forum, and I hate shopping malls :

2 days in Omiya (30 mins from Ikebukuro by subway)
1 day visiting Kunio Kobayashi (1.5hrs by subway from Ikebukuro), then on the way back drop into Tokyo Imperial Palace and Imperial East Gardens. (for those into techno - alternate drop in is Akihabara (Electric Town) for the biggest electronics and technology shopping district in Tokyo.)
1 full day trip to Hakone/Mt Fuji (2hrs from Ikebukuro), and on the way back drop into Tanzan Onsen (hot springs) for a traditional volcanic geothermal Japanese hot bath (great for the weary legs). This is in my opinion the best Onsen I have visited.
1 day Asakusa (45mins from Ikebukuro by subway) to see Sensoji Temple and the surrounding very old part of Tokyo, then skip over to Ueno Park for the best Cherry Blossum display on offer in April, and on the way home pop into Rikugien Garden - one of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
1 day visiting Shinjuku Gyoen Garden (35mins by subway), then pop into Shibuya Crossing - one of the busiest in the world, with dazzling city scape. On the way home pop in and vist Meji Shrine.

That will fill your week, and if you have a spare day, no doubt you will have to go have another look at those pesky trees again!

For the best details and directions see here: http://www.japan-guide.com

Chris Di Nola wrote:I have booked a flight and will be going to see the Taiken Ten Bonsai Show in Kyoto this November with a good mate as well as anything else that we can fit in.

Nice!

Is simple western food available there, as I don't think my belly could handle raw fish, not that there is anything wrong with it.It is just that I am a very plain eater

Paul W wrote:Is simple western food available there, as I don't think my belly could handle raw fish, not that there is anything wrong with it.It is just that I am a very plain eater

Yeah definitely.

And funnily enough raw fish isn't that prevalent.

The Tokyo diet is ramen noodles and fried food (tempura, karagee etc).

But yes there's Western food everywhere....


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Reece wrote:

Paul W wrote:Is simple western food available there, as I don't think my belly could handle raw fish, not that there is anything wrong with it.It is just that I am a very plain eater

Yeah definitely.

And funnily enough raw fish isn't that prevalent.

The Tokyo diet is ramen noodles and fried food (tempura, karagee etc).

There's Western food everywhere too....

Spot on.
And I usually hit a local bakery on the run for a cheap brekkie.....

Have you got only 7 days in Japan or set aside for Tokyo?. Tai KeiTen is in Kyoto where you could spend 7 days with visit to Osaka and especially Takamatsu ( visit Koji) and leave Omiya and Tokyo for WBFF World Bonsai 2017??

I'm off to Japan in a few weeks time and will be visiting the Ueno Green Club where there is to be a Shohin display; and I presume the usual commercial activity around it. As well as Kobiyashis, Omiya Bonsai Museum and a couple of other bonsai nurseries as well at Shizuoka and Nagoya if I can squeeze them in.

Japan is easy to get around on public transport and taxi even without knowing any Japanese language at all; although I have been studying Japanese for a whole 10 weeks to be polite. Should be fun.

Staying in Kanda, Tokyo near the station; at the same hotel we stayed in February with Shujis tour.

Grant

Just wondering if anyone is planning to go to the Kokufu-Ten in Feb'16.

If I can get some reasonable airfares I'm thinking of going.

It's on again!
This time during the 91st Kokufu in February 2017! If you are clever with flight dates, you can see both sessions of Kokufu, and have leisure days to spare in between to visit places like Omiya and Kobayashi's Shunkaen.

Return Air fare to Tokyo direct (ex Gold Coast - direct flight) = $369 http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/deals/japa ... tnership_L
7 nights accommodation (pp twin share) at my favourite ryokan = $205
Narita Express train fare (return) to Ikebukuro/airport = $52
2 x entry to Kokufu = $26
Food (@$30 per day) = $210 (yes, this is quite realistic in Tokyo)
Subway / incidentals = $100? (probably less) subway tickets from Ikebukuro to Omiya Koen ~$5 each way.

Total = $962 (<$1000)

Gold Coast to Tokyo (Narita), return air fare $278 for travel Aug-Nov 2017.
That's cheaper than the taxes for a return ticket using Frequent Flyer points.

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/deals/japa ... Specific_H

wrcmad wrote:Gold Coast to Tokyo (Narita), return air fare $278 for travel Aug-Nov 2017.
That's cheaper than the taxes for a return ticket using Frequent Flyer points.

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/deals/japa ... Specific_H

Holy wow....!