Japan holiday

TheMightyQuin said:
Wait a few years. Japan is experiencing a huge tourism boom atm and places are SO crowded that it's becoming a big problem.
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Outside the big cities, it's mostly fine. Most people just do the big cities which are heavily marketed but don't realize that isin't an authentic Japanese experience.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
Outside the big cities, it's mostly fine. Most people just do the big cities which are heavily marketed but don't realize that isin't an authentic Japanese experience.
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Even outside the cities has become a big problem. After COVID, Japan had heavy restrictions on tourism.

Firstly only official tour operators were allowed to bring very tightly managed tour groups. I think only last year they started allowing individuals.

There are now reports of small cultural villages were tourists became so disruptive, that locals demanded certain streets/roads be closed from tourists. And they got their wish.

There are also many Japanese travel accounts on IG and TikTok, that show major and lesser know sites, absolutely swamped with people. So much so that it has become a nightmare to travel there now.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
Outside the big cities, it's mostly fine. Most people just do the big cities which are heavily marketed but don't realize that isin't an authentic Japanese experience.
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Big cities is very much what most of Japan has become. That's as authentic as it gets for most Japanese, but I hear what you say.
 
lkpat said:
Big cities is very much what most of Japan has become.
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Not exactly. There are plenty of places where people hardly see foreigners, they just aren't marketed as much and so get less tourism. Places like Tanegashima etc. But tbh, even the "rural" parts of JP are about as advanced as Joburg. Their definition of "rural" is different to ours.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
Not exactly. There are plenty of places where people hardly see foreigners, they just aren't marketed as much and so get less tourism. Places like Tanegashima etc. But tbh, even the "rural" parts of JP are about as advanced as Joburg. Their definition of "rural" is different to ours.
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Define "advanced". Definitely can't be from card payment point of view. In SA, one can find card machines even in tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskietfontein
 
JuliusSeizure said:
Reliable internet, easy (relatively) access to shops, ATM, healthcare etc.
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Cool. Hopefully, they will accept card payments everywhere one day. Quite behind the world really in that aspect, whatever cultural reasons there maybe.
 
surface said:
Hopefully, they will accept card payments everywhere one day. Quite behind the world really in that aspect, whatever cultural reasons there maybe.
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You can get by with a card for the most part in Tokyo. It is changing but just taking a bit longer there. But always advisable to have cash on you.

They also still have pay phones. It could also be because they have an aging population who are more inclined to have reservations about modern tech.
 
lkpat said:
Big cities is very much what most of Japan has become. That's as authentic as it gets for most Japanese, but I hear what you say.
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There are much much more to Japan than the big cities...

Hokkaido and Kyushu islands to go visit the crane sanctuaries and see real Japanese wilderness...Explore the Nakasendo Way, Tsumago, staying in traditional ryokans.

Visit the rainforests of Yakushima Island...

Contrary to popular belief not everybody wants to see neon lights and eat from vending machines.
 
TheMightyQuin said:
There are much much more to Japan than the big cities...
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The big cities/downtown areas are also largely the same with minor differences. If you have limited time, I suggest only seeing one or two. You also have to do a lot of walking in JP so it will be a very energy consuming trip. Only go to more than two if you are a Japan aficionado.

Another tip I can give to anyone going there is pack less. Very easy to find coin laundry and they aren't expensive.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
The big cities/downtown areas are also largely the same with minor differences. If you have limited time, I suggest only seeing one or two. You also have to do a lot of walking in JP so it will be a very energy consuming trip. Only go to more than two if you are a Japan aficionado.

Another tip I can give to anyone going there is pack less. Very easy to find coin laundry and they aren't expensive.
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We're planning a 15 day tour for next year.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
Not exactly. There are plenty of places where people hardly see foreigners, they just aren't marketed as much and so get less tourism. Places like Tanegashima etc. But tbh, even the "rural" parts of JP are about as advanced as Joburg. Their definition of "rural" is different to ours.
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Um, I'm aware that there are rural parts of Japan, but as with any part of the world, that's where the minority are. Most of Japan live in the cities.

Over 90% of Japanese live in urban areas. Well above the global average (55%). over 8 million in Tokyo alone.
 
My favourite holiday destination. Iv been there once on vacation, twice on business. Its not what people often assume it is. Yes there are some big cities, but also breathtaking areas outside of cities.

Clean, safe, beautiful, easy and cheap to travel (with a 2 week tourism rail pass). Cant wait to go back again. We went to all the major cities as well as non-city locations. only used trains and bullet trains.

Its cheaper than Europe/UK as well.
 
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