READER QUESTION: TIPS ON PLANNING TRIPS TO JAPAN? CHEAP TOKYO HOTELS, TRAVEL ADVICE & BARGAINS.
Hey,
Sorry if you get questions like this all the time and it’s not exactly linked to Lolita, but I was just wondering how you organise your trips to Japan and the attitude there. I really want to go, but I’m not quite how to get organise hotels and travel since I don’t speak japanese. Do you have any advice on getting bargains and organising travel to avoid any mistakes and confusion? Also, I have traveled back home from Hong Kong by myself and have been randomly checked which scared the crap out of me. Please tell your not more likely to get randomly checked for wearing lolita or ‘strange clothing.’ I can’t wait to use your lolita shopping guide :3 Thanks in advance and I heart your blog ^^
– Nakayoshia
Most excellent questions, my dear! Since I constantly fly to Tokyo for work, I’ve picked up quite a few travel tips. First off, don’t feel intimidated by going to Japan alone — even if you don’t know the language. The stories about friendliness and cleanliness are true. If you’re sticking to major cities and tourist areas, you won’t run into problems getting around. (Photos in this post by Qhoto.)
† Entry visa: Do you need one? Most likely not, but it’s a good idea to check. Same goes with immunizations (I got an optional Hepatitis A shot to be safe).
† Plane tickets: Japan is great all year round, but I try to avoid holidays if possible (since flights are cheaper in the off-season). Spring is crunch time because of sakura season and the Japanese school holiday. From North America, I try to book a direct flight (usually Japan Airlines), but I don’t mind stopping in San Francisco.
† Hotel: TokyoTopia has one of the best guides to cheap hotels. Try to stay in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, or somewhere the Yamanote (green) subway line. Sakura Hotel has several locations and some of the best deals around; book early, as rooms fill up fast.
† Money: Don’t forget to call your credit card company before you leave, to let them know you’ll be in Japan (or they might freeze your account due to unusual activity!) I exchange money into yen before I fly to Japan; most places accept major credit cards, but it’s a good idea to have a stash of cash on hand.
(Top left: Ruki of The Gazette cosplay!)
† Getting from the airport to the hotel: I usually take a ¥3000 Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to Shinjuku Station West Exit, or wherever I’m headed. You can buy a ticket at the counter as soon as you leave the baggage claim (the staff speaks English; to schedule a return trip, call +81-3-3665-7220). Then, you may have to take a taxi from the drop-off to your final destination. Tip: write down the hotel’s address in Japanese and show it to your driver, to avoid any communication breakdown!
† Sightseeing: TokyoTopia has subway maps, neighborhood guides, and everything else you need to get around. Street and subway signs are in English as well as Japanese. Most people don’t speak English, so I’d suggest carrying a basic phrasebook (such as this one) and learning helpful phrases, such as “sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka” (“excuse me, the station is where”… That way, the person can at least point in the correct direction).
† Don’t forget to study my Gothic Lolita Punk Shopping Guide, which includes photos and descriptions of the key stores in Harajuku and Shinjuku! Also peruse my Goth Cyber Club Guide, which includes address, directions, maps and links.
As for cultural attitudes, shinpai shinaide — worry not! Nobody will confront you or make you feel uncomfortable about the way you dress. And there won’t be random checks; if you’re obviously a foreigner, the police and authorities won’t give you a second glance. Of course, in any city, it’s best to not stir things up, but Japan is one of the least likely places you’ll encounter trouble for wearing “unusual” clothes.
I always encourage my friends to travel to Japan, even if they don’t know much about the language or culture — and every single time, they return gushing about the experience. So go! Please feel free to write to me if you have a Reader Question; you can be as off-topic as you please. Do you have any tips or questions about travelling to Japan? Let me know in the comments.
Speaking of open attitudes towards lifestyles… there’s an article in Japan Today about the Hibari-tei drag maid cafe where Yukiro works!
As I announced on my Twitter, I’m getting a haircut/color in early January — any suggestions? Visual Kei and Gothloli styles are always welcome… send me links and photos.
Song of the Day #270: Dead End – Danse Macabre (from “Ghost of Romance” album, 1987. Devil horns, baby.)
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LA CARMINA
55 Comments
This definitely helps me a lot as well; thank you! I’m planning a trip to Japan with my boyfriend in 2011 during June/July, but we’re booking our tickets and hotels etc a year in advance or so, just so we’re not desperately in search of places to stay, because it is Summer and the holiday season I believe… Ah~ It’ll be a rush, but a fun one! X33
Great idea to plan well in advance. It’ll be hot during that time of year, but yes it will be amazing… :D
Thanks for those tips. Will remember them when I finally get the chance to visit Japan. I’ve been wanting to since I was in high school.
-Denise
I’m sure you’ll make it there one day soon!
Yeah. I sure hope so. Thanks for the vote of confidence. =D
this is great thanks for the quick response ^^
I’m so excited ^^
Hooray! If you have more questions, let me know.
This definitely helps me a lot as well; thank you! I'm planning a trip to Japan with my boyfriend in 2011 during June/July, but we're booking our tickets and hotels etc a year in advance or so, just so we're not desperately in search of places to stay, because it is Summer and the holiday season I believe… Ah~ It'll be a rush, but a fun one! X33
Thanks for those tips. Will remember them when I finally get the chance to visit Japan. I've been wanting to since I was in high school.
-Denise
love free hugs…
Yeah! Too bad we don’t see that around much anymore…
Fun fun fun! I love the info since I do want to head over to Japan eventually. As for the cut or dye job–I’ve gone through the whole color spectrum and have really grown attached to the cooler colors (greens, blues, and purples). Have you ever tried a dark emerald green before? It’s pretty wicked. I mix my own shades now, so it varies each month.
Oooh I’ve never done green… hm hm…
this is great thanks for the quick response ^^
I'm so excited ^^
love free hugs…
Fun fun fun! I love the info since I do want to head over to Japan eventually. As for the cut or dye job–I've gone through the whole color spectrum and have really grown attached to the cooler colors (greens, blues, and purples). Have you ever tried a dark emerald green before? It's pretty wicked. I mix my own shades now, so it varies each month.
Yeah! Too bad we don't see that around much anymore…
Oooh I've never done green… hm hm…
I'm sure you'll make it there one day soon!
Hooray! If you have more questions, let me know.
Great idea to plan well in advance. It'll be hot during that time of year, but yes it will be amazing… :D
hi !! digging all your works !!
Cool!! I find this to be very helpful. I always wanted to visit and live in Tokyo
Yeah. I sure hope so. Thanks for the vote of confidence. =D
hi !! digging all your works !!
Cool!! I find this to be very helpful. I always wanted to visit and live in Tokyo
i’m in japan right now and im not seeing as many loli people as I thought there would be. where did they all go???
hahah Gothloli isn’t as prominent in Japan as people often think it is… a lot of people have never even heard of the fashion (just as an older person here may not know the word Emo). You’ll find girls dressed up at MaruiOne in Shinjuku and Harajuku though!
i'm in japan right now and im not seeing as many loli people as I thought there would be. where did they all go???
hahah Gothloli isn't as prominent in Japan as people often think it is… a lot of people have never even heard of the fashion (just as an older person here may not know the word Emo). You'll find girls dressed up at MaruiOne in Shinjuku and Harajuku though!
Thanks so much for mentioning TokyoTopia : ) I was in Hiroshima for the New Year period and had a rare time with no use of the internet! Kind of bizarre to be honest as it’s so much a part of my regular life. I’m back now though and ready to move into 2010 with my baby site – hope I can help some more travelers to Tokyo or Japan – it’s such a great place!
Take care and have an awesome 2010. I just read your post above and you certainly seem to be pretty much sorted for the first 6 months. Looking forward to reading all your adventures.
Cheers,
Honor
Back to the internet — woo hoo! I love seeing how your site is evolving!
Thanks so much for mentioning TokyoTopia : ) I was in Hiroshima for the New Year period and had a rare time with no use of the internet! Kind of bizarre to be honest as it's so much a part of my regular life. I'm back now though and ready to move into 2010 with my baby site – hope I can help some more travelers to Tokyo or Japan – it's such a great place!
Take care and have an awesome 2010. I just read your post above and you certainly seem to be pretty much sorted for the first 6 months. Looking forward to reading all your adventures.
Cheers,
Honor
i love that top picture of the girl (?) with the blonde hair with the rainbow streaks in it! wish i wasnt so used to my brown hair or i`d do that in a heartbeat. ;)
erm. off track there. love the article though. just in case i somehow finally get to travel to japan. i hear its really fun!
I used to dream of having rainbow hair! Sigh…
i love that top picture of the girl (?) with the blonde hair with the rainbow streaks in it! wish i wasnt so used to my brown hair or i`d do that in a heartbeat. ;)
erm. off track there. love the article though. just in case i somehow finally get to travel to japan. i hear its really fun!
I used to dream of having rainbow hair! Sigh…
Back to the internet — woo hoo! I love seeing how your site is evolving!
I’m catching up on posts after my overseas holidays, so a bit late, but Happy New Year! 2010 seems like a huge one for you already :)
Just wanted to point out to readers that you don’t have to get yen before you get to japan, or use your credit cards, as the Citibank atms there take money from your savings acccount, as long as you have a cirrus type key card and know your pin. There’s an atm at the airport and a 24 hr one in Shinjuku – they’re the ones I use most, altho there are citibanks in many busy suburbs. And specifically on accom in Shinjuku, I did a summary here: http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-to-stay-in-shinjuku.html
Ohh that’s a great idea! Thanks for the blog link. I personally like to be prepared beforehand, since I usually need yen for the taxi ride to the hotel… and I immediately want Lemon Water and onigiri from the nearest convenience store!!
PS there’s a lot going on in NYC in the spring — email to let me know when you’re there.
I'm catching up on posts after my overseas holidays, so a bit late, but Happy New Year! 2010 seems like a huge one for you already :)
Just wanted to point out to readers that you don't have to get yen before you get to japan, or use your credit cards, as the Citibank atms there take money from your savings acccount, as long as you have a cirrus type key card and know your pin. There's an atm at the airport and a 24 hr one in Shinjuku – they're the ones I use most, altho there are citibanks in many busy suburbs. And specifically on accom in Shinjuku, I did a summary here: http://thefashionatetraveller.blogspot.com/2009…
Ohh that's a great idea! Thanks for the blog link. I personally like to be prepared beforehand, since I usually need yen for the taxi ride to the hotel… and I immediately want Lemon Water and onigiri from the nearest convenience store!!
PS there's a lot going on in NYC in the spring — email to let me know when you're there.
Your Guide/description does seem quite helpful!
I went to Japan the summer of 08 with a school group and we used an educational tour company for our trip. We traveled all over Japan but my favorite was the Harujuku district and the Deer Park in Nara. I got my first lolita in Tokyo. All of the sites and smells were amazing (and the reststop curry was great too!), I have pics on my myspace account.
myspace.com/tessaroseisgreat
I definately can’t wait to go again!!!
But I will definately take your advice into consideration when planning my own trip!
That’s a great way to explore Japan — I worked with HIS Experience before, http://lacarmina.com/2009/04/tsukiji-fish-market-sushi-making-lesson-his-experience-tour-in-tokyo-japan/
and they provide amazing cultural tours… cooking lessons and fun cultural events that traditional companies don’t offer.
Really nice pics!
Your Guide/description does seem quite helpful!
I went to Japan the summer of 08 with a school group and we used an educational tour company for our trip. We traveled all over Japan but my favorite was the Harujuku district and the Deer Park in Nara. I got my first lolita in Tokyo. All of the sites and smells were amazing (and the reststop curry was great too!), I have pics on my myspace account.
myspace.com/tessaroseisgreat
I definately can't wait to go again!!!
But I will definately take your advice into consideration when planning my own trip!
That's a great way to explore Japan — I worked with HIS Experience before, http://lacarmina.com/2009/04/tsukiji-f…
and they provide amazing cultural tours… cooking lessons and fun cultural events that traditional companies don't offer.
Really nice pics!
Yeah I think when I graduate, I’m going to go to Japan for a much needed vacation and just have fun >D mahahahaha!!! Thank you for the tips, Carmina ^^
Yeah I think when I graduate, I’m going to go to Japan for a much needed vacation and just have fun >D mahahahaha!!! Thank you for the tips, Carmina ^^
Yeah I think when I graduate, I'm going to go to Japan for a much needed vacation and just have fun >D mahahahaha!!! Thank you for the tips, Carmina ^^
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