If I'm going with my wife only, which one ryokan in noboribetsu offer private onsen?

Most of onsen have separate for men and women. Not really sure for private onsen..but you can ask ryokan receptionist by call them or email them..

My friend and his family had a bad experience in Kyoto. They were not welcomed to a few restaurants around Gion area. The excuses were bcoz they are fully booked even though some are practically empty at 6.00 - 7.00 pm. The only reason I could think of is maybe they thought that my friend group is from China... anybody experienced this before?

Nope

Face problem maybe

Or the Japanese just keep the empty for those reserve , nothing can say about this , purely bad luck

Last week ,saw documentary at Japan Television about China Group Tour from mainland..traveling to Japan..most of them are bad behavior..

first, most japanese not working in service industry and they don't talk to stranger especially foreigners

second, japanese racist only towards yellow/black/brown gaijin, not white gaijin

third, there is misconception in movie/drama... their culture is respectful type, the truth is they only respect ppl that hv higher seniority than them otherwise they r generally rude

I have yet to meet any rude Japanese so far...the restaurants that I went were all friendly and that's why I was surprised at my friend's experience. Kyoto has many tourists and wouldn't it be stupid to be racist, economically?

Well so far, my personal experience do tell me otherwise , but I am only there for a week.....maybe u r right

Going again in April , hope to get a good exp ....

Hi, i have a question about buying bus tickets to go to Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku bus station. Reading articles online, it 's faster and cheaper to use buses to go to Kawaguchiko, however, they also said that these tickets can be sold out rather quickly. Question:

Is it a big risk for me to buy the bus tickets at Shinjuku on the spot? Can i buy the bus tickets like 1 day in advance? I also saw websites selling these tickets online (https://japanbusonline.com/Detail/11500410001/3130000/4194255/) , but it seems like they only depart from Tokyo station instead of Shinjuku, have anyone tried using this website before? How does it work?

Thanks.. =)

i testing buy on the spot, sold out
have to buy for the next day... with limited choice
(my real trip is hakone then fuji)

same for the change of schedule for return tix
i wan to go back few hours earlier, bus is full
ended up hv to lepak at cafe

Hi,

Been there done that early this year. Use this link to book your bus ticket to kawaguchiko from Shinjuku station http://highway-buses.jp/fuji/ No nd to pay in advanced.

I was wondering how late (in a year) that snow's availability in Sapporo. Was wondering a trip there from Osaka..generally have plan to go to Osaka in Feb-April timeframe..still haven't decided.

Hi,

First time going Osaka and Kyoto on January.
Would like to know do we need Winter Shoes ?

Thanks

if you search youtube, there are a few videos where they interview japanese regarding PRC. some of them feel that PRCs are loud and rude. i didn't have any bad experience in japan. be polite, have manners and you will be fine.

This was a good tutorial video for those 1st time going Japan.

Saw from online that next year Japan golden holiday week fall under 3/5 - 7/5. Is it true? I thought its supposed to be end if Apr?

For Sapporo...February and Early March

Osaka..recommended on April for Sakura..

No need for Winter shoes..

This post has been edited by Samurai: Dec 20 2016, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the reply!

So how does the online booking works? i tried searching on that site and the FAQs and there weren't any information on the step-by-step procedure. After i make the reservation online, it will give me something like a booking confirmation sheet? What do i do after that? Thanks!

Have 2017 prediction of Sakura timetable already come out?

Not yet..but you can plan your trips next year..based on forecast..Early April 2017..

http://www.kyuhoshi.com/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast/