You'll face no less issues in Tokyo. Even in Shinjuku station (one of the main station), I have encountered station masters who could not speak English hahaha. But they're still very helpful.

Guides are expensive but if its not an issue for you then it's fine. Otherwise few things you can do is - use translator (Google translate), body language and learn few basic Japanese words. The experience will be enriching.

How about Hokkaido? Will there be any communication issue?

Have not been to Hokkaido, but an acquaintance told me its not too different than the situation in Tokyo where most could not converse in English. However, they are still able to communicate via translator and body language.

its pretty much the same for entire japan, only the younger generation might understand a little bit of english or if u r lucky to meet someone in uni taking english course. just download n install google translator inside ur phone, thts the best way to communicate d

Most of the tourist spot, you might be able to find people that can speak English or maybe Chinese. Since Hokkaido is so big where in particular are you going to?

I don't have anything in mind for now as we just booked the air ticket. And we haven't started drafting the itinerary.

I encountered some hotel staffs who know how to speak Chinese but not ok in English. That's quite interesting.

a lot of chinese working in japan, u go ginza pretty much every shop got at least 1 tht can speak mandarin

because they know prc tourists have big spending power

Hi sifu-sifu sekalian,

I'm planning for my Japan trip during the end of November. I am joining my friend half way through his trip, hence the weird day 1 itinerary.

Day 1
Reach KIX
Travel to Nagoya
Free and easy day

Day 2
Obara Fureai Park + Kawami Shikizakura No Sato > Korankei Gorge

Day 3
Travel to Kyoto
Heian Temple > Ginkakuji > Philospher's Walk > Nanzenji > Eikando Temple for night illumination

Day 4
Ninnenzaka / Sannenzaka /Kiyomizuzaka around sunrise for photo opportunity
Nishiki Market for breakfast > Mt. Hiei > Kiyomizu Dera > Yasaka Shrine / Maruyama Park for night illumination

Day 5
Fushimi Inari as early as possible for photo opportunity and to avoid crowd > Tofukuji > Daigoji > Shoren-In > Chion-In > Maruyama Park > Kodaiji > Ishibei Koji
Not sure if want to proceed for night illumination at Kodaiji or Kiyomizu Dera

Day 6
Arashiyama bamboo groove as early as possible for photo opportunity and to avoid crowd > Sagano Scenic Railway > Hozugawa River Boat ride > Tenryuji > Togetsukyo Bridge > Kinkakuji

Day 7
Travel to Nara
Nara deer park > Todaiji
Travel to Osaka

Day 8
Himeji castle

Day 9
Osaka castle > Tenjinbashi-suji > Umeda Sky Building

Day 10
Back to KL

Doable? Am I cramming too much in Kyoto? Have not fully plan on food and Osaka yet.

want to ask...it is 100k yen is enough for 2 week trip to japan (osaka-kyoto-tokyo) minus accommodation & flight ticket??

I can only comment on Nagoya HAHAHAHA. Its a pleasant city, so enjoy your shopping and sight seeing.

Shopping street - Osu Kanon (there's also a temple nearby)
Shopping district - Sakae area
Visit the Nagoya Castle

Sadly the Nabana no Sato night illumination no more ady in Kuwano. Otherwise really well worth going.

For 2 weeks, 100,000yen is a little tight. You'll still have to pay for transport, entrance fee (if any), rides or tickets (if any), food, souvenirs/ shopping etc.

Will suggest that you bring at least 150,000yen for 2 weeks to be safe. The amount is not including your shinkansen ticket right?

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Aug 15 2017, 06:06 PM

From this itinerary, I'm assuming you're the travel photographer type. Going to spend certain amount of time to get good shots at objects and landscapes
In that case, yes, spending more time in Kyoto is definitely the right move IMO. you will definitely spend time at bamboo forest since it's pretty darn hard to get a really good shot.. and people is not the cause why. Then again, I consider myself an amateur in photography.

Day 4 seems a bit packed. But if you're not really into food, you'll prolly wont spend much time at Nishiki..maybe.. There is a shopping district behind the market after all.
I'm assuming you'll travel to Nara in the morning, and Osaka around 3-4pm? People(like me) would say Nara is overated since there are no views there. Experience it yourself since you may find a gem there.
Regarding Arashiyama, there are 2 parks, Kameyama and Nakanoshima. Nakanoshima IMO has the better view.
That's the only comment I can give about Kyoto. The places you planned to visit got breathtaking views, so you're good there.

Osaka tho.. to me is a city of food and shopping. For pictures.. maybe Tsurumi Ryokuchi park? However just know that that park is HUGE. They even mapped out a 'Walking & jogging course" that is 2.25km. And that's only half of the park! I'll put the snap I took there.

A little too tight there. In super saving mode, you could probably squeeze down to 3000 yen per day for food/snacks.
Transportation costs around 1 000 yen daily excluding getting lost etc.
Shinkansen costs about 13 900 yen. Some entrance fee for parks ~200 yen per park.
I'd put aside 20 000 yen for emergencies.
That comes up to 90 000. But unless you want to limit yourself to yoshinoya/combini food, I'd suggest allocating more. It's a real shame to visit japan without experiencing their awesome food.

Don't get me wrong. It is very much possible, but not comfortable. Aside from breakfast/lunch/dinner, you'll prolly buy some drinks or snacks from combini, street stalls or shops in the parks. After all you'll walk a LOT there. Not to mention trying out the various drinks in vending machines

I put the average meal price at 2000 yen to be safe, and 7 000 yen to be safer(I'm that paranoid. never knew the food price when I enter the restaurant).
Transportation at 1 500 yen per day.
Misc expenses(entrance fee/snacks) at 3 000 yen per day
Skinkansen 13 900 yen
Emergency cash 20 000 yen.
Total would be 195 000 yen(14 000 yen/day)......in theory anyway. I barely spent 200 000 yen(10 000 yen/day) during my 3 weeks over there, and i spent without reservation on food
So try to get 150 000 yen if possible. It is always better to bring more... than to bring less. You could spend more on souvenirs, eat better food, enjoy hotsprings or save for next trip

tl;dr bring 150 000 yen.

One small correction here. They are Japanese which taking mandarin language course.
Because of China tourist big spending at Japan, everyone want to earn China tourist money.

Working at Japan are big competitive, have to keep on upgrade your self, learning another language will secure your place in company. Mandarin & Arabic language course are most popular in Japan now.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Aug 15 2017, 10:58 PM

damn that lot of money...btw thanks for your feedback...

Yupe, too bad Nabana no Sato ended earlier this year. Thank you for the suggestions. Will consider those with my friend.

You read me correct there. I'm into photography but I consider myself super amateur in it Just hope to get ~20 good shots then I'm a happy man. Why is it hard to get a good shot at the bamboo groove tho?

As for day 4, I thought maybe spending around 1 hour+ at Nishiki market before heading to Mt. Hiei. But then, it is food we are talking about. If cannot make it back for Kiyomizu Dera, then will shift it to day 7 before going to Nara. Day 7 (Nara) is plan to be a more chillax day playing with deers Thank you for the tips in Arashiyama.

Yupe, food is the priority in Osaka. It will be mostly a makan + shopping trip aside from the Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Building.

Time to google for Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka food recommendations.

This post has been edited by zeipher: Aug 16 2017, 01:01 AM

Hey man! It's been awhile! Happy to see some familiar names in this thread. How is it going? Any future trip to Japan?

due to the amount of people taking pic at the bamboo grove, i waited until it started to rain last time to take a decent pic where less people r around