What to do in Japan for 10 days?

[shazam1]

Hi All,

I'm going to be coming to Japan in october for 10 days with a mate of mine.

Any recommendations on an itinenary for that 10 days to get a feel of the different parts of Japan? We're not big on any particular region. Although, we're not big on hot weather. So any suggestions welcome.

I chose october because I can only pick between now and october and I heard that october has the most ideal climate around that time in terms of not being too hot or cold. Is this correct?

Cheers

[whistler]

Tokyo-Kyoto-Nara-Osaka should do the trick.

October should be a good time - not too hot or cold.

[shazam1]

Tokyo-Kyoto-Nara-Osaka should do the trick.

October should be a good time - not too hot or cold.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Before I hit the guide books, any particular places or things to do in the regions you mentioned? What about Hokkaido, is it worth it around october, I heard it has some really magnificent scenery.

[Ultradude]

If it's your first time and you've only got 10 days, Hokkaido wouldn't be on my itinerary. Nothing against Hokkaido, but it's in the opposite direction from Kyoto. If you like mountains, Nagano might be worth a stop. If you like old temples and Japanese atmosphere Kyoto and Nara are great. Tokyo is also good to see. You won't be able to see everything worth seeing, so just pick some of the best sights. I would take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and back.

[LOstSamurai]

Any recommendations on an itinenary for that 10 days to get a feel of the different parts of Japan?

10 days is not that much, so i´d advise to visit Tokyo and Kansai (as suggested by another poster). Places to go (in general) which in my limited experience can be regarded as "Japanese":

- Izakayas
- Onsen
- Karaoke
- Yakitori

That might sound like a joke to the long-term expats here, but in my opinion these are the places to have fun and to get an idea of Japan.

[shazam1]

Thanks for the tips all.

Lostsamurai, when you say "fun" do u mean fun in a go out and party kind of way or "fun" in terms of its a good cultural experience?

Ultradude, I was only thinking of Hokkaido because the pictures make it look so attractive place to visit. If I was determined to go, how long would it take to travel there from Tokyo?

My mate whom I'm travelling with wants to goto Osaka, but from memory, its not really worth it. Is it?

[LOstSamurai]

Lostsamurai, when you say "fun" do u mean fun in a go out and party kind of way or "fun" in terms of its a good cultural experience?

A little of both. In my opinion, it is a part of the culture and you can have a good time drinking and chatting with different people. It is not as cultural as visiting some shrine or as "fun" as drinking the night away in roppongi, though.