Visiting Japan

DBHashman93 · Post by **DBHashman93** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:22 pm

Hey all,

Some friends and I are planning on visiting Japan right after Christmas this year but after looking into it, it appears that Japan sort of shuts down around New Year's. I know some of our members live (or lived) in Japan, so I was wondering about your opinions on visiting during New Year's. Any advice? Keep in mind that we're going to visit more as a cultural experience and not necessarily to check out all of the tourist attractions.

Also, we'll have enough time to spend a few days in 3 separate locations. So far we're thinking about staying in Tokyo, Kyoto and a third place that's yet to be decided. What would you say are the must see places? Thanks in advance for any tips and advice!

Phil12 · Post by **Phil12** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:25 pm

jeez. I hope you have enough money.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:34 pm

japan is completely dead around new years yeah..

SamIAm · Post by **SamIAm** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:58 am

The airfares can go up around that time as well, because you get a flux of Japanese ex-pats going home for the holidays. On the other hand, there seem to be a lot of dirt cheap fares to be had around February.

Also, if you hope to catch anything like a festival, you should go when it is not going to be cold outside. Even in the south, they don't do much in the winter. Although if your goal are basically to shop, play games, and people watch, you can pretty much go at any time.

Sandlegs · Post by **Sandlegs** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:17 am

whoo! go to okinawa! hang out with me! and about the new year, that is the flipping busiest time ever in japan.

DBHashman93 · Post by **DBHashman93** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:11 am

We've actually got a special deal on airfare so that won't be too bad. A little shopping and gaming are probably in the cards, but like I said the main goal is to get a cultural experience. It sounds like it might be a bit of a hassle but hopefully it'll still be doable!

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:29 am

The way the calendar falls this year, expect everything to be shut from 12.31 through 12.05. Shopping shouldn't be too bad. If you need to "get something done" you're fucked.

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:36 am

GaijinPunch wrote:The way the calendar falls this year, expect everything to be shut from 12.31 through 12.05. Shopping shouldn't be too bad. If you need to "get something done" you're fucked.

I'll most likely be in Tokyo around this time too, could you elaborate? I know about the 3 days around new year, but what are the other three?