Another "My first trip" thread

[cbarnard]

はじめまして. Well i'm a college student interested in travelling to japan in the late summer (mid-late august) or if i can't get to it then during winter break (december). I'm in the proccess of learning japanese, and looking for places to travel. I obviously want to see tokyo and kyoto, but i'm more interested the "other side" of japan. I want to see the small towns and hidden attractions of japan. I'm really into photography so anything to take pictures of is nice. I geuss the more ideas i come up with of where to go i will post them here.

BTW this is my first post.
バイバイ
Curtis

[cbarnard]

Chubu:
•Fukui
Katsuyama
Heisenji Shrine
Dinosaur Museum
Tojimbo Cliffs
•Ishikawa
Kanazawa
Kenrokuen Garden
•Gifu
Takayama
Old Town
Hida Folk Villiage
Kansai:
•Kyoto
Kiyomizudera Temple
Gion Geisha District
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Kinkakuji (Gold Pavilion)
Nishiki Market
Pontocho
Kodaiji Temple
Nanzenji Zen Temple
Ninaji Temple
Fushimi Inari Shrine
•Osaka
Osaka Castle
•Wakayama
Mount Koya
Okunoin
•Mie
Ise
Ise Shrines
Oharaimachi
•Hyogo
Himeji
Mount Shosha
Himeji Castle
Kobe
Arima Onsen
Meriken Park
•Nara
Todaiji Temple
Kasuga Taisha (lantern festival august)
That's what i have come up with so far. These are possiible points of interest. If you have more places that you would like to suggest please do. If also feel that something isn't worth my time then let me know.
ありがとう - Curtis

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

KONNICHIWA cbarnard-san.
You seem to know an old historic temple well.
The place that I recommend.
"Miya-jima of Aki" (Hiroshima) that a lot of people of this site visit.
http://www.miyajima.or.jp/miyakan2/index.html

In the Tokyo neighborhood, ancient city Kamakura is recommended.
http://www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/english/index.htm

[cbarnard]

Thank you for your reply. For かまくら i have the following things to visit:
The Beach
Tokeiji Temple
Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Great Buddha

Am i missing anything?

ありがとう
Curtis

[MeAndroo]

I think Hachimangu is a beautiful temple to visit in Kamakura. I believe it overlooks a major avenue in the heart of the city. When I was there, I walked around and saw just about everything I wanted to in a day. Bring comfy shoes, because the maps don't necessarily detail the topographic obstacles you may encounter (read: it's hilly in parts).

[Glenski]

Be careful in August, so that you don't arrive during Obon season. Lodging will be at premium in some places, and transportation will be clogged. It is a huge festival time of year when people return to their hometowns.

Same warning for late December (last few days, anyway) and early January. Big traveling time for locals. Some shops and other facilities will also shut down then.

Want something out of the ordinary? Go to Toba and watch the pearl divers do their exhibition (probably not in December, though). As for other things to do, get a guide book and look up what festivals are taking place during that time. Some can be QUITE out of the ordinary!!

[cbarnard]

Ok I've been researching tons of places and thanks to those who have made suggestions (i still want more though :D !!). Now i need to figure out all the transportation stuff in japan, which basically means trains! I'll be getting a JR 1 week or 2 week pass depends on how long i go. Anyway is there a site that show which trains are covered by this pass, has maps and time tables? ありがとう again for all the help!

-Curtis

[ArmandV]

Ok I've been researching tons of places and thanks to those who have made suggestions (i still want more though :D !!). Now i need to figure out all the transportation stuff in japan, which basically means trains! I'll be getting a JR 1 week or 2 week pass depends on how long i go. Anyway is there a site that show which trains are covered by this pass, has maps and time tables? ありがとう again for all the help!
-Curtis


Try this: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html

[cbarnard]

Thank you, i was having a hard time finding info, but then i saw that you can go to each JR region website and get maps and time tables. thank you!!!