Tokyo Disneyland
Topic: Baloo's Japan Trip Planning

#	Author	Message
11	Mr X Fri 10/16/2009 1:44a	***This is really hard as there is so much we want to do, but we do not want to kill ourselves and it is also supposed to be a vacation ;-)*** Agreed. I'd be happy to help you prioritize as well, when the time comes. You mentioned wanting to stay at a Ryokan. Might I suggest making that your Hakkone day (the scenery is wonderful and you should really take a whole overnight there) and then proceeding to Kyoto/Osaka (or back) from there? You mentioned health issues, so I should warn you that Ryokan can be very uncomfortable for the Western body (I almost broke my back!), it's nothing but floor furniture and low, low tables and floor bedding. If you're concerned about that, there are other options (like a B&B type of place) which include all the good stuff like Japanese meals and Onsen baths, without the floor stress. ;) Oh crap, and add Roppongi to your list, it's funky and interesting though not really for kids. You can see Tokyo tower from there though, and Roppongi Hills is very upscale and cool to check out. I wouldn't bother actually going to Tokyo Tower if I were you, you can view it and take pics easily enough from Roppongi and the place itself is nothing but a tourist trap.
12	Mr X Fri 10/16/2009 1:47a	***We considered an Onsen, but wondered how appropriate that would be with little ones.*** Wha? It's completely appropriate and fine. That's your uptight Western values talkin. :p In Japan, EVERYONE goes from infants to elderly. If you miss out, you're missing, absolutely, THE quintessential joy of Japan and the ultimate in relaxation on planet Earth as far as I'm concerned. If you're worried about strangers, find a place that has private Onsen, it's completely normal for the whole family to enter together.
13	Mr X Fri 10/16/2009 1:50a	Or, if that seems like too much, it's fine for you to go in shifts as well, or even by yourself (perhaps MomBaloo could take the kids?).
14	davewasbaloo Fri 10/16/2009 1:54a	I'm cool with it, even if mixed. I just wondered if the Japanese would frown on loud western kids at them (sadly in northern Europe and parts of the US, kids are frowned on). Otherwise, that would be cool. I am not very uptight at all. Nudist beaches and all, fine (though others may not want to see me ;-) Who knows, they may think I am a western Sumo.
15	davewasbaloo Fri 10/16/2009 1:55a	But my kids love Jacuzzis and the sort, so I suspect they would adore an Onsen if welcome.
16	davewasbaloo Fri 10/16/2009 1:57a	I thought that might be the case for the tower. WE have been up the Eiffel Tower many times, but the view is awesome. I wondered how the Tokyo Tower rated or if there were alternatives for good views (like how San Francisco the Top of the Mark for Breakfast is the best way to see that city).
17	LindsayC Fri 10/16/2009 2:15a	Dave, X suggested Roppongi Hills as place to visit - and that does include “Tokyo City View” which is really great for panoramic views of the city (I haven’t done the Tokyo Tower though). I love the original story/creature art by Takashi Murakami done for the complex. http://www.roppongihills.com/e...ies/#tcv
18	Mr X Fri 10/16/2009 2:26a	***But my kids love Jacuzzis and the sort, so I suspect they would adore an Onsen if welcome.*** No worries. There are plenty of noisy Japanese kids too. Still, I would recommend a place that has privacy, it's so much nicer not to have to share your bath with strangers (the trade-off is that they are often occupied so you have to keep checking back unless you go late night or early morning...shoes outside means someone is using the facilities and, in a private setting, you should not enter. As for kids not being welcomed, perhaps you're thinking of the handful of rural Onsen that are "Japanese only"? If so, they wouldn't let you in with or without kids (it's a big controversy, but I'm sure you'd never even find one unless you searched it out).
19	Malin Fri 10/16/2009 9:07a	The first thing I see when viewing the places you would like to visit is that I think you would be better considering two trips. Your schedule for Tokyo looks fairly packed at it is and traveling Japan with a young family in tow could be a bit hectic. I think you could easily fill about three weeks in Tokyo if you consider a few day trips outside the city. I think adding in destinations like Kyoto and Osaka could be done, but at the same time its meant to be a vacation and could be to much trying to see so much in only three weeks. I know thousands of Westerner's visit Japan every year and manage it, but these people also usually only spend a couple of nights in each location and I don't see how anyone can visit Tokyo and fully experience what it has to offer in only a couple of nights. You seem to indicate you could probarely visit Tokyo a lot sooner by changing accomendation, and I would seriously consider this and maybe with the money saved work in a future trip a bit further down the line, this time seeing Kyoto, Osaka, Nara etc. *** Another perameter of this trip might be a stop over in Hong Kong (city, Buddha, HKDL, Ocean Park) - but again we could easily spend a week in Hong KOng too. It's a hard call. *** Hmm thats a very tough call and Ocean Park has recently opened a new Panda exhibit. Macau is also an interesting place to visit full of history and Vegas style casino's. As much as I want to say go with Hong Kong, I also know your a Disney fan and the expansion at Hong Kong Disneyland will be on going until 2013. What sort of time frame did you have in mind for the Baloo's trip out to Japan? Mr X recomended Shibuya and I would agree, LeeMac advised me to visit it while in town and its a must see, even if you do no shopping. Just seeing a million people walk over the crossroads is an experience.
20	Malin Fri 10/16/2009 9:10a	*** I wouldn't bother actually going to Tokyo Tower if I were you, you can view it and take pics easily enough from Roppongi and the place itself is nothing but a tourist trap. *** Yeah I would have to agree another good observation deck can be found in Shinjuku at the Govement Building. Not only is admission free but you can also if your lucky see Mt Fuji.

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