DML wrote:So this looks like being the year I finally go to Japan.
Hoping to go in April/May for 10 days, spending maybe 5/6 days in Tokyo (I have a friend there as well) and then travelling to maybe Osaka and other day trips. But I really don't know where to start regards booking it. I know its high season with it being blossom season, but thats okay if I can start on a coherent plan. Any websites or pointers anyone could give me would be great, because the sooner I put stuff togetter the more likely its going to become a reality.
Can anyone help with how they go about booking flights or good websites for booking hotels/packages etc? I know about the Japan Rail Pass so will probably use that for travelling to other destinations.
Look at some young persons travel agents like H.I.S.
https://no1japantravel.com/en/, that's where I got my return flight for around £640, which was with Qatar Airways (really good). I can't really remember but I think I only e-mailed and maybe called them once or twice.
Also that isn't really cherry blossom season, it is march and the festivals that celebrate the falling of the petals is around then. You'll see some blossoms in April but they will be gone by the time you leave. You don't want to go later than that because it gets REALLY hot and humid and most English people I hear can't deal with that... (even those that live there).
I went to Kyoto in April 2011 and visited Osaka for a day and then Nara.
Edit: here are some contact details
H.I.S. Europe Ltd.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7484 3337 - Leisure Sales (English)
english@his-euro.co.ukThey also have a web form here with new details
https://no1japantravel.com/en/contact-usIt was a good experience as they took care of everything for me and I got a flight itinerary including a stop off in Qatar and just, well, went.
The cost is probably down to how much of a packaged experience you want and whether you get a rail pass but my brother just sent me places and showed me stuff so I was fortunate not having to worry about that. I also got lost on my bike and found Nintendo HQ literally by accident.
I actually really valued that experience of just cycling around and finding stuff for myself so I would recommend not being too obsessive about exact times and dates if you have 10 days unless you thrive on knowing what's next etc. I found that things popping up every 10 seconds that interested me was more than enough fun in the city than worrying about how much time I had before my next thing etc.