Anyone interested in Japan?

[NeoRage]

To be honest, 4 grand is really not much for a tour-driven, stay and food (mostly) provided trip. I've already looked around at this kinda stuff and that's in the right neighborhood.

Now, if you go and stay in a youth hostel (not good for married or with kids) and dont' do any tours, just hoof it on your own, you can save a lot of money. But you may also not see a lot of things.

My wife and I were looking at sorta doing a week of touring, whatever, and then spending a few days on our own. Problem is, I'd really like to get down to Hiroshima, or possibly Kyoto, too. It's been a long time since I've been to those places, far longer than Tokyo.

If you were to go on my friends tour and make air arrangements with her to go back a few days later I could help with your Hiroshima and Kyoto arrangements(cheap hotels and luggage shipping). I have friends in both places and it only takes me 3 and a half hours by train to get to Hiroshima on the bullet train and a lot quicker for Kyoto.

[NeoRage]

"To be honest, 4 grand is really not much for a tour-driven, stay and food (mostly) provided trip"

On this tour ALL of the food is provided as well as a (FREE) fully stocked (mini) fridge in the rooms.

[Adderall]

Last year I went to Japan for 2.5 weeks (my best friend lives and works in osaka).

I would recommend that anyone sitting on the fence about japan should go. I plan on going again this year (I have my own agenda, but if I go during any of those dates, I'd be happy to meet up with some gamers in Osaka for sure)

[NeoRage]

Last year I went to Japan for 2.5 weeks (my best friend lives and works in osaka).

I would recommend that anyone sitting on the fence about japan should go. I plan on going again this year (I have my own agenda, but if I go during any of those dates, I'd be happy to meet up with some gamers in Osaka for sure)

I hope you have a good time Adderall! Check out den den town in Osaka if you haven't already, They have unbelievable game deals!

[D.D.D.]

$4900 ~ $4300... 7 days? That is way too much, even for a tour-package IMO.

My friend who took his first trip to Tokyo in Winter '05, spent only $2700 because he went online, found hotels that had English service, made reservations online (hotels were $40~$65 per night depending on where he stayed), and Japan really isn't hard to navigate especially in urban places as most stuff is in English (or enough to get by). And you can even plan out your transportation (trains, busses, subway, etc) online too as they have stuff for tourists.

Personally, I've never done tours just because they're too expensive and you can do what you want if you research and plan out your own schedule. That and the money you save can go to gaming goodies.

[NeoRage]

$4900 ~ $4300... 7 days? That is way too much, even for a tour-package IMO.

My friend who took his first trip to Tokyo in Winter '05, spent only $2700 because he went online, found hotels that had English service, made reservations online (hotels were $40~$65 per night depending on where he stayed), and Japan really isn't hard to navigate especially in urban places as most stuff is in English (or enough to get by). And you can even plan out your transportation (trains, busses, subway, etc) online too as they have stuff for tourists.

Personally, I've never done tours just because they're too expensive and you can do what you want if you research and plan out your own schedule. That and the money you save can go to gaming goodies.

My plane tickets have never been under $1200 last one was $1400, My hotel was $1500 and everything I did totaled around $8000. I guess if your only option is staying in hostels and crap hotels and eating ramen or before store closing half price food your whole trip then maybe you could do it for $2700, But I wouldn't suggest it and I doubt it. Things are in English in CERTAIN places, But not everywhere and not everyone speaks english so it isn't as simple you say. Also the bus service in Japan (besides at hotels) is HORRIBLE and almost impossible to use reliably, Express Train tickets from Tokyo to Hiroshima are $200 EACH way and that is included in the tour also.

Your friend went to Tokyo, This tour is to around 6 major cities in Japan Tokyo being 1.

Show me ANY 7 day ALL inclusive Disney, Mt Fuji vacation with airfare from the east coast cheaper than $4,200 with tax included........

[marurun]

DDD,

I spent 10 months in Japan in college, and 3 weeks in high school. Because of that I want to take my wife to Japan to see some of what I did on a daily basis. I was originally planning a week of tours and a week on our own, and when I looked at travel agencies and pre-packaged tours for the first week, most places wanted $4000 - $6000 for that portion of our trip, including air fare, depending on the hotel options. So it sounds like Neorage's friend has done her homework.

I could go to Japan by myself and see everything I wanted to see over a week and a half for probably $3000 - $4000 including my fun shopping, but since I'm married and my wife doesn't know Japanese at all, and I want her to be comfortable (and to be comfortable with her) that inherently raises the price of my options.

If you are comfortable arranging stuff yourself, go and save a little. But if what Neorage says is correct about pricing, that's a decent deal. Dunno if I'd call it the bee's knees, but it's definitely on the good side of competetive.

[NeoRage]

DDD,

I spent 10 months in Japan in college, and 3 weeks in high school. Because of that I want to take my wife to Japan to see some of what I did on a daily basis. I was originally planning a week of tours and a week on our own, and when I looked at travel agencies and pre-packaged tours for the first week, most places wanted $4000 - $6000 for that portion of our trip, including air fare, depending on the hotel options. So it sounds like Neorage's friend has done her homework.

I could go to Japan by myself and see everything I wanted to see over a week and a half for probably $3000 - $4000 including my fun shopping, but since I'm married and my wife doesn't know Japanese at all, and I want her to be comfortable (and to be comfortable with her) that inherently raises the price of my options.

If you are comfortable arranging stuff yourself, go and save a little. But if what Neorage says is correct about pricing, that's a decent deal. Dunno if I'd call it the bee's knees, but it's definitely on the good side of competetive.

Thanks for the positive reply on that marurun! I would never let anyone on here or that I know get screwed over on purpose, That's why I mentioned this tour on here because I truly think it's a good deal and it's a great service for first time japan travelers who don't know the language or their way around. If you do decide to take a tour with your wife let me know, I'm sure my friend will beat any deal you can find.

[fastbilly1]

I hope your friend can stay in business for many years. I know that a trip to Japan is in my future, along with one to Israel, and I think this tour may be the best way for me to do it. It just sounds awesome and affordable.

[NeoRage]

I hope your friend can stay in business for many years. I know that a trip to Japan is in my future, along with one to Israel, and I think this tour may be the best way for me to do it. It just sounds awesome and affordable.

Thanks for the kind words! My friend is still with me now and she says she will keep it up until she either can't walk anymore or they put her in the ground, She loves Japan that much . I'll be on here as long as RacketBoy is around so let me know whenever you want to go or check out the website when it's up and I'll make sure you get a deal and have a fun trip!