Advice for travel in Japan

[elipkin]

I am going to Japan for 10 days in May. I am looking for "photographic travel" advice. I am thinkig of going to Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji.
Given my limited time should I consider other places as well, or just different places?
My big interests are photography and history. My wife is fascinated by Japaneese culture.

Any advice on where to go what to do and photograph and where to stay. We specifically want to stay in Japaneese style ins or even a temple
TIA
Eugene

[Dorman]

Elipkin,

Until about 7 months ago I lived and worked in Japan. I lived in Osaka city which is very close to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. If you haven't already, pick up a travel guide, I'm a fan of the "Let's Go" series, they get down to the real dirt and approach it from a budget traveller's perspective rather than Lonely Planet...

Anyways, I recommend exploring and experiencing both the traditional, and urban side of Japan. Each is very prominent and it's an interesting mixture of the two. For the Urban experience Tokyo (which could be explored for days on it's own) and Osaka are really the two best spots. Osaka is reknowned for being the most open and foreigner friendly city, and the nightlife and culture there is a bit different from everywhere else. I'd recommend checking out the Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori/Umeda areas and Osaka Castle (which is in Temnabashi).

Nearby are Kyoto (again could be explored for days or weeks) and Nara - both of these places are rich in tradition and are gorgeous. In Kyoto I highly recommend Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavillion) and in Nara you'll find one of the world's largest budda's and a park full of wild, yet tame deer. Also in Kyoto Fukashima (may be spelled wrong) is a great daytrip, you climb a mountain lined with Torii's... just awesome.

You mentioned staying in a temple, I think you'd adore a short trip from Osaka/Kyoto/Nara to Koya San (this is at Mt. Koya, near Wakayama on a map). It's a buddist temple in the mountains and for a price you can spend the night in the mountains with the monk's and be served a traditional monk's breakfast.

If you have time I highly encourage you to check out Hiroshima - it's a fantastic city that has rejuvanated itself after such a tragedy. An afternoon daytrip from there is Miyajima, you take a ferry over and it's a gorgeous island full of temples and home to a very famous, and often photographed Torii (a shrine of sorts, like a gate or archway, bright orange).

It's too bad you'll only have 10 days as there's so much to explore, and if you don't speak the lingo things can take longer than you'd expect. feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to help.

Dorman, now feeling homesick even though he's at home in Canada...

[Livinthalife]

Kyoto should be on your list. that place is wonderful!! soo many temples, so little time. I went there for 2 days, and didnt even make a dent there. I need to back there again. I would also check out hiroshima, as the peace park is a great visit, and the park outsid eis just gorgeous. hiroshima is also a huge city, not bumch difference from tokyo. I think you can enjoy yourself just as much in hiroshima as in tokyo. tokyo is larger though. so it all depends. as for styaing in temples, I never heard that being a possibility. if mt fuji is open, do the climb! im sure their r some great opportunies there!

[Sekabin]

I agree with everything so far. Definitely you won't have enough time to see all the things you want to, but there's still plenty to see so when you're here don't get frustrated!

If you're exploring Tokyo and want to get the 'urban' Tokyo feel, I'd suggest going to Shibuya, Shinjuku (you can go up the government buildings on the west side and get a spectacular view), and perhaps Ginza (to see how the other half lives).

[elipkin]

Thanks everyone.
Via independant reasearch I came to much the same conclusions. Tokyo,Kyoto,Nara, may be Nikko. I am more interestd in traditional sights rather than the megapolis of Tokyo (I live in NYC and have been to Hong Kong)
I know that 10 days for a whole country s wowfuly insufficient and instead of doing a bit here and a bit there we will probably concentrate on a few locations
Eugene

[Dorman]

Elipkin, take a closer look at Koya San, it's breathtaking and close-ish to Kyoto.

[Dick H]

Originally Posted by elipkin

Thanks everyone.
Via independant reasearch I came to much the same conclusions. Tokyo,Kyoto,Nara, may be Nikko. Eugene

Nikko will take a full day and there is just one thing to see there. A one day trip to Kamakura will be much better.
I lived in Tokyo 9 years, wrote "Tokyo Subways", and know the entire rail system very well. There are many special passes and tickets to save time and money.
You may e-mail me for details. DH1067@wmconnect.com