Hi,

While researching South Korea, I came across the term "templestay," which refers to a Korean program that lets you stay in a traditional temple to discover Buddhism and Korean culture by living like the temple residents and doing activities like making lanterns. A templestay isn’t just for foreign tourists—on the booking site, I saw that some temples are more geared toward foreigners, with English-speaking monks.

I was wondering if it’s still worth it, especially in temples where the monks don’t speak English?

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out to you because I’m planning our next big trip (Japan is really tempting us for the autumn!) and I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.

My husband and I have always loved traveling, and at 75, we have no intention of stopping... But I find that everything’s getting so complicated. I try to be "modern" by booking online, but as soon as there’s a problem, we hit a wall.

A friend nearly missed her departure last year because of a visa issue that wasn’t explained properly on a website... and no one to call for help, just automated messages.

It makes me a little nervous to be alone in front of a screen so far away, especially since at our age, we like knowing there’s real support if our health takes a turn while we’re there.

Anyway, I’m tired of seeing my file passed from one person to another without ever having the same contact... Do you know of any small, trustworthy agencies or people who still work the "old-fashioned" way and really look after their clients? I love my independence, but I need a real face behind my project.

Thanks in advance for your advice, and I look forward to reading your replies, Catherine

Hi everyone, I’ve been planning several itineraries for a trip to Japan with my wife but would love your insights before we start booking! In short, we want to go during Golden Week, see late-blooming cherry trees, and have the freedom to get around with a rental car. Here’s the plan: 18-day itinerary in Japan (April 25 → May 12) Goal: freedom, late cherry blossoms, culture & nature

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Days 1–3: Tokyo (April 25–27) Arrival and adjustment (no car needed yet). Neighborhoods to visit: Shinjuku, Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Odaiba. Suggested activities: Ghibli Museum, Sumida River cruise, izakaya meals. Late cherry blossoms (yaezakura) possible at Shinjuku Gyoen. Pick up the rental car on the morning of April 27.

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Days 4–5: Mount Fuji & Hakone (April 27–28) Route: Tokyo → Kawaguchiko/Hakone (~2 h).

Activities: Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda (Fuji views + late cherry blossoms) Onsen baths, Hakone Open-Air Museum. Stay: ryokan with onsen and views of Mount Fuji.

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Days 6–7: Takayama & Shirakawa-go (April 29–30) Route: Hakone → Takayama (~4 h).

Activities: Preserved old town, sake breweries, UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go. Stay: traditional minshuku (thatched-roof house). Cherry blossoms are finishing at this altitude — beautiful mountain/nature contrasts. ---

Days 8–10: Kyoto & Nara (May 1–3) Route: Takayama → Kyoto (~4 h 30).

Activities in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari (red torii gates), Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, Gion (geisha district).

Day trip to Nara: Free-roaming deer in Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Stay: Kyoto (3 nights).

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Day 11: Osaka or Himeji (May 4) Route: Kyoto → Osaka (~1 h) or Himeji (~1 h 30).

Option 1: Osaka → modern vibe, street food, castle. Option 2: Himeji → stunning UNESCO-listed castle. Stay: Osaka.

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Days 12–13: Kanazawa (May 5–6) Route: Osaka → Kanazawa (~4 h 30).

Activities: Kenroku-en Garden (gorgeous in spring), Omicho Market, samurai district. Stay: Kanazawa.

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Days 14–15: Northern Japan – Aomori / Hirosaki (May 7–8) Route: Kanazawa → Aomori (~7 h, possible to break via Sendai).

Activities: Hirosaki Castle Park (peak bloom early May). Northern onsen (e.g., Sukayu). Stay: Hirosaki or Aomori.

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Days 16–17: Nikko (May 9–10) Route: Aomori → Nikko (~6 h).

Activities: Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji. Stay: Nikko.

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Day 18: Return to Tokyo & Relax in Kamakura (May 11–12) Route: Nikko → Kamakura (~3 h) → Tokyo (~1 h).

Activities: Great Buddha, Zen temples, seaside at Enoshima. Final night: Tokyo before the return flight.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Japan with my three grown-up kids, who aren’t exactly keen on rushing from one place to another with heavy luggage. I’ve tried to balance things so we can see as much as possible while still giving them time to enjoy the evenings. Here’s what I’ve come up with: - Arrival in Tokyo on May 17 - Staying in Tokyo from May 17 to 22, exploring the city, with a day trip to Nikko (round trip in one day): is it worth it, considering it’s a 2-hour train ride each way? - Sending our big suitcases directly to Osaka - Traveling to Kamakura on May 23: 1 night (with small luggage) - Traveling to Hakone on May 24: 1 night (with small luggage) - Heading to Osaka on May 25: staying from May 25 to June 2 in Osaka, where we’ll pick up our big suitcases Day trips from Osaka: - Kyoto: 2 days (round trip in one day) - Nara: 1 day (round trip in one day) My son would prefer to stay in Osaka for all 8 days, but I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to spend at least one night in Kyoto. What do you think? - Leaving for Himeji on June 3: is it possible to leave both big and small luggage in a coin locker to visit the castle, or is it better to do a round trip from Osaka? - Traveling to Hiroshima: 3 nights from June 3 to 5: - Hiroshima: 1 day - Miyajima: 1 day - Okayama and Kurashiki: 1 day: is it better to do a round trip from Hiroshima and return to Tokyo from there, or spend the night of June 5 in Okayama and head to Tokyo from there? - Back to Tokyo from June 6 to 9, with departure on the morning of June 9. Since I’ve never been to Japan, I’ve tried to focus on the most interesting spots. Are there any places I’ve missed that you think we should add, or others that might not be as worthwhile? About the luggage: is it a hassle to forward it to Kamakura, Hakone, and Kyoto? How much do coin lockers usually cost? My son says the JR Pass isn’t worth it—what’s your take? For accommodations, we’re leaning toward mid-range hotels with good value rather than apartments. Any great tips? I know I’m asking a lot of questions—I really appreciate anyone who can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, So great to be back on this forum😉

I just lightened my wallet by 3000 € for 3 tickets: Paris > Tokyo > Osaka > Paris (well, not just mine—I’m exaggerating, there are two of us). For my daughter’s 10th birthday, we’re heading to Japan—it’s her "decade gift," though I thought she’d pick London🏴‍☠️. But I’ve been dreaming of going back to Japan since my 2013 trip, so I’ll admit this trip is (a lot) for me too. We’re traveling during school holidays, so the ticket prices are unfortunately sky-high. Maybe I could’ve gotten a better deal if I’d waited, but who knows... oh well, it’s done now. We leave at the end of October, so we still have a few months to prepare. That said, I’d rather start early to make sure we don’t miss anything (like the Ghibli Museum—I couldn’t go last time, and anyway, I’ll have to wait until September to book). Last time, there were three adults, so it was pretty straightforward. Eleven years later, well, now it’s two adults with a 10-year-old😛.

So I’m wondering how many days to spend in Tokyo. My daughter idealizes the city (that’s why she wants to go to Japan), and she’s really drawn to Japanese culture and food. Actually, what first got her interested in Japan were all the *kawaii* character products... Tokyo is such a fascinating city, but it can also be exhausting—especially for a kid, and I’m not sure what to expect. Beyond Tokyo, honestly, I’m not entirely sure. I was thinking of Hakone and maybe stopping by Fujikyu Highlands. Then heading down to Osaka for a few days in Kyoto before flying home (our return flight is from Osaka). We only have 11 days there (not counting the arrival day, and since our flight leaves at 11:30 PM on departure day, we’ll have the whole day), so it’s not a ton of time. I already spent a week in Kyoto on my last trip (huge crush on it), and I’d love to have two months there, but... well, you know how it is.

For example: 5 days in Tokyo 2 days in Hakone 4 days in Osaka/Kyoto

What do you think? If you’ve done this trip with kids, do you have any tips for family-friendly accommodations in Tokyo and Hakone? My daughter would love to try an onsen. We have a decent budget, but it’s not unlimited. We’d like to book as we go to spread out the costs a bit.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Hello,

What a joy to be back on this forum that I’ve browsed for so many years :-)!

I’m heading to Japan with my partner in November 2025. This will be my second trip there and his first.

I was planning to go from Tokyo to Matsumoto, which I haven’t visited before, and from there, check out Shirahone Onsen and then hike from Magome to Tsumago. However, after reading several travel journals, I’ve realized that the village of Shirakawa-go and its surroundings look amazing. Back in 2006, I visited Takayama, which I loved, but I don’t want to stay there again.

To visit the places mentioned above (Shirahone Onsen, Shirakawa-go, Magome, and Tsumago), I’m thinking that a car might be more convenient than public transport, especially for getting from Shirakawa-go to Magome. Could you confirm if that’s the case? If so, is it easy to rent a car for a few days to do a loop starting from Matsumoto?

Thanks in advance for your valuable tips.

Have a great evening

Hi everyone,

I’m planning our trip to Japan from March 21 to April 11, 2026. We’re planning to travel by plane for long distances (Okinawa) and by train for the rest. I’d like to know if renting a car is easy and, most importantly, if driving with road signs written in Japanese isn’t too complicated. For trains, are there any tips to save money?

Thanks for your advice!

Hi there,

My wife and I are heading to Japan from March 27 to April 22, 2025. On the evening of the 21st, we’ll be staying in Tokyo to catch our international flight. For this first trip, we’ve prioritized a fairly classic itinerary. Here’s the plan:

- Osaka (arriving at Kansai Airport) - Hiroshima - Itsukushima (also known as Miyajima) - Kyoto - Nara - Kanazawa - Shirakawa-go - Takayama - Tokyo

We’ll likely finish our sightseeing in Tokyo around March 17.

We’re thinking of heading somewhere "quiet" or "by the sea," maybe an island, between the 17th/18th and the evening of the 21st.

What are your thoughts or experiences?

Thanks

Hello,

We’re planning a 17-day trip to South Korea in October 2026 with my husband and our daughters, who’ll be 9 years old.

I’d love to get your thoughts on our draft itinerary.

First, some key details:

1/ Jeju Island is a must for us. I’ve personally dreamed of going there for years after reading a novel about it. 2/ Our girls are used to road-trip style travel since they were born, so this kind of trip won’t be an issue for them. 3/ We plan to travel by train, except on Jeju where we’ll rent a car (we already have an international driver’s permit).

Itinerary:

Seoul: 1 arrival day at 10 AM + 4 full days Gyeongju: 2 days Busan: 3 days Jeju: 4 days Seoul: 2 days

Thanks for your feedback! Have a great day,

Sabrina

hi everyone

I’m planning a trip to Japan from May 11 to 26 with Air China.

I’ll be taking Ouigo from Lyon for both the outbound and return trips to get to Roissy CDG.

For the outbound TGV from Lyon, I’ll arrive at Roissy with plenty of time—at least 6 or 7 hours before my 8:30 PM flight (Paris to Beijing, then Beijing to Tokyo). For the return on May 26, I was wondering what time you’d recommend booking my train to Lyon, given that I’ll land at CDG at 7:30 AM (flight from Tokyo). I was thinking of booking a train leaving at 11:00 AM from the SNCF station at CDG to Lyon Saint-Exupéry—does that seem too tight based on your experience?

This is my first time traveling this far with a layover in Beijing, and I’m not familiar with Roissy CDG Airport at all.

Thanks for your advice!

Hello,

I’m reaching out for your help because I’m struggling to figure out the best train and car route for a 25-night trip in Kyushu. Here are the cities I’d like to visit, along with my current itinerary, which doesn’t feel quite right. I’m also wondering where the best places to pick up and drop off the rental car would be. International flights from Osaka + the SL Hitoyoshi train ride are part of the plan.

Current (unsatisfactory) draft itinerary I’m trying to optimize: Day 1: Arrival in Osaka Day 2-3: 2 nights in Osaka Day 4: Osaka to Izumi (Kagoshima Prefecture) via overnight train to Izumi Day 5: Full day in Izumi, overnight in Izumi Day 6: Izumi to Hitoyoshi, stopping via Kumamoto (SL Hitoyoshi train) Day 7: Hitoyoshi Day 8: Ebino + overnight in Kobayashi or Takaharu Day 9: Cape Toi + overnight Day 10: Koshima + overnight near Obi or Miyazaki? Day 11: Nichinan Coast / Obi / Udo Jingu / Aoshima Day 12: Miyazaki Day 13: Aya + overnight in Miyazaki Day 14: Hyuga + overnight in Nobeoka Day 15: Around Nobeoka + overnight in Nobeoka Day 16: Shiiba + overnight in Shiiba Day 17: Shiiba + drive to Yamaga + overnight Day 18: Yamaga Day 19: Yamaga Day 20-22: Amakusa Day 23: Kumamoto Day 24: Kumamoto + overnight in Osaka Day 25: Departure for France

Does this seem balanced? Are there any ways to optimize travel times or the logical flow of the route? Where should I pick up and drop off the rental car?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help me think this through!

Hello Hello, We’re two couples of friends heading to this amazing country and need your help to validate our itinerary. First, I’ll share the overall plan for our trip. I can go into more detail for each day if everything looks good to you. Thanks Thanks

30/10 Arrival at HND 31/10 Tokyo: Chiyoda, Yurakucho & Shinjuku 01/11 Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara & TeamLab Planets 02/11 Day trip to Mount Fuji (Kawaguchiko) 03/11 Yanaka, Ueno, Shibuya & Izakaya 04/11 Ghibli Museum & Kichijoji 05/11 Shopping and Odaiba at sunset 06/11 Departure for Kyoto & first discoveries 07/11 Arashiyama, bamboo grove & zen temples 08/11 Fushimi Inari, Gion 09/11 Kyoto → Himeji → Hiroshima 10/11 Hiroshima (morning) → Osaka (afternoon) 11 & 12/11 Exploring Osaka and return to France 🙂

Hi there, I’m going on an organized trip to Japan in April and will have two free days in Tokyo. I’d love some tips on what to do during those two days. Thanks

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Japan in April/May. I’ll start my journey in Tokyo for 3 to 4 days. I’d love your advice on accommodation, transportation, an itinerary, and whether a guide would be useful. I’m traveling solo and could use a little reassurance. Before I forget... how do payments work?

Thanks for your help, Petra

Hi everyone, Do you know if Miyajima Island is served by ferry from Shikoku, and if there’s a ferry afterward to Kyushu with a car? Thanks for your insights!

Hi there, I’d like to spend the day in Yamaga starting from Kumamoto. I’m wondering how to get there using public transport. I see there’s a train and then a bus, but I can’t find any precise info on the bus schedules for the round trip. I’ve already checked Navitime. Thanks for your help

Good evening,

I’m taking a short trip to South Korea—half work, half leisure—and I don’t know anything about the country, its history, or its customs.

Would you happen to have one or two references I could read? Specifically, I’d love to know how workplace relationships, negotiations, and downtime work there...

Thanks so much for your help!

Best regards,

deb75

I’m traveling to Japan with a young adult with autism (ASD) from July 28 to August 8, following a pretty classic route: Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I’m looking for a schedule of the most spectacular fireworks displays during that time. So far, the dates for the major *hanabi* events aren’t available online yet. If anyone has them, I’d really appreciate it if you could share!

Hi there,

I’ve heard about the city of Gunsan (on the Yellow Sea coast) and I’m not sure if it’s worth the trip. I’d be using public transport, and it seems like a bit of a trek from Seoul.

Hi there,

We’ll be arriving soon at Tokyo Haneda Airport (from Paris) at 6:30 PM.

Could you tell me if there’s an ATM in the arrivals hall where we can withdraw cash? If so, does the ATM charge a fee? (I’m not talking about my bank’s fee, but the ATM’s own commission.)

Thanks in advance for your reply,

Have a great day

Hi there, I’m looking for someone who could help me organize a trip to Japan for my niece and her son. I’ve seen that French-speaking guides are expensive, and the same goes for going through a tour operator. Airline, local transportation, hotels, etc. Thanks for your replies! Betsyl

Hi there,

I haven’t found what I’m looking for despite my searches!

For a 15-day trip next spring, I’d like to buy a card (preferably an eSIM, but a physical SIM is fine too) that also lets me make calls in the country (to contact a hotel, a tourist spot, etc.).

You can easily find options just for data, but I haven’t come across any that include calls, texts, or even MMS. Could you recommend something?

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone, any hotel recommendations near Fukuoka Airport? I’ve got an early flight to Vietnam the next morning. Thanks so much for your tips!

Hi there, I’d love to get some feedback on the itinerary I’m considering, since I’ll be using public transport. The order might not be ideal: -Fukuoka: 4 days (including 1 day in Yanagawa, and I’d also like to visit Yutoku Inari Shrine) -Nagasaki: 2 days (I’m a bit unsure about including it) -Kumamoto: 2 days (including 1 day in Yamaga) -Beppu: 2 or 3 days (1 day in Kitsuki) -Yufuin: 2 days I was also thinking about adding Ukiha and Usuki, but I’m not sure how to fit them in. Thanks for your input! Carole

Hi there,

I know gachapons are more of a Japanese thing, but I think it’s possible to find them in Korea too.

Would you happen to know any spots in Seoul or Busan?

I heard there’s a Bandai corner at the Korea Hotel Lotte Lotte World. But do you need to buy a ticket for the amusement park to access it?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Best,

Hi there, We’re planning a trip to Japan with my boyfriend in November 2025. We’ll have 12 full days (excluding flight time), arriving in Tokyo and departing from Osaka. Do you have any itinerary ideas to recommend? We’re up for adventure and discovering the local culture. We’d also love to do some typical activities: watch a sumo match, experience a tea ceremony, stay in a ryokan, etc... We’re open to all suggestions! Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone,

I’m embarking on my first trip to Asia, starting with South Korea.

I’ll be traveling with my 15-year-old daughter, who came up with the idea...

We’ll be there from July 15th to 22nd.

I’ve currently planned to stay in Seoul from the 15th to the 19th, then head to Busan from the 19th to the 21st. We need to be back in Seoul on the evening of the 21st because our flight is at 10 AM on the 22nd.

I love modern cities, but for a first trip to Asia, I’d also like to see some traditional sights. Do you think Busan is a good idea?

I’m considering staying in Gyeongju instead and spending two days in Busan...

What do you think?

Maybe another city in a different region of Korea?

Thanks for your help

Hi there,

For our second trip to Japan, we’ll be spending 22 full days in Kyushu. 😎 Here’s our draft itinerary:

1 - FUKUOKA 2 - FUKUOKA 3 - FUKUOKA 4 - FUKUOKA / SASEBO / OJIKA 5 - OJIKA 6 - OJIKA / SASEBO / NAGASAKI 7 - NAGASAKI 8 - NAGASAKI 9 - NAGASAKI / KUMAMOTO +++ car rental +++ 10 - KUMAMOTO / ASO 11 - ASO 12 - ASO / KUROKAWA ONSEN 13 - KUROKAWA ONSEN / KUMAMOTO +++ end of car rental +++ 14 - KUMAMOTO / KAGOSHIMA 15 - IBUSUKI / CHIRAN 16 - SAKURAJIMA (car?) 17 - KAGOSHIMA / YAKUSHIMA 18 - YAKUSHIMA (car?) 19 - YAKUSHIMA (car?) 20 - YAKUSHIMA / KAGOSHIMA 21 - ??? 22 - FUKUOKA

We’ve deliberately skipped the eastern part (from Beppu to Miyazaki…)

We still have a few questions about our itinerary:

Car: For most of our travel, we plan to take the train or bus, except in the Aso region where we’ll rent a car. We’re wondering about Sakurajima and Yakushima: is a car necessary there?

Ojika: Would one night be enough?

Yakushima: Are two full days (plus two half-days) sufficient?

If we keep the schedule as is, we have one extra day to fit in somewhere—any suggestions?

Thanks for your help! 🙂

hi there,

I’m sharing my itinerary for Japan in April. Would love to know if it’s realistic.

Tokyo – 5 days Nagano – 2 days Osaka – 2 days Kyoto – 5 days Hiroshima – 2 days Hakone – 1 day Return to Tokyo

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone, and thanks to all the contributors on this Japan forum who’ll help me prepare an upcoming trip with my wife in October–November this year. We’ve already been to Japan before, back in 2013 for 15 days in August, visiting the major tourist hubs: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, and Ogimachi. This time, we’re taking more time—about a month—with the following points of interest: Start of the trip with a few days in Tokyo Osaka International Exposition on October 11–12, 2025 Jidai Matsuri Festival in KYOTO on October 22, 2025 Karatsu Kunchi Festival from November 2–4 Our goal is to blend into the crowd and make connections in festive atmospheres. Do these stops sound interesting to you? Is it a good idea to stay in a central location between October 10 and 23 to get to the Osaka Expo and the Jidai Matsuri Festival in Kyoto using public transport, and to explore the region in between? Between Kyoto and the KARATSU Festival from October 23 to November 1, we’re thinking of traveling by shinkansen with a stopover for a few days to visit Hiroshima and the surrounding area. Looking forward to your thoughts if you have time—this is just a first draft, and we’d love to dive into more details.