Dans le cadre d'un voyage à travers la Corée du Sud et le Japon, nous serons à Tokyo pendant 4 jours à la mi-mai. Nous repartons ensuite de l'aéroport de Narita vers 11h30 le matin.
Il s'agit de notre 1ère fois à Tokyo alors je ne sais pas encore exactement ce que nous allons faire mais j'aimerais déjà réservé notre hôtel. Grâce au Lonely Planet, j'avais déjà sélectionné quelques hôtels* mais là, je sature :(
Et surtout, je ne sais pas dans quel quartier rester... Ginza, Ueno, Akakusa, Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinjuku ???...
En bref, quelques-uns de nos critères :
- max. 150 € par nuit pour 2 personnes, pdj inclus (~16,000 JPY)
- quartier relativement calme, histoire de déconnecter un peu
- hôtel facilement accessible, à proximité des principales "attractions", de restos sympas, etc.
- bon petit-déjeuner copieux (le petit-déjeuner est très important pour nous 😉)
- lit en 160cm min ou 2 lits jumeaux
Est-ce que je demande la lune ???
Sinon, vu que notre avion décolle donc de Narita à 11h30 le matin, ne pensez-vous qu'il soit préférable de dormir sur place la veille ? (histoire de ne pas se lever aux aurores...)
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils/retours d'expérience !
Bonne soirée,
Cécile
* les hôtels :
- Okura (recommandé par un ami -grandes chambres de 30m²- mais c'est cher !)
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
- Granbell Hotel Shibuya
- Astina Hotel (Best Western à Shinjuku)
- Celestine Hotel
- Park Hotel
- Hotel Niwa
Bon, je crois que j'ai ma short list pour les quartiers que je préfère a priori et les hôtels correspondants.
J'aimerais beaucoup connaître votre avis !
Roppongi
b roppongi
Ginza
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Hotel Gracery Ginza
Ueno & alentours
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno
Hotel Niwa (www.hotelniwa.jp/english/)
J'aurais aussi aimé rester dans la quartier d'Asakusa pour son authenticité mais nous n'envisagions pas de rester dans un ryokan à Tokyo.
Ueno & alentours
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno
Hotel Niwa (www.hotelniwa.jp/english/)
J'aurais aussi aimé rester dans la quartier d'Asakusa pour son authenticité mais nous n'envisagions pas de rester dans un ryokan à Tokyo.
Merci d'avance !
Cécile
Ueno est assez calme la nuit, à 10 minutes de métro d'Asakusa (45 min à pieds, ballade intéressante selon par où on passe, et très bien connecté au reste de la ville.
Par contre, question vie nocturne, ce n'est ni Shibuya, ni Shinjuku.
Pour moi, le quartier le plus sympa, le plus cool, le plus dynamique, le plus varié et le plus surprenant (j'en ai dit assez 😉 ?), c'est Shibuya. Très actif mais pas forcément bruyant dès que l'on n'est plus dans la partie très centrale au nord-ouest de la station (où il y a de toute façon peu d'habitations...).
Le plus bel hôtel du quartier est le Cerulean. Selon les périodes, il est parfois possible d'avoir des chambres à moins de 200 euros sur expedia. Cet hôtel est le meilleur que j'ai fait dans Tokyo (situation, prestations et vue depuis les chambres qui commencent au 19e étage). Mais ce prix est rarement dispo, surtout à la mi-mai... Ça risque plutôt d'être dans les 300. Sinon, il y a le Tokyo Excel, que je n'ai jamais fait, tout près, parfaitement placé juste en face la gare. Ne craint pas le bruit la nuit, les hôtels sont bien insonorisés, et Tokyo n'est pas une ville si bruyante (en dehors de quelques commerces où les vendeurs hurlent littéralement sans cesse, il y a moins d'agressions sonores à Tokyo qu'à Paris...).
À 150 euros par nuit tu trouveras un très large choix d'hôtel... perso, je te recommande d'aller voir sur expedia, il y a des prix vraiment serrés (ou booking, mais je préfère le premier, on paie tout de suite).
Pas de soucis pour trouver un resto, quel que soit le quartier (hormis Odaiba, trop excentré) : il y a 160 000 restaurants dans Tokyo, contre 10 000 à Paris ! Autant te dire que tu trouveras ton bonheur ! Il y en a partout, au rez-de-chaussée, en sous-sol, dans les étages, dans les quartiers animés comme dans les coins paumés !
Si tu ne trouves pas ton bonheur à Shibuya (impossible 😛 !), les quartiers les plus sympas sont, ensuite (et selon moi...), Shimbashi (au sud de Ginza), la partie Est de Shinjuku (hélas, les hôtels sont souvent côté Ouest), Jimbocho (quartier des bouquinistes), Asakusa (un peu excentré quand même). À Shibuya, tu peux aussi viser Ebisu, quartier plein de charme et à une station de Shibuya.
Enfin, pour un avion qui part à Narita à 11 h30, je te recommande de dormir à Tokyo la veille (il faut que tu y sois vers 9 h 30, donc tu peux partir vers 7 h
30 de Tokyo, sans problème)... Si tu es à l'Excel ou au Cerluean (mais c'est valable dans d'autres hôtels), il y a des limousine-bus qui te prennent en bas de l'hôtel et t'amènent directement à l'aérogare. C'est le même prix que le Narita Express (3000 yens par personnes), et il n'y a pas à galérer avec les bagages (et en bus, on voit la ville une dernière fois...)...
Ueno est assez calme la nuit, à 10 minutes de métro d'Asakusa (45 min à pieds, ballade intéressante selon par où on passe, et très bien connecté au reste de la ville.
Par contre, question vie nocturne, ce n'est ni Shibuya, ni Shinjuku.
Merci Florence !
En effet, je sais que ce n'est ni Shibuya ni Shinjuku mais cela nous convient mieux :)
Je crois savoir que tu es une fan de d'Asakusa et je ne manquerai pas d'y aller faire un tour.
Pour moi, le quartier le plus sympa, le plus cool, le plus dynamique, le plus varié et le plus surprenant (j'en ai dit assez 😉 ?), c'est Shibuya. Très actif mais pas forcément bruyant dès que l'on n'est plus dans la partie très centrale au nord-ouest de la station (où il y a de toute façon peu d'habitations...).
J'avais lu tes posts sur le forum et j'avais cru comprendre en effet que Shibuya est ton quartier préféré :)
Le plus bel hôtel du quartier est le Cerulean. Selon les périodes, il est parfois possible d'avoir des chambres à moins de 200 euros sur expedia. Cet hôtel est le meilleur que j'ai fait dans Tokyo (situation, prestations et vue depuis les chambres qui commencent au 19e étage). Mais ce prix est rarement dispo, surtout à la mi-mai... Ça risque plutôt d'être dans les 300. Sinon, il y a le Tokyo Excel, que je n'ai jamais fait, tout près, parfaitement placé juste en face la gare. Ne craint pas le bruit la nuit, les hôtels sont bien insonorisés, et Tokyo n'est pas une ville si bruyante (en dehors de quelques commerces où les vendeurs hurlent littéralement sans cesse, il y a moins d'agressions sonores à Tokyo qu'à Paris...).
C'est clair que le Cerulean faisait envie... mais, au final, les hôtels qui me plaisaient sur Shibuya étaient tous trop chers :(
Pas de soucis pour trouver un resto, quel que soit le quartier (hormis Odaiba, trop excentré) : il y a 160 000 restaurants dans Tokyo, contre 10 000 à Paris ! Autant te dire que tu trouveras ton bonheur ! Il y en a partout, au rez-de-chaussée, en sous-sol, dans les étages, dans les quartiers animés comme dans les coins paumés !
Si tu as des recos, je suis preneuse ! Mais c'est clair que Tokyo est reconnue par beaucoup comme LA capitale gastronomique mondiale.
Si tu ne trouves pas ton bonheur à Shibuya (impossible 😛 !), les quartiers les plus sympas sont, ensuite (et selon moi...), Shimbashi (au sud de Ginza), la partie Est de Shinjuku (hélas, les hôtels sont souvent côté Ouest), Jimbocho (quartier des bouquinistes), Asakusa (un peu excentré quand même). À Shibuya, tu peux aussi viser Ebisu, quartier plein de charme et à une station de Shibuya.
Je note, je note... Même si nous n'avons pas énormément de temps à Tokyo, je ne manquerai pas Shibuya !
Enfin, pour un avion qui part à Narita à 11 h30, je te recommande de dormir à Tokyo la veille (il faut que tu y sois vers 9 h 30, donc tu peux partir vers 7 h
30 de Tokyo, sans problème)... Si tu es à l'Excel ou au Cerluean (mais c'est valable dans d'autres hôtels), il y a des limousine-bus qui te prennent en bas de l'hôtel et t'amènent directement à l'aérogare. C'est le même prix que le Narita Express (3000 yens par personnes), et il n'y a pas à galérer avec les bagages (et en bus, on voit la ville une dernière fois...)...
Merci pour le conseil ! Je pense en effet qu'on passera notre dernier nuit à Tokyo.
Enfin, pour un avion qui part à Narita à 11 h30, je te recommande de dormir à Tokyo la veille (il faut que tu y sois vers 9 h 30, donc tu peux partir vers 7 h
30 de Tokyo, sans problème)... Si tu es à l'Excel ou au Cerluean (mais c'est valable dans d'autres hôtels), il y a des limousine-bus qui te prennent en bas de l'hôtel et t'amènent directement à l'aérogare. C'est le même prix que le Narita Express (3000 yens par personnes), et il n'y a pas à galérer avec les bagages (et en bus, on voit la ville une dernière fois...)...
Merci pour le conseil ! Je pense en effet qu'on passera notre dernier nuit à Tokyo.
Si vous logez du côté de Ueno/Asakusa, le plus rapide, économique et pratique est le Skyliner de la compagnie Keisei, qui part de Ueno et rejoint Narita en 41 minutes pour la somme de 2400 yens.
Le Park Hotel est trèèèèèèès bien.
On y a été en 2007. L'hotel est très chic! La réception de l'hotel se trouve au 27 étage (si je ne me trompe pas!) et lorsqu'on est à la réception, derrière les receptionistes, on a une vue sur le Mont Fuji! Superbe!
Notre chambre se trouvait au 35ème étage, elle était spacieuse et très moderne! Et on avait une belle vue sur la ville!
Pas de petit déjeuner inclus dans le prix de la chambre, donc on déjeunait dehors.
Il y'a une station de métro pile à la sortie de l'hotel.
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De retour d’un voyage d’un mois en Chine, nous vous proposons notre itinéraire. Cela pourra peut être donner une idée aux futurs voyageurs qui souhaitent découvrir ce beau pays.
Beijing → Temple du Ciel / Cité interdite
Jinshanling → Grande Muraille
Zhangjiajie → montagne Tianmen et la porte du Ciel
Wulingyuan → montagnes Avatar / pics rocheux
Fenghuang → maisons au bord de la rivière
Ping’an → rizières en terrasses
Tiantouzhai → village / rizières
Yangshuo → rivière Li / montagnes karstiques
Shanghai → skyline avec la Perle de l’Orient
Notre récit est à découvrir sur notre CARNET DE VOYAGE écrit au jour le jour. On peut y trouver de nombreuses photos ainsi que quelques informations de voyage.
I could really use your help to finalize our trip to Japan.
We’re heading there for three weeks with my partner, starting November 10th. Our plan was to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and a few stops in between (nothing too original so far…).
However, we’re more into nature and hiking, so even though we do want to explore Tokyo and Kyoto, we’d like to maximize nature stops between the two. Initially, we’d considered places like Kamikochi, but I understand it’s not accessible this late in the season.
Hi there,
I’d like to do this cycling route over 2 or 3 days. I’m struggling to figure out and find a (good) bike rental that lets me start in Onomichi and drop off in Imabari. Can anyone help with great tips for rentals and accommodations along the route? How do I get back to Onomichi afterward?
Next year, we’re celebrating 20 years of marriage (and travel 🙂), and we’re looking for something new, pretty legendary, and something the teens will enjoy too.
The family council has settled on Japan for now. And it’d have to be a summer trip—no choice there.
The catch: I keep reading that August isn’t the right season for southern Japan. It’s hot, humid, and there’s a risk of typhoons… Okay, but what does that *actually* mean in practice? Are there any travelers who’ve been there during this time? Is it *that* unbearable?
We’re pretty familiar with Southeast Asia—last year, we dealt with scorching heat in Vietnam and insane humidity, plus a typhoon we experienced from a distance, and visiting Angkor in the blazing sun. Is it worse than that?
I’m back with my detailed itinerary for 20 days in South Korea—it’s my first trip to the country. Our idea is to experience a more rural and cultural Korea. Here’s the rough plan: Seoul for 4 nights at the start and 1 night at the end, Gurye for 4 nights, Suncheon for 4 nights, Namhae for 4 nights, and Gyeongju for 2 nights. The goal is to pick a base and explore the surrounding areas. What do you think of this itinerary? Anything you’d change?
thanks
hi everyone, we're heading out for a 12-day trek in the Japanese Alps. We're bringing freeze-dried meals like we always do. We just found out that importing meat is banned, even freeze-dried. Is that true? We already bought them. They're commercially made freeze-dried meals. Online, it's not specified that they have to be "commercially made" because you can make your own freeze-dried food. And since we've heard they're really strict in Japan, can anyone confirm this for us? thanks
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?
hi there
I’m planning a trip in September—here’s my rough itinerary. What do you think? Is it easy to rent a car to get around between my stops? Thanks so much!
Philippe
StopNightsFull daysSeoul44Gurye (Jirisan)43Suncheon43Namhae43Gyeongju21Seoul1—
Hi,
July 2026: I’m writing to you from Dali.
First, I got scammed on Booking—AI-retouched photos. No tourists at this hotel (Yishanju Designer Hotel), and the reality was horrible: dirty, with a disgusting breakfast. It’s better to use Trip.com here.
Next, the old town was an infernal cacophony, packed with tourists who shoved past without a care. Some vendors harassed you to buy things. All the stalls sold the same cheap plastic junk or other uninteresting stuff. The beautiful scenery was ruined by vendors lining 100% of the alleys. Impossible to walk, crushing heat, nothing good to eat except fresh fruit. Horrible experience.
Day 2: We went to Cangshan Mountain by cable car—the ride was short and nothing spectacular. We were at 2,600 m.
My plan was to see Erhai Lake. Unfortunately, I followed the advice of an AI chatbot: take the boat at Langkan Dock. The Didi dropped us off in the nearest area, which was full of charming little alleys but packed with Chinese tourists. The three-wheeled yellow cabs zoomed through the narrow streets, forcing you to hug the walls, on top of the scooters and other pedestrians to deal with. Crossing the neighborhood was hellish and suffocating. Once out, we hit the "corniche," which was also packed with Chinese tourists. The lake’s edge was all pebbles, and everyone was standing around taking photos. I was with my 5-year-old son. I would’ve liked to sit down and let him play with stones by the water, but it was clear we didn’t belong. They were even shoving each other for a shot! There were no boats in sight. In short, we’d had enough, and there was nothing interesting there either.
On the way back, we had to cross that maze again under the scorching sun. My son was braver than me—I even had a little dizzy spell from all the chaos. Add to that Dali’s altitude (2,200 m), so altitude insomnia, fatigue, and vulnerability during the day...
The restaurants weren’t inviting—the staff served sticky rice in a little bucket. The dishes were wrapped, and you had to figure it out yourself. After that, they ignored you completely, even if you were the only tourist.
On the 3rd day, it was time to leave for Shaxi. I hope to see beautiful villages. But honestly, I’m exhausted by this atmosphere where everything is complicated, communication is never smooth, noise is everywhere, and the behavior of some Chinese people is abusive...
Silver lining: not a drop of rain in 4 days and blue skies.
I couldn’t visit the villages in southern Yunnan because of rain and storms there...
But I was expecting to see a few more tourists.
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
Hi there,
My girlfriend (23) and I (24) are heading to Japan for the first time from October 20th to November 6th. Here’s our itinerary:
6 nights in Tokyo
1 night in Hakone (ryokan already booked)
4 nights in Kyoto (hotel already booked)
2 nights in Osaka
4 nights back in Tokyo
I’d like to book hotels for Tokyo (both stays) and Osaka, but I’ve gotten so many different recommendations.
I’ve read that Shinjuku is the place to be for its huge hub, accessibility, and things to do, but I’ve also heard about Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno.
I’ve looked at hotels, and first off, I’m surprised by the prices compared to what I’ve seen on forums (I guess inflation’s hit here too… and maybe I’m late to the booking game?). I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options.
For our first stay in Tokyo, I’d prefer a hotel (not a residence or Airbnb) since we’ll be arriving at night, and it’s our first time in Japan. It’d be great to have a place with a reception, staff who speak at least a little English, and can give us some guidance. For the second stay, we could consider other options if it’s better.
Budget-wise, we can go up to 150–180 € per night, but if we can save some money to spend elsewhere, that’d be amazing!
I’m open to all recommendations, hotel suggestions, or any other tips for Tokyo (first stay), Osaka, and Tokyo (second stay).
I’m starting to look at neighborhoods in Seoul, and I’m leaning toward staying in a hotel in Insa-Dong—I’ve spotted one really close to Unhyeongung.
Is this a good area—nice and convenient for exploring the city?
Otherwise, I’ve also found another hotel in Yongsan-Gu, right near the station of the same name. Is that station useful for getting around Seoul?
Since I’ll be in South Korea for nearly two months, I plan to spend at least a week in Seoul to recover from jet lag (it takes me a while to adjust...). So, I’d love a neighborhood that’s pleasant and a hotel not too far from a subway station.
Hi there,
I’m getting ready for a classic tourist trip to China in May 2026.
The "Terres Lointaines" itinerary looks good to me, and the price is interesting.
Has anyone traveled with them before? Any feedback?
Is there a better option?
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this!
Michel
I just booked my hotel in Seoul—it’ll be near Unhyeongung, on Samil-Daero 30-Gil—and I’m wondering if there’s public transport from the airport to this address (bus or subway)? If not, what’s the taxi fare? I read it’s around 50 or 60 €.
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!
We’ll be doing a self-drive trip using public transport in May 2026.
On Day 6, we’ll arrive in Hakone by train from Tokyo in late morning. We’ll spend the night in Hakone before heading to Kyoto.
The main goal of this stop is clearly the view (no hiking) of Mount Fuji, not so much exploring Hakone, where the sights seem limited.
I’ve read on the forum that the view is great from Gotemba, but it also takes a good hour by bus to get there. And, apart from that view, there’s nothing else to see in Gotemba!
So, I’m not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? Or alternatives to suggest?
Maybe some spots in Hakone or Gotemba for a great view?
Hi everyone, I’m Julien!
This summer, from late June to late July, I’m planning a one-month solo trip to Japan—my first time!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice on the itinerary I’ve put together to explore this amazing country.
Here are the routes I’m considering:
**Option 1: More mountain and nature-focused**
Tokyo: 8 nights, with day trips to Nikko and maybe the Izu Peninsula
Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi/Mt. Fuji): 1 night. The place looks stunning, but I’m worried Mt. Fuji might not be visible due to the weather
Kyoto: 6–7 nights (including a trip to Nara)
Osaka: 1–2 nights, where I’d like to drop off my things to make the Kumano Kodo easier
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights—an experience I haven’t seen much elsewhere, but I thought it sounded really interesting
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Takayama: 3 days
Kanazawa: 3 days (From what I understand, the Osaka–Takayama–Kanazawa–Tokyo route is convenient for transport)
Tokyo: 1 night (return)
**Option 2: More varied but a bit vague in parts**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Kobe + Himeji: just passing through—I’m not sure if it’s worth a night
Naoshima: 1 night—still pretty unclear for me
Takamatsu: 2 nights. An interesting city, but I’m not sure how long to stay
Shimanami Kaido: biking from Imabari to Onomichi, then heading to Hiroshima
Hiroshima: 2 nights
Miyajima: 1 night
Kyushu road trip (Aso + onsens + Fukuoka): 5 nights (also pretty vague—I could fly from Fukuoka back to Tokyo)
Tokyo: 1 night
**Option 3: More balanced/simplified**
Tokyo: 8 nights
Kawaguchiko: 1 night
Kyoto: 7 nights (+ Nara)
Osaka: 2 nights
Koya-san: 1 night
Kumano Kodo: 3 nights
Takayama: 3 nights
Kanazawa: 3 nights
Tokyo: 1 night
A few key points:
I haven’t made any reservations yet, except for the flight tickets.
I know my plans are too packed and will need to be adjusted.
I’m specifically looking for advice on which stops to cut or shorten.
Hello everyone,
Like Cedric13600, I’ve booked a flight ticket for 30 days / 29 nights in September 2026, from Beijing to Shanghai. We’re a couple in our sixties who love independent road trips.
I’d like to draw inspiration from the following private itinerary suggested by a travel agency:
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Day 2 to 4: Beijing
Day 5: Datong
Day 6 & 7: Pingyao
Day 8 to 10: Xi'an
Day 11: Luoyang
Day 12: Dengfeng
flight
Day 13 & 14: Chongqing
flight
Day 15 & 16: Lijiang
Day 17: Dali
Day 18: Kunming
Day 19: Jianshui
Day 20 & 21: Yuanyang
Day 22: Travel via Guilin
Day 23 & 24: Yangshuo
Day 25: Guilin
Day 26 & 27: Zhangjiajie
flight
Day 28 & 29: Shanghai
Day 30: Departure from Shanghai
But to do this itinerary independently:
1. This schedule seems very ambitious to me—what do you think?
2. If it’s too packed, what would you remove as a priority?
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
I’m planning a 5-week trip between Yunnan and Sichuan from mid-October to the end of November 2026:
Arriving in Kunming, I’ll do a loop in the far south of Yunnan via Thonghai, Jhiansu, Zhemi, Yuanyang, Nafa, Jinping, Mengzi, and Shilin (visiting markets, villages, and hiking), then head to northern Yunnan/southern Sichuan on the same theme (passing through Kunming again) via Dongchuan, Huize, Qiaojia, Puge, Xichang, Lanba, Butuo, Huolie, Dimo, Riha, Niuniuba, Meigu, Mabian, and Leshan, before arriving in Chengdu (where I’ll take my return flight to Paris).
This would be a trip with a strong ethnic/rural focus. Since I’ve never traveled in China, I’d love to hear your thoughts on doing this solo. Are there public transport options in the region? What tips do you have for traveling through this area as smoothly and enjoyably as possible? I’ve done quite a bit of backpacking in the mountains of northern Vietnam and really enjoyed using local motorbike drivers. Is something like that available in this region (through local tourist agencies or hotels)?
What should I be cautious about? Are local tourist agencies (or hotels) offering tours and guides reliable? If you know of any specialized sites sharing tips or experiences, or names of local agencies, hotels, etc., please don’t hesitate to share them! :)
In short, all your advice (on any topic that comes to mind!) is very welcome.
Thanks so much!
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?
I'm 69 years old and heading to China, where most tourist sites are free or discounted for me. However, trip.com either refuses to let me book because the sites are free or doesn’t apply the discount. Does WeChat apply this discount if I book through them? How can I just reserve without paying and pay on-site? Is that possible?
I’d love to get some feedback on our 30-day / 29-night itinerary in China. We’ll be there in September as a family with two kids (6 and 10 years old).
Do you think I should cut a few nights between Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) and Yangshuo? I’ve planned 15 nights total there.
We’ll be on a round-the-world trip starting May 2026 and will need to do schoolwork with the kids. Hoping to fit it in during train rides!!
Ever since I started planning this China itinerary, I’ve been discovering completely mind-blowing places I’d never heard of before—30 days feels way too short for China!!!
Here’s our itinerary:
Beijing - 4 nights
Forbidden City
Great Wall of China
Temple of Heaven
Xi’an - 3 nights
Terracotta Army
Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque
Chengdu - 3 nights
Zoo - Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Wenshu Yuan Temple
Hi there,
We just got back from a 2-week trip to China as a couple, and before we left, the budget was the hardest thing to picture concretely. We found plenty of info on visas, apps, transport, and itineraries, but way fewer detailed breakdowns of what you *actually* spend on the ground.
So, we took the time to share our real budget for 14 days. In our case, we spent around 1,800 € per person, with a big chunk of that going toward round-trip flights at about 600 € per person. We were also pretty surprised by how affordable China can be once you’re there—transport is often cheap, and a lot of everyday expenses stay reasonable.
The trickiest part, in the end, was figuring out how to pay while you’re there, since it’s not always obvious if you’re not prepared. But once everything’s set up and you get the hang of it, it’s really smooth.
If this can help other travelers get a better idea before they go, we’ve broken it all down here:
https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/budget-2-semaines-de-voyage-en-chine/
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.
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.
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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).
hi! Is it easy to use for paying for all the small purchases at the markets? INSTALLATION AND USE WITHOUT ISSUES—do you also need a VPN for China?
Secondly, for using phone and internet, I have Orange—is it reliable, or should I go with Airalo instead?
The info I found on the forum is a bit outdated, so I’m asking again!
1) What budget should I plan for 15 days, given that hotels with breakfast, transfers, and transport are already paid for? I know it depends on the person, but I’d love a rough idea. For meals, we’re thinking simple street food or small local restaurants.
2) I’ve heard that credit cards (we each have a Revolut + 1 Visa Premier) aren’t widely used and that it’s better to have cash. Can you confirm?
3) Are foreign credit cards still not accepted at bank ATMs? Still 7-Eleven or the Post Office? And what about American Express?
