Japan

Ryokan look amazing! Just the type of thing that I am looking forward to.
Hoping to spend a week or so walking in the mountains, one of the main things I can't wait to do.

Be great if you could send across a vague budget if that's ok?

Really keen to visit some of the old potteries like Shigaraki and Bizen too.

I'm doing 4/5 days or so in Hokkaido for the walking. I was thinking of doing a few national parks, but realised I might as well stick to one and just take it easy.

Budget in Fuji Rock Festival!
One of the best festivals I have been to and everyone was so so nice!

Not a big fan of festivals, especially not if last years lineup is anything to go by.

If not, then the theme park is good! Or just keep it simple and walk up the volcano.
I met Franz Ferdinand on the plane when they were going to play at that festival around 3 years ago. \csb

I've travelled a bit on my own over there.
It helps if you can speak a little bit of the lingo.
Although Japan isn't necessarily expensive, transport really can be, especially the bullet trains.
You can get a Japan rail pass for 3 weeks which costs about 60,000 Yen.
(You could stay in Tokyo for a bit and then activate it later.)
ryokan / minshuku will probably cost at least 3,000 Yen a night probably closer to 5,000 Yen.
Ramen etc are cheap for lunch and you can get reasonably good food from convenience stores pretty much everywhere. Budget 5,000 Yen a day??
Summer is good because Fuji is open for climbing from about July to August only.
But it's also ridiculously hot everywhere except Hokkaido.
You ok with 35-40 degrees and 100% humidity?

Oh god, the humidity is horrendous.

^ this. Suntory C.C lemon drink helps a little!
God I love that shit.

Nah, it's all about Pokari Sweat, the clue's in the name. And taking a change of t-shirt with you everywhere you go.

Aquarius is the best summer drink. You can buy FROZEN bottles of it in convenience stores that will thaw out over the course of a couple of hours. Pretty cool.

Traveling Japan alone is awesome. I did it for 3 months back in 2008 and had no problems whatsoever. People are amazingly accommodating and patient as long as you are likewise.

Summertime is indeed absolutely awful. 35-40 Celcius and 100% humidity is not an exaggeration.

...and the sweet melody of the semi.

Japan is amazing

Highlights of my trip (travelling around using a JR train pass):

Sagano bamboo forest, Kyoto.
Sushi made from that mornings catch near the Tokyo fish market.
The sheer ridiculousness of Akihabara ("electric town"), Tokyo.
Vending machines. Everywhere.
RAMEN.

There's a billion other things that I liked, just going into a supermarket is an experience in itself. We went in July/August and the heat was brutal though.

When it's really hot it's a perfect excuse to eat kakigori (similar to a slush puppy)

apparently they've even worked out what temperature people prefer to eat kakigori instead of ice cream

Just out of interest sorethroat, are you planning on taking a bike?

Nope. Haven't had a holiday without a bike for a long long time.

2 months today until I fly out!

Try and time it with Ozzfest! Black Sabbath headlining in Tokyo... I'll be there!

Also bear in mind that travel is ridiculously expensive within Japan. I would highly recommend the JR rail pass for tourists. You can only buy it outside of Japan, so you will have to get it before you leave. It seems pricey but if you're all over the place, you can just jump on any train (even the bullet train), go anywhere in the country and not have to worry about money during you're trip!

http://www.jrpassonline.com/?gclid=CNa68dSL57UCFQRapQodPUUALw

if your stuck for something to do (that's not likely to happen).

i know some superb Ramen shops and some ok rides.

I work in Tokyo and live in Yokohama.

Try and time it with Ozzfest! Black Sabbath headlining in Tokyo... I'll be there!

Also bear in mind that travel is ridiculously expensive within Japan. I would highly recommend the JR rail pass for tourists. You can only buy it outside of Japan, so you will have to get it before you leave. It seems pricey but if you're all over the place, you can just jump on any train (even the bullet train), go anywhere in the country and not have to worry about money during you're trip!

http://www.jrpassonline.com/?gclid=CNa68dSL57UCFQRapQodPUUALw

Holy fuck! That's almost the cost of a return flight!

if your stuck for something to do (that's not likely to happen).

i know some superb Ramen shops and some ok rides.

I work in Tokyo and live in Yokohama.

Cheers chancertime. I may drop you a pm re. ramen shops.
To be honest I haven't planned anything yet. I am trying to organise starting an MA, quitting my job and this Japan trip all at once.

Holy fuck! That's almost the cost of a return flight!

definitely worth it.

I can highly recommend the Mori tower for getting a view over Tokyo at night. Managed to snap this while up there, forgot my tripod so just had to use a railing and swivel.

Bigger version on Flickr if you want zoooooms.

You really can't conceive the size 'til you get up high. Would've liked to get up Tokyo tower, but alas time did not allow.

I also invested in a knife. The guy in the shop engraved it with my (Japanese) middle name for free, on the spot. Amazing to see someone like this at work.

You'll end up paying 3 times that if you were to buy as you go... My friend came to visit recently, and we got the bullet train from Oita in Kyushu to Osaka and that was \17,000 ( about 150 squid) for a one way ticket.

Worth it for the ease of mind as well though!