HideyoshiJP and the Trip to Japan

"HideyoshiJP" (HideyoshiJP) 08/10/2014 at 18:40 • Filed to: Japan, Vacation, Advice

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Ladies and Gentleman, Squirrels and Shrews , I need some advice from Oppo. I'm in the process of planning/booking a trip to Japan this December, and I'm looking for some recommendations on some car-related places to go. Thus far, the only place I've got planned is the Mazda Museum at headquarters in Hiroshima. I was probably also going to see if I can have a look-see around Signal Auto in Osaka, or some similar tuner shop.

I've got a rough base itinerary below, but for those who aren't able to get to it, I'm planning on spending most of my time in Tokyo and Osaka, with some time in Nagoya, Nara, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, though I may swap Kyoto in there somewhere.

This is a trip I've been wanting to do for a long time, so I honestly plan on getting a lot from simply exploring. I'm also pretty open to suggestions about non-Jalop places, too! Also, if any of you in Japan want to grab a drink or bite to eat with me, I'll buy. Thanks for all your help!

Link to itinerary!

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heliochrome85 > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 18:49

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1. Make sure to get a train pass.

2. Major japanese cities have tons of cheap guides. I hired one for Tokyo and one for Kyoto. Generally you just pay for their transport and their food for the day. WELL WORTH IT.

3. JAPAN. SO incredible.

4. Akihabara is incredible at night (Tokyo Gaming District)

5. Check out the Toyota Megaweb in Tokyo, and their AMLUX location in Tokyo to be able to check out their Japanese offerings up close. You can rent cars at Megaweb if you have an international drivers license.

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 18:54

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Tokyo has the Mega Web Toyota building in Odaiba. New cars and also vintage on display, usually race cars.

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heliochrome85 > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 18:54

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Also, i want to say you need to reserve tickets to Studio Ghibli in advance.

Steve in Manhattan > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 18:55

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heard good things about this place: http://www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/english…

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > heliochrome85 08/10/2014 at 19:00

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Yes go to Mitaka and get to Ghibli, they have a shuttle.

twinturbobmw > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken 08/10/2014 at 19:20

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If you have a rental car, here:

http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/03/meet-h…

http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/03/daikok…

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > twinturbobmw 08/10/2014 at 20:09

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I live in Japan most of the time. I haven't been to that but I have heard of it. I tend to go to classic meetings and cruises. I live near Mt. Fuji so its a two or three hours from there depending.

Minardi Gras > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 20:38

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I second Mega Web in Odaiba, you can drive any current Toyota around their little 1.3km circuit for ~400yen which is silly fun.

Nissan has an Engine Museum in Yokohama which is about the nerdiest/most Jalop car museum you will find. Toyota's main museum is a little north of Nagoya and Honda have a cool museum at the Motegi circuit which is a couple of hours north of Tokyo. There's also a Skyline museum in Nagano... if you like Skylines.

You'll have to get lucky but there's a great C&C type meet on the second weekend of the month at the Daikanyama T-Site, always lovely cars there.

On the rental side, you can get an 86 from Toyota Rentacar and the 370z and GT-R from Nissan Rentacar. In my opinion the 370z is a little overpriced but the 86 is 12000JPY for 12hrs and the GT-R is 30000JPY which I don't think is too bad.

I also live in Tokyo and previously in Hiroshima so if you need any help with anything feel free to get in touch, and it'd be great to get a beer if you've got time!

tc_corty > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 23:21

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The car auctions. Think MCM did a trip to buy some rice cooker to bring back to Aus. Looked cool even just for a wander around. Can't remember if you need to have a licensed dealer with you or if that was only if you want to bid on a car.

Minardi Gras > HideyoshiJP 08/10/2014 at 23:30

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Also... just had a quick look at your itinerary. You've got a long time so will be able to do more than most tourists, but you don't need to dedicate whole days to things like the Ghibli museum, you'll be there for 3 or 4 hours maximum. Not sure if you're counting places like Kamakura/Nikko/Fuji in 'Tokyo' but I would suggest you look into it.

I'd cut a couple of Tokyo or those first Osaka days (You seem to be in Osaka for a long time and... what is there to do? Apologies to anyone who lives there.) and spend some time in Kyoto. It would be criminal not to.

As for Hiroshima... I loved living there but it's a small city. Realistically you can cover the museum and peace park in your travel/wandering day and go to Miyajima to see Itsukushima on the day this frees up. Also, the Mazda museum is great but won't take a full day so there's time to do other WW2 related stuff then.

I've got plenty of great bars and restaurants to recommend in Tokyo/Hiroshima, will get you a list closer to the time.

HideyoshiJP > Minardi Gras 08/11/2014 at 01:15

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I appreciate all the info! That's extremely helpful. You've definitely earned a beer!

As far as the notes on the days, those are mostly a starting point. I'm not one for super structured things (I've got ADHD-Inattentive), so I didn't want the stress of having fully booked days.

I had looked at potentially doing Fuji in addition to the Tokyo bay area, but I hadn't looked at Nikko. I'm still trying to work out the details on what I want to do as far as the rail pass is concerned (2 weeks vs 3). I'm also not sure what segments I plan on renting a car for, since I understand I can get pretty much anywhere urban via rail.

As far as the time in Osaka is concerned, I'd somewhat planned on using it as a hub for Hiroshima and the cities surrounding Osaka. My original trip was going to be a week in Osaka, as I felt it'd be a better first exposure to Japan, being a bit more laid back than Tokyo, but I said "Fuck it, I'm paying almost $2000 on airfare anyway."

I'll totally look forward to those recommendations. I'll make a note to reach out to you for more deets. Oh, and I'm definitely going to have to consider renting a GT-R. Thanks again!

HideyoshiJP > Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken 08/11/2014 at 01:18

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I appreciate the awesome recommendations! I'm kind of salivating looking at that BP Falcon Skyline GT-R. Do you know if I can get to Okaya with my JR Rail Pass? I'm still researching everything that'll cover.

HideyoshiJP > heliochrome85 08/11/2014 at 01:24

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Mos def on the JR pass. I'm interested in the guide thing. I hadn't planned on one, but it couldn't hurt to spend a day with one in Tokyo and Osaka. Also, I hadn't originally considered Akihabara at night; I was planning on going during the day! What madness! On the topic of Akihabara, how's the squick level when it comes to the shops? I like gaming and occasionally some anime, but I'm curious about the level of moe material I'll be running into; not my scene.

Minardi Gras > HideyoshiJP 08/11/2014 at 01:38

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Looking at the itinerary, are you flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka? With the rail pass I would recommend getting a 2 week pass and using it from Dec 5th-Dec 19th. If you bought the 3 week pass for an extra ~$125 there's no way you would spend that much on JR lines travelling around Tokyo and JR lines are often not the best way to get from place to place in Tokyo.

Most urban places are easier by train, if you were going to the Fuji/Hakone area from Tokyo that's a good day out in a car. Just be aware that highway tolls are expensive. In December you might not be able to get up to the Fuji 5th station but there are some beautiful views from the nearby lakes.

HideyoshiJP > Minardi Gras 08/11/2014 at 02:00

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Yup, that's the plan, flight-wise. That's what I was thinking, too, as far as the rail pass goes. My understanding is you can get around quite a bit in Tokyo for not too much money with something like a Suica card. I figure I'll get at least one or two trips by car while I'm there. Jury's out if I'll plan to hike Fuji, though I understand it's not too demanding, relatively speaking.

Minardi Gras > HideyoshiJP 08/11/2014 at 02:21

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Sorry, didn't mean to be abrupt ;)
Fuji's official season is July 1st-August 31st. I climbed it in late June his year and crampons were required to make the full circuit around the crater. During summer it's not too demanding (but is seriously boring). In December though it's completely different, you will require axes and other mountaineering gear, and need to submit your plan to the Yamanashi/Shizuoka government in advance (not sure how many people actually do this though). Even then, people die.

Gimmi-Sagan-Om-Draken > HideyoshiJP 08/11/2014 at 11:34

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I am no expert but it ends at Chuo so it would be a JR East line. Should work but I would check the map in the station!

heliochrome85 > HideyoshiJP 08/11/2014 at 17:44

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Akihabara is relatively tame. Its just very lively at night. Nothing super bad.

HideyoshiJP > Minardi Gras 08/15/2014 at 21:49

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No worries. Yeah, I think I'll pass on all that. Haha. I'd probably end up rolling down the side of the mountain. I'm really excited, though, I just booked my flight.