JustMeMike in Japan

[JustMeMike2]

Have a look at a brief summary of my trip to Japan. I got home just a few days ago-

JMM

I'm Just Back From Japan (http://www.justmemikesnewalsoonvideo.com/2008/11/18/im-just-back-from-japan/)

[Yukinara]

wow, that's really nice, I wish I can go there for once, especially Shibuya._.

[proximo]

Do you make all of the traveling arrangements yourself? I've never been to Japan. I plan to go someday. Would it be better handle the arrangements myself or use a travel agent/agency?

[JustMeMike2]

I make all the arrangements myself - Why pay a travel agent to do it for you.

Since you're in the USA you should be able to get to a city where you can fly to Japan from -

Chicago, New York, LA, San Francisco, or Seattle are the most likely places to have non-stop flights to Japan.

American, Northwest, Continental, and United probably all fly to Tokyo.
Japanese Airlines (JAL) is another choice.

Go to airlines websites and check schedules and prices - also check Orbitz, Travelocity, and other packagers who probably can hook you up with airlines + hotel.

Buy a Japan Rail Pass in the USA before you leave . Just Google for Japan Rail Pass.

Get a passport

Spend 25 bucks and buy a book so you can read up on where to go in Japan.

Once you know where you want to go, and what you want to see, then use Google to find hotels. Read Hotel reviews at TripAdvisor.com. Find out if the hotel is near the train station, the closer the better.

Since we know you can use a computer - then you can book your own trip.

It's really no different than buying anything else online. Research, decide, Purchase.

Two things to keep in mind - economy is down, so tourist travel is down. As long as you don't travel during a holiday season, you might be able to find some good prices. Empty hotel rooms aren't good for hotels. Watch the currency conversions rate. If the US Dollar continues to sputter, then you'll get fewer Japanese Yen for your American dollars. Example when I arrived in Tokyo on October 27th I got only 91 JYen for each dollar. Later on the rate went back up to 97 Yen for each dollar. In other years I got as many as 111 Japanese Yen for each dollar.

Also Japan is not inexpensive. You can find inexpensive accommodations in Japan just as you can find cheap hotels in any American city. But the reality is that you can't travel that far and make decisions based on price alone.

If you have questions let me know.
jmm

[roycck]

Really envy you, i have been there once some years back and never really wanted to come back to my country. It was so much fun especially Tokyo Game Show.

I agree making arrangements by yourself saves u a decent sum of money. Some Ryokans in japan are very affordable and that alone will save you some money.

If u have the chance, just go to the land of the rising sun, i will go there again.