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Where should I take my friends?
By ted, Section Ask B5 Posted on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:50:43 PM PST

I went to Cambodia for a week during the winter vacation. While I was there, I met a very nice couple from England- John and Maddie. They are coming to Japan for three weeks starting April 21. Where should we go?

They already know about many of the typical tourist sites like Asakusa, Ginza, and Harajuku/Yoyogi Park. Also, they have plans to go to Kyoto later. I think I'd like to take them on a day trip outside Tokyo.

Do you have any great ideas for where to go in Tokyo, or outside of Tokyo. What is a good daytrip? where should they go for a weekend?

Please answer my poll question, too!

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Where should I take my friends? | 16 comments (16 topical)

Hi! Ted! ( Comment #1)
by Ray on Tue Apr 19, 2005 at 07:22:57 AM PST

Hi! I'm RAY.
I think that's good idea to lead them outside Tokyo. Because Tokyo is very crowd.
On golden-week, my bestfriend's boyfriend will come to Japan from Finland(Of course, he is finn). So my bestfriend,my boyfriend and I are really puzzling now about same ploblem.
I recommend to drive for Mt.Fuji. It's very popular but there are 5 beautiful lakes near Mt.Fuji and many good foods.
If weather was good, you can see beautiful view at the 5 stage of Mt.Fuji.
That's JUST my idea. Meybe you known well many good place than me.
Anyway, have a good time with that couple!!

where should they go? ( Comment #2)
by thelastsamurai on Wed Apr 20, 2005 at 11:43:33 PM PST

Hi, I am "thelastsamurai"!

I just read your message, and I think it is a great idea to take them out for sight seeing. If it is the first time for Madddie and John to come to Japan, they really should spend some time in Tokyo first since it is the capital city of Japan. I recommend them to see the latest culture of Japan in Tokyo, then they can go somewhere else in the West such as Kyoto and compare the culture of Tokyo with the culture of Kyoto. I think it would be really interesting to do that.

Anyways, I hope you guys will have a wonderful time in Japan!

That's good idea! ( Comment #3)
by Fujiwara on Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 08:31:51 PM PST

Hi!I am Fujiwara.
I agree with RAY.I recommend Mt.Fuji.
You can go to Mt.Fuji from Tokyo about 2 hours
by car.There is fit oneday trip.
The view from Mt.Fuji is very,very beautiful!
And you can look at Mt.Fuji and Kawaguchi Lake from Kwaguchiko town. It is beautiful.
When you are hungry, I recommend Houtou which is
a famous product of Yamanashi Prefecture.
And if you like scream machines, you can ride
famous scream machines in Japan,FUJIYAMA and
DODONPA.
I think Kamakura is also good place.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is beautiful.
However,Kamakura is a little similar Kyoto.

I wish you and your friends enjoy trip!

hey ted ( Comment #4)
by PinkButterfly on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 04:44:49 AM PST

Hi! This is PinkButterfly:)
So I guess your friends are already here right? Hmmm... I can't really think of any. Oh, how about Kamakura? When my American friends came to visit us, my mom took them there. Or... Tokyo Disneyland? lol Just kidding. Odaiba is one of the place where people like to go. You guys can go shopping and stuff like that. Or maybe going to the Tokyo tower could be fun too.
I'm not sure if my advice is any good for you but I hope you guys will have fun!!

Hi! I am gold fish. ( Comment #5)
by gold fish on Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 08:39:54 AM PST

Do you have a good time with John and Maddie? I recommend to go to Odaiba. You can see beautiful sea and can play soccer or badminton on the grass. Moreover,you can enjoy BBQ! There is the lending space and if you pay a rental fee, you don't have to bring a hot plate or firewoods and so on. When you get on board a ship you will find new Tokyo.
Anyway, I hope you guys will enjoy this vacation.

I'm green vegitables!! ( Comment #6)
by green vegitables on Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 09:47:05 AM PST

Do you have a good time with your friends?
I recommend Yokohama to you. Especially, Minato Mitorai area is so famous for beautiful night view. I went to a observatory of Land Mark Tower previously, and night view from there is very very nice and it seems as if a picture. If you go there in the daytime, you can see Mt.Fuji, Tokyo Disney Land and so on. Also, I think Yokohama China Town is good. You can enjoy the culture of Japan and China at one time.

Please tell me where would you take your friends. Have a good time!!

Great Ideas Everybody ( Comment #7)
by ted on Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 07:37:33 PM PST

Tonight I'm going to take them to the Apple Store in Ginza after class today.
Yes, the Apple Store! They asked me to go there. Really. Sure, you can buy Apple stuff anywhere, but the store itself is interesting to some people- especially people who like design.
After that, we need something to eat, so maybe we will go to Shinbashi for yakiniku or ramen. Hmmm.... raaaaamen!
Everyone's suggestions were great. Kyoto, Fuji, even Tokyo Disneyland. Why not? Kamakura and Yokohama were good ideas too. Maybe Hakone? That is an easy trip to do in one day.

~~~Ted~~~

Hi! ( Comment #8)
by Streeet Musician on Mon Apr 25, 2005 at 12:26:45 AM PST

I lived in Hamamatsu,Shizuoka before I came to Tokyo. I think there the place "Izu" is a good place to visit. I first went there when I was in the first year of high school. There is a beautiful beach and you can do fishing. I felt the time running slower than the place where I live. I reccomend you to take your friends to rural places.

Nice suggestion ( Comment #9)
by ted on Mon Apr 25, 2005 at 06:44:51 AM PST

I went to the kite festival at Hamamatsu last year. It was wonderful. The beach was great and the people were nice too.

Notice: My wife is from Hamamatsu.

Actually, I'd also recommend that anyone should visit Hamamatsu if they have time. It is a great place and the food is delicious.

~~~Ted~~~
[ Parent ]

That's amazing! ( Comment #11)
by Streeet Musician on Mon May 09, 2005 at 12:11:06 AM PST

Hi Ted! It's amazing that your wife is from Hamamatsu! I went home for golden week, but I couldn't join the kite festival because I didn't have time. But, staying at Hamamatsu made me relax. Do you go to Hamamatsu pretty often? I think I will go back this summer!

[ Parent ]

Couldn't go this year ( Comment #13)
by ted on Mon May 09, 2005 at 10:13:23 PM PST

I missed the kite festival this year because I was too busy. I usually go to Hamamatsu 2 or 3 times a year. It is a nice getaway from the city.

~~~Ted~~~
[ Parent ]

Well, let's wait for next year! ( Comment #16)
by Streeet Musician on Thu May 19, 2005 at 03:06:42 AM PST

Hi ted! I'm sorry that you've missed the kite festival. I missed it too, so let's wait for next year's! What do you do to relax, ted? I heard you usually go to Hamamatsu 2 or 3 times a year, but what do you usually do to relax? I usually play the guitar or go buy some clothes.

[ Parent ]

Hi,Ted!! ( Comment #10)
by 21 century boy on Wed Apr 27, 2005 at 05:52:59 PM PST

I recommend you Kamakura for a day trip.
It takes about 2 hours from Shinjuku by train.There is a "daibutu" and small temples, moreover you can see the sea near from there.
If you visit "daibutu" in Kamakura and pay 30 yen, you can see the inside of it. It is an unique experience, isn't it?
I think kamakura is like a "little Kyoto", because there are some Japanese traditionals.
However it is more common than Kyoto.
Most temples in Kyoto are solemn and great.
On the other hand, those in Kamakura are rather small and somewhat friendly.
I have been there only once, but I became a Kamakura lover.
Besides there are many good Japanese sweets shops there. Most people from oversea try Japanese foods such as sushi, tempura or yakitori. So I suggest visiting some Japanese sweets shops with your friends.
I hope you have a good time with your friends!!

I went last week ( Comment #14)
by ted on Mon May 09, 2005 at 10:16:15 PM PST

Here is me hiking in kamakura last Tuesday. I didn't go to the daibutsu because I thought it would be too crowded during GW. Plus, I've been there before.

~~~Ted~~~
[ Parent ]

Forgot the link! ( Comment #15)
by ted on Mon May 09, 2005 at 10:17:29 PM PST

Here it is: http://flickr.com/photos/gotanda/12702746/

~~~Ted~~~
[ Parent ]

My reccomend is... ( Comment #12)
by sakuranamiki on Mon May 09, 2005 at 09:35:23 PM PST

Hi Ted! How nice you are to consider the place where they go! Then, would you take them to China town in Yokohama? In fact I don't familiar the place, but it may be unique and fun! We can enjoy not only Chinese food but its atmosphere. Please tell us about your guidance for them.

Where should I take my friends? | 16 comments (16 topical)

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