Japan Master Thread

[yg99]

I have an 11.5 hour stop in Tokyo HND. 5:30am - 5 pm.

The last recommendations on this forum is from years ago.

What's the latest with the two Chabads? Do any have a sit down restaurant or only take-out?

From the forum I have the following: Akihabara, Asakusa, Harajuku.

Anyone have anything to add?

DW can't stand the smell of fish, so no fish market.

I was thinking going from airport to one of the Chabads to daven (without minyan) and have something to eat. What's the earliest I can go to either?

I figure I have until 1-2pm to head back to airport and take a shower.
Are the trains still preferred over Uber?
Any suggestions?

Can anyone please suggest an itinerary?

[PBaruch]

I have an 11.5 hour stop in Tokyo HND. 5:30am - 5 pm.

The last recommendations on this forum is from years ago.

What's the latest with the two Chabads? Do any have a sit down restaurant or only take-out?

From the forum I have the following: Akihabara, Asakusa, Harajuku.

Anyone have anything to add?

DW can't stand the smell of fish, so no fish market.

I was thinking going from airport to one of the Chabads to daven (without minyan) and have something to eat. What's the earliest I can go to either?

I figure I have until 1-2pm to head back to airport and take a shower.
Are the trains still preferred over Uber?
Any suggestions?

Can anyone please suggest an itinerary?

Chana's Restaurant (from official Chabad of Tokyo) opens at 12, but you should probably let them know in advance when you are coming to ensure that they can accommodate you.  It is sit down or take out, but the seating is fairly limited - another reason to call and let them know when you are coming.

We took a taxi from the airport to Tokyo - I found Uber to be more expensive.

I did a fairly comprehensive TR from our summer trip, if you're interested:

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=134493.0

[Randomex]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/09/japan-rail-passes-are-much-pricier-but-the-kyun-pass-may-save-money.html

[yg99]

I have an 11.5 hour stop in Tokyo HND. 5:30am - 5 pm.

The last recommendations on this forum is from years ago.

What's the latest with the two Chabads? Do any have a sit down restaurant or only take-out?

From the forum I have the following: Akihabara, Asakusa, Harajuku.

Anyone have anything to add?

DW can't stand the smell of fish, so no fish market.

I was thinking going from airport to one of the Chabads to daven (without minyan) and have something to eat. What's the earliest I can go to either?

I figure I have until 1-2pm to head back to airport and take a shower.
Are the trains still preferred over Uber?
Any suggestions?

Can anyone please suggest an itinerary?

Figured I'd post a few notes from my trip...

Arrived very early in the morning in HND and didn't really find any quiet place to daven. Since it was early and had time to kill, I figured I'd store my carryon in the airport ($4 for the day) and took a taxi to Chabad (Chana's place).

I only took taxis and didn't use the trains, I was lazy. Downloaded an app that came up by google maps - taxis and it worked great.

On the way to Chabad I realized that my neither of our phones had service (T-Mobile). Spent too much time on the phone (wifi calling) with them and they didn't help at all. e-sim Airalo was the savior of the day.

Chana was closed and nobody was around (Shul was unlocked) so we left.

Shibuya was not impressive to us. Very similar to Kikar Shabbos. Wasn't that busy when we were there.

Akihabara - I probably missed what everyone talks about. We saw thousands of the arcade games with claws (if you grab the prize you get it) and department stores full or figurines and stuff from many many arcade games. But we didn't see the games themselves. Maybe someone can post a better location for others.

Asakusa & Yasakuni Shrine - Was very interesting to us. Lots of souvenir stores and different food stalls. The architecture in the area was old Japanese style and interesting. I think it was a holiday and there were a lot of girls/women in traditional dresses (kimonos?).

One of the taxi rides was long and we asked the driver to show us the sights. Took us past the palace grounds, skytree, tokyo tower, main train station and some other sites. Very worthwhile

Most don't speak english. Used Google translate.

Went back to Chana's Place for lunch. Food was very good. They didn't have anything chicken related. we had a burger / fries / chumus/felafel platter.

Went back to HND and relaxed/showered in ANA lounge.

[tavster]

If I may ask, you were connecting in Japan on the way to where? 

[yg99]

Vietnam

[tavster]

Vietnam

Nice
I'm heading there in 2 months BH

[Yehoshua]

How can I do a private food event like @Dan did on this trip to Japan?

[Dan]

How can I do a private food event like @Dan did on this trip to Japan?

You can ask any of the shluchim if they can arrange something.

[Yehoshua]

You can ask any of the shluchim if they can arrange something.

Ah, cool, thanks

[kosheromakase]

Who wants to come to Japan on Tuesday to split a kosher omakase Japanese meal from a celebrity chef

We booked kosher omakase the week of April 7, 2024 in Kyoto.  Please message me if you want to join.  Will be very fun!  Very excited!

[tavster]

We booked kosher omakase the week of April 7, 2024 in Kyoto.  Please message me if you want to join.  Will be very fun!  Very excited!

What's the average cost?

[tavster]

I booked tickets for early April, hopefully coinciding with cherry blossom. Traveling with kids. Staying 9 nights BH.

Landing Tuesday noon. Was thinking of staying 3 nights in Tokyo - doing all kind of kids friendly museums etc.

Then Friday morning head to Kyoto, spend 6 nights there and use Kyoto as a base for Osaka and other local trips.

Does this make sense or am I missing out of something else critical? Trying to minimize the shlep for the kids

Thanks

[Dan]

I booked tickets for early April, hopefully coinciding with cherry blossom. Traveling with kids. Staying 9 nights BH.

Landing Tuesday noon. Was thinking of staying 3 nights in Tokyo - doing all kind of kids friendly museums etc.

Then Friday morning head to Kyoto, spend 6 nights there and use Kyoto as a base for Osaka and other local trips.

Does this make sense or am I missing out of something else critical? Trying to minimize the shlep for the kids

Thanks

Early April is probably too late for Tokyo/Kyoto. Probably need to go north to see them in early/peak bloom.

Assuming you're skipping Okinawa/Hokkaido? What about Hiroshima?

[tavster]

Assuming you're skipping Okinawa/Hokkaido?
What about Hiroshima?

Okinawa / Hokkaido feel like too much given the relatively short period of time. I feel I'd be scratching the surface.

Hiroshima worth the detour? My kids are too young to care about the historical aspects

[Dan]

Okinawa / Hokkaido feel like too much given the relatively short period of time. I feel I'd be scratching the surface.

Hiroshima worth the detour? My kids are too young to care about the historical aspects

Miyajima is a cool island, but if the kids are too young for Hiroshima, then save it for another time.

Are you sure you want to do Shabbos in Kyoto vs Tokyo?

[tavster]

Are you sure you want to do Shabbos in Kyoto vs Tokyo?

I was planning on bringing my own food. Was thinking walking around Kyoto on Shabbos is more pleasant than Tokyo - but I can do either way

[Dan]

I was planning on bringing my own food. Was thinking walking around Kyoto on Shabbos is more pleasant than Tokyo - but I can do either way

No, that's crazy talk!

Some of the most special meals/Shabatot of my life were at Chabad of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kobe! Incredible shluchim, communities, and visitor mix.

All 3 have wonderful pleasent Shabbos walks available.

[Something Fishy]

Any recent DPs on bringing food into the country? I'll need to self-connect NRT to HND and I'll have a week's full of food for a group.

[Dan]

Any recent DPs on bringing food into the country? I'll need to self-connect NRT to HND and I'll have a week's full of food for a group.

@AJK