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I’ve been trying to squeeze time into my schedule for our family vacation to Tokyo. Due to the language barrier in most Japanese websites, it’s been a little challenging planning our itinerary. Unlike most of our family vacation trips, planning a trip to Japan requires more research in the forums since travelers’ reviews posted in English would help heaps!

(picture courtesy of http://www.ito-yamatokan.jp)

Navigating around Tokyo is easy but finding an affordable, nice, cosy, comfortable, luxurious ryokan can be confusing. Since most travelers would spend a few days in Tokyo and Disney Tokyo, it’s usually a day trip to Mt Fuji or Hakone. But if you take time to do your research in Trip Advisor (which happens to be my favourite travelers’ review website), you will find many free and easy travelers who trek outside Tokyo.

After all that research, I’ve found a liking in several luxurious ryokans. In Japan, ryokans (japanese guesthouses) are divided several styles which determine the pricing during your ryokan stay:

• Category D: 7,000-10,000 yen per guest
• Category C: 10,000-15,000 yen per guest
• Category B: 15,000-20,000 yen per guest
• Category A: 20,000-30,000 yen per guest
• Category A+: 30,000-50,000 yen per guest
• Category A++: 50,000-70,000 yen per guest
• Category A+++: 70,000 yen and up per guest

The best place to understand what a ryokan is, the pricing, the style, ryokan etiquette, ryokan dining options and the different cultural explanations is to check out http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com

I’ll be posting my ryokan research for our family vacation to Tokyo in the next few posts.

I just received my executive club membership card from Keio Plaza Tokyo. Though we have booked with Somerset Azabu East apartments, I thought it would be a good idea to book a few nights in vibrant Shinjuku too. The nice thing about staying in a 4-5 star hotel is the fact that you can utilize the facilities such as airport transfer, tour arrangement, shuttle buses (if any) and work out in the fitness centre. Most of the 4-5 star Tokyo hotels have indoor jacuzzi or hot tub for guest so that can be quite nice on those chilly autumn or winter days.

For those who are keen to build muscle over the vacation, the fitness centre is mostly equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

I bought myself a Time Out to Tokyo guide last weekend at Kinokuniya. Some people don’t quite believe in a printed copy of a travel guide but I do! With a printed book, I can read it anywhere – bus stop, on the bed, in the train, in the car…etc whereas I can only gather online information when I have an internet connection!

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It seems like a dream come true but hubby has agreed to our Japan trip for this year! Though I was disappointed not to spend New Year in Sydney, Japan is one place I’d love to visit again. Known for its creativity and fashion scene, Japan is one nice place for shoppers of all interests from young to old, male and female. This is a toy haven for kids, not eliminating the fact that it’s home to Disney.

Now that I’ve been a mineral makeup convert, I won’t be stocking up the Japanese beauty products like ten years ago but I’m looking forward to the quirky and street shops in Harajuku and Shibuya. I don’t remember visiting Roppongi previously but all I know is that I have alot to cover this year. Though it’s still months away, I’m already taking notes and bookmarking all the relevant sites for information and itinerary planning. I can’t wait to re visit the land of the rising sun!

Japan has easily become synonymous with the ‘Land of Enchantment’ and, while it’s a modern and technologically-savvy society, attracting lots of investor relations in the past decade, it isn’t without its culture, beauty and history. That’s why guided tours of Japan are so popular for couples and families alike. Read the rest of this entry →

Stepping into the City of Lights which is Paris will immediately transport you into a world of romanticism. With all the antique buildings that were constructed in the great European periods as your panoramic milieu, you cannot help but fall madly and deeply more in love with your significant other. However, if you are talking about Tokyo sightseeing, your scenery is skyscraping buildings that are seemingly a repeat of the Tower of Babylon.  Read the rest of this entry →

Have you been dreaming to step into a magical kingdom right in the heart of Asia? The continent is profusely blessed with varied cultures that boast of its own characteristics. At present, you can catch more than a glimpse of an American flair by joining the Tokyo Disneyland vacation. The getaway is not only for you to have the time of your life but also for the rest of your loved ones to experience the grandest.

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So whenever and wherever in Japan, don’t miss on any opportunity to shop until you drop because the best spots to shop in Japan are yours for the taking. But before you go on a shopping spree there are some basics of shopping in Japan which all visitors like you need to know. Read the rest of this entry →

Among the myriad of possibilities a visitor can do in Japan shopping will probably take the number one spot. Why not? Shopping will always be one of the most exciting activities one can indulge in a trip to a foreign land. What more with Japan? Hmmmmm, do you know that Japan is fast becoming a shoppers’ paradise, where they never run out of beautiful finds to purchase and excellent items to bring home with. Read the rest of this entry →