I visited Mt Fuji last year with friends and I didn't think it was a bust at all. It was gorgeous, although most of the time it was too foggy to even see. One of the people at the resort where we stayed told is it was called "the disappearing mountain". So, it really depends on when you go and how the weather is that day as to whether or not you'll even get a view.
Starbucks there are not like Starbucks in the US. At all. But there's plenty of coffee in vending machines.
When we visited Todai-ji we were informed we had to cover our shoulders. That's the only dress code I can think of off hand and I don't know if it's really for all temples or just that one.
Oh, and Tokyo is deserted compared to usual during Golden Week...like a Ghost Town...unless you're a clubber, I guess.
There 14 Starbucks around Shinjuku station alone...three of them within sight of each other. No worries.
Be sure to of course hit Kamakura (the second largest sitting Buddha is there, as well as numerous temples and caves), and Yokohama's sakuragicho, with Japan's tallest building, Lamdmark Tower, old ship locks (now dry), and the second largest Ferris Wheel in the world...
Tokyo... I'm saving to go there. I'm assuming that because Tokyo is an international city, the people there (what's the term for Tokyo residents?) generally can understand basic English? Cos my Japanese is currently zero :(
From my experience in Tokyo two years ago, there were a great number of people who did not understand (much) English. I had an interesting experience trying to order meat-less spaghetti at a restaurant in Shinjuku with my broken Japanese and the waiter's very broken English. My mother and I also confused several depaato employees. However, we didn't have any problems resulting from the lack of English. Pointing goes pretty far.
To the original poster: I also visited Mt. Fuji on my trip, and while it was cool to say I've been there, the mountain itself was rather boring. Perhaps it's because we were driven by bus halfway up (to where the road stops), let off for an hour, and driven back down, and halfway up the mountain basically has only omiyage shops, but there didn't seem to be much of a point.
There are Starbucks EVERYWHERE in Japan these days, no problem. I'm a coffee addict myself, this is handy (my town in the US doesn't have any, so it's weird - I only ever go over there
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I live in Tokyo(and I am a very safe good girl--just look at my journal if you need proof!) and would love to help you with anything during Golden Week. Given, it is my first year here so I haven't experienced Golden Week myself, but I certainly know enough people that can give you expert advice.
Mt. Fuji isn't a bust per se, but it really depends upon what time of year you go. By the time you get here in Golden Week, it will already be pretty humid and I know it will be crowded as all get-out. So I would skip it until you can come in the winter time.
And Venus Fort! ODAIBA! Only one of my favorite places in Tokyo! There is a lot to do there, and some GREAT restaurants.
As for shopping, I don't know how tiny you are, but be warned: Japanese girls have VERY skinny legs. I am considered by American standards to be thin, but I do have womanly thighs (and I am a runner), and I cannot fit into Japanese pants--though sometimes I can fit into skirts. And while shirts can fit, sometimes they don't rest correctly on breasts, you know
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Starbucks there are not like Starbucks in the US. At all. But there's plenty of coffee in vending machines.
When we visited Todai-ji we were informed we had to cover our shoulders. That's the only dress code I can think of off hand and I don't know if it's really for all temples or just that one.
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This is a slightly more detailed account of our trip with some pictures from the Mt. Fuji area.
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There 14 Starbucks around Shinjuku station alone...three of them within sight of each other. No worries.
Be sure to of course hit Kamakura (the second largest sitting Buddha is there, as well as numerous temples and caves), and Yokohama's sakuragicho, with Japan's tallest building, Lamdmark Tower, old ship locks (now dry), and the second largest Ferris Wheel in the world...
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I'm assuming that because Tokyo is an
international city, the people there (what's the
term for Tokyo residents?) generally can understand
basic English? Cos my Japanese is currently zero :(
Reply
To the original poster: I also visited Mt. Fuji on my trip, and while it was cool to say I've been there, the mountain itself was rather boring. Perhaps it's because we were driven by bus halfway up (to where the road stops), let off for an hour, and driven back down, and halfway up the mountain basically has only omiyage shops, but there didn't seem to be much of a point.
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I actually did skim a section in my tour book about Kamakura, and after having it recommended here, I think I'll definitely hit that up.
MAN, I'm super excited/anxious to go!
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Mt. Fuji isn't a bust per se, but it really depends upon what time of year you go. By the time you get here in Golden Week, it will already be pretty humid and I know it will be crowded as all get-out. So I would skip it until you can come in the winter time.
And Venus Fort! ODAIBA! Only one of my favorite places in Tokyo! There is a lot to do there, and some GREAT restaurants.
As for shopping, I don't know how tiny you are, but be warned: Japanese girls have VERY skinny legs. I am considered by American standards to be thin, but I do have womanly thighs (and I am a runner), and I cannot fit into Japanese pants--though sometimes I can fit into skirts. And while shirts can fit, sometimes they don't rest correctly on breasts, you know ( ... )
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