Below are links to sites I found helpful during the research for our trip. I didn’t use every single one of them, because there is just way too much information out there and we only had a week, but thought it might be useful to share them. And if I can save you some time on the research, so much the better! Japan General: Japan-Guide.com– the is one of the best resources for all things related to traveling in Japan. The website has a lot going on visually, but search through it and there is a lot of depth there. Japanese National Tourist Organization Free Volunteer Guides in Japan Train Information: Japan Rail Pass Information Hyperdia- to check schedules and costs from one destination to another. Books I used: DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Japan -These are my favorite series of guidebooks when what I want is to focus on the sights (as opposed to restaurants and hotels) Food Sake Tokyo (The Terroir Guides)-All about food in Japan. Fantastic book, not only as a reference for all things related to food in Japan, but for specific recommendations. Lonely Planet Tokyo (City Guide)-Good reference book from a budget perspective. General Websites for Japan Food Research: Chowhound Japan Board for restaurant research Savory Japan The Japanese Food Report Personal blogs, Forums and Message Boards focusing on Japan travel: The Road Forks– These RTW travelers in Japan White on Rice– LA photographers and food bloggers spend a week in Japan Fodor’s Asia Travel Forum Flyer Talk Japan Forum Trip Advisor Japan Forum Tokyo: Tokyo page from Japan-Guide Time Out Tokyo Time Magazine, 10 things to do in Tokyo Time out Toyko: 88 Unmissable things to do in Tokyo-From the obscure to the obvious Free things to do in Tokyo: http://www.tokyoessentials.com/free.html http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/363/Tokyo-for-free Museums and Sightseeing: Tokyo Imperial Palace Tour for the General Public– This is a 1 hour 15 minute tour of the Imperial Palace grounds. Edo Tokyo Museum Museum of Science and innovation Websites focusing on Restaurants and Food in Tokyo: http://www.bento.com/ http://www.goramen.com http://www.ramentokyo.com/ http://www.ramenadventures.com/ http://epicurious-deb.blogspot.com/ http://iitokorone.blogspot.com/ Tokyo Fish Market Info: http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html http://www.tsukijitour.com/ Kappabashi Street– Kitchenware neighborhood in Tokyo. Day Trips From Tokyo: Hakone Kamakura Kusatsu-Onsen Day Trip from Tokyo Kyoto: Japan Guide.com main Kyoto Page Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Kyoto Walking Tours: Self Guided Walking tour on PDF of Kyoto by Japan National Tourism Organization Guided walk in Kyoto Kyoto Food: http://kyotofoodie.com/ http://epicures.wordpress.com/category/japan/kyoto/ Toji Market in Kyoto every 21st of the month:(temple is a UNESCO world heritage site too). Kyoto Transportation sites: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html http://www.kyoto.travel/2009/11/useful-services-tickets.html Nara: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/rtp/kansai/day3.html http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4103.html http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/face-off-which-would-you-choose-hakone-or-nara.cfm http://www.latimes.com/travel/destinations/asia/la-tr-deer-20100404,0,5729332.story Itinerary: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g298198-i3749-k4291549-Please_suggest_route_for_Kofukuji_Deer_Park_Great_Buddha-Nara_Nara_Prefecture_Kinki.html Osaka online magazine: http://www.kansaiscene.com/current/html/home.shtml Mobile Internet Options: If you want to be connected 24/7 check out these sites: http://www.rentafonejapan.com/– We are planning on renting a mobile wi-fi device (MiFi) from this company, so I will report back on how that goes. http://mobileinjapan.com/2010/11/03/visiting-japan-mobile-phone-data-wifi-plans-connected/ http://www.tofugu.com/2010/12/06/finding-internet-in-japan/ Android Apps for Mobile Phone: Skype Oanda.com Trip Advisor Tripit for itinerary Mtrip for Tokyo I have also updated our Packing Pages and lists, so make sure you check them out.
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