Summer Backpacking in Japan, 2007

I'm never disappointed when staying at any K's House in Japan. K's House is one of the best options for a hostel in Kyoto. It's close to Kyoto station and really easy to find. The neighborhood is safe (like most places in Japan). It is also close to convenience stores and some really great restaurants.

The staff speak English and they are really friendly. My favorite parts are as follow: cold a/c, working washer and dryer (hard to find in Japan), and pay-per-minute Internet access using their computers.

Rooms are pretty standard for a hostel: bunk beds. Girls: I suggest asking for the girls only room if modesty is an issue. The rooms are super clean and so are the bathrooms. Showers and western style toilets are available 24 hours. The bathrooms are shared sex.

All ages and nationalities stay here and it is really fun and easy to meet new people in the big lobby/living room area. Overall, a fantastic choice in Kyoto.

J-Hoppers is a great budget hostel in Hiroshima. I stayed on June 1, 2007 for 2,500 yen (booked on hostelworld).

At Hiroshima train station, I took the tram (as instructed). I was really confused about how I was supposed to pay my fair. The operator helped me as I got off. As I was walking to the hostel, I got a bit lost. Not too lost, though, Hiroshima is an easy city to navigate.

I stayed in the girls-only room with tatami mats (sleeping on futons on the floor). The mixed rooms have bunk beds. There are showers available and Japanese-style squat toilets. I'm not sure if they had Western style toilets. Rooms with toilets are sex segregated. There are two washing machines (no dryers). There are places to hang laundry outside or in front of a window in the room. There are also pay-per-minute computers for Internet.

There is PLENTY of good nightlife within walking distance of the hostel. Just ask the staff for a recommendation, a map, and a point in the right direction. Staff speak English very well.

J-Hoppers isn't the newest or nicest hostel where I have stayed, but it is a great deal and a comfortable place to stay in Hiroshima.

I stayed at K's House Tokyo 5/31/07 for about 2,800 yen (booked on hostelbookers)

K's House never disappoints me. I was in a girl-only room. They have bunk beds in clean rooms with a/c. Bathrooms have Western style toilets and shower rooms 24 hours. There is a washer and dryer available. Also, pay-per-minute Internet access using their computers.

The hostel is quite easy to find. Their website offers many possible routes depending on your transportation preference. It is also located close to quite a busy street with plenty of shopping, eating, and other things to do and see. The staff are very friendly and speak English very well. They are always willing to offer advice on what to do and where to go.

While I was there, the other guests were quite young. I felt a bit old (and I'm only 24). However, I think that was a coincidence. Usually I see quite a range of ages at K's House.

There are lots of different room options depending on your preference. You can even get a private room, and still save a lot of money.

I recommend K's House for anyone looking to stay in a fun, inexpensive place in Tokyo.

I don't know the exact name of this place (it was written in Japanese), but it was one heck of a find in Kyoto. Their specialties are okonomiyaki and yakisoba. Okonomiyaki is like a pancake with meat and vegetables. Yakisoba is noodles with meat and vegetables. Both are cooked on a griddle set into your table. I tried both and they were absolutely delicious!

To my surprise, they had an English menu. No one spoke English, but I'm sure you can just point to what you want. The best part was the taste of the food, the second best part was the price: 700 yen per person. I don't know of many places in Kyoto you can eat like this for under $10.

Once you leave Kyoto station, head North on Karasuma-dori (if Kyoto Tower is in front of you, you're heading North). After a couple of blocks, you'll get to Shichijo-dori. Cross that and it is one building West of the NW corner.

You won't be disappointed.

The Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) offers some fairly good bus and walking tours of popular cities in Japan. I took the 'Tokyo Afternoon' tour for 5,000 yen on May 31, 2007. It offered a panoramic view of Tokyo from the top of the World Trade Center Bldg, a boat ride, souvenir shopping, and the Imperial Palace plaza.

Most of the tour was really nice. It's great to see the sights from a comfy bus rather than walking around in the hot and rainy Japanese summertime. I enjoyed every part of it except the Imperial Palace Plaza. It's a parking lot, you can't even see the palace, it's a total waste of time.

They also pick you up from many major hotels. They suggest the closest pick-up spot to your hotel or hostel. Make sure you reserve quite a bit in advance so you have time to find out where you will be picked up and dropped off. They provide a map.

One thing you may be able to request is a different drop-off location. I suggest a different drop off location than your hotel, so you can eat or shop around a bit before going back. See if you can find your way back.

I have taken several other JTB tours and the guides speak English well and are very knowledgeable. The price is modest, too. Consider how much you would pay in cab fare and entrance fees to see the same sights.

I always suggest taking a morning guided tour in a big city. It helps you to get the layout of the city so you can explore on your own the rest of the day.

If you want a guided sightseeing tour in Japan, JTB Sunrise Tours is the way to go.

If you're looking for an adventure and culture filled hike through Japan, you should check out Japan Bike and Hike in Kunisaki (city), Oita (prefecture), Kyushu (region), Japan.

Joe, the guide, is from Alaska and has lived in Japan for over 25 years. He led our group through some difficult and beautiful mountain trails. For about $250 per day, all meals and accommodations are included. The accommodations included farms, temples, and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). $250 per day isn't exactly a budget travel, but don't expect to get a hiking guide for much less than that. Besides, for me, it was well worth it.

During the hike, you won't want to escape the ancient Japanese nature and culture all around you. From viewing stone carvings, caves, and shrines to picking raspberries and watching deer frolic through the woods, it is an amazing opportunity to experience rural Japan. And after a long day of hiking through breathtaking mountain views, we would unwind at a local onsen (traditional Japanese bath). If you are going to Japan, you can't miss the opportunity to go to an onsen. Natural hot spring water is just the thing to relax one's muscles.

I highly recommend Japan Bike and Hike if you plan on hiking in Japan.

I took the 'Nara Afternoon' tour on June 11, 2007 for about 6,600 yen. The tour picks you up from a pre-arranged hotel in Kyoto and it takes about a one-hour bus ride to get to Nara.

The stops are Todaiji Temple (largest wooden bldg), Kasuga Shrine, and Deer Park. I had heard about Deer Park and I was looking forward to my own up-close encounter with some deer. I sure wasn't disappointed! Expect to be completely accosted by the deer if you attempt to feed them the deer biscuits.

The rest of the sights were nice, but very touristy. At Todaiji Temple there is a very large statue of Buddha. There is a hole in a wooden column that is the same size as the Buddha's nostril. It was really cute to watch the children try to squeeze through the hole.

I really like JTB tours, and I have taken quite a few. They offer comfy buses and friendly, English speaking guides. The price is pretty good, too considering how far you're traveling.

I had a lot of fun, and I highly recommend JTB Sunrise Tours.