Advantages: Fantastic views of Tokyo, spacious rooms
Disadvantages: Outdated rooms and unaccommodating service.

My holiday to Japan in March this year included six nights in Tokyo, four at the beginning and two at the end. We had saved money by booking flights with air miles and it just seemed that time of year to splurge on five star accommodation. We decided to ... Read review

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So, the lesson is, don't go and stay anywhere that you've seen in a movie, 'cos it will probably be rubbish. x by avacarrdo

I always think it's best to try and find a traditional ryokan in Japan, rather than a western-style hotel. Still, at least you've experienced the place. David by Mitsudan

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Advantages: Service, rooms, standards
Disadvantages: It is not a cheap place to stay!

...have never stayed in a Mandarin Oriental Hotel before, but it is a chain I have been hoping to try out for a long time. As we had already decided that Japan was going to be a holiday of indulgence, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo seemed a very good place to tr ... Read review

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I've never stayed at a Mandarin hotel, but have heard consistently good things about the chain. by avacarrdo

Excellent review x by MarcoG

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Advantages: Very nice trip, worth going back again
Disadvantages: No

Japan is always one of my favourite country to visit in Asia. Let me share with you my itinery in my last trip. This tour took place when I last visited my parents in Hong Kong. Day 1: Got up at 6 to get to the airport for the flight at 9am. Af ... Read review

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Great review definitely a place I want to go to. by Maestrolover

Very good review..... Fresh fish from the market and sushi... I want to go there.... Thanks. J. by headcase44

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Frenetic!
by moraghewat

Toyko is tops
by jonyee

To people who use ATMs
by me_envies

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Advantages: Must-go place in Japan
Disadvantages: No

In my last trip to Japan, I took a day trip to the world famous Mount Fuji. It's been dormant for many years and its last eruption was over 100 years ago. The weather was very good and it was a very lovely scene. For photo tips, it's better to take pict ... Read review

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Another interesting destination - it would be useful if you said more about how you got there. Did you go on an organised trip or did you get there under your own steam? How much roughly would a day trip to the mountain cost? Let me know if you add more information and i will happily come back and re-rate. Fiona Also, make sure you read lots of other reviews on Ciao, especially within the trvael section as it will give you ideas on what gets higher ratings. by fizzytom

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The Pretty Mountain No One Knows a Thing About
by NoLogoGirl

Deleted review
by jayne30165

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Advantages: Interesting
Disadvantages: NA

Kaminarimon(or Gate of Thunder) is the symbol of Tokyo and it leads to the temple of Sensoji.At the entrance of the temple, there are shops selling charms for difference purposes-safe journey, good health, getting rich, meeting the right girl/guy etc. The ... Read review

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Traditional Japan!
by justoz

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Advantages: interesting
Disadvantages: NA

The Tsukiji Fish market which is world famous. Every morning fishermen bring their catch in at about 4am and started the auction at 5. If you want to see the auction, you better start early!! After that the fish is distributed to various sushi bars and r ... Read review

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Hi, welcome to Ciao. An interesting review and somewhere that would be near the top of my places to visit in Tokyo - but for higher ratings you could think about saying how you get to this place, is it easy to find? How do you get there? You said the selling was over by the time you got there - these places start business very early, what time would you recommend visitos arrive to see the auction taking place? Fiona by fizzytom

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The JR Rail Pass is very useful for visitors to Japan who want to see much of the country, north to south. There are regional passes valid for a few days at a time which are more cost-effective for visitors travelling in a smaller area such as western Honshu (Tokyo plus Kyoto and Hiroshima, for example). I found the full JR Pass especially useful as I went "commando" on my trip, visiting places on a whim; I went to Niigata from Tokyo one day because the Max Toki train was at the platform when I got to the station. Read the clearly-stated rules about validity and entitlement to use the pass -- they are strictly enforced. I'm buying another pass for my next trip.

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A cost effective way to travel Japan
by hdsimmons

Easy travel in Japan!
by mckey

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I was staying there for 2 nights with my husband. The building and room was really traditional style and clean. In addition, the dinner and breakfast was sooooo gorgeous and delicious. I could not eat them all. One of the stuff could speak English very well therefore i could tell them whatever I want. She was cute Japanese young lady : ) I strongly recommend this Asunaro!!! I would like to stay there one more time if I have a chance to go to Takayama.

Since 1999, every time I go to Kyoto I make a point to stay here. It is a beautiful setting with an extremely kind (and English-speaking) manager who makes you truly welcomed. Plus, it is extremely reasonably priced. A truly wonderful hidden treasure.

Advantages: Successful communication feels like an achievement
Disadvantages: It pays to invest some time and effort

<10> Communication Welcome to the third and final part of my top ten tips for visitors to Japan. Having looked last time at the potential pitfalls for gaijin (foreigners) in blowing their noses and taking a bath amongst other hazards, this time I ... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average exceptional
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i'd like very very much to visit japan and i hope i'll be able to, one day! Your review is exceptional: what else can i say??? M. by poeta73

fantastic review - a wise idea to give language tips aswell lol by Jelboy

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Tokyo
by Al

One thing you can’t miss!
by me_envies

A Great Place
by Garza007

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Advantages: easy to use, use as many time as you want during valid day
Disadvantages: limited location to exchange voucher

Traveling in Japan is quite costly. So having a Japan Rail (JR) Pass is an excellent way for the foreigners to see Japan. However, you want to evaluate your situation before purchasing the JR pass as if you do not use it, there will be about 20% service ... Read review

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Very good review - Mark by mtpatton

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A cost effective way to travel Japan
by hdsimmons

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Advantages: Free! Great to browse the stalls and absorb the atmosphere
Disadvantages: Crowded at times otherwise none

Senso-ji Temple (also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple) is found in the Asakusa quarter of Tokyo, which is renowned for being "Old Japan". It originated in the 7th century and although damaged by earthquakes and fires it has always been rebuilt look lik ... Read review

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re-rated as promised x by hlmccarron

Much better. Well done. Matt :- ) by matty0501

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Sensoji and the Gate of Thunder
by medgenie

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This is well worth a visit if you are in Kyoto. Free and the restricted number of visitors makes it a peaceful retreat from the tourist bussle at other sites. Problem is it takes a little planning - you need to make a reservation in advance to visit any of the palaces or gardens run by the Imperial Household Agency. If you are Japanese this can mean being on a waiting list for months or maybe years. Fortunately they have decided to make it easier for foreign visitors. You can now reserve guided tours here: http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/order/index_EN.html Alternatively you can usually find places still available if you go to the office outside the palace gate.

If you are visiting Japan for a holiday this would be a foolish hotel to choose. Portopia Hotel is a high standard hotel great for business conferences and the like but tourists should note the location. Portopia Hotel is on Port Island, Kobe - a man-made Island with a port, high class housing and not much else. A monorail connects the island to Sannomiya station in downtown Kobe - slowly and regularly making a clockwise loop journey that will take you from town to the hotel quite quickly and from the hotel (via the new Kobe airport) to town not so quickly. If you want to stay near the airport this place is convenient but if you are planning to travel in Japan a downtown hotel is better.

This is a large tall hotel in the centre of Shinjuku close to the Metropolitan Offices. For many young people it is there first sight of Japan - crammed three to a room for the Annual JET Programme Induction seminar - before being sent off to teach English in schools across the country. That the government chooses this hotel tells you a lot. It is a perfectly adequate hotel - clean, central, all the basic facilities you expect but is pretty much regarded as nothing special, past its best and even a bit run down. If you are forking out for a top Tokyo hotel you can do much better.