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Just planning a longer holiday after my son completes his GCSEs original plan was straight to Japan but I did read on here the great value Finnair has to Singapore so considering that and then maybe onto Japan.
We can take up to three weeks leave, going very early July. So how many days would you put in for Singapore, Japan (obviously Tokyo and Disney) also bullet train to Osaka or Kyoto? Then if we can finish off in Shanghai for a quick stop maybe two nights on way back? Even considering Finnair back as is an overnight which gives us a day as opposed to BA which seems to be a day flight.
Any tips on flights? Thinking might use avios, not sure whether could even do a multi carrier award but issue is getting flight availability.
I’m off to Japan for a couple of weeks shortly.
Now that my itinerary planning is completed, I realise I could probably have found enough to do in just Tokyo alone within that 2 weeks let alone the places we are going to in and around Kansai & Hiroshima.Everybody is different – I get that, but unless you are planning on never returning to these countries thereafter, I think you should look to spend longer in less countries in one trip.
Also regarding that Shanghai visit, are you aware of the visa requirements or the TWOV rules?
I’m off to Japan for a couple of weeks shortly.
Now that my itinerary planning is completed, I realise I could probably have found enough to do in just Tokyo alone within that 2 weeks let alone the places we are going to in and around Kansai & Hiroshima.Everybody is different – I get that, but unless you are planning on never returning to these countries thereafter, I think you should look to spend longer in less countries in one trip.
Also regarding that Shanghai visit, are you aware of the visa requirements or the TWOV rules?
Yes aware of TWOV. Just thinking is a long way to go and is a good opportunity now son is a bit older and he will be 16 after that so not sure how much longer he’ll becoming with us. We may skip Shanghai just depends on whether I can grab the unicorn seats from Japan!
I hope you are aware that July is probably the worst time to visit Japan. Hot and humid during the day, forget about standing in queues at Disneyland. Take lots of precautions as there have been reports of people collapsing in the heat.
I hope you are aware that July is probably the worst time to visit Japan. Hot and humid during the day, forget about standing in queues at Disneyland. Take lots of precautions as there have been reports of people collapsing in the heat.
Yes aware of that too. Would love to do Easter or maybe later just doesn’t give us enough time with school holidays. Have done Orlando and Washington in the heat/humidity in August just got to take it easy. I know is probably worse is a pain when stuck to school hols. Definitely keen on Singapore though as is always hot.
Early July is actually rainy season, humid and hot in Japan. You have rain non-stop coupled with humidity and it’s getting worse every year. I just don’t think anyone is prepared unless they come from similar climates.
I think it’s insane to do all three places in three weeks. However, Singapore is probably doable as a short stopover.
You can do Indonesia and Borneo along with Singapore. While the temperature won’t change much throughout the year, it’s the best time to visit most of Indonesia like Bali, Jogja etc.
Also, apologies for a personal question – isn’t your son (“finishing GCSEs”) too old for Disney? Unless you have another younger child!
Another factor to consider is Japan is best done when children are either too young or past their teens. It has so much to offer culturally that it might be wasted on impatient and attention deficit teenagers.You can do Indonesia and Borneo along with Singapore. While the temperature won’t change much throughout the year, it’s the best time to visit most of Indonesia like Bali, Jogja etc.
Also, apologies for a personal question – isn’t your son (“finishing GCSEs”) too old for Disney? Unless you have another younger child!
Another factor to consider is Japan is best done when children are either too young or past their teens. It has so much to offer culturally that it might be wasted on impatient and attention deficit teenagers.Too old for Disney no way we love all of that and back to Orlando this summer.
I think Borneo may be good just have a fear of stray dogs so I worry those places have a reputation to have loads.
Haven’t seen any meaningful number of stray dogs on my trips to Borneo and would 100% recommend – took our kids (similar age) up country in Sabah a couple of years back & they loved it.
Do bear in mind that the Expo is on in Osaka this summer, so if you’re into Disney that might be quite good as the Worlds Fair gave a lot of inspiration for EPCOT I believe. And they sell a very cheap evening ticket for Disney Tokyo if you want to cross it off the list but don’t want to invest an entire day of your valuable time when you could be doing more authentic Japanese stuff.
We got a good cash fare on Etihad for this July in J into Osaka rater than Tokyo. Cathay have also had some good deals kicking around on odd routes like Manchester-Nagoya.
Haven’t seen any meaningful number of stray dogs on my trips to Borneo and would 100% recommend – took our kids (similar age) up country in Sabah a couple of years back & they loved it.
Do bear in mind that the Expo is on in Osaka this summer, so if you’re into Disney that might be quite good as the Worlds Fair gave a lot of inspiration for EPCOT I believe. And they sell a very cheap evening ticket for Disney Tokyo if you want to cross it off the list but don’t want to invest an entire day of your valuable time when you could be doing more authentic Japanese stuff.
We got a good cash fare on Etihad for this July in J into Osaka rater than Tokyo. Cathay have also had some good deals kicking around on odd routes like Manchester-Nagoya.
I agree I’ve not been aware of excessive dogs in Malaysian Borneo in any of the locations I’ve visited (haven’t been to Indonesia). Sarawak is a little less known than Sabah but has some cool up countrg places also, e.g. Mulu, feels like a real exotic adventure which young people would love while being a well managed and safe country in my opinion.
Sounds like you will have fun choosing – enjoy!By the way – never too old for Disney!
Here us my suggested plan for your 3-week trip:
Singapore (4-5 days): Great food, sights and a fun stopover.
Japan (10-12 days): Split between Tokyo (Disney) and Kyoto/Osaka.
Shanghai (2 nights): Quick taste of China before flying home.
10-12 days is not enough for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto. People underestimate how much time things take in Japan. You’d really rush. If you’re accommodation is near Ginza, it will take you at least 40 minutes to get to Yoyogi for example from the hotel room. You also understimate the queues for any attractions (even with pre-purchased tickets), then queues to get into restaurants. Japan is country of slow travel.
I am currently planning a 16-day trip for my parents who only want to do Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka and that feels too packed.
Singapore seems a big diversion for this trip. I’m not sure quite what “sights” it is envisaged take 4-5 days to see in Singapore and is the place really “fun”? Great food can be had more or less anywhere in Asia. Shanghai certainly merits more than two nights which would mean just about as much time at airports/in transit as getting any taste of China.
@meta we arrive to Japan in early August and I’m keen to take along to one or several of the traditional summer festivals in Tohoku. Would you recommend any one over the others and is it worthwhile trying to do different ones (conscious that they are very close together date-wise)?
Agree with @JDB on this, Singers is great as a jumping on or off connection for SE Asia but I’d opt for a couple of nights max. We fly back from Singapore in November, flights back to the UK with BA are very late at night. We will fly in the previous day which will give us 2 full days pretty much which is plenty.
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