topic Re: Trip to Japan...Cost? in Travel

Trip to Japan...Cost?

docsgirl — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:05:43 GMT

Hi All,

My son is turning 50 in April and wants to take a trip to Japan. I would love to treat him to this trip of a lifetime and am wondering if anyone has been there and how much it would cost to get there and have some spending money. He said he has a friend who lives there and has been asking him to visit. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. docsgirl

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:35:28 GMT

Expedia is your friend when it comes to travel......

....and personally I wouldn't go there until the tension settles down.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

itsmagic — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 20:39:18 GMT

Sorry I can't help regarding the cost but just wanted to say I spent 3 months in Japan about 30 years ago and have very found memories. I'm sure things have changed since then but I remember the gracious people, wonderful food and the beautiful temples among other things. It would be a wonderful trip for your son.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Alter Ego — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 21:09:30 GMT

What are your intentions? Paying for airfare and hotel? How long? Will he stay with his friend? Do you intend for him to travel to different locations?

To give one idea, several posters like OAT Travel. They have a Japan trip, 14 days for $4,695 (which includes airfare; of course, the price changes depending on where he flies out of and the time of year he goes.). Can maybe use as a guide. I've seen some tours that are more than this.

You can also go to Expedia or Orbitz and make up an itinerary from your airport with hotel and price it out.

It's just a little difficult because there are many variables.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Stray — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 21:42:06 GMT

Japan is my next year's destination. I travel with Tauck and I've never been disappointed . I plan on doing the Essence of Japan tour which is 12 days, I think and $9,990 exclusive of airfare. They also have a small ship cruise which is partly a cruise and part land for $11,990 plus air....probably there are more inexpensive tours but I like the accommodations on the Tauck tours....I'm not a fan of cruises but did the small ship in NZ and I loved NZ but hated being on board.

IF you don't need accommodations, check the travel sites as suggested by other posters or the websites for JAL, Cathay, Asiana for airfares..

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

docsgirl — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:38:27 GMT

Thank you all for your replies and input. You are correct in saying that I need more information from him. I was thinking of surprising him but that's not a good idea as I have no idea what his plans would be. If he is serious about this trip, he needs to decide what he wants to do and let me know. In fact, I may just tell him to plan it and book it and I'll pay for it. While I realize this will be expensive, he'll only turn 50 once so if this is really what he wants, I want him to be happy. He's a blessing to me, especially since his dad passed away. Thank you all, again. docsgirl

@Stray Enjoy your trip to Japan. It sounds wonderful.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

butterfly123 — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:50:00 GMT

@docsgirl

Several U.K. Airlines are advertising great airfare prices.

Canadian Air, Norwegian Air and others as well. The ads are on television and the internet.

You might want to check their websites.

Did you you look at the "new travel forum" also @Worldtravler might be of assistance to you.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

judy0330 — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 23:11:01 GMT

@Stray We too travel with Tauck and have taken the Essence of Japan trip. Excellent. Wonderful country with very nice and helpful people. You will really enjoy it! Friends took the cruise last year and were disappointed. Our last trip was Essence of South America which might have been our all time favorite. Next up is Paradors of Northern Spain. Enjoy Japan!!

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Stray — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:25:55 GMT

@judy0330- have you done the Tauck Antarctica? I really enjoy Tauck....always top notch. I'm not a fan of cruises....I do enjoy more time on land and am looking forward to the trip.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Stray — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:32:10 GMT

@docsgirl wrote:
Thank you all for your replies and input. You are correct in saying that I need more information from him. I was thinking of surprising him but that's not a good idea as I have no idea what his plans would be. If he is serious about this trip, he needs to decide what he wants to do and let me know. In fact, I may just tell him to plan it and book it and I'll pay for it. While I realize this will be expensive, he'll only turn 50 once so if this is really what he wants, I want him to be happy. He's a blessing to me, especially since his dad passed away. Thank you all, again. docsgirl
@Stray Enjoy your trip to Japan. It sounds wonderful.

@docsgirl- I don't think surprises are too good...like you say, he is only 50 once....so make it perfect and what he wants to do....everyone really loves Japan and it's a wonderful, thoughtful gift and one he will never forget!

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

judy0330 — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 01:25:33 GMT

@Stray We haven't done Antartica and I don't think I know anybody personally who has -- but from discussions on the Tauck forum people seem to love it. We only took one river cruise. Rendezvous on the Seine. I definitely prefer land tours. I like to see the outlying areas along the way.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Kachina624 — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 02:22:43 GMT

@docsgirl Why don't you give him a set amount of money, whatever you can afford, and tell him it's for a trip. Let him figure out based on the time he has, his interests, and whether he wants to add more to the pot, when and where he wants to go. He can do the searching, planning, and scheming. Isn't that half the fun anyway?

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Stray — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:20:14 GMT

@judy0330 wrote:
@Stray We haven't done Antartica and I don't think I know anybody personally who has -- but from discussions on the Tauck forum people seem to love it. We only took one river cruise. Rendezvous on the Seine. I definitely prefer land tours. I like to see the outlying areas along the way.

@judy0330- i prefer land myself for the same reasons you mention but Antarctica does interest me...I understand the Drake Passage is quite rough and you travel on a zodiac when you go through it. My husband has severe motion sickness so it doesn't sound like anything he could tolerate.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Alter Ego — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 15:51:02 GMT

@Stray wrote:

I'm waiting for Quark's 2018/2019 itineraries to come out as I'm looking at a Jan/Feb 2019 date. They have trips that fly you over the Drake Passage. As I have limited vacation time, this is what I'm interested in.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

Nancy Drew — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 19:31:42 GMT

I live in Japan for close to four years. My whole family loved it. It is beautiful, interesting and tons of stuff to do. A lot is free but let me tell you it is expensive. A ton of research is really needed to make it a successful trip.

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

patbz — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 03:39:00 GMT

Check out Canadian tours. We booked a two week trip to China thru one of their agencies, it was $2500, including everything (airfare). We justb

Re: Trip to Japan...Cost?

beach-mom — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 03:47:04 GMT

@docsgirl - I lived in Japan and taught there for three years. It's a beautiful country. How great that your son will be able to visit his friend! I did get to travel around the country some, and I'll be happy to help you with some specific recommendations if you would like!