What's the best month of the year to visit China and Japan?

[Yardbird]

Hi o/

So there i am thinking about visiting China and Japan again, i promised myself that i would go soon.

But them i thought, i can't just go and that's it, even if it will be good anyway.

JAPAN

Well, i would love to see / do in Japan:

Go to a Comic-con like event
Visit a school festival
Visit that conan's themed square
Watch a Conan Movie in the theater (easy to know when it will be released, ok)

The first 2 events, i guess both of them happens at the same time, it would be july?

Anyway, can a foreigner adult visit a school festival? Is it easy to buy tickets and enter a comic-con event?

Now about the square, is it easy to go there? I mean, i do not speak any japanese lol

Regardless of i whrote above, is there a better month to go to Japan that you recommend?

And are credit cards well accepted everywhere? And how much does it custs to travel by plane within Japan?



CHINA

I'm thinking about go to that Harbin Ice Festival, from the pics i've seen, that's amazing.

Well, this festival takes place on january / february, is it really worth? Would you recommend for a first-timer in China?

I also thinking on going to the Lantern Festival!

If there's a better time to go and see different things i would appreciate!

Is it cheap to travel by plane within china?


If anyone can help, thanks a lot! = )

[Iwamoto Yuri]

well, I have been to japan in July-August, so I could give you other must see tips. I don't know anything about school festivals but I know the koushien games welcome everyone.
You said again, does that mean you've been there before?
And there is a Conan themed square? Don't you mean Conan street in Hokuei?

[Yardbird]

well, I have been to japan in July-August, so I could give you other must see tips. I don't know anything about school festivals but I know the koushien games welcome everyone.
You said again, does that mean you've been there before?
And there is a Conan themed square? Don't you mean Conan street in Hokuei?

Koushien games are baseball right? I have no interest at all if that's it = /

And ah! My mistake, i meant, there i was, thinking again about going there, not thinking going there again, sorry

I could swear it was a square, but you are right, i meant Conan Street in Hokuei

Ah, i remembered one more date in China, the National Day (1 october), is it really worth?

Thanks for your help Yuri!

[Jd-]

You can use a credit card anywhere in Japan that you could at home (just be sure that it's unlocked for international use; some issuers require that authorization). It'll be accepted at convenience stores, general shops, malls, etc. Tiny shops may not accept it, but it's going to be that way anywhere you go. Arrange a debit card or take enough cash to exchange at the airport, as no matter how many places take credit cards, you're really, really going to want some cash still.

As for a language barrier, I wouldn't worry about it. Just memorize the currency exchange against your home country's rate so you know how much money you're spending and also memorize a few choice phrases ("Please," "Thank you", and "Hello" will help a lot; even if you don't pronounce them well or use the wrong version of a word for an inopportune time, it'll be OK).

You'll be fine. Enjoy it!

[Iwamoto Yuri]

Ok then, there are several things you need in japan for hot summers. Take an umbrella (for both rain and sunshine because you'll get a sunburn otherwise), hand fan and a small towel you can make wet and put around your neck to stay cool.
The Koushien games in August is a high school tournament. I'm not a baseball fan myself but it is great to see, especially with the cheerleading squads singing songs like we will rock you and such. You won't sit next to screaming fans either since the Japanese don't tend to be very vocal during games (I think my mum and I cheered loudest during the games after we picked a team)
Secondly, it is Conan street indeed. I've been to Hokuei for the museum and it was a blast. Just don't take pictures inside, since most museums don't appreciate that. It's always fun to browse the souvenirs as well, I did a give away with some I think a certain Mangaluva out there loved~
Besides that you HAVE to see the Gibli museum and at least visit an onsen once. It might be awkward to undress at first, but I can promise you they are simply amazing.
What is also a good idea is to try some cakes at a cake shop (some even have tomato cakes, silly japanese). They are absolutely delicious, if I could have taken some strawberry shortcakes I would have!
Finally, credit cards are indeed a good thing to have, it's hard to find a good ATM that works, but if there's a post office or a citi bank you can try those. Post offices usually have an ATM that works for foreigners and so does the CITI bank, but I heard that's not the case for every debit card out there.

If you have any questions you can ask me, or check my blog to get an impression: http://yuritojapan.tumblr.com. I reblogged a lot of stuff there, including things about nice drinks, candy, and locations but also other stuff related to japan, so it might be best to browse the archive.

[dilbertschalter]

I just spent a month traveling through China during my break (I'm spending an academic year here studying Chinese) so I'd be happy to give advice. One thing I'm curious about is where you went before, so I can best tailor my suggestions.

The one thing I'll say before I'm off to bed (more later) is that train travel in China is very cheap.



This route cost me the equivalent of 200 usd. That's a bit misleading because I always made use of the hard seat class and traveled on "fast" trains (120/140 km/h vs the more expensive bullet trains, which top at around 200/250), even for overnight trains, but doing so with sleepers would have cost me ~350 (hard sleeper) or ~500 (soft sleeper). It's hard to match the speed of planes, but if you have some time I'd strongly recommend trains.

[Yardbird]

You can use a credit card anywhere in Japan that you could at home (just be sure that it's unlocked for international use; some issuers require that authorization). It'll be accepted at convenience stores, general shops, malls, etc. Tiny shops may not accept it, but it's going to be that way anywhere you go. Arrange a debit card or take enough cash to exchange at the airport, as no matter how many places take credit cards, you're really, really going to want some cash still.

As for a language barrier, I wouldn't worry about it. Just memorize the currency exchange against your home country's rate so you know how much money you're spending and also memorize a few choice phrases ("Please," "Thank you", and "Hello" will help a lot; even if you don't pronounce them well or use the wrong version of a word for an inopportune time, it'll be OK).

You'll be fine. Enjoy it!

Good to know about the credit card, so i think it's going to be like any other country i already visited (europe/caribbean/south america).

The problem with language is, i already saw on google map places i want to visit and i'll have to get a bus/train to get there, i don't feel confortable to stop at the right spot just trying to "read" the place's name

Ok then, there are several things you need in japan for hot summers. Take an umbrella (for both rain and sunshine because you'll get a sunburn otherwise), hand fan and a small towel you can make wet and put around your neck to stay cool.

Good advise, i'll take note!

Japanese don't tend to be very vocal during games (I think my mum and I cheered loudest during the games after we picked a team)

I'm aware of that, that's a little weird for ocidental people, no i noticed it right away when i was watching a concert dvd lol

Secondly, it is Conan street indeed. I've been to Hokuei for the museum and it was a blast. Just don't take pictures inside, since most museums don't appreciate that. It's always fun to browse the souvenirs as well, I did a give away with some I think a certain Mangaluva out there loved~
Besides that you HAVE to see the Gibli museum and at least visit an onsen once. It might be awkward to undress at first, but I can promise you they are simply amazing.

So you really recommend go to this place? Good to know! Now i won't miss it, i have to catch a bus to get there right?

About the Gibli museum, i even didn't know about this, thanks!

What is also a good idea is to try some cakes at a cake shop (some even have tomato cakes, silly japanese). They are absolutely delicious, if I could have taken some strawberry shortcakes I would have!
Finally, credit cards are indeed a good thing to have, it's hard to find a good ATM that works, but if there's a post office or a citi bank you can try those. Post offices usually have an ATM that works for foreigners and so does the CITI bank, but I heard that's not the case for every debit card out there.

If you have any questions you can ask me, or check my blog to get an impression: http://yuritojapan.tumblr.com. I reblogged a lot of stuff there, including things about nice drinks, candy, and locations but also other stuff related to japan, so it might be best to browse the archive.

I'm not a fan of cakes, but i'll make sure to take a taste! I don't have a City Account, but i'll search more about this so, if it's handy i may open an account there.

I just spent a month traveling through China during my break (I'm spending an academic year here studying Chinese) so I'd be happy to give advice. One thing I'm curious about is where you went before, so I can best tailor my suggestions.

The one thing I'll say before I'm off to bed (more later) is that train travel in China is very cheap.



This route cost me the equivalent of 200 usd. That's a bit misleading because I always made use of the hard seat class and traveled on "fast" trains (120/140 km/h vs the more expensive bullet trains, which top at around 200/250), even for overnight trains, but doing so with sleepers would have cost me ~350 (hard sleeper) or ~500 (soft sleeper). It's hard to match the speed of planes, but if you have some time I'd strongly recommend trains.

I never been there before, my mistake

I was aware of the train line, actually i was planning on use it wisely, changing to planes when convenient.

So i'm a first time, i'll take any advice you have about what's worth if you can say so!

Thank you all guys!

[Iwamoto Yuri]

Hahaha, you don't need an account there XD. Just setting your debit card to world should do enough.
Hokuei can be visited by train, but it's last train leaves quite early, so be sure to get there early as well, otherwise you'll be stuck there. As a side note, most stations have names added in romaji (aka out alphabet. As long as you know the name you should be able to find your way. Most hotels also offer maps of the area in English. If not, you can always ask for a tourist center. Japanese are polite people, we got lost multiple times and always had someone to help us find the way even if that meant they would be late.
Finally, google maps is your friend. I looked up routes on there many times. It does help a lot. (especially when it mentions what times trains leave and what you have to pay. You can always take the bus as well of course. In certain occasions they are much faster than train.
If there is anything else you wonder PM me, I love to help :3

[Yardbird]

Hahaha, you don't need an account there XD. Just setting your debit card to world should do enough.
Hokuei can be visited by train, but it's last train leaves quite early, so be sure to get there early as well, otherwise you'll be stuck there. As a side note, most stations have names added in romaji (aka out alphabet. As long as you know the name you should be able to find your way. Most hotels also offer maps of the area in English. If not, you can always ask for a tourist center. Japanese are polite people, we got lost multiple times and always had someone to help us find the way even if that meant they would be late.
Finally, google maps is your friend. I looked up routes on there many times. It does help a lot. (especially when it mentions what times trains leave and what you have to pay. You can always take the bus as well of course. In certain occasions they are much faster than train.
If there is anything else you wonder PM me, I love to help :3

Took note on everething, thanks a lot! I'm still not sure when i go though

[Cider]

Not sure about China, but the best month to visit Japan is April. You know, sakura shit. It's way too hot there in the summer

[kirite]

Not sure about China, but the best month to visit Japan is April. You know, sakura shit. It's way too hot there in the summer

And Yellow dust

Seriously if you're going at that time be sure to subscribe to something that will tell you the yellow dust level. It will make you feel horrible. At least always carry around face mask.

[Yardbird]

April for Sakuras, that's a really really good idea \o/

Never heard of this yellow dust thing, just googled it and i was like, wow

I decided to go to China in January 2015, i want to see this Harbin Ice Festival no matter what. Japan is a lot more expensive, so i'm saving for a little later, still not that later.

Thanks again