Japan Trip Planning & TUG Utilization

[LP1972]

Hello, I'm new to TUG and its a little overwhelming to be honest but that's on me. I was looking for general suggestions on how to effectively search travel ideas to Japan for late Spring 2025 either on the message boards focusing on how to find values in airfare and accommodations primarily. Specifically, how TUG membership might be able to help. I have a family of 4 and we will be traveling from the Washington DC area so we are not quite budget travelers but a notch above that whatever that is. I attempted to use the search function but not having much luck.

Also, I/m looking to validate my initial findings that searching on the Marketplace and Resort Reviews under "Tokyo" and "Japan" doesn't offer many options - is that because international travel to Japan hasn't been a major area of interest for TUG? Again, could totaly be operator error and likely is! I will be placing a Want Ad in the timeshare marketplace as well to see how that helps our efforts. Apologies in advance if I'm not falling TUG protocal in anyway (!) by posting this thread to the incorret location but any and all recommendations appreciated. Thanks!

 

[elaine]

I am from DC area. I can give you an airfare tip: flying HND-LAX, spending the night and then (on a separate ticket) LAX-IAD/DCA was cheaper than on one ticket from Toyko to DC.

 

[TUGBrian]

can use this tool to just search for "japan"...i found a number of threads with good info!

Search for Answers to your Timeshare Questions on Timeshare Users Group

Search for any timeshare company name or Timeshare question topic across all of TUG!

search.tug2.net

 

[WaikikiFirst]

how to effectively search travel ideas to Japan

I hate to be a buzzkill, but
a) TUG's internal search is terrible. I will pass on a great idea someone gave me. Go to google and search for what you want, adding "+tugbbs" to it. You'll get much better results.
b) We go to Japan every other yr. Stay for weeks or longer. You will find almost nothing about Japan here for a variety of reasons, #1 being you can probably count the # of TUG members who own a TS week in Japan on, maybe 0 fingers, after the yakuza chopped all your fingers off. Heck, you can probably count the # of Americans who own a TS week in Japan on a couple fingers.
c) Forget owning, there are very few TSs to rent in Japan, and they are way over-priced and not where you prob want to visit, unless you've already spent a year's worht of weeks in Japan.

more positive: go to agoda.com for a place to rent. Not that you have to, but get the experience of using a real Japanese bath in a real Japanese neighborhood. even on agoda, you can find completely western-style condos if you prefer

 

[WaikikiFirst]

travel ideas to Japan for late Spring 2025

I just realized you said this. Warning: going during Golden Week will be much more expensive and crowded. My advice: Do Not Do It unless it absolutely has to be that week.

Japan’s Golden Week 2025 - Travel Tips for a Successful Trip

Japan’s Golden Week refers to the period from late April to early May. This will be a very busy time to visit Japan. Read more tips on how to plan a successful trip during this period.

www.asiahighlights.com

 

[TUGBrian]

I hate to be a buzzkill, but
a) TUG's internal search is terrible. I will pass on a great idea someone gave me. Go to google and search for what you want, adding "+tugbbs" to it. You'll get much better results.

dont even need to do that, as this is what https://search.tug2.net does.

 

[iftravel]

I just realized you said this. Warning: going during Golden Week will be much more expensive and crowded. My advice: Do Not Do It unless it absolutely has to be that week.

Japan’s Golden Week 2025 - Travel Tips for a Successful Trip

Japan’s Golden Week refers to the period from late April to early May. This will be a very busy time to visit Japan. Read more tips on how to plan a successful trip during this period.

www.asiahighlights.com

Book as early as you can with points. I booked early March with AA points two months ago, direct from JFK for 35k points per person per way. Can always cancel for free but we want to make it happen so curious as OP to plan other things (first timer).

 

[LP1972]

I am from DC area. I can give you an airfare tip: flying HND-LAX, spending the night and then (on a separate ticket) LAX-IAD/DCA was cheaper than on one ticket from Toyko to DC.

Amazing insight. If you have any additional tips or tricks, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[LP1972]

I hate to be a buzzkill, but
a) TUG's internal search is terrible. I will pass on a great idea someone gave me. Go to google and search for what you want, adding "+tugbbs" to it. You'll get much better results.
b) We go to Japan every other yr. Stay for weeks or longer. You will find almost nothing about Japan here for a variety of reasons, #1 being you can probably count the # of TUG members who own a TS week in Japan on, maybe 0 fingers, after the yakuza chopped all your fingers off. Heck, you can probably count the # of Americans who own a TS week in Japan on a couple fingers.
c) Forget owning, there are very few TSs to rent in Japan, and they are way over-priced and not where you prob want to visit, unless you've already spent a year's worht of weeks in Japan.

more positive: go to agoda.com for a place to rent. Not that you have to, but get the experience of using a real Japanese bath in a real Japanese neighborhood. even on agoda, you can find completely western-style condos if you prefer

Awesome. Thanks so much. We aren't looking to own there but simply visit........hopefully the Yukaza and I are okay with that! lol

 

[LP1972]

I just realized you said this. Warning: going during Golden Week will be much more expensive and crowded. My advice: Do Not Do It unless it absolutely has to be that week.

Japan’s Golden Week 2025 - Travel Tips for a Successful Trip

Japan’s Golden Week refers to the period from late April to early May. This will be a very busy time to visit Japan. Read more tips on how to plan a successful trip during this period.

www.asiahighlights.com

Thank you. We will likely go late May at the earliest so we can dodge that bullet at least. Tourist 1 Japan 0

 

[LP1972]

Book as early as you can with points. I booked early March with AA points two months ago, direct from JFK for 35k points per person per way. Can always cancel for free but we want to make it happen so curious as OP to plan other things (first timer).

Appreciate the heads up. One of my early goals/ideas is to take advantage of the deals that occur on 'Travel Tuesday' this year so that I can ideally use any travel point bonus incentives along with actual discounted airfares. I only found out about Travel Tuesday last year and we landed a sweet deal to visit Iceland the following year. Fingers crossed this year! Thanks again!

 

[BJRSanDiego]

dont even need to do that, as this is what https://search.tug2.net does.

Thanks for posting this!

 

[ScoopKona]

Japan veteran here.

1) There simply aren't many timeshares. It never really "clicked" in Japan.
2) You will be best served doing a deep dive into "what do I want to see?" Japan has everything, crammed into an area about the size of California. Coral reefs, skiing, hot-tubbing monkeys. This is not a country geared for tour buses and cruise ships. A little research goes a long way. This is my favorite part about Japanese travel because it's inaccessible to people who won't read.
3) Japan has the best restaurant scene on the entire planet. There is no place offering higher quality for lower prices. I mostly eat Japanese food in Japan. But pick a style and there's a good chance they make it better for less. Especially French, Indian and Italian. They also make the second best Kentucky Fried Chicken, only outclassed by Hawaii. I go there for tonkatsu ramen, street food, and sushi.
4) Cash is king in Japan. They take credit cards more often than "the old days." But often my card is waved away and I have to pull yen.