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

Find answers to your timeshare questions and explore company reviews, ratings, and expert insights! Search for any 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.

 

[iftravel]

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.

is Uber available and easy to use in Japan?

 

[ScoopKona]

is Uber available and easy to use in Japan?

Never tried. Google maps and the train system for me. Gets me within a kilometer or two of where I want to be. And then I can just walk.

Google maps and translate make Japan relatively simple. And since everyone wants to take a photo with me, getting directions -- or simply led to my destination by someone who wants a selfie with a giant -- is easy.

In China, my wife charges for selfies with the giant. "If you want a picture with the big monkey, you have to buy him a beer." We don't have enough Japanese to pull it off.

 

[LP1972]

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.

Thanks!

 

[LP1972]

In terms of airfare, I have learned that Alaska Air has a high points redemption with Japan Airlines if you have Alaska Air miles. Amex points convert to Alaska Air so this may be a feasible option. Delta, United, Alaska Air and Air Canada if you already have points; 700-750 points roundtrip to Tokyo). To purchase airfare to Tokyo for cash, I am seeing Air Canada and Delta over the last few weeks being the cheapest starting at $900 for roundtrip economy. This is all from the DC area. I am keeping my fingers crossed that there are some good Travel Tuesday deals.

 

[ScoopKona]

In terms of airfare, I have learned that Alaska Air has a high points redemption with Japan Airlines if you have Alaska Air miles. Amex points convert to Alaska Air so this may be a feasible option. Delta, United, Alaska Air and Air Canada if you already have points; 700-750 points roundtrip to Tokyo). To purchase airfare to Tokyo for cash, I am seeing Air Canada and Delta over the last few weeks being the cheapest starting at $900 for roundtrip economy. This is all from the DC area. I am keeping my fingers crossed that there are some good Travel Tuesday deals.

Only three departure cities make sense to me -- Honolulu, Kailua-Kona and Seattle.

I would look at time in the air before looking at price. And I would absolutely do a stopover in one of those three areas for a day or two -- just to get out and go for a walk. Get a real night's sleep in a real bed.

[Your location] -> HNL/SEA (one or two nights in a hotel, eat some fish) -> HND/NRT

 

[LP1972]

Only three departure cities make sense to me -- Honolulu, Kailua-Kona and Seattle.

I would look at time in the air before looking at price. And I would absolutely do a stopover in one of those three areas for a day or two -- just to get out and go for a walk. Get a real night's sleep in a real bed.

[Your location] -> HNL/SEA (one or two nights in a hotel, eat some fish) -> HND/NRT

Thanks, I'll check out flights from SEA to see if it makes sense. fingers crossed. I'm also learning that because my trip is still 6 months away that I'm not being quoted the best airline rates and likely wont until I about 3 months out. Hopefully Travel Tuesday can help.

 

[elaine]

And I would absolutely do a stopover in one of those three areas for a day or two -- just to get out and go for a walk. Get a real night's sleep in a real bed.

thanks. looking into AU via HNL on Qantas/Amercian.

 

[ScoopKona]

Thanks, I'll check out flights from SEA to see if it makes sense. fingers crossed. I'm also learning that because my trip is still 6 months away that I'm not being quoted the best airline rates and likely wont until I about 3 months out. Hopefully Travel Tuesday can help.

Good.

Since SEA to downtown Seattle on SoundTransit is so convenient, I would absolutely overnight it. Find a hotel somewhere between Pike Place and the airport. Grab some fish. Lowell's? Luke's? Jack's? It's all good. Touristy. But good. I wouldn't go to any of the Japanese places, naturally. Grab some IPA and some crab.

And then back to Sea-Tac for leg two.

This is how I get to Europe from Hawaii. KOA -> SEA -> KEF -> Destination. It's the least-painful option.

 

[ScoopKona]

thanks. looking into AU via HNL on Qantas/Amercian.

This is another case where "just take the shuttle into town and sleep someplace nice" makes a LOT of sense.