[Kotetsu]

Ｈｉ　everybody,

Herblenny just asked me to join so here I am.

Well, I hope that I can be of nay help to you guys. I've been living in Japan for a little while now but un fortunately, because of my studies at first then my job I never really had the chance to travel a lot in the country. However I'v still seen many different places and can recommand some. It just depends on what you wanna see.

If you're looking for a traditionnal image of Japan with historical places, Nara and Kyoto will be a good start. If you want to stay close to Tokyo, Kamakur is not far and is pretty similar to Kyoto in many ways. I'll recommand this place if don't have a lot of time and also want to visit tuners or other more "modern" places.

If you have a little more time and want to see a Japan alittle bit different from the "clichés", you can try to go deeper in the countryside. I personnaly live in Shizuoka which is a "small" town of 350000 inhabitants. A lot more quiet than Tokyo or Osaka with a lot of places to see arround, but it'll maybe require a car though.

Concerning the best time to visit Japan, well I'd lke to say April. Cherry blossoms every where, not too hot, not too cold, not too wet. My favourite time in the year. People also like to have picnics under the "sakura" and this a really pleasant time. But if possible avoid the Golden week at the beginning of may because most japanese have a bunch of days off at that time and hotels are crowded.

Autumn is a great season too but prefer to come just after the typhoon season wich brings a lot of rain especially in Kyushu. In Shizuoka it doesn't really matter, weather is fine during that period usually.

For the accomodation you can also choose between different formulas from business hotels, guest houses, ryokan (traditionnal japanese hotels)... Prices my vary. There again, it depends on what you're looking for and you budget.

I think that's all I can say for now but if you have questions, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Sincerely,

Nick