Honeymoon in Japan and ... ???

lizziedwedding

The Hubs and I are planning a honeymoon for December 28 2012 - January 15 2013 (or so). We plan to first fly from Chicago to Tokyo, visit friends in Japan for 4-5 days, and then head off on our official honeymoon! I think we'll prefer visiting just one more country, and while we'll no doubt want rest & relaxation for some of the time, it's more in our nature to go out and explore and be active. We really like to get a feel for the places we visit, and not just do the typical, touristy type stuff. 

Some countries we're considering are:

Bali

Bora Bora

Cook Islands

Fiji

New Zealand

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Thailand

Any and all recommendations are welcome! Thank you!

Liz & Chris

Jells2dot0

How far are you willing to travel from Japan? What is your budget? The flight from Japan to Tahiti is around 12 hours- longer than it is from the US. The Cooks are even farther away (The Cooks are around 10 hours from the US; Tahiti is only 8). The flights will also run you more than coming from the US.

How about Palau? It's only around 4-5 hours from Japan and it's hard to get to from the US. We considered Palau for our DW, but ultimately ended up with Australia. It's quite a bit less expensive than Tahiti and certainly just as exotic. You won't find the level of luxury there as you will in Tahiti or maybe even the Cooks, but it's certainly an opportunity I wouldn't pass up (personally!)


EDIT: I should add I've been to Tahiti quite a few times; Fiji once,and the Cooks were second on my DW list. So if you have any questions, let me know!

girlinchicago

Since you're traveling in January and like to be active, Thailand would be my pick.  H and I went to Fiji for our wedding and honeymoon and we loved it, but Thailand is our favorite of all the places we've traveled together. 

We did 3 nights in Bangkok, 4 in Chiang Mai, 4 in Krabi, 1 in Bangkok, and a night in Hong Kong on our way back to Chicago.  Wouldn't have changed a thing.  We visited floating markets, fishing villages, fed monkeys, spent a day with elephants, pet baby tigers, took a day of cooking classes, saw tons of temples, lounged on the beach, got amazing $12 massages on the beach, ate amazing food...the whole trip from beginning to end was fantastic.  

Let me know if you have any questions!

Snippylynn

I don't understand why just Japan isn't enough. You could travel the entire length and bredth of the country and really SEE it. 

Anyway, I'd go for Thailand. I think H and I are going there next year. 

Soon2BeMrsTing

January is a lovely time to be anywhere in Thailand. I've been four times for conferences, and always in late January-early February.  Chiang Mai is great for the mountain scenery, Phi Phi/Phuket, Hua Hin and also Samui are favorites, too.  I never stay too long in Bangkok.

New Zealand will be chilly in January, even the north island and even though it will be summer there. H and I did a babymoon in Australia and New Zealand this past January. We were situated in the central and northern parts of the north island (near Auckland, and then down as far south as National Park to see the volcano which cameo'ed as Mt. Doom in the LOTR trilogy). The hiking in National Park was epic, but we were woefully unprepared for how cold it would be.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two other good southeast Asia options.  I was surprised that after seeing Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia became my favorite.

What are your vacation personalities?  Are you foodies?  Then I would say, go to Hong Kong or Taiwan!  Are you beach bums?  Then Thailand would be a good bet.  Are you into history?  Then come to mainland China, where I am, even though it will be winter. 

BookWormKim

I went to Japan in November and it was AMAZING. I only had one week there and it was not enough. We spent 4 days in Tokyo and 1 day in Osaka and 2 days in Kyoto.

If you are traveling to Japan I would recommend spending the entire time there especially since the flight is very long (for me 14 hours nonstop!). Besides there's SO MUCH to see and do in the city, country and on the beaches you'll have plenty to emerse yourself in.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

My husband used to live in New Zealand. He loved it, but he also thought he'd be able to travel to mainland Asia more than he did - he went to Japan once, when he was on his way back to the states. The flight was at least 8 hours. And then it's a long flight back from NZ to the US...

What about Taiwan or Hong Kong? Thailand would be great, split between Bangkok and the beach. Or Singapore.