TLDR: Will be joining a Japanese language school. Was hoping to get morning classes, so that can travel around Tokyo in the day after class. But I got afternoon classes (non-negotiable). Is there time to travel around and enjoy japan apart from weekends?
I will be studying in a Japanese language school in Tokyo starting April. My intention was to learn Japanese, and also enjoy travelling around different parts of Tokyo.
Recently I found out that my classes would be in the afternoon 1.30pm-5.30pm. This was quite a blow to my plans of travelling around after classes, compared to if my classes had been in the morning. I had planned something like this
– 7am: Wake up early, head to class
– 9am-1pm: Japanese class
– 1pm-3pm: Revise classwork
– 3pm-9pm: Visit some new part of Tokyo
The positives of the above are that
1) Have around six full hours to visit a different part of Tokyo. Can take a one hour train ride to visit towns that are further out, for example, Enoshima, Kamakura, Ichijoji etc.
2) Able to do revision right after class, while everything is still fresh in my mind
The cons of afternoon session that I foresee, since I end at 5.30pm
1) Cannot take the train far out to other cities. Ability to enjoy other parts of Tokyo on a weekday is low. Unless it's nearby
2) Limited to shopping, eating or nightlife activities. Even so, only for a few hours
3) Will be too tired to revise after class. Most likely will want to go out with friends
4) Before class (1.30pm) feels like a "dead period", where I can't enjoy japan much since most shops open around 10 am. I could travel out, shop, and go to school but it would be very tight
If you are in a similar situation, can I know if there are any unseen positives (apart from being able to wake up late), and how to best enjoy Japan (not just on weekends) given my schedule.
I'd like to apologise if I'm being too negative or unappreciative. I know I am lucky to even be in japan
by QwerlerRocky