This is what I wrote to the embassy


and the reply is this



I have also called ahead and was told that the RM20k thing is a rumour and should not be believed. If concerned that the application would be rejected, can submit an example of the costing, maybe a quotation/cost for a ground tour to indicate the amount needed on a per day basis.

EDIT:

Further clarification from the embassy:



This post has been edited by athlee: Oct 27 2010, 04:17 PM

Does anyone know if the Japan Rail Pass can be used on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo? It is supposed to be valid for JR trains, but the site also says that it is not valid for trains inside Tokyo.

I am going to use the pass for travel from Tokyo to Nikko, then to Kyoto and back to Tokyo. I also intend to go to Nara and if got time Osaka. Would there be any parts of the travel between these places that I cannot use the pass? I should be back in Tokyo on the 7th day. so I wanted to check if I can use that to go on the Yamanote line (Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku).

I am going on the 24/4 and intend to go to Nikko on the 25th for a night before going down to Kyoto on the 26th. I will then return to Tokyo on 1st of May and remain there for the rest of my trip, probably going for day trips to Kamakura and Yokohama.

Is this practical seeing that it is during Golden Week? In Kyoto, I want to see the temples and stuff, will they be closed on Showa day (29/4)? Should I plan to go Osaka on that day instead?

I got this from http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en004.html

I know that there are a lot of tracks in Tokyo, so when it says monorail, is it refering to a specific track/system? Or does it encompass all the tracks in Tokyo?

lucky you, I have another 6 months to go

why would it be better for you that MAS stops at Narita? Isn't it further and more expensive to go to Tokyo from Narita?

huh?!! You lost me somewhere. I thought it was better to fly to Haneda because it is closer to Tokyo and thus cheaper to travel into Tokyo as compared to Narita?

Oh, ok, thanks for the clarification.

Has anyone been to Kakunodate in Akita perfecture? Is there anywhere cheap to stay there or thereabouts? I was planning to take a day trip there from either Tokyo or Sendai, but while hyperdia shows trains going to kakunodate in the morning, there is like no train to take back to Sendai or Tokyo in the afternoon/evening

Thanks for the feedback RegentCid.

I just did a second search and it showed a train from Kakunodate back to Tokyo in the afternoon, so a day trip is now possible again if I am willing to sit in the train for 200+200 minutes.

try Willer Express, I think they allow booking online for overnight bus from Tokyo to Kyoto. JR also has an overnight bus I think, but cannot remember if the bookings can be done online. Willer Express has an english website last I looked.

Want to ask, I read that part of Himeji Castle is closed for renovations, can anyone confirm as to which part is closed and which is open?

Can anyone advice on whether there is any other companies besides Willer that allow for online reservations in English for travel from Tokyo to Kyoto via bus? I tried Willer, but the date that I want 25/04/2011 always return as empty and there was no response when I emailed them.

I checked all of them and they are all in japanese. I guess I will have to find someone to book for me. Thanks for the link.

Thanks for sharing. Can anyone else who have taken the flight share as to how long it took you guys to clear custom? Any delays to the flight?

Do you guys stay at the airport or take the monorail/limousine into the city?

Thanks for sharing. So you reach Shinjuku before 12.20?

Sigh, I guess it isn't practical to book an overnight bus to Kyoto even if it leaves at 12.30.

Hi, does anyone know whether the JR train service to the north / north-west has resumed? I am supposed to head up to Hiraizumi/Ichinoseki on 2 or 3 May to catch the festival there but am now wondering if I should change to extra days in Osaka or Tokyo. Any news or link would be welcomed.



EDIT: Nevermind, I found the news on JR-East's website, all suspended.

http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/tohoku.aspx

This post has been edited by athlee: Mar 21 2011, 02:04 PM

Actually, the reverse is true. People are saying not to go to Jpn or S. Korea because they watch a bit of news and suddenly they 'think' they are an expert on radiation. In fact, these are most likely the same people who ran screaming into the supermarkets grabbing all the salt they can get.