Wow... haven't been visiting this thread for sometime and it's now v4.

Yes, it can still be used. It's valid for 10 years.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html

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Added on August 12, 2011, 2:39 pmBased on your list of places, I would say you don't need a rail pass.
The rail pass is good if you plan to make multiple stops in between cities.


This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Aug 12 2011, 02:39 PM

You might want to check out the prepaid data SIM offerings from B-mobile. So far, the 1GB data SIM is the most worth it and it'll definitely be cheaper than roaming on 3G with any telco.

http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/market/index.html

It's in Japanese but you just need to be a bit resourceful and use Google Translate to figure out the terms and conditions.

I've wrote a short post about this in the previous version thread (this is before they have the 1GB data SIM) -
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=40492661

Well, even if you work out the cost for the monthly 1GB limit prepaid, it's still cheaper than any other methods to get mobile data (eg Intl data roaming or getting one of those mobile wifi hotspot thingy). So, unless you're here for just 1-2 days, getting this B-mobile prepaid Data SIM is my recommendation.

DoCoMo Sharp phone? Which model? http://k-tai.sharp.co.jp/lineup/d/
But anyway, with DoCoMo; I don't think you can get just the phone itself.
Also, it'll be quite pointless since most of the functions & services are for the Japan market & network only.

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Added on February 14, 2012, 10:56 amI tried it before for 1 day so here's my 2 cents worth-

1. Season
I went to Kyoto during the summer holiday and it was HOT. So... hot weather plus cycling doesn't go together. (Imagine cycling around KL city in our weather ) I guess if you're not going there during the summer season then it might not be that bad.

2. Costs
I can't remember how much it costs me to rent the bicycle but I think it was definitely more than 1000 yen / day.
The one day bus pass that covers the entire Kyoto city is only 500 yen.
In this sense, if you have more time in your hands; it might make more sense to buy the day-pass ticket and then plan your itinerary based on the bus route and schedule.

3. Convenience
Cycling around from one spot to the next is more convenient and in most cases, faster as you can cut through the smaller roads.
However, you cannot simply park your bicycle anywhere and yes, you also sometimes need to pay for the parking.
So, while it's convenient that you don't need to walk to the bus stops and wait for the bus, you'll need to worry about other stuffs.

4. Hidden parts of Kyoto
One of the biggest advantage when you cycle is that you''re going through some of the smaller roads and also alleys whereby the bus route won't cover. So, this gives a nice perspective on the city and it is also very unique.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Feb 14 2012, 10:56 AM

You should be able to purchase it online from the website.
They'll deliver it to an address in Japan and you can specify the delivery date and time.

The only thing is that I remember they need you to activate the SIM card using another mobile phone or landline.
But they have all the instructions in english so it should be easy to understand.

For the 1GB prepaid SIM (at full speed 14Mbps) it's 3,480円.
The 2,980円 one is for the unlimited data SIM but the speed is capped at 300Kbps.

I'm not too familiar with Osaka so I can't comment much but I've been to Kyoto twice.
However, I can say that your current plans for the 2 days in Kyoto is almost impossible to achieve.

You need to calculate in the time to travel from one place to the next.
Unless you plan to take taxi from one spot to the other, you'll be spending some time either waiting for the bus or walking to the subway and walking from subway to each of the destination. This adds up.

You might want to reconsider some of the places you plan to visit and if you think you can skip it, I advice that you do.
That way you'll have a more enjoyable trip admiring each of the places rather than just rushing from one point to the next.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Feb 17 2012, 08:57 PM

I'm just on my way back to Tokyo. I was in SG for a week on a business trip.
Bila balik ke Malaysia?

Ohisashiburi~~~~
So long never post in this thread already. Haha...
How's everyone?

@nasizwan
Happy Eid Mubarak to you in Tokyo!