Not everyone is free to visit the embassy as they wish. Plus, you need those printed statements stamped by bank officers. I would prefer to get it done on first try; i don't know some people like to sit in embassy's lobby and enjoy their aircond

You can apply for visa with a stated intended travel date on the application. The visa will come in force once you pass through Japan's immigration and day 1 kicks in from then. I did mine 4 months before my travel date and bought the air ticket a week after i obtained the visa.

Not necessarily everyone should use my method; it's just an advice.

Your 'common mindset' principle baffles me; it's COMMON that people resigns/seppuku over a single mistake in Japan. Please don't hurl that 'common' thing at me if you intend to pursue a lost cause in a grey area. That is WHY planning is important; there is no room for mistakes, which is a COMMON Japanese culture (and anywhere in the world really, if you're in the working realm) if you adamant to tread that path. Anyway, that's the last time i'm going to debate on this matter, if you don't get it, no point.

Regarding the visa, you have to ask them that question, they are the ones who gave me 

Perhaps you're right. e.g. the university entrance exams. Not uncommon for students to try again (waiting a year) to get into one of the national universities, having failed at their initial try. Some do this even though they've been accepted into one of the "lesser" universities.

Then again, I don't know of a culture that doesn't allow you a second chance. North Korean perhaps?

I have one question, do u guys know any Malaysia ATM card that can be used in Japan to draw money?

For Maybankard Bankcard (ATM) cardholders, you will need to activate your ATM card before performing transactions overseas. Do this at any ATM or call our Customer Care hotline at 1-300-88-6688 or 603-7844 3696 (overseas).

could u guys suggest an itinerary for budget stay in Tokyo for 5 days and 4 night?

Hi guys ! Is there any way to purchase items from Yahoo Japan Auction site? I'm interested in getting something from there. Hope somebody here would help me out on this, cheers ! =)

Hihi guys, help me critique my itinerary plan please? 5d4n in Tokyo:

Day1 (arrive narita 6.45, reach hotel 8.00):
Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya
Day2
Tsujiki Fish Market, Nihonbashi, Ginza, Tokyo Dome City, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Akihabara
Day3
Ameyoko, Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Sengakuji Temple, Shinagawa, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi, Ikebukuro
Day4
Disneyland or Disneysea (which one better?)
Day5:
Can't really do anything cos 1:30pm flight so have to leave quite early

Too packed/Don't make sense cos things all over the place? I stay at a hotel in Toshima. Also ... feel like going to just one temple OK liao, which one to choose?

Too packed/Don't make sense cos things all over the place? I stay at a hotel in Toshima. Also ... feel like going to just one temple OK liao, which one to choose?

Ginza makes sense since it is near Tsukiji and you can walk from/to either places. I would plan around a locale like you have instead of activity. Otherwise it will be costly in terms of train fares.

I've never been to Tsukiji auction itself (too early in the am) but I've been to the market itself a couple of times. I think it is still a good experience because it's a working market - very interesting to see fishmongers zip around at lightspeed on their one-man "scooters" and the variety of seafood available. You might even see the famous (don't touch) bluefin tunas - huge. Good for an hour of look-see I think.

okok thanks, will go there for breakfast/brunch too I think. google tells me to go Sushi Dai for the omakase but ... 1-2 hour queue hmmmmmmmmmm.

what are the differences between pasmo and suica? Im confused. Which one is better for traveling inside tokyo?

No no no no 100 times no. Do you know how Malaysia every shopping mall also at least got one money changer? Japan is not like that. Money changer is damn hard to find and if you do find it the rates are terrible.

Exchange everything you need here - Mid Valley's rates are good. If in Japan you run out of money then find a seven eleven and withdraw from their 7-bank ATMs (normal ATM won't read your cirrus/mastercard ATM card).

Hello Everyone,

I'm going for Tokyo trip in this November. Can anyone please advise on my itinerary? Appreciate your help, Thank you

Day 1 - Ikebukuro, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Tokyo Tower
Day 2 - Disneyland
Day 3 - Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku
Day 4 - Doraemon Museum (If able to purchase ticket) & Yokohama
Day 5 - Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, Akihabara
Day 6 - Odaiba
Day 7 - Roppongi Hills & heading back to KL

Looking for a relax trip, that's why don't feel like following tour agent with tight schedule rush here and there.

Looking for unique places, beautiful scenery, great foods, some shoppings but stuff is expensive in Japan right, burberry black label? Not so into theme park, traveling with my gf. Later check out your route suggestion.

Hi, thank you so much for your advices. i try to group the travel route based on my hotel location. On the first 4 nights, I will be staying at Ikebukuro & the following 2 nights will be at Asakusa. I got no any special travel interest, I just wana go to the places that I mentioned above & see Tokyo with my own eyes. Ya, I wish to see beautiful autumn leaves..can u suggest which is the best spot to see the autumn leaves? Thank you.

Anyhows, I'm planning on coming to Tokyo sometime Nov-Dec for jalan2, budget style, for two weeks. See how far I can get by with kombini food, hostels, couch surfing and HelpX-ing.

So guys, is the very idea of budget travel in Japan an outlandish one? Any general cost saving tips, ones that tour guidebooks gloss over maybe?

Other than that, I have some more specific questions.

1) Is it even worth it for me to get Softbank or JCR rental SIM (not iPhone, sadly), or would it be better for me to just get a pre-paid B-mobile U300 1-month SIM?

All I really need is data anyway. I'm dying to get a Prepaid SIM for another phone (I have spares) but I know that's not easy.

Similarly, I don't think the Japanese have prepaid blackberry simpacks either. Rather, is there any way for a tourist to get Blackberry services at all in JP? Besides JCR's rentals.

Any "backdoor" way to get data/blackberry services without resorting to rentals? Preferably pre-paid or contract-free.

2) Clothing - Hows the weather like Nov-Dec? It's like between autumn/winter so I'm having trouble deciding to pack for winter or autumn or both.

3) Anything interesting happening late Nov-early Dec? Most online guides I go to tell me nothing's on.

4) Suica or Passmo or JR East travel pass? Looking at the travel pass, I doubt I'm gonna need THAT much investment into travel. I'm more then game on spending time switching slow trains into the far reaches if it comes to that, vs taking a Shinkansen. And given enough stops, I can walk a long, long way (as long as it's cold).

4) ATM machines? Can we withdraw money from ATMs in JP from say Maybank or whatever? Through Cirrus or something? Or should I stick to traveller's cheques/bag o' cash for my financial reserves?

5) Kombini/Supaa Bentos - They DO have kinds that vegetarian/fish-based stuff only right? It'll be kinda horrifying if I were to spend 2 weeks eating cold soba and onigiri for bfast, lunch and dinner. Though I have no real issues if it actually comes to that.

Your insights are certainly appreciated. Dozo yoroushiku ya de.

Dang. Even packet food? Oh well, I've fully marked  total vegan food spots over in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nikko and Kamakura edi in Google Maps. A bite of something wouldn't be so hard to find now.

And if all else fails, there's always trusty natto and zaru soba.

And rad index... daym. Sure Xmen when I come back.