hi,

first of all, i'm in japan currently. thanks for this forum, i got lots of useful tips from LYN.

for google map, the price, duration, and transit, i can say as far as i use these several days, mostly are accurate. things i learnt to make life easier (sorry if this is a repeat if somebody already mentioned):

- always observe what is the exit number of the train station. i.e. one train station may have several exits, and sometimes to go to the closest place is using that exit. take the wrong exit, you'll still find that place, but you'll go round and round abit.
- take note of the train lines, the train direction, and the train station to make the transfers
- use Street View, it's helpful to visualize what is the landmark to go to certain place
- sometimes, the google map shows the duration based on Express train, not Local train (google whats the difference of Local, Rapid, Express, Limited Express). try check later and earlier trips to see the duration patterns.

have fun. (and rest assure, no matter how much we prepare, we still have to ask locals for direction )

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Added on October 14, 2012, 10:56 pmi went last saturday, and just gamble by buying it walk-in. no problem.

but the queue for some of the rides are DAMN long (they also queue for toilets, to buy drinks, popcorns ) . the longest i've seen i think is 150 minutes waiting time. even the FastPass tickets are finished.

i also notice when its lunch time, some queues become shorter, maybe locals go for lunch? dunno if u want to plan around for this.

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Added on October 14, 2012, 11:04 pmanother option to get to Yokohama is Tokyu Line, Shibuya station direct to Minatomirai station, 440 yen.
oh and if you are a museum person, i suggest Cup Noodles Museum as well.

have fun.

This post has been edited by abu_adi: Oct 14 2012, 11:04 PM

Yep, its stated in the japan embassy msia website. Maybe to promote economy by tourism hor? Talked to a shopkeeper here last week, he said business not good after tsunami/quake, less tourist than usual before tsunami.

Seems like most places are hit by heavy rain last night eh? Me need to wait for my shoes to dry. Have to find another sandals or shoes to walk around

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Added on October 18, 2012, 10:16 amIinm, u can overnite at the airport. Police will come and gather all of passengers to the first floor so that all are safe together.

Just catch the train / bus to narita the night before will do.

This post has been edited by abu_adi: Oct 18 2012, 10:16 AM

If go to odaiba, can also go to megaweb if you are a car person. Toyota gallery n small theme park.

Also a mini version of a statue of liberty (about 2 storeys high) with rainbow bridge on the background. Take free shuttle bus from megaweb n stop at aqua city mall.

Taxi meter start at 600 or 700 yen. Then goes 100 yenfor each 500m. Thsere also additional midnight surcharge.Use map to estimatr distance and cost.

Tried when me and my partner have to move with big luggages within short distances.

FYI today's flight from Msia to Haneda, delayed, and departs at 4.30pm. plan carefully for future travel.

airasia x flight suppose to depart at 2.45 pm and reach there at 11 pm.

just use google maps. only need to know station names. even that, you can find online.

If flight from haneda to kl, make sure u pick meal if u want to eat early (around 1 hr after take off). I chose sandwich which is a snack, not meal, only to found out snacks are served 1 hour before landing.

This post has been edited by abu_adi: Nov 17 2012, 12:13 AM

I used luggage service from airport to hotel. It helps when rushing to trains, and also to buy time since we arrived several hours earlier than hotel checkin time, so want to go see other place first, dont need to haul luggages with us all the time.

It costs 3000+ yen per luggage, it will take same day or next day depends on the distance. You can ask this, and make sure you have the hotel address for them.

When arrived at the hotel, just inform hotel, they should able to receive the luggages later without you being present, so you dont have to worry to come back.

when in airport, look for the counters in the arrival halls, usually they are located there.

if for hotel, i'm not sure, i think you can ask from the reception/concierge, they should be helpful to contact the service provider to do this.

one example is this: http://www.jalabc.com/english/index2.html

Last bus from Haneda to Yokohama is 1230am IINM, just google YCAT Haneda. If u managed to catch that, you just have to worry about paying taxi to royal park hotel since thhre wont be any subway when u arrive later.
Or you can overnight in Haneda, and catch the earliest bus to YCAT 515am next morning.
There is also First Cabin compact hotel in Haneda at 800yen/hour.

found a site which offers muslim tours package. even if not interested, it has links to some of those halal shops.

http://www.feeljapank.com/index.html

in case if it's helpful for ppl asking halal stuff in this thred once in a while.

If you happen to take Rinkai line to Odaiba (maybe if you go to Mega Web or Diver City, etc), there's a FOC bus tour around Odaiba, that actually stops at Aqua City. The bus stop is outside the Tokyo Teleport station, facing the Mega Web.

If anybody plan to use runner to apply visa, the Mayflower beside IOI mall, already closed. I went there this morning, and confirmed with Mayflower HQ. (The HQ does provide it, if we buy their packages.)

The good thing is, Keris travel inside IOI mall still does runner service (thanks to mr stimix post). RM50 per passport.

This post has been edited by abu_adi: Feb 20 2013, 11:42 AM

Just arrived in Tokyo 2 days ago. Been raining all the times. Weather forecast says thursday will stop, hopefully its true.

One board to see all the waiting queue in Disneyland....


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i was with my wife for her business trip there. she applied her visa on business reason, while I applied on tourist reason. we both got our visa.

at immigration in Japan, she ended up questioned longer than usual at the counter, than me. i guess the govt there is more worried on people coming work there (in case they overstay work forever), rather than tourists like us.