v4 been Full. Please proceed to Version 5



This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:35 PM

Hokkaido (北海道)
Japan's second largest island.
83,453.57 km2
Largest City: Sapporo
Major place in Hokkaido:
Hakodate, Asahikawa , Chitose , Furano , Kushiro , Noboribetsu , Obihiro , Otaru , Wakkanai

more info on V5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:34 PM

Honshu (本州)
The largest and most populous island of Japan
227,962.59 km2
Largest City: Tokyo
Prefectures:
Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi.

More Info , Please visit V5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:34 PM

Shikoku (四国)
Four Main Islands of Japan
18,800 km2
Largest City: Matsuyama
Prefectures:
Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, Tokushima

More info at Version 5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:50 PM

Kyushu (九州)
The third largest island of Japan
35,640 km2
Largest City: Fukuoka
Prefectures:
Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Ōita, Saga

More info at version 5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:48 PM

Ryukyu Islands (琉球諸島)
A chain of volcanic Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan
4,642.11 km2
Largest City: Okinawa
Prefectures:
Okinawa

More info at Version 5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:44 PM

Tips of the Months:

transferred to V5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:37 PM

Tips of the Months:
Transferred to V5

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 6 2014, 08:38 PM

Nicely done. V4 now.
ありがとうございます、リジェントウ様。

This post has been edited by ZeroSP: Jan 8 2014, 12:36 AM

Grats on v4

I thought its already confirmed that no visa is required so why is it still "Waiting for the official announcement:" on the first page?

Anyone who travel to Japan buy a temporary sims card there?

congratulation on V4.

Continue to do the homework here

Most are rent the 3G / 4G dongle.

dear all, appreciate if you can advise on this portion of itinerary for my japan trip

- is day 2 achievable? did i squeeze in too many places?
- does day 3 have too little places planned?
- having dilemma on day 1, i really want to visit Disney Sea but not sure if i would miss out much of the attractions in tokyo

thanks!


Rough Itinerary
---------------
Day 1:
Disney Sea

Day 2:
9am: Tsukiji fish market
10:30am: Tokyo Imperial Palace
11:30am: Meiji shrine
1pm: Harajuku > Shibuya > Shinjuku

Day 3:
9am: Asakusa (temples and street)
1pm: Ueno park
6pm: Akihabara


Day 4 to 7 would be mt fuji, kyoto, osaka (haven't planned the itenarary yet)

can.. if u are not a shopping person, just walk around the shopping street, and definitely is a tiring day.
imo, imperial palace nothing much to see, the nijubashi bridge & the palace can only observe from entrance. you can walk around at the garden. last time i do hit & run, i took pic of the bridge and palace, then cabut d, i prefer tokyo station building. lol....

day 3 u can add other places, like Skytree, Ginza....
go ueno park also go Ameyoko street.

day 4 go hakone
day 5-7 Kyoto. visit osaka & nara too.

any sifu can help me on Kobe beef in Kobe. There are many restaurant there, diff to pick. based on my research, these 2 are mostly visited by tourist & price is ok.

Steakland
Wakkoku

which one better? or you have other better choice?
pls recomemnd.

p/s: i cant afford high class restaurant.

Mouriya
3 minute walk from Sannomiya Station.

Day 2
I would suggest you start your day earlier. Trains are operational around 5. Nothing to see also at the fish market after 9. Most people already left or queuing for sushi.

Take a look at the metro map online. You're basically traveling unnecessary distance if you go around like that. Where is your hotel?

And Shibuya and shinjuku only half day? Sure you can do it if you just spend an hour or two in each place but what's the point in that?

This post has been edited by mikehuan: Jan 8 2014, 12:12 PM

I have pictures of the view inside the palace muahahhaha! But yeah the outside nothing much except big sized bonsai trees

Thanks you... will try to find out.

u manage to get in? can share ?

This post has been edited by menmissed: Jan 8 2014, 12:24 PM

Go inside palace few times already. Nth much special like old kyoto style.

You can go in palace on Emperor Birthday.

What about Osaka Castle and Nijo Castle? Both also cost 600 yen to enter.

did you try B-Mobile 1gb sim-card (3,890 Yen) before? thinking to buy that for my trip

This post has been edited by BlackPen: Jan 8 2014, 01:44 PM

I went into Osaka Castle. It was more like a museum inside. I find it quite boring.

those history stuff. The most interesting is the birds eye view. But, you can go Umeda for a nicer city view of osaka.

So the 600 yen admission fee is for the museum right. If I don't want to enter the museum but only want to walk around the ground (inside the perimeter), entrance is free?

yes, its free. stroll around and take pic.
there is a huge park there. walk to the back of the castle, you can see another garden/park.

alright thanks (can save 600 yen ). not interested with the museum but wanna walk around and see the stone walls etc

All can open for public i already visit.


Nop, I got house with modem plus i got Japan Kddi phone with data plan.

lol.... the stone wall really huge. especially the on at the back of the castle.
bro, checked here 200 yen entrance to garden. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.html

i really forget need to pay.. paiseh.

hehe thanks. might give the garden a skip coz not going during cheery blossom season. see the stones, obligatory photo with the castle and souvenir consider done liao

thanks for the response i'm staying near tsukiji.

i saw from the forum that unless i plan to join the auction, i can only visit after 9am, or can we watch from the side?

tuna auction can't be 'seen from the side,' it's in an enclosed place so you need to queue for it if you wanna see. Wholesale market, tourists only supposed to go in after 9am (but I recall seeing a lot of gaijin no fucuk given and go in earlier anyway. dunno if the guards will escort them out or not). if you don't feel like waking up at 4am to go see auction then just watch video lol

Hi. i'm new here.but already follow this thread for some times.I’m going to Tokyo this week. As my main purpose is to visit my wife who studying there, my itinerary is not fixed and can be changed anytime.

12/1/13 – Arrive Narita Airport
13/1/13 – Check in hotel In Ueno. Sightseeing around Odaiba. Buy JR Kanto Pass+ Gala Yuzawa Pass and reserve seat for Gala Yuzawa Trip and Nikko Trip
14/1/13 – Use JR Kanto Pass.Gala Yuzawa all day. Stay in Ueno (same hotel) - anyone been here (Yuzawa)? can share ur experience there?
15/1/13 – Check out. Nikko all day (no World Heritage Site, only lake and fall) - cant search any info regarding one day unlimited bus pass between Tobu-Nikko station and Yumoto Onsen.in Tobu Railway website no info..but some people say the pass can be bought in Tobu-Nikko station.
16/1/13 – Hakone + Gotemba
17/1/13 – Free
18/1/13 – Going home

This is my second time there. Last time I’m already visit Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, and some other places. This time I want to maximize use of my JR Kanto Pass and ride shikansen many times as last time didn’t manage to ride it.

How about Karuizawa Prince shopping mall? the price and surrounding area? As JR Kanto Pass cover the shikansen there. I already do the homework. Beside the mall, nothing interests me. I can push the Odaiba trip to 17/1 and use my pass on 13/1 as my Hakone trip not covers the pass. Can someone suggest me any other places that covered by that pass and it is free(like shopping mall, lake, good view)

January tip of the Month.

I left the topic open. What you guys want to know?

Best food? best cheap food ? Best sightseeing spot? Nightlife?

route to the spot you always want to go?

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 8 2014, 09:03 PM

Can't watch from the side. Like I said after 9 everyone preparing to leave so basically you don't get to see anything lol.

Should take advantage if you're staying near Tsukiji. Queue up for the sushi. Won't regret. If you're earlyi don't think you need to wait that long

Most awesome nightlift..in tokyo

Request invalid to you

1st you going with family
2nd you dunno Japanese

For the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service between Osaka-Kansai Airport, I found that some trains will split and go to different destination. I hope there is ample signage

http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kansai_airport_osaka.html


http://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-...id-service.html

Should I visit Tokyo in late September or early November?
Some say September is one of the best time to visit because of autumn and you can see the leaves change colors but some say to stay away because its the typhoon season and it will be raining a lot.
My original plan is to go in early November but the thing now is AirAsia is having some really good ticket prices for trips before 30 September. Should I go ahead with September or should I try my luck and skip and hope that they will have another promo for November trips soon (I would if its really worth it to visit in early November)?
I'm planning to visit parks and just walk around the streets (Shinjuku, Harujuku, Ginza, etc) to experience what everyday Japan is like. No such thing as temples, museums or Disney land for me.

This post has been edited by masterelr: Jan 8 2014, 11:21 PM

@Masterelr

I would say November, but by all means I am not pro although I been to Tokyo 2 times. Consults RegentCid.


P/S: For both previous visit, I wanted to find and buy the Dark Garlic Mayu that they used in Kuro Tonkotsu Ramen. But no luck...

This post has been edited by ZeroSP: Jan 9 2014, 05:30 AM

Unfortunately weather now are so unpredictable. Last year 2013 was really an eventful year for typhoon and it has been years since so many typhoon hit Japan. Furthermore early last year, Tokyo has its heaviest snow for more than 10 years that practically bring its transport system to a standstill. Similar to KL when it rains heavily. Anyway, late Sept is too early for autumn leaves. Taking last year as an example, I went to Nikko mid Nov, and its autumn leaves is at its peak. Also pretty much depending where you go, the difference can be a week or two.

Good to know the best cheap food & best sightseeing spot during cherry blossom (maybe unusual place/only local japanese will know).
any other tips also appreciate. haha... bcos im going during cheery blossom (kansai).

Bro Regent,

1. Hyperdia shows earliest Namba Nankai station to Kansai airport via Nankai Airport express is on 5.15AM arrive 6AM. I assume this schedule should be correct?

2. When Hyperdia refer Namba Nankai station, it should be the Namba OCAT station correct?

should be correct but u can always check on the digital board.
Namba OCAT is not Namba Nankai station, Namba Nankai station is the one at Swissotel hotel or Takashiyama there.
However, the OCAT is near Namba subway/JR Namba. It is near to Hotel Monterey.

Must try food in Tokyo?? Can Le

My first draft and a bit late due to busy at work.
Hope to get feedback from all the season travellers here.
Thanks in advance.

Sunday 20/04
10:30pm Reach Haneda Airport
- Sleep in Airport/First Cabin
- 2F buy bus ticket after immigration check
- 1F boarding Bus stop no.3 bound to Shinjuku

Monday 21/04
Hakone
- Depart in RomanceCar from Shinjuku station
- Tenzan Onsen?
- Hakone Yumoto > Moto-Hakone (Hakone Shrine)
- Moto-Hakone > Hakone-Machi
- Hakone-machi > Togendai (Lake Ashi)
- Togendai > Owakudani > Shouzan
- Shouzan > Gora
- Gora > Hakone Yumoto
Mount Fuji
- Oshino Hakkai
Lake Kawaguchi
Gotemba Premium Outlet
Kawaguchiko
- Fuji Hakone pass

Tuesday 22/04

Wednesday 23/04
Nikko

Thursday 24/04
DisneySea?
- toy story mania, tower of terror, journey to center earth and 20,000 league under sea, fantasmic

Friday 25/04

Saturday 26/04

Sunday 27/04
Shinjuku
- Hakone pass (Information counter)
- Shinjuku Hakone pass will be 5000 Yen
- Odawara Hakone pass will be 3900 Yen
Harajuku
- Noon at the bridge between the station and the park/shrine
- Takeshi Dori (Angel Heart & Marion Crepe)
- LaForet Harajuku – fashion shopping
- Daiso Harajuku – 100 Yen Shop
- Kiddy Land – Hello Kitty Shop
- Oriental Bazaar – Tokyo’s largest souvenir shop (popular)
- Omotesando - Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Togo Shrine?
Shibuya
- Shinjuku Line/JR Yamanote Line
- Hachiko
- Shibuya 109 / Ichi Maru Kyu
- Tokyu Hands – Creative Life Store (like Daiso) – 8 floors – famous for souvenirs
- Loft – similar to Daiso & Tokyu Hands
- Parco – Fashion Shopping
- Starbucks @ Shibuya crossing

Monday 28/04
Tsukiji Market
- Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi (2 hours Q)
- Wet market 9am open for tourist
- Tuna auction can skip
Tokyo SkyTree
- Disappointment?
Asakusa
- Keikyu LINE -> Asakusa Line
- Nakamise Dori – shops leading to temple
- Kaminarimon Gate – Sensoji Temple (Famous Tokyo Temple)
- Asakusa Kannon Temple
- Nakamise Arcade street for souviner shopping (open 10am)
Ueno park
- Ueno Shopping street
Akihabara
Sensoji Temple
Ginza
- Asakusa –>Kuramae (Asakusa LINE -> O-Edo Line)->Tsukiji Shijio
- Urakucho Gado-shita Dining - dining district located beneath the elevated train tracks
- Mitsukoshi Dept Store
- Printemps Dept Store
- Chuo Dori Street
Ascend the Metropolitan Government Building

Tuesday 29/04
Odaiba
- Shinagawa -> Oimachi Station -> Rinkai Line
- Tokyo Statue of Liberty
- DiverCity, Tokyo Plaza for GUNDAM
- Aquacity Odaiba 5th Floor Ramen Themed FoodCourt for Rainbow Bridge View
- Yurikamome line and exit at Odaibakaihinkoen Station for beach (Aquacity walk to Deck)
- Venus Fort Hello Kitty Kawaii Paradise 1st Floor
- Daikanransha Ferris Wheel ¥900
- Palette Town go to Toyota Mega Web and Classic Car Gallery

Wednesday 30/04
Tokyo Tower
Roppongi Hills
Ikebukuro
Imperial Palace
- Not open on Monday (not worth it)

9:55pm Reach Haneda Airport for check-in
11:55pm Flight depart

Because I need to use my phone incase I need to call the hotel people. Please advise.

Monday 21/04 too packed. Hakone itself deserve 1 full day, best is overnight with onsen experience. Kawaguchi of course is good spot for Mt Fuji, since u havent plan for Tue, do kawaguchi lake on Tue. Get Fuji Hakone Pass. from kawaguchi station, u can take the bus back to shinjuku.

Monday 28/04.... HUH? pls rearrange pls, and too many events d.

Overall, pls refer to map for planning as i can see u are travelling many unnecessary route.

just my 2cent.

yea.. planning to stay a night in Hakone.. didnt mention in my draft yet..

I have few days not planned yet so most probably split up some of the itenary on Monday 28/04 to other days..
yes, currently only first draft.. will re-arrange the travelling again..
Actually wanted to know any other place that i can fit in or places of interest that i have missed?

kamakura & yokohama ...

these 2 places kinda far down south-west?
How long to travel there?

not really... yokohama half an hour, kamakura 1 hr by train. easy access.
nikko lagi far la.. pls refer to japan guide for more info.

Noted ! Thanks menmissed

Yes, This is correct.

Namba OCAT are for JR Haruka limited Express.

Nankai Namba are most south at namba

JR on west

Kintetsu on east

Osaka metro on middle of namba


This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 9 2014, 05:09 PM

Got menmissed and sacwoh do the explain.

I also can start plan retired already. You two should come much earlier then you gius can do V4. And I can go ular.

Ya lah. You should retire and go to Darjeeling!

You finally pop out.

Darjeering rail open at 2015.

The Toy Train is fun!

Btw my son going to Tokyo tomorrow with AirAsiaX. Will stay until late Feb, bunking with a friend living in Sendagaya. His first trip there, should be fun!

Want me taking him to Kabukicho? Party X and some chicks

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 9 2014, 05:42 PM

Hahaha, I'll pm you!

The train was shown in the movie Barfi

Want go Darjeering with me?
I got perfect plan already.
2015 track maintenance done.

if only you are a a girl

To note you need to make reservations for the romance car so need to at least buy the pass the day before.

Abit all over the place imo. What I did in the end when I was in the planning phase is to group all the attractions i want to go according to location and time needed. Then take out the metro map circle out the stations to stop to go to the attractions. This makes it was easier to plan out the itinerary.

As some attractions are closed on certain days you can put a foot note and keep that in mind when planning

Another thing to note is that it's possible to get the train from haneda to shinjuku when you land. If I could do it being a first timer anyone can. Risky for sure but it was exciting haha

As for suggestions, fuji f fujio museum in kawasaki if you're a doraemon fan. Didnt regret going there. Dorayaki was awesome

This post has been edited by mikehuan: Jan 9 2014, 06:12 PM

Nah, for me I am only familiar with Tokyo and only travel around for business trip to inaka which no tourist will be interested. Info I get is more from the news on TV and my once a month travel around Japan on holiday.

Romance car won't full. It never full. Most Japanese will take shinkansen or bus to Odawara.

Museum....I only likes Nissin museum. Even Toyota museum at Nagoya also ...meh.....

Important News for those going Tokyo.

News been updated at Page1

u r still sifu .... i learned from u and share to others only. those places i went b4 then only i know. last time really do a lot homework, can rmb till now.
some info hav to be from u...
so, what's the tips of the month? all waiting.

Now you understand the power of do the homework that I always fxxx ppl. Once you do the homework, memory will deep inside. You are benefit.

I think January tips will be route to Kawachiko or maybe a fxxx delicious food in Tokyo or Osaka or Kyoto.

wa... i am looking forward to your fxxx delicious food in osaka/kyoto. bcos im going soon...
but nvm, if it's not in kansai, i wait for next tips.. still hav 2 month to go..

btw, bro, is Uji's Taihoan tea ceremony is a good one to try? so far this is the cheapest and authentic one (they claimed & other tourists too said the same) that i found bcos it operate by city municipal.
there is another 1 at Gion, TeaCeremonyEn.

question can turn into tips too..

Tips of the Month are Up.

Refer to page 1

your okonomiyaki need to queue 1hour man
btw go to osaka no introduce takoyaki meh?

ohh congrat on v4 and rc as new ts...
almost forget

---
anyone going to japan can buy this, rm220

Good Stuff sure have to Q and wait

Interesting tips of the month. Need to practice cooking liao

Oh i see... i didnt notice that last time. ok, i will go queue up.
walk further is Kinryu Ramen which i also find it tasty and cheap....

RT @japantimes: Record high foreign visitors in 2013 http://jtim.es/sqliO

Visa free for Thai and Malaysia sure bring big boost to Japan.

Now 2014 are Visit Malaysia year. Malaysia are one of Japanese top choice. Malaysia this year will get boost

This one please

I post aleeady at Page1

already updated, pls refer to pg1.

just decided to go to Tokyo yersterday evening. will depart tonight until 15 jan. last minute decision and travel alone. Just want to lepak2 and chill.

i will stay at Ginza area. I have difficulty to understand on the train maps seem its lot of stations and line.pitty me haha. Maybe i will pick it up when i reach there.

I am still done have any proper itinerary but have some in my mind.

My question here, It is ok to travel one day to Fuji Mountain during this time? I heard its very cool for this few days.

thank you.

this is my first time at JAPAN...

This post has been edited by aminur87: Jan 10 2014, 11:36 AM

haha.. i know it is all over the place..

i'll try to see if i can get a train from haneda to shinjuku or not but i feel it is wasted if i pay for hotel for the night. preferably to just sleep somewhere or go to first cabin..

anyway, any attractions thats happening only on weekends? or weekends are too busy to be in shinjuku/shibuya?
If so, i'll arrange to go to hakone over the weekends..

u want travel to fuji 5 lakes or hakone? got smartphone right, check the weather lo...
here are some live cam for mt fuji. if you're not sure how it looks like now.
http://www.fujigoko.tv/english/
http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/

Like what you doing actually. Just packed and go without any plan....sometimes you get to see and learn more things

For train line, print out in colour or pick one from the station/airport for ease of understanding. After a while you will get use to it. Not that difficult actually.

You cannot climb to the top of Mt Fuji if you plan to do so. The climbing season is closed. The highest you can go is the 5th station. Cant really comment what is up in 5th station though. I have been up to Mt Fuji twice but on a different route.

If you want to feel the atmosphere of a lot of ppl especially in the famous Shibuya crossing, weekend would be good. Either than that can't think of any special things happening, unless there is some festivals on certain weekends. If you dont like crowds and like to do your shopping quietly then go on a weekday.

kudos to you man! i could never do that with my work schedule zz.

but anyways, i would say you HAVE to try to understand the system because if you dont you wont be going anywhere efficiently. just the metro system is enough. the jr line system i couldnt understand because iinm there isnt an english version.

ah, i see. that makes sense i suppose

for example, mondays the imperial palace gardens are closed, wednesday the mochi tea house in hakone is closed. small stuff like that. since you're only going once might as well go when everything is open right?