Wow, Sis going on private tour.

no issue la..unless u go places like ohara which is out of the range of the 500yen pass..if within the vicinity of kyoto shouldn't have any problem..or wake up early to beat the queue take the raku bus..can go all the popular spot.

You will be amazed at how helpful they are. One tip, do not refer to them as Japs, kind of a derogatory term to them.

No issue with signboards but may have problems in some restaurants so just point to menu / picture.

One thing I am very impressed with Kyoto is their bus system. If you have done some homework beforehand, no issue at all.

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Jan 2 2015, 12:52 PM

few questions i wanna ask:

1. should i buy the disneyland tickets, rail passes, book hotels online before going? i'm going in early may and read that time is Japanese holiday and tourist season. is it possible to buy on the spot?

2. the branded things in ginza are they cheaper compared to Msia? Is there limit on things that we can bring out of the country?

3. i buy the electronics such as hp, lappy, can use in Msia?

Thanks!

Did anyone mention to get a Suica pass? It's basically like touch and go where you can top up. You can use it in both Kansai area and Kanto, quite useful for us.

Kansai people (Kyoto, Osaka) are generally more helpful and warm people compared to Tokyo folks. You know la, Tokyo big city, some people rather hide behind their face masks and headphones and pretend to not see you when you ask them questions.

Travelling alone is so awesome but a bit intimidating for me, good luck!

1. Disney tickets and rail passes (I'm assuming you mean Suica or Pasmo like TnG) you can buy when you are there, it's much more hassle when you buy it overseas I think. Booking hotels it is recommended that you do some time before going there because good and cheap hotels there are easily sold out. Agoda or Expedia are pretty good websites and they offer pretty good rates, but do your own research and comparison online.

2. Depends, you got to do your research on what items to buy there , of course some things can be cheaper than Msia. I think no limit (not sure about any new rule on Msia gov tax)

3. HP not recommended as JP don't use simcard, I think our simcard won't work on their phones. Lappy I have no experience. but for Camera you have very limited choices because most cameras are in Japanese. Only brands like Canon have english menu.

Good luck!

sorry, i replied to the wrong post

This post has been edited by michlove: Jan 2 2015, 03:15 PM

Japan Railpass can only be bought outside of Japan. So you need to buy within 3months before you travel to Japan.

u can alwiz execute ur executive right
1) sent ts to bora2 instead of japan
2) if not enuf, pema ban ts
3) still not enuf, nuke the whole thread

almost forget... welcome... and do homework next time

i stick with this thread for more than 1year+...
i can confirm this is the most accurate answer

r u going to tsukiji market?
i still unconfirm can go there or not... facing few rejection

This post has been edited by lucaswjk: Jan 2 2015, 03:29 PM

r u going to tsukiji market?
i still unconfirm can go there or not... facing few rejection

[/quote]

I cannot see the Tuna action jor...cos it's close in Jan. I will only go there eat breakfast loh. You are facing rejection from who? Go la...it's not everytime can have sushi breakfast in Malaysia

Alone not private tour. Foreveralone's life is like this one.

OK, I'm not that adventurous, I will survive within the 500 yen places. Raku bus? I will Google that.

Sorry, just wanna type fast. Will refer them as Japanese.
OK, your words make me feel better.

Yeah, I need plenty of luck. First time solo and in Japan where I can't understand anything.

I'm not so bad one la. Can do homework next time?

I applied leave and immediately my boss approved it. I haven't even bought tickets yet. Will buy tomorrow. Most likely from KL-Tokyo, Osaka-KL.
The planned route: Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka.

You better go now cos in year 2016, this Tsujiki fish market will be relocated to an inconvenient location

huh why close? totally no idea...
feb 20+ reopen yet?

well i read... hv to wake up around 3am and reach there by 3:30am to queue for the auction
the number oni start to distribute around 4:30am
auction start at 5:25am
bfast sushi hv to queue again...

going to lost a lot of good sleeping time...

The market is open only the Tuna auction is closed.
"From December 1, 2014 to January 17, 2015, the busiest time of the year at Tsukiji Fish Market, tourists will not be allowed to watch the morning tuna auctions to ensure a smooth and accident free course of business. The rest of the market is open as usual."

Your date is ok, you can go. Go la, next time very inconvenient to see the tuna action liao

Im so jealous now....brb survey japan tix

JooSeng, you just went to Japan last month! tell me if got cheap tics ya

ok i will think about it... coz this round im not going solo.... group
somemore have to find places to stay...
i think ginza is very expensive, u hv any (cheap!!!) recommendation?
at least stay at nearer place, can save taxi money

Hotels advisable to reserve in advance.

Rail passes like Haruka, Hakone Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, Eco card can be purchased on the spot / ticket machine. For Haruka, I made a reservation online without payment so it is a breeze when I go to the counter to purchase.

Disneyland tickets can also be purchased on the spot or at Disney Stores but if you are the type that wanna rush once the gate is open, then better buy online first

haha...i second this too

Got cheap place la. This is the nearest hotel : Tsukiji Business Hotel BAN

i tot hv to stay at ginza... 10mins walking distance...
thanx... later going to compare...