Thanks. I read from Google that I buy the Free pass first then go to the Romancecar ticket centre to top up for 890 yen (some said 870 yen). I can choose seat at that counter when I buy ticket? That's also possible right?

Great. Hakone's queries are cleared.
Already done some homework on other places, will ask here again.
Actually I feel heartache to pay so much for transportation in Japan. I rather spend the money to eat.

Omai, how rare is this but I love it.

I'm still considering...
I do have other options right? Will study on the places I wanna go and see if they are accessible via JR.

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 7 2015, 01:02 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. Now I want to pay slightly more for Romancecar.
If I understand correctly, the 5140 yen is inclusive of normal Odakyu train from Shinjuku to Odawara (round trip), so if I top 890 yen, I could use Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto for one way. So, I will still need to pay 5140 yen for Hokane pass regardless I take Odakyu train or not from Shinjuku. I got this correct right?

Yes, only one way and I plan to try the fastest Shinkansen to Osaka. Once in a life time.

I guess I will just stick to Pasmo for the convenience rather than paying for JR and I have to stick to JR all the time...

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 7 2015, 02:17 PM

Thanks so much for the assurance.
So, it includes the round trip also right? If I don't want to take Romancecar, then I don't need to pay additional for the train fares right? Because it comes with round trip of Odakyu normal train (Shinjuku-Odawara-Shinjuku) right?

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 7 2015, 03:53 PM

This part: "From Hakone (Togendai) can Take Odakyu Highway Express Bus back to Shinjuku. Faster than Odakyu normal local train."

I didn't know this, cool. Thanks for the tips!

Noted! I will have a look on that.
Tokyo no traffic jam meh?

I don't intend to rent, just buy and slot into my iPad share hotspot.
I wanna buy this: https://t.iijmio.jp/en/index.html

Thanks for the tips. I'm planning for a day trip too.
I wanna go at around 7.00 am.

Mine will be 30-3 Tokyo. 3-7 Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. I have no plan yet, so flexible. However I will need to come from Kobe everyday.

Actually I'm kinda OK for day and may not be that OK for night. I'm staying at my friend's apartment and she only comes home after work at night, so I wanna spend more time with her. If you get what I mean.

3rd in Kyoto is not a good time for me as I will reach Osaka on that day with my luggage. Osaka is nearer to her place compared to Kyoto.

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 8 2015, 12:05 AM

Anyway, the IImjio SIM card I shared earlier doesn't have a fixed price as it depends on the retailers' pricing. Anyway, it is around plus minus 4000 yen. That's a pretty good deal with 2GB and 3 months validity. Plus, the flexibility to use it on your phone (if you want it) or your tablets. I'll be using it on my iPad Mini and it allows tethering. I read from online and feedback about the coverage and speed is not too bad.

I have a LTE MiFi (portable WiFi) and to me the battery doesn't last long. That's the reason I didn't want to rent for any device. I thought of using my MiFi during my 10 days trip in Thailand but ditched the idea and used it on my iPad mini. iPad Mini's battery lasts much longer compared to the MiFi. My MiFi can only last around 6 hours of continuous usage whereas my iPad Mini's hotspot lasted from morning till night and it still had around 20% of battery juice left at the end of the day.

Anyway, this is just a sharing from my side. I'm getting the IIjmio by the way.

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 8 2015, 02:59 PM

Guys, my friend says if I were to take Shinkansen from Tokyo, the nearest station to her place is Shin-Kobe.

I plan to buy 3-day Kansai Thru Pass, I do not know where I can get this pass... It seems most of the places to get it are in Osaka or Kyoto.

http://www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html

Or simpler way is I explore in Osaka first before going to her place in the evening.

Thanks for the great tips. Add another idea now.

I wanna get Pasmo, Kansai Thru Pass and Amazing Osaka pass to cover for my whole Japan trip. Should be more than enough right?
I will take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and get whatever passes I want first before going to my friend's place. She just confirmed to me it's 5 mins from Nagata station.

Considering Kansai Thru pass covers 3 days max, I will complement it with 2 days Amazing Osaka pass.
I'll be in Kansai from 3rd to 7th. Will fly back from Osaka.

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 11 2015, 12:33 PM

Yeah, then I'm better off with Kansai Thru Pass without going the hassle to choose different passes.

You are wrong leh. I haven't worked out on itinerary yet but now depending on the passes I will get to determine the places I wanna go. People choose places then buy passes, I'm the other way round.
Anyway, I'm looking at Amazing Osaka site but I don't think it is selling at Shin-Osaka station?
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/buy/buy.html
Can you please guide me where to buy it? I see it's more convenient if I come from KIX but I'm not. I will go to Osaka via Nozomi Shinkansen.
I tried Hyperdia but it doesn't show other slower Shinkansen (e.g. Hikari)? Or is it because the time I'll be traveling doesn't have that train?
I checked through the fares and noticed the price doesn't differ much between Nozomi or Hikari, I think I will just go for the fastest one for the sake of experience.

Sounds like a better idea. Is it most of the places covered by Amazing Osaka can reach using Kansai Thru Pass? Can let me know ah?

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 11 2015, 09:29 PM

Ok, then can skip Amazing Osaka. The reason I was thinking of this pass is the discounts it offers for several attractions, some are free while some need to pay a minimal price only.

Got it. Yeah too little difference and no reason not to take Nozomi.

Yeah, I went with my China friend that time.
Anyway, my Doraemon museum ticket is bought, my friend in Tokyo bought for me.

Yeah, someone helped me to buy my data SIM card. Will get it soon.
At least I won't hilang the moment I'm out from plane.

In case you want to know, it is 4093 yen.



This post has been edited by fruitie: Jan 12 2015, 09:57 PM

Because you don't need it.
I can't live without Internet though.