i used hyperdia for train
google map for map
both typically requires data although GMap you can precache the map
I think there's a paid app for hyperdia but not sure if it needs data or does it load the database for offline usage
for bus map, you can download bus map from the bus provider website in PDF

Thanks for sharing.....useful for me as a guide.
i plan to go to osaka central market for the fish auction


btw i plan to purchase airasia flatbed...but it will only inform me 4 hours b4 flight...
still struggling wherether to get it or not cause my flight to nagoya is 12am msia time ...reach there 7am

anyone had experience with onsen, mind to share?
those with nice view of the nature or facing sea
currently eyeing for minakami onsen in gunma
those open onsen with surrounding by nature seems very tempting
going there early dec, hope there be a bit snow

check out the new app Tabimori smartphone app for overseas visitors, not sure if anyone used it before? any feedback?



more info at http://www.japan-guide.com/news/0030.html

im downloading now..

No thanks. I rather sit at home and watch the news. Can see more station and also people struggling with their umbrella.

Make sure you know the rulez of Onsen.
Get ready to naked
make sure you in onsen not more than 10 minute.


My Brain is even better than that.

what just 10min?
where got enuff to relax
is dat the rule or wat?

Because water was so hot. 42 celcius to 50 celcius.
If you stay in water more than 10 minute. Your skin will burn. Your "Telur" will masak.
Most worst, you will die. Hot waTer will cause ur blood pressure into head. Too much pressure in head then burst. That call Stroke



One of most important Onsen rulez.......never never ever soak your self into Onsen. Max just reach ur neck.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Oct 8 2014, 05:39 PM

How hot was 42 celcius? First get a termometer at pharmacy. Boil a water, once reach 42 then put your hand into water. Feel the power.....


So 10 minute izzit enough?

WTF....y so hot one
i thot something like our spa in KL

erm...man i travel so far from tokyo just for 10min
need to find out wat else ppl do at onsen

hi everyone, we are having emergency.

My wife is travelling to Japan tomorrow, and only found out her passpost has no ICAO chip (issued in Canberra in 2011).

Any passport issued after Jan 2010 should have ICAO chip, but hers isnt. Therefore, she has to apply for a visa in order to enter into Japan.

The problem is, she is leaving tomorrow, and I doubt she will have enough time to apply the visa. Any possibility to apply visa upon arrival?

This post has been edited by aladdin: Oct 8 2014, 06:48 PM

depends. once i sleep, i really dont care much.
sleep whole flight until touch down prep, then i wake up.

citibank platinum free flatbed ??

You wife is Australian?

How we can know our password has no ICAO chip?

no, need to buy from optiontown de

Malaysians living abroad typically can renew passport at the high commission in that country instead of flying back to Malaysia to renew.

A long time ago there was some guy who posted in an earlier version of this thread. He said he went to Japan without visa but brought along all the supporting documents; upon arrival got pulled into a side room for 'interview.' As I recall they gave him a hard time for a couple of hours but eventually gave him visa on arrival.

Your mileage may vary and remains fully up to you whether you wanna risk it or not, of course.

After 5 minute. You get out from water. Take a rest. Used cold water bath to cold down your body heat.
Then go back in again.

BTW, Onsen have very strong volcano sulfuric smell......you won't stay long inside also......damm smelly.....

true. was surprised after finding out our passport doesnt come with the chip, 1.5years after implementation of the new passport.
that must be before 2011 while Malaysian still require to apply Visa. AFAIK, everyone can apply visa upon arrival in any country but It will be hassle, and could take several hours for the application.

I can assure you this blanket statement is most definitely NOT true. All countries specifically maintain lists of other countries which they allow visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, and pre-application of visa before arrival, etc. As an example if we take our Malaysian passport and try to enter USA without a visa the chances of getting in are essentially 0%.

From Japan Embassy website: "Visas granted by the Japanese Government are issued only by embassies or consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. A visa cannot be acquired after arriving in Japan." Having said that, for Malaysians, technically speaking a visa is only "encouraged" and not "required" by Japanese government since 1993.



Therefore if I was in your wife position and considering the latest relaxation for ICAO-compliant passports I would TOTALLY risk it.

Anyway can you update us what her status is? Did she decide to fly anyway and did she manage to enter the country? That could be a help for future bro and sis who might end up in the same boat.