There was a note in the JTB's website saying that the Ijjimo travel sim will be available from October onwards, so I emailed them and ask about the price and they have replied me.

Another option is So-Net, 4000 yen for 2GB if not mistaken. Can be purchase from the vending machine in Airport 24 hours. But So-Net required registration before use.

For me, 1 GB should be enough for 10days as will only use for Google maps, hyperdia and searching for direction.

By the way, would you think that it's better to withdraw yen using debit card in Japan since the exchange rate in Malaysia isn't that good now.

I supposed it's the ATM pin, you may check with the customer service.

Hi, would like to get some opinions:

1. We will be taking the Shinkansen Nozomi from Kyoto station on mid November Thursday morning (6:27am/6:38am), do we need to buy the ticket one or two days earlier or just buy on the spot will do. I prefer to buy the ticket on the spot for more flexibility, the tickets won't sold out right?

2. If we want to take taxi from Kiyomizu-gojo area to Kyoto station about 6am morning, is the taxi easily available or needs to be book in advance? How to book a cab in Japan? Any apps like MyTeksi? How about the rate at 6am, still regular rate right?

We stay at Airbnb, hence no front desk. Perhaps will just get the host to help to book. Or just take a bus will do. Thinking to take cab as it's just a short 10 mins ride only.

Haha, we will be traveling from Kyoto to Nagoya via Shinkansen Nozomi or Hikari early morning. Myself have no problem to wake up, just afraid my girl will screw up the timing and plan. Anyway, I read from a blogger said even we booked the shinkansen ticket and missed it, we can still return the ticket and book again.

And I think the ticket won't booked out coz the train schedules are so frequent like every 15 mins got one train fROM Kyoto to Nagoya. Anyhow we will go ahead and buy the tickets 3 days in advance since it can be return and re-book.

You mean if reserve ticket with JR pass can returned and re-book again? But buying for single trip cannot? I thought JR pass cannot used for Nozomi Shinkansen?

Anyway, we are buying the single trip tickets and to avoid all the hassles, we will and must make it to the shinkansen station before the departure time.

Oh OK, thanks for the info, so we MUST make it to the station on time and shall not take things for granted.

Stalls for the delicious train Bento set open already or not at 6am?

We will be staying one night in Koyasan's temple for such unique experience. And I think the train ride + the cable car ride to Koyasan is kinda unique also. Think we will enjoy the peaceful surrounding and the fresh air there.

Super bad luck that my booking with Airbnb near Gojo station needs to be cancel or taking the alternative to switch to location which is 34 mins from Kyoto station by bus.

The host given the reason that the building has change management and the new management would want him to terminate his listing on Airbnb.

Gotta search for alternative now.

You are not affected? Are you booking for modern apartment near river and Kiyomizu also?

Received the news two days ago, was told by the host today that he had met up with the management to negotiate for reasonable timeframe to terminate the listing but the outcome is negative.

Airbnb had given me the credit of what I have paid + 10% extra. I have used the credit to request for another listing, waiting for the host acceptance now. Hopefully everything turn out fine!!

Very good deal. I thought RM is not so acceptable outside Malaysia and so the exchange rate would be less favorable?

Sure can exchange MYR to JPY in Kansai airport? Since the rate is much lower, I think I should sell all JPY back to the local money changer now and buy JPY again when I arrived Kansai airport, the lost is only RM45 with the current exchange rate from local money changer. But I will save few hundred MYR if buying KIX.

Haha, I think you have miss understood me. I have no intention to trade on JPY. Actually I have bought the JPY with local money changer already, the rate that I bought few weeks ago is 35.50 to 1000 yen. What I am thinking is to sell back the JPY which I am holding now to the local money changer with the rate @ 35.20 in Malaysia. And bring MYR to KIX to buy JPY again, so I am not taking JPY out from Japan and bring back to Malaysia.

This post has been edited by jefferenelee: Nov 3 2015, 01:24 PM

I think any currency more than JPY1,000,000 equivalent brought in or taken out from Japan is required to declare to Custom.

Off course won't sell all and this is not greedy but to save cost. My budget done earlier was based on the rate of MYR30 to JPY1000, who knows our currency depreciated so rapidly in short period of time.

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This post has been edited by jefferenelee: Nov 5 2015, 05:49 AM

Just came back from Japan yesterday, visited Koyasan, Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa in 10 days. Overall our trips were smooth and never get lost and I found their signage is very clear and not too complicated to understand. I think able to read Kanji is definitely an advantage to travel in Japan.

Amongst the cities mentioned above, think I like Takayama and Shirakawa-go the most and never regret spending extra transportation cost to go there. Kyoto and Osaka are too crowded in my opinion. Kiyomizudera have nothing to shout about but the early morning walk to the top of Fushimi Inari was interesting and enjoyable. And we enjoy very much on the hike from Takao to Kiyotaki (东海自然步道).

Can't wait to visit Japan again.