Depends on your definition of 'necessary.' A pocket wifi is most certainly not mandatory; you can get by with just spotty wifi hotspots and asking for directions from random strangers. But for me I always rent so I can whip up a quick google search or directions whenever things don't go exactly as planned.

Anyway reporting in from Sapporo/Otaru. Today the weather farked up our plans entirely. Rained the whole day + winds were the Destroyer of Umbrellas kind. Saw aunties and salarymen getting soaked after the winds turned their umbrellas inside out lol.

Very stupid planning.
Last day back Malaysia your last overnight city have to be Sapporo. Jozenkai to Sapporo New Chitose Airport need 2 hour.

Another 2 hour early must be at Airport.....means you must leaving Jozenkai at 5am. 5am morning means taxi only.
You have to pay that Rm2k as ur stupidity planning. Take it as lesson.

Hi regentCid,

Its company trip which need to be do such away. Not firm . Just need advise before plan
SO DONT SIMPLY CALL PEOPLE STUPID

No offense Bro ,

stupid planning, not calling people stupid..at least now confirm that it will be costly, so maybe can revise the plan

👍👍👍👍👍

My this time didn't even get to walk to the lighthouse cos strong winds, damn potong stim 👎

lucaswjk your blue pond more like green pond eh. dunno issit seasonal colour variation.

Lipoting in from kurodake 7th station mountain hut. We intended to climb to the peak, but after 15mins turn back liao, too icy too slippery didn't come with the right shoes, decided it's too high risk of slipping on something or getting frostbite so turn back to hut and drink コーヒー and ココア.

Lesson learnt don't turn up to an ice / snow trail wearing onizuka tigers LOL 👎

Like this leh



We tried to go up for around 15mins, really too risky for my onizuka tiger (lol) and my waifu not wearing proper shoe at all. Probably if wanna hard neck and go up can make it, but by the top surely toes frostbite liao lol.

Anyone rented a car and the toll card for use in Hokkaido during winter?
After returning the car and card, how long does it take for the company to process/"checkout" everything?

I'm asking cos I plan to return the car at 8am then straight head to chitose for my 10.30am domestic flight. Can I make it or its better for me to return the car a day before? I plan to rent from companies nearby the airport.

Thanks for the infos~ what was the season when you use the car in Hokkaido?

I go Hokkaido 53 times in my life so far,  4x times are winter. My actual drive on snow just 3 times. No ball drive on that sliperry condition.  I had a very bad accident at Germany winter....now i no more ball drive on snow anymore. Seriously scary.

Not worth it. Better to get it in Malaysia, especially if you are talking about Sony. Unlike Canon or other brand which you can select language, Sony handy sold in Japan only display in Japanese. If you want multi-language you need to pay 10,000 yen more. However not sure if they will change their strategy. Charger is fine though as now most handy can be charge via USB. You only buy electronics in Japan just because you cannot find it anywhere else and not because of the price.

For me, I won't spend that many days in Osaka. Consider going to Nara (my waifu and I like it a lot) or Kobe (we went to eat kobe beef. Refer to front page daikor's tips for which restoran is gooding).

Anyway ... for anyone planning a trip to Hokkaido, make sure you go Noboribetsu, and make sure you stay in Dai-Ichi Takimotokan. The onsen, holy crap, legendary view 



Oh and the bear park is pretty damn fun also (but macam mahal gila ... all in like 3000yen/pax, dafug).

buy directly from the store and you dont need to pay the 8%tax. However be prepare to line up and pay as normally there are tons of Chinese tourist.

seiko watch pricing wise, is it cheaper to buy in japan or m'sia??

Maybe still youngster that's why haha. I learned my UNKER lesson in last year Sydney trip -- wife and i did an overnight flight then immediately planned full day itinerary. KNS by late morning in aquarium really farking sleepy, had to find a bench and sit down sleep for 20mins LOL.

hi all, between Osaka, Tokyo and Sapporo, which cities you guys recommend? This is my first trip planning to go Japan. Thanks.

Highly recommended to visit Osaka and Tokyo.

For me...Sapporo ,Hokkaido ..nothing interesting here..unless if you want see nature .Recommended rental the car and start traveling to Furano,Asahikawa , Hakkodate , Toya Lake , Shiretoko ,Otaru and Niseko.....recommended traveling  Summer (June to August ),Autumn ( Mid of October to Early November )  and Winter..(End of December to February )

http://www.furanotourism.com/en/

For those ,who want to buy Apple Iphone second hand...yesterday I went to Geo Shop to see second hand telephone android. For your information, iphone 6+ for 64G will cost around ￥65,000　and Sony Z4..around ￥40、000　.To use you need to unlock the telephone. 

http://geo-online.co.jp/

Hello!

I understand that the places mentioned are more to enjoying the nature and doing winter activities during winter. But, how is Sapporo like? Any places to shop/walk around like in Shinjuku since it's a small city?

Finally got all my finances calculated after the conclusion of my trip! For anyone interested, cost breakdown (2pax, tokyo and hokkaido 2 weeks):



In the interest of not cluttering up this thread I'm posting most of the pics, write-ups, etc to /k/: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3749561 if you're interested pls follow there

X'mas special I will post some Japan pharmacy. Why those Chinese mainland visitor so crazy on it.

I now gathering those info by asking them + my Malaysia base Japanese male & female colleague.
Once done I will post Top list item must buy inside pharmacy.

   

robot restaurant in shinjuku
cable car and oedo onsen in odaiba
disneysea ticket

Xmas eve at Disney banyak special.
The countdown magical special. Quite worth it.