I believe no difference if buy at airport or at station. I get the Yokoso Osaka combo and it was discounted (Hankyu Rapi:t Limited Express to Namba + 1-day pass)

Any Japanese whisky fans in Kyoto can go here to get your hand on 12yr Yamazaki, Hakushu, as well as 17-year and 21-year Nikka. Left a few bottles

Liquor shop near Potoncho

Actually a good thing. According to GAC website, this is super premium wifi. http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html

So far 5-6days in Japan already, i used 15gb of data and yet to experience any slowdown. Coverage and speed is superb so far, maybe see how tmrw in Hakone and Fuji Lake.

I think Travelrecommends pocket wifi not fixed 1 and depends on your luck? Coz previously i saw ppl photo, theirs are from emobile...

It's about rm1k per person and it's expected since it's 2-star michelin restaurant.

Speedtest in Hakone

My Ryokan wifi speedtest is 50mbps with 9ms ping.

No wonder just grade C

Kawaguchiko speedtest

Suica/Pasmo/ICOCA is just a prepaid charge card just like Touch N Go. Long time ago, only can use in their respective region but now is inter-usable already. E.g. ICOCA last time only Kansai Area but now can use in Tokyo area transportation already.

By JR ticket, u mean Shinkansen ticket? That 1 still have to use credit card or cash and purchased at machines or ticketing office. Cannot use Suica/Pasmo/ICOCA

have you booked your flight? if ur flight is in and out of Tokyo, just focus on areas surrounding Tokyo will be ideal for 7D trips.

If your aim is to see Mt Fuji, i suggest go to Kawaguchiko better.

Anyone have experience visiting Takayama and Alpine Route, starting from Tokyo? Just wondering what the best mode of transportation. Can't seem to find any suitable JR pass that will cover all those areas.

I was thinking the route to be

Tokyo-Matsumoto-Takayama-Shirakawago-Toyama-Alpine Route-Nagano-Tokyo.

Use this crowd calendar

http://usjinfo.com/wait/pre_callendar.php?...&park=#land_cal

I went USJ on a Friday in April with 30points rating. Slowly walk after entry still can get into Harry Potter area without timed entry ticket. Finish Harry Potter ride within 30-40min.

Other attractions i queued around 45min only - Evangelion 4D, Attack on Titan 4D, Jurassic Park, Jaws, etc.

Best part is Spiderman 4K3D not need queue at all There will be a parade at 2.30pm. Watch it near where it start. When it finish at your section, straight go to all those popular rides and it will be empty. This is because the parade will take quite a while to finish and go around the whole park.

I think there is but it won't be cheap and limited choices. http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/payg_sim/index.html

This is mainly because of government regulation to ban unregistered SIM

Either you use roaming or buy skype credit (and with active data connection) to call their landline or mobile.

You can buy open-dated USJ entrance pass from JTB Malaysia. No express pass

Or you can buy online through USJ japanese website (entrance and express pass). Choose QR code method

Japanese website. http://www.usj.co.jp/ticket/

Yes, can access via smartphone and/or print the QR code (don't fold at the QR code). Express Pass code i'm not sure if you need to exchange at the sales booth or not. My case is I bought open-dated pass from JTB and didn't need any express pass

just google 'buying USJ ticket online' and you should get tonne of English guides.

On another note, just knew USJ now introduced tax refunds on souvenir http://www.usj.co.jp/e/parkguide/index.html#cont04

i will say most of google results should be quite accurate. These are what i tried when i was there

Osaka
Ramen - 4 Heavenly King (Ichiran, Ippudo, Kinryu, Shitennoh)
Kuromon Ichiba market - Takoyaki, Kobe Beef, Sushi/Sashimi
Mizu no Okonomiyaki

Kyoto
Tensyu tempura
Junidanya shabu-shabu
Nishiki market
Katsukura Tonkatsu
Kyo Ine tofu cuisine
Kichi kichi Omurice (for the experience but a bit expensive imo)

For Kyoto, there's few 2 or 3-star Michelin kaiseki restaurant that you can try if you got the budget - Gion Sasaki, Kikunoi etc

For beef lovers, must really go try Otsuka Murasawa beef when in Arashiyama

Check weather forecast ---> https://www.jnto.go.jp/weather/eng/area_det...hp?area_id=4920
It's cloudy tomorrow, so...


Gotemba - very very very slim chance (actually more like 0%)
Kawaguchiko - your chances are not that great either

Today is the best weather - Sunny. Live Camera

This post has been edited by tohff7: May 13 2016, 10:57 AM

that's for planning ahead mah.

weather forecast for tomorrow should almost confirm sure 99% accurate lol

it's for the experience. some ppl like it, some people do't like. Especially people who are not used to sleeping on the floor

I would said staying in ryokan in Kyoto is a waste because you are likely to be out for sightseeing most of the time.

Ryokan price usually includes half board - kaiseki dinner and traditional Japanese breakfast. So maybe not too expensive if you take that into account

Fly in Tokyo and fly out from Osaka? If like that, don't need to buy JR pass. Buy 1-way shinkansen from Tokyo-Kyoto and use local passes in each cities. JR pass doesn't really pay off if you just travel 1-way.

You are spending 6 days in Kyoto/Osaka, so you don't really have the flexibility to activate your 7-day JR pass (assuming your flight out is in Tokyo). And why 4 days in Osaka? Even with USJ, i think 3 days is more than enough to cover Osaka.