about tax refund, do we need to buy above 10,000¥ in a single receipt??

No really but must be same store in single day.
So mostly will end up with single receipt Over 10000 Yen.

Same day same store. Also for food like jagabee, toiletries, etc, you only need to spend 5000yen to get refund. You will need to search what falls under which category.

First 3 days of our Nozawa Onsen video ...



This post has been edited by deodorant: Feb 9 2016, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the info about using ATM machines and VAT refund.

I found a cheaper place to get Japan Rail Pass. I haven't gotten mine yet as I'm only travelling in April. Here is the link: http://www.ylholidays.com.my/japan-rail-pa...n%20rail%20pass

Hi, Japan group. Would like to get your opinion from anyone who's been to Tokyo or Kyoto recently. What kind of budget do you recommend I prepare for 4D3N just in the city itself? (Accommodation would be hostel/Airbnb not hotel level.) I've been to Japan so sightseeing isn't a priority. I'm interested to just walk around the city again and enjoy the culture. Thanks, everyone.

how much cheaper??

Been there once and hostel usually around 2,200-3,000 yen in Tokyo, Kyoto around 2,000 yen. I know this really good one in Kyoto, just reply in this message if you want to know who is my contact in Kyoto. Airbnb you can check the site lah, but shouldn't be far off from the price range I mentioned. Then for food, usually a budget meal is 600 yen, but you can get something for 950 yen and that is like double the portion, very filling and food quality also good. Transport, you can get subway passes in Tokyo that cost about 1,500 yen good for three days, can ride Tokyo Metro and Toie lines unlimited, then in Kyoto there is Bus Day pass for 500 yen, unlimited rides also.

So, let's say you stay in either Kyoto or Tokyo for three full days, you are looking around 13,000 yen basic. I always allot 20% more of my minimum expenses because I eat a lot and I get distracted by all those small shops that sell cute things, so I suggest you budget around 16,000 yen or 583 RM. Cheap, right?

you can also refund 5,000 yen if you plan to buy consumables or food items, as long as it is in the same shop during the same day. Some shops like Don Quixote and 100 yen shops are VAT Free already, so they remove the tax already when you purchase, just don't forget to bring your ORIGINAL passport when purchasing. I made this mistake and I lost 1,000 yen of savings T.T

The 10,000 yen is usually for electronics, gadgets or antiques. And you can easily claim it in the airport, but last time I was there the queue is not that bad, I waited for 15 minutes, I guess?

And oh, don't forget to not overbaggage. They will charge you in the boarding gate if you have more than two bags. Serious!

I just want to share this beautiful mochi (really freshly made) I had in Nara, Japan. A friend of mine took me at the back of the castles and you can see how the Japanese mochis are made by hand. It is a really nice sight to see because when the Japanese are making it, it was very enthusiastic and you can hear them growling and shouting, but in a good way!

And you know, the mochi turned out to be really soft almost like liquid in your hands, it was warm. And when I bit into it, the mochi melted in my mouth, it was not even gooey, it was sweet because it was filled with red beans and when you are chewing into it, it was very smooth and after eating one big piece, I didn't feel full because it was really light and airy. I really recommend going to this place and make sure you watch how they make it like in this photo

Hi tripovo! Thank you so so much for all your info. Much to digest properly when I get a free moment. Will keep your contact in mind when real planning begins. Yes, less than RM600 is cheap. Now will have to watch out for cheap flights. Mochi is my favorite thing so now maybe I've to go to Nara again uh oh lol.

In another thread you mentioned you did 12 days + flights for RM3300. Can you please share your kung-fu here? (bowing smiley.. sry dunno the code)

Ps. Do you have a blog?

Pps. For anyone: when is the cheapest time to fly to Tokyo from Malaysia?

This post has been edited by cineis: Feb 11 2016, 03:25 PM

Yeah, Nara is beautiful. Yes, I blog also. You can check my itinerary here-> http://wanderlust.tripovo.com/stories/how-...-12-days-all-in

And to answer your question about the flight, usually off peak season is summer, but that is also the time many Japanese go for holidays, so it is a bad time to travel. Hope this answers your question!

This post has been edited by tripovo: Feb 12 2016, 10:12 AM

Hi. I came back from Japan. My experience was beautiful. I met many friendly and kind Japanese, those good looking and smart. The kindness and politeness are too much, I really love the people who treat me there nice - the strangers, the house owners, the police, the train officers, the road worker...

I went to Tokyo 5 days-Fuji a day-Kyoto, Nara 3 days-Osaka a day. Total spending rm1000. (foods, shopping, fee, tickets and transport) Accommodation: rm200 (airbnb), one night in Osaka I stayed at the airport. Ticket: Rm861.

I travelled solo in Tokyo for few days, I got lost few times looking for my house because Japanese houses are a little hard to find when you have no internet. I didn't rent pocket wifi, but my conclusion is: It's not necessary. Many Lawsons and 7E have free wifi. Second, people help.

The atmosphere is very lovely. Everything is nice there, even the pavement or the post box. Japanese language is a must.

Might visit there again, especially Tokyo.

Thanks for the info!!

but for food and consumables, you must also show them at the airport? So cannot put in check-in baggage?

what about books??

Today..Its Sakura blooming..just for 1 tree only ..with temperature 10 Celsius. Other trees still not bloom yet. During this week,weather are getting warm. I assume there no more winter..think its Spring season..

You can definitely put them in your baggage it's pretty standard. The way that customs officer would know if you purchased anything is through a receipt clipped in your pasport by the shop you bought the goods from, they would not check the physical goods. Let's say you buy whisky, of course, cannot hand carry.

Books AFAIK you can buy and get refund as well.

Just came back from Tokyo...nice place..I like it..but my wife does seems to be a bit bothered by the lack of help/warm gestures as a foreign parents with small kids gets in Tokyo going around..especially at subways/train stations..european countries are way better..

Who here have an experience traveled to Tokyo, Backpackers style?

Tokyo very fast paced, I was there and all the people are rushing to their next train.. some running some more! I WAS LOL!