To all newcomers on this thread, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do some research first. There are tons of info about traveling in Japan all at the tips of your fingers, just a google click away (and plenty of info listed on this post). There are many resident forumers here on this thread that are super friendly and helpful so please do not annoy them with questions like "What to see in Tokyo?", "Recommend me sightseeing places in Kyoto" or similar questions. Narrow down your questions and list down your expectations/requirements so that we can provide you with more accurate advices. Version 1:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/545818Version 2:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2419732Version 3:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2849282Version 4:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3092421Version 5:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3280981Version 6:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3475412Version 7:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3607047Version 8:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3792838Version 9:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4042871*in the process*
Japan Travel Info - Updated by moderators:1. Transportations- Useful Link for Train Schedules & Plannings:
http://www.hyperdia.com/- Japan Rail Network, maps & fare:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2019.html- Cheap 5 days unlimited ride via "Seishun Juhaici kippu" ticket (But no Express/Bullet train)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html- JR Passes:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/- Haneda Limousine Bus (Keihin Kyuko) for those reaching late night @Haneda -
http://hnd-bus.com/route/nightmorningbus.html - How to get to Tokyo after midnight:
http://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-...town-tokyo.html (Others pls google)
- You can purchase JR Passes from JTB Malaysia:
https://jtbmalaysia.com/japan-rail-pass/2. Learn Simple Japanesehttp://japanese-phrases.sakura.ne.jp/3. General Sightseeing & AttractionsMajority of the information can be found on Japan-Guide.com
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623a.htmlHowever, please search thru the thread to find other forumers write-ups about their personal experiences.
4. Hotel Booking Websites (Please compare 1st)
- The usual Agoda.com, Booking.com, Asiarooms.com, Hotels.com.
- Also check out Airbnb listings. Plenty of them around Japan.
- Some recommendations that I've personally stayed in before are Toyoko Inn & APA Hotel which are usually located in convenient locations near train stations all around Japan.
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/index.htmlhttp://www.apahotel.com/en/5. VISA ApplicationNO VISA REQUIRED FOR MALAYSIANS if your passport is compliance with ICAO standards.
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit.html6. Budget Food Options- My favourite choices are Sukiya & Yoshinoya, always cheap and satisfying. There's also Matsuya, similar type of Gyudon (beef rice bowl) restaurants.
- Convenient Stores (Family Mart, Lawsons, 7 Elevens, Circle K, etc.) are found almost everywhere and food is plenty and affordable.
- Supermarkets usually sell cheap cheap prepared meals after a certain time.
-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028_food.htmlStimix's Guide to Kiamsiap Travellers in Tokyo:
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QUOTE(stimix @ Mar 26 2012, 11:17 AM)
Budget Food Guides for those kiasu & kiampsiap travelers
Morning/Quick lunch/DinnerJust buy those cup noodles from nearby 7-11, Family Mart, Lawson or even Aeon Superarket (I found AEON giving the most competitive rate but they are not 24hrs)
This cup noodle cost 168yen but there are smaller cup oodle too selling ~ 100yen till 250yen
Also for those wanna meal on the go & dunwan restaurant food, also can buy thoe Bento set & heat-up there instantly & eat inside those convenient shops. Well price are almost similar to the real stuff selling in those budget chain restaurants that I ate (Check after this post). The price of cold /non-heated bento set from 300-450yen:
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Proper Lunch/DinnerShinjuku -For Noodles & small choices of rice. Try Sanko Near Shinjuku Post Office & beside the Oval high rises district. This is like no frill concept. You can choose plain Udon & thereafter choose the tempura as topping. Or you can choose set.. You can even get the rice wth mince pork for only 200yen here!!
http://translate.google.com.my/translate?h...%26prmd%3Dimvns» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Shibuya/Harujuku & probably more areas, For cheap rice, try this yummy rice..damn shiok
I luv thos rice restaurant.. cheap & yummy for sure
http://www.sukiya.jp/» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
In Akihabara (And probably more branches) - My 1st proper Tokyo lunch, I just walked along Akihabara main st & found this Komoro Soba. price from 330yen and I choose the 330yen for sure haha..Damn shiok too and surprisingly now only I know they also opened in Manila!!
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx...iv%2Findex.html» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
The common Food vending machine either outside or inside the restaurant - This one Komoro Soba in Akihabara
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7. Easy to find halal or pork free food in Japan?QUOTE(mat sputnik @ Jan 8 2013, 03:01 PM)
'halal' ... because there's no certification. one thing about a traveling muslim is that, you spend time looking for 'halal' outlets, and when you get there, you see 'halal' inscriptions, some quranic verses on the walls, maybe a pic of mecca. and in many cases there's also a bar with beers and hard liquors. so you just have to trust these guys, right, because there's no way to confirm it. like this 'halal' restaurant in danang (vietnam) -- the counter has a pic of jesus on the cross, so i asked, are you a christian operating a halal restaurant? yes, he said, but all my stuff come from a halal supplier in saigon!
obsession with 'halal' foods can sometimes take the fun out of traveling. so take it easy lah. as for me, during my travels (esp. to odd places) as long as i see rice, bread, pasta, fish, eggs, vegies, i deem them all 'halal'. of course no need to check out the kitchen lah. take the journey from lhasa to everest base camp in tibet, say -- all stops are at decrepit, dark eating places, which only serve every known body part of a yak. so how?
-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2302.html-
http://www.jnto.org.sg/for_muslim_visitors.html-
http://www.halalmedia.jp/8. Popular Travelling Dates- Japan Golden Week (25th April - 8th May 2016)
- Bon Odori (11th August - 16th August 2016)
- China National Day Holiday (1st October - 8th October)
9. Traveling with Internet!- Travel Sim
https://t.iijmio.jp/en/index.html *can be purchased from JTB Malaysia before your trip*
- Pocket WIFI from various companies. Google search around or check the threads for good deals.
---
http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html (contributed by estcin)
10. Tax Free Shopping-
http://tax-freeshop.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.php-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2450_how.html --------------------------------------------------------
Sample trip itineraries to get you started-->
14 days Kansai Trip Itinerary (Credit to RecentCid)
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Day 1:
• Arrived Kansai International Airport
• Taking Nankai Airport Express Train to Nankai Namba Station
• From Nankai Namba Station walk to APA Hotel Namba Shinsaibashi (Check In)
• Night walk around Dotonbori + Tazaemon-bashi Bridge
• Dinner at Dontobori
- Budget: Okonomiyaki [お好み焼美津の]
- Normal: Pork Yakitori Restraurant [たゆたゆ 難波千日前店] Or No.1 Charsiu Ramen [千日前本店 作ノ作]
- Splurge: Famous Crab Restaurant [かに道楽 道頓堀 本店]
• Shopping around Namba + Eating Osaka first ever creator of Takoyaki [会津屋 ナンバ店]
Day 2:
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Midosuji Subway Line to Tennoji Station
• From Tennoji Station walk to Tennojiekimae Station then taking Tram Uemachi Line to Sumiyoshi Station (Osaka)
• Visit Osaka famous Sumiyoshi Taisha住吉大社
• From Sumiyoshi Station (Osaka) taking Tram Uemachi Line to Abeno Station. At Abeno Station change to Tanimachi Subway Line to Tanimachikyuchome Station. Walk to Kuromon Market.
• Lunch at Kuromon Market [黑門市場]
- Cheapest Kobe Beef in Japan [丸善食肉店]
- Best grill Scallop [魚福]
- Best Sushi Meal [マルショー水産] & [三平水産(株)]
- Best fruit shop [千成屋]
- Best Oden [石橋食品]
• Tea time snack at Sushi Shop called [大阪 ウラなんば ときすし本店 寿司]
- Order 12 piece sushi set. Delicious and cost only 1050Yen
• Dinner at Dontobori [Choose one from Budget to Splurge range]
• Relaxing night walking at Dotonbori + Coffee shop
Day 3:
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Line to Morinomiya Station
• Visit Osaka Castle
• Heading to Osaka Station for Lunch.
- Budget: Japanese Curry [野菜を食べるカレー camp] inside Osaka Station food court called Eki Marche.
- Splurge: Tuna fish specialist restaurant called [梅田芝田一丁目まぐろや]
• Shopping at Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Umeda (Otaku mode On)
• Dinner at famous sushi shop called [小好寿し] Or dinner at famous Ramen Shop called [九州らーめん亀王梅田本店]
- Chef recommendation sushi Set. Cost around 6000 Yen per Pax
• Umeda Station taking Midosuji Line to Tennoji Station
• Shopping + Observation View entire Osaka City at Abeno Harukas
• At Tennoji Station take Tanimachi Subway Line to Tanimachikyuchome Station then change to Sen-Nichimae Subway Line to Namba Station
• From Namba Station walk back to Hotel
Day 4:
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Midosuji Subway Line to Nakatsu Station
• Lunch at Udon noodle shop called [Jonetsu udon Sanshu 情熱うどん 讃州]
• Leisure walk around Nakazakinishi (Old part of Osaka City)
• Umeda Sky Buiding
• Snack break at [きじ 梅田スカイビル店] which is one of top famous Okonomiyaki around Osaka located at basement of Umeda Sky Building
• Umeda Station take Midosuji Subway Line to Shinsaibashi Station
• Shopping + Leisure walk at American Mura (American Village)
• Dinner at Japanese cafeteria style // Canteen Style restaurant called [心斎橋食堂Maido Ookini Eatery Shinsaibashishokudo] As foreigners must try, This is how Japanese company employers way to eat their lunch.
• After dinner, leisure walk + shopping from Shinsaibashi to Soemoncho 宗右衛門町 (400 Years old street)
• Find any Izakaya Style restaurant for yakitori + beer // sake at Soemoncho 宗右衛門町
Day 5:
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Midosuji Subway Line to Umeda Station
• From Umeda Midosuji Subway Line Station walk over to Umeda Station 阪急 梅田駅 by taking Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line to Ikeda Station
• From Ikeda Station walk to Instant ramen Museum [インスタントラーメン発明記念館]
• Lunch at Hakata Ippudo Ramen [一風堂 池田店]
- Must try Ikeda branch limited edition which is Momofuku Classic
• Back to Umeda Station and taking Midosuji Subway Line to Tennoji Station // JR Osaka Station taking JR Osaka Loop Line to Tennoji Station
• Walk to [四天王寺]
• Walk to Tsutenkaku
• Tea time break at [元祖串かつ だるま 通天閣店]
• Walk to Den Den Town [日本橋電器街] (Shopping mode + Otaku mode ON)
• Walk all the way back to Hotel
Day 6:
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Midosuji Subway Line to Umeda Station and walk over to Hanshin-Umeda Station for Hanshin Main Line to Kobe-Sannomiya Station
• Walk to Kitano area which is European embassy area. All 1800 ages Europe style building at Japan.
• Tea break at Vienna Austria House for Austria coffee + Sachertorte [ウィーン・オーストリアの家]
• Walk to Kobe Sauna & Spa Hotel [神戸サウナ&スパ] which outside of this Hotel has free foot onsen for anyone. Best spot specially after long walk from Kitano Area
• Kobe Chinatown [神戸中華街-南京町]
• Snack Break at most famous bun shop[老祥記]
• Walking to Kobe Harbourland area [Mosaic] for shopping + Sunset view
• Kobe Port Tower [神戸ポートタワー]
• Minatomotomachi Station take Kaigan Subway Line to Sannomiya-Hanadokeimae Station
• Dinner at A5 Kobe beef Restaurant [ビフテキのカワムラ 三宮本店]
• Back to Hotel (Reverse way from starting)
Day 7:
• Check Out and heading over to Kyoto
• From Hotel walk to Shinsaibashi Station taking Midosuji Subway Line to Umeda Station then walk over to JR Osaka Station for taking JR Kyoto Line ‘’Rapid’’ train to JR Kyoto Station
• Check In // Drop luggage at [アパホテル〈京都駅堀川通〉 Apa Hotel]
• From Hotel walk to Shichijo Station using Keihan Main Line to Gion-Shijo Station
• Lunch at ultimate Soba restaurant called [祇園権兵衛]
• [Maruyama Park][ 八坂神社][ 知恩院][青蓮院門跡]
• Relaxing at [四条大橋] walking along river
• Dinner at King Size Sushi restaurant called [魚心 河原町店] Or Splurge Sukiyaki Dinner at [すき焼き キムラ]
• Shopping at [新京極]
• Walk to Shijo Station and taking Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line to JR Kyoto Station
Day 8:
• JR Kyoto Station and taking Kyoto City Bus No 5 to Ginkakuji-Michi Bus Stop [35.028085, 135.790559]
• 4 Minute Walk [白沙村荘・橋本関雪記念館]
• 4 Minute Walk [銀閣]
• 8 Minute Walk [法然院]
• 16 Minute Walk [真如堂]
• 4 Minute Walk [金戒光明寺]
• Lunch & foot resting pitstop at Onigiri shop called [まんぷくおにぎり米都 北白川本店]
• 15 Minute Walk [哲学の道]
• 4 Minute Walk [大豊神社]
• 10 Minute Walk [永觀堂]
• 7 Minute Walk [南禅寺]
• 5 Minute Walk [天授庵]
• 10 Minute Walk to Keage Station and taking Taxi to [将軍塚青龍殿] [将軍塚青龍殿 大舞台]][将軍塚]
• Taxi back to Keage Station and taking Tozai Subway Line to Sanjo Station
• Entire Trip will used up total 5 – 7 Hours (Walking + Visiting + Lunch)
• Sanjo Station walk to Pontocho Area for Dinner at [餃々 三条木屋町店] + [鳥せい 三条店]
• Walk to Shijo Station and taking Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line to JR Kyoto Station
Day 9:
• JR Kyoto Station taking JR Sagano Line to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
• [トロッコ嵯峨駅] taking Sagano Scenic Railway to [トロッコ亀岡駅] then taking Bus to [保津川下り]
• Hozukawa River Cruise to Togetsukyo Bridge [渡月橋]
• Lunch at [嵐山よしむら]
• Walk to [天龍寺] [曹源池庭園] > [天龍寺北門] > [嵐山竹林]
• Walk to this Location [35.015282, 135.677326] Arashiyama Tenruji-mae Bus Stop and take Bus No. 11 to Yamagoe Nakacho Bus Stop. Then Change to Bus No.59 to Kinkakuji-Mae Bus Stop [35.039398, 135.733427] for visit [金閣寺]
• Kinkakuji-Mae Bus Stop [35.039398, 135.733427] take Bus No. 205 back to JR Kyoto Station
• Dinner at super cheap & delicious Sukiya Karasuma Shichijo & Opposite was Lawson [ローソン 烏丸七条店] for restock snack
• Shopping at Kyoto Station
Day 10:
• JR Kyoto Station and taking Kyoto City Bus No.100 to Kiyomizu-Michi Bus Stop [34.997930, 135.777050]
• [法観寺 八坂の塔]
• [清水寺]
• Kiyomizu-Michi Bus Stop [34.997930, 135.777050] Bus No.100 back to JR Kyoto Station
• Lunch at JR Kyoto Station Isetan Suvaco [スバコ・ジェイアール京都伊勢丹] buy Ekiben
• JR Kyoto Station taking JR Tokaido Main Line to Yamazaki Station and walk to [サントリー山崎蒸溜所]
• Reverse way back to JR Kyoto Station
• Kyoto Tower [京都タワー]
• JR Kyoto Station taking Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line to Shijo Station and walk to [錦市場]
• Dinner + Shopping at [錦市場]
Day 11:
• JR Kyoto Station taking JR Nara Line to JR Inari Station
• Visit [伏見稲荷大社] as early as possible
• Continue JR Nara Line to JR Uji Station
• Visit [平等院観音堂] [平等院] [十三重石塔]
• Uji famous high quality green tea shop [寺島屋彌兵衛商店]
• Continue JR Nara Line to JR Nara Station
• Lunch at famous Unagi Restaurant called [うなぎの川はら三条家]
• Visit [興福寺] [東大寺] [奈良公園] [春日大社]
• Back to Hotel
• Take a Taxi from JR Kyoto Station to Michelin 3 Star Kaiseki Dinner at [菊乃井 本店]
Day 12:
• Check Out and heading over to Himeji by Tokaido Shinkansen
• Visit Himeji Castle
• JR Himeji Station take Tokaido Shinkansen to JR Shin-Osaka Station
• Check in Hotel [東横INN新大阪中央口本館]
• [西中島南方駅] take Midosuji Subway Line to Nakatsu Station and walk to [Tenjinbashi-Suji Shopping Street] World longest shopping street with total 2.7km length
How long was 2.7km? It was equal to 9 Midvalley megamall
• Dinner at famous sushi restaurant called [Harukoma sushi 春駒]
• Early Rest for Tomorrow USJ
Day 13:
• [西中島南方駅] taking Midosuji Subway Line to Umeda Station and walk to JR Osaka Station taking JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo Station
• At Nishikujo Station change to JR Sakurajima Line to Universal City Station
• Universal Studio Japan (Full Day)
• Reverse way back to Hotel
• Dinner at Yoshinoya [吉野家 西中島南方駅前店]
Day 14:
• [西中島南方駅] taking Midosuji Subway Line to Umeda Station and walk to JR Osaka Station taking JR Osaka Loop Line to [JR Noda Station 野田駅]
• Osaka Fish Market [大阪市中央卸売市場 本場] and breakfast at famous delicious sushi restraurant called [中央市場 ゑんどう]
• Check out hotel
• [西中島南方駅] taking Midosuji Subway Line to Hommachi Station and change to Chuo subway line to Osakako Station
• [天保山大観覧車] [海遊館]
• Reverse way back to JR Shin-Osaka Station and take JR ‘’Haruka’’ Limited Express to Kansai International Airport
This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Mar 24 2017, 05:11 AM