It doesn't matter. What I mean is previously (or my point was), its up to individual. Some people don't pay for certain service or product because they think it's not worth it, not simply because they cannot afford or being stingy. They probably have their personal reason - whatever it may be.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 4 2017, 09:46 AM

No second thought on this - definitely Ainokura for me. I think Ainokura village is at the peak, near to the mountains. The view that I see is... simply amazing. You can always go to Ogimachi next day - and take photo from/ at the viewing point.

This was where I stayed: https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-...?ryokan=Goyomon

Its nice and cozy and the food, awesome

My trip was pretty adhoc to be honest. We bought our flight tickets on 3rd week of October and our trip was 30th Dec. I think he started to do up itinerary etc few weeks later. If i'm not mistaken, the Goyomon was booked about 4-6 weeks prior to our trip. I remember he said most of the minshuku were full and there's not much options. Perhaps that was why we ended up in Ainokura (its pretty deep inside).

When are you going?

These are some of the views you can enjoy in Ainokura during winter:



This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 5 2017, 10:29 AM

What do you mean? AirBnB plenty of choices. There's no way "not much choices" unless you're not sure how to use it, or your budget is too low.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Shinjuku--Tokyo--J...&s_tag=Mov6VuHd

You can also check out the AirBnB of other area such as Ueno, Asakusa, Tsukiji etc and not just Shinjuku alone.

Errr as you put it - next week is the peak of Sakura, that's why everything is expensive and fully booked. Why is it such an adhoc trip?

What do you mean about the distance? It depends on where you're travelling. Only 2 days in Tokyo? If you're there exclusively to view Sakura, stay around Ueno and visit around the area. Shinjuku would be the national garden - Shinjuku Gyoen.

Hmm autumn looked nice too. Why were you unable to book the minshuku? Maybe too early? Not even Goyomon? The one I shared the link earlier. Its in English so I don't think there'll be any problem: https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-...?ryokan=Goyomon

I understand why no single traveller because each gassho-zukuri is not very big. There are probably about 2-3 rooms in each house, and you're expected to share a house with other travelers as well. Based on Goyomon that we stayed, there were 4 of us in 1 room. In that room, there's a partitioned smaller room. So we were separated to 2-2. Next to us (another room, but very thin door to the point you can hear them talking), is an Israeli couple. So total: 6 people in a house.

You're not allowed to stay more than 1 night in 1 gassho-zukuri. Check-in was around 3 or 4pm and check-out was 11am. The advantage of staying in Ainokura (or perhaps same for other areas - I'm not too sure) is that, from 4pm to 10am - no visitors are allowed to come in to the village. Meaning that there's no tour buses coming in hoards, nobody (rarely any) photo bombing your pictures etc. From 4pm to 10am, its exclusively for people who stays in the village to go exploring without any crowd. I really enjoyed that because there's very little people! Almost none. Due to the cold, a lot of people rather stay indoor (2 of my friends were one good example). Probably that's the advantage of winter.

Hope that's enough information for you. What else would you like to know?

Ah yes, you're flying to Nagoya then travel to Takayama and finally Shirakawa-Go right? That's the typical route.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 5 2017, 05:15 PM

No problem! Does this mean you didn't manage to visit Shirakawa-Go?

Ah I see. Your business/ work must have provided hotel accommodation right? Extend 2 days stay.

There's plenty of hotels in Shinjuku, all you need to do is look for a suitable one that meets your budget.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Hotels-g1066...nto-Hotels.html

With only 2 days and unfamiliar surrounding, perhaps you can look forward to visiting Day 1: in Shinjuku and Day 2: nearby Shinjuku. Some recommendations:

Day 1: Shinjuku
- Government Metropolitan Building : observation tower
- Shinjuku Gyoen (National Garden)
- Odakyu Dept Store
- Hanazono Shrine
- Kabukicho (night)
- Golden Gai (night)

Just Google "Things to do in Shinjuku" and you'll find all sorts of stuffs. If you're not sure what's good, check with the forumers here to see whether its worth going.

Food
Ichiran Ramen (shinjuku branch is open 24 hours)

Day 2: nearby - Harajuku and Shibuya
- Meiji Shrine
- Yoyogi park
- Takeshita Dori
- Hachiko
- Shibuya Scramble

Same thing - Google more about Harajuku and Shibuya to see what interests you.

Plenty of must-do's in Tokyo! Good luck in your research. Once you've draft out a rough itinerary, can always ask forumers here to give some opinion

Ah i agree. If you can, why not splurge a little on 1-2 days, right? It may be costly but worth it! You're paying for a memory that will last you a lifetime (well, slight exaggeration haha!). If you like nature and snow, I'll definitely recommend Shirakawa-Go (during winter) as its under the UNESCO world heritage site.

And another place - if you like shrine - the Ise Jingu in Isejima (Ise island). Its the purest and most sacred shrine in Japan totally in my bucket list, but I'll happily recommend it to people who enjoys visiting shrine and nature.

http://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/ise-shrine
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regiona...e/isejingu.html

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 6 2017, 12:52 PM

I think this is a very complete guide: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html

The question was asked abit too late, to begin with. I think he's already in Japan

In fact the portable WIFIs need to be rented at least 7 days before collection date.

That seems aplenty to do, hope you're able to cover all!

Perhaps the ideal order would be:
Tokyo Skytree -> Asakusa -> Sensoji -> Ueno Park -> Ameyoko

Or, the other way round. Just take note on the closing time. There's another area called "Nakano" and its pretty close to Ueno (about 20min away if i recall correctly), and its a nice area to shop and find 'value' buy/ food. Its also one of my favourite place to go.

There's "FAST PASS". Check out more info:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201308/3624/
https://matcha-jp.com/en/2059

Super packed HAHAHA. Its not impossible but maybe a lot of "touch and go".

Based on personal experience and friends' sharing, averagely you'll spend around 3-3.5 hours in Shinjuku Gyoen. So my recommendation is to split it up since you won't be able to cover Shibuya if you try to cram these into 1 day.

Day A
*You can consider covering Koishikawa Korakuen too, if you want. Its nearby Shinjuku Gyoen.
(maybe) Koishikawa Korakuen
- Hanazono Shrine
- Shinjuku Metropolitan Building
- Shinjuku Gyoen
- Isetan/ Takashimaya/ Odakyu Department Store
Its subjective, but I like checking out department stores and see how they differ compared to Malaysia. For Isetan, go to the Basement/ food court and check out the variety of selections!
- Kabukicho (don't forget to drop by Nichome!)

Day B
- Meiji Shrine
- Yoyogi Park (buy a bentou from the konbini and picnic at yoyogi!)
- Meiji Jingu/ Tokyo Dome area
- Takeshita Dori (Harajuku)
- Omotesando
- Shibuya Scramble
- Hachiko

Haven't been to Kawaguchiko, so I couldn't comment on that. Feedback I heard is that there's less people and its beautiful. But there are also friends who told me they felt its a little boring (less things to do) there.

Hakone on the other hand, is more "commercialised", which is why there are crowds. I had a lot of fun in Hakone though and I'll definitely be back there next year.

If you have time, or you're both the type to wake up early, then I'd suggest 2 more locations in your itinerary (because its nearby!).

- Tsukiji
- Ginza
- Imperial Palace: https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/regional/tokyo/imperial.html
- Tokyo Station : https://www.tsunagujapan.com/how-to-spend-a...-tokyo-station/ and http://www.yaechika.com/english/
- Akihabara

Really? Best place? I haven't been there but I have read many reviews that its not a "must-go". Perhaps would be nice to go if you actually have the time.

If both of you are into hiking/ trail, I'd totally recommend Takao-san (Mount Takao). I went last year autumn, and I enjoyed Takao-san a lot. There are several observation point and as you go up higher, it gets better. You have option to take chair lift/ cable up and down, or walk the full course trail, although I wouldn't recommend the latter because it'll be very tiring.

http://origin.keio.co.jp/english/sightseeing/takao.html
http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/special_keio.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3029.html

Odaiba - yes. Go for it. Since you're there with your girlfriend, go paktoh. I recommend taking the Water Bus to Odaiba and then get back by train. Its a very pleasant ride and you'll both enjoy the experience

I rode mine from Asakusa to Hamarikyu Gardens. Walked around the garden and then get to Tsukiji fish market by foot. Its only about 10-15min away. But optionally, you can ride it to Odaiba as well.

Info: http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/info/access/access5.html

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 11 2017, 12:17 PM

Its normal in Japan. You can ask for "ketchup" though.

Its worth dropping by. There's a mall inside - Solamachi Mall - and quite some stuffs to see and shop/ enjoy. In fact, they also have a Pokemon Centre there, although not as big as the Ikebukuro outlet.

If you somehow decided to visit the mall, go up to 6th floor for their kaiten sushi - Toriton. There's always a queue, but a fast-moving queue. They are generous with their sushi and value for money.

http://myfunfoodiary.com/2015/08/japan-sus...h.c5AGyc2c.dpbs
http://www.tokyoeats.jp/kaitensushi-toriton/

Sounds good on Shinjuku! *cough* nichome *cough* sure worth dropping by

Yes, Tokyo Station is nice. The Yaesu mall attached to it, offers a variety of shops and restaurants. There's a shop with a whole lot of varieties of bento that you can purchase: https://foodsaketokyo.com/2016/07/17/tokyo-station-ekiben/

I see. Have not been to Koishikawa Korakuen, so I couldn't comment much hahaha. It was also in my itinerary but couldn't make it. And since we went Shinjuku Gyoen, friends didn't mind forgoing the other one.

If in the end you decided to go, do update us! I would like to know whether its similar to Shinjuku Gyoen or different.

If you're both not so much of a nature-and-hiking person, I agree to forgo it. Its not intense hiking, but you do need to walk around. Good thing is that there's much to see and many stops (food stalls etc) around.

I highly recommend the Water Bus ride (unless you're on a super budget trip, but its not like the ride cost a lot). It was really a pleasant experience. I was looking at Tokyo through another perspective . You can walk down to the lower deck and take photos etc (its all enclosed with sealed windows though). Consider it

No problem, glad to be able to share! Happy planning!

Its a good time to buy some and keep! This is a decent rate, although I hope it would drop more

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 12 2017, 09:59 AM

Okay la 0.0398.5, its about average. Below 0.04 I feel its acceptable... because during peak, currency goes up over 0.041.
I'm buying some of friend's currency at 0.3938 to keep, although I'm not sure when I'm flying next

x0.034 i think that should be in early 2016? Hahaha I also flew with that rate in March '16 and yet already feeling the pinch back then.

From what I heard, still in talks to make it happen but likely as announced - in 2019.

Indeed, i think that's quite a popular idea.
Some other options/ suggestions from this site: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/artic...opose-in-kyoto/

Which one? The Arashiyama with private boat?
A little digging will bring you here: http://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-boat...ashiyama-tsusen

I should think that Takayama will look nice in autumn colours instead. And besides if it rained the day before, all the sakura would have fallen off from the trees

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 13 2017, 10:26 AM

As azkoleq said, you can't use the Metro pass for Yamanote coz that falls under JR line.
You can check the routes/ station in Metro's web: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/index.html

Additionally, they also have a planner that comes with fare calculation: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/search/index.php

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Apr 14 2017, 09:30 AM