i purchase the same sim also for my trip this year,first time user for this sim also...from reviews seems to be good, my summer trip to japan last year me and 3 of my friends all purchase different data sim to use all of them good coverage...the only difference is supported phone and how "leceh" to set the data...other slot in restart phone ok...while other gotta set setting etc

Actually you can only start purchasing the ticket on 10th for the entrance ticket on subsequent month. Let say if you would like to purchase ticket for November, the ticket will only be available for sale in 10th October. You can purchase it online from https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/sitetop.

any tips on Nikko?
im doin trip from Tokyo to Nikko for a day trip.

Japan guide say Chuzenji Lake is best on Mid-October. (an hour bus ride >1k yen)
i rounded my plan, earliest ride (my JR pass still active) shinkansen to Utsunomiya then JR Nikko train to Nikko.

bus ride to Chuzenji (or perhaps Ryuzu Fall but there are more bus to Chuzenji Onsen area, Kegon Waterfall than further down) n back to visit Toshugu-ji n return to Tokyo.
I would probably wont have time for Kirifuri Waterfall.

or skip Chuzenji part. stick around Toshugu area (few temple near it, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Botanical Garden) n perhap visit Kirifuri Waterfall.


Rennoji is under renovation. so will skip it.

woah so nice. i guess i wont be able to see all these since im going 10th Nov.

I planning to overnight at Arima Onsen. I try to look around, most of the Ryokan Onsen cost a bomb.

Any recommendation with budget ~RM1000 (25k yen)/room for 2 pax included Kobe beef dinner?

And I did research and understand, those with tattoo are not allow in Onsen. Any onsen that you guys come across that allow?

this is actually a quite good video for Osaka foods, travel, arcades, sushi eating etiquette, etc.

nope

but u can create own thread at travel & living and advertise it here

btw why u need companions to travel?
how bout solo?

25K with Kobe beef and 2 person, I dont think so. Even for 1 people its difficult. If you are in Japan look for Matsuzaka beef instead of Kobe Beef. These beef are higher rank and only available in Japan and not exported.

Thanks. Anyhow, decided to scrap the plan of overnight there. Would spend the money on meal instead.



Finally, done the itinerary covered Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe. For Kyoto, I use their bus services (500Yen per day). Kindly advice:-

1. Should I go for KTP instead for Kyoto/Osaka. If yes, I can move my Kobe to 2nd Nov.
2. Can't find back Tips of the Month. Any recommendation of Kaiseki Kobe Beef in Kobe?
3. I understand Japan Onsen rules whereby tattoo not allowed. any private Onsen that you guys been allowed tattoo?



This post has been edited by Felice821: Sep 29 2016, 04:52 PM

Google or AirBnB must be somewhere else in Arima area to stay or just come back down to Kobe.

Often, the Kobe beef specials include lots of other extraneous stuff besides the beef. You might be paying for beer, vegetables, salmon, even the reputation and ambience of the famous old place and the show the cook puts on. I had a taste of excellent Wagyu cheek meat in an appetizer in a KL restaurant, and it was better than what I had in Kobe. You can even buy a chunk in the supermarket and DIY if you have access to a kitchen, maybe a small disposable charcoal hibachi BBQ.

If a smallish tattoo, cover it with waterproof bandages. They might even sell sheets of it near the onsen.

PS: This one kind of expensive but you'll probably find something else if lookaround: http://www.japantrendshop.com/tattoo-cover...ers-p-3140.html

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Sep 29 2016, 06:41 PM

i think its easier if go with someone who has been there before instead of experimenting or trial n error

even better if can speak some japanese

why not overnight in Nikko. Eventhough it can be done on a day trip, but Nikko has so much to offer. Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Waterfall is a must to go since you are in Nikko already. Consider to get the 2 days pass =http://www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/pass/twoday.html

Japan is perfect for solo travelers. You can either just post here saying looking for traveling partners or in the thread dedicated to looking for backpacking partners.

Otherwise, exploring, experimenting and trial and error is all just part of the fun of traveling.

Hi sifu, is there any other way to apply for ETC with HEP? My car rental company ran out of ETC card for my duration of stay in Hokkaido

its goin to be my 1st time at Japan (next week flight). n im partially soloing around. in fact, its my 1st time doin solo trip.

no strength to do double Tokyo-Nikko n back Tokyo trip. maybe next time.
looking for advice if doing the trip mentioned is plausible, n wat do n dont during it.

i dun mind getting lost at Tokyo. but at rural area, im kinda sked.

i think it a bit hard
and from ur writing... i think u r the type that leeching off ppl or need spoonfeed

pls consider taking tour
-> u'll hv travel companion
-> plus the tour guide can speak japanese
-> u no need trial and there is no error
-> everything is perfect

---
solo is best when doing onsen for the first timer

my best advise to u, use google maps... 100% u wont lost
-> use it to bookmark everything 🌟
-> they even hv train schedule and price
-> if u prefer to walk, u just need to follow the directional toward ur bookmark

also
-> subscribe pocket wifi
-> bring powerbank

This post has been edited by lucaswjk: Sep 30 2016, 03:34 PM

Good news to those visiting Japan and worry about language problem. There is an app that lets you talk into your smartphone, it will then translate to Japanese speech. Japanese speakers can use the same app translate Japanese back to the language that you set - English, Mandarin, Indonesian, etc,
You can also input text.

Note that this is not just a Japanese <-> English translator but you can set to other languages as well - eg Mandarin to Korean, etc.

Download Now -
iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voicetra/id581137577?mt=8
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?....voicetra&hl=en

This post has been edited by idoblu: Oct 1 2016, 06:47 AM

Kansai Trip 14 Days Itinerary
munkeyflo You can post it into Page 1 as reference if you want.
All Bold part can be found at Google Map

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]

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Oct 1 2016, 01:49 PM

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 ....From A to B back to A means you already walk 18 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 RegentCid: Oct 1 2016, 03:42 PM