As most of them mentioned, don't use a JR Pass. Just get the SUICA/ PASMO IC cards for convenience of travelling from one place to another. The card can also be used like a Touch N Go. You can buy food from konbini such as Family Mart, 7-11 etc and pay with your SUICA/ PASMO.

Basically SUICA is issued by JR and PASMO is by Tokyo Metro, both can access each other's line and almost all the major rail stations/ network in Tokyo. You can get any of the card at the station and a deposit of 500yen is required when you get the card. Once you have it, all you need to do throughout the trip is just to top up the card when the credit runs low (top up available in all the stations via machine). When you return the card (in airport), you'll get your 500yen refund.

You may want to check this out too:
https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/common-ques...or-a-suica-card
http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/

Hahahaha your list have covered most of the major attractions. Since you're there for autumn viewing, I will recommend the Shinjuku Gyoen 新宿御苑 (entrance fee 200yen for adult). Worth a visit for autumn foliage. But towards end November was just like the time I went last year, and autumn was coming to an end that time. So manage your expectation; there'll still be beautiful leaves here and there but a lot had fallen off by then.

Other places you can consider going:

- Nakano Broadway: For shopping and anime enthusiasts
- Akihabara: Worth dropping by for a visit
- Yoyogi Park: Its just next to Meiji Shrine; you can pack lunches and picnic at the park. I find it a very pleasant experience
- Tokyo Station: Souvenirs, shopping, food - go down to Basement
- Odaiba: New Gundam is almost up, hopefully in time for your time - but also go there for breath taking night view at the Decks
- Ginza: Get to Chuo Dori on a weekend morning, around 11am and enjoy the car-less road at Chuo Dori, as its closed for pedestrians - landmark: Uniqlo
- Mt Takao: If you like nature - its a vVery pleasant hike with beautiful views and chairlifts/ cable car to ride, much to see as well. Info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3029.html

Have not stayed in Hakone or Nikko, but it is very nice to stay in a ryokan. So choose one (be it Hakone or Nikko) and splurge for the night

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Aug 14 2017, 10:57 AM

Use to go there nearly every week, and i not mistaken the road closes from 12PM instead till 5PM or 6PM depending on the month.

Its one of my favourite place, and I always drop by there whenever I'm in Tokyo ...while my friends shop in Uniqlo, I'll just sit down and be amazed by my surroundings.

Last year when I went in Nov, they close off the road at 11am. I remember the time coz was there too early, so we strolled along nearby streets and stopped by Lawson for some snacks before heading back close to 11.

If its some other season then I have no idea. Let me validate it next month since the tour will bring us there, I'll ask the guide.

From the Japanese website it did mention 12PM. Maybe your watch still showing Malaysia time.

http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/kotsu/doro/hoko.html

Yeah maybe I was looking at Malaysia time loll!!!

But wow I didn't know 中央通り秋葉原地区 is also closed off at certain time for pedestrians. Think I usually avoid 秋葉原 on weekend especially Sunday as it'll be crowded. Next time must go on Sunday ady to check out 秋葉原の歩行者天国。

But I like the feel of Ginza rather than Akihabara.....guess most probably the crowd they attract are different. And also because I use to stay quite close to Ginza.

ginza mostly chinese tourist while akiba more otaku type...work there in ginza last time in a hainanese chikin rice shop, weekends really wan kill people when those people come dine...

Yeah I kinda agree. I checked the photos of both Akihabara and Shinjuku's pedestrian heaven but it didn't look as attractive as the one in Ginza hurhur. The "feel" is a little different. Its alright, better not to make too much pre-judgment and just enjoy it before commenting

sunday morning is no car day for akiba and there's an otaku free market next to mcdonald there where people go n sell their figurines n stuff. often go there for great deal

Wow nice! There are others too: https://tokyocheapo.com/shopping-2/fashion/...o-flea-markets/
Haven't had a chance to visit flea market yet, hope I could catch one next time.

Lot of cheap figure, merchandise. I bought few t-shirts there as well. Unplanned but worth the trip. Didnt even know they have a flea market on Sunday

Yes.
Japan all Sleeper train I already try.
If you want to try better experience it fast, because it going to phase out one by one.

If you buy high end sleeper compartment, It will give you shower card. Using this shower card to activated shower system, 15 minute usage time, once time up, system will deactivated, water and light will be out. Every good experience, Shower against time!!

thanks.. plan to try it on this November.. normally if use jr pass can use sunrise izumo train right?

my Ginza trip was rather awkward.
went there, main road are being closed, some train station exit are being closed/redirect to other exits. alot of ppl with same t-shirt print control the situation, some police n vehicles around. some shop closes their side entry. google search doesnt show me wats happening, i quickly cabut n went somewhere else.

later evening my bro told me its japanese olympic's athlete welcoming back ceremony/parade.

In Japan, if there is any protest, it will be very polite and carnival like. Police, will direct traffic and people will just march with banners, shouting but in a very organized way. You dont feel threaten at all.

JR Rail Pass plus 9500 yen for Single Twin room. This means 1 room 2 bed, you maybe share room with stranger.

Or 17000 for single room

If JR rail pass without top up are Shinobi Room, basically are sleep on floor. Very hard wood floor.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Aug 14 2017, 05:30 PM

any good and cheap recommendation for crab/seafood buffet in kyoto or osaka?

Haha. Business trip, i just buy whatever I can get to get to destination.
Even some of it using Taxi.

Nice. Aiming onsen as well.

Wau, nice list.
Let me digest a bit first.

thanks. will try it when travel to japan this November.

I will be traveling to Tokyo & Hokkaido ( Or maybe Kyoto ) between 1st May & 13th May. Is there any communication issue in Hokkaido? As I think resident there are not english literature. Will I face lots of communication issue in Hokkaido? Should I get a tour guide to assist my trip during hokkaido trip?

Is my trip date the best time to visit Hokkaido? As most of the activities are related to ice skiing. However during that time, it should be spring.

This post has been edited by Jet23sky: Aug 15 2017, 11:21 AM