Haha, all the ways using iphone, so no problem
Btw, so far I only used b-mobile, never try others yet
This time going to get wifi router package in SG


So far I never show mine b4

Picture inside my Hard disk more than 1TB. It used to be Tips of Months. now just reserve in my Hard disk. Picture + Info about I have, if one month post one artical, Enough for 70 Years

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Sep 13 2017, 11:45 PM

Edit

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Sep 13 2017, 11:44 PM

Some banks do charge a fix rate on top of the exchange rate (Maybank). Better to call your bank to confirm.

Between, "converting cash to yen" vs "pay by credit card at overseas",
that means using credit card is more expensive, isnt it?

When I was in Japan, during shortage of cash, I end up using Credit Card instead Money Exchange .

I check my UOB bank website for the daily rates, and it should give me the estimate exchange rate for card.

https://uniservices1.uob.com.my/jsp/finance/fin_xrate.jsp

obviously...

no way cc currency rate is lower than using cash..i only use cc when there's tax rebate at yodobashi / BiC for 8% and during emergency

Japan are Cash prefer country. While China will be Alipay. Just bring a handphone.

Depends on what your cards give you. I have rebates from my card, so it negated the extra charges. So i'm glad to use it when it's available.

Take note that it's not common for Japan to have fireworks for NY celebration. They usually pray in the temple and ring the bell come midnight, as well as disposing past year's omamori (charm) and get a new one.

For NY, there will usually be special arrangement to have trains past midnight, but take note of the timing. And if the temple is not within walking distance, expect a very crowded train going to and back the temple.

Convenient stores rarely close. Don't worry, they will be open.

Headache now, arriving at Kansai Airport at 9.30pm but rail only operate up to midnight.

If checkout process in the airport is slow then can't make it to take a train to Osaka city.

Ya there are midnight limousine bus (more expensive than taking normal train) that go to Osaka from KIX, but drop off point is at Herbis Plaza(near Umeda station), however I'll be staying near Bentencho station instead.

So either I book my first night near Herbis Plaza or take taxi from Herbis Plaza to Bentencho which might cost me a bomb.

The nearest place I can find near Herbis Plaza that's within my budget is Drop Inn, however its 10min (800m) walk from Herbis Plaza, is it safe to walk that distance during the wee hours in Osaka?

Another alternative is overnight at airport benches? Not the most comfortable option but great for my wallet. Not sure how tolerant are the security guards on overnight campers though.

Worst thing is the airport is on a man-made island, so there's really little option on how to leave the area.

This post has been edited by shirley_andy: Sep 17 2017, 01:25 AM

Hi guys!

I'll be going to Japan and I need your opinions. Which mobile internet pass service provider has the most reasonable rate for a few person travelling together? Like those MiFi kind with the fixed rates.

You mean portable WIFI? The 2 commonly used ones are:

Travel Recommends (RM18/day)
H.I.S. (RM15/day)

Sometimes Travel Recommends have promotion and it could easily go down to RM11/day rental. TR you can collect and drop off at airport. H.I.S. you'll need to pick up from their office in Bukit Bintang area and pass to them (or courier back).

If your group plans to split up on certain days, you can consider getting SIM card instead for the convenience. You can get it at: https://hello1010.my/country/asia/japan.html

I bought the RM67 SIM 7 days with 3GB unlimited - it was very good. Connection was fast and I have no problem using it throughout my trip last week.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Sep 17 2017, 01:02 PM

Just some sharing on my last trip to Tokyo. Basically if it's Tokyo itself, there aren't a lot to share coz a lot of people are familiar with it probably just some add-on.

In my last 2 trips, I didn't manage to go Ikebukuro because we were more focused on other areas. But having been to Ikebukuro, I really like the area. This time followed tour because it's work-related (not gonna elaborate), and as such we travelled mostly via bus. Rode shinkansen for the first time, and it was an enjoyable ride.

Anyway, stayed in Ikebukuro Metropolitan Hotel and it was really pleasant. This is the first time I stayed in Hotel in Japan, as the rest of the time it was via AirBnB. Had a pleasant flight via ANA but even if it's 1130pm, we still wanted to explore the street. Before the trip I checked for stuffs we can do at night.

1. Our Hotel room (Ikebukuro Metropolitan Hotel) : twin bed and it's spacious. While AirBnB was nice, Hotel gives you comfort, space and amenities <3
We learnt something new: Hotels generally don't have a lot of Double Bed; most of them are Twins. Even local married couples mostly sleep in twin beds rather than a double bed.

2. Recommended ramen shop: MUTEKIYA!!! It's 24 hours! You'll have Ichiran nearby as well, but a little further from where we stay. Mutekiya is a small shop, with seats facing the wall/ window or kitchen. I think the place could fit about 20 people in 1 time? So wait a little and you'll get your seat.



3. Kabukicho's Godzilla : I'm sure it's no stranger to see this in Kabukicho but what I didn't know was - there's a mini 'performance'. Stay on the street where the Godzilla is visible on Sunday at 2.59pm and you'll see a surprise. Well don't wanna spoil it! I'm not sure if they have it on a Saturday, as I was there on Sunday and was lucky to catch it



4. Kairakuen Garden : We went upnorth from Tokyo (since it's work-related) and stopped by at one of the popular garden - the Kairakuen Garden. The place houses several hundreds of Ume flowers. Reason for ume - because back in the old days during war, soldiers seek refuge in this garden and eat the Ume flower as food. Next time, go during spring and you'll see hundreds of the ume blossom. We only see greens hahaha. I really want to be back during spring. It was still a pleasant stroll nonetheless



5. Ryujin Great Suspension Bridge (竜神大吊橋) : This is only of the highlight of the trip. It was a great experience, everyone was ready to jump out of the bus seeing this from afar. While it's not the tallest/ highest suspension bridge in Japan, it's the tallest in the prefecture. The bridge is 446m long and you can see the mountains, dam and a river. You can also bungee jump from the bridge.



I think this place deserves 2 photos (haha). It's really beautiful and you need to pay 300yen (adult) to cross it. Open from 830am to 5pm.



6. Lastly we stopped by Yamagata. We stayed in the Metropolitan Hotel in Yamagata and the layout is similar to Ikebukuro Hotel's. Yamagata is famous for cherries. Unfortunately it was the end of season and we didn't manage to get any. But managed to drop by Kajo Park nearby our accommodation. It used to be one of the fort built during the Tokugawa shogunate (if i heard it correctly from the guide). It's a nice stroll for your appreciate history and nature. Small place, but they have a mini museum.



I will conclude that following tour isn't all that bad. While it was rushed and you couldn't do things you want - the positive side - by taking the bus, I get to see views I don't normally see while taking the train.

One example, view of Odaiba from the highway - it's amazing ^___^



This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Sep 17 2017, 02:07 PM

Aihz, makes me want to go to Japan again! Probably next year with my son, gotta do more study travelling with babies..

Thanks, I'll take a look at those two. But limited quota is kinda off the list since we tend to use lots of Internet

For TravelRecommends, if you are buying now until 31st Oct, include MATTAKL code, you will get RM11/day

Ikebukuro Area best ramen for me still Taishoken (Morisoba Noodle dipping in hot pork soup)

Naisu

I have booked Samurai Wifi during Matta Fair earlier. RM18/day Unlimited no data quota 4G LTE..