I think your first day is just too pack, especially if you are going with elderly. Akihabara alone can take you half a day, unless you just plan to go, buy and get out.

Hi, I am just back from Japan trip.
I use a bus from Tokyo station to Lake Kawaguchiko using https://japanbusonline.com/en/CourseSearch/11500410001
Actually I stay at Akihabara, it's just 2 subway station away from Tokyo station
Hi, I brought 2 little kids to Tokyo. I will advise you to cut down on your places of interest and then spend quality time on those places. After all, you are enjoying the trip with your family right? Dragging 2 kids rushing here and there is very tiring especially if you have an elderly...

Another thing I tell you, is do not FIXED your itinerary date. Instead arrange your itinerary based on the weather. What I do for my trip is I arranged based on "Sunny day" for all the outdoor places (parks, gardens, etc) and "Cloudy/Rainy day" for the indoor places.
I am very flexible with my itinerary, I even skipped my Hakone trip because I couldn't arrange a good day for the trip, I then supplement it with some backup place of interest

mine still attached to the passport. I didn't remove it cause i want my passport to be filled with immigration chops and receipts

But back to the question on making purchase overseas, I am actually planning to help people to buy watches, shirts or some cosmetic stuff. As long as is sealed tight, that shouldn't be any issue right?

didn't remove it? no problem for next time visit to japan?

base on the law, clothes cannot exceed 3 pairs, haha
depend your luck, if they really check your stuff, no choice have to pay tax
but i think better don't exceed for alcohol & cigarettes

Hi guys, I’m planning a trip to kyoto in may . I heard that kyoto station is a chaotic mess . Is it really that hard to get around ? I’m planning to get an Airbnb near Fushimi inari area (2stations away from Kyoto station on jr nari line) since it’s cheaper than staying near the station itself. Is this a good plan or should I jus pay the premium price to stay near kyoto station for simplicity sake ?any extra tip on dealing with the train system is much appreciated . Thx
P.s I will be traveling with an elderly with limited mobility

didn't remove it? no problem for next time visit to japan?

base on the law, clothes cannot exceed 3 pairs, haha
depend your luck, if they really check your stuff, no choice have to pay tax
but i think better don't exceed for alcohol & cigarettes

Returned from 8 days trip to Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe. Just wanna share.

Stayed only in Osaka with 1 day trip to Kobe and 2 days trip to Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera is indeed potong steam with the netting over it for restoration work. Good thing I didn't purposely wake up early for it.

After visiting quite a number of shrine, decided to skip a few such as Ginkaku-ji and Shitennoji to make the itinerary less hectic. Basically not a tourist who really into the history of each shrine so after a few its no longer that interesting to spend energy getting to each of them 




Kobe's mount Maya's view is great, but its freezing cold, camp indoor while I waited for nightfall for night view.


Kobe Port


Kinkaku-ji was nice but that's all, no real garden or parks around it.


If got time, recommended to rent bicycle to explore Arashiyama (Kyoto) area, nice and serene. Will be too tired if walk instead.


Expensive lunch at Kobe Beef Dining モーリヤ (https://goo.gl/maps/Nr2jVhJCUqK2), recommended to make booking cuz very small restaurant with very limited seats, I reach at 12.30pm but since didn't book I had to book for 1.30pm slot instead. It really melts in your mouth. 

Total 8D8N spent about RM6k including flight, accommodation, USJ, Kobe Beef for 2, and light shopping.

One day trip to Kobe, sounds interesting. Join tour or jalan sendiri? I'm still contemplating on the Golden/Silver Pavilion if it's worth the time. My intention is to go there shoot, and that's it. Arashiyama, must go for the shot of the river and the bamboos. Bicycle... I can hardly remember the last time I ride on one, LOL!

All jalan sendiri. Kobe just reach there during lunch time, have Kobe beef, then go have a walk at by the Port. Evening take the cable car up to Mt Maya, wait night, then come back down, and head back to Osaka. Note that Mt Maya cable car for night only available on weekends, weekdays by 5pm need to come back down already so plan your trip on weekend.

I decided to skip Silver Pavilion so can't comment, but the Golden Pavilion is really like what I've never seen before so its worth it.

Lol learn to ride the bicycle, its so much less tiring than walking and can save so much time.

I think, Japan airport custom don't kacau, but mostly OUR local custom may be a trouble. I had a few boxes of Gundam (MG), I went through without any problem (they don't even look at me!). But I did hear some stories, depending on luck, kena kacau from our local custom. In fact, I was told that they do have the rights to check and they are supposed to check, too, yeah? Just that most of the time, if not always, they kacau because they wanted duit kopi. That's all.

Mmmmm, I wonder if their Mavic Air is cheaper over there in Osaka. 

i also brought gundam in japan, but mine one is RG
any shop got most discount? last time i bought in BIC camera original price is 2500 yen in the box, but price tag is 1980 yen(exclude tax), extra discount 7%(visa)
i using FCB credit card, extra 2% on final price

LOL. Taipei cheaper!

really?  made in japan?

Bandai. Yes.

Back to Japan. I find that Den Den Road in Osaka tend to be cheaper than in Tokyo. But you'll have to find them, small shops, not those BIC or Yodoyabashi.

Just came back from USJ last few days. But I only tired Final Fantasy XR ride and Monster Hunter. But what i can see from the Queuing line for Sailor Moon and Conan is quite fast moving in. For Monster Hunter, Is totally big let down! Nothing to do with monster slashing, just some stupid 3D tracking photoshooting of yourself together with the Dragon and download the photo in the end by scanning the QR code given at the beginning at instruction area at entrance. Final Fantasy Ride is awesome roller-coster ride! but you need to put all your belonging item into Locker Room next to the hall which cost you 100Yen.

Express pass is a MUST to avoid time wasting on queuing at crowded season! I only bought Express Pass 4 & Cool Japan 2, but I manage to play all rides in USJ with alot extra time to spare for taking picture around.

1. Get yourself an Express Pass & Cool Japan Express Pass from Klook, book together at once so that the time slot given for express pass wont crash with the cool japan.
(for my case, my Cool Japan Express pass time slot is 12.30pm for Monster Hunter, 1.50pm for Final Fantasy, Harry Potter entrance is 2.30pm, Forbidden Ride is 2.50pm, Minion ride is 6.10pm, another 2 express pass is time free based, I picked Jaws & Jurassic Park The Ride). Personally, I feel this is the best time slot given because you got extra time to spare in the early morning to play all the ride without express pass quickly since morning will be less crowd in the park.

2. Be there as early as possible, park entrance open around 8.45am-9am, and I reach there around 8.15am.

3. Once the gate open rush to Hollywood Dream / BackDrop ride first because is the nearest to the entrance and this will pack up in sudden. Take Single Rider Line for this because there is zero people going in this line at this opening hour.

4. After that, go for Flying Dinosaur after you done with your Hollywood Dream & Backdrop. This area still won't pack with visitor yet because the ride is located at the most top corner in USJ and looks the scariest. Request with the staff at the top platform for first row seat so that you can enjoy the maximum adrenaline rush and view on this ride! It only took me 45 minutes to complete these 3 major roller-coaster ride in USJ.

AVOID Terminator 3D & Backdraft ! Put this two at the end of your schedule! Soooo boring and not worth the time!!

Below is my rate for the park ride base on my personal experience.