Wait, what about SIA? I'm flying with SIA next month

Wow you took those photos? They are very nice. You can even sell them online
Yes because sakura bloomed unexpectedly early (tourist wouldn't be able to know), thus those who went last 1-2 weeks don't get to see the full bloom. It's okay, you still get to see them at least.

Yes I read about both and the Cup Noodle one seems a bit more interesting. The Ramen museum - I think main focus are the stalls where you get to try ramen from different places in Japan. But I saw the cost and it's quite pricey for a bowl although they have options of small or big bowl. Don't have a big appetite and not keen to splurge on ramen, so that's why I'm not too keen on this museum.

As for the Cup Noodle museum, I heard there's an area where you can make your own cup noodle with the ingredients you want, seal it off and take it home. When you're back, can make the cup noodle that's one of the thing that made me wanna go.

Where else did you visit in Yokohama? The Red Brick Warehouse?

There's the Akaikutsu Loop Bus that looks interesting. Did you get the round pass/ ticket to ride it? My intended places in Yokohama are:

Cup Noodles Museum
Kirin Beer Factory Tour
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Minatonomieruoka Park 港の見える丘公園
Yamashita Park's Waterfront Walkway
Osanbashi Pier <3

Thanks! Yes there is an element of luck to viewing sakura... But when I went to Lake Kawaguchiko, the sakura along the lake has not even bloomed... still in bud stage...

If i would rate the sakura viewing places, Shinjuku Gyoen garden will be first, because it has a big field in the middle, surrounded by sakura.. Ueno park has just a wide street and sakura lined up beside it, very crowded and hard to get a good shot. Chidorigafuchi offers a unique view of river and sakura, but not much chance of taking sakura picture up close.

Singapore to Tokyo (Narita) by Singapore Airline SQ12
Flight Path are same as JAL, Through Sea of Japan and Philippine, no chances to see Mt Fuji
Since April 20 until today

Tokyo (Narita) to Singapore by Singapore Airline SQ11
Flight Path are same as JAL, Through Sea of Japan and Philippine, no chances to see Mt Fuji
Since April 21 until today


Singapore Airline & JAL prefer flight though Philippine into Japan, avoiding congested China & Taiwan airspace

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Apr 27 2018, 09:53 AM

U can deco ur cup noodle. as long u pay 500yen, u can have as many cup noodle u can hold.

Red Brick warehouse- good place to take pic of Osanbashi Pier, but inside is like every shopping complex. just hope there is event outside.

Yamashita Park has Marine tower.

Owhhh dang, no luck then.

The flight from SG -> Tokyo (Haneda) is via SQ636 while return is SQ637.

Good info. Yes Shinjuku Gyoen is good - whether it's Sakura or autumn foliage. When my friend went last April, the sakura in Ueno park is a little irregular so he said it's like "patches" of flower here and there but not all fully bloomed.

For Kawaguchiko did you take up tour or went on your own via bus?

Ah... I would love to bring home more but unfortunately cup noodles are bulky, so at the most I'll get 2 back, with 1 of it for a foodie friend can only buy stuffs like this for people who appreciates it.

The marine tower? It's an Observation Deck right? I think it's fine. Have 1 scheduled in Tokyo, will give it a shot at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Good info. Yes Shinjuku Gyoen is good - whether it's Sakura or autumn foliage. When my friend went last April, the sakura in Ueno park is a little irregular so he said it's like "patches" of flower here and there but not all fully bloomed.

For Kawaguchiko did you take up tour or went on your own via bus?

Ah... I would love to bring home more but unfortunately cup noodles are bulky, so at the most I'll get 2 back, with 1 of it for a foodie friend can only buy stuffs like this for people who appreciates it.

The marine tower? It's an Observation Deck right? I think it's fine. Have 1 scheduled in Tokyo, will give it a shot at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

I've been looking over hyperdia and google map for the train routes in japan. Just to double confirm my findings:

When you guys mention Hokuriku Shinkansen, you are referring to the train line / train track right? And the actual train to take is actually called

1. SHINKANSEN KAGAYAKI 521
2. SHINKANSEN HAKUTAKA 555

And do we actually have to make a reservation for our seats from our trip from tokyo to toyama? Or we can just go to the station on the day of the departure and use our Hokuriku Arch Pass to board the train to toyama?

I did notice in Hyperdia for reservation price is lower than stated for reservation. But if we are using the JR PASS (the hokuriku arch pass), we can overlook the price right?

the name is different because of its services. Depending whether it is Limited Express or Express, the train will skip some of the stations along the way. Limited express skips most of the station, which mean you will reach your destination faster.

u can prebook the seats and ticket once you have the pass. just go to any midori-no-guchi (green window) to make your reservation.

JR pass already inclusive of seat reservation price. you dont have to pay extra for that.

This post has been edited by limchee: Apr 27 2018, 11:26 AM

now that clears up some of my confusions. Thanks.

Fly Garuda then both ways also can see 🤣




This post has been edited by deodorant: Apr 27 2018, 11:44 AM

All Singapore airline flight to Tokyo Narita / Haneda are fly through Philippine into Sea of Japan. Totally no chances to see Mt Fuji
Unless they change flight path

Nice. Guess no luck. Have not thought of flying with Garuda. How was it?


Okay, I've given up hope doesn't matter whether I'm sitting on the left or right side now hahahaha. Thanks for your sharing.

Kagayaki is the fastest (less 20min? travel time) because of fewer stations. Hakutaka is the slower 1.

Normal procedure i think you go to the JR Ticket office and reserve a seat. Then they will issue the Shinkansen ticket for you. It’s not just show pass and can board it, even for non-reserved seating

Just noticed that i didn't refund my ICOCA card. Checked the back but its in Japanese but dont see any dates. Wondering is there any expiration for the card? Not sure when will i go back to Kansai.

yaya. if according to hyperdia, kagayaki is faster. okie. will made a point to go there make reservation first.

No worries hahaha it works like Touch N Go. If I recall correctly, the expiration is 10 years. I'm sure you'll be back again before 10 years

why dont you just keep it as a momento?

i got 2. So keeping one. If got short expiry then i might sell or give away.
Astroboy version! its also kansai pass can get discount for entrance fees and discounts

oh the ICOCA can keep 10 years? dang... should have kept it.

When return for refund you'll get charged certain amount as service/processing fee. then the next time get another card will get charge another time.

U mean next time if buy another card i will get charged?
Or you mean when refund they charge processing fee minus from the 500 yen deposit

But when i refund the ugly suica i get 1000 yen (500 x 2 cards) didnt charge anything.

every card will have the handling fee, so everytime u return the card to collect back the deposit for each card, a portion of the deposit will not be refundable. I think its 220yen handling fee per card.