Hey guys, i bought extra 6pcs Tokyo Metro 72hour pass during my recent trip to tokyo.
Anyone want? i can sell to you in RM so you dont need to change so many JPY before you travel. The expiry is at 31st March 2018.

please pm me if you interested.

Hi guys, wanna ask again regarding transportation in Japan.
Will be visiting Japan on the 22nd. February 2018 to 5th March 2018.
Will arrive in Narita Airport Terminal 2 on 22nd 7am morning and straight go to Osaka for 5 nights. Then back to Tokyo and spend 6 nights there.

I would like to know what transportation pass to purchase for this 11 nights trip.

Intend to buy 7 days JRPASS to go Osaka. 22nd Feb to 27th Feb will be in staying in Osaka. In osaka will planto go Kyoto, Nara, and also USJ and some of the places of interests which we have not plan.

On the 27th Feb to 5th March will be staying in Shibuya, Tokyo. Places will wana visit are Shinjuku, Disneyland, Mount Fuji, Hakone and other places of interest too.

As first time visiting Japan, i m really no idea about the transportation system.

Sincerely appreciate and thanks for guiding me on this matters.

Sorry for my english, i m not that good.

Decided last minute (sort of) to take a Feb trip to Japan during CNY time!! Flights booked (non refundable), hotels booked (fully refundable) so there's possibility to switch things around.

Edited/updated/new itinerary below. Tokyo hotel = APA Hotel @ Kanda station, Zao Onsen = Some cheap ryokan with breakfast and dinner for 15000y/night.
(estimated costs are in sgd for 2pax cos I'm based in SG now ...)




I'm still undecided whether to spend all that money and time to go to Izu / Kawazu for Sakura; s$140/pax and 2.5hrs each way to see sakura for 2hrs hmmmmmmmm. It seems JR East Pass covers the journey if I don't take Shinkansen and just rely on limited express trains, but that adds even more travel time ...

Any comments are welcome!!

This post has been edited by deodorant: Jan 14 2018, 01:16 PM

Hi guys. Sorry for the long post first. Really need some advice on itinerary. First time headed towards Kansai Area. We are travelling in on the 26 March to 3rd of April. Mainly young couple. Can rough it out. We are mainly based in Osaka doing day trips. So the order of places to visit is still open. The main purpose would be Sakura Flower viewing.



26 March 2018. Mon DEPART FROM KLIA2 TO KANSAI AIRPORT
Osaka
9.30pm ARRIVE KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Check in.
Dotonburi

Can't do much on the first day. Arrival too late. Probably hang around Dotonburi or just call it an early night.


27 March. Tue Morning. Kyoto
ARASHIYAMA
TOGETSUKYO BRIDGE
TENRYUJI
KINKAKUJI
Late Afternoon. NIJO CASTLE
MIKANE SHRINE
NISHIKI MARKET
PONTOCHO ALLEY
GION SHIRAKAWA
YASAKA SHRINE
MARUYAMA PARK
GION

I know this looks very tight. We might be headed up early and try to do as much as possible. Or is this still not possible ?


28 March. Wed Kyoto
GINKAKUJI
PHILOSOPHER'S PATH
HONEN-IN TEMPLE
SHINNYODO
HEIAN SHRINE
ZENRINJI
SUIRO-KAKU
SHINJO-IN
SHOREN-IN
CHION-IN
GION

A lot of walking and temples this day. Just taking our time this round.


29 March. Thurs Kyoto
FUSHIMI INARI
TOFUKIJI
KIYOMIZU DERA
NINENZAKA
YASAKA KOSHINDO
HOKANJI
SEIYRU-JI
KODAIJI
KENNINJI
HANAMIKOJI DORI
GION

Very early rise to Fushimi Inari. And see what else we can squeeze in.


30 March. Friday Kobe
Herb Garden ROPEWAY
KITANO-CHO
CHINATOWN
HAKUTSURU SAKE BREWERY MUSEUM
HARBOURLAND
AKASHIKAIKYO BRIDGE
MOSAIC

This pretty much covers whole of Kobe right ?

31 March. Saturday Nara
TODAIJI TEMPLE
NARA DEER PARK
KASUGA TAISHA
NIGATSUDO TEMPLE
KOFUKU TEMPLE
HIGASHIMUKI STREET

This also covers most of Nara ?


1st April. Sunday. Osaka
Umeda Sky Building
Osaka Museum Of Housing and Living
Osaka Castle
HEP 5 Ferris Wheel
Shitennoji Temple/Tennoji Park
Dotonbori
Suminoe Spa

2nd April. Monday Osaka
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
SUNTORY YAMAZAKI DISTILLERY
Cup Noodles Museum
Tennoji Zoo
Tsutenkaku Tower
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Twilight Cruise Santa Maria


3rd April. Tuesday. Tsurumiryokuchi Expo '90 Commemorative Park
Leave back to KL. 11:00am

DEPART FROM KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A few questions in general.
1. We would be using the Kansai One Pass more often than not. Plus the Haruka express round trip. Coupled with Osaka Amazing pass for the two days we are there. Kyoto mainly daily bus pass. Is this the best setup ? And does anybody have the Kyoto bus schedule, that would be great. Google maps doesn't adhere to bus routes, so i'm not sure exactly how to check on buses.

2. Still wondering if we should do Kobe then Nara in one day instead of two. With the extra day, can do an extra day in Kyoto/Osaka . At least I won't need to rush Kyoto and can do Arashiyama/Kinkakuji in a more leisurely fashion.

3. Please feel free to change the places to travel to. Like Fushimi Inari is better on a weekday and Dotonbori is better on a weekend and how busy places get. Still can play around with the places to visit since I will be doing day trips from Osaka. Am thinking to do Osaka early the trip due to being in a concrete city. Then end of the trip Kyoto. Since full bloom is closer towards the end of the trip. Any comments ?

4. Kyoto Aquarium or Osaka ? And Hakutsuru/Suntory Distillery ? Which is a better option ?

Appreciate any feedback that you guys can reply to. Really hope I don't bungle this up because wife will definitely kill me. THANKS GUYS !

Here you go Superman,
http://www.arukumachikyoto.jp/index.php?lang=en

Would RM14k be enough for 2 people including budget Hotel + AA Flight?

3 nights at Osaka, 4 nights at Kyoto, 4 nights at Tokyo

Travelling around by train mostly and won't be eating expensive food all the time except for a few..

How much is your AA flight?

More than enough actually. Assuming your hotel is less than RM150-200 per night.

Enough, more so if you go during off-season. 2 years ago I spent roughly RM8k/pax for 10-day similar trip in mid-Apr (inclusive of souvenirs, Japanese whisky and ryokan in Hakone + Lake Kawaguchiko)

General Questions
1. Yes, for Kansai Area, But if you are going to Nara + Himeji Castle, you can consider Kansai Thru Pass, which can give you unlimited rides for only 4k yen for 2 days. Single trip from Osaka to Himeji is already around 2-3k yen.
2. Not suggested doing Kobe and Nara in one day, since from Kobe to Nara takes around 2 hours, which is very long hours, spend more time on your leisure activity than on train itself.
3. Its totally up to your own preference, if you think that full blooms happens towards end of your trip then put more sightseeing activities around that period. If you are not jumping from hotel to hotel, then you are good to do shopping early on, and keep all your stuff in the hotel.
4. No Comment on this, but personally I would prefer Suntory, but I doubt you can get any ticket by now already. Suntory is extremely popular and their ticket always being fully booked at least 3 months in advanced.

Hi all,

Need advice on SIM card / pocket wifi for my Osaka trip. 10days. Preferably unlimited data SIM.

Any recommendations from where to get?

Thanks!

I used this for 7 days, but you will need the 15 days. You get 220MB at 4G speed renewed each day. It drops to a lower speed if you used pass 220mb
7 days is ¥2500 and 15 days is ¥4000
You can get it only from the vending machine at KIX - just go all the way left when you get out of Customs. I think there is a Starbucks or Coffeebean just opposite the machines. None of the shops sells it.

https://umobile.jp/lp/prepaid_eng/

you need to choose between nano and micro sim. dunno why japan so low tech, why they dont have one card for all type like Thailand. also choose the number of days. There is a money changing machine next to it but if you got a bigger bills, then this machine cant change for you. instead look behind you and you will find another machine that can change 5K, 10K yen

There are other vending machines selling other brands but for me this is most suitable and cheapest

This post has been edited by idoblu: Jan 15 2018, 11:16 AM


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Hi there, it will be difficult for you to find strictly Indian vegetarian place in Tokyo. In fact, it's hard to find any vegetarian restaurants in Japan. From what the Tour Guide shared in my last trip, there is no such thing as "vegetarian" in Japan; if the elderly do not want to consume meat, they simply choose meals without meat.

If you do not mind any form of vegetarian, then Google for Vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo and you'll find results. But if it has to be "Indian Vegetarian Restaurant" or meal, it's challenging. Optionally, bringing your own food seems to be the most viable choice.

1. Day 3 seems to be pretty busy. Will suggest you do the first 3 and leave Ginza for another day. You can also visit Ameyoko shopping street.

2. Just a suggestion - You can do Ginza in the morning of Day 4 together with Odaiba. Ginza to Odaiba is only roughly 30 min by train, and night view in the latter is what takes the cake.

Secondly, best to do Ginza on weekend. Be at Chuo Dori Ginza (Uniqlo) from 12 noon onwards; shop or walk around for 2-3 hours and then head to Odaiba. That's ideal for a day.

If I recall, there is nothing much to do in Roppongi - it's an upscale business tower area. You'll see modern architectures and sculptures.

3. If you want sushi and maybe sashimi, why not go Tsukiji on that last day you have? Best deal you can get.
Optionally, on Day 3 when you're at Asakusa, take the train (1-2 stop) to Tokyo Skytree. Go to Kaitensushi Toriton - it's one of the most popular sushi place in the area. Yes you need to queue but it's fast moving: http://www.tokyoeats.jp/kaitensushi-toriton/

It's hard to calculate that way because it'll depend on how much you purchase your flight and hotel. If you want to do Tokyo-Osaka and Kyoto, you should buy flight arriving at Osaka and departing from Tokyo. With that, you only need to buy 1 way Shinkansen pass.

If you booked your flight for say, RM1.5k (very cheap already if you're doing KUL-OSAKA-TOKYO-KUL) and Hotel for RM2,000, you'll still need to prepare shinkansen pass @ estimated RM450 one way. Total expenses: RM3,950. Let's just round it up to RM4,000.

Set aside RM200 for airport to city, and city to airport expenses.

Another RM600 for daily transport (for all 11 nights) and RM200 for any entry passes (not inclusive of theme park) to parks/ gardens/ other attraction with smaller fees.

That is RM5,000 aside. Now you have balance of RM2k for food and shopping. I'll assume it's 12 days and 11 nights. So I'll divide RM2k/12 days = RM166 per day. Make it RM160 per day for both food and shopping.

RM160/ 3 meals a day = roughly RM50 per meal.

You can do a nice and value breakfast @ RM20 (est. 500yen). Lunch @ RM40 (est. 1,000yen) and dinner @ RM60 (est. 1,500yen).
That's RM120 with balance of RM30-40 for shopping.

The above is an ideal costing if you manage to get RM1,500 flight.

OPTIONALLY,

If you want to save, just stick to only Tokyo or kansai area. Use that RM450 for train pass as shopping money.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Jan 15 2018, 11:11 AM

Thank you for the advice. Will get that if none of the other links I found on Google comes through.

I have found some options that delivers to Malaysia address, and prices seem cheaper than buying in Japan. Not sure if the coverage is good though.

nice info, cheaper for my 5 days trip, i need apply a DIGI prepaid card

Remember to authorize your international roaming feature for your prepaid sim.

need to go DIGI center?

Hi everyone. will be visiting Osaka and Tokyo this coming Feb together with my partner. As this will be our first time visiting to the land of the rising sun, we need some advice from the 'Japan' expert here. We've prepared an itinerary as attached, but not sure whether we can cover all those sites. Any feedback to our itinerary is very much welcome. Appreciate also if you guys can advice what types of train pass we should take in Osaka and Tokyo.

Last I checked AA flight on these dates. Have yet to decide on the dates but we wanna go during AUTUMN

Itinerary
11 nights in Japan. 3 nights in Osaka -----> 4 nights in Kyoto ------> 4 nights in Tokyo
Travelling during AUTUMN

Travel - For TWO people
KUL to Osaka on 25th Nov = RM1500 (from AA website)
Bullet Train from Osaka to Kyoto = RM100
Bullet Train from Kyoto to Osaka = RM100 (to catch the flight from Osaka to Tokyo)
Osaka to Tokyo on 2nd Dec =RM600 (All Nipon Airwars from Expedia)
Tokyo to KUL on 6th Dec = RM1500 (from AA website)
Total = RM3800

I know some of you guys might ask why Osaka to Kyoto and then Kyoto to Osaka for the flight? This is because we wanna go to Universal Studios Osaka on Day 2 when we are still feeling fresh and energetic (On our trip to Singapore recently, we made the mistake of putting USS on the 2nd last day and we were so exhausted)

Our itinerary is only a rough sketch now, heck I did not even tell my gf that I'm planning to bring her to Japan end of the year lol. Bare with me on this

Accommodation
Hotel should cost around RM150-250. Hostel is a no-no.

Mode of transport
Mostly train if we're not tired from walking around, if not, taxis. Are taxis expensive?

Food
Can eat anywhere cheap but it should taste nice. But I will definitely hunt for a place to try Kobe beef and maybe some delicious sushi/unagi.

Shopping
Mostly cheap items likes t shirts, fridge magnets, etc

Places to visit (yet to research more, maybe you guys can recommend some places)
Osaka (3 nights) - Universal Studio Japan on day 2, Osaka castle, Shinsekai, Dotonburi (to see the running man lol), Hozenji Yokocho, Osaka Museum of House and Living
Kyoto (4 nights) - Shrines, Temples, castles (?), lakes & gardens, visiting Gion town
Tokyo (4 nights) - Meiki shrine & nearby areas, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Tsukiji market

This post has been edited by -kytz-: Jan 16 2018, 12:15 AM

11 nights and travelling until Tokyo can be exhausting as well. Why not just focus on Kansai and nearby areas? The bullet train to Tokyo cost less than the flight. Should consider that instead. Even if it's the same price I would rather take the train for the convenience sake. Should add in DisneySea as well if you are already going to Tokyo. With your planning your initial budget is really quite comfortable already.

Expensive as hell