I have not try ANA. Earlier intend to go for ANA too.. but end up bump into MAS sale.
But tried Air Asia to Osaka before, since then, decided avoid flying long distant (>4hours) using them.. coz I notice I can't cramp myself in their small space for too long... get a bit stress up.. Is a personal problem. Furthermore, Air Asia nowadays are not really cheap. You just have to spend more time to survey for flights until the right promo appear. Do planning earlier.

Another alternative, you can eye on Thai Airway (if they have sales). At least can have a bowl of nice Thai food at Bangkok airport, instead of transfer in Singapore

My 1st time to Osaka, I indeed get this Amazing Pass, as not to think so much of the trouble .. just follow the flow. Furthermore it did cover certain entrance ticket. But the pass I get last time only cover Osaka Castle, Aquarium & 3days train ticket. Aquarium worth to go, but Osaka Castle.. the park is nice and great for walk and photo, and park is free to enter.. but my time.. we took long queue to get up the Osaka Castle (ticket needed) which actually disappoint me as.. it is just a small musuem.. nothing much to see.

You can do some research on the entrance ticket price, train fee.. add up and compare with this Amazing Pass. But personally I will advise my friend not to waste time & money to go in the Osaka Castle.. walk around enjoying the nice feel of the park is good enough.

Wanna ask if anyone can confirm. 11 year old kid, riding their subway/train.. is still under kids ticket?

As the last round I brought my boy, he was 4yrs old. And the gate will produce "bird chirping" sound due to kid's ticket. So everybody aware there is a kid pass through. My boy is a bit tall, if 11-yrs still using kid's ticket, I better let him carry his ID card showing his age.

I used to stay Hillarys Hotel (Namba) for my last 2 trips to Osaka. But their price hike are too scary. From the original of paying RM800 (3pax 4 night) in 2013, to RM300plus per night (2015). And now they already charge over RM1K per night. So this December, I booked Viaggro Hostel (3pax, 4 night RM1523). They have those individual cabin bed kind of setup, but we rent their family room as I don't like share bathroom.
So far never try Airbnb, as long as I can still get an affordable hotel. Coz I need a reception to be there, minimally if anything happen.. they are there to help. Say natural disaster like the recent 1

Don't recall that we have any long queue in Kansai Airport, my past experience were.. they quite efficient. Do check online for their train schedule, if bad luck (flight delay or watever) that train services stop, you can go for the mid-night limousine bus. It stops at Nankai-Namba station too.

Knowing that is super peak week, still go and try?? Hahahaha....

That is a bad week to travel, as all international airport (worldwide) are at their busiest state. As Westerners flying home, while Asian going out for holiday due to minimal annual leave to get longer week off.

Not to say flying, even at this particular weekend.. in Malaysia.. we already choose not to travel.. traffic jam!

Depends what favour you.
I never been to Yokohama, but done some research that it doesn't seem to have much tourist attraction.

Kyoto, Osaka & Tokyo - depends whether you like a more peaceful scenery or a more busy and happening city. Kyoto is quite nice in terms of its pace and sceneries, most of my friends who visited Kansai area fancy Kyoto more than Osaka. But for me, Osaka is a must go.. I will purposely make a route bk to Osaka even if I am not in Kansai, due to Universal Studio and I already know where to get my shopping done there.. so that I don't need to walk around find all my stuff. As I don't like too busy city, so far I never consider Tokyo and this year-end going to Hokkaido, hence take the opportunity to stopby 3days in Tokyo. Minimally it won't sound like a joke.. went to Japan few times also never been to Tokyo?

If all this 3 cities are new to you, this #days distribution quite fair, to let you have enough time to appreciate the place. Or you may consider make some adjustment, to include Nara & Kobe... since you visiting Kyoto & Osaka.

Yes, Shinkansen indeed pricey. Unless is a must for you to try Shinkansen, otherwise you can take flight. I get my ANA domestic flight from Tokyo -> Hokkaido; then Hokkaido -> Osaka. It only cost me about 2.5K for 3pax. In average about RM400/trip/pax. I heard there are much cheaper budget airline, which too bad.. I not aware before this.

Both JAL & ANA have this kind of Experience Japan Fare/Pass. I have just checked, it still have this Pass that I bought few months back for my coming Dec trip. Go check it out. Is about 10Kyen per trip. When I bought that time .. after convert is RM400+. Just now I try out simply throw a date in year end.. current rate will be bout RM576. Luggage for domestic ANA is 23kg (1 pcs baggage), but there is a clause mentioned that if you can produce your international travel ticket (means your flight ticket in/out Japan).. deem you as international tourist, then international flight baggage apply. If not mistaken, is bout 23kg x 2pc baggage.

By the way, when are you going? I maybe wrong if your travel date is next year.

Have you get your flight ticket to/fr Japan? If not, maybe can wait a bit for promo. I flying by MAS. KLIA - Narita; then Osaka - KLIA. It cost me only bout RM1548 roughly. When I booked that time, if I choose Return ticket from same city.. only different RM200.

Try JAL/ANA domestic.. I play around.. even early 2019 travel is 10Kyen per pax per trip, include 23kg luggage (but 1 check in bag).
Return trip for 2 pax probably about total 40K yen.

Don't key in your booking at the usual booking field.
For ANA, scroll all the way down the page and find the Promo 'ANA Experience Japan Fare' and go in there to do the booking.
The system is not smart.. they won't give you the Promo rate if you didn't choose for Promo.

This post has been edited by cc980024: Sep 27 2018, 02:07 PM

What about Osaka to Narita? Possible to twist your itinerary to tour Tokyo first?

Sometimes if you choose Return flight, they will give you less option. If you book single separately, may have more choice.
At times also depends what time you choose, funny to say I tried before, choosing to go at timing A.. they only allow you to choose return flight XYZ. Choosing timing B, suddenly flight time JKL appear. Gotta try alot at to get the 1 that fit you best. Sometimes today you don't see it, tomorrow it appear.. then another day disappear again. wakakaka.

Y buy single flight, the return flight in danger?
You buy return flight immediately after you pay your single departure la.
But most of the time, it will be pricier.
But for domestic, JAL & ANA should be no difference as they count by trip. So far I only check this 2 before I book on ANA.
Mine gotta be single each.. as flying fr Tokyo to New Chitose, then New Chitose to KIX.

The outside restaurant should still around. If wanna see tuna auction.. then go Toyosu Market.
I'll be doing my route to Toyosu Market .. tengok tengok.. then route to Divercity .. as my boy wanna see big Gundam (the child say Gundam born there.. dunno true or not..hehe?), after that route to Tsukiji for lunch.. to have a minimal peek of the legendary area (thou I believe they will block out the inner part for construction already).

Only the airline company will have direct answer. But I do see some airline website request the affected customer to look for them. (sound like they won't call the customer for arrangement, but customer have to grab them.. if dun 1 rugi)

Have you tried this Digi Roaming Pass in Japan? How's the line.. works ok?
I used that during my last UK trip... but I guess I am a bit dxxb... don't realize need to select service provider there.. so the line sometimes up, sometimes down

Am thinking whether I should get the Japan Sim.. or just like you said.. get another Digi Prepaid for both my hubby and son.
We'll be there for 15 days, that come up to RM125 + RM8 (starter pack) + RM20 estimate value top up to maintain the sim (right?)

Thanks for the clarification. It helps a lot. Will maintain digi prepaid like you recommend.. for all travel onwards.

I am planning for a day trip to Hakone. But can't seem to find day pass. Guess we have to get the 2Days pass even utilize for a day trip (Return trip from Shinjuku 5140yen).

But can I clarify, the condition of 1 way ride on train and 1 way must be bus? Does it means in between Shinjuku <->Hakone Yumoto, either 1 way must be on bus? And what if I go for Romance car for both way, which means not taking bus. Is it allow?

Or it not worth at all the cost and time for 1 day visit to Hakone? If that so, I reserve this spot for future visit.

Thanks, I was so worry that we have to take 1 way bus. As the travel time will impact the whole journey. Phew...
Will be getting the Pass; 1 or 2 days before going Hakone. I saw there are online purchase available for Romance Car, but dare not buy yet.. as not sure if we manage to grab the Hakone Pass. Any idea if we can buy both together at the same counter?

We only want to find 1 day out of Tokyo only.
Anyway, not missing any onsen.. coz we are not fancy about onsen.

Hahaha... I checked all the suggestion for "1day out of Tokyo", Hakone have the most to offer.. in terms of scenery, food, uniqueness.. minimally.. there are Tram, Bus, Cruise all in 1 day.. to keep us from being bored. Yokohama.. looks like just another town. We don't want that 1 day out of Tokyo.. either see another town.. or see another temple.

And we have a 11 year old boy tag along. Small kid won't accept the idea of having ppl bath together yet.

This post has been edited by cc980024: Oct 3 2018, 02:54 PM

Got cold water onsen or not?
Problem is I don't bath hot/warm water... even during sick. Even winter holiday, my water temperature is set at normal Malaysia water temperature.
Once, someone brought me to hot spring.. I end up like a seal crawling out from the pool.. can't carry myself up after finish soaking.. the whole body weight so heavy.. and the gravity felt so strong. Ppl say they feel light and relax.. I feel sick and heavy.

Ppl won't look at me coz everyone else on birthday suit. But am sure will grab attention, if i can't get up.. and kena crawl out.

I read through some news, if not mistaken is mainly on Rubella.

For Malaysian, less concern. Since 2002, our kids by right have the MMR vaccine done (1st dose before Year1; 2nd dose in Primary school). This is for kids/babies that opt for Govt Clinic vaccination.. if those under Private.. hopefully didn;t miss out this jap. So for those who bringing kids, take note.

But myself of coz not born after 2002.. I recall got my Rubella jap during in Primary school.. and those days the jap only for girls, as Rubella is deadly for unborn.. so as precaution, all young girls get this free jab in school those days. But guys.. I am telling my hubby.. sendiri jaga-jaga dah la.