Do up your itinerary and get forumers to check for you. Do some homework.

Glad to hear that! And you itinerary is nicely planned/ done with all the timing. I do it in a similar method, however I agree that it's too packed.

I'll suggest that:

- Highlight the priority (must visit/ must do)
- The rest will be backup
- Play by ear on the day; visit the Must-Do places and if there's time then only check out the back ups

In 1 day, if you're able to cover 4 places, that's already a good use of time. You're right about additional people... the bigger the group, the less time you have. What I do with big groups - split them around. Depending on the size, it can be Gp1 and Gp2, or max, G3. Select someone to represent/ lead each group and the group "leaders" will be the one to bring everyone back to the next meeting point (assuming going different places). If all going back to the same, still delegate the same responsibility. Meaning lets say Friend A is in charge of 4 people, and you're in charge of another 4. Thus it's A's responsibility to make sure the other 4 is back with him/her to the meeting spot on time.

In groups of bigger size, if your plan is move to the next spot at 4.30pm, tell them to meet at 4pm.

All the best in fine tuning!

Whenever you purchase something from Family Mart/ 7-11 or other konbini and have no idea what the cashier is saying? Let this article shed some light:



https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0001719/

Basically it's quite "scripted" but they may use other ways of asking/ saying. Just catch the keyword/ phrases and you'll have a rough idea what they're talking about. Happy reading!

Btw yooyin, good tip on #1. I'll put this up on Page 1 Post 1 if no objection!

Done! Thanks

It happens after a natural disaster. As long as the government acts fast, it can be contained within a reasonable time. Will suggest anyone going Japan soon to at least be vaccinated to avoid contracting any disease etc.

Just make sure you've all got the basic vaccinations. By far there's no official news saying it's not safe to go or there's any widespread disease.

Likely to be measles. You can also consult your doctor to see if there's any need for vaccination because you may/ may not need. Or get doctor to recommend the vaccination if you're afraid.

Yes the flu in Japan is no joke... my sensei said you'll feel like passing out and cannot walk straight. It's not like the usual flu we have here. Then again, not sure if there's vaccine to prevent this? If it's viral, there's likely little you can to prevent other than to pray you won't meet a sick person along the trip

Hahahaha in Malaysia, if you wear mask, everyone will avoid you thinking you're infected with something serious like H1N1

But you see, there are many different types of flu also... the vaccination provided is for general flu or to protect against certain specific type of flu? Just out of curiosity

Wahahahaha then i guess it's fine kot, since doc said it's good to have if you're travelling.

Should be alright I guess? Vaccination do last for some time

Yes that makes sense. I should think elderly or infants going should at least get the jab as precaution. As for the average adult, it's likely fine without the vaccination.

I agree, it will cause unnecessary panic among people. But I do agree epidemic or not, infants and elderly should get proper vaccination before going Holiday - Japan or not. They are more susceptible to germs, virus etc thus it wouldn't do them harm to have better protection before going for trips overseas.

Gotta thank the one who started the thread in V1

Since it's your first trip to Japan, read through Page #1 Post #1. It has comprehensive information and recommended itinerary etc. Since we don't do spoon feeding, do some research beforehand and when you've got your rough itinerary, feel free to share it with forumers for them to help take a look all the best!

You're applying Visa to study there? Or work?

There must a reason why it's rejected. Did you ask? Understand it and make sure there's no issue when you re-apply.

There's plenty to do in Odaiba other than just Gundam. You can visit FujiTV station, shop around Venus Fort/ DiverCity (the mall behind Gundam statue). There's also a Food Court in DiverCity - it's one of my fav eatery.

There's another Mall known as DECKS - check out the night view there. You can just Google "Rainbow Bridge Odaiba" and you'll see what I mean. Always find it's worthy to make a trip to Odaiba. You can arrange for something in the morning/ afternoon and make your way to Odaiba around 2 or 3pm onwards. It's about 1hr or so from Ginza.

Plenty. Like the above is some example.

Are you sure you're able to do so much in Takayama? Mind you, a lot of places close early and it gets dark around 4 or 5pm in autumn & winter. I barely managed to check out Takayama Shrine for an hour or so and then it got so dark, we head straight for dinner at 6pm.

Suggest you research how long it takes for you to get to Shin Hotaka Ropeway and back, as well as how long you'll spend there. Imo, the ropeway will easily take you 1 day without time for the rest. Better check the buses' operational hours as well - you wouldn't want to get stranded missing the last bus.

I always find "no time" is an excuse for an easy way out. Suggest you do some basic research by reading Page 1 Post #1. This is certainly not the place to look for a guide; as most if not all, would have made their own planning. Like Chaud mentioned, go with local ground tour or just walk around your area, or decide on the morning itself where you want to go.

This post has been edited by sweet_pez: Oct 29 2018, 09:36 AM

Then will suggest you bold up the places where it's a must go, and the rest as back up if you have time. Most people plan for ideal situations, but that don't happen often I usually plan comfortably, with 1 or 2 place a backup if there's time.

It's up to you. So far there hasn't been exactly a bad review for WIFI router - they are quite stable. Some of the members have used Travel Recommend, HIS, Samurai WIFI etc. Check them out, and see if the price is competitive, as well as convenient for your collection and drop off.

Yes, everyone plan differently. And I agree on the food part because popular spots always filled with queue. If you're able to adjust your schedule, try to go during off hours eg. 11am for early lunch, 5pm or 6pm for dinner etc. It worked for me in the sense that while there's still a need to queue, it's usually between 20min to 30min. If it requires 1hr queue, I'll be sure to move on too.

You're right on the luggage, i was also thinking how you're planning to manage it. The last round, I did Nagoya - Takayama - Shirakawa Go. And then back to Nagoya. The Takayama-ShirakawaGo bit was 3D 2N so we left our big luggage in the coin locker in Nagoya station, going with a handcarry/ bagpack for 3D2N lighter travel. Retrieved our luggage before it went over the 3 days' time.

The Shin Hotaka Ropeway was something I'd wanted to do but didn't manage. Due to lack of time, we didn't even manage to visit the Hida Folk Village which is one of the must-go in Takayama. Do share about the Shin Hotaka Ropeway when you're back. Will likely do a longer, more thorough trip in Takayama. A very pleasant place imo... although most shops close off early.

If you enjoy a bit of hiking and nature trail, with some historic value - I'll recommend a Day Trip to Kiso Valley in Nagoya.

Up to your preference actually, and also depending on your flight timing. For convenience, likely to be KLIA. Personally i usually use SIM card, and have only used WIFI router twice. Once with HIS, and another was with Travel Recommend if not mistaken.

1. Very. Make sure you don't break any law because they have police all around. And don't forget to apply for international driving license.

2. What are the ones you've Googled? Mind sharing? Probably you should share which are the ones in your mind and ask for members' opinion and whether they've used these SIM before.

3. Sure, why not. As long as you teach them basic etiquette (no running, jumping into the water, splashing water etc). It is not a pool, so a lot of respect and no-nuisance is expected if you're bringing kids to the onsen. Others paid to enjoy some quiet time and relax, thus make sure they're not inconvenienced or affected by shouts, screams, cries. Although it's hard to control children but when they start throwing tantrums, time to get them out. I'll actually suggest you don't bring them in to allow yourself to have some relaxing time alone.

Onsen water is very hot though, see if your children can take it.

Nay, an experience is unlike a Historical place going down or gone forever when it's crumbled. As long as it's making money, it will continue to be there/ offered as an attraction. You can always go Tokyo again to experience it.

You're moving to a different place everyday, I won't consider that chill, would you it'll be very hectic to unpack and pack again, then lug your luggage around - up down buses, trains. In fact by not staying longer at 1 place, you're not able to maximize the sight seeing you can do. Note that most places close at 4 or 5pm.

Don't have to make it so complicated. Just either buy a SIM card, or use roaming with your telco. It's the same case when you visit neighboring countries like Thailand or Singapore.

If you're talking about cost - check out few SIM prices. As rickarch mentioned you can try Hello1010 sim card. I've always used Hello1010 and there's no issue except for my last trip to japan. I couldn't activate the SIM; so i had to ask my friend to activate it via her phone before I could use.

One last option is you can purchase SIM card in Japan itself.

Refer to the above, and Page 1 Post #1 information.

Yes of course you can lug your baggage around the train stations but as you mentioned - peak hours - will be hellish especially main stations like Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shibuya etc. I arrived in Shinjuku station at 8pm and it was really high traffic. You'll need to know where you're going. If you're blur and unsure of entrance/ exit, make sure you're standing at one side/ away from the incoming/ outgoing crowd. Don't block others' road by standing in the middle (it may happen unconsciously when we're too focused on finding the way).

If you want to avoid crowd, just make sure you don't visit coinciding with the games' period. Eg. game starts 20th Sept so you can visit Japan early Sept, or after the games - 2nd week or mid Nov. Then again, it's not Olympics so probably the impact of crowd would not be overwhelming. Maybe those staying/ stayed in Japan can shed some light.

This is one thing that most people find hard to recommend. It will be depending on the number of pax, cost/ budget, requirement/ things you want or look for etc.

Learn how to identify. Most of us will also have no choice but to check it manually.

- Look at info provided by the Hotel on website: how far is the hotel from station
- Next go through reviews by travelers who have stayed there
- Finally, open Google Map and key in the Hotel location and the nearby station: verify the claims by Hotel/ travelers on the distance/ travel time

You can consider APA Hotel. Although a bit cramped (you'll likely need to open yr luggage on the bed), the facilities are pretty equipped and usually not too far from main/ major stations.

I think end Nov is still okay - end of autumn and going into Winter. But due to school holidays, it may be considered as "peak" in that sense where flights and accommodation may not come cheap.