I'm gonna have a 8D 7N trip to Osaka-Kyoto too next month, so far my itinerary is ok not that pack, taking away USJ and shopping allocation (which I have), I think 8D7N for you should be fine. My AA flight also reach KIX around 9pm+, based on what I've read, KIX immigration check may take sometime so I decide to sleep at airport the first night. The rails stop at midnight, but there are limousine bus that still run after 12am but only to a few major hotel in Osaka, so not convenient for me as I book AirBnb in less central area.

Thats the thing about Japan rails. pretty confusing to look at. Specially when you're looking at a monitor or google maps. Need multiple cross check. And if I'm not wrong, there's not a single card that passes all rails. Different type's diff card? Huyooo.. now only glad we have TnG

ICOCA can be used on all rails in Kansai area right?

last 2 year clear immigration i take about 2 hours.
now KIX immigration is changed their method, process is very very fast, less than 5 mins can clear it, for my last year & this year January experience.

good to know, thanks!

The first page only have 2 hotel recommended but both does not cater for baby.

Really hope to hear from someone who have baby to recommended one. Airbnb is out of my choice as preferred hotel.

I am sorry i dont really meant spoon feed but hotel with crib is hard to find(especially with reasonable price. )

Osaka - kyoto trip 8d7n should be enough cause you minus USJ dy.

Last june, went to japan and I arrive early in the morning at 7am. Check out and everything was fast and smooth. Luggage was already there when we finish the immigration. I landed in KIX and head to Kyoto by train. Straight to an airbnb home i rented near fushimi inari. Like literally really near. Area is housing area which is really peaceful and its near mountain since Fushimi inari shrine is there too. theres two station around the area im staying in kyoto which is good.

manage to visit a lot of famous landmark in kyoto and osaka. You have to plan your schedule. And in japan, its all about walking. philosopher's path is only worth going if its spring or autumn cause i went on summer and u see green everywhere only. not worth going IMO. some temple must pay to go in.

Anyone had tried travel recommends pocket wifi in JP? If yes, do share your experience with their service, reliable?

Hey guys below is my itinerary for my solo spring trip from 31st March to 13th April. I will be based in Tokyo for 7 days and Kyoto for 7 days, will be doing some daily trip with JR pass like Kamakura , Nara, Osaka and Nagoya.

Day 1 - 31st March
Arrival HND > Shinjuku Stn> Booth Netcafe Shinjuku

Day 2 - 1st April - Activate Tokyo Metro Pass (¥1500)
Morning Coffee > Shinjuku Gyoen > Meiji Jingumae Stn > Wicked Snow Kakigoori > Takeshita Street > Tower Records Shibuya > Shibuya Crossing > Airbnb checkin > Nakameguro > Bnb

Day 3 - 2nd April
Bnb > Akihabara > Bic Camera > Liberty > Deranan > Wandering around Akiba > Ameya Yokocho > Ueno Park > Bnb

Day 4 - 3rd April
Bnb > Tsukiji >JUMP Shop Tokyo Stn > Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo > Nogizaka Stn. > Zepp Diver City > Roppongi Hills > Mori Garden >Bnb

Day 5 - 4th April - Activate JR Pass
Bnb > Kamakura > Tsurugaoka Hachimangu > Enoshima > Enoshima Southern Coast > Cave > Sea Candle Tower Sunset >Bnb

Day 6 - 5th April
Bnb > Nagoya Castle > Bookoff Super Bazaar > Yamazaki River > Meeting friend for another kakigoori > Bnb

Day 7 - 6th April
Bnb > Jr to Otsuki Stn > Kawaguchiko > Wandering around the lake > Chuureito Pagoda > Free night activity at tokyo > Bnb

Day 8 - 7th April
Bnb > Meet friends > Shinkansen to Kyoto > Gion Tsujiri Kyoto Stn > Check in Kyoto hostel > Maybe a little bit of rest or some free activity

Day 9 - 8th April
Hostel > Osaka > Kema Sakuranomiya > Osaka Castle > Dotonbori > Hostel

Day 10 - 9th April
Hostel > Yoshinoyama Nara > JR Yoshinoguchi > Yoshino Stn > Hike/cable car > Go back before 3pm > Free > Hostel

Day 11 - 10th April
Hostel > Saga Arashiyama > Sagano Romantic Train 2 way > Rent bike > Togetsukyo Bridge > Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street > Nijo Castle > Free > Hostel

Day 12 - 11th April
Hostel > Philosopher's Path > Ginkakuji > Eikando > Fushimi Inari > Hostel

Day 13 - 12th April
Hostel > Kyoto Train Museum > Nishiki Market > Heian Shrine > Kiyomizudera > Maruyama > Hostel

Day 14 - 13th April
Check out hostel > Buy souvernir > KIX

Transport Cost breakdown
Day 1 - Day 4 total fares in Tokyo ¥4000
Day 1 - Day 4 non Tokyo Metro fares ¥2010
Day 2 activate Tokyo Metro Pass ¥1500
Tokyo Metro pass fare total from day 2 to day 5 ¥1980 (¥1980-¥1500=¥380) save ¥380
Day 5 activate JR Nationwide pass ¥29110
7 days JR trip fares ¥30660 (¥30660 - ¥29110= ¥1150) save ¥1150
Non JR fares from day 5 to day 11 ¥6840
Day 12 to Day 13 Fares ¥3940

Grand total including pass ¥43400

Im looking for suggestion and advice on whether my trip is doable and is there any way that I can save more on public transformation. I'm attaching the detailed breakdown of the trip in the excel file.

Looks very packed per day. Not sure if you can fit everything especially during cherry blossom season. There are a lot of tourists and long queues so do factor in that.

Hi would you be kind enough to point out on which day seems to be too packed for you so I can consider another option and make adjustment?

they integrated all or most of the IC card. can be used all over JP trains except for some super rural ones like the one around my area (北陸鉄道)

i have used TR ...not bad

Any recommended budget hotel near Osaka Tennoji station?

So far only found hotel Taiyo that is sub-RM200 per night for twin room. Reviews are so-so only but should be fine since just plan to sleepover there the night I land.

I used it back in 2016. So far so good. Pick up and drop off was easy. Though they did warn me not to stream videos on it. Normal surfing is fine.
Do carry a power bank with you cause the battery doesn't last the whole day.

Hi,
Im checking on the transport from the Tokyo Airport to the city in late night.
By far as i know the last train from airport will be 12.01/12.02 am, but as backup plan i need to consider if my flight was delayed.
Anyone know how much it cost for taxi from Tokyo Airport to City center?

for those that went to USJ :-

1. Where did you guys buy your tickets from ? (USJ JP site/ klook/ kiosk @ lawson) ?

I'm not targeting to take on all the rides maybe just a few popular ones, so I'm intending to get the VIP wristband instead of the express pass. Has anyone tried this method before ?

1. Last time i got it from JTB Malaysia. Open-dated ticket

2. Depending on when you are going, you might not need the express pass. Just need to strategise correctly

just want to ask

anybody did the Kurobe Alpine Route using the 9000yen Option ticket before? How's the crowd during April?

Bought mine from Klook.

Haven't go yet, but VIP wristband only give you 15min headstart, so I don't think its much of an advantage, just u get to go in earlier, then book a timed entry to HP world, and that's all I guess.

Bought from klook for 1.5 day ticket, the first day went in at 3pm Wednesday, straight went to minion section queue time 90min, when i went out the queue time went down to 30min, noticed that all of the attraction queue time is around 5-30min around 5pm to 7pm(closing time for winter).
On the second day it is the same the queue time is 5-30min for all the popular ride around 5-7pm. If the queue is long ill just use the single rider lane, for a 90min queue time you will only need around 30min if you use single rider lane.
And i dont need timed ticket to enter harry potter since not many people (but the queue time for forbidden journey is 150min but i went in around 1 hour before closing and queue time is 15min) , this is last two week (Wednesday and Thursday)

Sorry double

This post has been edited by motherland: Mar 11 2018, 06:07 PM