I'd learned the hard way ... even though a listing says 100% full refund, AirBnB won't refund the Service Fee (I didn't read the full T&C) if the guest initiated the cancellation

Like someone mentioned, those who booked AirBnB before the Minpaku Law was enforced on 15th June, will get the full refund (including service fee) to credit card, and an email with a home voucher (value equivalent or slightly more to the auto 'unfortunate' cancelled booking; 1 year validity), plus a USD100 experience voucher (6months validity).

AirBnB wanna maintain their reputation, they "have established a $10 million fund to cover additional expenses for guests who are scheduled to travel to Japan and have had their plans interrupted due to a cancellation."
https://press.atairbnb.com/supporting-travelers-in-japan/

So, for those who are still continuing to book the remaining 'licensed' AirBnB listings, just slightly inconvenient to search affordable place, again (the extra reimbursement coupon does ease the trouble). For those who are booking hotels or have extra expenses incurred due to the cancellation, I guess they need to provide all the receipts as supporting documents to claim reimbursement.

Ya, seems like only RM400+ listings available for private rooms/whole apartments, for those dates. For that price, might as well stay in hotels/inns nearer to Shinjuku main station.
My friends and I had to book a RM700/nite place within walking distance from Shinjuku station; but there are 5 of us, and with the coupon, luckily accommodation expenses didn't increase.
And yeap, before the enforced law, so many cheaper AirBnB choices (for 4-5ppl) around Shinjuku station.

Another thing, not sure whether related to Minpaku law or not (which stipulates that a management desk has to be nearby for customer service, local council has more power in enforcing further regulations, etc.), some of the AirBnB listings in Tokyo don't allow self-check in, i.e. need to get keys from the hosts. So, example if the check-in time limit is from 3pm-11pm, and your arrival flight to HND/NRT is 10pm+, then those can be crossed off, even though the places are nice and fit your budget. (I tried to message the host to extend the key collection time, but to no avail). Here's where hotels/inns win over those AirBnB listings; check-in time flexibility, concierge services, and leaving luggages at the lobby after checkout.

Only worth it if really interested in trying out various Tsukiji market sushi shops, or planning to go for the early morning tuna auction coz no need to worry about public transportation; as you already know, depending on luck, need to go as early as 3am to wait in the Fish Information Center office until 5.45am.

Else, nothing much there at night ... but still within walking distance from Ginza.

https://www.japan-guide.com/news/0042.html
"Tsukiji's inner market is scheduled to close on October 6, 2018, followed by the move of businesses from October 7 to 10, and the opening of Toyosu Market on October 11. Afterwards, Tsukiji's inner market will be torn down, and a new market is proposed to be built in its place sometime after the 2020 Olympics. Tsukiji's popular outer market with its many restaurants and numerous retail shops will remain in business beyond October 2018."

During the Q&A while waiting for 5.45am tuna auction, someone asked about the move and how it'll affect them (one intermediate wholesaler volunteered to speak in English for around 30mins, while a main guy entertained the waiting 120 people); iirc, he said that the moving dates are still uncertain coz Toyosu Market facing some problems due to something about soil (not certain, don't quote me on that ).

(but from the website news photos, the facilities seems ready)

This post has been edited by r2t2: Jul 10 2018, 04:48 PM

こんにちは,

Managed to buy Ghibli Museum tickets today, for a Friday in September (thinking that it should be a good day to avoid Tokyo after-office-happy-Friday-hours). Was reading online a bit about the surrounding areas of Mitaka. As expected, just a quaint quiet place. So, thinking of spending more time at nearby Kichijoji after visiting Ghibli Museum (our time slot is 10am, maybe will spend around 5 or 6 hours in there) ... near evening/night time in Kichijoji, wondering what else to do besides Inokashira Park, exploring the local alleys/shops, malls ... zoo won't be in our list.

Only read these two sites so far, not so many detailed guides I guess ...
https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/AttractionsN...ture_Kanto.html
https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/things-to-...li-museum/12704

Not so important actually, just wanna maximize our visit to Mitaka and Kichijoji on that day; don't wanna rush back to Shinjuku (our accommodation place) so early on Friday.

Hi gaiz,

My frens and I will be going to TGS2018 on Saturday, 22nd or Sunday, 23rd September. The venue is at Makuhari Messe, Mihama, Chiba.
We're staying nearby Shinjuku. Looking at Tokyo rails, if using Chuo Line and Keiyo Line, according to Google Map, one way is ¥640, return fare is ¥1280. Hyperdia also gave similar result.
Been searching online, couldn't find a 24hr/1-day rail pass that's less than ¥1280. Tokyo Metro got ¥800 24-hr pass, but too bad no Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines reaching Mihama.
JR Tokyo 1-day Ticket, ¥1590, only within Tokyo 23-wards. JR Tokyo Wide Pass, 3-days for ¥10,000, won't fully utilize that. And others, which are more expensive, or not available in September.
Our itinerary in Tokyo is quite laid back, won't do much sight seeings, all guys .

So, just wondering and looking for confirmation from sensei-s here, is there anything I missed? Just use IC cards, no other choice? (read Page 1 info already).

There are temporary bus service from Shinjuku to Makuhari Messe from 20th to 23th Sept, but not sure convenient or not the times (we'll be going early and returning late). Sometimes headache wanna plan the routes.

https://www.m-messe.co.jp/saved/files/news/...44ec97c4c98.pdf

Just used it last week in Tokyo for the last 3 days when our AirBnB only got fixed wifi.
Easy to activate and use. Don't turn on Data Roaming first. Dial *800#. Type 3 and reply, for the 3-Days/RM25 package. Will receive a successful sms. Turn off auto select carrier, manually select either Softbank or docomo. Turn on Data Roaming. Walah ...
Can check the data balance using MyDigi app.

https://new.digi.com.my/roaming/roaming-pass

This post has been edited by r2t2: Oct 2 2018, 12:13 PM

By the way, I got two AirBnB Experience coupons worth USD100 each, valid I think until December. I didn't use them in my recent trip.

Got them from Japan AirBnB cancellation after June this year ... not sure whether they're tied to my AirBnB accounts, hopefully not and maybe they aren't only for Japan AirBnB experience; tho I prefer to see them being used by visitors to Japan.

Here they are:-
B84FH2KJ (redeemable until December 15th)
KHNCZPRM (redeemable until December 19th)

By default, my Digi will switch to Softbank ... without data roaming, just normal voice and for receiving sms.
After subscribing to the 3days-RM25 package, it says there can choose between Softbank or docomo ... I'm kinda biased towards docomo, so I used that lor, but I think can switch anytime to Softbank as well.

The coupons, first come first serve lor ... USD100 value for AirBnB experience maybe only enuf for 1 person or 2ppl ... if group, sure need to add more. Don't think can use 2 coupons for the same AirBnB experience.
Let us know here if you've redeemed them, so that others no need to try oredi.



Agreed ... onsen experience in Japan is kinda must ... don't know why some are so embarrassed to try, since it's normal there. If really not interested, at least tried once, then can say not for them.

Those onsens in Hakone, with blackish minerals in the water (from the volcanic hotsprings), felt like floating in the sea.

This post has been edited by r2t2: Oct 3 2018, 03:13 PM

Wahlao ... did they scream?

Once stayed in a hotel near Kawaguchigo ... the hotel onsen closed at 12am, but one night around 11pm after exiting gentlemen-side onsen, I saw an old hotel guy employee walking out from the ladies-side, I guess cleaning up ... but how does he know there's nobody in there changing in the outer room? Maybe he called out before entering ... dunno lah.

While I don't think I'll enter women section onsen by mistake ... I did enter a women-only subway carriage non-intentionally ... it was morning rush hour, after the stairways with the train about to depart, I entered the first carriage immediately ... looked around, why all women only, no guys at all; then only remembered ... luckily nobody stared at me, and my stop is only one station away ... even if not, I'm sure I'll go down at the next station anyway.

This post has been edited by r2t2: Oct 3 2018, 04:04 PM

Haha, even 4 days in Akihabara (first time) still not enuf for me.

Just nitpicking ... heheh ... USS? Universal Studio Singapore?
I know I know, just a small mistake ... USJ.

Day 9 - Akihabara in the east, Shinjuku in the west ... not the best combination kua? Aki maybe can combine with Ginza, or Asakusa.

From Uncharted Tokyo guide:-
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wjqJKYE...LbKY/edit?pli=1
Use this as a rough guide of what’s near each other to maximize your time in one area of Tokyo ... (edited a bit)

Northeast	Southwest	West	Central-west	Central	Southeast
Asakusa, Ueno, Tokyo Sky Tree, Akihabara	Shibuya, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku	Shinjuku, Nakano, Ikebukuro	Roppongi	Tokyo Station, Ginza	Odaiba, Tsukiji

Actually Tsukiji is so near Ginza, and Odaiba seems more than southeast.
And maybe can add Toyosu for those interested in the previous inner market of Tsukiji, opening on 11th October.

Oh, according to
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3013_market.html



This post has been edited by r2t2: Oct 9 2018, 10:20 AM

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam at Diver City mall? ... already up since Sept. 2017.
But at the foot of the 19meter transformable statue, is a board I thought is showing how many days it has been up ... last month, I saw 199 days only leh? Dunno lar ...

Short transformation shows (from unicorn mode to destroyer mode), every 2 hours in between 11am to 5pm. And at night, got 30mins anime shows + light shows (didn't watch those).



Really admire these kind of detailed itineraries ... almost all the routes and fares calculated, and compared to passes price (whether worth buying or not for that day or whole trip).
But usually need a volunteer leader/tour guide to enforce the plans , and sometimes, depending on the companions, some would question why need to walk further just to save fare (there's a station right in front wor ) ... solo or 2 only easier; three or more, have to explain in advance the itineraries.


Nicely formatted itinerary ... I prefer this type ... no need to definitely go to certain place on certain day (unless it's a fixed date event) ... areas spread over few days, to give allowance for bad weather or bad moods ... priority places first, KIV places if still got time.

That said, like what another mentioned, it's hard to cover those area in the first real 2 days ... let's say sprint + marathon:- Asakusa 2hrs (trying out foods like melon bun also, not just taking photos), Tokyo Skytree 2hrs (waiting + looking around time + shops; nvr went before, simply estimate), Ueno 4hrs (quite huge area... park, zoo if interested, museums...luckily not sakura season, else will be taking lots of photos), Akihabara 3hrs (depending on interest, if you ask me and my frens, 2 or 3 days also not enuf), Ginza 2hrs (again depending on whether windows shopping only or really shopping), Odaiba 5hrs (again, huuuge area ... so many places of interests here), Tsukiji outer market 2hrs (queuing to eat, windows shopping), and Toyosu 2hrs (dunno how long is the new tour, if still got guided tour for the tuna auction, last time in Tsukiji was only 15mins, waiting time I guess no need to wait like 2 or 3hrs previously) ...

Minimum total time already 22hrs ... maybe 11hrs per day, and that's rushing around, most probably can't really enjoy lor. (Unless your goal is just to tick off places been to, or go there for a short while, and maybe see which area you'll go again for longer period in the future).

Speed is 50km/h .... two different tunes .... one for each way.



This post has been edited by r2t2: Nov 19 2018, 11:18 AM

One is free, one isn't.

FYI, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory Deck is closed for renovation until Spring 2019. We went in Sept. just missed it, so only went up the North Deck (which opens until 11pm at night). Haven't been to Roppongi Tokyo City View decks ... from photos, look nicer, especially the Sky Deck.

https://www.tokyo-in-pics.com/tokyo-metropo...nment-building/
https://www.kanpai-japan.com/tokyo/metropol...rnment-building

https://tcv.roppongihills.com/en/enjoy/intro/
https://anakjajan.com/2016/11/14/japan-toky...gi-hills-tokyo/