Depends on your itinerary? Usually ppl will visit Gotemba when travelling from Hakone to Lake Kawaguchiko area.

It's just like any other premium outlet with those designer brands

anybody got any recommendation for hotel/ryokan in Takayama?

So freaking surprise to see accommodation fully booked for the peak period of 14-16 April so early....

My original plan is to stay 2 days on 14-15 Apr for the Spring festival. But it looks quite impossible now with all accomodations fully booked. So, I'm in the midst of re-adjusting my itinerary and looking for alternative suggestion. For that leg, it is supposed to be Tokyo --> Kanazawa --> Gokayama/Shirakawago --> Takayama --> Kurobe Alpine Route --->Nagano/Tokyo.

Some alternatives that I'm considering

1) Stay a night in Takayama on 13 April, enjoy the festival in 14th and take train out in the evening to Toyama. Stay the night in Toyama (14th) and ready for Kurobe Alpine Route on 15th. Staying a night in Toyama seems better than my original plan because trains departing Takayama to Toyama is less frequent (earliest train is 5.30, next is 7.40 and reach Toyama 8am and 10am respectively)

2) I also has the option to stay in a ryokan/hotel in Takayama for 12-13 Apr night, but was wondering if it's worth it. Without the festival, I think Takayama can be covered with just a night stay? Also thinking whether i should spend additional on ryokan if i'll be out most of the time.

3) Still researching other nearby places like Gero and Hida Furukawa, but of course, accommodation is quite heavily booked as well

Also, are there any other interesting places to visit as well along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line? I looked at Kurobe Gorge but the route only open in May.

Ohh, I definitely have the time to adjust accordingly since I have yet to fix anything lol.

Starting early in Kanazawa, then travel to Gokayama/Shirakawago, then onwards to Takayama - I suppose I'll reach Takayama around evening?

Thanks for your input.

I'm planning for 12-14 Apr and it seems freaking impossible to get decent accomodation at decent price. For now, I think i will likely do this way

12 Apr - Depart Kanazawa. Visit Shirakawago and reach Takayama in evening. Spend the night in Takayama (probably just a cheap and decent hostel/hotel)
13 Apr - Travel to Hirayu Onsen area for Shin-Hotaka Ropeway. Spend the night at a ryokan there.
14 Apr - Check out and spend the day in Takayama for the festival. Take late evening train to Toyama and spend the night there.

Wondering if I'll miss out anything in Takayama if i do it this way sweet_pez

This post has been edited by tohff7: Jan 3 2018, 01:21 PM

Still haven't decided whether to stay at Shirakawago. I think i mentioned before to my other half but she doesn't seems to be keen. Anyway, my schedule is flexible and i can easily fit in a day for Shirakawago.

I'll spend a day in Kanazawa, so no issue for me to start early to travel to Shirakawago the next day (in case i'm not staying overnight at Shirakawago)

impossible to get the price now with AirAsia haha..

plus AirAsia timing quite sucks (reach at 10pm++)

EDIT
Anyone have recommendation for Airbnb accommodation in Tokyo? Let's hear some name so I can short-list as soon as possible

This post has been edited by tohff7: Jan 5 2018, 04:37 PM

I doubt the hotel in Umeda will keep your luggage for days, unless you are returning.

what you can do is - before going to Kyoto, send the luggage over to the hotel in Namba (either by yourselves or baggage delivery service). Most hotels are okay with it, but better ask them first just to make sure.

It's Docomo

There’s a Japan Travel Fair at Starling Mall Damansara this weekend.

Do you guys think it’s worth going for DIY travelers like us?

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)

When are you going in Apr? Mid-April and during weekdays are fine.

There is a difference with Express Pass and Timed Entry. Express Pass let you cut queue and use the shorter express lane.

AFAIK, timed entry tickets are only used for Harry Potter area in order to limit the crowds entering there. Once you enter, there is no time limit to how long you can stay inside.

What you can do is arrive early in the park and RUN straight to the Harry Potter area first. Most likely you will still able to go in before they closed it. If it’s already close, then you will need to get the timed-entry ticket and select your time.

Once you are in, go straight for the ride first and leave sight-seeing later. It only took me like 30mins to queue.

Just look at the list of travel agencies available in MY

https://www.usj.co.jp/e/travel/

Tokyo part
- spend 1 additional day in Mount Fuji area (i.e. Hakone + Lake Kawaguchiko)
- day trip to Nikko
- Day trip to Kurobe Alpine Route (not really recommended though )

Btw, better check further with experts here since you are going there during Golden Week. Best to avoid travel far during that time since train will be super-packed. Queuing time can be very long also

Kawaguchiko is the best place with the highest chance to view Mount Fuji. Even if weather is ok, viewing at those further place like Hakone can still be blocked by clouds

Choose to stay opposite site of the lake and you get to experience a reflection of Mt Fuji on the lake.

Other attractions in Kawaguchiko area - Kachi-Kachi Ropeway and also the Fuji Shibazakura festival

Usually it's about the same price. I doubt it will be a lot cheaper.

Locker dimension - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/pdf/info_coinlocker.pdf

I stay at Hotel Mizuno 2 years ago. It's at the opposite side of Lake Kawaguchi, so you can get a nice view of Mount Fuji and the reflection in the lake. They have Japanese style and Western style room. They also have a public bath and private reservable open-air bath at rooftop

It's seems they did a major renovation in 2017 and hotel looks much nicer than before.

One thing to note is that the hotel is located on a higher ground up a slope from the main road. So, make use of their bus shuttle service instead of trying to go there on your own.

It's mostly just sight-seeing and scenery.

I stayed in Hakone the day before, then check-out roughly 10-11am. Shop and eat and Gotamba around late afternoon before reaching my hotel around 5-6pm. Next morning, I visited Mt.Kachi-Kachi Ropeway and also the Fuji Shibazakura Festival before going back to Tokyo

I think some people went for Fuji-Q Highland theme park since it's nearby also

EDIT
Just remember that there's another famous spot but might be abit of a hassle to access - Chureito Pagoda

This post has been edited by tohff7: Feb 1 2018, 09:35 PM

No idea but i understand Chureito Pagoda attracts a lot of photographers since it's an iconic/signature photo to take in Japan.

Why I said it's a bit of a hassle because it's a train-ride away and there's nothing else nearby. So kinda not worth. Also depends on where you stay in Kawaguchiko

Just want to ask if anybody might have experience before.

Will Uniqlo in Japan still sell limited stock of down jacket around early April? I already got Heattech products but I feel I still need down jacket when going up mountain in Shinotaka Ropeway and Kurobe Alpine Route.

Last time when i was there 2 years ago, they still sell Heattech products but I can't recall if they still selling down jackets