Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Bump Topic Topic Closed RSS Feed

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 Travel To Japan V11, Nippon here we come!

views
     
vondeland
post Mar 26 2018, 10:33 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


I'm planning for my first solo trip, first visit to Tokyo & first time planning for oversea trip as well sweat.gif mega_shok.gif

I just booked my flight impromptuly today without having an idea what to do in Tokyo for 9D8N, but I'd say I'd like cover some places in the cities & do some hikes hopefully to witness autumn foliage during this trip. Haven't really sure what're the places worth to check out and where should be the right place to stay, don't even mention the transportation. Do you think something like this is possible? unsure.gif

Wed Oct 24th
- Morning: touch down
- Stay: Shinjuku
Thu Oct 25th
- Shosenkyo Gorge
- Stay: Shinjuku
Fri Oct 26th
- Mt. Fuji (hike from 5th station to 6th station)
- Stay: somewhere with Mt. Fuji view
Sat Oct 27th
- Stay: Shibuya
Sun Oct 28th
- Stay: Shibuya
Mon Oct 29th
- Mt. Mitake
- Stay: Ryokan somewhere around Mt. Mitake
Tue Oct 30th
- Stay: Shinjuku
Wed Oct 31st
- Mt. Takao (cable car/chairlift then hike up to top via Trail #3, hike down via Trail #4)
- Stay: Shinjuku
Thu Nov 1st
- Evening: depart to Haneda Airport

vondeland
post Mar 27 2018, 12:04 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(sweet_pez @ Mar 27 2018, 11:12 AM)
There is a recommended itinerary on Page 1 Post #1. You can use it as reference.

In terms of your Mt Fuji - what does it mean "hike from 5th to 6th station"? What is there @ 6th station? The climb is usually from 5th to 10th station if i'm not mistaken and you can only climb it in Summer (usually July). Or is this a hike via the Yoshida trail? hmm.gif

Good idea on Mt Takao, it's very beautiful and it'll be a refreshing hike. I recommend to take the chair lift as it's pretty fun.

Your itinerary is very concentrated in Shibuya and Shinjuku only. There's a lot of places you can visit.
*
I saw people mentioned they did a short hike from 5th to 6th station since the climb to the top is not allowed after September, yes I think it's referring to Yoshida trail.

Those are just places I'll be staying, I will do day trip away from Shibuya & Shinjuku. Depending on where I'm going, prolly will change again.

This post has been edited by vondeland: Mar 27 2018, 12:12 PM
vondeland
post Mar 31 2018, 11:27 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(tohff7 @ Mar 27 2018, 06:06 PM)
Looks fine to me. You can actually make reservation for the bus trip (Shinjuku-Kawaguchiko) earlier online if you wish (not need CC or pay first).

For the Hakone-Shinjuku train part, you can pay slightly extra to take the faster Odakyu Romancecar

EDIT
You might want to check how are you going to Odawara? Don’t think the pass cover it
*
If I buy Fuji-Hakone Pass + RomanceCar, I can take RomanceCar from Shinjuku to Hakone then take any transportation available travel between Hakone and Fuji; when come back to Shinjuku from Fuji I have to take Chuo Highway Bus, is my understanding correct? Is it always recommended to book RomanceCar beforehand? My flight will touch down at Haneda at 630AM. How much buffer time should I put to decide what time I should board RomanceCar? I'm thinking to keep my luggage at Shinjuku Station luggage storage probably so that I don't need to carry around during my trip to Fuji & Hakone. Please advise.
vondeland
post Apr 1 2018, 12:19 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(tohff7 @ Apr 1 2018, 10:12 AM)
Yes. You are correct. When you buy the pass, i think they will ask how are you going to take the route i.e. highway bus first to Kawaguchiko or train first to Hakone.

Unless u are travelling on Golden Week, I don’t think Romancecar will be fully booked. You can purchase it on the spot
*
Thanks for confirming. I'm going on Oct 24 it's Wednesday, I guess should be less crowd right? Do you think it's worth to stay one night near Fuji then another night Hakone OR both night at Hakone?
vondeland
post Apr 1 2018, 09:56 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(tohff7 @ Apr 1 2018, 09:35 PM)
Definitely one night in Fuji. You don't want to miss Mount Fuji during sunrise. It's also your best chance since there will be less fog in early morning
*
Thanks, I'll start looking for accommodation nearby Fuji.
vondeland
post Oct 1 2018, 03:40 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


Is anyone using Huawei P9 32GB dual-sim phone here? Did you try your phone with NTTDocomo or Softbank simcard before? Are they working good just with Band1 LTE interface? I tried compare the LTE band interface compatibility and looks like Softbank is the most compatible for the aforementioned phone. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.
vondeland
post Oct 1 2018, 03:52 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(yoonyin @ Oct 1 2018, 12:39 PM)
Well, if you want hassle free. Buy a new Digi Prepaid online, Rm8, reload the amount of credit base on how long you visit japan. Rm25 for 3 Days Roaming come with 2GB + 30mins voice call. 9 days visit in Japan just cost you Rm75.
*
Sounds promising! Anyone tried this in Tokyo?
vondeland
post Oct 1 2018, 10:28 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


Spending 3D2N at Hakone alone, would it be too much?
vondeland
post Oct 2 2018, 07:30 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(lucaswjk @ Oct 1 2018, 10:47 PM)
i will totally do that, just wan to walk around doing absolutely nothing and onsen. a relax trip.

but...
normally ppl bought fuji hakone pass... 3d2n
mean they will do fuji gotemba hakone tour
*
I see. Thanks for your inputs. I can choose to stay at Hakone for 2N even if I buy Fuji Hakone 3D2N pass right?
vondeland
post Oct 2 2018, 05:32 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(r2t2 @ Oct 2 2018, 12:11 PM)
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
*
Ohh it's not using Ntt Docomo carrier by default? I looked at Softbank LTE bands, it's more compatible with my phone. If I could choose Softbank then would be great!

QUOTE(lucaswjk @ Oct 2 2018, 01:05 PM)
yes, the pass entitled u....

1 way ride from Tokyo to Hakone, and 1way back... ☒
but with condition, hv to do 1way travelling by train and 1way by bus.
it doesn't matter u choose to ride train or bus first.
u can also upgrade ur train to romance car(actually train)

unlimited pirates ship ☒

unlimited tram and cable car at gora ☒

unlimited bus at kawaguchiko/gotemba/hakone ☒
note: only bus operate by Odakyu {mean no tour bus for kawaguchiko lake tour)

tips: it is Very Important to book the return ticket in advanced, else u might not able to come back... Coz the return ride always full.
*
I plan to buy the pass only when I reach Tokyo, I'll go Hakone on Sunday and come back on Tuesday, do you expect crowd?

QUOTE(r2t2 @ Oct 2 2018, 02:03 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)
*
Is anyone using? If not, I'd like to try.
vondeland
post Oct 8 2018, 05:30 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(r2t2 @ Oct 3 2018, 03:06 PM)
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.  laugh.gif
*
Thanks for the info on Digi package.

Btw, I've decided not to go for AirBnB, the vouchers are open to anyone else.
vondeland
post Oct 12 2018, 12:24 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


Attached Image

Do you think this is doable? Looking at areas that I plan to cover, am I using the correct passes? I'm a bit confused with Tokyo Subway pass & Tokyo Metro pass, are they actually the same thing so the name is used interchangeably? I'm travelling alone and still contemplating whether I should do 3-day at Fuji-Hakone or just Hakone.

This post has been edited by vondeland: Oct 12 2018, 02:11 PM
vondeland
post Oct 16 2018, 12:55 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(Aeon_Clock @ Oct 15 2018, 12:40 AM)
I think you're underestimating Tokyo a bit with this schedule - the first two days part. There's no way you can cover so many places in one day. Unless you're going for a 12 hour marathon everyday...
*
QUOTE(r2t2 @ Oct 15 2018, 10:50 AM)
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  rolleyes.gif ... 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).
*
Hehe thanks for your inputs but actually I got revised my itinerary a bit before your replies, I'm not planning to cover all the areas mentioned, just list them out at least I have an idea of which places people usually visit in Tokyo and in fact I haven't really find out what's worth to check out at each of these places, gonna play by ear at that time and I prolly not getting those Tokyo Metro passes too.

Attached Image

QUOTE(yoonyin @ Oct 1 2018, 12:39 PM)
Well, if you want hassle free. Buy a new Digi Prepaid online, Rm8, reload the amount of credit base on how long you visit japan. Rm25 for 3 Days Roaming come with 2GB + 30mins voice call. 9 days visit in Japan just cost you Rm75.
*
I found out that must always keep a minimum of RM10 credit balance on top of amount needed to buy roaming passes in order for the roaming to work. So for 9 days roaming I must at least have RM85 credit.

This post has been edited by vondeland: Oct 16 2018, 08:49 AM
vondeland
post Oct 17 2018, 05:15 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
142 posts

Joined: Jun 2008


QUOTE(yoonyin @ Oct 17 2018, 09:38 AM)
Nope, No minimum credit balance needed. I topped Rm50 for 3 days + 3 days usage.
*
Really? Thanks for sharing your experience using it!

Topic ClosedOptions
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
0.1116sec    0.41    7 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 5th December 2025 - 10:50 AM