Hello dear forumers, I am currently planning a 9D8N trip from Christmas Eve until New Year end of this year. I wanted to seek opinion if the itinerary is viable.

** If I buy whole Japan Rail Pass, for the places I am going to, can it be used? Or I will have to buy other metro line's ticket as well?
** Is a samurai WIFI egg enough for 4 person throughout the trip and Japan?
**Is the flow of the trip ok? Anywhere seems too packed/ impossible?
**For accomodation, is it wise to just stay at one place and use the metro to get around? Tokyo (2 Nights) Osaka (4 nights) and Hokkaido (2 nights)

Would Like to have some opinion from fellow forumers, greatly appreciate any feedbacks, THANKS!

I have the same thoughts too last time, tried to cover Tokyo and also Kansai area in one trip but realised its too rushing. Now in the midst of arranging my itinerary in Osaka (5 nights) and Kyoto (7 nights).

Agree with the touch n go, some places might really take time to explore like dotonburi, shinsaibashi and shinsekai. In kyoto, I would really like to take my time to wander the streets of Gion; Hanamokoji Dori, Ninenzaka & Sanenzaka, Gion Shirakawa and the nearby Yasaka Shrine. Kiyomizudera is nearby too but I read its still under construction so I might give this a miss..

Ohh not to mention the beautiful Pontocho Alley!

Waliuuu, is a JR Pass worth it with your itinerary? First galnce tells me no but you can check below for a rough estimate:

https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

Or use Hyperdia to get a more accurate figure.

Yes.. Thanks for your opinion.. I took some places out as I also think that during the peak season it wouldn't be easy to travel around... Especially the subway 
Guess I'm too ambitious, trying to cover one whole japan in 9 days lol.. I'll give Tokyo a miss and focus on Osaka/Kyoto more and reserve two days to ski at Nagano. Definitely needed a couple more trips to Japan to discover more

He mentioned that he is giving Tokyo a miss in his last post, hence my question to him.

I actually book the flight ticket alrdy then only realise this.. so i wonder is there anyone here been to japan on this timing as well?

has anyone made online reservations to dine at Unagiya Hirokawa (Michelin-starred unagi restaurant in Arashiyama)? does anyone know if the 3,000 yen deposit is refundable?

There are no refunds for cancellation. However, we allow changing reservation dates, when possible.

Hi friends, I will be going to Osaka -> Kyoto -> Tokyo this coming mid November for 17 days. I have been doing some homework over the internet reading reviews and etc but could not decide where to best stay in Osaka and Kyoto. Do you mind to help me recommend some hotels or area to focus on? I read "Minami" in Osaka is a good place to stay due its proximity to Dotonbori and other shopping/nightlife scenes. I am also planning to visit Nara while I am in Osaka but I have some doubts as I'm not too sure if these areas suggested are convenient for me to travel to Nara via Train/Mrt.

Not forgetting, I will be bringing my family with me, a total of 4 of us, all adults.

Tentative
Osaka (5 days 4 nights) 1 night will be wasted as I will reaching at around 9.20pm.
Kyoto (3 days 2 nights)
Tokyo (9 days 8 nights) Plan to travel to either Hakone or Chureito Temple for a day. Which is better?

Thanks all for your advises in advance!

Hi all,

May I ask which is the best start point to explore Dotonbori all the way to Shinsaibashi shopping street or either way...Some i read say get off at Osaka Namba station but since the location is not far I want to know where to start is better.

Thanks in advance

July is going to be very hot lookup for a good mix of indoor activities/ attractions to visit, just in case the heat get to ya. But it's also a good time for Summer Festival so see if any of these festivals collide with your time of visit:

https://japancheapo.com/events/location/osaka/
https://jw-webmagazine.com/japans-3-biggest...17-2e4dff35e246

the Kyoto Gion Matsuri is one of the biggest around Kansai area. Consider experiencing one of these festival in Japan although yes, highly crowded haha there is fun in seeing the float(s) and performances.

Would like to ask sifu here, can the kintetsu rail pass able to travel to Uji?

Hi guys, may I know if there's any particular JR pass that fits my itinerary? or its cheaper if i buy my tickets individually

Kansai airport > Osaka > Nara > Kyoto > Osaka > Kii Katsuura > Kansai airport

Kansai WIDE Area Pass is valid for unlimited travel in the valid area on the map:
https://www.japan-guide.com/g18/2361_kansai_wide_1807.gif

For me, the only downside is the rail pass is valid for consecutive 5 days but my itinerary span 1 week period - not able to utilise it for return to Kansai International Airport.

More details here: JR-West

It is true and funny because I ask Japanese what do they think of when I mention Malaysia. They are like `eh, and then say Merlion` and I say that is Singapore and they will apologize. So I can say that Merlion is the most famous landmark in S.E.A to foreigners

I still cant accept the onsen bathing culture, even after trying so many times. I really loathe going in a bathroom with naked men all around.  Any ways to overcome this anxiety? The only onsen I have tried was a private one in a hotel near Takayama.

Anyone planning to go to Tokyo for Olympics next year?

Thus i actually prefer futon. Probably no frame, which is why futon felt more spacious, although byright the size should be pretty much the same. Errr it's hard to not move at all ...then again, most of the time travelling is so tiring (all the walking) that one is often knocked out upon hitting the bed.

the rate today is still not as high as 3 years ago when i go to tokyo, that time is 39.XX
change like 7k back when it was 37.XX
and i've just changed 3k last saturday(4 days ago) @ 38.39

my advice would be to change before october
from october, yen won't drop anymore
it's not MYR's problem
yen went up due to the trade war, it's only recently dropped abit
korean won on the other hand has been dropping....now the rate is 3.5X
which i'm planning to change soon for my feb trip

There is actually a lot of ground to cover if you are considering to cover these two areas in two days. Unless you are renting a car, I don't think you would be able to do do this by public transport alone.
But but but... you mentioned that if we use our Suica/Pasmo at outskirts, people will know we are from Tokyo/Osaka. So must have both IC and Suica/Pasmo? 

just back from Fukuoka, lucky 8 days trip only 1 day is raining

standard living is lower than Osaka, Tokyo & Hokkaido
if you look for budget trip, can go for Fukuoka

and found out Ichiran Ramen is different price in Kokura & Fukuoka, i thought is fix price
the bowl also different

Kokura 790 yen:
https://pictr.com/images/2019/07/15/5HN0vV.md.jpg

https://pictr.com/images/2019/07/15/5HNP4v.md.jpg
Fukuoka 890 yen:
https://pictr.com/images/2019/07/15/5HN775.md.jpg

https://pictr.com/images/2019/07/15/5HNBpQ.md.jpg

my trip is very budget this time, only north place of Kyushu
stay 2 places only, Kokura & Fukuoka,
day trip to Dazaifu, Mojiko
planing go to Karatsu, but fail to visit the castle due to something happen to me