I'm planning Tokyo -> Osaka -> Kyoto -> Any available ski resort at that time then back Tokyo and fly back to Malaysia..

Hmm, seems risky.. Then I think I'll need a backup plan if the snow is insufficient. Hopefully get to experience skiing this year

This post has been edited by Waliuuu: Mar 17 2019, 09:00 PM

not sure about tokyo, my recent research found in rokkosan snowpark, kobe is west of osaka (ard 40km away from osaka station ).. u can google abit for more info.

btw, i will be at osaka for this late December too. celebrate xmas n new year in osaka.

This post has been edited by skydrake: Mar 17 2019, 10:07 PM

RM750 for 5D4N, i personally don't think that's enough
this is japan, not thailand

You're not giving enough information. Where do you plan to go? what kind of food do you want to eat? what kind of places do you want to go that needs tickets? "much souvenir" is how much? and what kind?

If you don't know the answers of all of those questions, i will say 50k yen just off the top of my head excluding accommodation and credit card based purchases (based on my own level of consumption).

I think it should be enough. When I went last year, I averaged about ¥3,000-4,000 per day per person, quite a fair bit spent on food and snacks. LOL.

Waliuuu Last week of December is usually quite safe for skiing, however there is a higher chance of the resorts not being fully open (ie only some of the trails are open) and/or the snow is man-made instead of natural.

PCLover2010 Depends on your travel style. If you're going to go whack kaiseki and omakase sushi every day then obviously not enough cos one meal alone can go up to 30k+ yen. On the other hand if you every day konbini and yoshinoya then 2k a day also can 'survive.'

This post has been edited by deodorant: Mar 18 2019, 11:40 AM

I haven't plan out my itinerary yet. Generally, just simple leisure travel. The accommodation already settled through AirAsiaGo. I'm thinking of taking just the subways/trains to travel around Osaka city center, no outskirt. First time going to Japan, so I have no idea if I will even buy souvenir as I don't know the price over there.
Travel/transportation = walk and trains mostly, maybe 1-2 cabs but my friends said expensive to take cabs.

Maybe 4 meals at konbini shops, but I don't think I will eat at luxurious or fancy restaurants. Sushi not my type. If estimate, maybe 4k yen per day for meals.
Most likely I go there to see see, take photos, not the food hunter type. Entertainment and entry tickets maybe at most 2 places, but haven't plan yet.
The Universal studio Osaka might be a likely place to visit, so 7.5k yen is needed (last I checked the website is 7.4k yen with tax for an adult).

It's entirely up to you.

Follow Tour:
For convenience due to elderly and kids, maybe you'll want to explore Day Tour. With transport provided and everything catered for, it'll ease your burden. Going free and easy style - especially if this is your first time there - it'll potentially be challenging trying to find your way around.

Hakone Free Pass
But if you're only planning to do a Day trip, it's a bit expensive and yet possibly manageable. Here's what I did in my first trip to Hakone.

Bought pass at Odakyu counter in Shinjuku (2 days ahead) >> Took the train from Shinjuku on day of departure >> arrive at Hakone-Yumoto station >> ride train (Hakone Tozan line) >> ride cable car to Owakudani >> visit Owakudani >> ride Cable Car >> get off the station (forgot name) and queue for Pirate Ship (cruise ride) >> ride cruise to Moto Hakone >> walk to Hakone Shrine and visit shrine >> walk back to Moto Hakone >> took bus from Moto Hakone back to Hakone-Yumoto station >> take train back to Shinjuku

For food - you can eat in Owakudani or at Moto Hakone (there's a small town with various restaurants).

If the above is your ideal Day Trip schedule and you feel it's manageable, can go ahead and try? It's a bit costly coz Hakone usually better to do at least 2 days. In fact there's no Day Pass. The Hakone Freepass is a 2-Days pass. Best if you can overnight in Hakone and go for a Hotel/ inn with onsen facility to enjoy a relaxing hot spring experience

no problem doing hakone as a daytrip
when u reach back hakone yumoto, it's already evening
can have dinner there and shopping before going back shinjuku
walk out of hakone yumoto station, alot of things to eat and buy

This post has been edited by MR_alien: Mar 18 2019, 02:35 PM

4days in Osaka without going outskirt - might be hard to fill. Without considering USJ, 1 or 2 days actually can cover the essential places like Osaka Castle, Shinseikai, Namba (but then you don't really shops...)

Definitely not an issue but not that worth it because you're paying for 2 Days but only use for 1 day. Best if can maximize the pass if possible! #touristmentality

as far as i know, accommodation in hakone aren't cheap
which is why i and many people don't stay there and do daytrip
unless that person want to experience onsen

There are many options available - inn style, dorm style, hotel style, airbnb style etc. Everything boils down to budget and what you want. Just spend within what your budget allows. It's not cheap to get there (the pass) so since you've paid for the transport/ access there, might as well save a night in Tokyo and use that budget for 1 night stay in Hakone instead. Perhaps a slight top up? Depending on what one can afford.

The earlier you book, the more choices you have. In fact, it's not just about onsen. Onsen is definitely a plus point, but having an extra day there also allows you to visit few more attractions. Imo if you can maximize your visit while you're at the area - why not. Unless you're there with a clear goal of only spending a super restricted sum to see the Mt Fuji and go off, then it's not necessary to stay a night.

Just booked my trip for next week and look forward to visiting Tokyo.

Have 7 nights in Tokyo and will be staying at Hilton Tokyo for 5 nights, then move on Hilton Tokyo Bay for two nights (will be visiting Disneyland for two days hence thought it was wise to move to Tokyo Bay.

No itinerary plan as yet but definitely wanting to do a day trip to Mt Fuji and also to view cherry blossom. Any suggestion will be much appreciated (we are mainly looking at shopping, food, and perhaps some cultural visit). Also, for public transport within Tokyo, which pass should I buy?

Wanted a longer trip but hotel is unbearably expensive!

This post has been edited by nabnab12345: Mar 18 2019, 11:36 PM

accommodation shouldn't be that expensive

Peak period for sakura season mah. Sure expensive than normal

> chooses an atas expensive hotel
> complains that accommodation is expensive

Well.... you're staying in Hilton... you don't expect an internationally branded hotel to be cheap... right?

Tried searching high and low, even AirBnB, most are far away or simple not worth it.

Yeah i know, but S.O. wants to view Sakura!

Not intentionally... but given the choices that I had, Hilton was the best.

Honestly can't find anything else suitable. Taking our 4 year old with us so convenience is key!

This post has been edited by nabnab12345: Mar 19 2019, 10:14 AM

Good luck to your S.O. viewing Sakura together with tons of Chinese tourists

For Disneyland, you should have 'upgraded' to Disneyland Hotel for the 15-min early entry and perhaps FASTPASS if you take their vacation packages. But $$$$$ la

This post has been edited by tohff7: Mar 19 2019, 10:57 AM