Interested in replies to this question, from those who went before ... myself, KIV for near future (F1 contract renewal at least until 2021; won't see the rights reverting to Fuji Speedway anytime soon kua).

Seems like flying to Kansai airport nearer to Suzuka (Mie prefecture).
Wondering whether camping at the Suzuka Circuit Family Camp will be a nice experience, or can save a bit on accommodation or not (¥2,060 for 2-ppl tent, not yet include sleeping bag and other accessories rental).
However, weather end of September/early October kinda rainy ... hope they'll push the future calendar later into the autumn season, so that can plan nicer sightseeing itineraries (can combine with trips to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc, since relatively nearby).

Anyway, 2019 tickets sale not yet out.
2018 prices, cheapest were ¥14,900 at Dunlop curve (no big screen), and ¥19,100 at S Curve - Gyaku Bank (no big screen too).
Cheapest seats with big screen seemed to be ¥29,300 at S Curve - 2nd corner.

(Off-track ... this year, the F1 GP to go to, might be Shanghai GP, coz you know ... 1000th GP; 2020, the inaugural Vietnam GP. ... if only can choose one )

Err ... earliest for me might only be 2021, or even beyond, depending on my budget.

Was waiting for tips and advices from other sensei or sifus who attended F1 Japanese GP in Suzuka Circuit before.

Suzuka Circuit Hotel seems a bit expensive ... around ¥17,500 per night for 1 person room. Should have other accommodations around town, but the most convenient should be their hotel and the Suzuka Circuit Family Camp.
https://www.suzukacircuit.jp/en/experience/hotel/fee/

Kansai airport (KIX) is the usual airport travellers choose when wanna go to Osaka; ya, many airlines got direct flights from KUL, AirAsia included.

Getting out from Haneda airport before 12am usually no problem. The problem often is with the connecting train. Make sure which railways or subways you'll be taking, if there's no need to change lines, then should be fine. If have to change, ask quickly what's the last train time.
Last time I thought after 0000, there won't be any train at all; so when we reached Shinjuku JR station after 12am, we didn't rush to the next line ... but later we found out the last train for that particular subway line was 12.40am; could've made it. In the end, cab ... but for a short distance (2 stations away), ok lah.

Alternatives, Uber lor; at least cheaper a bit.

I myself planning a trip to Hokkaido as well ... my definition of DIY planning (as opposed to joining a tour) is searching/googling, reading blogs, going thru lists of Hokkaido popular itineraries, viewing YouTube videos, etc. .... then after a rough possible plan, might only write them out here if I need any comments or suggestions from sifus (if there's any clarification needed or if I need to confirm something from fellow Malaysian travellers who been there before).

He's looking for snow experience in Jan or Feb.
So, most probably ski resorts and their powder snows.
Unless not really about snow activities (skiing, snowboarding, etc.) in Rusutsu, Niseko, Furano, or the nearer Sapporo Teine Ski Resort; just wanna experience snowing / falling snows?

Ya, kinda too general.

But I guess, can suggest easy and relaxing itinerary that focused on snow experience during winter time in Hokkaido, if any here been through a nice plan before. Since they say, Hokkaido is good to visit for all four seasons; then maybe when Randomization is familiar with Hokkaido already, then next time can plan a more packed itinerary.

I'd like to know also .... troublesome a bit to handle the 1,5,10,50,100,500yen coins.

The usual IC cards? Suica? Pasmo? (problem with these, lost the card, sayonara oo sayonara oo)
MasterCard mobile wallet, NETELLER, ? ... (advantage of mobile-tied e-wallet, tied to accounts; lost phone, still got security protections)

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/0...y/#.XMFzsqRx3Dc

Hopefully, LinePay can integrate with our WeChat Wallet in RM ... else, top up in RMB then use in Japan? Not sure worth it or not ... exchange rate vs convenience.
I still don't know how to enable AliPay without a China bankcard/phone number ... followed the googled instructions, still can't ... anybody managed to do that?


https://www.thepaypers.com/expert-opinion/p...in-japan/772040


This post has been edited by r2t2: Apr 26 2019, 10:56 AM

I see, even if I can use WeChat Wallet (RMB) in China, I can't use it in Japan coz of identity verification. Too bad.

IC cards ... ya, that's the easiest, but like I wrote, if lost the card, everything gone lor.

My credit card rate usually not so good ... but will try using BigPay next time.
Heheh, we're deviating a bit from the question that Veron83 asked ... any famous mobile payment apps used in Osaka, prefer cashless, security concern, etc.


Nice. iPhone 8 and above no need to be Japan purchased model. Apple Watch Series 3 also can.
I'm only using old iPhone tho
But it's a total replacement, it said, "Your plastic Suica card will no longer be usable. Your 500 Yen Suica card deposit will be added to your Suica balance in Apple Pay." ... had to be like that, I guess, else hard to synchronize the balance in physical card and virtual card.

For latest iPhone / Apple Watch users, I think this is the current best compromise between security and convenience.
For me, I guess cash + IC card + credit cards still the way for now.

cat2
Which concert event you're going for on 13th & 14th in Osaka?

Can compare hostel prices if you're traveling solo, sometimes can save a lot, around RM50 per night.

Double check your dates? Flying to Sapporo Shin-Chitose, only Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays got direct flights, while flying back to KL, only Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Just checked AirAsia December 2019 schedules.

But price, no promo (yet) ... last sale in May, the price was RM399 to, and RM430 return (without luggage & meal), for non-peak periods.

Some mixed dorms are quite nice ... e.g. The Share Hotels
https://www.thesharehotels.com/lyuro/stay/?wovn=en#room05
But this one in Kiyosumi, Tokyo, max only 16 ppl; provided you manage to book the whole room for your group on your intended dates.

I only stayed once in Hokkaido before, mixed gender dorm, bunk beds are spacious but only got curtain for privacy.
The HakoBA one in Hakodate is very nicely designed ...

Can buy online. Like tohff7 mentioned, just be ready when the ticket release day is out one month before, at 9am our local time (10am Japan time). Select which admission time you want, got 4 times per day (10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm); of course 10am better, once in, you can stay the whole day if you want (until closing time 6pm); but some say 12pm & 2pm slots sold out faster. Not sure how strict they are if late for your selected admission time (their site says "*Admission is possible up to 30 minutes after the Museum specified admission time.").

https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/sitetop

I bought once for five people, during September (non-peak period, I think), could get all the 5 tickets for 10am slot. Just need the passport number of the group leader ... forgot if need all names or not.

From the Mitaka bus station, there's a ticket machine selling discounted return tickets to & fro Studio Ghibli Museum.

This post has been edited by r2t2: Aug 28 2019, 02:25 PM

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4727698/+1680#

Bought once before, back in September last year ...

If you didn't buy quickly last Sunday 10th Nov, for December tickets, chances are Dec tickets will be sold out ... and just went to the Lawson ticketing site, ya, sold out ... gotta wait till 10th Dec to buy for 27th Dec onwards tickets.

Same management as Tokyo Imperial Palace? If ya, maybe got on-site first-come-first-serve tickets?

Didn't book online for Tokyo Imperial Palace free tour last year coz was a last minute decision; instead went early in the morning, queue up before the 9am ticket reservation open (they reserve more tickets for on-site instead of online), took the queue ticket, came back a while later for the intended slot booking with English speaking tour guide. Managed to get a slot. Inside they split into several groups again (Chinese language tour guide, English, & Japanese).

So, google online, see if can do that with Shugakuin Imperial Villa as well?

Sapporo Beer Museum ; besides the free short self-tour, after that at the eating hall, can buy 3 glasses of Classic, Black Label & Kaitakushi at slight discount .... unless you can't consume alcohol lah.

Can skip Hokkaido Museum (further from Sapporo city centre), relatively nothing much to see for ¥600; but Hokkaido University Museum (nearer) got more things to see, for free ... (got nice milk ice-cream at the university museum cafe).

Eating ... Nijo market ... had my best salmon sashimi (so far in my life, I feel) there (supposedly was Premilum Summer Salmon , dunno autumn/winter got the same salmon or not)
If you like shiroi koibito cookies, then maybe Ishiya Chocolate Factory is a must.

Sight-seeing ... the usual around city centre okay attractions such as Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Clock Tower, Former Hokkaidō Government Office ... those instagrammable places.

December ... not yet Sapporo Snow Festival ... too bad.

Otaru ... main attraction is the canal ... seafood, ya, maybe Sapporo can get the same quality (Nemuro on the other hand, seems fresher, maybe placebo thinking ... but that's too far away) ... I guess if you're a fan of the movie "Love Letter (1995)", maybe it's another must.

This post has been edited by r2t2: Nov 14 2019, 02:39 PM

But but after Olympic, if wanna go after July, maybe in September, should be ok kua? (usually not peak period due to typhoons uncertainties)

This post has been edited by r2t2: Nov 14 2019, 03:41 PM

Ya, it's a bit risky, but did that last year ... just because of Tokyo Game Show ... wanna go again next year; TGS 2020 should be nice, with the new consoles being finalized and launched, maybe there'll be demo units for public.

Anyway, won't be expecting much outdoorsy sight-seeing if it rains most of the days end of Sept, but am interested to go to USJ in Osaka as well. Hopefully the plan won't be disrupted by extreme weather.

Like others mentioned, different strokes for different folks. Your style is like wanna cover as much as possible in shortest time, you'll feel satisfied in that achievement, that's good if you like it; others would prefer spending more time in a place that interested them as long as possible. 12 days in 4 cities, I'd consider that touch n go oredi.

Not to say you're incorrect, just that imho the chances of getting disappointed are higher due to less time for immersion and relaxation; everything is relatively rushed and might miss opportunity for the best viewing time of events at each place.

On that note, I myself had done touch n go in Hokkaido this year, but because I know I'll visit the prefecture/island again in the future (as they said, all four seasons are good for Hokkaido). I did Hakkodate, Lake Toya(passby 1hr+), Otaru, Furano, Biei, Asahikawa (night stay), Wakkanai, Abashiri (overnight stay only), Nemuro (lunch and short walk only), and Sapporo, in 8 days. Wanna get the feel of each places first, future trip would concentrate on the places I like more; plus solo trip, easier to rush.

However, past Tokyo trips, my family/friends and I could spend more than 7 (x 2) days in Tokyo alone, with trips to Fuji suburbs. With friends of similar interest, we could stay in Akihabara alone for 3 days without feeling bored. First trip to Tokyo with family members, different areas to visit. Second trip to Tokyo with friends, overlapped a bit coz frens haven't been to the touristy places, but we went to places not suitable for kids. (plus we went for events).

So, maybe it's safe to say, your interest in Japan culture (food, history, films/songs, anime, etc.) isn't that high, but you did expect a lot from Japan as a tourist attraction. Else, you wouldn't skimp on sushi or sashimi (which are Japanese food highlights tho they're more expensive), and would've allocate time for onsen (some might skip it, but for most it's one of essential Japanese experience).

That said, glad that you find Kyoto unique and interesting. I haven't been there, coz following most advices, we decided to split Kansai and Kanto regions trips; Osaka, Kyoto, etc. are my next target. If you rate Kyoto as not boring, I don't know how my eyes will glimmer when I'm there.

For me and most here (except those sifus who travel for work there/been there countless times oredi), if every year we could go to Japan, we would.

Ya, partly becoz of trying to cover as many cities as possible, I bought 7days Hokkaido JR Rail Pass ... not so cheap, and will waste a lot of time traveling if only got local trains.
Not recommended actually, unless really kiasu, and just wanna do reconnaissance.

This post has been edited by r2t2: Dec 13 2019, 05:07 PM

Heheh, Akihabara is a heaven for otakus ... especially shopping for hobby stuffs. But not necessary the cheapest, Nakano Broadway mall in Nakano is well-known also, plus Ikebokuro got some interesting hobbyist shops also, and my fren said Osaka prices are cheaper than Tokyo. So, we've to spend many hours comparing prices among almost all the shops in Aki, plus window shopping, 1 or 2 days not enuf for us. Chuo Dori is one of my favourite streets in Tokyo, so far.

I concur with your fren ... among the cities/towns visited in Hokkaido, Biei is my fav. Can describe the town as cute and quaint. Maybe not for city lovers, Biei is just a small quiet town/village, but if I wouldn't mind living there. Maybe don't expect it's as historical or unique as Kyoto; for me, it's an eye-pleasing place, streets are very organized, can see the town planning is very good, etc.

Biei is a member of The most beautiful villages in Japan Union.
https://utsukushii-mura.jp/
https://www.tsunagujapan.com/15-must-visit-...anese-villages/


Those who said must visit Japan every year, are really fans of Japan; not just tourist places but the food, culture, etc. ... can't cover all in one short trip. Japanese cities skyline aren't that pretty, coz they can't build too fancy high rise buildings. Japan country-side might not be the prettiest also, China got more prettier natures (bigger mah). It's the combination of Japanese people (polite, even if forced to), safety, convenience, food, nature, cities, culture, etc. that made most wanna go back to Japan.

Overall, Tokyo trips still more memorable for me compared to Hokkaido, coz maybe I went during summer to Hokkaido (cheaper flights mah). Hokkaido is more relaxing, less crowded. Tokyo got much more things to see, and places to go. But for food, I feel Hokkaido's sashimi/seafood is nicer (of course lah).

Still wiser to carry some yen, maybe few thousand yen, just in case need it before got chance to withdraw from ATM. Activate your BigPay overseas usage first, else will fail. And compare the local money changer rate if possible with estimated exchange rate + withdrawal fee.

I withdrew 80,000yen in July from airport 7-11 ATM, BigPay exchange rate was JPY100=RM3.8093, I got RM3,047.45 ... but if factor in RM10 fee, then the exchange rate was RM3.8218.
Still got leftover yen notes from previous Japan trips, so I didn't change any locally, plus I didn't wanna bring too much yen notes in my wallet/bag from Malaysia.
If I were to go again, I'll still withdraw most of my budget thru ATM there, if difference between local money changer rate and BigPay is negligible. (not changing million yens )

My bad ... I remembered I had to go online and changed something in BigPay app after first time failed, then only can withdrew, ... but now I tried to search that setting in BigPay app, can't find anything about enabling oversea usage (like Maybank ATM debit card, or credit card - this one so that bank won't call u if used overseas?) ... so, I guess maybe I only changed my pin number (not the app security code) then ok oredi.

Sorry for the misinformation.