Until today some counter staff still practice this. In December during long weekend ( Tokyo to Nagoya) , the machine shows still have reserved seats but the new updated machine (load shinkansen ticket into Suica) can't accept foreign credit card, so I have to go and buy at counter. The staff told me all reserved seats are full throughout the day and only available after 6pm

I will be travelling to Japan soon, my journey start from Tokyo to Kyoto then Osaka back to KL.

What is the cheapest way to buy JR Pass. I saw online a lot of people recommend to get 7 days JR pass if you're a tourist.

Is it worth to get 7 days JR pass or buy day pass ?

Which one is cheaper ?

You from Tokyo to Kyoto just one way. SInce you not back to Tokyo, you don't need JR Rail Pass.
Tokyo & Osaka & Kyoto are fully coverd by Metro which you no need JR Rail Pass.
From Kyoto to Osaka can used Keihan Line Limited Express. Travel time just 40 minute.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 27 2023, 11:01 AM

Planning for about 2 weeks solo travel to Japan in Sept

Thinking of Tokyo Osaka Kyoto? or Tokyo Hokkaido?

and ending with attending TGS in Tokyo

Since I'm travelling solo, guess I should be able to save some accommodation via overnight train or overnight bus

Anyone travel there solo on a budget before? appreciate any advices I can get

Typoon season. Just stay in Tokyo. Bring alot waterproof clothing. No point going 2 week because of typoon season.

Rain from morning all day until night. Super strong wind, train and flight will be suspended.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 27 2023, 07:17 PM

Thanks bro, will try my luck and see what happens on the weekend before the Golden Week Wednesday

Can i buy knife frm there and bring to here? Need to declare?

oh crap... how about end sept till mid oct? as TGS is expected to be held from 21-24 Sept

TGS in Tokyo first then touring the rest?

or just abandon the idea of attending TGS and go during better time?

kitchen knives no need, just put cargo

others like katana you'll need permits bringing them in although you can try smuggle them in but I won't recommend that

I will be honest with you, in 2019 I did a traveling at end of september.
It was hot, rains every now and I learn that heatstroke doesn't care about skin color or climate.
If you are looking for a trip, best evade these period if you can reschedule.

Summer is not all that bad though, I personally feel like early summer sounds great.
thin clothing, plenty of sunshine and cold noodle taste amazing, I hate the weather but I love the foods lol.

Just stay at Tokyo, attending TGS. Forget Osaka, Kyoto & Hokkaido.
Weather will be hot & alot of rain for sure. Last Year Typoon hit Japan was 18-20 Sept.
This year 2023 still cannot predict yet...Can be early can be late to Oct.

If no typoon then you can go Osaka + Kyoto, still very wet...rain all day

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 28 2023, 08:51 AM

LOL. i did exactly that 10 years ago. Went to Tokyo near end of Sept for TGS because at that time airasia ticket was quite cheap. I went there for 1 week+, landed in kansai airport and tour around osaka and kyoto for the 1st few days before taking the bullet train to tokyo where i spent my last few days there including attending the TGS.

Although it was typhoon season, it did not affect the services there cause i think the typhoon either is not that strong or haven't reach japan yet. But it did rain when i went there, and when it rains it will rain the whole day from morning till the evening. I remember walking around kyoto carrying an umbrella the whole day.

Of course the weather 10 years ago and the weather now is completely different so in the end it's all about how well u are prepared for it. If you are afraid there will be services interruption, then just stay at tokyo for that 2 weeks. There are a lot of places you can visit in Tokyo for 2 weeks. Last december during christmas i went to tokyo for honeymoon vacation for 2 weeks and there were so many places i haven't finish visiting at all.

yeah, thinking of reschedule now, had enough of rain & hot suns here already

I think 2 weeks in Tokyo kinda a bit of overkill for me already... even if no typhoon then constant raining whole day is mood killer for me then
end Oct to Nov a good month? go see their crazy Halloween ??

I choose Sept bcos of cheaper fares also + TGS, as I've never attended any game shows before
become a mallrat for 2 weeks in Tokyo? 1 week probably but not 2 weeks

My initial plan was just 1 week, but since wifey gave special permission for 2 weeks so might as well take it

There are plenty of places other than malls in tokyo that u can go visit. outskirt of tokyo like hakone and nikko is also good place to visit if u never been there before. Rainy season go dip in the onsen is so relaxing. I would like to visit Saitama and Yokohama when i go back there.

Hi, the Icoca card do u all suggest pre buy or just buy at the airport? Was looking at klook and people said it was difficult to find the exchange counter

Also, haruka line seems to be cheaper if i buy from klook. Going into osaka

Lastly, should i get the 2 day metro pass beforehand or just buy at ticket machine when Im there? Hows the queue for tickets..thanks

This post has been edited by @Adele: Mar 1 2023, 04:03 PM

My first Icoca card was brough from Convinence store. If you got Suica / Pasmo, then forget about Icoca. Unless you are card collector.
If you going Kyoto / Osaka Station / Shin-Osaka Station then JR Haruka will be no.1 choice. If you going Osaka city (Namba) then Nankai will be no.1 choice.

Osaka Metro Pass just get it at Ticket Machine. Simple & Fast. All Ticket Machine got Japanese, Chinese , English language selection.

Today was my Birthday. It also mean Tips of the Year.

As you guys know I work & stay at Japan many many years. This list will be my weekdays lunch & dinner when I was working at Japan. 80% Japanese weekdays meal also. Price from 700 - 1800 Yen. All food in list are taste normal, don't expect any WOW factor....This is Japanese everday meal. Don't later come back write in forum saying Regent Cid recomemded CB taste shop.

Sukiya & Yoshinoya as most of people already knew it, so it won't be inside the list.
Most of the restraurant in list can be found around Japan / Tokyo but I mostly lepak at Ikebukuro.

Ootoya 大戸屋
https://www.ootoya.com/menu/
Recomemded Seat Meal
My Favorite are 国産牛のすき鍋定食
Taste not the greatest, but compare to 100 years old Sukiyaki restraurant minimum starting at 4000 - 16000 Yen. This Ootoya Sukiyaki just 1490 Yen + unlimited refill of rice.

Matsuya 松屋
https://www.matsuyafoods.co.jp/matsuya/menu/
Set Meal & Beef Don are delicious.
My Favorite are ブラウンソースエッグハンバーグ定食 (Hamburger Meat Set Meal)

Nikusushi 肉寿司
https://nikusushi.ne.jp/menu/
My Favorite are 炙り肉寿司盛り合わせ + 200-300Yen Beef Sushi
2000 Yen can be very full.

いづも 池袋
https://r.gnavi.co.jp/hkck36me0000/menu2/
My Favorite are Yakitori & Eel Rice Bowl うな丼 並
Eel Rice Bowl taste good but not the greatest...wow factor none...But Tokyo any 100 years old Eel Specialty restraurant starting price are 4500 - 8000 Yen
This shop just 1/4 price and portion are 1/2 size bigger.

Cafe Gusto ガスト
https://www.skylark.co.jp/en/gusto/paper_me...tern/index.html
My Favorite are Hamburger Steak Meal

Bikkuri Donkey びっくりドンキー
https://www.bikkuri-donkey.com/prefecture/tokyo/
My favorite are Hamburger Steak with Pineapple + Extra Cheese + Vanilla Icecream

Hanamaru udon はなまるうどん
https://www.hanamaruudon.com/menu/
This Malaysia also got but in Japan, this is the cheapest Udon which Japanese worker No.1 choice
Not necessary go Japan to try since Malaysia also got but Udon lover....Good selection

Suage Hokkaido Soup Curry 北海道スープカレーSuage - Shibuya Branch
https://suage.info/stores/shibuya/
Most of Japanese curry are thick & sweet side. This is soup base curry!! This is the way!
My favorite are パリパリ知床鶏と7種の野菜カレ + Rice 350g (100 Yen)

Eggbomb 男のオムライス EGG BOMB
https://www.dd-holdings.jp/brands/eggbomb/
Japanese Omelette Rice + Fried chicken
Taste very normal actually....but the portion really big.... Price & portion ratio...very worth

Yayoi やよい軒
https://www.yayoiken.com/menu_list/index/13
My favorite are ハンバーグとエビフライとから揚げの人気トリオ定食 Popular Trio Set [Chicken + beef + Shrimp] /// 【牛豚鶏】倍盛・焼肉ざんまい定食 [Beef + Chicken + Pork]
My Favorite restraurant in the whole list

Yakiniku Like 焼肉ライク
https://yakiniku-like.com/menu.html
My favorite are No.1 4 meat choice (Beef) 1750 Yen + Highball + Beer........Life cannot be more better !!
My Favorite bbq meat restraurant. All DIY.
Each person got it own small stove to BBQ the meat, Best BBQ store for foreveralone people

Tendon Tenya 天丼てんや
https://www.tenya.co.jp/menu/
I prefer Cold Soba + Tempura set more.
Taste ok.....but cheap way to eat Soba + tempura set meal under 1000 Yen. Cannot ask for more.

Obihiro Butaichi 豚丼一番ぶたいち Inside Ikebukuro Sunshire City Building 3F
http://www.obihiro-butaichi.com/menu/butadon/
Whole shop only sell one item ......Grill XL Pork Cutlet Don
This shop either you eat at Obihiro (Hokkaido) or Ikebukuro (Tokyo)
Hokkaido Grill Pork are Perfection but sauce might abit more on sweeter side

Katsuya かつや
https://www.arclandservice.co.jp/katsuya/menu/
My favorite are 海老ヒレメンチカツ定食
The pork soup included in set meal are damm delicious ...better than other only serving Miso soup.


Hope you guys like the List.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 2 2023, 11:21 AM

Happy birthday to you.
Thanks for the tips of the food recommendation..
Hope everyone will love it.. haha

Happy Birthday Senpai Cid!

That XL Pork Cutlet Don definately is on my Must Go List

Heyloo thanks for ur info. Actually im flying into osaka and heading up to tokyo. Dont have the suica card. The icoca card can be used in Tokyo as well ke? Or do i have to get separate cards.

Btw hepi bday bro

This post has been edited by @Adele: Mar 2 2023, 01:44 PM