How old is your kid liao ah? Mine was 3, I can confidently say more than 50% of my planning all throw into tong sampah.

Mine’s 8 Liao, pretty much under control I hope

Some other family is joining me this round, more worried about them because they are the super spoon feed type…

Any way, fingers crossed

Which area is best for accommodation for first time traveller?

Shinjuku? Any recommendations for hotel for budget around RM350 and below per night?

Am comparing these 2 actually:

- Toyoko Inn Tokyo Shinjuku gyoemmae eki 3 ban Deguchi
- APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower

This post has been edited by tzxsean: Apr 11 2023, 10:16 PM

Ikebukuro. Alot budget food chain and station are smaller & easy to navigate compare to Shinjuku.

if you don't mind to transit
can consider airasia if you want budget.....RM500+ for 1 way.....return around RM1100 (without add-on)

This post has been edited by sben525: Apr 12 2023, 11:01 AM

I will consider about Ikebukuro. Based on checking on Agoda and Booking, the room price is similar to Shinjuku Hotel (APA in particular)

I’m afraid AirAsia will delay / reschedule / cancel the flight

yes, there is a risk, but i think AA long range flight very less will have those problem?

last month i take MAS to seoul, MAS also reschedule my flight

I had time to draft my itinerary for first time travel in Tokyo.

I need some advices / suggestions on the schedule / location synergy if I should move things around for efficiency purposes.

Other than that, I would love to hear some of the food recommendations around the area I'm visiting!

Thank you.

This post has been edited by tzxsean: Apr 12 2023, 08:44 PM

So packed, you planning to just touch n go everything meh. Day 1 ... Shinjuku Gyoen itself can easily take up half a day.

which is why I asked for comments lo ... I'm not familiar which area will take up more time

so other than Shinjuku Gyoen .. what else I need to adjust?

some spots are not critical I can skip / remove (e.g. Hakone) and leave for next time.

This post has been edited by tzxsean: Apr 12 2023, 09:24 PM

Don’t put anything into the day of your arrival… today I touched down at Haneda, with fast track and all but nothing is fast because it took us more than 2 hours just to be pass the immigration… then go take SIM card, tekan money from ATM and buy Suica/Pasmo card… almost 4 hours just to get into the city after arrival…

And oh… just to update on Wise card ATM withdrawal, it works on Seven bank and JPbank ATM machines with a ¥220 local bank fee charges. Going to try out Family Mart and other brands

This post has been edited by kenji1903: Apr 13 2023, 10:16 PM

wow ... might take out ueno park and move to other day or skip it

what was your arrival time though?

I need to head to Shinjuku (most likely) to store my luggage before check in time ...

Btw, I also just applied Wise Card ..please keep us posted on the ATM withdrawal

Mine was the 645 arrival, reached 10 mins earlier but there was already a very long queue, the entire hall was full about 30 mins later. Surprisingly a lot of Thais…

When we reached our hotel in Ginza it was already noon. After noon you might be able to start if not too tired…

for me, hakone can skip if you can. as if your intention to view mt fuji, i think better go for kawagucko. Last time I went to hakone ( took the hakone kamakura pass) it was fun as so many ride can naik ( boat ,cable car and train) but mt fuji really shy2. the place also big. If you have spare time then yes can go.

Wow mine is also 645 HND

Did the hotel allow early check in?

Depends on which hotel you book, some will allow early check in with payment and some strictly follow official check in time.

But almost all will keep your bags (free of charge) and you can go out to walk around until check in time

I loved walking at Ameyoko. Actually went 2 times. Got 1 restaurant yakitori one below the train tracks. Drink beer eat yakitori and hear the train gong gong gong gong gong above 😆

Bad news, JR pass going to increase price by October, almost 65% up, crazy. Other JR passes will follow?

Does it affect regional tourist passes?