You only can get JCB card if you got any Japan bank account. To open Japan bank account you need to have a address in Japan.

JCB, Master Card , Visa, American Express, Union Pay are all same. Worldwide usage.
BTW, JCB acceptance are lowest in the world. Visa, Master Card & American Express are the best currently. But The world no.1 spot currenly, world widest acceptance are Union Pay (China)

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Dec 28 2022, 10:42 AM

Not compulsory anymore. Alot my Japanese college not wearing anymore mask on outdoor. Only wearing inside train and mall.

Oh yeah.....forgot about JR Rail Pass, so basically your hand should have 5 ticket! Hahahaha!

The train still got unreserved seat section. It become like commuter train, seat are 1st come 1st serve rules. As long u leave the seat, someone can take over your seat.

If you take unreserved seat, you going save 900 yen from seat reservation otsuki - Kawaguchiko. Shinjuku to Otsuki part already bao by JR Rail Pass, if take unreserved seat really rugi.

I taking JR Excursion 5 times in my life, it never full. Maximum passenger also 60% only. Normally the train only got 30-40% passenger.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Dec 28 2022, 09:39 PM

I just ask my friend at Tokyo search for you. He confirm that 7.30am train leaving at Shinjuku Station does stop at Shimoyoshoda Station. But 2023 April you make sure one more time at Shinjuku JR Ticket Office.

From Shimoyoshida Station to Kawaguchiko Station are no longer under JR Pass. You need buy local train ticket, approx 300 yen per pax.

About hiking that Pagoda, yes, 7.30am train are crucial because it stop at Shimoyoshoda Station. When you reach Station already 9am. Gam Gam perfect for hiking. But make sure that day no rain on that day and previous day (night) or cloudy. Waste of time if cloudy day, you can't see Shxt.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Dec 30 2022, 02:34 PM

Hiking sure had to early. Early morning hiking, the air is fresh.
The reward are worth it.

8.30Am & 9.30AM Excursion do stop at Shimoyoshida Station. So you no need to be rushing.

9.30Am will be the last & reach Shimoyoshida Station at 11.10Am

My Lake Kawaguchiko pocket list restraurant
ほうとう不動 河口湖駅前店

Make sure you try Yamanashi Style Flat Udon Noodle with vegetable on Miso Soup + 马刺 （horse meat sashimi) + Inari Sushi
These 3 thing are my favorite.

Happy New Year

All ski resort around Habuba are very similar. I been to Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort once and overnight nearby hotel.

2023 Something to share with everyone. Japan Internet Cafe which accompany me more than 10 years. Every night whenever I missed the last train, I will stay overnight.
All my porn video / 18sx magazine update are all from this Internet Cafe

Those which like to go Japan often can register as Club member. I prefer this Internet Cafe because of Smoke Free Environment. Smoker had to go smoking room.

快活Club 24 Hours

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 1 2023, 10:30 PM

Airasia X has no plan reinstate the flight to Nagoya
If you going Takyama and Shirakwago at Summer also can. But you will feel something is missing (Snow).

Japan summer are very hot and alot alot of rain. Raining can affect traveling plan.

Tokyo + Mt Fuji Yes...Shirakawago no. Huge no.

Due to Covid, without any foreigners tourist specially Chinese. The Bath house provide overnight stay in cheap rate which I posted many many years ago as Tips of the Months are no longer operation.
bankruptcy

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 2 2023, 08:17 PM

You only got one week. Tokyo it self and surrounding attraction already far enough to kill off that one week.
Feb day light only until 4.30pm. 5pm will be completed dark.

Feb also heaviest snow at Japan, train from Nagoya / Toyama to Takayama will be effected and stop operation. Bus from Takayama to Shirawago also effected due to thick snow.

Soba List:
Tsukiji Sarashina no Sato - Curry Soba. Very unique and delicious. Price: 1000 Yen

Akatsukian(Ginza) - Inside Mitsukoshi Mall 11F. Price: 3800Yen comes with Set or 1200 Yen as Soba only

Asada 江戸蕎麦手打處あさだ (Asakusabashi) - Price: 6000 Yen as Set or 1300 Yen as Soba only (One of my personnel Favorite)

Hitosara Handmade Chasoba 手打ちそば 梠炉 - Price: 1000 Yen Lunch Set or 3000 Yen Dinner Set (One of my personnel Favorite)

Udon List:

Daichi no Udon 大地のうどん 東京馬場店 - Cheap & delicious. Blow away ! (One of my personnel Favorite)

Uchitateya うどん うちたて家 - Cheap & delicious. Blow away ! (One of my personnel Favorite)

Godaime Hanayama Udon 五代目 花山うどん 銀座店 - Very unique because Udon noodle are paper thin instead of regular one. Delicious !!! (One of my personnel Favorite) Expensive but worth it.



This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 3 2023, 09:39 AM

Tateyama Alpine Route cannot booked in advance, it does not had any entrance ticket. You need is buy transport ticket only.
May are Opening Season, Get ready for extremely crowded in line to boarding those Cable Car, Buses etc etc. each transport minimum 10-30 minute waiting.
Since you already got JR Rail Pass, I no recommended to get Alpine Tourist Pass.

Toyama Station > Tateyama Station with Toyama Chiho Railway - 1230 Yen
Tateyama Station Bijodaira with Tateyama Cable Car - 960 Yen (10-15 minute waiting in line) *This will depend how much people riding Chiho Railway with you
Bijidaira to Murodo (Snow Wall) by Bus - 2200 Yen (10-15 minute waiting in line) *This will depend how much people riding Chiho Railway with you
Murodo to Daikanbo by Trolley Bus - 2200 Yen (This part are most congested waiting in line to board that Bus)
Daikanbo to Kurobedaira by Ropeway - 1320 Yen (10 minute waiting usually)
Kurobedaira to Kurobe Dam by Kurobe Cablecar - 1050 Yen (10 minute waiting usually)
Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa by Kanden Tunnel Bus - 1570 Yen (10-20 minute waiting)
Ogizawa-Omachi Bus - 1390 Yen (10 minute waiting usually)
By the Time you reach JR Omachi Station will be sunset already and reach Matsumoto Station will be dark.

If you from Tokyo going Nagano first (Snow Monkey) + Kamikochi then route above with be terbalik you end up at Toyama Station. The waiting time need add extra 10% because most Japanese like going Alpine Route from Omachi > Tateyama Station.
From Tateyama > Omachi are mostly Foreigners & Chinese Tourist because they go Takayama + Shirakawa first.

Shirakawa can advance booking from Alpico / Nohi. (I usually booked from Nohi because it just beside Takayama Station)

Kamikochi are Hiking trail. You going with Family. Can forget about it. Your kids cannot stand the wind chill temperature + hiking (need alot stamina)
If you die die must go, then from Matsumoto Station / Nagano Station take Express Bus to Kamikochi Bus Terminal. Bus ticket can advance booked from Alpico.
*Seriously not recommended for you!*

Nagano Snow Monkey are public bus. From Nagano Station take Private Line "Nagano Dentetsu" Limited Express to Yudanaka Station. From Yudanaka Station take Public Bus to Shigakogen Roman Museum and walk to Snow Monkey Park (Follow the Direction Sign / GPS) or Take Taxi (1000 Yen only)
*Warning!!! Do not wear sneaker!!! Wear only Boots. If you ca't find boot for your children then forget about this snow monkey)

Wear Sneaker, you are cari mati with frost Bite.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 5 2023, 11:39 PM

AirAsia X arrived Haneda at 11.30pm. If you slow, you overnight at airport. If you fast, you can catch last Limousine Bus to Shinjuku Station

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 5 2023, 04:06 PM

Tateyama Alpine Route transport are 1st come 1st serve basic. That why waiting line are long specially peak season. Tateyama Alpine Route transport ticket can purchase all when you at Tateyama Station (Tateyama > Ogizawa) This mean you only need buy ticket from Toyama Dentetsu Station > Tateyama Station & Ogizawa > JR Omachi Station.

Snow Monkey Part...1000 Yen Taxi fare are from Yudanaka Station direct to Snow Monkey Park entrance. But from Snow Monkey Park back to train station. Taxi appear infront of snow monkey park entrance chances are 10% only.
So you still need take bus from Museum (bus stop) back to train station.

Snow Monkey & Kamikochi still very cold during April. You still can encounter snow.

Actually after Teteyama Alpine Route, you will be exhausted due to crowd + cold + chill wind. Tateyama Alpine Route scenic view are all open space, wind had nothing to slow it, strong wind are direct penetrating into you.

If you study Kamikochi, it was at highland plus hiking trail are all surround that Lake / River. This mean Wind will breezing along river. kamikochi temp. at April around 5-10 Celsius but the deadly cold wind make you feel like 0 Celsius. Hiking trail no challenge but very cold lah.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 6 2023, 12:28 AM

You just need to phase out those Ramen restaurant (which need to selected & pay by using Machine) & Izakaya & BBQ style restaurant.
Basically just phase out all those bar counter style restaurant.

Most restaurant at Ginza / Roppongi / Ebisu are children welcome.
Asada 江戸蕎麦手打處あさだ / Butagumi とんかつ 西麻布 豚組 / Unagi Obanaうなぎ 尾花 this kind of vibe restaurant usually children friendly.
BTW, Tabelog are quite accurate. Using tabelog as guide won't go wrong.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 6 2023, 10:05 AM

Alert News!

From Chitose Station Heading Hakodate & Obihiro / Kushiro are all suspended until further notice due to Heavy Snow.
From Sapporo Station Heading South maximum until Chitose & New Chitose Airport Station
From Shin-Hokodate Station only got train service to Hakodate Station only.

Road to Lake Shikotsu Fully Closed until further notice.



This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 6 2023, 10:12 PM

Tateyama Station that selling Alpine Route transport combo ticket staff can speak English.
Ticket look like this:

Tateyama Route are one way Ticket, Each Ticket cost 12500 Yen. If you do Round TRip. It will cost you 25000 Yen!!!
You can try your luck see can get Tateyama Eki > Kurobe Dam > Tateyama Eki ....Price 100% will be around 20,000 Yen.
Why going back to Toyama? It no making any sense!!! Since you going Kamikochi.....From Nagano Station as overnight base go Kamikochi & snow monkey park only make sense. your itinerary plan really weird man.
You shall make full itinerary plan, let me see see & tune it.

Yes. You can take Express Bus from Nagano Station direct to Snow Monkey Park. It will drop you at Museum. But, I prefer take Limited Express Train (Classico!!) Up to you~

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jan 6 2023, 10:29 PM