Is @COSME the best place to buy J cosmetic stuff ? or overprice even after tax rebate ? any other recommendation beside Don Quijote

what is redemption?

is it the date after you have collected the exchange order from the local agency?

Was planning to utilise Hokuriku Arch Pass to Tokyo from Osaka but it seems the Thunderbird from Osaka to Kanazawa & certain sections of Hokuriku Shinkansen are cancelled.
Usually how long the routes are closed for repairs due to earthquake?

Other than this pass, any better option that can take? Journey will be from Osaka - Tokyo - Karuizawa - Tokyo

Initially thought of using Hokuriku Arch Pass To travel Osaka (& vicinity like kanazawa /kobe) - tokyo -karuizawa so it was the most economical.
Wiler midnite Express bus for 3 seater cost abt RM100 less than bullet train hence tot of using train to save time as my accomodation all fixed.

Is it ok to drive ard Hakone area Lake Kawaguchi/Yamanaka/ etc if 1st time driving in winter. Wont be full snowy road is it?
Saw Toyota rent a car abt 9k yen incld insurance & i can drive at my own time & place. Pick up at Kawaguchiko Shop near the train station & drop off same

Planning to visit Hokkaido on 25 January - 05 February 2024.

1. Is it a good timing and is it affected by the earthquake?
2. How do I make a reservation for Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort? Mind sharing the link with me?

Ah so in the end I still best bring more cash lah even for all the vending machines ah.

Want to ask if anyone bought Hybrid Down Coat or Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut) from Uniqlo to Hokkaido with snow and temperature less than 0?

Does it help to prevent cold in the country? The link as per below.

Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut)

Hybrid Down Coat

Any recommendations on hotels in Tokyo & Osaka?
Osaka - preferably near the shinkansen & of course safe!
Tokyo - safe, decent and affordable.

I am looking at the APA chain hotels. Wanted to try capsule hotels but sometimes I might want to go back to the room to recuperate alone and i don't feel like staying in youth hostels/capsule hotels.

Please recommend! Thanks!

I am also staying near Shin Osaka cause I plan to travel back and forth to Kyoto. How do you travel within Osaka though? Did you get any day passes?
I'm not using the JR passes cause it's expensive now.

are the tickets unlimited rides? 

i go in the morning, then evening i go again to see the lights 

anyway i saw this message in the website. Everyday also so long queue? Including weekdays? I will be going on a weekday.


https://zaoropeway.co.jp/winter/en.php

I read that to see the Zao Snow Monsters, you would need to take the ride up to the top Station Jizo Sancho Station? Man... this is the most expensive Ropeway.... Usually other places only charge max 1200 -1600 yen.

Do you think it will be worth it to go all the way to Jizo Sancho Station?

Since it already costs so much to go up, there is another option which is to take the Snowcat from Miyagi Zao Sumikawa Snow Park which costs 5500 yen.

If we take the full priced tickets to the top, can we stop at the middle station? Dont think wil go for illumination because will prefer to see the snow monsters during daytime.

Anyway since we are there might as well take the tickets to the top right?

I think I read that return tickets is 3800 to the top station. The 2000 yen return is the bus tickets to Zao Onsen.

Anyway, thanks for the tips.

Judging by your pictures I think the weather was ok though no sunshine. Some I read experienced total whiteouts. At least you managed to see the Zao Monsters. I think I will head there first thing in the morning if the weather is good.

So we can alight from the ropeway in the middle station and then later board again to continue to the top station or do we have to go all the way to the top only?

wahhh...need to line up and buy again at the middle station? 

do u have any pictures of the middle station and where to walk to? i'm afraid there will be so much crowd, and not sure where to go to buy the tickets to go to the top.

I have never used Wise card actually. How's the exchange rate like?
Can SUICA be used in Osaka? SUICA is mainly for subways/metro right? And some payments within stores/convenience stores/restaurants?
I have never used Apple Wallet, so i assume that it reloads within Apple Wallet itself with the credit card that I store in the wallet? Am i right?
Looks like that's the local withdrawal fees.

OKIE! Sounds good! if the exchange rate is better than I might as well apply for a WISE card then. And if i need money I will just withdraw from atm right? Any ATM works?

Hi everyone! Newbie here... Need some advice... I will be landing Haneda with AirAsia near midnight. Looking for some private transporter who can pick me and family up. Last I looked at some transporter links in here dating back to 2017, those Facebook links are dead.... appreciate if anyone has experience in arranging private transporters... Usually they are Malaysians staying in Japan. Tq in advance.

for narita airport direct bus to kawaguchiko(河口湖), the date i want already sold out

what is the next best way?
take N'EX train from narita airport to shinjuku, then take bus to kawaguchiko?