April starting to get warm, ice is melting, river got more water flowing.. I prefer April Kamakochi

Looks like Narita Airport authority success get agreement with resident surrounding airport. Airport operation extended to 11pm. I checked Narita Airport In & Out schedule, last arrival are 10pm. Last Departure for all airlines are 10.30pm excluded 1 11pm for Finnair. Once Finnair departure, Narita Airport closed operation for the day until 6am next day.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 25 2024, 06:42 PM

How was your trip to Mt Zao?

Behind the card will have expiry / manufacture date of the Card.....It last 10 years

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Feb 28 2024, 10:28 PM

Day 1 Narita to Tokyo can take JR NEX or Keisei Skyliner (Mini Shinkansen). Both train are comfortable and big space for big luggage.
Day 6 - 10 my suggestion was rent a car. Just go JPJ get a International Driving License first...Rm150 only. Driving in Japan similar to Malaysia, Left side driving.

Overall entire Japan included Cities + village + countryside + island.....Cash 60% & Cashless 40%

This only apply on big cities.

Okayama > Tottori > Izumo > Hiroshima ...That Squre Area called "Sakai" - 100% Cash...They not even accept Suica / Pasmo / ICOCA

Hiroshima > Masuda > Yamaguchi ...That Squre Area called "Sakai #2" - 100% Cash...They not even accept Suica / Pasmo / ICOCA

Shikoku - Except Matsuyama & Takamatsu.....Rest of Island are "Sakai #3" - 100% Cash.... They not even accept Suica / Pasmo / ICOCA

Buy on spot.

1st Skyliner train leaving Narita Airport at 7:27am. 7am are earliest train but that was "Local". If you want to feel the speed, 7:27am.

You can't get ICOCA at Tokyo. Since you start at Tokyo, your only choice was Suica (welcome). It can't used on next trip.
Unless Tokyo part use cash for transpotation. Buy ICOCA when you reach Kansai. ICOCA can keep for 10 years.

Suica can used in Kansai Area. You can redeem Ticket at Ticket Machine or JR Ticket Office.

Can buy from Klook. Easy & Fast. Secure the seat

Passing by alot of times. Because of shortest route from Sapporo to Hakodate. That road to Rusutsu using Route 230 are one of hardest in Hokkaido specially winter.
Alot of slope & very very slippery. Need extra caution and stay sharp & focus all the time.

From KL to Bangkok are Thai Airways & Bangkok to Tokyo still Thai Airways then no need check in again.
If from Bangkok to Tokyo are different airlines then need re-check in.

Air Asia X & MAS

4 Adult + 1 toddler. You can rent Subaru Levorg STI // Subaru Outback. Subaru car AWD traction control are superb + winter tyre. My Great Hokkaido winter driving experience.
As long stay sharp & focus....no problem.

Subaru Levorg if you want some real kick

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 11 2024, 06:26 AM

Day 5.
• Train to Shimoyoshida Station Station
• Store luggage at locker
• Chureito Pagoda
• Continue Train from to Kawaguchiko station
• Store luggage at locker
• Tour around Kawaguchiko Lake with Oishi Park as last stop
• Collect luggage to check in hotel
• Oshino Hakkai late afternoon


Day 11
No need over night at Arima Onsen. Depart from Osaka morning.
Spend few hours at Arima Onsen. Evening to night at Kobe City.
After Dinner, back to Osaka.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 12 2024, 01:02 PM

Without car, impossible to reach Fuji Shibazakura. If you plan to rent car, you mights well give up that 14 days Japan Rail Pass. Used that money for car rental.

You can experience ryokan and kaiseki at Takayama.

Grab able to e-hailing taxi. Price around 100 Yen per kilometer / 1 minute. The moment you board the taxi, price start at 500 Yen.
Oh yes...using App booking taxi,...you will be charge extra as Booking Charges.

So basically, very less people using app to call taxi unless you really needed.

JR Limited Express "Thunderbrid" From Osaka Station to Kanazawa Station will be suspended due to extended of Hokuriku Shinkansen. Current JR Limited Express "Thunderbrid" From Osaka Station will be ended at Tsuruga Station.
JR Limited Express "Shirasagi" From Nagoya Station will be ended at Tsuruga Station.

JR sold Tsuruga to Fukui to Kanazawa Part to new Private Own Railway Company called "Hapi Fukui Railway"

Hapi Fukui Railway & IR Ishikawa Railway & Ainokaze Toyama Railway will working with each other by release the Ultimate Rapid Train "Ainokaze Liner" (あいの風ライナー)
Running from Tsuruga to Tomari

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 17 2024, 11:05 PM

Just been to Japan to experience new extended Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga.

Tsuruga Shinkansen Station are small size, as current become Terminus Station of Hokuriku Line are beyond capacity limit specially escalator. All passenger disembark on platform going down to lobby by escalator are jam pack!!
Once Line Extended to Kyoto & Osaka...Passenger usage of Tsuruga Station will be back to normal as it should be. Oh Man......that will be 2040!!!

Once getting down from Platform by using Escalator....you had to pass thru auto gate (Hokuriku are JR East while Tsuruga are under JR West). Once pass thru auto gate, There will be 2 Big colour Line on floor guild you to JR Limited Express Platfrom
Blue for "Thunderbird" Orange for "Shirasagi"

Please be mind!!! You only got 5 minute disembark Shinkansen, go thru Jam pack escalator.....Walk fast phase following Colour Line to JR Limited Express Platfrom!!!
Example: If you buy JR Ticket from Osaka / Kyoto to Kanazawa......JR will print 4 Ticket. That will be "Thunderbird" + Thunderbird Seat + Hokuriku Shinkansen + Hokuriku Shinkansen Seat
You only got 5 Minute Transit at Tsuruga!! RUN RUN RUN

All "Thunderbird" & "Shirasagi" Schedule are Connected with Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tsurga Station. 5 Minute.....you only got 5 minute

JR "Thunderbrid" passenger usage are drop significantly.....No more Japanese No.1 choices to Kanazawa .....good news to Foreigners
Japanese prefer way are Osaka / Kyoto taking Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara Station. Maibara Station taking JR Limited Express "Shirasagi" to Tsuruga Station.


This Concept Similar to Kyushu JR Limited Express + Shinkansen to Nagasaki ...It only give 1 minute transit at Takeo-Onsen Station but this was side by side at Platfrom.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 18 2024, 12:30 AM