Wew, that’s nice. I been waiting for the Hokuriku line to open, 6 years living 20 min from Komatsu station and dammit, just 4 months away from opening and I had to move to Tokyo

I find it’s always like that when using Hokuriku Shinkansen, barely enough time to switch to local train and also not as frequent as Tokyo. Literally need run every time I take the train from Tokyo to Kanazawa then switch to local line

oh? I tot passed to Ishikawa railway (IR)? I only remembered they were promoting IR like a year or two before the actual transition.

since I'm fully remote, so it's comforting that I don't need to experience the commute everyday eventhough my office quite near (hate commuting). my wife on the other hand love to go to office, so I guess she enjoys working in right smack Ginza (all that exp brands to wash eyes)

I generally miss having a car though, loved those random drives around neigbouring towns or sometimes just randomly plan a car camping trip to other prefectures

For May travel, which way is the best for Shirakawago to Kyoto? The Kanazawa route or the Nagoya route? I will be having a JR Pass.

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation.

I already have a plan to stay one night in Takayama. Initial plan is :
Nagoya > Takayama (explore town and short excursion to Hida-Furukawa)
Next day, check out Takayama > Shirakawago > Kyoto

Would you say it’s better to change the order to :
Nagoya > Shirakawago > Takayama (explore town)
Next day, check out Takayama > Short excursion to Hida-Furukawa > Kyoto?

ironically my wife from kampung to city, I'm city boy that prefers kampung life
quite frequent earthquake in tokyo, this one month keep goyang2 especially when my place's on the 10th floor

Anyone knows how to go to Golden Pavillion from Arashimaya Bamboo Forest? I heard taxi is the way to go as public transport will be too much of a hassle?

That's 3 busses to take, right?

wut...kanazawa boring? i prefer kanazawa than Kyoto, less ppl, excellent seafood...if u go during bad weather memang suck ass.
inb4..bias coz used to live near Kanazawa for 6+years

Usually I walk kenrokuen, castle then head toward katamachi and walk around there for food. also if go kanazawa no try nodoguro also wasted

Want to ask RegentCid

I've not taken the Airport Limousine Bus before. Will be landing at Narita.
Noticed that they only transfer from Airport to specific hotels. Presuming I'm not a guest in 1 of the Hotels - would I still be able to purchase the Limo bus ticket from Airport? Thought of getting off at one of the nearby Hotel and then walk to my accommodation.

https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/guide/en/timetable/

Want to ask RegentCid

I've not taken the Airport Limousine Bus before. Will be landing at Narita.
Noticed that they only transfer from Airport to specific hotels. Presuming I'm not a guest in 1 of the Hotels - would I still be able to purchase the Limo bus ticket from Airport? Thought of getting off at one of the nearby Hotel and then walk to my accommodation.

https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/guide/en/timetable/

I see! Thanks for the tip. From airport -> hotel via limousine bus i can purchase the ticket @ Airport. But if it's the other way round for return trip, am I able to buy the ticket from one of the Hotel's counter even if I'm not a guest? Wanted to give the limo bus a try this round. Don't wish to make various transfer through train and would prefer to take the bus all the way to nearby destination. Its been about 5 years, a little anxious about revisiting Tokyo.

Probably gonna give the Shibuya Sky a try since its a new attraction; saw pretty positive reviews online too. Forumers, let me know its a sham (if it is) if you've been there.
Planning to visit Shimokitazawa as well, a place that I've always wanted to check out.

Dang, you making me look less forward to it now heard the best time to check out the place is before sunset. Prolly gonna be super packed. While I'm keen to take photos/ videos to commemorate, nothing beat actual enjoyment of experiencing it through your eyes, and not the lens of a camera/ phone screen. Ok i'll adjust my expectation a little hahaha

Yes, I've been to Tokyo Skytree. But Skytree and others doesn't have the outdoor area right? not that I recall. I've done a few panoramic including the free one at Yebisu (its an office building), which was pretty cool.

damn was about to book tickets for kurobe gorge but the tickets were a bit weird. found out that it's partially closed until october. so before that, the train will not stop, but instead makes a turn at nekomata with no stopping.

https://japlanease.com/kurobe-gorge-railway-closed-2024/

initially planned to spend time till evening, before heading to nagano. then next day explore nagano before heading to matsumoto for the night.

now that the train ride only take 90 minutes, it means i would have practically a day extra in nagano or matsumoto. one of the consideration would be alpine route tour, but any other recommendation for a side trip from nagano or matsumoto?

oito line seems doable after the kurobe gorge. but it goes all the way to matsumoto, so i guess give nagano a skip?

i guess oito line it is. the tickets in japan generally can buy on the spot right?

Hello bosses, any comments/suggestions on wintertime Hokkaido itinerary for first timer with 1 elderly (70+) and 3 younger kids (5, 5, 2) (and 4 normal adults)?

11 Jan overnight flight to Hokkaido
12 Jan 7:30 arrive, Bus to Niseko
13 Jan Ski
14 Jan Ski
15 Jan Break / Otaru / Nikka whisky
16 Jan Ski
17 Jan Ski
18 Jan Morning Bus to Sapporo
19 Jan Rental car, Shiroi Koibito Park, etc
20 Jan Drive to Asahikawa
21 Jan Asahikawa / Zoo (penguins), Dog sledding, etc
22 Jan Drive to Noboribetsu
23 Jan Noboribetsu / Bear Park, Marine Park
24 Jan Noboribetsu / Jigokudani, onsen
25 Jan Drive to New Chitose airport (afternoon/evening)
- Overnight flight back home

The Niseko access are booked so those early few days cannot change, but everything else is just imagination.

No Hakodate cos ... considering elderly & kids & winter, don't really feel like driving that far.

Was considering Furano/Biei but hear say not worth the trip there in winter.

Was also considering cut one night in Noboribetsu and maybe go Lake Toya?