Guys, is withdrawing money via Wise from Japanese 7-11 / Post Office ATM still the best option for getting Yen right now despite the fees?

I am planning to withdraw about RM5K only when I arrive in Japan, would there be a problem?

Tried to search around but seems like there are new fees to Wise withdrawal, can't really tell what's the reliable information here.

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 20 2024, 09:36 PM

Ahh, cause it's difficult to tell how much cash I actually need and if Wise can withdraw so freely then I wouldn't need to worry too much.

Also it's simply finding out if that's the best way to arrive at best exchange rate.

Guys, my current itinerary is to visit Kiyomizudera at 3:30PM and hangout there til after sunset before going to Gion for dinner, does it make sense?

I read that morning Kiyomizudera is better due to less crowd, however the sunset photos look better to me.

Would you recommend morning or evening?

Edit: Visiting time is mid November

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 27 2024, 03:41 PM

Guys, need some help here on my travel plan from Takayama to Fujisan, unwise choice I know but hotels are booked and paid so unfortunately not much I can change now. Travel day will be on Saturday if it helps...

0643 Takayama > Nagoya (Hida) > Tokyo (Hikari) > 1520 Fujisan (Bus from Tokyo Steel)
The bullet train reaches Tokyo station at 1112, the JR Bus departs at 1120 which is too tight. Next bus is already 1320, so my only choice is taking lunch here before departing. Another problem is this is susceptible to traffic... so arrival time may vary, even though 4PM arrival is perfect for checking into hotel.

0643 Takayama > Nagoya (Hida) > Shin-Yokohama (Hikari) > Hachioji > Otsuki > 1336 Fujisan
Cheapest (ticket at Otsuki) and most reliable option, 3 train transfers, predictable and reaches earliest, lunch can be had on train and then we save a couple of hours for visiting the area.

0740 Takayama > Matsumoto Stn (Nohi) > Otsuki Stn > 1429 Fujisan
Most expensive at 4400yen/pax + Otsuki ticket, but can wake up later and only one transfer. This looks the most sensible, but is the option below better?

0830 Highway Bus from Takayama > 1230 Kawaguchiko
RM182 on Klook, no transfer but this listing has no ratings at all.. not sure how reliable, otherwise this is the best choice. Likely no traffic?

Appreciate any input/suggestions..

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 28 2024, 11:34 AM

Strange, some of the Azusa trains on Navitime shows it's not covered by JR pass, despite conflicting info on the internet.

I think Azusa departed at 0910 from Matsumoto station, when I arrive with the first Nohi bus @ 1023, that's why Navitime is instead suggesting the JR Shinonoi/Chuo line that's departing at 1040 instead.

Fujisan station would be more convenient for me. The bus schedule is not so aligned with the schedule because earliest I can reach Mishima is 1119, but the bus is departing at 1120 and the next is an hour later already. Also I kinda dislike the idea of taking bus in a multiple transfer journey, unless it's the first part because I'm not sure I'll miss trains and stuff, end up wasting the booked bus tickets.

Hi sensei, I tried searching both Navitime and Maps, and both show that the Azusa will need to transfer to Kaiji train at Kofu station, is this the right one that you were referring to?

I think I may have found my answer here:

Train map in spoiler:


Not all Azusa trains will stop at Otsuki, hence Navitime doesn't recommend it...

**While some Azusa services stop at Otsuki Station allowing passengers to transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line headed to Mount Fuji, most services do not. To reach Otsuki it will usually be easiest to transfer from the Azusa and either Hachioji or Kofu and take the Limited Express Kaiji service onto Otsuki.

Source

Although technically, even with the transfer it shows 1 hour 50+ minutes arrival time, which is faster than the 2.5 hours train with Shinonoi/Chuo.

Earliest Azusa train I can take is Azusa 22 @ 1110, which does not stop at Otsuki..

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 28 2024, 10:18 PM

Thanks sifu for the information.

One last thing to confirm with you, I have the JR pass and I know Otsuki to Fujisan limited is not covered. Let's say I don't buy the express limited ticket for Otsuki part before departure, ChatGPT seems to indicate I can stay on the limited express train and buy it from the conductor, or pay it when I reach Fujisan, based on your experience is it true/common thing to do?

Guys, anyone who traveled to Kawaguchiko recently and still think it's a worthy experience?

I was doing research on my itinerary, and thus far I have seen a lot negative feedback about the place on the amount of crowd and the public infrastructure that is not able to cope with the crowd. When I finalized my itinerary, I found that almost all my activities depend on Mt. Fuji being visible/cloudless to make it worth that hassle traveling there, and since I only have 1 ~ 1.5 days there, I fear that I would actually not see Mt Fuji at all:

Day 1
1430 - Baggage drop/early check in @ hotel near Fujisan Stn
1445 - Rent a bicycle and cycle around the lake, visit Oishi park and wait til sunset (around 1630 when Im there)
1745 - Return to Fujisan Stn / Shimoyoshida for dinner
2000 - Onsen

Day 2
0700 - Chureito Pagoda
1000 - Honcho Street
1300 - Lunch and depart

I am now having second thought and thinking about going to Hakone instead... and from where I am traveling from (Takayama), that's 1 or 1.5 hours shorter journey and a lot easier to get to.

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 29 2024, 09:34 PM

Ok, I may reconsider... I guess just good to cross off the list for first timer. Perhaps I'll just check the weather few days prior and decide because the hotel I booked offers cancellation up to days before, and if it's gonna be rainy I might just go somewhere else.

Basically what I gathered doing research as well. If the stars aligned for all the bad things to happen, then it's gonna be pretty poor experience.

I have no interest in the Fuji-Q rides, and also not planning to get sardine-packed in the cable car + long queue, hence my plan lies a lot in Fujisan being visible.

Just a rough plan. I think I will just search more and see if there are interesting things to do there.