Supposed to go Japan in March for work/airline mileage running but thanks to this and company policy. I had decided to stop the trip (did not buy any ticket as I am last min person).

Oh yeah just read through the FAQ, H.I.S also have sell the Wifi device for RM15 per day and unlimited data. I always use that whenever I had trip there. Leceh part is the device is does not store juice hence need to supplement it with extra power bank as I tend to run thought my trip.

By the way, say the MCO is ended as per scheduled on 14 April (IMO likely to extend). Read the news that Visa issues by the govt will be revoked, I not sure if this mean the business/Long Term resident visa or does this mean the 90 days visa free benefit for Malaysia will be stopped as well? The article is quite vague. Japan cancels visas for 11 countries

Not to mention they asked everyone to Japan to ovserve 14 days of quarantine? Not sure if they really enforced or what


My most memorable is trip is landed right in the middle of Sept typhoon and stuck there for one full day. crazy shit for sure but it is memorable. But heck business as usual for me so have to work in most awkward location (eg on the floor waiting the bus line to reopen)

This post has been edited by minizian: Mar 29 2020, 09:12 PM

Ah okay, I cant comment about uploading stuff but I did actually used my wifi for remote access to oniste PC from my laptop and send/receiving large file email (10MB and above). It seems to run very smoothly no issues whatsoever. Used the service a few times and the only issues I have is there is few version of the device (one with USB A and one with USB C port).

I am not sure if is it because of location wise (i always in main area/town center), I assume you had this issues in major area and not in some ulu place? I have not experience in using this device in outskirt.

This post has been edited by minizian: Mar 30 2020, 09:26 AM

You need to push Expedia to get back to your regarding the cancelation/refund/rebooking since they are the one who do the booking on behalf of you.

That why I always advocate booking direct with the airlines instead of OTA/Physical Travel Agent as if there any issue Airlines will taichi it to the people who does the booking for you.

And they like to put additional terms that required pax to go to agent should they have any waiver in place like current situation.

I think October is still considered okay as opposed to September. End of day is depending on pure luck

Went twice for work on Sept on two different year and it was day and night difference not fun being landed into Narita and stuck overnight in airport right after Typhoon which was supposed to be strongest at the time before it was superseded by Typhoon Hagibis in Oct

This post has been edited by minizian: May 8 2020, 11:48 AM

Ah i see, I supposed you booked under Expedia bundle kan? Yes, some of the deal was quite tempting. But decide not to do so since worry when shit hit the fan (eg during typhoon) and what not. If these does not happen then I say it is good deal.

Even my booking via company appointed travel agent also headache when this happen. Airline will just say "please refer to the travel agent"

Once i asked my buddy in airline also cannot directly touch my booking as it will trigger auto chargeback to the agent who does the booking it need the agent itself to move things around.

This post has been edited by minizian: May 8 2020, 06:09 PM

Just hold it on until closer to departure date where they will adjust the policy else you loose everything now if you action it now.

Also not to mention they still had the 14 days quarantine for arrival into Japan as well as other member pointed out that the free visa thing for Malaysia is gone at the moment.

This post has been edited by minizian: May 19 2020, 02:38 PM

You can refer here for more detail Kyodo News Link basically is just some discount coupon when one booked directly with Hotel/Ryokan (no agoda/bkg.com/expedia) and with Japanese Travel Agent. I dont think it was implemented yet considering how long for everyone to reach agreement before making final decision. But at least you get rough idea what the heck is that scheme all about.

Not sure if the coupon discounting method will be effective or not with many strings attached for sure. For me instead of using the coupon (which is given by hotel even before the virus) i sometime just go to random cheapo shop in that area just for the sake of filling my stomach

Also, travel to Japan itself will not be covered by this scheme No mention of domestic travel though I know Jal have free ticket for domestic travel that are meant to be used during Olympic season but was now stopped due to the virus.

This post has been edited by minizian: May 28 2020, 10:38 AM

Now most flight seating capacity are cut into half as they implement blank seat sosial distancing in between (300 seat end up as only 150 Seat Flight). Afterall Airlines are not charity organisation and they need to feed its staff too

More likely discount on expenses for stay in Japan me thinks. I doubt they will do any extra tax rebates for tourist since they just jack up the GST few month prior, imagine the amount of paperwork needed that will inconvenient the staff

Actually, my issues with those typical shop is they sell generally in full retail (discount is rare) but only minus off the tax rebate as discount. Sometime I tend to find certain shop had much better price even without rebating the tax, of course it would be better if they can combine Tax refund and shop discount but usually these guy are not qualified as tax refund shop and they usually only catered to locals and doesnt speak english

For example Like certain stuff in Amazon JP is substantially cheaper than what you can get say in Yodabashi Camera with Tax Refund. The catch is you need to ship it to your member who currently residing in Japan

This post has been edited by minizian: May 28 2020, 11:15 AM

You are correct but those benefit will be applicable if one (if you local or foreigner in japan) book locally (eg book within Japan via their tour agent/hotel directly). That from my understanding as they have very strong domestic travel (let just say they really embrace "Cuti2 Jepun")

MH and JAL will launch joint business on the 25 July 2020.

Not sure how this would benefit both end due to the current situation... Mind you the groundwork for this this was agreed before the whole Coronavirus mess started.

Sometime Jal will offer much better rate than say Air Asia (RM1800 all in with 20kg included for JL) and Mas (forever expensive yo ) in general. However, on the Japan point of sale it was the opposite too (Jal was dead expensive while MH was a better deal)

Servis wise, Jal was very percise and they do what they are thought to do (eg robotic but they get thing sorted quite good). If you speak Japanese the whole converstaion with the crew will be much more interesting as their English is quite limited (they will lost it if you speak full blown Malaysian accented English to them lol ). They always have 2/3 Hong Kong base crew which speak better English and they can speak canto too

Probably All Nippon Airways (ANA) will had similar style of service since both Jal and Ana always competiting with each other. Never tried before as the schedule of their flight was not suitable for me (arriving to Tokyo in the evening or near midnight and arriving to KL in Midnight or Early mornring)

MH side will be more "Malaysian" style (something like chilax mindset) which some people may not like it

JAL Side Press Release
MAS Side Press Release


This post has been edited by minizian: Jul 13 2020, 03:50 PM

Being using both method and I can say Airport Limousine Bus will be much better choice even at slightly much higher rate than train because it is door to door service.

The webpage have timetable and you will be able to see the ticket store on the checkout counter or use the automated machine (I prefer human counter so I wont make mistake)

Train is not fun especially you have big heavy luggage around the airport one of poster mentioned. Also, you need to change station in Tokyo too (change to Tokyo Monorail (only have one small elevator in the terminus in Hamamatsuchō station) or Keikyu (which theoretically have connection from Narita Airport but need to board the right train).

Its okay to use train if you are familiar with it but will be messy if your first time (not fun trying to board a Keisei regular train during peak hour with two luggage to Narita Airport because I missed Keisei Skyliner)

This post has been edited by minizian: Nov 5 2020, 11:24 AM

Nice. I assume you traveling with few luggage along the way? Just curious what time did you took the train? I assume morning to Asakusa and evening toward Narita side (self experience) will jam packed?

I think those seriously depend on foreign tourist will be really hard hit while those have large local (hidden from typical tourist) following will still be around.

Heck even the Robot Restaurant (I'm not a fan of it) also closed down. I remember it was promoted heavy toward tourist (Omotenashi travel guide for example) & locals are not really into it.

This post has been edited by minizian: Aug 23 2021, 11:53 AM

Not sure if their local tourism will keep those business to stay afloat (not making money but cukup makan) or not.

And i think they would love to open up their market to PRC tourists since they are like contributed biggest chunk of arrivals.

Yes that one in Shinjuku, keep seeing the ads & tour guide book mentioning it.

Its like they spend chuck of marketing budget onto foreigner tourists.

For me i rather spend my money on museums that are scattered around the town (eg that few museum around Ueno park)

This post has been edited by minizian: Aug 24 2021, 02:47 PM

I had mine ramen fix in Fukuoka Airport Dom terminal where they have Ramen street which i think it is better than Ichiran

Not sure if it is the best (pricing is higher) but at least there are various vendor on that floor instead going to individual spot on the street.

Nearly try my luck with the yatai stores along the river but felt the pricing is not justifiable.

How about you guys, what your experience there.

Since this thread is about Japan & travel it is sad to see Ace bags closed their shop in Malaysia for good due to current situation



Personally used "Proteca" hand luggage bag since the price here is quite good compared to buying in Japan (even if it is made in Japan)

You can do stop-over in Japan enroute to US but your flight to US must depart on the same day too because NRT will close at midnight while HND is 24hrs Airport.

In other words, you short layover on Airside would be your only chance of set foot into Japan without getting into trouble (unless the govt decide to open everything)

Just wondering I dont hear any local travel agent promoting their group tour to Japan since only tour group are able to visit japan now.

I only recall JTB Malaysia have a "send message" box for custom group enquiry while HIS is just promoting local tours

This post has been edited by minizian: Jul 7 2022, 11:25 AM

I see, I guess their govt also have the "Lek lu, Sap kok lu" mindset.

From my understanding the transit traffic to US/Europe via HND/NRT seems to be good due to the fact other market are quite restrictive (eg Hong Kong & Taipei) since they are not so strict about allowing transit pax through.

Hahahaha, to be honest the Airside of NRT seems to be not much to do. I am speaking from my previous experience when I flew MH/JAL. I not sure how the other terminal where All Nippon was operating. Heck even their landside/terminal area where ANA operating out have more stuff (but I am not sure how about their Airside) then the other terminal

I dont mind if to fly there just to lepak on airside and sapu some of the tokyo banana before flying back not sure how people will react when saw your ticket flying to and fro within few hours apart

This post has been edited by minizian: Jul 7 2022, 02:20 PM

I remember in terminal 2, there this one big ass store selling chocolates/makan item opposite of Akihabara shop right before the walkway to satellites gates, are they still around?

A check at narita page indicated that spot is vacated


Oh yes, I depart from NRT at 11am and got stuck in jem for 30-1hour pre-covid.



This post has been edited by minizian: Jul 8 2022, 12:05 AM