Hi there, yes it seems life goes on as usual according to cousin who'd just returned from 3 weeks in Tokyo. Btw, i'm going to Kyoto for two weeks in Sept. Would you know any home stay with meals?

pls share with us after you fly to japan via Airasia!

(MAS flight time is nice than Airasia anyway)

I don't like Air Asia to Japan....too late arrive Haneda.

Any single delay or Custom section is pack of passenger...you will miss the last train to Shinagawa station....Then you also miss the last train from Shinagawa Station to Tokyo City too~~~

Airport Limo Bus to Tokyo city [cheapest way] also no more after 10pm....Air Asia arrive around 11pm something. Everything too rush!!

single mistake you will punish by sitting taxi to Tokyo City....Prepare 8,000 Yen [RM240] for taxi

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 8 2011, 10:38 PM

Might as well taking MAS / JAL if we have to bet on the RM240 Taxi fares!

Erm... not sure your walking speed, but missing the last train, you way too slow bro.

Even for me, first-timer travel alone, reach JP Handa by AirAsia, same time as you described, moved quickly to clear CUSTOM, indeed there are many people, but their officer very efficient and effective. I even chit chat with the female receptionist with english for directions quite a while + learning buy a MRT/LRT/Rail reload card and use before depart to airport rail station.

Reached ISHIKAWA-CHO at almost 1 am, super THRILLING when finding the "min shoku"/household motel alone by map + asking direction only. Freezing cold and feel isolated, but adventurous and fulfilling as a backpacker.

This post has been edited by air: Jul 11 2011, 09:56 AM

Well, i'm not sure where can find any homestay with meals but i googled and here is what i've found.

http://www.homestay-in-japan.com/eng/

Never tried this website before tho but if you do, do let us know of your experience. Paiseh stay at ppl house coz have to follow house rules. Hotel/Inn much more relaxed for me.

Sorry, my flight to Tokyo is in Sept - so not experience to tell yet. Maybe when I'm back though. Will blog about it.

Phew, thank goodness for your review though. I'm a little panicky that i might miss the last monorail (12.15am). When did you fly into Tokyo though? I feel relieved having read your review.

I know that their suica card can be bought from machine though, right? Will have to recheck again the location of the machine to buy that card.

My previous trip didn't get Suica card coz I took Thai Airways to Narita instead - and i bought the 2 day Metro tourist card - cheaper then with the 0.03 rate.

Yes, I found the same website! Have got in touch with some hosts. I think will be a great way to experience the Japanese home culture. Ha, starting and ending the day meals with authentic Japanese! Will tell you more when I return!

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Added on July 12, 2011, 12:16 amOh, Thank you, Shaz! Btw, some of these houses are three stories and guests are on the top floor with own keys. It's up to guests to have meals with the host family ( breakfast n dinner). Pay more if meals included, but found out still much cheaper than hotel.

This post has been edited by B ean: Jul 12 2011, 12:16 AM

My arrival time was 2345(It will normally earlier 20mins if no delay caused), enter the airport(you know the usual waiting and delay stuff), then custom clearance and the most painful ==> baggage waiting (this one I waited for 30mins at least, then further to the airport <==> rail reception counter to understand more about the railway system and suica card purchase and usage, you can get many maps for different region in Tokyo Prefecture(just take them, you will need it)

I tot air asia flight to haneda arrives at 10.30pm?

Opps sorry my arrival time yes it is 2230, sorry for my mistake.


Btw, entering the airport and custom clearance wont take much time... Just the baggage claim waiting time is PITA tho...(occurred in almost every airport), for first timer, the Railway maps are important, it comes with english and JP version. Railway system a bit special and too complex to read, if you been experienced Taipei Metro, then JR is quite similar in direction reading thus picking up a lot faster.

This post has been edited by air: Jul 12 2011, 11:31 AM

any one come back from Tokyo recently? is it ok to Free n Easy travel there next month? thanks ya!

Thanks for the info. Will watch out for the conveyor for the bag la. Hopefully faster roll around.

Ah, i'm not worried of the train system in tokyo. It's pretty self explanatory to me because all I need to know is where to get off and where to get on. Love their train system to the max.

My japanese friend told me that it's still going on normal in Tokyo!

So you quite well-verse with Japanese Language? cause in JR, almost every route you taken need to switch to another rail to reach your destination. At busier station, almost got 4-6 rail intersect together and it will get quite confusing.

For my proficiency, I able to read partial hira&kata(not speaking and writing), able to read and understand almost all Kanji, thus I can ask for direction altho they quite shy with foreigner(only able to ask them with single kanji or hira words, they will know your intention instantly if simple one). English only works in airport, yes at even tokyo main rail station, the officers only able to communicate with Japanese Language.

Japanese no problem for me.....but for those who doesn't know must do more homework on it......go more google searh for it...Japan no like Malaysia. You go JAL website or ANA website you can get all Japan airport map into 2D design one. All JR tokyo website got all tokyo station map in 2d design. If you really hardworking study the map .....how can you lost in train station? LOL.....

BTW the train all are colour code....like Yamanote line are green colour...once you pass the ticket machine....follow the green sign green line....it lead you to yamanote line. etc etc. Japanese subway / train are messy but compare to New York or London ....Japan still kiddo only

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Jul 12 2011, 03:01 PM

Hi,

No i can't read nor speak Japanese. I can't even read Chinese. I'm a certified banana girl.

Anyway, i don't find it difficult to communicate in english even with the locals. They are very helpful. Of course I did alot of research and what not to not get lost in Tokyo.

Their train station has train station names in alphabetical so it's not hard to know where I should stop and which train I should get on next.

I think the most important note is that you must know where you are going, which stop to stop at, shouldn't be a big problem.

If blindly go, even with KL train system - will still get lost.

Yup, agreed that their train map are messy but it's do-able. I am quite good with maps so, I hardly get lost. As long as I study the map first before going out or going to take the route, then it's not a problem.

Guys, I'm starting to plan my Tokyo trip. Will be flying the midnight/overnight flight from MAS, so 5D4N. Staying at Sunshine city Prince, somewhere in Toshima.

So far I'm definitely planning to go to disneyland (1 full day ... right?) transport + ticket for two about 15,000¥ without food.

Then also looking at Shinjuku. Shinjuku Gyoen Park seems interesting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen), thinking of going in the morning, spending two hours or so, then the rest of the day til night time explore Shinjuku area. 10 hours in Shinjuku too much? too tiring?

(to be updated for the remainder 2.5 days)

dear travellers...

need some advise here, im looking for a maybe 8days and 7nights travel to japan.

preferably a nice place with nice food and hot water spring (dont too expensive )

got 3ppl all including me and my wife and my 3 yrs old son...

how much normally it will take for the tour company and how much to prepare for extra cash to bring over?

need some advise here

not planning to get free & easy since i bringing my little devil around so is not so convienence for me

Free n easy for japan is doable n simple too, for foods and onsen better go hokkaido. You can take their domestic flight from haneda to sapporo and its cost around 24k yen with return. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5311.html try this japan guides, its very infomative.

Onsen go Hokkaido? no no no....food go Hokkaido ? if seafood then ok....if love snack & fast serve food then Osaka is the ideal place to go.

Best Onsen in Japan area are Hakone / Amori / Niigata / Yamagata area.


Do you know how much is 24k Yen convert to ringgit Malaysia? is around Rm922. Flying Domestik also need RM922. This Price I can fly from Malaysia to Taiwan / China already.

Best way from Tokyo to Hokkaido in fast and cheaper are sit Shinkanshen. Slower few hour behind but you save half the cost.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Aug 9 2011, 10:17 AM

For those who know mandarin can go to this site http://www.backpackers.com.tw/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4, you can post questions and they are alots of forumer more welcome to help and share info with you, very useful site.