Too bad it's so hot - I'll be in Japan next week. Hopefully I'll be able to catch some summer festivals (matsuri) - it's the season, plus fireworks (hanabi) and shaved ice (kakigori). My kids and I are going to catch our "hometeam's" baseball game - if you've never been - the fans are nuts. Singing/cheering/banging nonstop.

Kamakura's historic because it was this was where the bakufu i.e. feudal samurai/shogun started - good for surfing too.

worth to go osaka?

i saw the return ticket cost rm600

how the living standard? i meant daily expenses?

I am living in Australia as a student at the moment. I was thinking about going for this tour:

http://www.coxandkings.com.au/information_...CFYJKpgodqUhs0w

It's currently 5705 Aus,,,if I include allowance probably round it up to 6.5 K aus which is approximately 17000 Malaysian. However, I am using Aus money so do you think it's worth it?

Ordinary car ticket will do.

JR Pass valids for the whole Shinkansen route in Japan + limited express JR line.

Round trip between Osaka and Tokyo by Shinkansen costs you Rm700 or more already.

Rm1100 for the 7 days JR pass is considered cheAp to travel on Shinkansen.

Osaka basically not having much sites to visit.

I would suggest you to focus in Osaka + Kyoto + Nara (if time allows).

Nothing much you can do if you rush to tokyo and head back to Osaka.

There are many sites to visit and also the nearby cities/towns from Tokyo.

yeah, just get the tickets for next year. osaka see you soon.

If you want to use Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, then you had better buy JR Pass. The reason is that the single trip fare of Shinkansen is about 14,000Yen so the round trip is 28,000 Yen, almost equivalent to JR Pass Fare.

If you want to save money, I recommend you to use tokyo-osaka or osaka-tokyo buses. Most of budget travelers who travel between Tokyo and Osaka use buses(especially night coach in order to save hotel fare at the same time).

http://www.bus-sagasu.com/ (Japanese only)
http://www.kakuyasubus.jp/ (Japanese only)
http://willerexpress.com/bus/pc/3/top/ (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese)

Hmm... Another question regarding the visa, I read from the Japan Embassy that there is no application fee required for Malaysians applying for tourist visa, is it correct? I was not really sure as I thought applying for visas always requires some fee... Can someone confirm it for me?

This post has been edited by nicodemus88: Aug 11 2011, 10:11 PM

No fee.....all you need is bring your bank statement showing you got minimum 6k above for each visa. A passport

if thru travel agent, you have to pay RM50 like that.

Really?

I had mine done via Mayflower and they only charge me RM15 per passport for service fee.

if trough agent we still need to had 6K in our bank account statement for Visa application?

yes, japan embassy's requirement

This got 2 answer.......

As long you go Japan by non travel Agency tour group...you need RM6k in bank account. Even you ask travel agency do the visa for you.....

Another way to was you sign up those travel agency tour package.....like RM3.7k - Rm5.5k . Then those travel agency will apply those Group Visa....that way you no need show any bank statement......everything settle by travel agecy.

just back from matta fair...
unbelivable ..tokyo trip (include air fare) just RM28xx

but too bad...I have my own air tickets and they can't deduct that from the package price

still look fro ground tour package.... flught time Sept 30....anyone going around that time as well? (airasia promote that time mah)

OK..Thanx for the clarification..i need to standby now my 6K for next year ..haih dh kena start kumpul duit..no more shopping..

Ok another request need some help from expert..I already roughly plan my itinerary..would like to seek some advice here..about the transport pass and also the place that we plan to visit at Japan..

Our travel plan will consist for 7D6N trip..

First we will landed to Osaka..so our plan will start the next day around Osaka area..

Day 1 [OSAKA]
Osaka castle
Umeda Sky Building
Mino Park

Day 2 [KOBE]
Arima Osen

Day 3 [KYOTO]
Philosopher Path
Gion-Hanami-Koji-Higashiyama
Nishiki Market (if got extra Time)

Day 4 [TOKYO]
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Shibuya
Ueno Park

Day 5 [TOKYO]
Disneyland

Day 6 [TOKYO]
Ginza
Tokyo Tower
Akihabara
Asakusa
Roppongi Hills

Day 7 [OSAKA]
Dotonbori (namba, glico man)
Osaka Aquarium
Transportation

From Osaka to Tokyo we plan to take Highway Night Bus (any suggestion for this?)

For our Kansai Transport we plan to buy Kansai Rail Pass [3 Days] and Kansai Thru Pass [3 Days] do u think we need both pass or we can choose either pass?

For our Tokyo trip which passes is more suit with us, or do u guys have any other suggestion?
i - Tokunai Pass
ii- Tokyo Free Kipu
iii- Tokyo Prepaid Card

This only rough planning..if do u guys think i need to change the itinerary or add on anything and maybe should consider other place to visit ..feel free to share the ideas..so that i can google more on ur idea and not wasting my time to getting lost or rushing to follow my plan..Thank..

This post has been edited by Yoru No Hikari: Aug 15 2011, 07:25 PM

Abit change ....

First Osaka...then Kobe then only Kyoto. No point you when to East side[Kyoto] then back to West [Kobe] And then go back to East side [Tokyo]...this make no sense.

make it all the way from West to East. Taking bus from Kyoto > Tokyo are cheaper then Osaka > Tokyo....

One more thing is....How can you miss the Universal Studio of Japan when you visit Osaka? And how can you miss the Dotonbori [Hearts of Osaka] and Namba? .....

Tokyo side....you miss the Visit of Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower....no visit Tokyo tower how can you say you have been to Tokyo city? You should plan roponggi hills also

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Aug 15 2011, 01:01 AM

hi there planning to visit japan early december. how's the weather then ?

so for visa I just need to print my latest bank statement and give my original passport to mayflower agent for the visa ?

so this is my plan ,hmmm actually not sure how's my plan. around 10 to 12 days

Tokyo few days, then overnight bus to Kyoto few days, then back to Tokyo

is Osaka a must ?

This post has been edited by zzzxtreme: Aug 15 2011, 01:32 PM

if going Roppingi Hill, can skip the so-called Aquarium there. Its cost 500 yen more if u're buying together with the City View ticket, and for me its definitely not worth the money.

hi all,
i booked osaka ticket for 8D7N, planning to go OSAKA, KOBE n KYOTO only. at 1st plan to go TOKYO as well, but the price of the high speed train is too expansive (RM1k return for 1 pax) so not worth , right?

if from Osaka to Tokyo, take express bus, how many hours ?

any hotel, hostel or even B&B recommended for OSAKA, KOBE and KYOTO?

thanks guys

according to willerexpress, the bus from Kyoto to Tokyo is around 3800 yen. overnight. maybe depart 10am, reach the next day 7 or 8am. that's my plan, using willerexpress bus