3 weeks with free accommodation (haha)

my brother is studying in japan, so i had it easier.

return tix: RM2200 (KL-Bangkok-Narita)

spending money: RM6000 (used mostly to eat, train rides, bus rides (Tokyo-Nagaoka, Niigata and Tokyo-Osaka), ONE bullet train ride (haha), festival tickets, live shows tickets, some souvenirs, g-shock watch)

Total: less than RM10k

RM10k is a good amount to prepare for this trip.

Accommodation is cheap if you know where to look. You can get accommodation as cheap as ￥3000 = RM90 (RM 45 each) a night. We got that rate when we were in Osaka for 4 nights. Try sleeping in their cyber cafes, cyber cafes like manboo have seasonal packages. when i was there in the summer, 5 hour = ￥1200 (RM36). Get in around 2am, out by 7am.

Basic Japanese is good to have though it's not a requirement. Bring a phrase book, it might help you.

Got my tickets through a travel agency. I took the Thai Airways offer, have to stop at bangkok. The original price for the ticket was RM5k++ 

Cyber cafes in Japan are really nice. Very clean. The one that I slept in was Manboo in Shibuya. They have open workstation for people who on the go and private rooms for those who want to stay more than 1-2hours. Private room is equivalent to an office cube with:

1. small recliner chair
2. a pc with internet connection (duh!)
3. tv
4. dvd player
5. ps2
6. headphone
7. one hanger
8. table light
9. small torchlight (if your stuffs get lost under the table or whatever)
10. toilet slippers (selipar jepun!)
11. small safe to keep your valuables

The room/cube is lockable. The recliner chair is ok, i have back problems and still able to sleep soundly for 3 hours on it. There's even hot shower available. You will be able to use the shower for 30 minutes during off peak hours. Towels are ￥100 rent, but someplace outside tokyo towels are free. There are comics, dvd, and ps2 games you can take off the rack and bring to cube. nice huh?

Beverages are free. As for food you have to buy them off the counter or through the vending machine.

http://www.manboo.co.jp (it's in japanese)

As for a cheaper/free option I suggest you try couchsurfing. http://www.couchsurfing.com I have yet to try it but think I'm going to try it when I go back to Tokyo this Feb. I'm trying to stay there with less than 5k this time. Think it's doable 

Yes, I'm on couchsurfing.com

You're staying in Gifu? I'll definately give you a heads up if I'm stopping by there!

Are you studying or working there?

There are even hostel/hotels that have rates starting from ￥1000!!! usually they're fully booked. Seek hard, you shall find. Hehe...

which is the best month to visit Japan??

And btw, how is the people over there? Are they friendly, fast pace society, kind to foreigner?

i guess March, April and November is the peak season in Japan.

Is the trip normally cheaper if we were to travel outside of Tokyo?

How come? Tokyo is one of the most expensive city in the world already and Hokkaido and Okinawa is more expensive than Tokyo? 

Btw, is it cheaper if we were to go to Japan to get travel agency?

I would say yes. Some might disagree with me.
But consider in the hotel you stay and the places you need to go(For transportation). Again, i would definitely say YES YES YES.
There is always pros on cons in going with travel agency.
With a travel agency, your travel will be relaxing (in term of you do not have to think on how to go and what to eat) and thus convenience. But since they arrange everything for you, then you lost the flexibility. Can't go where you want to go and can't eat what youy want to eat. BUt yoiu staying a some good hotel and got tour guide serving you.  Therefore, it would definitely depend on what you want.

So, back to the topic. Is going Japan by travel agency cheaper?
By going with a travel agency, for sure you can get a much better hotel. Range from 3stars - 4 stars hotel. (Strictly speaking, hotel in Japan does not categories into star star thing, just that easier for our imagaination what class of the hotel is). For that hotel, per night per room might have cost you at least RM500. I mean minimum. !!! Easily goes up to RM1,000.  Be aware that some hotel in Tokyo charge per head not per room. So, it going to be very expensive!!!!

So, if you going to have a 7D6N in Japan like most of the tour offer, you will need to spend
RM500x6 = RM3000 on accomodation alone. Again, RM3000 is minimum. Unless you gonna stay in the hostel which i think cost around RM100. But it is a different story again. How can you compare hotel with hostel. Even it just 'S' that differentiate them. So, by using a tour agency, you can enjoy some simple luxury where you can't get on free and easy.

So,
Hotel = RM3,000 (minimum)
Airfare (return) = RM2,000 (apox)
Transport +admission +food + others = RM2,000
So, in total your travel expenses must be not less than RM7,000

As for me, a good hotel is also one of the important part in your travel. It will simply spice up your enjoyment there. Just my opion though....

Cheers!

Lol...life size doll is pretty creppy to take home.I dont dare to do it.The entrance is free?

Hey firedauz,in Japan,they have 1day ticket for train?I read a book about Travel To Japan and it only stated for 1Week pass and damn expensive.Around 20000 Yen..Phew.Rather take a bike to go around Tokyo.And what about the train?What time they close?How about if i go out night and is there will be any transport other than train??Maybe bus but not taxi

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Added on December 9, 2007, 9:02 pmAnd how's the temp in Jpana now?really cold?Need some advice

1. Yep, entrance is free.

2. Yep, there is, its called the Seishun Juhachi Kippu --> http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html
It costs 11,500 Yen, and yeah, its start selling today

3. Train starts at 5am in the morning, close at 12am at midnight.

4. Bus are available but I'm not sure what time they stop (because I rarely take bus, I always take train), but taxi are always around.

5. Its around 20 degree Celcius in daytime, and up to 6 degree Celcius at night. Pretty much cold if you ask me

u guys know of any intresting places to visit in osaka other than universal studios(my hotel is 2 minutes walk from it  )?cause im goin there this week..4 days osaka 3 days tokyo..

I understand Japan has started to fingerprint + photograph all incoming visitors. How is the process? Smooth?

Japan has always been my top choice for overseas getaway. Still saving $$$ for my dream trip!

I lived there for three years...it's frickin awesome. I find it funny that they use Kancils as police cars...but yeah. The living expenses there is very high...I remember I was like RM5 for a donut I REFUSE!!

I miss Japan...I wanna go back there to see my friends.

wah, 4th year should be my brother's jr. PPKTJ right?

my brother 5th year at kisarazu national college 

Hi Hi..

I am planning to go Japan end of March - beginning of April, what type of clothing is suitable for that time ya?

Can help me with the itinerary also?? Since I am not sure whether these places is near or not, esp within Tokyo, can please advise wehther there is any changes I need to make?

Day 1: Tokyo
===========
1. Check in Hotel
2. Sanrio Puroland -> I think will spend whole day
3. Dinner / Shopping

Day 2: Tokyo
==========
1. Tsuji Wet Market
2. Imperial Palace East Garden
3.  Beer Museum
4. Sumo Museum
5. Amlux
6. Honda Welcome Plaza

Day 3:  Kyoto
===========
1. Will go by Shinkansen and want to stay in the traditional ryokan
2. Want to go onsen
3. Dunno what else to do

Day 4: Osaka
===========
1. Sumiyoshitaisha Grandshine
2. Osaka Castle
3. Naniwa Tanken Cruise
4. Tsurumiryokuchi Park
5. Museum of Housing and Living
6. Osaka Aquarium "Kaiyukan"
7. Etc

Day 5: Tokyo
==========
1. Disneysea -> whole day
2. Dinner / Shopping

Day 6: Tokyo
==========
1. Hakone
2.  Asakusa
3. Shibuya
4. Shinjuku Gyoen (Park for sakura viewing)

Day 7: Tokyo
==========
Harajuku / Shinjuku 新宿 / Flight back by night time.

Any suggestion to be made?

I have calculated, if using tour package will spend around RM10-11k for 7D 5N, problem is this will mean spending lots of time travelling (as in on road in bus, traffic, etc)

If I go backpack, will also spend around the same amount, however, I got bonuses like:
1. can stopover in HK (if use cathay pac)
2. my schedule is flexible (i can go to disneysea, the tour package only offer disneyland and cannot change)
3. Can try out the love hotel, hehehehhe, since after 10pm, the rate is cheaper for whole nite stay
4. can experience Japan more than only boarding the tour bus

But of course, needs careful researching and scheduling. And which is why I need all the sifu here to advise about my itinerary.

Hi clemong_888,

You got any japan tour package recommendation?

Thanks

Wow.., clemong, thanx for the offer! 

Me definitely needs help in sorting out my itinerary, but let me do more research first and will come out with the latest and consult u again. Thanx again though~

Oh yes.., for a decent backpacker ryokan, what is the average price and which location is the best?

ahh.. it's so expensive for a trip to Japan.

Escudo, you said tour package will spend around RM10-11k for 7D 5N. That is the cost if you go backpacking?

I am going with my husband. This is supposed to be our honeymoon trip, but I am quite dissatisfied with the itinerary given by the travel agencies.

The ryokan in Kyoto will cost 7770 yen/room and the Tokyo costing around 8192 yen/room.

The RM10-11k was an estimation for 2 pax. But after doing the itinerary again.., it seems impossible for that kind of amount.

Clemong, is this itinerary okay? I have tried to design and redesign again for whole day. Please help me to do correction yeah.., if there is some places with overlapping route.
Day 1: Tokyo (Friday)
============
1. Arriving at airport at evening
2. Check in ryokan
3. Dinner and take a walk in Shinjuku

Day 2: Tokyo (Saturday)
============
07.00-08.00  Breakfast
08.30-10.00 Asakusa - Sensoji temple
10.00-12.00 Akihabara
12.00-13.00 Lunch
13.00-15.00 Amlux
15.00-19.00 Harajuku / Shibuya
19.00-20.00 Dinner

Day 3: Osaka (Sunday)
============
07.00-09.00 Tsukiji Market
10.00  Train station
10.15-13.00 Shinkansen to Osaka
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.00 Osaka Castle (600Y) & Hokoku Shrine (Open until 17.00)
15.00-16.00 Shintenoji Temple
16.00-19.00 Namba, Shopping
19.00-20.00 Dinner
20.30  Train Station
20.30-21.30 Shinkansen to Kyoto
22.00  Check in Hotel
If got time, we go Sento Spa (350 Y)
Day 4: Kyoto (Monday)
============
07.00-08.00 Breakfast
08.45-09.45 Nijo Castle (600Y)    (open until 16.00)
10.00-11.00 Kinkakuji (400Y)  (open until 17.00)
11.00-12.00 Imperial Palace (free)
12.00-13.00 Lunch
13.00-15.00 Gion & Kiyomizu Temple (bicycle) (300Y) (open until 18.00)
15.00-16.00 Sento Spa
17.00  Train Station
17.30-20.00 Shinkansen to Tokyo
20.00-21.00 Dinner

Day 5: Tokyo (Tuesday)
============
08.00-09.00 Breakfast
To be continued.....

Oh yes, for the JR pass, I intend to buy here. May I know if I activated the pass on 28th Mar, when is the last day for using it? Will it be 3rd or 4th of Apr?

Arigatao, Marchkingdom.

Do u have the pictures of the rooms for Khaosan? It seems like they have lots of branches, dunno whether I can get lost or not trying to locate it.

Is there any curfew? Staying in Asakusa sounds really tempting and it is cheap too! My fren recommended Andon, which is located around Ueno, but quite pricey although it looks nice.

My plan is to stay in cheaper hostel in tokyo, since most of the time will be out. However, I have changed my itinerary for Kyoto, I want the traditional ryokan (which is quite pricey, but I want to experience it), so ur suggestion about the Khaosan is really appreciated. 
Change of plan here, I will stay 2 nites in Kyoto. Oh yes, if I wanna rent kimono to walk around the Kyoto, got such thing?

---

Added on January 25, 2008, 10:16 am

Nyummm~~~ My trip is to sightseeing and of course MAKAN~~~~ kekekke..... Heard the food in Kyoto and Osaka is the best? If yes, then you are lucky, man~

I wanna see geisha~ Any tips on how to locate them?

---

Added on January 25, 2008, 10:22 am

Firedauz, thank you for ur suggestions also! heheh.., I really like lowyat.net, lots of sifu here.

For the Osaka Universal studio, I decided to forgo it, since I will be going to Disneysea, and I have been to Gold Coast Movieworld, waterworld, dreamworld, so I reckon all are more or less same thing. Initially wanna go Hello Kitty Land, but hubby protested, hehehe, said it is too girlish. 

I wanna catch the sakura~~~ Hopefully I am going at the right time to catch it, my husband will bring his big camera, so if got nice pics will share out. 

clemong_888,

i'm arriving friday, 8th feb. come narita pick me up, hahahaha!

thinking of going to osaka/kyoto if i have enough money for the trip. haih, need more time. more money!

I will be in tokyo in this mid march to visit my sister....anyone got Japan tour recommendation?