Isn't the tuna auction starting at 5am ? Train tak sempat.

2 ways; taxi or Psychzz's way (if you have friends with you)

Just to add to this, i've gotten the visa first, then proceeded to buy air ticket and hotel booking. All i did was, submit an approved & signed bank account statement of RM6k, very simple printed itinerary using Excel, passport and a copy, and the visa application form (without guarantor).

In case one is afraid of booking anything in advance before obtaining the visa, dont worry

However, be sure to ask the embassy officer clearly what it's needed and do check too when's the embassy closing for lunch or holidays to prevent multiple trips.

All i did for the itinerary was this:

[Day 1](date): Asakusa [Stay]: K's House, (location and contact no.)
[Day 2](date): Shinjuku [Stay]: K's House
[Day 3](date): Mt. Fuji [Stay]: Sawanoya Ryokan (location and contact no.)

and etc.

Of course, in order to strengthen your application, any confirmation on air ticket or/and accommodation is a big plus.

For me, i prefer to have the visa first before booking (just in case). Of course you can cancel the booking later if anything happens, but it's a hassle for busy working people.

Accommodation-wise, i've stayed at K's House Hostel Asakusa.

Pretty decent price, quite clean, helpful attendants and fellow travellers, few walks from Metro station, convenience store everywhere, and if you're a beer person, there are a few vending machines just outside the hostel

There are many places which are cheaper, but reputation and worth-wise, K's House among the top

If you have some cash to burn, try staying in ryokan. A budget of 6k yen per night will do.

Btw, agreed on the obituary thingy lol.

JR Pass if you plan to visit other cities besides Tokyo. For example, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and etc.

Just around Tokyo? Forget about the JR Pass, Suica touch-pass card will do.

Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen trip itself pays for the 7-day JR Pass, so every other usage is FOC.

I've not taken shinkansen from Osaka to Kobe. You should ask the veterans (living in Japan) in the neighbouring thread Club Lowyat Japan

Maybe because he can abuse the JR Pass anyway?

If you plan to travel to those places by Shinkansen, by all means yes

I would suggest taking the Shinkansen

But if you're on low budget, check out the overnight bus services from Tokyo. Good to sleep over and reach your destination the next morning.

Give you a general idea (exchange rate now 41):

Tokyo-Kyoto (Return bullet train ticket) = JPY 26,440
Narita Airport-Tokyo (Return express train) = JPY 5,880
Above total = JPY 32,320


Japan Rail Pass 7 Days ordinary class = JPY 28,300, see the difference?


If Golden Week, yes please follow Regentcid's advice. All transportation modes will be very busy, especially land. Though IMHO, one just wasting money visiting during that period, unless you're hardcore weaboo

Akihabara - electronics, gadgets, otaku culture (meido cafe )
Asakusa - sumo stadium, Edo period culture (Kaminarimon)
Ueno - the park, museums
Shibuya/Harajuku/Omoetesando - youth culture, Hachiko and a few more parks
Shinjuku/Marunouchi - TM twin tower obs deck and more parks!
Ikebukuro - Sunshine 60, ramen!
Odaiba - family theme parks, Rainbow bridge, Toyota centre
Ginza - Tsukiji (fish market and fresh sushi!), shopping !!
Roppongi/Akasaka - Tokyo Tower, bars, clubs, more shopping !!!

Outskirts of Tokyo, got a few too:

Fujiyama/Hakone - This no need to explain
Izu Islands - seaside, onsen
Yokohama - Chinatown
Kawasaki, Saitama, Gunma 色々ね

Actually Tokyo quite big also, it'll take longer time to list down all

I've had the same problem like yours last time, but having paid so much for Japan trip, so just simply walked in a random meido kissaten called Home Cafe and asked for eigo meido Got the only Eigo speaking maid (she's Canadian-Japanese mix), my luck really. Though i last heard, she's no longer there but you could try.

If you're student, i'd suggest you go backpack style. Put a stop to expensive guided tours! Why pay others when you can DIY?

RM5000 is enough for 8-9 days of Tokyo-Fuji/Hakone-Yokohama-Nikko trip inclusive of air ticket

Yes it's very cold, by Malaysia's standard of course. Skinny people might need full winter gear, those big sized still can live with long johns and thick jacket

If you plan to board the Shinkansen (even once!), do get the JR Pass. More than worth it, so much that they limit the purchase only for foreign traveler, nihonjins drooling

Haha daijobu Shazzac, i'm in the mood to explain. Or like the typical 'helpful' nihonjin, you know what i'm saying


So, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe? If you land/arrive at Osaka, so the three places are all around Kansai region. But if you come from Tokyo, that's an extra 1/2-1day of traveling. Staying how long, that depends on your schedule and budget, not cheap though especially with the current exchange rate

In Tokyo, there is the famed 'main' JR Yamanote line, connected with a few Metro/Subway lines. If you want more information on Japan's train services, i'd suggest Wikipedia or this book http://www.amazon.com/Japan-Rail-Route-Guide-Guides/dp/1873756232

Also, i would suggest you read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan before you ask more questions. This forum won't have enough space to explain all, so read that first, ganbatte

In Tokyo, no worries about the Japanese language. There are plenty of eigo signboards which are quite easy to understand (and cute too ). But for other cities, it'll be tough not understanding the basic of the language.

One method is, when you're asking a Japanese for help/direction, you could carry a guidebook and point at what you're looking for. Another is search for local JNTO-organized tour packages; they cater for non-Japanese speaking foreigners. The guides can speak English and Mandarin, and expect superb hospitality (hmmm still have sweet memories from my local Fujiyama tour )

Regarding visa application, it's easy. Just print out a bank statement of RM6k balance (there's loophole for this), submit your planned itinerary and other identification papers, and you're good to go

The downside about group tours is, chances are the half-awake-breakfast at 7am-you be hurried from point A to B without knowing what happened . The joy is still with relaxed and flexible schedule.

Wow your Tamron lens captured the spirit of spring well, not too saturated, just nice I have an A-300 as well; going to shoot with beercan on my next Japan trip.

For my story, i sesat in Asakusa, 1st day in Nippon, failed to locate Kaminarimon after walking blindly for 3 hours. Stopped a young salaryman (gomen i know you're rushing to work ) and asked for direction.

After finishing my query for direction, he just ran. Luckily i've read on their culture, so i just followed. Both of us ran for few minutes to a T-junction, and he pointed at the straight road and sheepishly said "go....there"

Yeah At first i was stunned, why he run?!! Then after few seconds, woke up, understood and started following him.

LOL he must've not seen a Malaysian before So, we can safely conclude that Kansai people are more friendly than Tokyo/Kanto?

Speaking of Roppongi, i was on my way to Takashimaya TS and got lost (together with Jayhan ). We both decided to find some kawaii girls to ask for direction Mana tahu their English was much better lol *malu*