Well, it depends... if condition is really bad; then it'll delay until the condition gets better.

Sometimes, they'll fly there but then find out that they can't land due to the bad condition; then they'll u-turn back to Tokyo.

I think when you check-in tomorrow; you'll get some news from the counters.

Good luck.

But Tokyo is nice and sunny... haha... I wish we get a bit of snow here also but don't have.

Yeah~ really major news that'll affect the Japan economy cause so many other businesses depends on JAL. But they're really too big and unprofitable so rather than trying to bail-out by creating more debts and loans; filing for bankruptcy and restructuring the organization from inside might be a better option. I just hope that the other businesses that is inter-connected to JAL and JAL staffs that will be getting the cut will be able to survive the days ahead until the aviation industry stabilizes again.

JAL actually has a budget airline arm called JAL Express. The problem is that it covers very little route. In terms of local budget airline, you'll be looking at Skymark or AirDo but even they also do not cover all local routes.

The sun is out in full force here in Tokyo after the light rain and I think any chance of snow (at least for my part of Tokyo) is all gone. hahaha...

Errmmm... first of all, who would expect to come to Japan to enjoy curry? Japanese normally do not take spicy food so almost all types of spicy food are toned down to suit the local taste.

Japan night life is too boring???? Which part of Tokyo did your friend stayed in?

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Added on January 14, 2010, 8:31 amIt's quite suitable if you don't plan to take all the rides. In Tokyo Disneyland, there's lots of stage shows/street performances and also those simple rides that do not stresses out old people. So, while the old folks will not be able to enjoy all the rides; there's still things to do and see in Tokyo Disneyland for them.

Tokyo Disneysea is a different story.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Jan 14 2010, 08:31 AM

Yup... that's true. Most of their food here will have spiciness 'level' where you can choose from and if you speak to the cook itself; they can prepare the authentic taste. I frequently go to a Thai restaurant in Kawasaki that does just that and it's nice. Same goes for Indian curry, chinese spicy food etc...

Extremely busy schedule for me for the upcoming months = no time to think about holidays.

Yup.

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Added on January 24, 2010, 9:21 pmhi seaotter,

Planning to visit during the Winter comiket? I think there's quite a number of members here that have been there (on this thread and I think the anime shrine section) and can offer some opinions on it (not me though as I'm not entirely into these kind of things).

As for the accommodation, please check out the first thread on this post... there's a few links to some accommodations in Japan as well as thorough reviews by one of our members heterosapien on his experiences with a few accommodations here. (you'll find them in the first 'spoiler' tag).

If you need further help, then please feel free to ask and we'll be glad to try and help out.

Cheers~

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Jan 24 2010, 09:21 PM

Well, first of all... there is no snow in Tokyo so you gotta go hunt for snow elsewhere (up north to Hokkaido or the west side of Japan eg Nagano, Niigata).
With regards to your tour question; it really depends. I believe some tour packages are pretty good value for money but the problem is that - you're bound by their schedule. If you're the adventurous type - then this might be a problem because perhaps there's some places that they won't go. One such places I think of is Akihabara.

Here's another piece of news that might be of interest to you -
http://www.japantoday.com/category/feature...ns-travel-scene

Seems like AirAsia is set on flying to Japan soon so you might be able to save on air tickets and fly AirAsia for your trip next year.

I really hope that they'll be able to fly to Haneda. It's only 40min from my place compared to 2 hours to Narita and 10,000 JPY one way sounds damn good!

I bet it'll also encourage a lot of travels between Japan and Malaysia and also within the SEA region.

Not true... Now Malaysia is world famous but then... for all the wrong reasons. (Won't dig deeper as it'll be out of topic)... haha...

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Added on January 29, 2010, 4:08 amThe visa isn't really that demanding I think but just gotta have all the proper doc and paperwork in order.
As for the bank statement requirements, basically it's just a proof that you got the cash to support your travels.


Very true... but it's more like try to avoid during ANY of the major holidays... New Year break, Golden Week, Summer break. It's like the 'balik kampung' scene back in Malaysia and all roads/public transports out of Tokyo will be packed heading to either a local holiday destination or simply just back to their hometown.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Jan 29 2010, 04:09 AM

The summer break is usually between the second of 3rd week of August.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Jan 29 2010, 01:00 PM

I'm wondering if we'll get snow in Tokyo today... weather forecast says there's a high possibility but then the rain now just seems too wet for it to happen...

Well, it's snowing now... should be fun to see if it'll snow enough to leave a layer until tomorrow morning.

Yup ... nice layer of white snow!
Picture taken outside my house... I think tomorrow morning sure havoc on the streets.

Luckily your princess get to play last night... this morning everything is melting fast as the sun is out and it's a clear and sunny day!

First-timer, don't want to be too adventurous, okay with seeing the usual tourist attractions, got extra cash to spare, worried about language barrier, traveling with large group/old folks ... I recommended joining a tour.

If you're adventurous enough, got a flexible schedule, have specific places to visit in mind, care to experiment with chicken-and-duck talk, want to save a bit of money here and there, not traveling in large group of if traveling in large group; don't mind working out the logistics - then a DIY option is viable.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Feb 2 2010, 08:10 PM

RM2.8k for air ticket is normal price but we all know that we can get promo fair prices that can get down to about RM1.8k on average and a while back someone even bought return tix from KL to Japan for only RM1350 with JAL.

As reported and reviewed by many other members here, accommodation cost can vary and this is the other experience that you will not get if you follow a tour. All tour like you said will include stays at only established hotels / ryokans, but if DIY - you can choose to stay at a nice hotel one night, go experience a ryokan for 2-3 nights then move to a capsule hotel etc...

Since it's DIY, you can set your own schedule of places to visit and since you mentioned Disneyland; let's take Disneyland for example. So far I know that no tour will let you play the entire day in Disneyland from morning until the fireworks is over at night. So, while it's "cheaper" with the tour that already included Disneyland ticket, you only get to enjoy at best 3/4 of the day in Disneyland which I think many would agree is just not enough time.

Like I mentioned in my earlier post, if you wish for stuffs to be all planned out and you're okay with visiting the normal spots and all; then tours are great. But if you DIY, then you'll need to put in the effort to plan out the logistics, the budget, the schedule etc... but overall -I think you will still be able to save and get to cover more of what Japan has to offer.

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Added on February 3, 2010, 8:31 amA mixture is great... but I think you better check out if the tour group package can give you such flexible flight dates.
From what I know, the reason that it's easy to get visa approved is because the tour agency submits the application in an entire group and all of them will have the same itinerary, same arrival and departure date etc... and hence all is fixed.

If you plan to stay on AFTER the tour ends; then
1. your return air ticket with the tour might be an issue
2. I believe Japan Embassy likes to issue 15 days tourist visa so you gotta make sure your schedule fits that time frame.

If you're keen on this, my advice is to check thoroughly with the tour agency first.

This post has been edited by PsyCHZZZ: Feb 3 2010, 08:31 AM

-10'C? hahaha... good time to hibernate in the comfort of your apartment then with the heater at full blast.
Btw, Sapporo Snow Festival is hapenning soon right? Are you near the Odori Park where they'll have the event?

Mind sharing some photos of the event if you have the chance to see it?

Well, Hokkaido is up north so definitely a lot more snow... for us in Tokyo, a bit of snow (like on Monday) damn happy already. hahaha...

Nice pics btw. Everything is so white and pure... fresh crisp air I'm sure... not like Tokyo's polluted air.