Hey guys.
I just found this awesome thread in LY.Net so kind of happy here.

I plan to go to japan in 2011 with some friends, around Q4 so we can experience cool/cold weather. And maybe (insanely) go to comiket for the lulz.

My plan is to go follow those tour groups first - to be touristy- then another week just in tokyo wandering around.

here is a conundrum though - where can i stay for the second week? Someone gave me a contact for a rent-a-room place in ikebukuro, but no email so cannot directly ask the person about pricing.

Anyone can recommend me a palce to stay? 4 people probably, with lockable doors.

thanks!

Konnichiwa PsyCHZZZZ.

Actually the plan is to visit japan during snow time because....lets face it, we dont get snow in malaysia lol.
And while akihabara is a must visit, we also want to see the whole of tokyo to say that we have been there.
I was there in 2008 for 5 days, and it is not ENOUGH!. hence the second trip.

For accommodations - the ikebukuro house is cheap.
http://www.housejp.com.tw/page/englishprice.htm
check out the price!

The question is this - is it worth it to take those tour group (the guys planning to go are only between 22-26 years old) or going by ourselves is good enough.

While taking the tour thing is good - see tokyo as a tour group, but going solo is also good as you can just jalan jalan right?

in a dilemma to set up the trip

About the tour groups right - anyone here have any idea if any of the tours includes a trip to kyoto? also is a trip down to kyoto worth it?

hence why i want to do one week tour, one week self jalan jalan. at least you know the first week your food is well catered for. and you can go to those tourist places with guides to boot!

Also, i think you still need to give your bank statement even if you go with tour groups right?

FYI, Air Asia's big plan is to fly into Haneda airport, as the Malaysian govt did get slots for parking there now.

Jetstar asia though they can get it, but the singapore govt gave it to Singapore Airlines instead.

oh?
So if i go with thos tour groups, i do not need to show my bank statement for a visa? That is very handy!

So i think the tour group plan has merit. And since we can even extend our stay, its very worth to pay the price. I mean, less than 4K for the tour group fare so more money can be used for the stay in tokyo!

Now i just need to wait for next year to come by and set plans in motion...

*saves money*

How about i propose a mixture of DIY and Tour?

Youget the cost savings from Tour and the not many hassle of getting the visa.

Then you just pay a bit more to have the ticket on another day, say three -4 days after the tour ends.

Then you can DIY away from the tour groups.

I feel this is the best of both world.

And yeah, disneyland unlimited ticket included in the total price woo.

Of course. Research IS important after all. hence the planning starting THIS year not two months before trip.

Most of the tours are only at most 7 days (well, 6 as you loose a day in flight and flight waiting) so we will still have an extra week to go around.
But then i will be asking the embassy soon about the visa anyway.

BTW, is sunrise tours a good place to get those one day trips to Kyoto?

http://www.jtb-sunrisetours.jp/JTB.Sunrise...ode=TYOOVJN2KAK

just to make the trip complete and all.