Travel: Japan - General

[EatNonStop]

When is the best time to grab airticket to Japan (Tokyo/Hokkaido) for Dec trip? Typically when is ANA/JAL (Think SQ is still in the higher end) holding promotion? What price range is considered a good vs reasonable vs high take? Checked from wesite price around $800+ to $900+ (To Chitose).

[EatNonStop]

I am thinking of the following itinerary


Day 1 - Travel from Singapore to Chitose -> Sapporo City
Day 2 to Day 3 - base in Sapporo City, day trip to Otaru, Lake Toya
Day 4 to Day 6 Dohan bus from Sapporo City to Niseko Hifura
Day 7 - checkout hotel, proceed to airport flight to Haneda or Narita (depends on air ticket)…check in Tokyo accomodation
Day 8 - Day trip to Disneyland
Day 9 - Explore Tokyo, Shinkyuku etc
Day 10 - Checkout hotel for flight back to Singapore

Does it make sense on the above?? If I have 2 more days, what can I try in Hokkaido?

[bebebub]

Dnls_mum:

When we were there, the walk to the monkey park was covered in thick snow. Just before the park entrance, there is a little space by the river which I suppose they can play without bothering anyone, but the monkeys are nearby, so I'm not sure if the snow are that clean. If you plan to go other places, like Shirakawago, the village was covered in snow and we built our Olaf there. Another Olaf possibility is take Shin Hotaka Ropeway to the mountain top. There is a little park there. Excellent powder snow too, if you go there.

Thanks. I read up the places u mentioned. Now toying with the idea of Shirakawago, which seems more challenging to get to, or Shiga Kogen. The historic village looks so pretty in the snow. There's a 3 years-old in our travelling party. So need to plan carefully.

Any comments on Karuizawa Snow Park? The younger kids might enjoy a day of sledging and building Olafs

[MyPillow]

EatNonStop:

I am thinking of the following itinerary


Day 1 - Travel from Singapore to Chitose -> Sapporo City
Day 2 to Day 3 - base in Sapporo City, day trip to Otaru, Lake Toya
Day 4 to Day 6 Dohan bus from Sapporo City to Niseko Hifura
Day 7 - checkout hotel, proceed to airport flight to Haneda or Narita (depends on air ticket)...check in Tokyo accomodation
Day 8 - Day trip to Disneyland
Day 9 - Explore Tokyo, Shinkyuku etc
Day 10 - Checkout hotel for flight back to Singapore

Does it make sense on the above?? If I have 2 more days, what can I try in Hokkaido?

Visit Ishiya Choc Factory, Beer Museum, Sapporo Christmas Market etc you will love the quiet and slow city in Sapporo compare to busy Tokyo.

Sing to Sapporo - is about 11 to 12 hrs - including all air and land transfer. First day u can't do much . very tiring
Day 2, 3 -Otaru ok for day trip.easy to go. But how are you going Toya within a day?
I think is it quite far away fr Sapporo -Dist is far and sun set very early in in winter. About 4pm.

The rest should be ok and at reasonable pace

[Dnls_mum]

bebebub:

Dnls_mum:

When we were there, the walk to the monkey park was covered in thick snow. Just before the park entrance, there is a little space by the river which I suppose they can play without bothering anyone, but the monkeys are nearby, so I'm not sure if the snow are that clean. If you plan to go other places, like Shirakawago, the village was covered in snow and we built our Olaf there. Another Olaf possibility is take Shin Hotaka Ropeway to the mountain top. There is a little park there. Excellent powder snow too, if you go there.

Thanks. I read up the places u mentioned. Now toying with the idea of Shirakawago, which seems more challenging to get to, or Shiga Kogen. The historic village looks so pretty in the snow. There's a 3 years-old in our travelling party. So need to plan carefully.

Any comments on Karuizawa Snow Park? The younger kids might enjoy a day of sledging and building Olafs

Shirakawago and Shiga Kogen are very different. One is a UNESCO world heritage site and the other a large ski resort. So it really depends on what you want. You can check out my Shirawakago photo on page 92 of this thread. My kids build their Olaf at Shirakawago because there was so much snow in the whole place.

I'm sorry, can't comment on Kairuzawa Snow Park as have not been there. Frankly, if you go anywhere that snows in Japan during the snowing season, they probably can build an Olaf at any of the parks or playgrounds. Where we went, there was just so much snow everywhere.

[xueyan]

Dear all


I am thinking of travelling to Japan for 10-14days in Nov or Dec. I have read through many pages here and other travel blogs. These are the places I want to go :

- Osaka Castle, Nara deer park, Todai-Ji, Kiyomizu dera, Kodai-ji temple, Harvest Hill, Arashiyama嵐山, Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋,Tenryuji Temple 天龍寺 , Sagano Scenic Railway, Cup Noodle museum

- Shirakawa-go, Nagoya castle, Shin-Hokata Ropeway

- Lake_Kawaguchi, Mt Fuji, Disneyland, Asakusa, Meijijing Shrine
TSUKIJI fish market,

Which airport do you think i should go - Narita, Nagaya or Osaka? It seems to me that Nagoya is more appropriate since it is between Osaka and Tokyo.

Can someone advise how should I arrange my itinerary with the list of places here. Are all these places accessible by train services or do I need to join a day tour?

May I know whether the MRT signage and stations is it indicated in English? How difficult is it to travel in Japan where Japanese do not speak much English.

Many thanks!

[EatNonStop]

EatNonStop:

When is the best time to grab airticket to Japan (Tokyo/Hokkaido) for Dec trip? Typically when is ANA/JAL (Think SQ is still in the higher end) holding promotion? What price range is considered a good vs reasonable vs high take? Checked from wesite price around $800+ to $900+ (To Chitose).

Upz..any advise?

[celeste.08399chua]

xueyan:

Which airport do you think i should go - Narita, Nagaya or Osaka? It seems to me that Nagoya is more appropriate since it is between Osaka and Tokyo.

Open jaw would be the best - fly in from either Tokyo or Osaka, work your way down or up, and fly back from the other airport. that saves travel time. Am not sure about the cost difference though...

hope that helps!

Cheers!

[EatNonStop]

MyPillow:

EatNonStop:

I am thinking of the following itinerary


Day 1 - Travel from Singapore to Chitose -> Sapporo City
Day 2 to Day 3 - base in Sapporo City, day trip to Otaru, Lake Toya
Day 4 to Day 6 Dohan bus from Sapporo City to Niseko Hifura
Day 7 - checkout hotel, proceed to airport flight to Haneda or Narita (depends on air ticket)...check in Tokyo accomodation
Day 8 - Day trip to Disneyland
Day 9 - Explore Tokyo, Shinkyuku etc
Day 10 - Checkout hotel for flight back to Singapore

Does it make sense on the above?? If I have 2 more days, what can I try in Hokkaido?

Visit Ishiya Choc Factory, Beer Museum, Sapporo Christmas Market etc you will love the quiet and slow city in Sapporo compare to busy Tokyo.

Sing to Sapporo - is about 11 to 12 hrs - including all air and land transfer. First day u can't do much . very tiring
Day 2, 3 -Otaru ok for day trip.easy to go. But how are you going Toya within a day?
I think is it quite far away fr Sapporo -Dist is far and sun set very early in in winter. About 4pm.

The rest should be ok and at reasonable pace

Thanks

Being to these places - Ishiya Choc Factory, Beer Museum so wont be in the itinerary...where is this Sapporo Christmas Market? Mmm...shall goggle about it. Abt Toya....I am yet to firm up on this...am thinking what other places that I can take day trip so I wont have to move around my luggages..
Do I get JR pass or single tickle to move around Sapporo city / Otaru etc? Can this JR pass use in Tokyo ?

[Dnls_mum]

xueyan:

Dear all


I am thinking of travelling to Japan for 10-14days in Nov or Dec. I have read through many pages here and other travel blogs. These are the places I want to go :

- Osaka Castle, Nara deer park, Todai-Ji, Kiyomizu dera, Kodai-ji temple, Harvest Hill, Arashiyama嵐山, Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋,Tenryuji Temple 天龍寺 , Sagano Scenic Railway, Cup Noodle museum

- Shirakawa-go, Nagoya castle, Shin-Hokata Ropeway

- Lake_Kawaguchi, Mt Fuji, Disneyland, Asakusa, Meijijing Shrine
TSUKIJI fish market,

Which airport do you think i should go - Narita, Nagaya or Osaka? It seems to me that Nagoya is more appropriate since it is between Osaka and Tokyo.

Can someone advise how should I arrange my itinerary with the list of places here. Are all these places accessible by train services or do I need to join a day tour?

May I know whether the MRT signage and stations is it indicated in English? How difficult is it to travel in Japan where Japanese do not speak much English.

Many thanks!

In osaka, out Tokyo or vice versa so you don't have to double back.
Most places covered by train except Shirakawago and shin Hotaka if I remember correctly. These places are accessible by bus.

Osaka and Nagoya castles are not the best in Japan. The top 3 are Himeji, Kumamoto and Matsumoto. With your itinerary, you may be able to fit in Himeji or Matsumoto. Otherwise, just visit either osaka or Nagoya. No need to visit both unless you have plenty of time on hand. (I have seen Osaka, Nagoya, himeji and Kumamoto)