Travel: Japan - General

[lwm99]

Dnls_mum:

lwm99:

For those looking to have data access in Japan, you can rent a Pocket Wifi (aka egg) which can share among a few people.


The one we used was from: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
It was delivered to our hotel before we arrived. We paid 5,550 yen for 7 days of rental.

Can I check if the access is only to wifi spots around the cities or a 3G/4G mobile net work. Is the coverage good?

We checked some offers which were for wifi networks around the country only and didn't get them as we were sure how widespread those hotspots were.

It is using the mobile network for data, just like we use our phones in Singapore. Those only use wifi spots are not useful.

[i.043883love.043883to.043883learn]

lwm99:

Dnls_mum:

[quote=\"lwm99\"]For those looking to have data access in Japan, you can rent a Pocket Wifi (aka egg) which can share among a few people.


The one we used was from: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
It was delivered to our hotel before we arrived. We paid 5,550 yen for 7 days of rental.

Can I check if the access is only to wifi spots around the cities or a 3G/4G mobile net work. Is the coverage good?

We checked some offers which were for wifi networks around the country only and didn't get them as we were sure how widespread those hotspots were.

It is using the mobile network for data, just like we use our phones in Singapore. Those only use wifi spots are not useful.[/quote]if willing to spend and have the need, the $15/day for most Singapore telcos are pretty useful. Can hotspot from your phone to other devices also.

[Dnls_mum]

lwm99:

Dnls_mum:

[quote=\"lwm99\"]For those looking to have data access in Japan, you can rent a Pocket Wifi (aka egg) which can share among a few people.


The one we used was from: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
It was delivered to our hotel before we arrived. We paid 5,550 yen for 7 days of rental.

Can I check if the access is only to wifi spots around the cities or a 3G/4G mobile net work. Is the coverage good?

We checked some offers which were for wifi networks around the country only and didn't get them as we were sure how widespread those hotspots were.

It is using the mobile network for data, just like we use our phones in Singapore. Those only use wifi spots are not useful.[/quote]Thanks, but maybe not so useful for me after all. My usage not high so don't need unlimited, and my trips are normally more than 7 days. My 2GB data card after 8 days still have balance. And I was desperately downloading stuff my last 2 days!

[EatNonStop]

Like to check what is the easiest way to travel from Chitose airport to Hakodate in Mid Dec? Which hotel is recommended for 3-4 nights stay and suggestion for moving around Hakodate?


Also, what is the best/easier way to move form Hakodate to Niseko?

Thanks

[dimitri_can]

EatNonStop:

Like to check what is the easiest way to travel from Chitose airport to Hakodate in Mid Dec? Which hotel is recommended for 3-4 nights stay and suggestion for moving around Hakodate?


Also, what is the best/easier way to move form Hakodate to Niseko?

Thanks

Train rides from Chitose to Hakodate is about 3 hrs+.
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.h ... m_target=7

I haven't been to Hakodate before, so i can't advise on the hotel.

Hakodate to Niseko
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.h ... m_target=7

[dlye]

EatNonStop:

Like to check what is the easiest way to travel from Chitose airport to Hakodate in Mid Dec? Which hotel is recommended for 3-4 nights stay and suggestion for moving around Hakodate?


Also, what is the best/easier way to move form Hakodate to Niseko?

Thanks

Chitose - Hakodate: Train (or if you can, fly direct to Hakodate Airport, then depart from Chitose) or DRIVE!

Accomodations In Dec 2011, we stayed at Hotel Chocolat. It was reasonably cheap (about S$120 per double room) via booking.com.
It is a little further away from the warehouse/motomachi district (500-1000m), but we had a car. If you want to stay near the main tourist areas, be prepared to spend about S$250-300.

Hakodate to Niseko: Train (note: there's a transfer a long the way)then shuttle bus/taxi depending on where you are staying. or DRIVE!

Back in the winter of 2011, we drove down from Otaru to Hakodate (in about 6-7 hours) long snowy drive, but it was awesome. Then we drove from Hakodate to Niseko (about 3-4 hours).
We stopped to take photos along the way, as well as had meals wherever we wanted (breakfast at Hakodate Fish Market is a must have!).
Also, we drove because we had 3 kids and lots of luggage; hopping from train to train wasn't ideal.
We rented a Toyota Allion, and it was spacious enough.

More recently, my cousin joined us in Winter 2013, they flew in to Hakodate, then took a train to Niseko. But it was just the 2 of them...

[dimitri_can]

Dlye, thanks for the recommendation. Learnt something new today.


Checked that this hotel prices have dropped (maybe due to the weak yen), prices have dropped to 3400 yen per person.

[jtoh]

lwm99:

For those looking to have data access in Japan, you can rent a Pocket Wifi (aka egg) which can share among a few people.


The one we used was from: http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html
It was delivered to our hotel before we arrived. We paid 5,550 yen for 7 days of rental.

is the speed decent?

[EatNonStop]

dlye:

EatNonStop:

Like to check what is the easiest way to travel from Chitose airport to Hakodate in Mid Dec? Which hotel is recommended for 3-4 nights stay and suggestion for moving around Hakodate?


Also, what is the best/easier way to move form Hakodate to Niseko?

Thanks

Chitose - Hakodate: Train (or if you can, fly direct to Hakodate Airport, then depart from Chitose) or DRIVE!

Accomodations In Dec 2011, we stayed at Hotel Chocolat. It was reasonably cheap (about S$120 per double room) via booking.com.
It is a little further away from the warehouse/motomachi district (500-1000m), but we had a car. If you want to stay near the main tourist areas, be prepared to spend about S$250-300.

Hakodate to Niseko: Train (note: there's a transfer a long the way)then shuttle bus/taxi depending on where you are staying. or DRIVE!

Back in the winter of 2011, we drove down from Otaru to Hakodate (in about 6-7 hours) long snowy drive, but it was awesome. Then we drove from Hakodate to Niseko (about 3-4 hours).
We stopped to take photos along the way, as well as had meals wherever we wanted (breakfast at Hakodate Fish Market is a must have!).
Also, we drove because we had 3 kids and lots of luggage; hopping from train to train wasn't ideal.
We rented a Toyota Allion, and it was spacious enough.

More recently, my cousin joined us in Winter 2013, they flew in to Hakodate, then took a train to Niseko. But it was just the 2 of them...

Thanks Dyle....

I booked my airtickets flying into Chitose airport so will be moving from there to Hakodate.
May I know what had you covered in Hakodate? I heard its difficult to drive during winter time, what is your experience in driving then?
If need to take train, how do I move from Chitose airport to Hakodate? And Hakodate to Niseko? Is it Hakodate JR line and which station to transfer? I have 2 kids so will have quite a number of luggages....not sure how difficult to commute in train.

[EatNonStop]

dimitri_can:

EatNonStop:

Like to check what is the easiest way to travel from Chitose airport to Hakodate in Mid Dec? Which hotel is recommended for 3-4 nights stay and suggestion for moving around Hakodate?


Also, what is the best/easier way to move form Hakodate to Niseko?

Thanks

Train rides from Chitose to Hakodate is about 3 hrs+.
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.h ... m_target=7

I haven't been to Hakodate before, so i can't advise on the hotel.

Hakodate to Niseko
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.h ... m_target=7

Hi..Thanks! Will try to figure out..