Travel: Japan - General

[dimitri_can]

The website is http://www.hyperdia.com


For Citidines Kyoto, it looks like its about 10 mins from Gojo station, so i guess you are fine.

From Kyoto station, it looks its going to take u more than 15 mins.

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MMM:

For Osaka, we booked Marriott Osaka Miyako hotel. Seems to have a train station downstairs.

If you take JR Haruka from Kansai Airport to Tennoji (天王寺), it will stop you there directly in 30 mins time, no need to change.

[sweetpea]

I went Tokyo with the kids (6-10yo) late Nov last year. We travelled on our own (local trains, walk ALOT, local tours).


Besides the usual Disneyland/Mt Fuji/Hakone etc, just want to recommend the following:
Toy Museum (http://www.whereintokyo.com/venues/25222.html). It is located near the Fire Museum, which is right above a train station. Very hands-on, many toys to play with, local traditional toys to try out, science experiments, classes on how to make certain toys to attend if timing is right (and assuming language no barrier). Suitable for crawling toddlers to upper primary kids.

Fire Station & Museum (http://www.tokyoessentials.com/blog/201 ... re-museum/), various fire fighting uniforms from traditional to current style, fire fighting equipment from traditional to current technology, fire engines and helicopter to climb in and out. You can book a guided tour in English, but way in advance. We walked about on our own with just English audio guide. There is a small resting area with tables and chairs if you need to feed your kids.

[Dnls_mum]

MMM:

Thank you all for your generous sharing. Will try to digest all the information.


Do you know if the train stations has lift/ escalator or just lots of steps??? I recalled we lost weight in Tokyo after all those step climbing and walking in train stations. I am concerned about luggage handling and wondering if a small luggage is better. But how to store all those shoppings???? I rather bring something bigger and have 1 luggage. The thought that SQ allows up to 30kg is enticing. Also are there any place for luggage storage at train station?

For Kyoto, we've booked Citadines in Gojo area which is supposedly 1 min to Gojo station or 1 station away from Kyoto station. But seriously... I cannot put that in perspective yet. Read tripadvisor review that it's 15 mins walk to Kyoto station. But so far Citadines location are quite convenient.

We like to explore everywhere on foot when we travel. I recalled when we were in NYC, we stayed near times square but we walked all the way to freedom tower and back... That's how dh is like. So yes.... I think all good food in Osaka is ok with all those exercises

For Osaka, we booked Marriott Osaka Miyako hotel. Seems to have a train station downstairs.

BTW, anyone tried to use google map in Japan? Any watch outs?

Does it make sense to buy those JR passes??? I recalled in Tokyo, there was a website that we used to plan train routes before we depart as different routes has different price. Does that happen in Kyoto and Osaka too?

Yes, there are lifts, but sometimes you need to search or walk a little further for the lifts.

jR west has diff types of rail pass. You can select one that meet your needs. Check this out:

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You don't need to lug your bags around. Go kyoto directly from Kansai airport. Then leave your bags there. The next time, you lug your bags will be when you leave girls osaka. Alternatively, send your big bag to your osaka hotel from Kansai airport via ta Q Bin when you arrive and just carry cabin bag to kyoto. Then you still have your big bag in Osaka to pack your shopping home :imcool:

In kyoto, when we did the northern Kyoto route, we took taxi to Kinkakuji, then followed the a Japan guide walk. So convenient and I save my energy on my touring rather than waste time. Similarly when I did the Eastern Kyoto tour we took taxi to Ginkakuji, the suggested start point of the tour rather then spend 45 mins trying to get there by bus and train. Kyoto is really a walking city. Lots to see along the way the the Japan guide suggested itinerary is easy to follow and super efficient. Best of all free itinerary planning done for us already.

We used google map in Japan and had no problem following the GPS on foot.

[dimitri_can]

MMM:

Do you know if the train stations has lift/ escalator or just lots of steps??? I recalled we lost weight in Tokyo after all those step climbing and walking in train stations. I am concerned about luggage handling and wondering if a small luggage is better. But how to store all those shoppings???? I rather bring something bigger and have 1 luggage. The thought that SQ allows up to 30kg is enticing. Also are there any place for luggage storage at train station?

Does it make sense to buy those JR passes??? I recalled in Tokyo, there was a website that we used to plan train routes before we depart as different routes has different price. Does that happen in Kyoto and Osaka too?

For luggage storage, usually there are coin lockers available/temporary luggage storage booths.

Can refer to this site for more info. (in Japanese, if required, use Google translate)

Kyoto station: http://coinlockersearch.com/kyoto.html
JR Osaka station: http://coinlockersearch.com/osaka.html

It depends on the train station. Generally, most train stations have lifts/escalators. Some ulu train stations will not have lifts.

Assuming you are going to Osaka and Kyoto, then you would not require the passes.

Osaka to Kyoto: 560 yen (1 trip)
To and fro: 1120 yen

http://goo.gl/Xbzmvw (Route 1)

1 day JR Kansai Area Pass: 2080 yen
=======================================
If you are going to Kyoto direct from airport, then it will be worth it to get a 1 day JR Kansai Area Pass.

Kansai Airport->Kyoto via Haruka: 3380 yen
http://goo.gl/2tO4rb (Route 1)

Taking the 1 day JR Kansai Area Pass allows you to take Haruka non-reserved seats. So you save about 1300 yen.
=======================================
In short, plan your routes first, calculate how much is the total and see if it's feasible to buy the passes.

For me, e.g i go to Himeji in the morning, then go back to Kyoto on the same day, then back to Osaka (in this case it would be worth it to get the JR Kansai Area Pass).

Osaka->Himeji: 1490 yen
Himeji->Kyoto: 2270 yen
Kyoto->Osaka: 560 yen
Total: 4320 yen

Buy 1 day JR Kansai Area Pass: 2080 yen
Savings: 2240 yen (~24-25 SGD)

[bebebub]

Anyone been to the Ainu Village in Noboribetsu? Is it worth going? How much time to allocate for the visit? Not quite keen with the onsens. What else to do/see in Noboribetsu?


Is 1.5 days sufficient to visit Hakodate?

Any experience to share regarding Tomamu Village?

TIA.

[Nebbermind]

bebebub:

Anyone been to the Ainu Village in Noboribetsu? Is it worth going? How much time to allocate for the visit? Not quite keen with the onsens. What else to do/see in Noboribetsu?


Is 1.5 days sufficient to visit Hakodate?

Any experience to share regarding Tomamu Village?

TIA.

I love Hakodate...at least two full days for me

http://www.hakodate.travel/en/basic-information/guide-book/img/hakodate-city-walking-map.pdf

[bebebub]

Nebbermind:

bebebub:

Anyone been to the Ainu Village in Noboribetsu? Is it worth going? How much time to allocate for the visit? Not quite keen with the onsens. What else to do/see in Noboribetsu?


Is 1.5 days sufficient to visit Hakodate?

Any experience to share regarding Tomamu Village?

TIA.

I love Hakodate...at least two full days for me

http://www.hakodate.travel/en/basic-information/guide-book/img/hakodate-city-walking-map.pdf

Thanks for the link. Any hotel recommendation?

[Nebbermind]

I would look for somewhere near the station, eg, Loisir, just across the station so we can dump our luggage and look for food & stuffs straight away! There's also a morning market nearby there so if you love fresh seafood :drool:



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[bebebub]

Nbm,


Agree. Loisir Hotel looks to be in a perfect location. Not driving in this trip. So near the train station is a must. Did u stay in Loisir, too? Would you stay there again when you revisit? Any other hotel options nearby that look decent enough? Not looking for atas places to stay. Thanks.

[Nebbermind]

bebebub:

Nbm,


Agree. Loisir Hotel looks to be in a perfect location. Not driving in this trip. So near the train station is a must. Did u stay in Loisir, too? Would you stay there again when you revisit? Any other hotel options nearby that look decent enough? Not looking for atas places to stay. Thanks.

Nope...but that would be it for our next visit. You can use google map and chevk which other hotels are nearby.