Travel: Japan - General

[i3mum]

Hi Dimitri_can,


I have a change in my travel plan:

Day 1 (Sat) - Reach NRT at 2pm (Odaiba & Tokyo Tower)
Day 2 (Sun) – Shibuya/ Harajuku
Day 3 (Mon) - DisneyLand
Day 4 (Tues) - DisneySea
Day 5 (Wed) – Tskuji Fish market/ Asaku Temple/ Ueno
Day 6 (Thurs) – Tokyo Station/Shinjuku
Day 7 (Fri) – Tokyo -> Kyoto (stay 1 night at Ryokan)
Day 8 (Sat) – Kyoto -> Osaka (Instant Ramen Museum)
Day 9 (Sun)- Universal Studios
Day 10 (Mon) – Shinsaibashi & Evening Flight from Osaka back to Singapore

1) I would like to ask how long does it take from Tokyo to Kyoto? As I will be travelling to Osaka the next day, should I buy the 7 day JR pass? Or Single JR pass for both (Tokyo->Kyoto) & (Kyoto->Osaka) will do?

2) I would like to stay in Ryokan for the night in Kyoto and also try Kimono experience. Any Ryokan and near by kimono rental to recommend? Will it be too cold to wear Kimono during Winter time?

3) If to go to Osaka instant ramen museum on Sat, will it be too crowded?

[dimitri_can]

luvtravel:

Anyone can advise how to withdraw money from ATM in Japan ? I presume all in Japanese ...


Can I purchase bus/train tickets using credit card or must pay in cash ?

No la...
Can withdraw from 7-11 ATM or JP Post ATM.
Just insert your ATM card and the menu will change to English. Remember to activate overseas withdrawal function with your bank yea?

7-11 ATM
http://dup17cyn802n.cloudfront.net/2015/04/9625c1.jpg\">

JP Post ATM
http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/jnto2wm/wp-content/uploads/card_17.jpg\">

Some tickets can pay in credit card.
Most in cash.

[dimitri_can]

i3mum:

1) I would like to ask how long does it take from Tokyo to Kyoto? As I will be travelling to Osaka the next day, should I buy the 7 day JR pass? Or Single JR pass for both (Tokyo->Kyoto) & (Kyoto->Osaka) will do?

If you are not coming back to Tokyo, then buy single trip will do.
If you wanna save more, you might wanna look at Puratto Kodama Shinkansen (3.5hours / those shinkansen that stop every stop compared to Nozomi (2.5hours ) , but you will save about 3000 yen per person)

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/

Tokyo to Kyoto:
Nozomi: 2.5 hours
Hikari: 3 hours
Kodama: 3.5 hours

i3mum:

2) I would like to stay in Ryokan for the night in Kyoto and also try Kimono experience. Any Ryokan and near by kimono rental to recommend? Will it be too cold to wear Kimono during Winter time?

Can let me know when are you travelling to Kyoto and budget? I check website for you.
I don't think it will be too cold la, some people can take cold, some people cannot. It's up to individual.

i3mum:

3) If to go to Osaka instant ramen museum on Sat, will it be too crowded?

Try to avoid Saturday. If you need to go on Saturday, go there early loh.
Later you cannot make your cup noodle...

[i3mum]

Ok thanks, noted on this.

dimitri_can:

If you are not coming back to Tokyo, then buy single trip will do.
If you wanna save more, you might wanna look at Puratto Kodama Shinkansen (3.5hours / those shinkansen that stop every stop compared to Nozomi (2.5hours ) , but you will save about 3000 yen per person)

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/

Tokyo to Kyoto:
Nozomi: 2.5 hours
Hikari: 3 hours
Kodama: 3.5 hours

Will be going Kyoto on 18 Dec (for 1 night)

Can let me know when are you travelling to Kyoto and budget? I check website for you.
I don't think it will be too cold la, some people can take cold, some people cannot. It's up to individual.

Ok, I have to reconsider.

i3mum:

3) If to go to Osaka instant ramen museum on Sat, will it be too crowded?

Try to avoid Saturday. If you need to go on Saturday, go there early loh.
Later you cannot make your cup noodle...

Thank you for your help!

[i3mum]

And oh yes, from Kyoto to Osaka, how long does it take and cost? Should I take JR line too?

[dimitri_can]

i3mum:

And oh yes, from Kyoto to Osaka, how long does it take and cost? Should I take JR line too?

560yen for 1 ride, 1120 yen for to and fro

Take JR Kyoto Line

Either
(新快速/Shin Kai-so-ku/Super express): 30 mins

The one going to 米原 (Maibara) is from Osaka to Kyoto.
http://ext.pimg.tw/a715/6272f375b25ee457fa5bcd0f10a76050.jpg\">
-Platform 8/9/10

From Kyoto to Osaka, take towards 姫路 (Himeji)
-Platform 4/5

(快速/Kai-so-ku/Super express): 45 mins

(普通/Fu-tsuu/Normal): 1-1.5 hours

See the posts in front, i wrote how to travel between Osaka and Kyoto.

[luvtravel]

dimitri_can:

No la...
Can withdraw from 7-11 ATM or JP Post ATM.
Just insert your ATM card and the menu will change to English. Remember to activate overseas withdrawal function with your bank yea?

Some tickets can pay in credit card.
Most in cash.

Thanks so much :rahrah: :rahrah:

[dimitri_can]

Btw, just getting some opinions for my research, do you all motivate your kids with a trip to Japan? I always motivate my students by telling them if they do well, i'll buy them a ticket to Japan. Till now, i have already 6 students who went with me to Japan on a paid ticket.


Also, like to share this post.

5 tips every budget traveller in Tokyo must know
http://magazine.tripzilla.com/tokyo-bud ... tips/27791

[sparks]

Thanks for the link, dimitri_can, it's very useful! :boogie:


My kids are 14 & 17, so they have reached an age where they are matured enough to self-motivate to do well.

my ds is quite reluctant to go Japan at first. but when I told him we can get to ride on not 1 but 4 of the guinness world record roller coasters, he became more excited than me!

For dd, she learned a bit Japanese & love Japanese anime, so she needs little persuasion. But too bad when we promised to bring her to Tokyo Disneyland 5 years ago after PSLE, there was the tsunami & we went NZ instead. For coming trip, she can't join us as it will be her A's next yr.

BTW, I have more or less confirmed my trip: staying in Shinjuku for 2 nights, go Highland Resort near Mt Fuji & stay for 3 nights & return to Shinjuku & explore rest of Tokyo for another 3 nights. Can I check with you if I need to buy bus tickets in advance to/from FujiQ (February) or it is safe to get the day before? I'll be staying at Keio Hotel very near Shinjuku station. Thanks again, you have been a great help!

[dimitri_can]

sparks:

BTW, I have more or less confirmed my trip: staying in Shinjuku for 2 nights, go Highland Resort near Mt Fuji & stay for 3 nights & return to Shinjuku & explore rest of Tokyo for another 3 nights. Can I check with you if I need to buy bus tickets in advance to/from FujiQ (February) or it is safe to get the day before? I'll be staying at Keio Hotel very near Shinjuku station. Thanks again, you have been a great help!

You can try to do online reservation nearer to your dates of travel.

http://highway-buses.jp/fuji