Travel: Japan - General

[dimitri_can]

Step 3: Packing for Departure


3.1. Use a checklist: Try using http://www.mediafire.com/download/6f7901l9auxp6dn/Travel.xls as a reference

3.2. Identify if there's a need to bring a small bag along.

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Step 4: In Japan

4.1 Exchange for Japan Rail Pass with your Exchange Order
Form to change to Japan Rail Pass (IMPORTANT/Print before going):
NOTE: There's no more form available online already. Have to go there to fill up.

4.2 Japan ez-link cards
Now the below ez-link cards are cross-usable. Suggest to get Suica/ICOCA/Pasmo.
Note that now all these card are generally 通用 already.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAPICA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOICA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICOCA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUGOCA

4.3 Where to seek help
1. The station staff
2. Shop staff
3. The people
4. Koban (Police Station)

4.4 Saving money in Japan
-Buy bento in shops near closing time

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Step 5: Preparing for return back home

Do not buy too much back home. We have forumers in HWZ that
bought a lot, tried to ship back the items, in the end, the parcels
were stuck in Japan because they contained food items
(matcha powder, non-cooked macaroni,etc). Once you go Japan, you will love it and will want to go more.

-Be at the airport 2-3 hours before departure time
-SHOP! (http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/what-souveniors-had-u-bought-japan-2353047.html)

[cool_hi]

thanks to dimitri_can,

for all your advice & sharing HELPS a lot, esp for 1st-timer-F&E people
anyone went hiroshima direct from tokyo? 3 hour train, is it too tiring??
or better to go hiroshima from osaka as day trip??

snow monkey park..anyone went in end nov/early dec before??no snow yet right?

thanks!

[dimitri_can]

its 5 hrs train from Tokyo

Check Google Maps

[cool_hi]

dimitri_can:

its 5 hrs train from Tokyo

Check Google Maps

Oops!! Think i blur,probaly the time i checked was for nozomi ballet train:(
Thanks a lot for pointing out,dimitri_can!!

Have to abort going hiroshima direct from tokyo then..haiz! Siao liao!!
Need re-plan again:( coz the apartment we booked in osaka cannot check in 1day earlier..
Thinking of taking this chance to try out ryokan..can anyone recommend a reasonably priced ryokan in kyoto for 2A2C(8+12yr old)?!?
But seems very hard to book?
Thanks in advance!!

[dimitri_can]

what’s ur budget per night?

[cool_hi]

dimitri_can:

what's ur budget per night?

Hm..don't laugh..ard $300?!?
For 2A2C for kyoto ryokan...possible?!?
I saw your 1st recommendation on page 136,
For 2A3C with breakfast was ard $250
But that was 2yr ago la...haha!
Thanks in advance for your kind help+advice:)

Or should we go snow monkey park from tokyo,stay 1 night in shibu onsen..
Then go osaka next day?!?
But late nov not snowing there yet? I prefer go there when snowing..but saw a blog who says went late nov and was snowing..
i am so confused!!! Haha

[dimitri_can]

cool_hi:

dimitri_can:

what's ur budget per night?

Hm..don't laugh..ard $300?!?
For 2A2C for kyoto ryokan...possible?!?
I saw your 1st recommendation on page 136,
For 2A3C with breakfast was ard $250
But that was 2yr ago la...haha!
Thanks in advance for your kind help+advice:)

the recommendation is not mine. is posted by other ppl i think.

The cheapest i found was 35400 yen. May have cheaper ones, but the room wont be so nice...
http://s.jalan.net/2tbY9it

you might need to up your budget a bit...

[DJKA]

Hi dimitri_can,


Sorry too many type of cards until i’m confused… May i know if just for tokyo metro and sapporo metro usage which card better to use? like our ez link… then for the sim card which type of sim card to use for tokyo and sapporo? Do they have that type like 7 days, 10 days or 15 days usage then can throw away… thanks in adv…

[dimitri_can]

DJKA:

Hi dimitri_can,


Sorry too many type of cards until i'm confused... May i know if just for tokyo metro and sapporo metro usage which card better to use? like our ez link... then for the sim card which type of sim card to use for tokyo and sapporo? Do they have that type like 7 days, 10 days or 15 days usage then can throw away... thanks in adv.....

Now, all cards are 通用 already.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html

They only have day passes...

Tokyo Subway Pass (1-3 days): http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html
Sapporo (Check section under 1 day pass): https://www.city.sapporo.jp/st/english/fareandticket.html

[DJKA]

Hi dimitri_can,


Appreciate with thanks. But may i know where can i purchase the IC Card? Airport can?