Travel: Japan - General

[MyPillow]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129482\" time=\"1708409537\" user_id=\"28674:

I've given up on Chan Bros - their website is having problems, I think. Hardly anything listed, and keeps giving me blank pages. Just checked - NATAS is 1-3 Mar. Not sure if I can face the crowds.

Oh another thing I found - all the tours are conducted in Mandarin! I'm OK with that, but it does show the demographic they are targeted at.

i think shd be bilingual, i joined tour grp to korea 15yrs ago, the tour leader was fr msia.

[sharonkhoo]

One of the travel agents told me that usually at the NATAS fair, the prices will be the same as in-store, but there may be freebies given. I think I’m just going to book and not fight the crowds at NATAS. I don’t think I want freebies enough!


We’ve also invited our older girl to join us for this tour as they offer triple sharing. Hope the rooms won’t be too cramped! But we won’t spend much time in the hotels since this is a tour. Now waiting for her to get clearance to take leave for that period.

[ChiefKiasu]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129516\" time=\"1708477713\" user_id=\"28674:

One of the travel agents told me that usually at the NATAS fair, the prices will be the same as in-store, but there may be freebies given. I think I'm just going to book and not fight the crowds at NATAS. I don't think I want freebies enough!

We've also invited our older girl to join us for this tour as they offer triple sharing. Hope the rooms won't be too cramped! But we won't spend much time in the hotels since this is a tour. Now waiting for her to get clearance to take leave for that period.

I've been to Japan twice and both times the rooms are really tiny even if the hotel is decent. Anyway, as I was alone then maybe they just threw me to their smallest rooms they have to offer

[zac's mum]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2129516\" time=\"1708477713\" user_id=\"28674:

One of the travel agents told me that usually at the NATAS fair, the prices will be the same as in-store, but there may be freebies given. I think I'm just going to book and not fight the crowds at NATAS. I don't think I want freebies enough!

We've also invited our older girl to join us for this tour as they offer triple sharing. Hope the rooms won't be too cramped! But we won't spend much time in the hotels since this is a tour. Now waiting for her to get clearance to take leave for that period.

Japan hotel rooms are notoriously tiny! Triple sharing (which is what my family always chooses) is ok in terms of bed size (we insist on separate single bed/sofa for DS, to protect my sleep); however, there will be almost zero room to open up your suitcases (especially if u share a large one). May be better to travel with 1 small suitcase each (and i know u travel light); easier to find floor space to open them.

[SG_KP1]

Can also consider some of the Western Brands or the Japanese Brands affiliated with Western hotel chains/reservation systems. Not sure what everyone’s standard is, but 30 - 40 sq meters for a basic room should be doable.

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2129519\" time=\"1708479018\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2129519 time=1708479018 user_id=53606]
Japan hotel rooms are notoriously tiny! Triple sharing (which is what my family always chooses) is ok in terms of bed size (we insist on separate single bed/sofa for DS, to protect my sleep); however, there will be almost zero room to open up your suitcases (especially if u share a large one). May be better to travel with 1 small suitcase each (and i know u travel light); easier to find floor space to open them.[/quote]

That's OK for us - we do travel light from years of experience. My husband and I went to Thailand for 5 days with 1 suitcase of the carry-on size! We've stayed in those tiny HK hostels (4 in a room) where there was no space to walk unless the others moved their feet onto the beds. And there was one B&B in the UK where I had to open the (24\") suitcase in the corridor outside the room - again that was a 4-in-a-room situation.

[MyPillow]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2129520\" time=\"1708480856\" user_id=\"188234:

Can also consider some of the Western Brands or the Japanese Brands affiliated with Western hotel chains/reservation systems. Not sure what everyone's standard is, but 30 - 40 sq meters for a basic room should be doable.

yah agree, Jap hotels do have decent room, its the price n location as deciding factor . room sizes range fr 16sqm to 30sqm. i usually try to choose at least 20sqm for twin sharing, but I did got one 33sqm for triple -i think was keio hotels

slmk: i think travel agent hotels are not that small, unless it is smack in the center of city, there are special hotel rooms for tour agent/package... even the restuarant that tour agent bring u to its also special package- buffet style or set meal style. a fren joined a hokkadio packagae before, she said lots of buffet food, quality is reasonable. To have buffet in Jap its not cheap to pay ourselves and also not common to find

[SG_KP1]

Can also try a Capsule Hotel

[bbbay]

Or ABB, for free and easy trip. Whole apartment to yourself. can chose location near train station to reducing walking. Get to experience living like local. Modern setting , ryokan setting, many choices. Comes with washing machine for you do own laundry. This way can reduce amount of clothing to bring , reduce luggage size. But minus the convenience of having someone to turn to for assistance like in hotel. My experience in Japan their

Apartments usually have a good blend of traditional
Japanese setting and high tech setups, all within an apartment. I felt safe too during the entire ABB stay in 3 different jap cities

[sharonkhoo]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2129523\" time=\"1708484063\" user_id=\"188234:

Can also try a Capsule Hotel

I think I will have claustrophobia! Anyway, this trip is going to be by package tour, so I'll take whatever is offered. I'm sure I'll have stayed in worse! Just made some enquiries about other things and found that the travel agency is offering a $400 discount per person for the first 6 pax to book! And 4 have already booked. Hope my daughter can get her leave sorted today!