Travel: Japan - General

[mamemo]

coldleaf:

mamemo:

Hi Bekithia,


What a coincidence !!

Are the hotels good ? I heard Sheraton Cafe is expensive, so I do not intend to eat there...Are there any nearby places to eat instead ?

I heard there are lots of eateries at the Ueno station, did you try ?

We stayed at Sheraton Grande last Nov/Dec. It was great! Very near to disney resorts so we don't have to rush (a free shuttle from hotel to disney resort line). We didn't eat in sheraton cafe also because it was too expensive. There is another free shuttle bus from hotel to maihama station. Beside maihama station there is a mall called IKSPIARI, where you can find eateries and supermarket there. The prices are cheaper than Sheraton cafe. There is a convenience store within sheraton hotel. You are able to buy sandwiches, japanese rice balls and cup noodles. They are quite yummy.

Btw, there is a huge shopping mall named LaLaport Tokyo-Bay. It's near to JR Minami-Funabashi Station (only 2 stations from maihama station, if I remembered correctly). Definitely worth visiting! There are children playgrounds so parents can take turn to shop.
Hope this helps.......

Hi coldleaf,

This is definitely very useful information ! :thankyou:

[mamemo]

mckenzy:

don't forget Tokyo Sealife Park... a MUST for kids...

Hi mckenzy, thanks for the info... Let's see whether can squeeze into my itinerary

[gladtobemom]

bekithia:

Hi Mamemo


We also stayed at the Ichinoyu Honkan while in Hakone! The private hotspring bath in the room was fantastic but how I wish we had gotten the ground floor one. Did you manage to book that?

Hi bekithia!

May I ask if you are allowed to use swimsuits in the private bath?

[mckenzy]

private bath in your room can do whatever you want!


but i wonder if your swim suit will melt or spoil because of the intense heat... hmm

[gladtobemom]

mckenzy:

private bath in your room can do whatever you want!


but i wonder if your swim suit will melt or spoil because of the intense heat... hmm

Ha! Ha! I wonder, too.
Anyway, is Hakone worth a visit if one is not going for the onsen?

[starlight1968sg]

By a private bath means you have the bathroom all to yourself.

It is an experience to share the bath with some stranger (of course the same gender!).
But the water is simply too hot and I have yet to totally immersed myself.

[mckenzy]

Definitely. Lots to see just for the uniqueness...


The BBQ tako at the piers... Pirate ship cruise on the lake... the Boiling valley climb for the eggs... little prince museum... during spring summer, go for the Open air museum...

during late autumn, mornings where the mist is so thick you have helpers waving traffic along the small roads...

unforgettable..

gladtobemom:

mckenzy:

private bath in your room can do whatever you want!

but i wonder if your swim suit will melt or spoil because of the intense heat... hmm

Ha! Ha! I wonder, too.
Anyway, is Hakone worth a visit if one is not going for the onsen?

[June]

Hi bekithia, I am staying at Shinagawa JR station, how do I know whether I need a transfer at Tokyo station? Would you be able to tell?

bekithia:

Hi June

Maihama Station is right outside Disneyland. So as long as you are staying very near a JR station that doesn't need a transfer at Tokyo Station, it should be very convenient. Tokyo Station is huge and very tiring rushing from one JR line to another after a long tiring day in Disneyland!

[mamemo]

June:

Hi bekithia, I am staying at Shinagawa JR station, how do I know whether I need a transfer at Tokyo station? Would you be able to tell?

bekithia:

Hi June

Maihama Station is right outside Disneyland. So as long as you are staying very near a JR station that doesn't need a transfer at Tokyo Station, it should be very convenient. Tokyo Station is huge and very tiring rushing from one JR line to another after a long tiring day in Disneyland!

Hi June,

you can check out this website: http://www.hyperdia.com
It's a trip planner for Japan. Just enter start and end destination and the website would suggest the various routes.

btw, Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa and Hotel Pacific near Shinagawa JR Station offers free shuttle bus to Disneyland. But I'm not sure whether it's strictly for guests only or not.
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/hotel/gnh.html

Another way is to take bus from Shinjuku:
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/plan/access/index.html

Hope that helps !

[gladtobemom]

mckenzy:

Definitely. Lots to see just for the uniqueness...


The BBQ tako at the piers... Pirate ship cruise on the lake... the Boiling valley climb for the eggs... little prince museum... during spring summer, go for the Open air museum...

during late autumn, mornings where the mist is so thick you have helpers waving traffic along the small roads...

unforgettable..

Thanks for the info.
Still unsure. Having been to Rotorua, New Zealand, I don't fancy the sulphuric smells...