Travel: Japan - General

[mckenzy]

3-4 days in Tokyo is just about right for your first time *wink*


> As for shopping, I don't go for branded stuf lah,
actually Taiwan sounds more up your alley... no brand, very affordable and super trendy

> skincare/cosmetics prodts,
This street at Harajuku will give you your cosmetics overload:

its called Takeshita Street

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i'll admit its daunting.... in that case you can go to Asakusa and Ameyoko market instead...

BOTH offer very jap stuff... take it slow and you'll find all your goodies in these 2 places... even the 100yen shop (albeit a small example)


...

[Mrsbongz]

Hey, I just receive email from Hotel.com that they are having a 72 hour sale for Japan hotels… for travel until end dec…

[JustKP]

Hi,


I’ll be arriving Narita on 6 Dec and intend to buy 7-day JR pass. Can anyone advise :

1) how and where can I reserve seats for Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Osaka (8 Dec) and Osaka to Hakone (13 Dec)?

2) What will happen if I miss the Shinkansen which I have reserved seats for? (This may happen due to various transfers before reaching the platform for Shinkansen).

3) Based on Hyperdia journey planner, there is a time duration in between transfer (e.g. Osaka to HakoneYumoto). Is this the time needed for you to walk from one platform to another? Hence, does it mean the duration for the whole journey by Hyperdia is the total time taken from point A to B inclusive of time taken for walking to next platform to catch your next connecting train? Need to know so that I can plan for the next connecting train.

Hope to get some advice. Thank you.

[Herbie]

Hi 3boys, we are flying to tokyo via haneda airport. I hv checked with ascott, they said tat i hv to book 2 rms for 2 adult n 2 children. Cost 12000 yen each. It is really difficult to book a hotel rm for a family of 4. We are still looking for other alternatives. We will b in tokyo for 9 days n we are still comptemplating whether we shld travel to osaka. Btw, this is our 2nd trip to tokyo we went there 2 years apo . So we hv been to tokyo tower. Hakone

[3Boys]

Herbie:

Hi 3boys, we are flying to tokyo via haneda airport. I hv checked with ascott, they said tat i hv to book 2 rms for 2 adult n 2 children. Cost 12000 yen each. It is really difficult to book a hotel rm for a family of 4. We are still looking for other alternatives. We will b in tokyo for 9 days n we are still comptemplating whether we shld travel to osaka. Btw, this is our 2nd trip to tokyo we went there 2 years apo . So we hv been to tokyo tower. Hakone

Can you do an open-jaw by flying into Kansai? Will save you a long and costly trek from Haneda to Osaka.

Not sure why they are being picky, I squeezed 2 adults and 2 kids into a tiny room at Citadines.....sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

[chergaby]

Herbie:

Hi 3boys, we are flying to tokyo via haneda airport. I hv checked with ascott, they said tat i hv to book 2 rms for 2 adult n 2 children. Cost 12000 yen each. It is really difficult to book a hotel rm for a family of 4. We are still looking for other alternatives. We will b in tokyo for 9 days n we are still comptemplating whether we shld travel to osaka. Btw, this is our 2nd trip to tokyo we went there 2 years apo . So we hv been to tokyo tower. Hakone

Did you check with the hotel directly or their global reservations hotline?
To my knowledge, staff at global reservations will just go by the regulations set by the respective hotels, they will not make exception. Normally, flexibility will be exercised by the hotel directly.

[Herbie]

Hi 3boys, we bnught the air tickets liao so cannot fly to kaisai instead. But if we were to osaka we will need to buy jr pass ($1700). May i know how old r yr kids when u stayed at citadines?

perhaps we will juz follow yr Footstep n make the booking at citadine. i hope they won’t chase us out. Tx

[3Boys]

Herbie:

Hi 3boys, we bnught the air tickets liao so cannot fly to kaisai instead. But if we were to osaka we will need to buy jr pass ($1700). May i know how old r yr kids when u stayed at citadines?

perhaps we will juz follow yr Footstep n make the booking at citadine. i hope they won't chase us out. Tx

I honestly cannot now remember all the details of how it transpired. It may have been that I had booked for 2+1 and then showed up with 2 kids instead. They were 6 and 4 at the time. I may have been charged a small supplementary for the extra child.

Ok, better stop here. You need to make your own choice hor? I am recounting my experience only and don't want to ruin your vacation by giving bad advice!

[Mrsbongz]

chergaby:

Did you check with the hotel directly or their global reservations hotline?
To my knowledge, staff at global reservations will just go by the regulations set by the respective hotels, they will not make exception. Normally, flexibility will be exercised by the hotel directly.

I second this.. it happens for many chains.. rg. Holiday Inn, if u book via website, or their international/singapore hotline, they insist u book 2 rooms.. but IF u write to the hotel itself, they allow children up to 16yrs old to share room!!

the citadines website indicates that child under 6 (iirc) are allowed to stay for free, best email them direct, and you can get a clearer pic. I read on tripadvisor that pple have been prosecuted for sneaking in additional persons then indicated in their booking. :roll:

[Dinah]

Hi,


Pay a visit to JTB @Ion B4. They can get some good deals for hotels for you. I originally did my own Tokyo hotel room booking (for Keio Plaza Hotel @Shinjuku) and thought I got quite a good rate. In the end, JTB managed to get it for me at average S$308 per night. They also do Airport Limousine ticket sale/booking, Disney Tokyo ticket.

Anyone here have recommendation on transportation deals within Tokyo? eg: (1)Tokyo Metro Pass-cannot travel on Toei Line; (2)Tokyo One-Day Free Ticket ((aka Tokyo Free Kippu 1580 yen)-unlimited 1-day use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) and JR trains in the central Tokyo area + Toei buses; (3)Tokunai Pass (730 yen)-unlimited 1-day use of JR trains in the central Tokyo area. Which provides the best coverage and is most economical for those tourist area?

Based on my observation, for eg: travelling from Shinjuku to Ikebukuro subway station involves using JR Yamanote Line or Toei Oedo Subway Line which takes 5min to travel between the 2 destinations. Else, it will take 36min to travel between the same 2 destinations if going strictly by Tokyo Metro and it requires quite a number of transfers. I don’t think buying individual ticket per ride is a good choice as it looks like you’ll end up paying at 600~700 yen if it involves 1 transfer. Am I correct?

Is there a lot to do in Hakone? Would 2 day be just nice or too long?

For Tokyo, if I have 2 full day in the city (2 other days will be spent at Disneyland and Puroland), do you all have a suggested itinerary suitable for kids, hubby and some shopping?

Anyone went to the Ikebukuro Earthquake Muesum?

Hope you all can give me some ideas, feedback, suggestions. Thanks!