Travel: Japan - General

[chloecube]

ksme:

chloecube:

Hi all,

i am planning a trip to Hokkaido in mid-Dec with my family with 2 kids. its ourfirst time there.
Anyone been there before and can feedback what is nice ? will it be snowing then, i wish to ski when i am there
hope to hear from you soon..

It should be snowing and you should be able to ski by mid Dec. We were there in Hokkaido couple years back and love the tranquility and beautiful scenery. My son did skiing there, although my hubby and I didn't do it as we have some old injuries. It was cold but if you are well prepared with the clothings and heat pads, should be ok. Once the kids start to ski, they will not feel cold from all the activities. Days are short but the experience is really very different from what we have in Singapore.

I am sure your family will enjoy your trip there. Hmmm, so envy.

thks KSMI, i cant wait to go now :please:
the last time i saw snow was more than 10yrs ago in Korea
its was amazing and i was jumping like a kid in the snow
hope its going to be an enjoyable trip for the family

[yqyq]

Hi, we intends to have a family trip this Dec at Tokyo. Will be free and easy, any hotel recommended and which location is better, ie. Shinjuku, Akihabara, Asakusa, Ginza, etc?


We have an infant, a toddler, a kid and elderly parent with us, one of the destination will be Disneyland.

Shall we get a JR pass or more convenient to buy per use card?

Thank you for your advice.

[Mummy_Tang]

HI all,


Am planning to travel to Tokyo Beg Nov, intend to do a 7D F&E.

So much info i here!! Thanks!

But I need advise on …

Hakone…
-near to Mt Fuji / Gotemba?
-any recommendation for Ryokan? Does all Ryokan comes with the traditional meals? Average $$ for a Ryokan?
-there’s a local tour by JTB for 2D1N @ Hakone, staying in Prince Hakone hotel, but not Ryokan… is 2D1N sufficient?
-WHat other things to do/places to visit in Hakone?
-Do we need Hakone free pass to get around?

Thanks!!!

For rest of Tokyo, think will visit
Asakusa Temple
Tokyo Tower
Akihabara,
Sky Tree
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Fish Market
Ueno
Ginza

Did I miss anything>? Thanks!!

[yqyq]

Mummy_Tang:

HI all,


Am planning to travel to Tokyo Beg Nov, intend to do a 7D F&E.

So much info i here!! Thanks!

But I need advise on ...

Hakone...
-near to Mt Fuji / Gotemba?
-any recommendation for Ryokan? Does all Ryokan comes with the traditional meals? Average $$ for a Ryokan?
-there's a local tour by JTB for 2D1N @ Hakone, staying in Prince Hakone hotel, but not Ryokan.... is 2D1N sufficient?
-WHat other things to do/places to visit in Hakone?
-Do we need Hakone free pass to get around?

Thanks!!!

For rest of Tokyo, think will visit
Asakusa Temple
Tokyo Tower
Akihabara,
Sky Tree
Shinjuku
Harajuku
Fish Market
Ueno
Ginza

Did I miss anything>? Thanks!!

Hi, I have PM u, pls check. thks

[Mummy_Tang]

lwm99:

tony:

Hi lwm99,


How do you get from Hakone to Tokyo? Do you take a flight or train?

TIA

We took the Romance Car (actually a train) from Shinjuku to Hakone. About 1.5 hour ride:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/rc/index.html

On the way back, we went to Gotemba factory outlet, and took a bus back from there. That is one of the best outlets around Tokyo, and we had a good view of Mt Fuji from there.

Hi lwm99,
The odakyu Romance Car, did you took the package? is it guided?? Or all on your own, i.e Hakone,Gotemba?
Thanks.

[Mrsbongz]

In Japan, the hotel room cost is by per headcount, no sharing or squeezing like for Malaysia. Reason is their fire safety regulations, apparently it is related to their room size. WE had 1 preschooler 1 7yr old, we had to at least book twin rooms, only 1 child can bedshare each bed. If its a double bed room, only 1 child allowed. Check hotel's child policies when booking. We stayed at the Ishin group, B hotels. they allow bedsharing up to 11 yrs old, breakfast is free too.


For disney hotel, we stayed at the Oriental Tokyo Bay. booked using google chrome on the jap webpage, you can find more packages and better deals.
- shuttle bus every 10mins to disneyland and sea
- airport limousine to hotel, for late arrivals, the limousine stops at Shin Urayasu station, just in front of hotel too.
- connected to shopping malls at train station, lots more food choices.
- can buy disney tickets at hotel, having laundry and 24hr convenience store on 1st floor.

Train tickets, iirc, unless u are taking bullet train to other cities, not worth getting those rail passes. Just buy a normal suica/ pasmo card. Lots of info how to use on the web. Children below 6 ride free. but u are expected to put them on your lap, of cos if train empty never mind lah.

Traditional ryokans are expensive. You have to decide what you want and the cost. We went Hakone in June, too foggy to see Mt Fuji, but our main plans were to soak onsen, visit Odawarra castle and see the open air museum. We skipped the museum cos it was raining. We stayed 1 night at Ichinoyu shinanoki. not traditional type, but we had our own private onsen, traditional meals, accessible by bus. They can speak english and were very helpful when we choose to take buses to go ard. very easy to book on their website. One of the more affordable ones that met our requirements.

we took the romance train, and bought the free pass. It was convenient to not have to stress with change for the different bus rides etc.

go google and tripadvisor, lots of info for you to digest.

[Herbie]

we will be gg osaska soon, any must see places? Can advise?

[yqyq]

Just for sharing, discounted entrance ticket at Tokyo Disneyland


http://www.tokyodisneyresort.com.sg/?OVRAW=tokyo%20disneyland%20resort%20singapore&OVKEY=tokyo%20disneyland%20resort&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=44693816542&OVKWID=550832140042&OVCAMPGID=1977541042&OVADGRPID=19856630430

[pojo]

Herbie:

we will be gg osaska soon, any must see places? Can advise?

You can take a short trip to Kyoto which is a historic city with many attractions. You can visit the golden temple there. Also the city itself has an ancient feel when you walk which is quite unlike cities like Osaka or Tokyo. Kyoto is near Osaka.

[mckenzy]

Nara is fun for a day trip from Osaka... get your map from the English speaking Infocentre guide just out side the station... the deer are abit like monkeys and can be a tad playful and greedy... so, watch your things, don't carry plastic bags of stuff... they will chomp on them...


http://lifesg.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/nara/

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