Travel: Japan - General

[schellen]

MMM:

Wow... this sounds very cheem for me :lol:


They indicated in their direction as follows :

Tokyo (Tohoku bullet train) - Oyama (JR Ryomo line) - Sano (Sano city circulating bus)

I didn't book online though I checked it out before leaving for Japan. In the end, I went to Kyoto Station JR \"Green Window\" counter to buy the tickets in person since I could speak Japanese. I think that was a more guaranteed way of making sure I get what I wanted.

I didn't take buses in Japan except when in Kyoto since Kyoto was better served by buses, especially the tourist attractions. So, sorry, can't help you there with buses and coaches. I'm more of a train person as I hate jams.

[sashimi]

MMM:

This is our 1st visit to Japan. Are things very very expensive? How about shopping.

I'll give you my standard answer to all the many many ppl who say Japan is expensive when it comes to shopping.

1. Yes Japan is expensive. (But not everything).
2. But everything you pay for is worth every yen.
3. In fact, you'll find that you will get more value for money than in Singapore.
4. Because, you pay $2 for a dry, tasteless sandwich in Sg; but 250yen (about $4) for a sandwich so beautiful and bursting with colour and taste that you have to stare at it for 5 mins before you reluctantly send it to tummy.
5. The Japanese are masters at creating things worth buying.
6. The Japanese are masters at marketing things to make you buy.
7. Once you experience their legendary customer service, you will feel even better about buying. (And get a culture shock when you return home).
8. If you don't buy, you will surely come home regretting it. Been to Japan three times and I still haven't learnt my lesson.

So.... go with as much money as you can, and don't hold back! Besides the usual stuff, be sure to check out the 24-hour convenience stores, bakeries, department store basement food areas (depachika).... and I dare you to visit Tokyu Hands !

[MMM]

sashimi:

So.... go with as much money as you can, and don't hold back!

Yah... I have a feeling that this is going to be a very sinful trip...... :!: But my hubby will be there to put all the stops to it so I am going to feel so suppressed and miserable. :x

[sashimi]

If you are a shopaholic and don’t want to spend, avoid Tokyo! Go to Hokkaido instead, and spend on food!

[MMM]

The issue is that I like to shop and the ironic thing is using my own $ and not his. But I just feel more restrained with his presence.


It’s a biz trip for me. So we are doing some extension in Tokyo given that we’ve never been there.

We would definitely try other parts of Japan in the future.

[lwm99]

MMM:

Hi.... which is better Sano or Gotemba???


Also for Sano, i realised that we might need to take the bullet train (might be interesting to try it). But wonder how much it cost.

There are coaches going to Gotemba and it's JPY 2800 for return. Wonder if the train alternative would be alot more costly.

Also, anyone tried the coaches before??? Must we buy tickets in advance?

Visit the link that I gave above to find out which outlet has the shops that you like better. Also from the link, you can find out how to go there. No bullet train is required. Easiest way is to take bus. Both outlets take about 90 minutes one way.

[MMM]

Got a question on HP.


They are of different network. Does that mean our HP doesn’t work there??? What other alternatives do we’ve?

[lwm99]

3G network works.


If you expect many people to call you while you are in Japan, you can rent a SIM card so people call your Japan number.
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/price/

[MMM]

Sorry need advice. If we are holding a starhub/ M1 line with 3G phone, can we actually use that in Japan???


Or do we have to get a CDMA phone??? Quite confused with this.

[schellen]

My family and I went to Japan with our handphones. All of us have 3G phones. My FIL and I use Singtel while sashimi and my MIL use M1. We use the ad-hoc Auto-Roam service provided by our telcos so we didn’t need to sign up or activate anything before we left; just use and they will bill you accordingly. Of course, mind the charges so use prudently.


Problems? Of course!
1. At Kyoto Station, we had to call the inn owner to pick us up from the station near the inn. sashimi called a few times but couldn’t get through. I called and immediately got through.
2. When we urgently need to call each other, we had to use Singtel phone to call Singtel phone, M1 phone to call M1 phone, otherwise, failure to connect.
3. SMSes may arrive late. Actually, this is no different from home since sometimes, I receive SMSes from sashimi late (can be up to an hour late!) during peak periods.

We didn’t bother to complain (aka call hotline, bang table, etc) since we worked our way around it and it’s not like we travel often and/or use our phones a lot when overseas.