Travel: Japan - General

[phankao]

schellen:

our tour guide for our hokkaido (late spring) trip told us that it's best not to wear sports sneakers during winter when you go to hokkaido. this is cos sneakers aren't waterproof and tend to be well-ventilated so they can't keep your feet warm. also, the glue used for the soles will come off in the ice/snow and you'll be stranded with no shoes. therefore, wear proper shoes like those for hiking in cold climates or shoes meant for winter.

Hmm...yeah, I do have suitable boots for this with good soles. Probably will need to buy a new pair of waterproof shoes for the babe though. I will have to look around.

I was just thinking if it's v cold. Bc like -5/-6deg already v cold to me. And i was reading that Hokkaido is like -10deg C??? How much colder is that?!!! Trying to imagine. Lucky not going Harbin (-25deg??!!!).

[smurf]

radiantmum:

Your toddler is 1.2M tall ??!! Think you meant your older boy issit? Yay I think 1 day is enough for those with younger kids, not to forget that they close pretty late around 10pm I think. In fact, the younger ones I would have expect them to knock out sooner. :lol:

erm, ya, the older boy is around 1.2m.haha. :lol:

[corneyAmber]

phankao:

I was just thinking if it's v cold. Bc like -5/-6deg already v cold to me. And i was reading that Hokkaido is like -10deg C??? How much colder is that?!!! Trying to imagine. Lucky not going Harbin (-25deg??!!!).

-10 degrees to -13 degrees? Imagine you are walking inside your freezer and beginning to turn into ice...This is how it feels, the face gets progressively frozen to numbness and the frost bites just keep getting at you if you are inadequately covered on your face and hands. And all these are when the body, neck and legs are all well-protected with sufficient wool and downs. At this temperature, it usually also comes with the wind, even more killing, I mean chilling.

I think the worser winters are in Russia and Canada...down to -30 or -40 degrees, unlivable for tropical beings like us right?

Bottomline is need to be well-prepared..will blog some tips when I have more time.

[phankao]

ks2me:

phankao:

I was just thinking if it's v cold. Bc like -5/-6deg already v cold to me. And i was reading that Hokkaido is like -10deg C??? How much colder is that?!!! Trying to imagine. Lucky not going Harbin (-25deg??!!!).

-10 degrees to -13 degrees? Imagine you are walking inside your freezer and beginning to turn into ice...This is how it feels, the face gets progressively frozen to numbness and the frost bites just keep getting at you if you are inadequately covered on your face and hands. And all these are when the body, neck and legs are all well-protected with sufficient wool and downs. At this temperature, it usually also comes with the wind, even more killing, I mean chilling.

I think the worser winters are in Russia and Canada...down to -30 or -40 degrees, unlivable for tropical beings like us right?

Bottomline is need to be well-prepared..will blog some tips when I have more time.

Thanks ... waiting to read! Think I'd better get a cover for my face as well then. I was watching with interest at a ski resort how the parents use this tubular cloth to cover their young children's nose & mouth/chin, wind it down and twist and then flip it over their forehead/ears. V interesting.

[tamarind]

smurf:

Thanks Radiantmum and Schellen.


in your opinion, do u think 1 day is enough since toddler can't sit in most ride cos I heard Disneyland is quite big?

I think he is around 1.2m cos he needs to pay busfare.

smurf,
Tokyo Disneyland is not very big. I think roughly the size of our zoo. Disneysea is about the same size as Disneyland. You will need at least one full day each in Disneyland and Disneysea. Don't miss out Disneysea. It is a joy just to walk around the park.

I think both your kids will enjoy it. My 6 year old girl enjoyed herself very much. Check out my blog.
http://tokyowithchloe.blogspot.com/

There are things to do for toddlers in both Disneyland and Disneysea. Lots of Japanese toddlers visit the parks

BTW over 90 cm already need to pay bus fare.

[lwm99]

smurf:

Thanks Radiantmum and Schellen.


in your opinion, do u think 1 day is enough since toddler can't sit in most ride cos I heard Disneyland is quite big?

I think he is around 1.2m cos he needs to pay busfare.

IIRC, 1.2m is tall enough to take ALL rides at Disneyland, and most rides at DisneySea.

[smurf]

Thanks Tamarind and Iwm99 for the tips!

[znzyzyzx]

phankao:

Happygolucky:

Can consider getting the kids the three layer cotton(cheap at less than $10 per piece at winter time) thermal wear. My kids just wore that with a long sleeve T-shirt and windbreaker. They are light and comfortable, save the hassle of lugging thick winter wear.

Anyone gone to northern japan (sapporo/hokkaido) in winter? Is it v cold? I'm going next month with young toddler. How many layers should wear?

Hi, we just came back. Were there from 18 to 24 Dec. The cold is mangeable as long as you are adequately covered. Leather (or waterproof) gloves - dont use those wool type , head gear (If your jacket does not come with hood). I used a down jacket from Uniglo (very thin type) , and surprisingly , it is warm enough for me (of course with thermal , a long-sleeved T-shirt and a pullover as well)

[smurf]

HI znzyzyzx,


just want to ask u, did u get the PREMIUM down jacket (UNIQLO) or the normal jacket? cos I asked the sales assts whether the normal 1 would be enough for < 10 deg.

1 of them said enough, the other said it is not meant for winter, only meant for normal air-con room. The latter also said if want < 10 deg, then have to get the PREMIUM down jacket. so confusing. :?

[cafelatte]

mckenzy:

..Who's going next year?

Thinking of planning 6 days in Osaka area...

I am contemplating...but over in Tokyo. Hestitating because my CEOs like comfortable accomodation sand hotel rates are high in Tokyo. Also concerned about the still-very-high Japanese Yen exchange rate.