Japan - Tokyo - Hakone First Timer

[ortega]

Half way done planning and things are starting to solidify. Been looking at pictures from all over the world, looks like I will regret if I don't bring a tripod.

 

[ortega]

some notes for 1st timers

most of japan hotels charge per room and per pax per night
if you are lucky you can find one that only charge per room night

there is no tipping
in place of tipping there is a service charge
consumption tax is 5%
accommodation tax is either ¥100 or ¥200 per adult depending on the cost of your room

there are lots of online coupons to save money

 

[White Wolf]

some notes for 1st timers

most of japan hotels charge per room and per pax per night
if you are lucky you can find one that only charge per room night

there is no tipping
in place of tipping there is a service charge
consumption tax is 5%
accommodation tax is either ¥100 or ¥200 per adult depending on the cost of your room

there are lots of online coupons to save money

Hi Ortega

Care to share the online where the online coupons can be found? I'm re-visiting Tokyo this October after 3 years. And also your itinerary?

 

[ortega]

Hi Ortega

Care to share the online where the online coupons can be found? I'm re-visiting Tokyo this October after 3 years. And also your itinerary?

sure, i am here to share

http://www.visa-news.jp/visitjapan/

http://rds.gnavi.co.jp/fl/search/searchb.php?id=enU&area=AREAL2141

basically it is Visit Japan Year 2010, so there must be some special deals going on

search for the attraction that you are interested in and look for deals on their website

 

[ortega]

I am basically getting lost in Tokyo
with a side trip to Hakone
and 2 days enjoying Disneyland and DisneySea

 

[alexljy]

I am basically getting lost in Tokyo
with a side trip to Hakone
and 2 days enjoying Disneyland and DisneySea

A suggestion for Disneyland is to go really early if you can. The locals there actually starts to run for rides at the start

 

[simonsng]

Ortega, most of the Ryokan go by pax. Rest of the hotels usually go with per night.
Ryokan charges usually come with 2 meals (Breakfast and Dinner) and also 150yen per night onsen tax and 5% service tax.

 

[White Wolf]

Thanks for contributing~

 

[allusionz]

Half way done planning and things are starting to solidify. Been looking at pictures from all over the world, looks like I will regret if I don't bring a tripod.

Yea agree with u. but tripod not allowed in Disney. Was hoping to take some nice fireworks. do u think it is possible to "smuggle" in? Heard from my friend who went there did manage to bring it in except that the staff told him not to use it. In the end, he witnessed quite a no. of people using it anyway.

 

[ortega]

Yea agree with u. but tripod not allowed in Disney. Was hoping to take some nice fireworks. do u think it is possible to "smuggle" in? Heard from my friend who went there did manage to bring it in except that the staff told him not to use it. In the end, he witnessed quite a no. of people using it anyway.

yeah i heard about that
i'll smuggle in a table pod
i shot HK disneyland fireworks with it before

it you try to bring in a full size tripod and they don't let you bring it in, you will have to rent a locker to keep it. (i read this from Jonathan Ang, thanks for the tip)

 

[caiyan]

** Taisenkan is a ryokan, price includes a Kaiseki (traditional dinner) and breakfast (super big spread too). Highly recommended you go to a good ryokan especially if you're going together with wife/gf. Get to book a private outdoor bath (at least for my ryokan).

I liked all my hotels. The last one is quite squeezy but for the price, it's considered good. The best of course is Taisenkan as it is the highlight of my trip. Don't skimp on this one if u want to experience a traditional ryokan with ALOT of food , wearing a yukata and sleeping on futon - True Japanese Experience :thumbsup:

Glad to read this review about Taiseikan. Going there next month.. Can't wait to try out the private bath. :thumbsup:

 

[allusionz]

yeah i heard about that
i'll smuggle in a table pod
i shot HK disneyland fireworks with it before

it you try to bring in a full size tripod and they don't let you bring it in, you will have to rent a locker to keep it. (i read this from Jonathan Ang, thanks for the tip)

A table pod is a good idea. Will consider that. Thanks!
Btw anyone traveling from 30 Oct to 05 Nov?

 

[szeping]

A suggestion for Disneyland is to go really early if you can. The locals there actually starts to run for rides at the start

Exactly! I was there on 27th Aug, they really ran like a Godzilla was chasing for them when the gate opened.

So if you are planning to buy tickets on the spot and you have companion with you, split! One person queue for ticket and another one queue for the entry (ticket counter opens earlier). And I found out that they like Monster Inc. very much, so you might want to get the fast pass for that one first.

 

[ortega]

I found out that if you stay in one of the Disney related hotels you get to enter the park earlier that the normal crowd, btw the room cost less that shinjuku hotels too.

 

[Akatsuki]

I found out that if you stay in one of the Disney related hotels you get to enter the park earlier that the normal crowd, btw the room cost less that shinjuku hotels too.

This is new... i didn't know that...

 

[ortega]

i may be wrong, let me read more (i will have to ask my wife where she saw this, sorry)

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/hotel/oh_tokuten.html

i will be moving to hilton tokyp bay the night before i go to disneyland/disneysea
this will save me money on hotel charges (in comparison to shinjuku hotels) and train charges
this will also save me transportation time in the morning

the rooms are bigger too
I will check in at night
the next day go disneyland
back to hotel
the next day go disneysea
back to hotel
next day check out

 

[shierwin]

Yea agree with u. but tripod not allowed in Disney. Was hoping to take some nice fireworks. do u think it is possible to "smuggle" in? Heard from my friend who went there did manage to bring it in except that the staff told him not to use it. In the end, he witnessed quite a no. of people using it anyway.

Get a cheapo monopod that you can use as a walking stick. They will not take away your walking stick!

 

[allusionz]

Get a cheapo monopod that you can use as a walking stick. They will not take away your walking stick!

Haha. Not planning to bring monopod tho. Gf complaining about too many "accessories".

Any recommendation for the Disneyland rides?

 

[shierwin]

Hi,

I'm planning to travel japan this November as well but still have some concerns about accommodation. Do you think that I can travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Nikko, Hakone at night, say after 8pm? Hotels and ryokan / minshuku allow check-in after 3pm if I make a reservation beforehand?

Not many trains run at night and they're rather slow. A bed on the train is just as, or more expensive than staying in a hotel. If you want the experiencem fine.

Check this site for cheap and decent hotels:

www.toyoko-inn.com

 

[enkindel]

Hi

will be doing a quick stopover in tokyo en route to San Francisco. Would like to stay in the Shinjuku area, however, need tips on where to stay. I have narrowed down to the few:

1) Shinjuku Prince
2) Shinagawa Prince
3) Shinjuku Washington Hotel
4) Sunroute
5) nishi-Shinjuku

Any idea which of these hotels are the best to stay that is both near the subway to Narita and the line that goes to shibuya-harajuku-ueno ?

I wonder if i can do a day trip to hakone as i only have 3 nites in tokyo

A ride in the shinkansen would be nice.