Winter in Osaka / Tokyo

[Pinoy]

Thats a pretty good deal you got my friend, rmb to get a JR rail pass as well btw!

Think so too. Called them up to confirm my reservation (as I have a kid travelling with me and reservation only states 2 Adults) and they said no issues.

The JR Rail Pass is pricey.. may not go for it since I'm only doing Tokyo & Osaka and nothing much in between.

:Later,

 

[hetfieldpaul]

Think so too. Called them up to confirm my reservation (as I have a kid travelling with me and reservation only states 2 Adults) and they said no issues.

The JR Rail Pass is pricey.. may not go for it since I'm only doing Tokyo & Osaka and nothing much in between.

:Later,

THe airport transfer is very pricey too, if i rmb about 50SGD a person

 

[ShutterCentral]

Think so too. Called them up to confirm my reservation (as I have a kid travelling with me and reservation only states 2 Adults) and they said no issues.

The JR Rail Pass is pricey.. may not go for it since I'm only doing Tokyo & Osaka and nothing much in between.

:Later,

If you are travelling from Osaka to Tokyo and back to osaka, then it is worth to buy the JR pass. The shinkansen 1 way ticket from Osaka to Tokyo is about 8000 yen ($120).

7 days Jr pass is only 28,300 yen and this will also cover your airport transfer which cost 6000 yen ($90). Most importantly, you can take unlimited ride on JR buses and trains. Eg will be Yamamoto line which circle around tokyo (include Shibuya, Shinjuku, ueno, harajuku, etc).

 

[alantkh]

actually,

I think it is better to fly into kansai rather than narita if you are going to both osaka and tokyo. Narita airport is very out of the way.

 

[Pinoy]

Thanks. My route is SG -> Tokyo -> Osaka -> SG. I tried the other way around but found this route cheaper by a couple of hundred.

:Later,

 

[Emerpus]

Yo Pinoy,

My family visited Osaka-Hakone-Tokyo last Nov and it was the most memorable trip we had. But to enjoy it, you need to stay warm and comfortable.

Basic Cold weather wear such as:

1st Layer: Thermal Wear (or T-shirt <- I wore this)
2nd Layer: Sweater
3rd Layer: Jacket that can handle down to 4 Degree Celsius (Might not be sufficient at Mt Fuji 5th Station) or Down Jacket

but most people would have got that right and missed out on the more important things:

1) Protect your hands - Get a good quality Thermal Gloves (I was shivering with my D90 on Mt Fuji, those cotton/wool gloves cannot make it).

2) Protect your Neck - Get a good quality Thermal Scarf (Can cover neck, mouth and cheek when in the open or when windy)

3) Protect your Ear and Head - Get a Thermal Beanie that can cover your ears too (actually more of your ear, it's one of the earliest to feel the pain)

4) For the unforeseen position that may feel too cold - Get Heat Packs.

Now you can really enjoy your holiday

 

[Pinoy]

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I'll have to allot a couple hundred bucks or so for winter wear.

I'll be lugging along my cam gears (40D + maybe 2 lenses)... any precaution I should bear in mind of when shooting during winter?

:Later,

 

[Emerpus]

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I'll have to allot a couple hundred bucks or so for winter wear.

I'll be lugging along my cam gears (40D + maybe 2 lenses)... any precaution I should bear in mind of when shooting during winter?

:Later,

You are welcome

Prepared to set aside about 300-400 per pax (depending on the gear you get and if any discount is available ... winter gear is very expensive ... :sweat

My D90 with 18-105 did well enough even at 5th Station on Mt Fuji ... no lockups or significant battery drain ... 40D should be in the class of D200 so I assume it's weather sealing is at least as good as my D90. But you better bring along a charger just to be safe.

I've heard some 3rd party lens lock up before and one of my tour mate who had problems with his 3rd party lens. Not saying sure will happen but it happened :dunno:

 

[hetfieldpaul]

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I'll have to allot a couple hundred bucks or so for winter wear.

I'll be lugging along my cam gears (40D + maybe 2 lenses)... any precaution I should bear in mind of when shooting during winter?

:Later,

Shouldnt be a problem, i went up to -10 at the Grand Canyon's skywalk before, camera still was functionable

 

[Lomographer]

You are welcome

Prepared to set aside about 300-400 per pax (depending on the gear you get and if any discount is available ... winter gear is very expensive ... :sweat

My D90 with 18-105 did well enough even at 5th Station on Mt Fuji ... no lockups or significant battery drain ... 40D should be in the class of D200 so I assume it's weather sealing is at least as good as my D90. But you better bring along a charger just to be safe.

I've heard some 3rd party lens lock up before and one of my tour mate who had problems with his 3rd party lens. Not saying sure will happen but it happened :dunno:

dropped my D200+Grip in the snow when skiiing in niseko, still had no problem.

the sealing of the D200 is way superior to the 40D

but the D3's weather sealing is the uber one!

 

[Lomographer]

Yo Pinoy,

My family visited Osaka-Hakone-Tokyo last Nov and it was the most memorable trip we had. But to enjoy it, you need to stay warm and comfortable.

Basic Cold weather wear such as:

1st Layer: Thermal Wear (or T-shirt <- I wore this)
2nd Layer: Sweater
3rd Layer: Jacket that can handle down to 4 Degree Celsius (Might not be sufficient at Mt Fuji 5th Station) or Down Jacket

but most people would have got that right and missed out on the more important things:

1) Protect your hands - Get a good quality Thermal Gloves (I was shivering with my D90 on Mt Fuji, those cotton/wool gloves cannot make it).

2) Protect your Neck - Get a good quality Thermal Scarf (Can cover neck, mouth and cheek when in the open or when windy)

3) Protect your Ear and Head - Get a Thermal Beanie that can cover your ears too (actually more of your ear, it's one of the earliest to feel the pain)

4) For the unforeseen position that may feel too cold - Get Heat Packs.

Now you can really enjoy your holiday

this is very useful...

thanks for sharing.

personally in tokyo, where temps range btw 0-8 degree celcius,

i wear only one-jacket as i have a cam bag to carry with me,

esp when i go to crowded areas, and i always go for makan stops at shinjuku, roppongi,

and it's really warm to heater when i have take out all winter clothing,

with one jacket, it's way easier...

not that i'm not afraid of the cold, but it seems enough.

it's a zegna sports jacket, it's thin but made of wool so it's rather protective for it's weight and thickness.

 

[alantkh]

yup. November in tokyo definately no need thermals. A jacket is much more convenient as you can take it off indoors. just get a jacket that is zipped up, not buttons....

Even December I think no need thermals unless you are going up to rural areas where there is strong wind.

If you are going up mountains, I think a scarf is very useful as it can wrap around your ears.... if it is really cold, my ears hurt pretty much.

For gloves, it is VERY impt to get one that allows u to operate your camera. I used thinsulate gloves which is very thin but still offers some protection. If you use those ski gloves, it is impossible to operate your camera and you have to take them off so it is pointless.

 

[Lomographer]

yup. November in tokyo definately no need thermals. A jacket is much more convenient as you can take it off indoors. just get a jacket that is zipped up, not buttons....

Even December I think no need thermals unless you are going up to rural areas where there is strong wind.

If you are going up mountains, I think a scarf is very useful as it can wrap around your ears.... if it is really cold, my ears hurt pretty much.

For gloves, it is VERY impt to get one that allows u to operate your camera. I used thinsulate gloves which is very thin but still offers some protection. If you use those ski gloves, it is impossible to operate your camera and you have to take them off so it is pointless.

yup, even in the winter in niseko while skating and walking ard,

i still wear one jacket plus a thicker overcoat with down (goose feather) in it.

the only thinsulate leather glove i have is a rather old D&G one,

it's leather and it's rather comfy and warm wearing it.

easy to operate cams, for ski gloves,

it's near impossible to shoot with it on,

esp for PnS since it's so small

 

[hetfieldpaul]

yup, even in the winter in niseko while skating and walking ard,

i still wear one jacket plus a thicker overcoat with down (goose feather) in it.

the only thinsulate leather glove i have is a rather old D&G one,

it's leather and it's rather comfy and warm wearing it.

easy to operate cams, for ski gloves,

it's near impossible to shoot with it on,

esp for PnS since it's so small

Its good to wear wool, in the form of long johns or whatsoever, but for me i dont like it, call me crazy i just wear a down jacket and tight jeans when i ski :bsmilie:

 

[Pinoy]

Assuming a temp of 10-12 degrees, would a 2 layer outfit of shirt and long sleeve fleece (sweater) be sufficient to keep you amply warm?

Asking coz I kind of like a fleece sweater in UniQlo... and there's another one I like from Mark & Spencer too. ;p

:Later,