Winter in Osaka / Tokyo

[Pinoy]

try the A380 la, it's rather enjoyable

for a 7 hour flight, would u rather enjoy some extra legroom, comfy seats

or save the 285 dollars?

your choice

I managed to get both (A380 and S$275 savings) by moving the dates a day early. S$1885 for the 3 of us. Not bad.

:Later,

 

[0kb]

Instead of seeing more of cities, consider places like Hirayunomori and Shirakawa-go for family activity and a different experience of Japan, esp if you go later in Dec or in Jan when the snow is thicker.
http://www.hirayunomori.co.jp/english/index.htm

 

[Pinoy]

That's a damn packed itinerary, everything will be a big blur.

I went to Osaka and Kyoto for a week and that was not enough.

Yep. But that's the most we can make out of our annual leaves. :cry: I guess we'll just content ourselves with the main attractions.

:Later,

 

[0kb]

Yep. But that's the most we can make out of our annual leaves. :cry: I guess we'll just content ourselves with the main attractions.
:Later,

I did not enjoy Osaka. Perhaps just Kyoto will do.

 

[Pinoy]

We're after the aquarium and Universal Studios in Osaka. Can't give 'em a miss.

Hopefully when time and money permits, we'll get to visit Hokkaido next time... seems lots of peeps love that place.

:Later,

 

[0kb]

We're after the aquarium and Universal Studios in Osaka. Can't give 'em a miss.

Hopefully when time and money permits, we'll get to visit Hokkaido next time... seems lots of peeps love that place.

:Later,

Hope you understand Japanese language

 

[Rubber_Duck]

na - Thursday
* Depart for Tokyo at 23:45
Day 01 - Friday
* Arrive in Tokyo at 07:15 (Narita) (Please take note from Narita to Tokyo require 2hrs by train)
* Hotel check in
* Ueno Park walkaround (Toshogu Shrine, Benten Temple)

Day 02 - Saturday (3 places in 1 day..!!! very rush..!! normally I took 1 day to shop in either this 3 places and I still have some places have not been there, if you want to visit 1 day in 3 places is like hit and run lor)
* Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara

Day 03 - Sunday (This one still sound reasonable but still very rush lor)
* Shibuya, Meiji Jingu Shrine

Day 04 - Monday (one day in Hakone..!!! I dont think so..!!! is just like Hit and Run lor, please take note that you also need to travel or take the train and that take time lor)
* Hakone / Mt Fuji

Day 05 - Tuesday (This one sound OK)
* Disneyland

Day 06 - Wednesday (This one also OK)
* Disney Sea

Day 07 - Thursday (This one sound not too bad also)
* Hotel check out
* Travel to Osaka via Shinkansen (~3 hrs)
* Hotel check in
* Osaka Aquarium

Day 08 - Friday (This one is OK)
* Universal Studios

Day 09 - Saturday (From Osaka to Kyoto almost half day gone... so you dont have much time to visit some other places, and some place will close abt 5 or 6pm)
* Kyoto

Day 10 - Sunday (Same as above)
* Nara
Day 11 - Monday (This one OK)
* Hotel check out
* Depart for SG at 11:00 (Kansai Intl Airport)
* Arrive in SG at 17:00

One last comments, you are aggressive lor..!!!!
traveling is to enjoy and take it slowly....

 

[Pinoy]

Thanks for the inputs... that's what I exactly need. As of now, that's the plan though I understand that all may not come into fruition.

There's a "Hakone & Mt Fuji return by Bullet Train" full day tour organized by JTB. We're somehow thinking of taking that but the US$150 per head cost sends shivers to my pocket. Quite open on this actually.. we'd be happy settle with having a photo with Mt Fuji as backdrop.

:Later,

 

[Pinoy]

Hope you understand Japanese language

Almost nil. :cry:

:Later,

 

[Lomographer]

its ok, most major hotels staff understand english

and maybe get a handy guides for basic quotes and lines

 

[Pinoy]

its ok, most major hotels staff understand english

and maybe get a handy guides for basic quotes and lines

Thanks. In a way, I've kinda anticipated the language barrier... so I've started stuffing my phone with japan-related apps (maps, lingolook, audio phrasebook etc) this early. :bsmilie:

:Later,

 

[Lomographer]

Thanks. In a way, I've kinda anticipated the language barrier... so I've started stuffing my phone with japan-related apps (maps, lingolook, audio phrasebook etc) this early. :bsmilie:

:Later,

nice, you should be good to go.

also, try to scout some places where they are english-friendly

it will make your experience so much better

 

[pgopal]

Thanks for the inputs... that's what I exactly need. As of now, that's the plan though I understand that all may not come into fruition.

There's a "Hakone & Mt Fuji return by Bullet Train" full day tour organized by JTB. We're somehow thinking of taking that but the US$150 per head cost sends shivers to my pocket. Quite open on this actually.. we'd be happy settle with having a photo with Mt Fuji as backdrop.

:Later,

For me , Hakone & Mt Fuji was a terrific experience back then in 2007.
Tour cost me 13500 YEN per head which included return bullet train ticket :thumbsup:

 

[Kilfane]

Thanks for the inputs... that's what I exactly need. As of now, that's the plan though I understand that all may not come into fruition.

There's a "Hakone & Mt Fuji return by Bullet Train" full day tour organized by JTB. We're somehow thinking of taking that but the US$150 per head cost sends shivers to my pocket. Quite open on this actually.. we'd be happy settle with having a photo with Mt Fuji as backdrop.

:Later,

Actually if you are hoping to save some money and see Mount Fuji and Hakone. Try going down to Odakyu on your Day 2 visit to Shinjuku and check out the Fuji-Hakone Free Pass:http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/fujihakone.html

My girlfriend and I did this earlier on in June. Great way to travel Hakone imo. The bus, ropeway, cablecar, tozan line trains all included together with the 2 way romancecar tickets.

The price is only about 100 SGD and if you top up a bit more you can actually get to go on the RomanceCar. It brings you straight into Hakone and the transportation inside there will be all taken off by the freepass. Even the boat ride around the lake is included. From what I know, the Shinkansen does not actually stop exactly at Hakone-Yumoto. It stops 1-2 stations prior to that and trust me the JR station is quite far from the actual Hakone area.

And for Kyoto & Nara: there are some express trains in the morning you might want to pay a bit more to catch. Save you some time.

Here's a tip where you are at Kyoto go to the bus sightseeing counter in front of the station and buy a 1 day sightseeing tickets for 500 yen. Each bus rides cost 220 yen flat fare anyways and if you are travelling within Kyoto take a bus. The trains aren't that well connected as they are in Tokyo.

Places you might want to go in Kyoto:
Inari -> Remember Memoirs of a Geisha: The little sayuri running through all through Tori Gates to pray...
Gion -> The hanamachi
Ginkakuji
Kinkakuji
Nijio-jo
Heian Jingu Shrine

Nara:
See the shika(Deer)! Yes they are wild. Your daughter should like them.

One last thing: Japanese actually know their English very well. They are shy of making a fool out of themselves. So take the first step with some clumsy japanese and they will see that you need help desparately and will try and help you in English All else fails try this: "Sumimasen, Onegaiishimasu..." aka "Sorry but could I implore you to help me..."

Hope you have a great time in Japan

 

[Lomographer]

Actually if you are hoping to save some money and see Mount Fuji and Hakone. Try going down to Odakyu on your Day 2 visit to Shinjuku and check out the Fuji-Hakone Free Pass:http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/fujihakone.html

My girlfriend and I did this earlier on in June. Great way to travel Hakone imo. The bus, ropeway, cablecar, tozan line trains all included together with the 2 way romancecar tickets.

The price is only about 100 SGD and if you top up a bit more you can actually get to go on the RomanceCar. It brings you straight into Hakone and the transportation inside there will be all taken off by the freepass. Even the boat ride around the lake is included. From what I know, the Shinkansen does not actually stop exactly at Hakone-Yumoto. It stops 1-2 stations prior to that and trust me the JR station is quite far from the actual Hakone area.

And for Kyoto & Nara: there are some express trains in the morning you might want to pay a bit more to catch. Save you some time.

Here's a tip where you are at Kyoto go to the bus sightseeing counter in front of the station and buy a 1 day sightseeing tickets for 500 yen. Each bus rides cost 220 yen flat fare anyways and if you are travelling within Kyoto take a bus. The trains aren't that well connected as they are in Tokyo.

Places you might want to go in Kyoto:
Inari -> Remember Memoirs of a Geisha: The little sayuri running through all through Tori Gates to pray...
Gion -> The hanamachi
Ginkakuji
Kinkakuji
Nijio-jo
Heian Jingu Shrine

Nara:
See the shika(Deer)! Yes they are wild. Your daughter should like them.

One last thing: Japanese actually know their English very well. They are shy of making a fool out of themselves. So take the first step with some clumsy japanese and they will see that you need help desparately and will try and help you in English All else fails try this: "Sumimasen, Onegaiishimasu..." aka "Sorry but could I implore you to help me..."

Hope you have a great time in Japan

i somehow think TS has a very packed schedule...

doubt he will have time to visit all the places you mentioned

 

[Pinoy]

i somehow think TS has a very packed schedule...

doubt he will have time to visit all the places you mentioned

:cry: Not enough leave entitlement.. I should get a new job that will give me more. Hehe.

Seriously, I'll probably go for the main attractions first. After seeing beautiful Hokkaido pictures and vids, I foresee myself going back to Japan in the near future. Might do a Tokyo + Hokkaido by then, fingers crossed.

BTW, where do you guys prefer to stay (accommodatio) in Tokyo? So many options I get confused at the end of the day. :bsmilie:

:Later,

 

[Lomographer]

:cry: Not enough leave entitlement.. I should get a new job that will give me more. Hehe.

Seriously, I'll probably go for the main attractions first. After seeing beautiful Hokkaido pictures and vids, I foresee myself going back to Japan in the near future. Might do a Tokyo + Hokkaido by then, fingers crossed.

BTW, where do you guys prefer to stay (accommodatio) in Tokyo? So many options I get confused at the end of the day. :bsmilie:

:Later,

hi bro, when in tokyo i go back home

however, i know of one hotel which is good.

the hotel mecure ginza on ni-chome (2nd street of ginza)

just a 3 min walk from the hotel lobby you head out straight to ginza main street

passing louis vuitton and itoya on the way.

if need info feel free to pm me.

rates start from 16000 yen nightly, and is 4 star standard,

rooms are well spaced with 2 beds of what seems to be bigger then super single yet smaller then queen

but the price comes with convenience,

right under the hotel is higashiginza metro station.

the hotel is a 15 min walk from tsukijishijo and easy to access most places in central tokyo

 

[Silverelf]

Actually if you are hoping to save some money and see Mount Fuji and Hakone. Try going down to Odakyu on your Day 2 visit to Shinjuku and check out the Fuji-Hakone Free Pass:http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/fujihakone.html

My girlfriend and I did this earlier on in June. Great way to travel Hakone imo. The bus, ropeway, cablecar, tozan line trains all included together with the 2 way romancecar tickets.

The price is only about 100 SGD and if you top up a bit more you can actually get to go on the RomanceCar. It brings you straight into Hakone and the transportation inside there will be all taken off by the freepass. Even the boat ride around the lake is included. From what I know, the Shinkansen does not actually stop exactly at Hakone-Yumoto. It stops 1-2 stations prior to that and trust me the JR station is quite far from the actual Hakone area.

The nearest JR station with Shinkansen is the Shinjuku Station in Tokyo iirc. The Hakone Freepass was ridiculously convenient. It also helped that we stayed at this place where the proprietor was very friendly. He gave us a map and told us the most efficient way to travel round the area. As we were only staying there for one night, that was most helpful.

We stayed at the Lakeside Charlotte's Inn. It looks horrible from the outside, but when you enter the place, it's quite a nice little place.

 

[Silverelf]

:cry: Not enough leave entitlement.. I should get a new job that will give me more. Hehe.

Seriously, I'll probably go for the main attractions first. After seeing beautiful Hokkaido pictures and vids, I foresee myself going back to Japan in the near future. Might do a Tokyo + Hokkaido by then, fingers crossed.

BTW, where do you guys prefer to stay (accommodatio) in Tokyo? So many options I get confused at the end of the day. :bsmilie:

:Later,

I got no money. So I stayed in K's House Tokyo.

 

[Lomographer]

I got no money. So I stayed in K's House Tokyo.

not a bad choice too