Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back

Worthintendo · Jul 17, 2018

Russell said:
Who did you fly with and how was the hotel? Thanks :)

I flew with AirAsia and it was as budget as you get, really cramped. I actually got my flights for 800 which includes select seats so it was a steal. But I think you can get stuff like Singapore Airlines for around 1000 and then are much better.

I love the hotel sakura in Ikebukuro, it's a 5 min walk from the station, there's heaps of food around and it's close to Sunshine city shopping centre. It is no frills so don't expect big rooms but as a place to sleep, shower and drop bags it's perfect.

shotopunx · Jul 17, 2018

I'm going to Tokyo with 3k for ten days in September. Will I starve to death??

MikeHattsu · Jul 17, 2018

shotopunx said:
I'm going to Tokyo with 3k for ten days in September. Will I starve to death??

Yes

shotopunx · Jul 17, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Yes

Shit, better cancel.

Darth Pinche · Jul 17, 2018

Worthintendo said:
I flew with AirAsia and it was as budget as you get, really cramped. I actually got my flights for 800 which includes select seats so it was a steal. But I think you can get stuff like Singapore Airlines for around 1000 and then are much better.

I love the hotel sakura in Ikebukuro, it's a 5 min walk from the station, there's heaps of food around and it's close to Sunshine city shopping centre. It is no frills so don't expect big rooms but as a place to sleep, shower and drop bags it's perfect.

This makes me happy as I scored Singapore Airlines tickets for about $800 each (Seattle to LA to Tokyo)! And I think one of the Air BnB's we got is very close to the Hotel Sakura (we looked at that too).

bomma man · Jul 17, 2018

Russell said:
Is anyone able to please give me a rough estimate of how much I should save in Australian dollars for up to 2 weeks in Tokyo? Flights, accommodation etc.

I am wanting to go next year but don't know when.

I am wanting to do something different each day with a couple of friends such as eating out, or exploring. Will be buying a couple of souvenirs too.

Cheers!

Every year Jetstar do a free return sale, so our flights into Tokyo were about $400. The sale was in March from memory.

Accom is about $150 a night. It was cheaper before the Airbnb purge. Hostels are cheaper if you're willing to stay in dorms.

Food and drinks are pretty cheap compared to here, but stuff (clothes, electronics etc) is more. I think I spent about $1g over two weeks (excluding accom and transport) last time I went, back in 2014.

MikeHattsu · Jul 18, 2018

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...-foreign-visitors-japan-15-6-first-half-2018/

The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to June rose 15.6 percent from the same period a year earlier to 15.89 million, a record for the first half of the year, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday.

If the pace of increase is maintained, the annual figure will top 30 million for the first time. The government aims to attract 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics.

Increases in budget airline flights, mainly in East Asia, led to robust growth, with Chinese independent travelers and cruise ship passengers pushing up the total figure, according to the agency.

Take care if you're visiting in the next few weeks though :p
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...-to-hospitals-as-heat-wave-engulfs-japan.html

Eight people died and thousands were taken to hospitals on Wednesday as a heat wave continued to scorch wide areas of Japan, sending the temperature to top 40 C in the central prefecture of Gifu, the highest recorded in the country in nearly five years.

The scorching heat already killed six people on Tuesday. During the week through last Sunday, 12 people died and 9,956 people -- 3.7 times higher than that of the previous week -- were sent to hospitals, according to a preliminary figure released by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency on Wednesday.

kIdMuScLe · Jul 18, 2018

So SingaporeAir changed my flight schedule... now I'm arriving at 8pm instead of 2pm :-(. So my intenerary is like this now:

Dec 21 arrive at Narita 8pm
Dec 22 Disney Tokyo
Dec 23 fly to Osaka
Dec 23-27 Osaka - Kyoto
Dec 27 fly to Tokyo and go to Hakone
Dec 28 - Jan 3 Tokyo

I'm pretty sad that We won't be going to Hiroshima and Fukuoka anymore because of the flight change ( we were originally supposed to go to Osaka on the day we arrive but is late now and gonna be tired when landing). Also we were trying to get a refund for the 2 nights we were losing at Osaka but our Airbnb host instead was charging us $70 more instead. We denied the change request at the end so we are pretty much set now. We just need family recommendation since we are traveling with our near 2yr old son

Naliem1 · Jul 19, 2018

I'm glad I'm used to high temperatures and humidity, where I live we use to be at 38-42°C and 70-90% all the summer.

And I'm pretty shocked at the prices of flights overseas. From Spain I paid 580€ for the flights.

Also, in the end I'll be sleeping in Miyajima one night. I really wanted to see Itsukushima at night and the night views from the top of the mountain should be really good. Now just praying for good weather.

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

kIdMuScLe said:
Dec 22 Disney Tokyo

Ya going to Disney on a Saturday? Good luck with that :P

Galkinator · Jul 19, 2018

Alright I'm visiting this thread again for another Hokkaido-Tohoku advises lol man this is confusing me.
I'm finishing a 2.5 week trip with my family in Tokyo late September and then I'm flying to Sapporo, I'll probably have about 10-14 days by myself in Japan til I catch my flight back from Tokyo.
So far I thought of doing it this way, please feel free to correct my route or give any other tips to make it better:
• Landing in Sapporo - stay there for about 2-3 nights. one or two daily trips to either (or both) Noboribetsu and Otaru
• Sapporo > Asahikawa. Main reason is to travel and hike the Daisetsuzan national park. Honestly don't know how many days should I dedicate to this part.
• Basically after finishing with Asahikawa and its surroundings this is the part I'm not very sure about. Should I go even more north or are these the parts where trains and public transport become more scarce?

I'm not renting a car because of my budget, would it even be possible traveling in the Asahikawa/Daisetsuzan area without it?

If that's the part where I'm pretty much done with Hokkaido then I'll probably go south through Hakodate for 1 or 2 more nights and travel south all the way to Tokyo through the Tohoku region (maybe stop in Aomori?)

There's so much information and cities and small towns and I struggle a bit with building my itinerary.

1 last thing about it - would a 1 week JR pass prove useful or would I just waste money?

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

Galkinator said:
Basically after finishing with Asahikawa and its surroundings this is the part I'm not very sure about. Should I go even more north or are these the parts where trains and public transport become more scarce?

I'm not renting a car because of my budget, would it even be possible traveling in the Asahikawa/Daisetsuzan area without it?

1 last thing about it - would a 1 week JR pass prove useful or would I just waste money?

You probably shouldn't go any further north, unless you got very specific plans because of limited public transport.

For Daisetsuzan look into staying at either Asahidake Onsen(near Mount Asahidake) or Sounkyo Onsen(near Mount Kurodake) since you got no plans of renting a car. Any further into the park and you'll probably either need a car or book a tour :P

Look into getting a JR East-South Hokkaido pass:
http://www.jreasthokkaido.com/easthokkaido/e/

Flexible 6 days in a 14 day period so you can take trains from Sapporo to Noboribetsu, Sapporo to Hakodate, Hakodate to Aomori, Aomori to Tokyo, and also Tokyo to Narita if your flight leaves from there. All depends on how long you're planning on staying in Sapporo and Tohoku before going to Tokyo.

The JR East-South Hokkaido pass does NOT let you travel between Sapporo and Asahikawa, but you can get a discount round-trip S-ticket for that:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e-direction03.pdf

If you do all the travel from Sapporo <-> Noboribetsu, Asahikawa, Hakodate and whatever else to Tokyo within 7 days, then the standard 1 week JR Pass will be better though.

Galkinator · Jul 19, 2018

MikeHattsu sweet, that cleared some things! Thanks so much.
The JR east pass easily sounds like the best option being flexible and cheaper than the JR pass, I'll most likely go with that one.

Would you say I'm covering most of what Hokkaido has to offer(without a car) in my current route or do you have some suggestions to improve?
Also, if you can think of any good stops on the way south to Tokyo other than Aomori it'll be great :)

kIdMuScLe · Jul 19, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Ya going to Disney on a Saturday? Good luck with that :P

Yes is not like our 2yr kid is gonna be getting on lots of rides plus the wifey just wanted to see Xmas decorations. I'll don't think the crowd is as bad as in Disneyland (I hope not :-/ )

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

Galkinator said:
Would you say I'm covering most of what Hokkaido has to offer(without a car) in my current route or do you have some suggestions to improve?
Also, if you can think of any good stops on the way south to Tokyo other than Aomori it'll be great :)

Well, there's Niseko, but that's more interesting in the winter with winter sports and all and Furano with the flower fields, but that's in the summer, so I guess you're pretty much covered :P There's the Blue Pond if you're interested in photography/nature spots though, but it's a bit far from anything else interesting.

I enjoyed visiting Hirosaki near Aomori, and September is right in the middle of apple season. There's buses going around including a tourist bus that makes a round trip to the castle park. If you do visit, I'd suggest a visit to the Apple Park as well if you're interested in apples, since you can pick and eat different apples there.

I've not visited a lot of other places in Tohoku, but you could check out the samurai district in Kakunodate if you're interested in that kind of thing, Ginzan Onsen if you want to do more onsen, and you could do a day trip from Tokyo to Oze national park if you want to do more hiking.

kIdMuScLe said:
Yes is not like our 2yr kid is gonna be getting on lots of rides plus the wifey just wanted to see Xmas decorations. I'll don't think the crowd is as bad as in Disneyland (I hope not :-/ )

Well, early estimates say that'll be 60K+ people in the park. If you want to eat anything while there then it might be better to leave the park and go to one of the eating places near the train station instead of waiting in 1 hour queues to buy hot dogs from a stall (or 2+ hours getting into one of the restaurants). :P

kIdMuScLe · Jul 19, 2018

MikeHattsu is there a place worth visiting for a day that is outside of Tokyo? Thanks

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

kIdMuScLe said:
MikeHattsu is there a place worth visiting for a day that is outside of Tokyo? Thanks

Well, what kind of stuff do you want to see/do?

kIdMuScLe · Jul 19, 2018

Well we are more into sightseeing/trying out local food. Not big into museums.

P.s. also if there's a tour or city pass like Hakone pass/Osaka day pass that'll be even better

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

kIdMuScLe said:
Well we are more into sightseeing/trying out local food. Not big into museums.

Well, could always head down to Yokohama and check out the chinatown :P

kIdMuScLe · Jul 19, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Well, could always head down to Yokohama and check out the chinatown :P

Oh wow yeah my wife is gonna love it. She's infatuated with Chinatown in other countries lol

Owlowiscious · Jul 19, 2018

Kinda off topic but I wanna vent

Living in Hawaii, buying things for a trip to Florida, Disneyland, and Universal studios for 7 days is costing as much if not more than my three weeks in japan

MikeHattsu · Jul 19, 2018

Owlowiscious said:
Kinda off topic but I wanna vent

Living in Hawaii, buying things for a trip to Florida, Disneyland, and Universal studios for 7 days is costing as much if not more than my three weeks in japan

Ya know what to do next time then ;p

zero_suit · Jul 20, 2018

Owlowiscious said:
Kinda off topic but I wanna vent

Living in Hawaii, buying things for a trip to Florida, Disneyland, and Universal studios for 7 days is costing as much if not more than my three weeks in japan

Ouch.

Deleted member 17630 · Jul 22, 2018

I'm planning on going to a concert or two when I'm there next year is there a "best" place to buy tickets? I'm from the US. I'm sure it depends from show to show/between promo companies, but where are the better places to start looking?

Eldainorn · Jul 22, 2018

If anyone is Jurassic Park/World fan - this is apparently a thing. Could be quite interesting to check out.

https://jurassicoutpost.com/jurassic-world-themed-cafes-pop-up-in-japan-for-a-limited-time/

Narumi · Jul 22, 2018

How strict are the knife laws in Japan?

I intend on bringing a VIctorinox Camper knife with me when I go hiking next month and I'm wondering if I get stopped by the police will I be charged. It's around 9cm in length.

Also, how's Uber in Japan? And is there a good taxi company to call up in the event of any transport emergencies? I'll be based in Tokyo mostly.

MikeHattsu · Jul 22, 2018

Narumi said:
How strict are the knife laws in Japan?

I intend on bringing a VIctorinox Camper knife with me when I go hiking next month and I'm wondering if I get stopped by the police will I be charged. It's around 9cm in length.

Also, how's Uber in Japan? And is there a good taxi company to call up in the event of any transport emergencies? I'll be based in Tokyo mostly.

Well, in the worst case you could end up in jail for 2 weeks. Up to you if you wanna risk it :p
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2009/07/28/voices/pocket-knife-lands-tourist-74-in-lockup-2/

Uber is non-existing except as a more expensive app for getting taxis in Tokyo.

Ottaro · Jul 23, 2018

So,

Tokyo Disney in the end of August. How crazy of an idea is this?
Crowd calendar says it will be busy but im more concerned about the weather. I've never been to Tokyo during the summer. I have lived my life in Texas, but I dont know how the two summers compare. I feel like every time I hear about Tokyo summers it sounds like a nightmare...

bomma man · Jul 23, 2018

I went in mid-late July and it was pretty warm but manageable. For reference, I'm from Tasmania, and it doesn't get particularly hot here. Think you should be fine.

Auberji · Jul 23, 2018

Ottaro said:
So,

Tokyo Disney in the end of August. How crazy of an idea is this?
Crowd calendar says it will be busy but im more concerned about the weather. I've never been to Tokyo during the summer. I have lived my life in Texas, but I dont know how the two summers compare. I feel like every time I hear about Tokyo summers it sounds like a nightmare...

I did it in August 2016, I'm from the UK and we never get... well... warm (with the minor exception of now by comparison). I honestly never really found the entire thing that... intolerable? I mean everywhere is airconned and when I was outside I just wore light clothing. I did Tokyo DisneySea which was a good time and I can't say I ever felt like I was gonna pass out haha. Some people have different tolerances of course.

(I'm also off to Japan again next week for a month so hey)

MikeHattsu · Jul 23, 2018

Ottaro said:
have lived my life in Texas, but I dont know how the two summers compare.

Hm... It's only slightly warmer, but much more humid in Tokyo comparing Austin Texas to Tokyo last August.

And speaking of high temperatures ;P
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...umagaya-near-tokyo-highest-ever-in-japan.html

Japan logged its highest-ever temperature of over 41 C on Monday as a deadly heat wave continued to grip wide areas of the country.

The mercury hit 41.1 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, at 2:16 p.m., eclipsing the previous record of 41.0 C marked in August 2013 in Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture, while Tokyo also logged a record-high 40.8 C in the city of Ome, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The scorching weather has resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people and sent tens of thousands to hospitals, according to a Kyodo News tally and local authorities. On Saturday alone, at least 11 people died from suspected heatstroke.

The Tokyo Fire Department dispatched ambulances 3,125 times on Sunday alone, apparently reflecting a surge in the number of people falling ill from scorching temperatures. More than 300 people were taken to hospitals for possible heatstroke as of Monday morning, it said.

The agency has issued advisories over the scorching heat, urging people to drink water frequently and take measures against heatstroke.

Mendrox · Jul 23, 2018

Narumi said:
How strict are the knife laws in Japan?

I intend on bringing a VIctorinox Camper knife with me when I go hiking next month and I'm wondering if I get stopped by the police will I be charged. It's around 9cm in length.

Also, how's Uber in Japan? And is there a good taxi company to call up in the event of any transport emergencies? I'll be based in Tokyo mostly.

Just don't take knives with you at all. It's not worth it.

ninnanuam · Jul 23, 2018

Ottaro said:
So,

Tokyo Disney in the end of August. How crazy of an idea is this?
Crowd calendar says it will be busy but im more concerned about the weather. I've never been to Tokyo during the summer. I have lived my life in Texas, but I dont know how the two summers compare. I feel like every time I hear about Tokyo summers it sounds like a nightmare...

If you can handle the gulf/Houston humidity you'll be fine I think.

ThanksVision · Jul 23, 2018

Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere, but do we know finer logistics of going during the olympics?

My brother and his wife have been a handful of times (she did JET, he was stationed there for a while, etc) and they want to go in 2020, and my partner and I were thinking of joining them. I have never been, but I know the basics of getting around and what to expect based on a lot of research. What I don't know is what the olympics will be like -- particularly how much more expensive the trip will be? It looks like tickets aren't truly on sale until the beginning of next year, but I haven't found anything definitive.

I'm not really set on going then and would almost prefer going another time, but I am just curious on the finer details of it all.

MikeHattsu · Jul 23, 2018

ThanksVision said:
Apologies if this has been addressed somewhere, but do we know finer logistics of going during the olympics?

Nope. Have to wait till next year to know everything.

Here's some info about how it worked at the 2018 Olympics though:
https://medium.com/road-to-pyeongch...ets-for-the-olympic-winter-games-4cd860002398

Might be similar at 2020, or different :P

MikeHattsu · Jul 23, 2018

The Toei Animation Museum is finally re-opening this Saturday:
https://museum.toei-anim.co.jp

Been closed since September 2014 for renovations.

Narumi · Jul 23, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Well, in the worst case you could end up in jail for 2 weeks. Up to you if you wanna risk it :p
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2009/07/28/voices/pocket-knife-lands-tourist-74-in-lockup-2/

Uber is non-existing except as a more expensive app for getting taxis in Tokyo.

Mendrox said:
Just don't take knives with you at all. It's not worth it.

I see. Thanks for the reply.

Proteus · Jul 23, 2018

Trying to book Tokyo Home Hotel for Wrestle Kingdom. Dates finally opened up in January but the 1st doesn't seem to be available. Even if it was for New Years it seems kind of strange that there would be no availability for just one day.

valeo · Jul 23, 2018

Going over Christmas/New Years

Osaka for 4 days
Kyoto for 3
Tokyo for 7 days

Anyone have any unmissable things/pro japan tips for me?

Ottaro · Jul 23, 2018

bomma man said:
I went in mid-late July and it was pretty warm but manageable. For reference, I'm from Tasmania, and it doesn't get particularly hot here. Think you should be fine.

Stalk said:
I did it in August 2016, I'm from the UK and we never get... well... warm (with the minor exception of now by comparison). I honestly never really found the entire thing that... intolerable? I mean everywhere is airconned and when I was outside I just wore light clothing. I did Tokyo DisneySea which was a good time and I can't say I ever felt like I was gonna pass out haha. Some people have different tolerances of course.

(I'm also off to Japan again next week for a month so hey)

MikeHattsu said:
Hm... It's only slightly warmer, but much more humid in Tokyo comparing Austin Texas to Tokyo last August.

And speaking of high temperatures ;P
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...umagaya-near-tokyo-highest-ever-in-japan.html

ninnanuam said:
If you can handle the gulf/Houston humidity you'll be fine I think.

Thanks yall. My SO and I have an opportunity to go but the horror stories I read about Tokyo summers make me nervous!

MikeHattsu · Jul 24, 2018

Dayum

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...ya_cho_Ito_gun_Wakayama_Prefecture_Kinki.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/sekishoin.en-gb.html

Auberji · Jul 24, 2018

I was almost considering that place haha. I get his point of view, it must get tiring but damn.

sinonobu · Jul 24, 2018

Any recommendation for good family restaurant near akiba area.

Looking for those that appear in anime lol.

MikeHattsu · Jul 24, 2018

sinonobu said:
Any recommendation for good family restaurant near akiba area.

Looking for those that appear in anime lol.

Go to the beef bowl place shown in Steins;Gate :P

https://goo.gl/maps/VCAAB8k2xAH2

sinonobu · Jul 24, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Go to the beef bowl place shown in Steins;Gate :P

https://goo.gl/maps/VCAAB8k2xAH2

My friend wants to go to place that serves stuff like hamburg steak and omurice. ;_;

(I suggested him to going to proper one but he insisted on going to the ones that are similar to ones that appears in anime)

MikeHattsu · Jul 24, 2018

sinonobu said:
(I suggested him to going to proper one but he insisted on going to the ones that are similar to ones that appears in anime)

Which anime :P

sinonobu · Jul 24, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Which anime :P

My life would be easier if I know what exactly he's talking about :(

I'm getting daily slice of life shows in general...?

MikeHattsu · Jul 24, 2018

sinonobu said:
My life would be easier if I know what exactly he's talking about :(

I'm getting daily slice of life shows in general...?

Is this about maid cafes and not restaurants?

...

Then go here :P
http://www.curemaid.jp/?page_id=13229

If not, then just go to COCO's Akihabara or whatever:
https://goo.gl/maps/9uQsKyCd37L2

sinonobu · Jul 24, 2018

MikeHattsu said:
Is this about maid cafes and not restaurants?

...

Then go here :P
http://www.curemaid.jp/?page_id=13229

If not, then just go to COCO's Akihabara or whatever:
https://goo.gl/maps/9uQsKyCd37L2

N...NO!

I'll check out COCO!

MisterB_66 · Jul 24, 2018

If there is one thing planning this trip that keeps bringing me down is how many cool things have two person minimums. I completely understand why, generally being small places that need to maximize their revenue, but man is it frustrating as a solo traveler.

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