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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once

S

SiegfriedFM

Member
RetroDLC said:
I could put up for five nights, it all depends on what times my flights arrive and depart, my work schedule at home, trying to get a mortgage sorted, and some other things.
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Maybe it's just me, but I would rather wait until I could stay longer and spend more. Four or five nights is barely enough to get comfortable. And going to Akihabara and not being able to shop away like crazy would be painful. With that little spending money (after food and travel) you'd even have to hesitate buying drinks out of the vending machines.
 
R

RetroDLC

Foundations of Burden
SiegfriedFM said:
Maybe it's just me, but I would rather wait until I could stay longer and spend more. Four or five nights is barely enough to get comfortable. And going to Akihabara and not being able to shop away like crazy would be painful. With that little spending money (after food and travel) you'd even have to hesitate buying drinks out of the vending machines.
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I'll up my spending to £600 then, with an additional £100 for emergencies.

MikeHattsu said:
Well, check the Disneyland crowd calendars so you can try to go on a less busy day at least:
http://tdrnavi.jp/forecast/disneyland?lang=en
http://www15.plala.or.jp/gcap/disney/

International Ghibli tickets for October is sold out, and November tickets are getting low:
http://www.japanspecialist.co.uk/product/ghibli/

Getting Japanese tickets is a crap shoot if you're aiming for morning tickets on a specific day, so you'll need to be awake when they first go up.

Somewhat expensive to go to Hakone though, might be better to spend another day exploring Tokyo instead, especially if you only got 4 days.

Your itinerary is doable at least if you don't buy a lot of stuff.
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Thank you for the links. I think I'll revise my visit to five nights (23rd Feb to 28th Feb), so I've got plenty of weekday time to visit the busy places on the weekdays.
 
T

Trevelyon

Member
Anyway outside of Japan to book JR Buses or at least gauge the availability online?

It would appear I can only book when I'm in Japan in person, and my feeling is that it'll be way too late once I'm there.

Seems like a hell of a tourist trap. Can only book in country/only X amount of day(s) before travel on desired bus takes place.
 
P

Priz

Member
So I used to be sad that LAX folks got all the deals, including one really crazy one with a layover in SFO! $360rt, LAX -> SFO -> HND. I looked up the same airline site and flight # to see if I could book just that part of the trip (I live an hour South near San Jose Airport (SJC)) - $950rt. Geez...

So when I saw on travelpirates the Air China flash sale including SJC, I pounced on it without looking. Kinda regret my dates as I know I'll get grief on the days I'm asking for off (we're retail so busy on Black Friday, this has me flying back Thanksgiving morning) but $398rt... that's just crazy.

11/15 SJC 10:50am -> PVG 4:40pm (+1 day)
11/17 PVG 9:55am -> NRT 13:50pm
11/23 NRT 7:30pm -> PVG 11pm
11/24 PVG 1:30pm -> SJC 8:50am

17 hour layover in Shanghai though... I rented a hotel room and maybe do some sightseeing on that day to adjust to the time difference THEN and be able to do stuff on the 17th ^_^

Been checking Eventernote to see if Superfly or chay or SHOW-YA (or someone else I REALLY like) will perform during that time frame... lots of good shows now scheduled for the weekend before (Fuki is doing a second show and Gacharic Spin are also playing that weekend) but at least there's a fripSide show that weekend... and we'll see if anything else good... plus Anison INDEX at MOGRA as usual...

So hopefully it'll be a good trip and squeeze in time to meet up with people/see new things. Stayed in Asakusa last time but was sick the entire trip so never made it over to Skytree or anything, hope to visit this time.
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Well, tomorrow I head all the way back to tokyo and go home. I ran out of space in my backpack. I really wanted to buy a bottle of shochu, but I don't really trust that I can get it back home OK. So I didn't really bring anything back from Iki

I already got my shinkansen tickets, and even still a lot of them were sold out, so I don't get back to tokyo until about 4:30. So I'll probably head straight to haneda, check my bag and get my tickets, then go back into the city for a bit as my flight isn't until 12:10am.

I'm wondering though. I brought a spare bag to put stuff in, which I might buy stuff in this time I have left. Will they let me take another bag on the plane? So I'll put my backpack under the seat and the other overhead. Or should I try to check it?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
nabe_shogun said:
I'm wondering though. I brought a spare bag to put stuff in, which I might buy stuff in this time I have left. Will they let me take another bag on the plane? So I'll put my backpack under the seat and the other overhead. Or should I try to check it?
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Depends on the size of the backpack, what airline and what checked luggage allowance you got...
 
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nabe_shogun

Member
I'm flying ANA then United to get home. I flew ANA last time and I did the same thing. Had my backpack then brought another bag on. But this was my school trip and my ticket covered up to two checked bags and maybe another carry on. Not too sure.

On the way here my backpack was my carry on and went under the seat, so thats why I'm wondering if I can bring another to put overhead. Although I still don't know if I'll even need it, but I feel bad not bringing anything back for friends/family.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
nabe_shogun said:
I'm flying ANA then United to get home. I flew ANA last time and I did the same thing. Had my backpack then brought another bag on. But this was my school trip and my ticket covered up to two checked bags and maybe another carry on. Not too sure.

On the way here my backpack was my carry on and went under the seat, so thats why I'm wondering if I can bring another to put overhead. Although I still don't know if I'll even need it, but I feel bad not bringing anything back for friends/family.
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If ANA is the issuer of the ticket then you should be allowed 2 checked bags:
http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_common/prepare/baggage/?menu=free

Check your booking to be sure though.

You're not supposed to bring 2 carry-on bags, but there's people breaking the rules.
 
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nabe_shogun

Member
Cool, then I'll keep the spare in my backpack when I head back into the city after checking in at the airport.

Also looking in the mirror, I realized I got super sunburned at the beach yesterday. At least I didn't get stung by a jellyfish like one of the other people I was with.
 
F

Fritz

Member
Does anyone know a proper offline map app for iPhone that has data available for Japan? Normally i am using "here" but they don't have maps for nihon (yet).
 
T

Trevelyon

Member
MikeHattsu said:
That's just how it is I guess :p
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Any idea of local services that could facilitate/bridge these types out of country bookings/foreign tourists.

Like a japanconcert tickets, but for miscellaneous bus/train tickets. Trying JTB, but they'll probably be out for the weekend.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Trevelyon said:
Any idea of local services that could facilitate/bridge these types out of country bookings/foreign tourists.

Like a japanconcert tickets, but for miscellaneous bus/train tickets. Trying JTB, but they'll probably be out for the weekend.
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Well, you don't have your JR Pass before getting to Japan, so unless you want to pay extra...
 
Z

Zatoth

Member
What's the cheapest place to order the pass? (shipping to Europe)

I used jrpass.com up until now. But I think after buying it the last time I saw link to a cheaper site here in the thread.
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Zatoth said:
Still more expensive than last time. Yen exchange rate is terrible at the moment. Luckily not as bad as in summer 2012.
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Thats when I first came. I belive it was at $1USD to 67 yen or something like that. Which is why I might just stockpile my extra yen when I get back for a future trip, just so I don't get screwed by the exchange rate at a future date.
 
Y

YunFang1130

Member
Question to you all, how much would you have to save for a 2 week trip to Japan? I'm based in Tennessee and I have no idea on where I need to begin. Plus I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and I feel like I need to start accomplishing my own goals instead of pushing them off.
 
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nabe_shogun

Member
YunFang1130 said:
Question to you all, how much would you have to save for a 2 week trip to Japan? I'm based in Tennessee and I have no idea on where I need to begin. Plus I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and I feel like I need to start accomplishing my own goals instead of pushing them off.
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depends on what you want to do really. A plane ticket will be at least $1000. After that lodging and activities is up to you.

Im here for a week. Spent $1007 on a plane ticket. $400 for lodging for the week. $280 for jr pass. Then Ive spent about $250 on food/stuff/activities.
 
F

Fritz

Member
YunFang1130 said:
Question to you all, how much would you have to save for a 2 week trip to Japan? I'm based in Tennessee and I have no idea on where I need to begin. Plus I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and I feel like I need to start accomplishing my own goals instead of pushing them off.
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I believe on my first 2 week trip I have spend around 4000 €. I believe you can do it on half the budget actually. Biggest issues would be accomodation and food. If you choose hostels they come under 30 €. Food can be incredibly expensive as well as incredibly inexpensive. Just needs a bit of restraint from your side.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
YunFang1130 said:
Question to you all, how much would you have to save for a 2 week trip to Japan? I'm based in Tennessee and I have no idea on where I need to begin. Plus I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and I feel like I need to start accomplishing my own goals instead of pushing them off.
Click to expand...

Begin by looking up prices for flights.


Rowena said:
Does the JR East Pass cover the Yamanote Line? Also does it cover the NEX? Thank you in advance
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There's 2 different JR East Passes, but yes to both. You'll need to do travel outside of Tokyo for the pass to pay off though.
 
B

Boy Wander

Member
Heading to Japan with my 11 year old son in 2 weeks time. Starting to really stress about how we'll cope with the weather. I've done Orlando and Hong Kong in August. Is Tokyo any worse humidity wise?
 
S

Stalk

Member
Boy Wander said:
Ah well, I guess we'll just have to cope with it. Hopefully it won't put too much of a dampener on things.
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I'm here right now and I have to be honest I'm not finding it that bad. Just warm... Not really damp at the moment but maybe I'm just an outlier. Though it will be 37'c on Tuesday.
 
B

Boy Wander

Member
Stalk said:
I'm here right now and I have to be honest I'm not finding it that bad. Just warm... Not really damp at the moment but maybe I'm just an outlier. Though it will be 37'c on Tuesday.
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I guess wear light clothes, stay hydrated and take a break if it gets too much. It's not like we won't be spending a lot of time indoors too. Trekking through Walt Disney World in August was pretty bad but we managed it OK.
 
Z

Zatoth

Member
nabe_shogun said:
Thats when I first came. I belive it was at $1USD to 67 yen or something like that. Which is why I might just stockpile my extra yen when I get back for a future trip, just so I don't get screwed by the exchange rate at a future date.
Click to expand...

Afair it was ~1€ to 100Yen back then. I am used to ~0,75€ to 100Yen.
 
B

Boy Wander

Member
I have Japan Rail passes for 7 days to cover our Tokyo to Hiroshima and Kyoto trips. What do I need to get around Tokyo? Staying in Ikebukuro and will be likely visiting Odaiba, Disney and Akihabara.
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Boy Wander said:
I guess wear light clothes, stay hydrated and take a break if it gets too much. It's not like we won't be spending a lot of time indoors too. Trekking through Walt Disney World in August was pretty bad but we managed it OK.
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Avoid the south, lol. Although, once I got back from Fukuoka, Tokyo wasnt so bad.


Im sitting in Haneda right now, about to leave. Wish I could stay longer, but it is what it is. Plus I still have 17000 yen in cash left out of my original 51000. Not bad considering I just spent some time earlier today buying a bunch of stuff in Akihabara.
 
S

Stalk

Member
Boy Wander said:
I guess wear light clothes, stay hydrated and take a break if it gets too much. It's not like we won't be spending a lot of time indoors too. Trekking through Walt Disney World in August was pretty bad but we managed it OK.
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Pretty much, though as above mentions I imagine the south is worse. I'm in Hiroshima in two weeks so I will feel it then.
 
B

Boy Wander

Member
Thanks for the advice folks. We have 5 days in Tokyo, 2 in Miyajima, and 5 in Kyoto. Planning to visit Nara and Hiroshima too.

I was advised to send our luggage on from Tokyo to Kyoto and pack a day bag for the bullet train and 2 nights on Miyajima. Anyone have any experience of using this type of service ?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Boy Wander said:
I was advised to send our luggage on from Tokyo to Kyoto and pack a day bag for the bullet train and 2 nights on Miyajima. Anyone have any experience of using this type of service ?
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Should be fine. Make sure your accommodation accepts such arrangements and that they know about it though.


nabe_shogun said:
Thats a long time on Miyajima. Is there even that much stuff to do there? I kinda felt I saw most of it on a day trip.
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Maybe they're spending one of those days in Hiroshima.
 
B

Boy Wander

Member
nabe_shogun said:
Thats a long time on Miyajima. Is there even that much stuff to do there? I kinda felt I saw most of it on a day trip.
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It's 2 nights but only 1 full day. Will probably arrive late afternoon. Then one full day and then onto Hiroshima on the way to Kyoto. We are in a Ryokan for 2 nights on Miyajima.
 
A

Aquavelvaman

Banned
How does Den Den Town compare to Akihabara? I spent about a day and a half in Den Den buying records and staring at anime figures and sick airsoft guns and Famicom games at the Super Potato. Is Akihabara about the same or way better or what?
 
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nabe_shogun

Member
Well, I'm back home. It was a fun trip, but I don't think I'll ever go in july/august again. Also I don't think I'll go alone again. On the plus side, it wasn't really that expensive of a trip, and I did bring a lot of money back with me that I can use on a future trip.

I'll also add, that its probably the worst I've eaten in a while. I only had four meals that didn't come from a convenience store. And several days I only had one meal.

Once I get all my pictures on my computer and hosted I'll post a link here if anyone wants to see them.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Aquavelvaman said:
How does Den Den Town compare to Akihabara? I spent about a day and a half in Den Den buying records and staring at anime figures and sick airsoft guns and Famicom games at the Super Potato. Is Akihabara about the same or way better or what?
Click to expand...

Akiba is worse for retro games, but better for anime figures IMO.
 
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