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

V

vacantseas

Member
DieAntwoord said:
OK. Which pass would you recommend in that case for someone primarily in Tokyo but will leave 3 times max?
Click to expand...

Along these lines, what about for someone spending all their time in Tokyo?

Suica pass??


Also, on the pocket wifi's over there, do you pay for that when you pick it up?
My wife and I are flying standby to Japan, and there might be a chance we dont get on the flight, so if for some reason we dont make it there and can't get a wifi that we order ahead of time, can we get that refunded?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
vacantseas said:
Along these lines, what about for someone spending all their time in Tokyo?

Also, on the pocket wifi's over there, do you pay for that when you pick it up?
My wife and I are flying standby to Japan, and there might be a chance we dont get on the flight, so if for some reason we dont make it there and can't get a wifi that we order ahead of time, can we get that refunded?
Click to expand...

Just get a Suica or Pasmo card and use that to travel around.

If there's a day where you're planning on taking the JR trains 5+ times, you could get this day-pass though:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/tokunai_pass.html

If you're planning to use the subways a lot (at least 5-6 times for the 24 hour one or 9-10 times for the 72 hour one) you could get this:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/travel/index.html

And the rental agreement depends on the company you ordered pocket WiFi with.
 
R

Raysoul

Member
Got the approved Visa! 1 month to go before we go to Japan :D

Luckily, the AirBnb rental we picked provides free mobile wifi.
 
W

woodland

Member
Anyone living over there/has lived over there in the past (fairly recently) that I can message about a private issue related to traveling over there? It's a question.

If you can just PM me please - thank you!
 
S

SalvaPot

Member
MikeHattsu said:
Why would you go all the way back to Narita to go to Okayama instead of going to Shinjuku or Tokyo station to take transport?

For Narita-Nakano:
http://www.cheap-hostel-tokyo.com/e/access.php

For Tokyo-Okayama by bus:
http://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/bus/route/kanto/okayama/

Depending on how long you're staying in Okayama/how much the single trip is, you should check out the bus pass as well:
http://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/buspass/index.php

You can use the ICOCA card while traveling within Tokyo and Okayama, but not between the two.
Click to expand...

That was a typo on my part, sorry. I meant Nakano - Okayama. Thanks for the info! I am about to ride my plane now, wish me luck x).
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Just wondering, but is there like a day of the week for flying in and out of Japan from LA thats cheapest? When looking at tickets, the price can vary by a couple hundred just by changing the day of the week.

Thinking about planning a trip sometime in may, maybe early june.
 
M

mere_immortal

Member
I've noticed a lot of people tend to fly into Narita even if they are immediately going to Kyoto/Osaka etc. Checking the flights for me at least from Manchester UK it seems that they're pretty much the same if I fly into Kansai and head home from Tokyo. Am I missing something or does it just work out that way?
 
R

Rydeen

Member
mere_immortal said:
I've noticed a lot of people tend to fly into Narita even if they are immediately going to Kyoto/Osaka etc. Checking the flights for me at least from Manchester UK it seems that they're pretty much the same if I fly into Kansai and head home from Tokyo. Am I missing something or does it just work out that way?
Click to expand...
Narita is specifically the airport for international flights, most of the smaller airports in Japan are primarily for domestic flights. It's very common to arrive in Japan at Narita from a foreign country, and catch a small charter flight to the prefecture destination. Most airlines won't charge extra for the second flight out of Narita to the Kansai area.

nabe_shogun said:
Just wondering, but is there like a day of the week for flying in and out of Japan from LA thats cheapest? When looking at tickets, the price can vary by a couple hundred just by changing the day of the week.

Thinking about planning a trip sometime in may, maybe early june.
Click to expand...

Middle of the week is almost always cheaper. I'm flying out from Seattle next Wednesday and my round trip was only $670.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
M

Mairu

Member
MikeHattsu, as the resident expert, do you have any suggestions for last minute Naoshima accommodations?

Seems a bit complicated as a lot of the dormitories/guest homes seem to only offer booking over the phone... I wonder how difficult it would be to just pop in to places if I end up taking the ferry over and missing the trip back ;)

Figured it out!

Starting to get the rest of my rough itinerary together, now to figure out what I'd still like to do around Tokyo/Yokohama on the last few days before I fly out of Narita... 🤔
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Rydeen said:
Narita is specifically the airport for international flights, most of the smaller airports in Japan are primarily for domestic flights. It's very common to arrive in Japan at Narita from a foreign country, and catch a small charter flight to the prefecture destination. Most airlines won't charge extra for the second flight out of Narita to the Kansai area.



Middle of the week is almost always cheaper. I'm flying out from Seattle next Wednesday and my round trip was only $670.
Click to expand...

What? Thats crazy cheap. I've been looking in May and everything is like $1300+, and thats with horrible layovers.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
danowat said:
Yup, twice that.

but I guess could have gone cheaper, but if you (I) went cheaper you end up on a shonky airline and / or mental layovers.

We choose a decent airline that was (pretty much apparent from a plane change in HEL) direct.
Click to expand...

I've never had either of those :p

Flown 3xJAL, 5xFinnAir, 2xANA and 2xSAS metal (and once with Swiss on a South Korea/Japan trip)

Since you're flying out of HEL, I guess you're on either JAL or FinnAir metal as well.
 
D

danowat

Banned
MikeHattsu said:
I've never had either of those :p

Flown 3xJAL, 5xFinnAir, 2xANA and 2xSAS metal (and once with Swiss on a South Korea/Japan trip)

Since you're flying out of HEL, I guess you're on either JAL or FinnAir metal as well.
Click to expand...

JAL, maybe the prices are just elevated in Brexit land!
 
D

danowat

Banned
MikeHattsu said:
Ah, guess might be more expensive since you're on the BA flight and premium economy ;P
Click to expand...

Yeah, Bad Attitude Airways ;)

We missed out on a good deal with Finnair, I checked the week before we booked and they had seats, when I went to book it was sold out, so the deal I got was the best I could get at the time, unless I wanted to fly with Air China.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
danowat said:
We missed out on a good deal with Finnair, I checked the week before we booked and they had seats, when I went to book it was sold out, so the deal I got was the best I could get at the time, unless I wanted to fly with Air China.
Click to expand...

Gotta get the deal while it's there ;P
 
S

Spikematic

Member
Hey guys, I'm planning to accompany my friends to Japan next month (they booked flights from April 8 to April 16). First time I'll be going there so super excited. This thread has been very helpful and I was hoping I could get some extra advice.

So since we'll be there around 7 nights, I was thinking we should stick to two places total: Tokyo and Kyoto. Like maybe 3 nights in Tokyo, 3 in Kyoto and then 1 more in Tokyo before flying out the next day. Does that sound decent? Or should we + or - one of the nights from those two and squeeze in another city, with the main goal being sightseeing at a not too frantic pace.

Then keeping the above in mind, what would be the best train ticket option for us? The 1 week JR pass? I did read that the JR pass is mostly worth it if there's going to be a lot of travel. Is traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto (and maybe Osaka?) enough to warrant to buy it? Or are there cheaper/better alternatives for this sort of itinerary?

My friends are not very good at planning so they want me to make these decisions for the trip. So I'd greatly appreciate any sort of help/feedback. Thanks in advance!
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Spikematic said:
So since we'll be there around 7 nights, I was thinking we should stick to two places total: Tokyo and Kyoto. Like maybe 3 nights in Tokyo, 3 in Kyoto and then 1 more in Tokyo before flying out the next day. Does that sound decent? Or should we + or - one of the nights from those two and squeeze in another city, with the main goal being sightseeing at a not too frantic pace.

Then keeping the above in mind, what would be the best train ticket option for us? The 1 week JR pass? I did read that the JR pass is mostly worth it if there's going to be a lot of travel. Is traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto (and maybe Osaka?) enough to warrant to buy it? Or are there cheaper/better alternatives for this sort of itinerary?
Click to expand...

Since you only got 1 week I'd say skip Kyoto unless you absolutely have to, and visit Kamakura for a day trip from Tokyo instead if you need to see a temple and shrine heavy place.

Instead of the JR Pass you can get these discount Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto:
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/FPK1J01031MKC/

The absolutely cheapest option would be to take an overnight bus if you think you can manage to sleep on a bus though.
 
S

Spikematic

Member
MikeHattsu said:
Since you only got 1 week I'd say skip Kyoto unless you absolutely have to, and visit Kamakura for a day trip from Tokyo instead if you need to see a temple and shrine heavy place.

Instead of the JR Pass you can get these discount Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto:
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/FPK1J01031MKC/

The absolutely cheapest option would be to take an overnight bus if you think you can manage to sleep on a bus though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I'd rather not take an overnight bus, I'm not that strapped on cash so a train will be fine.

I'll look up Kamakura. I always thought Kyoto was a must-visit place but I guess it'll be hard squeezing it in within a week.
 
R

Rydeen

Member
nabe_shogun said:
What? Thats crazy cheap. I've been looking in May and everything is like $1300+, and thats with horrible layovers.
Click to expand...
May is almost in peak season for vacations. I wouldn't want to go in late Spring / early Summer, it gets so humid in Tokyo. It was still consistently in the 80's in late October when I was last there, didn't cool off until November. I've also noticed prices are super cheap in Winter up until a few weeks before Golden Week when rates shoot up again.
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Spikematic said:
I always thought Kyoto was a must-visit place but I guess it'll be hard squeezing it in within a week.
Click to expand...

It is if you got 2 weeks, or if you're only going for 1 week, landing at KIX and are spending all your time in the Kansai area instead of Tokyo. Doing both Tokyo and Kyoto in just a 1 week trip is gonna be way too much/hectic to do properly :p
 
N

nabe_shogun

Member
Rydeen said:
May is almost in peak season for vacations. I wouldn't want to go in late Spring / early Summer, it gets so humid in Tokyo. It was still consistently in the 80's in late October when I was last there, didn't cool off until November. I've also noticed prices are super cheap in Winter up until a few weeks before Golden Week when rates shoot up again.
Click to expand...

Didnt realize it was peak vacation time. Im a student so it would have to be during the summer, spring break, or christmas. I was there last august and the weather was horrible. However, I also did a study abroad a few years ago may-june and it wasnt bad. Thats why Id do early june at the latest.
 
H

Hexxen-Panda

Member
JR Pass voucher just arrived.
My mind is blown at how it could get issued at a travel agency in Paris, France, and arrive in the middle of rural Canada in less than 24 hours.

Now I'm confused about the bit about best seating on a Tokyo-Kyoto train. Specifically, which seats would give a great view of Mt. Fuji and Biwa lake. The pamphlet says sit on the left, but wouldn't that be facing away from those landmarks?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Hexxen-Panda said:
JR Pass voucher just arrived.
My mind is blown at how it could get issued at a travel agency in Paris, France, and arrive in the middle of rural Canada in less than 24 hours.

Now I'm confused about the bit about best seating on a Tokyo-Kyoto train. Specifically, which seats would give a great view of Mt. Fuji and Biwa lake. The pamphlet says sit on the left, but wouldn't that be facing away from those landmarks?
Click to expand...

You'll want an E or D seat if you want to try to see Mt Fuji.
 
Ennosuke

Ennosuke

Member
I would like to make a day trip close to Fuji-san. At least take some nice photos. I thought about Chureito Pagoda, but it takes about 3,5 hours from Tokyo to get there. We can use the JR pass, but some parts of the way are not covered. Any other recommendations, probably something where you can get quicker close to Fuji-san?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Ennosuke said:
I would like to make a day trip close to Fuji-san. At least take some nice photos. I thought about Chureito Pagoda, but it takes about 3,5 hours from Tokyo to get there. We can use the JR pass, but some parts of the way are not covered. Any other recommendations, probably something where you can get quicker close to Fuji-san?
Click to expand...

Could try going to Shin-Fuji station with the Shinkansen if you got an JR Pass. Although you'll not get a totally unobstructed view.
 
L

Laevateinn

Member
Copons said:
I sort of love how you basically know everything. :D
Click to expand...

N3MJs5u.jpg
 
M

Mairu

Member
Looking for some less common day trip ideas in the Tokyo/Yokohama area... I've been to Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, and did a really great hike to Mt Takao last time. Any suggestions?
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Mairu said:
Looking for some less common day trip ideas in the Tokyo/Yokohama area... I've been to Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, and did a really great hike to Mt Takao last time. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Check out old village feel of Kawagoe, the pink moss in Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu or Mount Nokogiriyama?
 
E

Etrian Oddity

Member
Hattsu-sama!

So I'm planning a Japan trip in 2018, emphasis on the word planning. I want to spend a week there, perhaps including travel time (so maybe 5 days, maybe a full 7).

Few questions for you:

- I'm trying to save at least $3k for it, goal is $3.5 to $4k. I hear most of the expense is in the flight tickets compared to when you actually are in Japan, is this true?

- I want to go to Fukuoka, for various career-related reasons (I'm a chef). But I want the whole experience. I'm thinking arrive at Tokyo (see Tsukiji at some point), hop on the train to Osaka and spend a day there. Then ride to Hiroshima for maybe a day. Spend the rest of my time in Fukuoka and return back to Tokyo for the departing flight.

Too much of a time crunch for 7 days? Not sound in travel logistics?

Laevateinn said:
N3MJs5u.jpg
Click to expand...
This is fucking hilarious
 
M

MikeHattsu

Member
Etrian Oddity said:
- I'm trying to save at least $3k for it, goal is $3.5 to $4k. I hear most of the expense is in the flight tickets compared to when you actually are in Japan, is this true?

- I want to go to Fukuoka, for various career-related reasons (I'm a chef). But I want the whole experience. I'm thinking arrive at Tokyo (see Tsukiji at some point), hop on the train to Osaka and spend a day there. Then ride to Hiroshima for maybe a day. Spend the rest of my time in Fukuoka and return back to Tokyo for the departing flight.

Too much of a time crunch for 7 days? Not sound in travel logistics?
Click to expand...

If you're traveling from the US to Japan, then yeah, usually the flight is the most expensive thing.

Well, you'll spend more time on trains and checking into various accommodations than actually doing anything since you're almost covering all of Japan ;P

Oh, and the fish market will most likely have moved to the new location by 2018 from Tsukiji.
 
E

Etrian Oddity

Member
MikeHattsu said:
If you're traveling from the US to Japan, then yeah, usually the flight is the most expensive thing.

Well, you'll spend more time on trains and checking into various accommodations than actually doing anything since you're almost covering all of Japan ;P

Oh, and the fish market will most likely have moved to the new location by 2018 from Tsukiji.
Click to expand...
So chop it down to two cities then?
 
T

ThreePiMatt

Member
Etrian Oddity said:
Hattsu-sama!

So I'm planning a Japan trip in 2018, emphasis on the word planning. I want to spend a week there, perhaps including travel time (so maybe 5 days, maybe a full 7).

Few questions for you:

- I'm trying to save at least $3k for it, goal is $3.5 to $4k. I hear most of the expense is in the flight tickets compared to when you actually are in Japan, is this true?

- I want to go to Fukuoka, for various career-related reasons (I'm a chef). But I want the whole experience. I'm thinking arrive at Tokyo (see Tsukiji at some point), hop on the train to Osaka and spend a day there. Then ride to Hiroshima for maybe a day. Spend the rest of my time in Fukuoka and return back to Tokyo for the departing flight.

Too much of a time crunch for 7 days? Not sound in travel logistics?


This is fucking hilarious
Click to expand...

Go to flights.google.com and set up price alerts. About a month ago I woke up in the morning and saw an alert that non stop flights dropped from about $1800 to $850. As I was trying to coordinate with a friend the price shot back up, that price was there for less than half a day. I got an alert last night for nonstop dropping down to $750 and didn't even hesitate, booked last night. This morning, the price jumped back up to $1900.
 
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