Ask me any questions - Part 2

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
thanks so much!

https://secure.j-bus.co.jp/hon/Route/Highway?dpcd=04&apcd=06&dtym=201902&dtdd=19

is this the only bus available to get to Zao Onsen?

because the original plan was this:
10Mar - arrive Tokyo and stay one night.
11Mar- take 6:38AM shinkansen to Sendai, drop luggage at hotel before taking bus to Zao Onsen for day trip to ski before returning to Sendai in the late afternoon

jialat:( any other more convenient alternative for skiing in that area?

i just realized theres buses from Yamagata station too. where can i see the bus schedule for that?

Yes, only one service at 0800hrs from Sendai to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal and the return bus service is at 1630hrs back to Sendai station.
http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/access/
 

mamboberg

Senior Member
Joined
May 30, 2002
Messages
770
Reaction score
4
I was looking through hyerdia.. Im going to take shinkansen from mishima towards tokyo then change to Jr yamanote towards akihabara.

I saw the charge for the shinkansen ticket is at 2050 yen for reserved ticket but tokyo to akihabara is at 2270 yen ? I do another route tokyo to akihabara, its only less than 140 yen? Is the charges correct?
 

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
I was looking through hyerdia.. Im going to take shinkansen from mishima towards tokyo then change to Jr yamanote towards akihabara.

I saw the charge for the shinkansen ticket is at 2050 yen for reserved ticket but tokyo to akihabara is at 2270 yen ? I do another route tokyo to akihabara, its only less than 140 yen? Is the charges correct?

¥2,050 is for ordinary reserved car seat. Basic train fare is ¥2,270. Unless you want to take the unreserved car, you’ll still need to pay ¥1,730 on top of the basic train fare. I would rather go for ordinary reserved car seat with just ¥300 more. The total charge of ¥4,320 includes the train ride all the way to Akihabara. But if you’re using a JR Pass, the basic train fare + ordinary reserved car seat fare are included.
 
Last edited:

xxSaDanxx

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
363
Reaction score
13
I thought Hyperdia is quite straight forward? You probably won’t need a JR Pass. Osaka > Kanazawa via Thunderbird > Nagano via Hakutaka > Yudanaka via private rail > Nagano > Tokyo via Kagayaki. That’s around ¥22,000 for shinkansen.

Appreciate and thx @thwysg. May I check if necessary to have purchase reserved seatings if I’m leaving in the morning? So I just purchase the individual tickets from the respective stops right?
 

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
Appreciate and thx @thwysg. May I check if necessary to have purchase reserved seatings if I’m leaving in the morning? So I just purchase the individual tickets from the respective stops right?

You can get all Shinkansen/ Limited Express seat tickets first when you’re at any major JR stations with Shinkansen ticket offices. Just make sure you don’t miss your trains. Get your tickets for the private rails when you’re at Nagano station. It’s up to you if you wanted reserved seats. I would prefer to have my tickets ready, at least I’ve got a seat secured throughout the journey.
 

deodorant

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
11,830
Reaction score
1,223
because the original plan was this:
10Mar - arrive Tokyo and stay one night.
11Mar- take 6:38AM shinkansen to Sendai, drop luggage at hotel before taking bus to Zao Onsen for day trip to ski before returning to Sendai in the late afternoon
With this kind of crazy schedule, frankly I would say don't even bother going for that 1/2 day of skiing*. Just go zao onsen ride the gondola at the top to see the snow monsters, then maybe also detour to the fox village, then go back to sendai.

Anyway when I went zao onsen last year I did the yamagata route. Roughly one bus an hour, 30mins from yamagata Station to zao onsen.

http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/access/

* Seriously, you reach zao onsen by the time you get your rental gear, lift ticket etc done its probably already lunchtime. So means you lunch first hit slopes at 1pm+++, you basically have just ~3hrs of skiing, is it worth it lol.
 
Last edited:

chainer22

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
578
Reaction score
0
With this kind of crazy schedule, frankly I would say don't even bother going for that 1/2 day of skiing*. Just go zao onsen ride the gondola at the top to see the snow monsters, then maybe also detour to the fox village, then go back to sendai.

Anyway when I went zao onsen last year I did the yamagata route. Roughly one bus an hour, 30mins from yamagata Station to zao onsen.

http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/english/access/

* Seriously, you reach zao onsen by the time you get your rental gear, lift ticket etc done its probably already lunchtime. So means you lunch first hit slopes at 1pm+++, you basically have just ~3hrs of skiing, is it worth it lol.

yea we weren't planning to ski for long, going for the 2 hours slot just for the experience. thanks for your advice though!
 

deodorant

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
11,830
Reaction score
1,223
yea we weren't planning to ski for long, going for the 2 hours slot just for the experience. thanks for your advice though!
I assume you haven't skiied before.

Personally I would strongly recommend NOT to ski for just 2 hours, because as first timers in that sort of time frame you aren't experiencing skiing at all, I'd recommend at least ~6hrs: 2h+ for picking up the basics, then lunch, then another 2h+ to go out of the bunny slopes area and try to explore the rest of the mountain.

But of course your holiday your decision :)
 

endlssorrow

Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
9,474
Reaction score
376
Can ask Tokyo Disney need 2 days to play?

Disneyland and Disney sea ah?

Is it like 2 theme park of similar like -USS
 

Gixxerfied

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
May 24, 2008
Messages
84,530
Reaction score
2,706
Sea is separate from Land so u need 1 day for each. If kids(If any) is older then i suggest sea.
 

purpleberry

Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
5,845
Reaction score
164
Thank you for your reply.

If you have been or know to these areas, do you mind recommending me some cheaper hotel to stay in those areas. And any idea how much is the average price for 2 pax?

I checked Japan-Guide and their recommended itinerary also included Ise, Kunamo, Mount Koya. Worth visiting or do they fall under the top 5 places to visit?

2 pax maybe about $100-150 in Kobe. You can try deciding which area to stay first and then go to tripadvisor or similar to find good hotels around that area.

Ise is very far from Osaka. Koya san looks nice in autumn and winter season. I am not sure about summer though.
 

Cupboard

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
Hi all, I will be going to Japan for the first time alone from 10 March to 1 April 2019. I am able to speak Mandarin and understand very basic Japanese. I wish to share my itinerary with you guys, and seek any advice that you guys could provide me. This will be a long post so please bear with me.


10 March, Sunday - Tokyo
  • Flight from Singapore to Haneda Airport
  • Expected touchdown about 1600hrs Japan local time
  • Pick up a Japanese 4G SIM Card and Suica Card
  • Travel to hotel in Ginza
  • Settle down and probably spend some time exploring the hotel's vicinity

11 March, Monday - Tokyo
  • Roam Ginza area - Hakuhinkan Toy Park, Hamarikyu Garden, Kabukiza Theatre, Godzilla Statue
  • Imperial Palace and East Garden
  • Roam Roppongi - Ichiran Ramen Roppongi for dinner

12 March, Tuesday - Tokyo
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park
  • Roam Harajuku - Takeshita Dori, Afuri Ramen, Togo Shrine, Omotesando
  • Roam Shinjuku - Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Observation Decks)

13 March, Wednesday - Tokyo
  • Roam Asakusa - Nakamise Dori, Sensoji
  • Roam Ueno - Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Kan'ei-ji, Ueno Park, Yushima Tenmangu
  • Walk along Sumida River
  • Roam Ikebukuro - Sunshine City (Pokemon Center), Namja Town, Bic Camera
  • Nezu Shrine

14 March, Thursday - Tokyo

  • Roam Odaiba - Unicorn Gundam, Divercity, Ooedo Onsen, AquaCity, Ramen Theme Park, Odaiba Fuji Television, Palette Town

15 March, Friday - Day trip to Nikko
16 March, Saturday - Day trip to Kamakura
17 March, Sunday - undecided

18 March, Monday - Tokyo > Hakone > Osaka
  • Early check-out from hotel
  • Proceed to Hakone to do Hakone loop
  • Proceed to Osaka
  • Check-in into Osaka hotel in the Namba area
  • Roam Dotonbori area for food

19 March, Tuesday - Osaka
Shinsekai Market, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, Nippombashi, Kuromon Market
Roam Dotonbori area for food


20 March, Wednesday - Osaka
  • Osaka Castle, Osakajokoen
  • Roam Dotonbori / Hozenji Yokocho area

21 March, Thursday - Nara day trip

22 March, Friday - Osaka
  • Sumiyoshi Taisha
  • Shitennoji Temple
  • Roam Namba area

23 March, Saturday - Osaka > Kyoto
  • Check out of hotel
  • Osaka Station, Umeda Sky Building
  • Proceed to Kyoto
  • Check-in into hotel, in Kawaramachi area
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area
  • Yasaka Shrine

24 March, Sunday - Kyoto
  • Nishiki Market
  • Kiyomizudera and Kiyomizuzaka
  • Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka vicinity
  • Ishibei-koji
  • Kodaiji Temple
  • Chion-In
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area at night

25 March, Monday - Kyoto
  • Wake up early and proceed to Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • Kyoto Station Building and vicinity
  • Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple
  • Kyoto Railway Museum

26 March, Tuesday - Kyoto
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Tenryuji Temple
  • Monkey park
  • Daikakuji Temple
  • Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
  • Adashino-Nenbutsuji Temple
  • Giouji Temple

27 March, Wednesday - Kyoto
  • Heian Shrine
  • Nanzenji Temple
  • Philosopher's Path
  • Honen-in Temple
  • Ginkakuji Temple
  • Daimonjiyama Hike
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace
  • Nijo Castle

28 March, Thursday - Kyoto > Tokyo
  • Check out of hotel and proceed to Tokyo
  • Check-in into hotel, in Ginza area

29 March, Friday - Tokyo
Roam Akihabara

30 and 31 March - Free days in Tokyo

1 April, Monday - Tokyo > Home
  • Check out of hotel
  • Roam Tokyo Station
  • Proceed to Haneda Airport for flight home in the evening

=====

Questions:

1. I am considering getting a 14-day JR Pass. Is it worth it? I've heard IC Cards can't be use for Shinkansen travel but I've also heard otherwise..

2. Apart from Suica Card, is it worth getting an ICOCA Card for travel in Kyoto as well?

3. Are there any memorable points of interest that I had missed out? (note that I will be going back to Japan in the future, however I want to know if there are any places that I should definitely visit during the Spring season?)

4. I am also interested in Tokusatsu stuff.. particularly Ultraman. Are there any places with Ultraman attractions? I've Googled but can't seem to find one.
 

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
So one day one park?

Yes, at least one day per park. Go to its homepage for detailed map and show schedules. Check which attractions or shows that are not available, sometimes they do close for maintenance or change of themes. Do all these closer to date. I usually like to plan the flow of the visits to different places.
 

evilerniex

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2006
Messages
17,513
Reaction score
15
Hi all, I will be going to Japan for the first time alone from 10 March to 1 April 2019. I am able to speak Mandarin and understand very basic Japanese. I wish to share my itinerary with you guys, and seek any advice that you guys could provide me. This will be a long post so please bear with me.
10 March, Sunday - Tokyo
  • Flight from Singapore to Haneda Airport
  • Expected touchdown about 1600hrs Japan local time
  • Pick up a Japanese 4G SIM Card and Suica Card
  • Travel to hotel in Ginza
  • Settle down and probably spend some time exploring the hotel's vicinity

11 March, Monday - Tokyo
  • Roam Ginza area - Hakuhinkan Toy Park, Hamarikyu Garden, Kabukiza Theatre, Godzilla Statue
  • Imperial Palace and East Garden
  • Roam Roppongi - Ichiran Ramen Roppongi for dinner

12 March, Tuesday - Tokyo
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park
  • Roam Harajuku - Takeshita Dori, Afuri Ramen, Togo Shrine, Omotesando
  • Roam Shinjuku - Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Observation Decks)

13 March, Wednesday - Tokyo
  • Roam Asakusa - Nakamise Dori, Sensoji
  • Roam Ueno - Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Kan'ei-ji, Ueno Park, Yushima Tenmangu
  • Walk along Sumida River
  • Roam Ikebukuro - Sunshine City (Pokemon Center), Namja Town, Bic Camera
  • Nezu Shrine

14 March, Thursday - Tokyo

  • Roam Odaiba - Unicorn Gundam, Divercity, Ooedo Onsen, AquaCity, Ramen Theme Park, Odaiba Fuji Television, Palette Town

15 March, Friday - Day trip to Nikko
16 March, Saturday - Day trip to Kamakura
17 March, Sunday - undecided

18 March, Monday - Tokyo > Hakone > Osaka
  • Early check-out from hotel
  • Proceed to Hakone to do Hakone loop
  • Proceed to Osaka
  • Check-in into Osaka hotel in the Namba area
  • Roam Dotonbori area for food

19 March, Tuesday - Osaka
Shinsekai Market, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, Nippombashi, Kuromon Market
Roam Dotonbori area for food


20 March, Wednesday - Osaka
  • Osaka Castle, Osakajokoen
  • Roam Dotonbori / Hozenji Yokocho area

21 March, Thursday - Nara day trip

22 March, Friday - Osaka
  • Sumiyoshi Taisha
  • Shitennoji Temple
  • Roam Namba area

23 March, Saturday - Osaka > Kyoto
  • Check out of hotel
  • Osaka Station, Umeda Sky Building
  • Proceed to Kyoto
  • Check-in into hotel, in Kawaramachi area
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area
  • Yasaka Shrine

24 March, Sunday - Kyoto
  • Nishiki Market
  • Kiyomizudera and Kiyomizuzaka
  • Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka vicinity
  • Ishibei-koji
  • Kodaiji Temple
  • Chion-In
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area at night

25 March, Monday - Kyoto
  • Wake up early and proceed to Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • Kyoto Station Building and vicinity
  • Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple
  • Kyoto Railway Museum

26 March, Tuesday - Kyoto
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Tenryuji Temple
  • Monkey park
  • Daikakuji Temple
  • Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
  • Adashino-Nenbutsuji Temple
  • Giouji Temple

27 March, Wednesday - Kyoto
  • Heian Shrine
  • Nanzenji Temple
  • Philosopher's Path
  • Honen-in Temple
  • Ginkakuji Temple
  • Daimonjiyama Hike
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace
  • Nijo Castle

28 March, Thursday - Kyoto > Tokyo
  • Check out of hotel and proceed to Tokyo
  • Check-in into hotel, in Ginza area

29 March, Friday - Tokyo
Roam Akihabara

30 and 31 March - Free days in Tokyo

1 April, Monday - Tokyo > Home
  • Check out of hotel
  • Roam Tokyo Station
  • Proceed to Haneda Airport for flight home in the evening

=====
Questions:

1. I am considering getting a 14-day JR Pass. Is it worth it? I've heard IC Cards can't be use for Shinkansen travel but I've also heard otherwise..

2. Apart from Suica Card, is it worth getting an ICOCA Card for travel in Kyoto as well?

3. Are there any memorable points of interest that I had missed out? (note that I will be going back to Japan in the future, however I want to know if there are any places that I should definitely visit during the Spring season?)

4. I am also interested in Tokusatsu stuff.. particularly Ultraman. Are there any places with Ultraman attractions? I've Googled but can't seem to find one.

1. 14 days JR pass unlikely to be worth it for u. JR pass is mainly to cover expensive long distance trip, which for ur case is the day trip to nikko, tokyo to hakone, hakone to osaka, and kyoto to tokyo. total cost of these trips probably not more than the cost of 46,390yen for 14 day pass

2. suica and icoca can be used interchangeably. so getting just one of them is enuf.

3. maybe tokyo tower? it is quite near roppongi, can just walk over.
for osaka, i quite like the aquarium. and if u like observatories, haruka300 building in tennoji is worth a visit

some general comments:
- may be a bit rush to put head to hakone then osaka. if u can, stay a night. otherwise, maybe a day trip another day will be better. then at least u wun have to carry luggage with u
- u have 4 days of temple and shrine viewing, unless u are really into such stuff, u may have 'temple fatigue' after a while. not forgetting for nara, other than deer park, it is mostly temples also
- u can consider getting passes for nikko and hakone
 

VD

Supremacy Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
Messages
5,240
Reaction score
2
Hi all, I will be going to Japan for the first time alone from 10 March to 1 April 2019. I am able to speak Mandarin and understand very basic Japanese. I wish to share my itinerary with you guys, and seek any advice that you guys could provide me. This will be a long post so please bear with me.


10 March, Sunday - Tokyo
  • Flight from Singapore to Haneda Airport
  • Expected touchdown about 1600hrs Japan local time
  • Pick up a Japanese 4G SIM Card and Suica Card
  • Travel to hotel in Ginza
  • Settle down and probably spend some time exploring the hotel's vicinity

11 March, Monday - Tokyo
  • Roam Ginza area - Hakuhinkan Toy Park, Hamarikyu Garden, Kabukiza Theatre, Godzilla Statue
  • Imperial Palace and East Garden
  • Roam Roppongi - Ichiran Ramen Roppongi for dinner

12 March, Tuesday - Tokyo
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park
  • Roam Harajuku - Takeshita Dori, Afuri Ramen, Togo Shrine, Omotesando
  • Roam Shinjuku - Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Observation Decks)

13 March, Wednesday - Tokyo
  • Roam Asakusa - Nakamise Dori, Sensoji
  • Roam Ueno - Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Kan'ei-ji, Ueno Park, Yushima Tenmangu
  • Walk along Sumida River
  • Roam Ikebukuro - Sunshine City (Pokemon Center), Namja Town, Bic Camera
  • Nezu Shrine

14 March, Thursday - Tokyo

  • Roam Odaiba - Unicorn Gundam, Divercity, Ooedo Onsen, AquaCity, Ramen Theme Park, Odaiba Fuji Television, Palette Town

15 March, Friday - Day trip to Nikko
16 March, Saturday - Day trip to Kamakura
17 March, Sunday - undecided

18 March, Monday - Tokyo > Hakone > Osaka
  • Early check-out from hotel
  • Proceed to Hakone to do Hakone loop
  • Proceed to Osaka
  • Check-in into Osaka hotel in the Namba area
  • Roam Dotonbori area for food

19 March, Tuesday - Osaka
Shinsekai Market, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, Nippombashi, Kuromon Market
Roam Dotonbori area for food


20 March, Wednesday - Osaka
  • Osaka Castle, Osakajokoen
  • Roam Dotonbori / Hozenji Yokocho area

21 March, Thursday - Nara day trip

22 March, Friday - Osaka
  • Sumiyoshi Taisha
  • Shitennoji Temple
  • Roam Namba area

23 March, Saturday - Osaka > Kyoto
  • Check out of hotel
  • Osaka Station, Umeda Sky Building
  • Proceed to Kyoto
  • Check-in into hotel, in Kawaramachi area
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area
  • Yasaka Shrine

24 March, Sunday - Kyoto
  • Nishiki Market
  • Kiyomizudera and Kiyomizuzaka
  • Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka vicinity
  • Ishibei-koji
  • Kodaiji Temple
  • Chion-In
  • Roam Gion and Pontocho area at night

25 March, Monday - Kyoto
  • Wake up early and proceed to Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • Kyoto Station Building and vicinity
  • Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple
  • Kyoto Railway Museum

26 March, Tuesday - Kyoto
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • Tenryuji Temple
  • Monkey park
  • Daikakuji Temple
  • Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
  • Adashino-Nenbutsuji Temple
  • Giouji Temple

27 March, Wednesday - Kyoto
  • Heian Shrine
  • Nanzenji Temple
  • Philosopher's Path
  • Honen-in Temple
  • Ginkakuji Temple
  • Daimonjiyama Hike
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace
  • Nijo Castle

28 March, Thursday - Kyoto > Tokyo
  • Check out of hotel and proceed to Tokyo
  • Check-in into hotel, in Ginza area

29 March, Friday - Tokyo
Roam Akihabara

30 and 31 March - Free days in Tokyo

1 April, Monday - Tokyo > Home
  • Check out of hotel
  • Roam Tokyo Station
  • Proceed to Haneda Airport for flight home in the evening

=====

Questions:

1. I am considering getting a 14-day JR Pass. Is it worth it? I've heard IC Cards can't be use for Shinkansen travel but I've also heard otherwise..

2. Apart from Suica Card, is it worth getting an ICOCA Card for travel in Kyoto as well?

3. Are there any memorable points of interest that I had missed out? (note that I will be going back to Japan in the future, however I want to know if there are any places that I should definitely visit during the Spring season?)

4. I am also interested in Tokusatsu stuff.. particularly Ultraman. Are there any places with Ultraman attractions? I've Googled but can't seem to find one.

some of the days in Kyoto are simply too packed, you will get fatigue. I recommend 3-4 places a day.

1. You better off with a open jaw ticket, flying into Kansai and flying out from Tokyo. you can do an estimate thru hyperdia to see how much cost incurred for your city to city trip. Tokyo to Osaka and back wun be sufficient to cover a 14 days pass, a 7 days pass is fine.

2. Sucia or ICOCA can be use in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto, u just need one. For Shinkansen booking, people use cash/credit card.

3. You can consider Kamakura, Yokoyama for day trips.

Lastly, u might want to shorten your kansai area to fit into a 7 days pass, or traveling to other places to maximize the cost of a 14 days pass. Note that the JR pass might not cover every place u going to, eg. Nikko
 

xxSaDanxx

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
363
Reaction score
13
You can get all Shinkansen/ Limited Express seat tickets first when you’re at any major JR stations with Shinkansen ticket offices. Just make sure you don’t miss your trains. Get your tickets for the private rails when you’re at Nagano station. It’s up to you if you wanted reserved seats. I would prefer to have my tickets ready, at least I’ve got a seat secured throughout the journey.

Hi @thwysg, appreciate your time and advices. Managed to reach Yudanaka as per your recommendation. 🙏
Thank you.
 
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top