Compilation of useful websites (Japan)

jsbn

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An approximate exchange rate to use: SGD$1.60 = 100YEN
100YEN is the Japanese's 'basic unit' currency like our $1.

VISA Matters: There is no need for visa application to Japan

Transportation and JR Pass: All JR Pass sold in Singapore are in SGD$. The prices u see on the JR Information section are in Yen only. Tour agencies selling the JR Pass in Singapore will do a Yen->SGD conversion based on their individual daily rates.

MIRROR SITE TO JAPAN LINK: http://www.edmw.sg/viewtopic.php?t=2742
*P/S: The reason for a Mirror Link caters not only in the event where 'in case' HWZ servers go down for maintainence, but also the fact that vBulletin software has a character limit per post as compared to phpBB. All links had been credited to their original owners.
==============================================================

VISA matters/Pre-trip Preparation
Singapore MFA Overseas Embassies
http://notesapp.internet.gov.sg/mfa/dipCon/dipCon.nsf/SMagent

Singapore MFA in Japan
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/tokyo/

MFA Website
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/internet/

Earthquake Report in Japan
http://typhoon.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/earthquake/

Japan Meteorological Agency
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

Do I need a Jacket? Weather Forecast
http://www.doineedajacket.com/dinaj.asp

Sakura Blooming Forecast (link down)
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/sakura/sakura.htm



Airports
Narita Airport
http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport_e/

Kansai Airport
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/

Centrair (New Nagoya International Airport)
http://www.centrair.jp/en/index.html

Transport
Airport Transports to City
Kansai Airport Express
http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~imamura/japan/haruka-time.html

Narita Airport Express
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/

Shinkansen Ticket Pricing
http://www.joyticket.jp/jr.html

Metro Network and Traffic Guides
Metro Network
http://www.tokyometro.jp/network/pdf/rosen_eng.pdf
http://www.tokyometro.jp/e/index.html

Japanese Traffic Guide
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html

Hakone Free Pass/Day Pass Information Guide
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/qtours/index.html

Nightbus in Japan (Japanese only)
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/bus/

Toyota Rent-a-Car Sapporo
http://www.toyotarentacar.net/english/english-reservation.asp


JR Information
Japan Rail Pass Information
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html

JR Pass Authorised Dealers in Singapore
http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/General/JR.htm

Kansai Thru' Pass
http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/index.html

Osaka Unlimited Pass
http://www.lmaga-kansai.com/en

Individual JR Line/Shinkansen Station Walkthroughs
http://hisaai-hp.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JREast/Yamanote/Yt_s_eg.html

Wikipedia JR Shinkansen Station Guides & Introduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen

Digital Timetable, Course and fare search for Rail Services
http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperd01.cgi

Train Guide, Timing and cost (In Japanese)
http://www.ekitan.co.jp


Bus Guide
Kyoto City Bus Guide
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html

HATO Bus Tokyo Sightseeing Tours
http://www.hatobus.com/



Subway Cards and Info
http://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/english/subway_t_card.html
Info by wsn: its just a normal stored value MRT card for use with the metro and local subways.. for convenience's sake only so tat u dun need to buy tix everytime u board the subway..

u can buy the passnet at kippu shops (ticket shops) arnd japan at a slightly lower discounted price than in the stations.. e.g. 4950 yen for a 5000 yen passnet.. saving u tat 50 yen hehe..

for JR trains, they use the SUICA card (machiam EZ link card) for tokyo region.. again its for convenience sake.. but SUICA needs a deposit fee whereas passnet doesnt need one.



Hotel Accomodations
Hostels and Backpacker's Lounge
Japan Hospitality Youth Hostel
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/key-yh/

List of hostels arnd the world
http://www.hostelworld.com

J-Hoppers for Kyoto Backpackers
http://www.j-hoppers.com/index.htm

Ino's Place (Sapporo)
http://inos-place.com/

Khaosan Tokyo Guest House (Asakusa)
http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/


Hotels
Tokyo Inn
http://www.tokyo-inn.co.jp/en/index.html

TOYOKO Inn
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/

Japan Hotel Net
http://www.japanhotel.net/

The Budget Hotels In Japan
http://www.e-otomari.jp/~english/

Hotel New Azuma
http://www9.ocn.ne.jp/~h-azuma/uk/

Sakura Hotel
http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/

Nishi-Shinjuku Hotel
http://www.nshotel.com

Villa-Fontaine Business Hotel
http://www.villa-fontaine.co.jp/ueno/index.html

Super Hotel
http://www.superhotel.co.jp/

Prince Hotel (Japan)
http://www.princehotels.co.jp/english/index1.html

Hilton Hotel (Japan)
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=TYOHITW

Yaesu Fujiya Hotel
http://www2.tocoo.jp/english/hotel/154/

Rakuten Travel Hotel Bookings
http://www.mytrip.net/en/ (English Version)
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/ (Japanese Version)

Hotel Kinki
http://hotelkinki.com/eng/

Hotel Chuo
http://www.hotel-chuo.com/english/

Hotel Raizan
http://www.raizan.net/index2.htm

Hotel Fukudaya
http://www2.gol.com/users/ryokan-fukudaya/eindex.html

Service Apartments
Oakford Service Apartments
http://www.oakwoodtokyo.com/ot4.htm


Capsule Hotels
Tokyo Capsule Hotel Listing
http://gojapan.about.com/cs/accommodation/a/tokyocapsule1.htm

Osaka Capsule Hotel Listings
http://gojapan.about.com/cs/accommodation/a/osakacapsule1.htm

Asahi Plaza
http://asahiplaza.co.jp/capcel/english.html


Ryokans
Welcome Inn
http://www.itcj.jp/

Japanese Guest Houses
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm

Kimi Ryokan (Ikebukuro - Tokyo)
http://www.kimi-ryokan.jp/index.html

Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba)
Website (In Japanese): http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/
Access & Pricing: http://www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/travel/hotspot/oedo-e.html
Information: http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/ttws/spot16.html

Kashiwaya Ryokan (Gunma)
http://www.kashiwaya.org/e/

Kinokuniya Ryokan (Hakone)
http://1715.net/

Hatago Ichinoyu (Hakone)
http://english.ichinoyu.co.jp/

Ryokan Tachibana (Hakone)
http://www.ryokan-tachibana.co.jp/

Hakone Lake Hotel (Hakone)
http://www.hakone-lakehotel.com/english/englishindex.htm

Andon Ryokan (Tokyo)
http://www.andon.co.jp/

Fuji-Hakone Guest House - Minshuku (Hakone)
http://www.fujihakone.com/

Kyoto Ryokan
http://www.budgetinnjp.com/

Kyoto Hostel Tour Club
http://www.kyotojp.com/

Ryokan in Kinki
http://www.ryokan.or.jp/kinki/eng/index.html

Kyoto Hostel
http://gh-project.com/e/about.html


Special Accomodations
Koyasan Temple Experience & Accomodation
http://www.shukubo.jp/eng/

Communications Back Home
(Note: Currently, Singtel, M1 and Starhub are starting to roll out their 3G services which also allows roaming to Japan)

Singtel-Mobile
http://home.singtel.com/consumer/consumer_mobile.asp

M1
http://www.m1.com.sg/

Starhub
http://www.starhub.com/mobile/

KDDI Telephone Rates
http://www.kddi.com/english/telephone/international/rate/public.html

Go Mobile Phone Rental
http://www.gomobile.co.jp/rates_in.html

Japan Post
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/
 
Last edited:

wsn

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I have some very useful links here as well.
Hope they can be added?

http://www.hostelworld.com
List of hostels arnd the world

http://www.j-hoppers.com/index.htm
J-Hoppers for Kyoto Backpackers

Earthquake Report in Japan
http://typhoon.yahoo.co.jp/weather/jp/earthquake/

Nightbus in Japan
http://www.nightbus.info/

Price Guide in Japan
http://www.pricechecktokyo.com/

Tokyo Coupons
www.tokyocoupons.com

Japan Post
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/

Festivals in Japan
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/festivals.htm
 

jsbn

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Small Guide to Climbing Mt Fuji

Courtesty of kev
Main ref: http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showpost.php?p=14734390&postcount=1600

There are 4 main routes up to Mt Fuji. (Kawaguchiko route, Fujinomiya route, Gotemba route and Subashiri route) Officially, the climbing season is from July-August in summer. If you are a die hard extreme you can try climbing during winter. It's against the law i think, but nobody's gonna stop you if you wanna suicide . Of course other people have done it before, but unless you have experience ice climbing, don't try it!

If you are in Tokyo, probably you might want to use Kawaguchiko route. A lot of people also call it the Fujiyoshida route, as the route at the bottom starts from Fujiyoshida City.

A lot of people all over japan and tourists climb Mt Fuji during this period, so don't expect extreme isolation. It's basically a slow, winding hike up the mountain, kinda like a big version of Bukit Timah.

There are 10 stations "check points" up to the summit, the last being at the summit. 99% of people usually start at the 5th station (where the road ends) , i.e. half the mountain. From there it takes about 6 hours to the summit. If you think that's wimpish, you can start right at the BOTTOM of Mt Fuji.. which takes another 6 hours. Usually nobody does that, so the lower half is quieter and you'll probably be one of the few. There is also more fauna there, unlike the top half.

You can take a bus to the fifth station of the Fujiyoshida route by Bus from Shinjuku station. Alternatively, if you want to start at the bottom, you can take the train (1hour if i remember correctly by limited express) to Fujiyoshida City (and try their specialty, cold udon as a pre climb meal). Find out how to get to the other routes by googling.

Notes:
1) if you are doing the full route, it's good to start from about 3-4pm the previous day and you should be at the summit just in time for sunrise the next day. assuming you don't stop and sleep at one of the "huts" or collapse halfway.

2) equip yourself sufficiently. Don't think you can get away with t-shirt and jeans... you'll free at the sub-zero temperatures. you need proper insulation, hiking shoes/boots, and if possible, waterproof jackets/pants/gloves. sunglasses and sunblock will be good too... you'll be surprised at the burn even at such low temperatures. attitude sickness is also a very real problem.

3) bring some snacks, a couple of bottles of water. prices are very expensive on my fuji.

4) on the descent, pick the correct route down. else you might end up in a different prefecture! alternatively, you can go back down to the fifth station to take a bus back to tokyo. descent is considerably faster (1.5 -2 hours)

5) you WILL be shagged at the end of it, don't plan for shopping after the climb. probably you'll be K.O for a day.

6) you can buy a wooden stick to use as a climbing stick. along the way, you can get it stamped at the stations (not for free). at the end, keep it as a momento. Or, send something from the post office at the top of Mt Fuji.

some links:

(general guide, some links broken)
http://poisson.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~takenawa/fuji-e.html

(fujiyoshida trail info)
http://www.city.fujiyoshida.yamanas...lder/fuji_top/fuji_thetrail\fuji_thetrail.htm

(fujiyoshida trail info)
http://www.outdoorjapan.com/features/ojfeature-fuji-yoshidaguchi-1.html

(some pics on the way up)
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Outdoors/8348/sub12_15.htm

General Guide to Mt Fuji
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6901.html
 
Last edited:

jsbn

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Thanks to the following people for specific links which I had incorporated into the main thread.
- wsn
- Hobbes234
- eudora
- kev
- notinoti

For all who pop in here, please read this thread for more in-depth, personal accounts on forumers individual trips and experiences to Japan. (Warning, over 50 pages in all)
http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=592590

Edited: As the original thread above had been locked (you are still able to view). Plz continue all discussions in this thread here:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?p=14887897
 
Last edited:

jsbn

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Continuation of Stickies


Shopping
Map Camera
http://www.mapcamera.com/

Yodobashi Camera
http://www.yodobashi.com/

Sakuraya
http://www.sakuraya.co.jp/

BICCAMERA
http://www.biccamera.co.jp/

Price Guide in Japan
http://www.pricechecktokyo.com/

Price Check for Speciality Items in Japan (In Japanese)
http://www.kakaku.com/

Tokyo Coupons
http://www.tokyocoupons.com

Lawson's Family Mart
http://www.lawson.co.jp/


Traveller's Experiences
Solo Japan II
http://japan.mercifulhouse.net/solo2.php

Eve Andersson
http://www.eveandersson.com/japan/

Quirky Japan Stuff
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/


Traveller's Photos
Roving Lights Photography (Thanks to wuso)
http://www.roving-light.com/gallery/japan/index.html



Other guides & external links
Useful links for Kyoto/Tokyo Travels (Compilation of many links)
http://www.j-hoppers.com/link_e.htm

Japan Corner, the Benihana Guide to Japan
http://www.japancorner.com/
 
Last edited:

SumatranRatMonkey

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Addresses of local tourism-related offices
Purpose: To get brochures

Japan National Tourist Organisation
16 Raffles Quay, #15-09, Hong Leong Building
(Mon - Fri, 0900 - 1700 hrs)

City of Osaka Singapore Representative Office
5 Shenton Way, #37-01, UIC Building
 
Last edited:

jsbn

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Guides/Maps to Regions


Official Guides
Japan National Tourist Organisation
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

Tohoku Guide
http://travel.japan-tohoku.com/enarea.htm

Chubu Guide
http://ckp.ivcreation.com/h-ckp/english/top.shtml



Maps
Tokyo City Maps
http://superfuture.com/city/city/city.cfm?city=1

Map of Area (Search via postal code. In Japanese)
http://www.mapion.co.jp


General Tourist Guides
Tokyo Japan Tourist Guides
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/

Japan Guide
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html

Discover Japan
http://www.discover-japan.info/index.html

Kansai Window Tourism
http://www.kansai.gr.jp/travel/index_e.htm

Japan Reference
http://www.jref.com/practical/sightseeing.shtml

WikiTravel Japan
http://wikitravel.org/en/Japan


Places of Interests
Kyoto Temple Admission Fees
http://www.templefees.com/

Imperial Household Agency Visiting Permit
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/order/index_EN.html

Studio Ghibli Museum
http://www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/travel/hotspot/jiburi-e.html

Disneyland Travel Guide
http://www.wordtravels.com/Attractions/Countries/Japan/Attractions/Tokyo+Disneyland/

Tokyo Disneyland Official Page
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/index_e.html

Tokyo DisneySea Official Page
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/index_e.html


Sightseeing areas
Shimokita Peninsula
http://wikitravel.org/en/Shimokita_Peninsula
http://www.outdoorjapan.com/areaguides/ag-aomori-3.html

*Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Villages (*Note: This region has the heaviest snowfall in Japan)
http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/gifu/shirakawa.html

Sapporo-Otaru Pass
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/welcome.html



Festivals
Nebuta Matsuri
http://www.nebuta.or.jp/english/index_e.htm



City/Prefecture Websites
Kobe Convention & Visitors Association
http://feel-kobe.jp/english/index.html

Himeji City
http://www.city.himeji.hyogo.jp/english/himeji/index.html

Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.ncvb.or.jp/index_e.html

Kyoto City Tourism & Culture Information System
http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml

Osaka City
http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/

Hyogo Prefecture International Tourism Guide
http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/index.html

Toyama Travel Navigator
http://kanko.toyamaken.jp/english/index.html

Hokkaido Prefecture
http://www.visit-hokkaido.jp

Aomori Prefecture
http://apti.net.pref.aomori.jp

Iwate Prefecture
http://www.iwatetabi.jp

Akita Prefecture
http://www.akitanfan.com



Welcome Cards
Welcome Card (for those budget travels and stuff)
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/GJ/budget.html#geography

Northern Tohoku Welcome Card
http://www.northern-tohoku.gr.jp/welcome/english/index.html
 
Last edited:

ShougunX

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Hey guys, pls do post in places you very much recommend to go in japan. It can be shopping belts, good eateries, theme parks, parks, disco, music stores or watever you can think of that is unique and warrants your second, third or future visits.

By jsbn:

http://www.bookoff.co.jp/search/index.html
 

Spet040Snaz

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Hello,

I have stayed at this hotel before. Pretty cheap considering the location is in Shinjuku. Its located beside the Takashimaya Times Square and the Shinjuku JR station so very convenient for backpackers. This is a business hotel so the rooms are small but I think most hotels in Japan are quite small. I have also stayed in Hotel Southern Century Tower just opposite the takashimaya which is an excellent hotel with very good view but the rooms are expensive 300 plus a night not worth it unless company pay :s13:

http://shinjukuparkhotel.com/
 

lwm999

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jsbn said:
An approximate exchange rate to use: SGD$1.60 = 100YEN
100YEN is the Japanese's 'basic unit' currency like our $1.
YEN has dropped quite a bit. Since end 2006, 100YEN < S$1.30.
 

lightfinger

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Anyone has done a self-drive tour in Japan? Can share the available agencies, est'd cost and your experience? Heard loads about such tours
 

Hobbes234

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Anyone has done a self-drive tour in Japan? Can share the available agencies, est'd cost and your experience? Heard loads about such tours

I did go for a drive, when i was back in japan, but i must tell you that the road tolls are really costly. eg. from chiba(where narita is) to tokyo it can set u back as much as 3000yen (sgd44+).

if u do decided to go for a drive, it would be better if you do so outside the city.
parking will also kill you if you are in the city.
 

ppingg

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JSBN! thanks for this thread.. it helped me alot with my planning in Tokyo and my trip is super successful! Thanks alot!!!
 

Aegis

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What happens if you are travelling in Japan for 10 days and do not wish to spend on a 14 day JR Rail Pass? Use the airplanes!

In the course of planning for my Hokkaido trip, I realised sometimes it might be more economical to fly domestic in Japan compared to taking the Shinkansen. If you do not have the time to use the slower local trains or think you do not want to travel by train the same way back to Tokyo, air travel is actually a very viable option. Not to mention sometimes it is cheaper than the shinkansen. Using the budget airlines or some air passes (similar to jr rail pass). It is possible to get back from Sapporo to Tokyo using less than 12,200 yen excluding airport tax. A shinkansen ride from Sapporo to Ueno will set you back 22,280 yen. Time saved is immense as well, so depending on your needs do not forget to make use of the birds.

Airlines Guide

Discount Air Passes Guide
 
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