Help needed

[jarodjj]

I have problems in my planning of my itineary.

I am planning to go to Tokyo and Osaka.

Plan A: Arrive at Tokyo, follow my Tokyo itineary, proceed to Osaka via bullet train, then follow Osaka itineary, then back to Tokyo via bullet train before coming back

Plan B: almost same as Plan A but Osaka first then Tokyo then back to Osaka

Will visit Tokyo Disneyland, Osaka Cup Noodles and Universal Studios.



I need help in the following:
1. Which plan is better?
2. What hostels / hotels is good?
3. How to travel from the relevant airport to accommodation and attractions? (Accommodation to attractions too)
4. What are the recommended things to do?


Thanks.

 

[sunnylaundry]

seems like you haven't book your tickets. I suggest you book open-jaw tickets; fly into Osaka and fly back from Tokyo. Save money on the 'extra' shinkansen ticket and lots of time.

 

[jarodjj]

seems like you haven't book your tickets. I suggest you book open-jaw tickets; fly into Osaka and fly back from Tokyo. Save money on the 'extra' shinkansen ticket and lots of time.

This itineary is also on my mind.
However, after seeing the map of Osaka and Tokyo, cannot seem to find a way to get around.

I have problems finding the correct way to get around.

 

[Oxsianx]

This itineary is also on my mind.
However, after seeing the map of Osaka and Tokyo, cannot seem to find a way to get around.

I have problems finding the correct way to get around.

Hi, to help u out a bit, read these info-packed suggestions.
For mode of transport, have u considered:
1) Night buses like those going from SG to Genting -> this can save you nights of accommodation and also reduce $$$ damage if u only want to travel from Tokyo to Osaka or vice versa.
2) JR pass for whole of Japan. And, how many days? 7 or (14 or 21) days? -> purpose of getting JR pass is so that u can travel to many places on railways run by JR company. Bear in mind it need not be Shinkansen so u can still make day trips with JR trains.
3) Or even domestic flight?
Bonus:
4) Get those subway passes when you move around in a city [24hrs/48hrs/72hrs Tokyo Metro pass or Osaka Amazing 2/3days pass].

Before u trouble about transport, u should have the places in mind for your itinerary.
Places closer to Tokyo: Yokohama -> have cup noodles museum also, Hakone -> famous for onsen and a view of Mt Fuji; can also get to Gotemba premier outlet for discounted + tax free branded goods, Shizouka -> Mt Fuji is there, Shirakawa -> UNESCO site, Nagoya. Then there are places closer to Osaka: Kyoto -> shrines temples green tea geisha, Kobe -> beef, Nara -> aggressive and hungry deer (they chase and bite), Himeji -> famous white castle, Wakayama -> Mt Koya

With so many places, I believe u can customerise an itinerary to your liking. And then even for Osaka or Tokyo themselves, u can easily spend 2, 3 or even 4 days in one of them.

U can consider these:
1) Tokyo for a few days, Osaka for a few days. Use night buses to travel in between them. <- for your plan A
2) Flight in and out from either Tokyo or Osaka. Use maybe 7 days JR pass, visit a few cities within 6 days, get back to Tokyo/Osaka on the 7th day before JR pass expires to solve your dilemma. Cause I doubt can easily book open jaw flights at a good price. Usually flights in and out from Tokyo is cheaper than Osaka.

For example,
Why not fly in from Tokyo, use JR pass start moving west -> to Yokohama for cup noodles museum, then next stop Hakone area (stay in a Japanese ryokan with Onsen and dinner included), then move to Kansai area [Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji area]. For Kansai area, u can either book accommodations in individual cities or use Osaka as a base, make a few day trips so don't have to drag luggage everywhere. Then on the 7th day take you final Shinkansen from Osaka back to Tokyo. Continue Tokyo itinerary from there. Or u can leave some JR pass days for Tokyo also. There are JR lines within Tokyo particularly Yamanote Line which is like our circle line -> convenient for u to travel between Ueno area, Ikebukuro and Shibuya/Shinjuku area at a shorter time. Then finally, fly off from Tokyo. Also if u can, find flights in and out of Haneda (closer to city but harder to get).

 

[juxtaposition]

Yes I always intro night buses to ppl who ask me.
IMHO, if I cannot break even on my JR pass then there is no need to buy JR pass. I have to purposely travel to more places and lesser time to visit each place proper.

U can read on night buses here (save on accommodation too) https://moncochon.wordpress.com/2017/03/20/dec-2016-to-jan-2017-japan/

 

[jarodjj]

The cost of the transport or anything, I am not calculating it first as I need to get good plan by looking at their MRT map.

I have problems finding way around using their map.

I have researched the places as stated but finding the correct train station is a bit troublesome.

 

[James Tang]

The cost of the transport or anything, I am not calculating it first as I need to get good plan by looking at their MRT map.

I have problems finding way around using their map.

I have researched the places as stated but finding the correct train station is a bit troublesome.

Err how can it be? If you go to those Jap touring websites, they will state the nearest train station and you can use google to gauge how to go there. Just like using gothere.sg for Singapore....

travelling in Japan is super easy

 

[jarodjj]

Err how can it be? If you go to those Jap touring websites, they will state the nearest train station and you can use google to gauge how to go there. Just like using gothere.sg for Singapore....

travelling in Japan is super easy

I look at their MRT map, cannot find the relevant stations.

Would like to ask,
1. From Narita Airport, how to go to Tokyo Station?
2. Which hotels ot hostels is good that is near to Tokyo Station?
3. From Tokyo Station, how to go Cup Noodles Museum? Disneyland?
4. Is the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, near to Tokyo MRT station?
5. At Osaka, which hotels / hostels is good that is near to Osaka MRT?
6. From Osaka MRT, how do I go to USJ? Osaka airport?

 

[thwysg]

I look at their MRT map, cannot find the relevant stations.

Would like to ask,
1. From Narita Airport, how to go to Tokyo Station?
2. Which hotels ot hostels is good that is near to Tokyo Station?
3. From Tokyo Station, how to go Cup Noodles Museum? Disneyland?
4. Is the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, near to Tokyo MRT station?
5. At Osaka, which hotels / hostels is good that is near to Osaka MRT?
6. From Osaka MRT, how do I go to USJ? Osaka airport?

Use this.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

And try reading Japan Guide and JNTO to get an idea on transportation around Japan. This one below is another site for reference.
https://jprail.com
https://www.japan-guide.com

 

[jarodjj]

Use this.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

And try reading Japan Guide and JNTO to get an idea on transportation around Japan. This one below is another site for reference.
https://jprail.com
https://www.japan-guide.com

I know about using the guides.

Example: from point A to point B to point C, can only find point A, but based on the guide, cannot find the point B MRT station or the line that connects

 

[jarodjj]

Just giving an example:
Using hyperdia

Narita Airport Terminal 1 to Tokyo,
They say "LTD EXP NARITA EXPRESS 2"

Then immediately within a few stops can reach.

However, i cannot find the "LTD" thing on the MRT map.

 

[thwysg]

Just giving an example:
Using hyperdia

Narita Airport Terminal 1 to Tokyo,
They say "LTD EXP NARITA EXPRESS 2"

Then immediately within a few stops can reach.

However, i cannot find the "LTD" thing on the MRT map.

Most importantly remember the train station names. Just need to know the time and name of the train you wish to board. The train lines you need to know are just whether they are run by JR or private companies like Toei or Tokyo Metro. But if you’re using Suica or Pasmo, similar to our Ezlink Card, you don’t need to bother which line you’re taking. Tap and go.

LTD EXP stands for Limited Express. Most LTD EXP and all Shinkansen are run by JR.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

 

[jarodjj]

Most importantly remember the train station names. Just need to know the time and name of the train you wish to board. The train lines you need to know are just whether they are run by JR or private companies like Toei or Tokyo Metro. But if you’re using Suica or Pasmo, similar to our Ezlink Card, you don’t need to bother which line you’re taking. Tap and go.

LTD EXP stands for Limited Express. Most LTD EXP and all Shinkansen are run by JR.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

Even so, i remember the train name etc etc, need to know like which direction or which line then will not get lost

Also, i used two apps and this hyperdia thing.
All give different ways.

 

[thwysg]

Even so, i remember the train name etc etc, need to know like which direction or which line then will not get lost

Also, i used two apps and this hyperdia thing.
All give different ways.

I don’t quite understand the issue you’re facing. There’ll be lots of signage in English. In the event you’re lost, approach any staff at the platforms. They can understand English. You’re heading to the cities, not rural areas. You probably won’t know the directions until you look at the electronic panels for the next incoming train. There’s many platforms in major stations.

 

[cpuer]

Signs like these are everywhere in the station. Follow it to the right platforms. Those numbers next to Line name are the platforms. Find out which platform to take which train before hand. If you ever board the wrong direction one you just need to alight at the next station and reboard the correct ones.
https://jprail.com/travel-informati...en-narita-express-and-other-local-trains.html

Hyperdia information has platform numbers too. It’s call Track in hyperdia.

But do take note that some platforms has a few lines sharing. Take note of whats coming and what has arrived before boarding.

If your trip requires an transfer, you have to alight at the stated stn and wait and board for the next stated train per hyperdia.

 

[jarodjj]

Is there any MRT card that Japan uses?
(Same as our Ezlink)

 

[thwysg]

Is there any MRT card that Japan uses?
(Same as our Ezlink)

Yes. If you’re in Tokyo, it’s Suica and Pasmo.

 

[jarodjj]

Yes. If you’re in Tokyo, it’s Suica and Pasmo.

What about Osaka?

 

[thwysg]

What about Osaka?

If you’re touching down in Tokyo, just use the same card as in Osaka. Osaka has its own card ICOCA. You can keep the card if you’re returning to Japan within 10 years. Alternatively you could choose to return the card and get a refund, depending where your card is bought.

Example.
https://matcha-jp.com/en/836