Tokyo/Japan

[fathinzara]

My family (2A and 2C)have just finalise my air tickets and accommodation (airbnb) in Tokyo. Coming in by Haneda Airport at 4pm. I have no specific iteniarary except for Disneysea/Disneyland, shopping and probably some free sight-seeing places around Tokyo. Thereafter, I will be going to Osaka (probably staying in Fraser Residence) in a Shinkansen. However, I have some questions which I need help on:-

1) I will be staying around Shinjuku and was advise by airbnb host to take a train down. Do I need a JR tickets for these trips? Or what is the best train tickets to get from Airport-Shinjuku-travel around Tokyo- Osaka? Or can I just buy it ad-hoc at airport, train counters or Shinkansen stations.

2) As we are muslim, my wife will be cooking. Can we bring in frozen cooked food into Japan or it is readily available in Japan?

3) For Disneyland/ Disneysea, I heard about the fast tickets. Can I get it from the counter when I buy my admission tickets or is it safer to buy it (admission tickets) before. Is it two different tickets? I will be going on Tues or Wed.

4) I heard about the delivery services in Japan, do they deliver luggages from Tokyo to Osaka or they only send over parcels? Will find it quite a hassle to pull our luggages around especially through the Shinkansen.

5) Lastly, I don't know if I can ask it here or go to Osaka forum, does anyone knows how to get to Fraser Residence from the Shinkansen station?

I really appreciate any advise I can get.

 

[cpuer]

If you need to travel back to Tokyo for return trip, It's still worth the JP Pass at 29110/adult(7days) then getting a single shinkansen ticket at 14,450/adult.

Fraser Res at namba? Looking at the map, its very convenient and at one of the osaka centres with good connectivity. Google map says is half a kilometer from Osaka Namba, but its 200m from Namba station(metro)

Shinkansen will make only major city stops, for Osaka, it will stop at Shin Osaka. From Shin-osaka, take Midosuji line to reach Namba.

Shinkansen is generally very spacious and has space for luggage, i think if your luggage are 24" ones, you will be OK.

For everything about Jpan, use japan-guide.com

For your train fare and timing, use hyperdia.com

Good luck.

 

[fathinzara]

I forgot to inform that I will be flying back to Singapore from Osaka. So I guess that getting a JR ticket is not cost-saving. I forsee that my train travelling will be as follows:-
1) Haneda Airport - Shinjuku (day 1)
2) Shinjuku - Disneysea - Shinjuku (day 2)
3) Shinjuku - Shin Osaka - Namba (Fraser Residence) (day 5)
4) Namba - Kyoto - Namba (day 6)
5) Namba - Kansai Airport (day 8)

Appreciate if anyone can help on which cards is best to go around.

 

[tokyofanboi]

1) I will be staying around Shinjuku and was advise by airbnb host to take a train down. Do I need a JR tickets for these trips? Or what is the best train tickets to get from Airport-Shinjuku-travel around Tokyo- Osaka? Or can I just buy it ad-hoc at airport, train counters or Shinkansen stations. You can either take train not shinkasen aka bullet train to Ueno and change to Shinjuku or limo bus to the hotel if the hotel you staying have the facilities, check the limo service website

2) As we are muslim, my wife will be cooking. Can we bring in frozen cooked food into Japan or it is readily available in Japan? Food, drinks, plants, meats not allow, you will need to get them in the supermarket but do take note that they are not halal certified

3) For Disneyland/ Disneysea, I heard about the fast tickets. Can I get it from the counter when I buy my admission tickets or is it safer to buy it (admission tickets) before. Is it two different tickets? I will be going on Tues or Wed. 1 ticket for Disneysea and another for Disneyland, fast pass tend to sold out fast, better to get online. Went to both a couple of times, never get the fast pass as the queue for fast pass also very long. For discounted Disneyland and sea tickets, do look out for stores selling tickets such as concert, baseball and etc, usually a 10 to 15% off, if school children and snr citizen further discount

4) I heard about the delivery services in Japan, do they deliver luggages from Tokyo to Osaka or they only send over parcels? Will find it quite a hassle to pull our luggages around especially through the Shinkansen. Drag your own luggages, never try the courier not sure how it work but to be safe DIY or if you going back to tokyo same hotel, just deposit big luggage with them and travel small luggages

5) Lastly, I don't know if I can ask it here or go to Osaka forum, does anyone knows how to get to Fraser Residence from the Shinkansen station? ŌSAKA-NAMBA Station

How to Transfer
(1) From the JR Shinkansen platform at JR SHIN-OSAKA Station, proceed to the JR ticket gates (Central Exit).
(2) From the JR ticket gates (Central Exit), proceed to the MIDOSUJI Subway Line ticket gates at SHIN-OSAKA Station.
(Takes about 17 min.)
(3) Travel on subway from SHIN-OSAKA Station to NAMBA Station. (about 15 min.)
(4) Exit the east ticket gates at NAMBA Station, and proceed to the east gates of ŌSAKA-NAMBA Station. (about 5 min.)
*It takes about 40 minutes to go from JR SHIN-OSAKA Station to ŌSAKA-NAMBA Station.

 

[tokyofanboi]

I forgot to inform that I will be flying back to Singapore from Osaka. So I guess that getting a JR ticket is not cost-saving. I forsee that my train travelling will be as follows:-
1) Haneda Airport - Shinjuku (day 1)
2) Shinjuku - Disneysea - Shinjuku (day 2)
3) Shinjuku - Shin Osaka - Namba (Fraser Residence) (day 5)
4) Namba - Kyoto - Namba (day 6)
5) Namba - Kansai Airport (day 8)

Appreciate if anyone can help on which cards is best to go around.

As you will be going to Kyoto and Osaka, best to get JR pass

 

[cpuer]

I forgot to inform that I will be flying back to Singapore from Osaka. So I guess that getting a JR ticket is not cost-saving. I forsee that my train travelling will be as follows:-
1) Haneda Airport - Shinjuku (day 1)
2) Shinjuku - Disneysea - Shinjuku (day 2)
3) Shinjuku - Shin Osaka - Namba (Fraser Residence) (day 5)
4) Namba - Kyoto - Namba (day 6)
5) Namba - Kansai Airport (day 8)

Appreciate if anyone can help on which cards is best to go around.

You can check out those day passes like
Notes Regarding Usage of the Osaka Amazing Pass : Usage Guide : Osaka Amazing Pass 2014
Welcome to Kyoto - Information on transportation in Kyoto and tour tickets -

If you plan around your itinerary with these passes, you can save some money.

 

[cpuer]

Yamato handles luggage
Takuhaibin - Delivery Services

You can just send your biggest and heaviest via yamato and pull the smaller ones yourself.

BTW, how big are your 2 kids?

 

[buzzmario]

Yamato handles luggage
Takuhaibin - Delivery Services

You can just send your biggest and heaviest via yamato and pull the smaller ones yourself.

BTW, how big are your 2 kids?

at the airport. there is delivery counter, just pay only. in hotel, ask hotel staff top do for you for the delivery. you just need to pay only.

 

[kopite11]

can bring your maggis and canned goods
just dont declare at custom

there's also halal kebab stalls at tokyo..there's one at shinjuku but i never try before..
i tried the one at harajuku..price at 500yen
very worth it..alot of chicken..way better than singapore stall selling which give paltry amount of fillings..
Do take note that there are some kebab stalls only have halal chicken meat, the lamb meat is not halal

 

[fathinzara]

Yamato handles luggage
Takuhaibin - Delivery Services

You can just send your biggest and heaviest via yamato and pull the smaller ones yourself.

BTW, how big are your 2 kids?

hi, my kids are 11yo and 8yo girls.will decide if delivery really necessary upon reaching tokyo..

 

[cpuer]

hi, my kids are 11yo and 8yo girls.will decide if delivery really necessary upon reaching tokyo..

So big ones, no issue. I thought those toddlers that need prams. pack light and compact, everything you need(other than halal food) are conveniently available.

 

[lapucelle]

If you don't mind spending, airport limousine to the nearest hotel to your airbnb location in Shinjuku is hassle free especially if you have kids. If you are taking train from haneda, can take to Shinagawa then change train to get to Shinjuku.

By law... foodstuff cannot be brought in, especially meat. But people still do so. Can try your luck if you want. Strictly halal food is quite hard to find in Tokyo though.

Delivery services are top-rate in Japan and are quite fast. However, there are both overhead compartments and special luggage sections at the end of each carriage for shinkansen so its not too bad. The main issue is probably going to and fro the shinkansen stations with the luggages.

 

[samtcy]

4) I heard about the delivery services in Japan, do they deliver luggages from Tokyo to Osaka or they only send over parcels? Will find it quite a hassle to pull our luggages around especially through the Shinkansen.
I've used these courier services a couple of times. I usually booked these via the hotels which I stay at and the luggage have always arrived safely. However, they usually take 1 overnight for the delivery to take place. If you are not staying at hotels, many convenience stores also offer this service.
More info: Sending Luggage from/to Hotels | YAMATO TRANSPORT CO., LTD.

However, since you won't be able to receive the luggage within the same day, so you will have to pack an overnight bag for that 1 night when your luggage is on its way to its destination.



I really appreciate any advise I can get.

Regarding your train travels, you could:
- You can take either airport bus or train (will have train transfer) from Haneda airport to Shinjuku. If you are taking train, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Loop line to Shinjuku. You can purchase a SUICA (train card with stored value in it) so that you can just tap in/out of gantries at stations instead of having to buy single trip tickets for subway rides at Tokyo. This card can also be used for subways in Osaka.

- For Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, you will have to purchase a normal 1 way fare since it won't be cost effective for you to buy the 7days JR Pass with your itinerary.

- From Namba to Kansai airport, you can take the Nankai Airport train (either Ltd Exp or Exp) from Namba (Nankai) station to Kansai Airport. This is a direct train. There are toilets and an area for you to put your luggage onboard the slightly more expensive and slightly faster Ltd Exp version of the train.