tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post6854046234236788282..comments2024-03-18T17:20:18.286+08:00Comments on Go Away, Sam...: A guide on planning your 1st Free and Easy trip to JapanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-50205398509572584582022-06-24T20:09:46.759+08:002022-06-24T20:09:46.759+08:00A good source of tourism info.Quite useful. Thanks...A good source of tourism info.Quite useful. Thanks. <a href="https://www.ezybook.co.uk/car-parking-manchester" rel="nofollow">meet and greet at Manchester</a><br />Gloria Leohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05890366103025495089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-34409205434252124882017-01-19T18:40:53.669+08:002017-01-19T18:40:53.669+08:00hmm, it's actually just about a few mins walk ...hmm, it's actually just about a few mins walk from arrival hall to the JR ticketing area where u buy Haruka Express train tickets. Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-33757717961032839052017-01-01T18:52:47.122+08:002017-01-01T18:52:47.122+08:00Hi Sam, thanks for the informative posts!
I am pla...Hi Sam, thanks for the informative posts!<br />I am planning a 7 days trip to Osaka. Thinking to head to Kyoto directly from Kansai Airport right after my arrival (my ETA is 1920) by Haruka Express staying for 2 nights before switching to Osaka downtown. <br />Would you mind to tell how far away from the arrival hall at Kansai Airport to the Haruka Express ticket office and train's departure hall? (I wonder whether I should buy the express ticket departing at 2125.)<br /><br />Thanks and happy new year!<br />bbphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13118530710105157930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-84717753646075874922016-09-25T01:41:48.772+08:002016-09-25T01:41:48.772+08:00Hi Sam, I started reading your blog when googling ...Hi Sam, I started reading your blog when googling "Japan free and easy", it is highly informative! <br />Thank you for taking the time to do this!<br />I am planning to go to Tokyo and depart from Tokyo on 10Oct to Kyoto, then Kyoto back to Tokyo on 17Oct...looking at Japan rail pass, that would be 8days! Buying the 14day pass appears excessive, would u recommend that I buy 7day pass then One way ticket from Kyoto back to Tokyo? (planning 1day trip from Kyoto to Nara and 1 day trip from Kyoto to Osaka within that 7days period)...<br /><br />Also I realized traveling within Tokyo, need to change many non JR lines or buses..did you buy the Tokyo Suica or other stored value Tokyo card? Then when leaving for another city, return for refund and buy another city's stored card when you reach there?<br /><br />Apologies for so many questions, first time traveling to Japan free and easy and can't find the answers elsewhere on net...thanks in advance for you recommendation!Pepamint Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166239023798713714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-85068333989065012932016-09-25T01:39:36.523+08:002016-09-25T01:39:36.523+08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Pepamint Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166239023798713714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-74439114240438549242016-08-17T10:14:57.937+08:002016-08-17T10:14:57.937+08:00hello Sam,
i had been following your blog for yea...hello Sam,<br /><br />i had been following your blog for years, i always wanted to go Japan free and easy but have no courage cos language issue and also i have 2 children ( 11 and 13) they love Japan anime and are big fans of ONE PIECE.<br /><br />I hope i will have the courage to land our foot there one day. sophianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-14416779793180775152015-12-22T23:21:29.990+08:002015-12-22T23:21:29.990+08:00I'm a female in my 30s, I've travelled sol...I'm a female in my 30s, I've travelled solo to Japan a few times previously. Never felt safer. :) <br /><br />The thing is, if you don't speak Japanese, it might be better that you spend some time to do your trip planning before you go, so that it will decrease the odds that you will have to ask for directions when u are at Japan. <br />Although there are more and more Japanese who speaks English these days, but it would be better to try to be as self-sufficient as possible if you want to avoid any miscommunication or difficulties in communicating.<br /><br />Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-11262032082724547092015-12-22T13:42:51.887+08:002015-12-22T13:42:51.887+08:00Hi. Gd blog. But my fear is .. is it safe to trave...Hi. Gd blog. But my fear is .. is it safe to travel solo? Im 54 , maybe a late bloomer.Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807890742123547786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-13117226767011164822015-12-04T17:29:42.833+08:002015-12-04T17:29:42.833+08:00Japan is a large country. Which part of Japan are ...Japan is a large country. Which part of Japan are you planning to go? Hokkaido? Tohoku? Kanto/Tokyo? Chubu? Kansai? Kyushu?...etc....<br /><br />I'm going to go with the assumption that you probably meant either Tokyo or Kansai area (Kyoto/Osaka) since these 2 regions are more popular with foreign tourists.<br /><br />For Tokyo, you should be able to find some itineraries as well as some other Japan trip planning tips here: http://goawaysam.blogspot.sg/p/my.html<br /><br />It should probably be sakura season too, even though it's still too early to predict since it's only Dec now. I'd probably estimate that the best sakura viewing period for Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto would be end Mar I guess...<br /><br />If you are going to Tokyo, you can probably try this:<br />24/3 (Thurs): Arrival at Tokyo. Stay Tokyo<br />25/3: Disneysea (don't go during weekends). Stay Tokyo.<br />26/3: Meiji Shrine + Harajuku + Shinjuku or Shibuya. Stay Tokyo<br />27/3: (JR Kanto Area railpass day 1) Tokyo to Kusatsu onsen (hotspring). Stay at Kusatsu onsen.<br />28/3: (JR Kanto Area railpass day 2) Kusatsu onsen to Tokyo. Stay at Tokyo<br />29/3: (JR Kanto Area railpass day 3) Daytrip to either Karuizawa or Kawaguchiko. Stay Tokyo<br />30/3: Sakura viewing day: Visit Sensoji Shrine, then see sakura at Ueno Park, then go Rikugien. Stay Tokyo. <br />31/3: Go HamaRikyu gardens, then take water bus (double-check online to see if the water buses from HamaRikyu still goes to Odaiba or not) to Odaiba. Spend the rest of the day at Odaiba. Or if you want to spend the entire day viewing sakura, then skip Odaiba.<br />1/4 : Departure from Tokyo.<br /><br />If Sakura blooms earlier, then you can switch your days around and see sakura on 25-26/3 instead of on 30-31/3. <br /><br />Almost everyone that I know of spends more than they intended to on their first trip to Japan, since there's sooo many things to buy there. <br /><br />I usually bring about S$100 per day of the trip for my Japan trips. Eg, if my trip is 8 days, then I'd bring about S$800 spending money. This is just for 1 person. <br />This is excluding the expenses for hotel, railpasses, and Disneyland/Disneysea admission fees. Budget more for Disneysea day. <br /><br />I don't really do much shopping. I tend to spend more on food and snacks from the convenience stores. Lol. <br />If you find that you are getting short of yen in the middle of your trip, what I usually do is to start using credit card to pay for purchases and restaurant meals. <br />Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-28388120190730904382015-12-03T11:44:07.871+08:002015-12-03T11:44:07.871+08:00Hi sam,
im planning to go to japan this 24 march...Hi sam, <br /><br />im planning to go to japan this 24 march -1 st apr 2016 , this is our first time with my wife.<br />whats the best itinerary for first time couples to go to? and how much should we bring?REVIS ($)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04696744026311581526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-37307267936881007792015-12-01T05:25:20.850+08:002015-12-01T05:25:20.850+08:00Yes I would be using the JR Pass, I would be using...Yes I would be using the JR Pass, I would be using it to travel from Tokyo-Kyoto, Kyoto-Nara, Kyoto-Osaka - Hiroshima and return journies. Did a cost-benefit analysis and seem to be getting more for my buck. Thank you for your response. Really looking forward to my first trip to Japan :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03380252050282392241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-2749047845710286282015-11-30T18:53:31.832+08:002015-11-30T18:53:31.832+08:00If you are just travelling within Osaka, Kyoto, Na...If you are just travelling within Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, I wouldn't worry too much about getting any railpasses...even though there are many available in the region. <br />For me, sometimes I use train lines run by JR company, sometimes by non-JR companies...so I tend to be lazy and stop trying to figure out which of the companies' railpasses to get. Anyway, travelling within that region doesn't cost much, so even if there's savings by using railpasses, it doesn't save too much, unless you are really travelling extensively every day....Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-51811719519729845462015-11-30T18:50:10.861+08:002015-11-30T18:50:10.861+08:00Hmm, sorry, I'm not too sure about that period...Hmm, sorry, I'm not too sure about that period, since I usually travel in Jan/Feb. The Tokaido Shinkansen route (Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka) is a popular route, and there's many Shinkansen travelling on this route per day actually. At most, if you can't get the train timing you want for 26th, then be prepared a few other backup train timings for just in case your first-choice is not available. Personally though, I think you shouldn't have that big of a problem. Are you using the 7 days JR Pass? Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-62308830275662599662015-11-23T10:55:41.027+08:002015-11-23T10:55:41.027+08:00Hey Sam wanted some info regarding your experience...Hey Sam wanted some info regarding your experience with booking seats on shinkasen. I am reaching Tokyo on 24th Dec and would be immediately looking to reserve seats on bullet trains upon arrival on airport. I would be using bullet trains from 26th going out of tokyo to 1st coming back to tokyo from Osaka. What are my chances of getting a reservation? Heard it a busy period in japan with regards to travel. Cheers mate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03380252050282392241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-43028115689171856362015-11-23T10:54:52.771+08:002015-11-23T10:54:52.771+08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03380252050282392241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-5456649383630903502015-10-01T16:34:16.008+08:002015-10-01T16:34:16.008+08:00Hi Sam, Love your Blog, it is so informative.
I am...Hi Sam, Love your Blog, it is so informative.<br />I am planning a trip in Nov to Osaka, probably doing day trips out to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara from there. Just wondering if it is necessary to buy JR passes if I am just traveling to this few places and most likely USJ as well.<br /><br />Any idea how I should plan my itinerary?<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br /><br />Clar<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-27036550829019874882015-09-25T04:08:59.696+08:002015-09-25T04:08:59.696+08:00Even in mid Winter period (Jan-Feb), you'd be ...Even in mid Winter period (Jan-Feb), you'd be lucky if you can get a few days of snow...because Tokyo area (and its surrounding areas) seldom have snowfall. Morever 2nd and 3rd week of Dec is still considered early Dec, and often even ski areas don't start opening until end Dec usually.<br />Your best bet that I can think of is probably Gala-Yuzawa/Echigo-Yuzawa area (70mins by Shinkansen train) which has a cluster of ski slopes. But their opening dates varies yearly since it is dependent on how early snowfall begins in the year as well as the amount of snowfall...etc.<br /><br />Even if you go Hokkaido in mid winter, you can't guarantee being able to see snowfall on any particular day, and I've been to Hokkaido on a 6 days trip during Dec and I did not even see a single day of snowfall on that particular trip. -_- <br /><br />5 adults are difficult, since finding large rooms to accommodate 5 adults together, or even 3 adults, can be difficult. It would be easier to find rooms to cater for 2+2+1, which is 2 rooms for 2 adults + 1 room for 1 adult...since most hotels have rooms for 1 person, but not for 3 person. <br /><br />I've not tried airbnb before, nor that website which you mentioned. Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-62109815231780221862015-09-20T15:03:24.086+08:002015-09-20T15:03:24.086+08:00Sorry, I made a typo error in my last comment.
I ...Sorry, I made a typo error in my last comment.<br /><br />I meant to ask about www.kayak.sg (not kaya.sg).<br /><br />TJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00279429635557865198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-10806591713059954272015-09-20T11:32:35.165+08:002015-09-20T11:32:35.165+08:00Your blog is a real time saver for me. I am a Sing...Your blog is a real time saver for me. I am a Singaporean planning my family trip for their first trip to Japan. <br />Saves me the headache of searching out all those important details like costs, frequency of transport, etc.<br /><br />I plan to go to Tokyo in the second and third week of December 2015. We (5 of us) are not into snow sports. Where is the best place to go near Tokyo where there is almost guaranteed snowfall? <br />5 adults is a difficult number to fit in hotel bookings and expensive too, so I have opted for airbnb instead of the more more expensive hotels in Tokyo. Have you tried airbnb in Japan? Any comments?<br />How about kaya.sg for air tickets?<br />Sorry for the many questions. Would be very grateful your expert opinion.<br /><br />TJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-2902172065938098742015-01-06T20:25:54.846+08:002015-01-06T20:25:54.846+08:00Thank you for the comments. My next trip would be ...Thank you for the comments. My next trip would be end of Jan, will post about that trip sometime in Feb.Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-25661297262888352712015-01-06T19:22:19.033+08:002015-01-06T19:22:19.033+08:00Near Osaka, you can consider Arima onsen at Kobe. ...Near Osaka, you can consider Arima onsen at Kobe. It is pretty popular with foreign tourists. <br />Near (well, somewhat) Tokyo, there's Hakone, Kinugawa onsen near Nikko, Kawaguchiko, Kusatsu onsen...Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-43020437992649533122015-01-06T19:20:16.249+08:002015-01-06T19:20:16.249+08:00:):)Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718229763656173227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-42358843920073115632015-01-05T10:24:46.406+08:002015-01-05T10:24:46.406+08:00Hello ^^
Thank you for sharing so much informatio...Hello ^^<br /><br />Thank you for sharing so much information! ^^<br /><br />And your japan travel logs too, I want to read everything xDDDD<br /><br />I think a convenient mode of transport is the willer express bus too, it took us from Osaka to Ikebukuro at night so we could get a good night's rest. <br /><br />Please continue to visit & blog about Japan, it's awesome! :D<br /><br />Melissa <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-34162623928637555092015-01-02T11:41:17.241+08:002015-01-02T11:41:17.241+08:00Thank you Sam. Your blog is indeed helpful for me ...Thank you Sam. Your blog is indeed helpful for me to decide where to go and where to stay. Any recommendation for ryokan stay in either Osaka or Tokyo?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414446290866798874.post-79403076919420109952015-01-01T04:30:09.754+08:002015-01-01T04:30:09.754+08:00Hi there!
Good post!
Have always wanted to go J...Hi there! <br /><br />Good post! <br />Have always wanted to go Japan F&E, but have no idea where to start.<br />Thanks for this post! <br /><br />Bookmarked this post for future reference!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com