Taking photos while on holiday...

I am a photography fanatic. So when I go travel, I take lots of photos.  I really mean LOTS.  I took more than 11,000 photos on my Europe trip.


Whilst on a multi-city trip (eg. on a europe trip where you visit many countries/cities), there's some things you can do along the way other than ending up having the exact same photos as everyone else.  Especially if you are travelling in a tourgroup and everyone is standing around the same area, having same vantage point, looking at the same thing....so inevitably, most people end up having similar photos of the sights.

Just to share some of the things I did when I was on my Europe trip:
- Take photos from a different perspective.
Example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  After taking the usual shot of the Eiffel Tower from this angle...

The usual shot of Eiffel Tower

What I did was to take it from standing directly beneath the tower and point my camera straight up.  And I got this...

Taken while standing directly below the tower

Everyone knows how Eiffel Tower looks like...but how many people have seen Eiffel Tower from this angle?

- Other than scenary, also take photos of the usual everyday objects. (mailboxes, traffic lights, train tickets, food you eat...etc).  It's interesting to see how these differ from city to city.  It doesn't cost $$ to take a photo on a digital camera, so click away.  Memory cards these days are cheap too. I have photo of all the food I ate on my Europe trip. Yes, every single one.  Even the potato chips I bought along the way...and the little chocolate that the tourguide gave us.

Ticket for Eiffel Tower

Wiener Schnitzel (Breaded Veal) from Vienna

- Go up close to take the details.  

Can see the rivets on the Eiffel Tower

- Take photos of menus. Foreign menus are interesting.

a menu from a restaurant I dined at in Lyon, France

*And remember, if you are bringing a portable harddisk to backup your memory cards every night on your trip. Do double (triple) check that you have already backed it up on your portable harddisk before erasing the memory card.  I made the mistake of not checking and I lost 1 whole day's worth of photos taken in Lucerne (Switzerland).* 

Travelex Cash Passport

Since my Europe trip duration is 1 month, therefore I foresee we are going to have to bring with us quite a substantial amount of spending money.  But since I don't like to bring large quantity of cash (in case lost or robbed) nor do I want to use my credit card on the European ATMs...so...I got the Cash Passport from Travelex.

It's a card that works kind of like a Debit card where you can use the card to withdraw money from the ATMs in Europe.  However, the card is not linked to your bank account.  Instead, before the trip, you will decide how much you want to deposit into the card (it's like pre-paid) and during your trip, you just withdraw whichever amount you want from this pre-determined amount that's linked to your card.  You can also request to have and extra card thats linked to the same pool of money in case 1 card gets lost/robbed.

When you return to Singapore, you can cash out the remaining amount that's left in the card from Travelex Singapore branch.  Yes there's a service fee however, I think it's worth it for the extra peace of mind.

Europe for Honeymoon with Contiki Tour.

In March 2007, we went to Europe for our honeymoon. We were there for 1 month and visited Western Europe.

Places we went were:
England (London), France (Paris, Fontainebleau, Lyon, Avignon, Nice), Monaco, Italy (Pisa, Florence, Rome, Maranello, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Germany (Munich, St Goar), Liechtenstein, Switzerland (Lucerne, Mt Pilatus), Netherlands (Amsterdam).
*see my other entry for the individual links to the blog entry for each day*


What we did was we booked a 22days land package from Contiki Tour (for ages 18 to 35yrs old) and extended our stay in London for 1 week.  We flew by British Airways from Singapore to London, stayed a few days, toured round Europe with Contiki, then back to London for a few days before flying back to Singapore.

Types of packages
There are a few types of Contiki packages.  There's Camping (where you stay at campsites and have to help out doing camp duties like washing up or cooking, this is the cheapest option), Concept (kinda halfway between Camping & Timeout tours), & Timeout (stay at hotels, this is the most expensive option but still pretty affordable).

There's about 40 people in the tour group and there's also a tour manager who will follow the group throughout the trip.  The bus has a toilet facilities (although they'd prefer if you don't use it since they make rest stops every 2 to 3 hrs of bus journey) and charging outlets for your electronic devices. They emphasis ALOT on punctuality and make everyone set our watch timing to the clock on the bus.  If tour manager says bus will set off at 8am, then it WILL set off at 8am sharp...with or without you.  This is so that everyone will make extra effort not to be late and thus we won't have to waste time waiting for people (like most group tours).

The bus on which i spent 22days

We change our seating arrangements every day so that we can mingle around and talk to different people in the group.  Me and my hubby were the only Singaporean.  The rest were from Australia, Ireland, U.S, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand.  A bus ride around Europe may sound like alot, however it turned out pretty fun.  They usually make short breaks at the smaller towns like Fontainbleau, Avignon, Pisa..etc..for 1 or 2 hours for you to explore in between long journeys from major city to city.  The Tour Manager also tells us interesting facts and historical info on the places we were about to visit, and also teaches us how to order food, buy train tickets, how to get from city back to hotel, what to watch out...etc...

A sample bus day would go something like this: (taken from my travel log) for the day where we have to travel from Nice (France) to Florence (Italy).
6:30am - Morning Call
7:15am - Breakfast
8:00am - Bus sets off
9:40am - Crossed over to Italian border
11:30am - Service rest stop
12:15noon - Set off
1:50pm - Reached Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa)
3:20pm - Set off from Pisa
4:50pm - Reached Hotel at Florence for a little rest
6pm - Meet at hotel lobby to set off for the city area
6:20pm - Free and Easy
10:15pm - Meet back at bus to go back to hotel
11:40pm - Back at Hotel.

1 of the daily schedules which the contiki tour manager put up for us at hotel lobby.  This one is for Switzerland.

1 thing I hate about the usual group tour packages is that everyone's kinda forced to have to travel together and usually travel agencies will bring us to places where we don't really want to visit (factories, shops..etc).  But for Contiki, the bus brings you from 1 city to the next, teach you how to make your own way back to hotel from the city area, then drops you at the city area for your own free and easy and you can choose whatever time you want to go back to hotel.  This helps takes out the logistics and planning of getting to hotels and travelling, and yet gives you the flexibility of free and easy trips.

My Contiki group photo taken at Florence, Italy.  European Vista 23/3/07 - 15/4/07, Contiki Staffs: Louis and Ricky.

Miss you guys!

Japan on a Budget

As mentioned before, here are the 3 main websites which I use when I plan/book for my own Japan trips.
- http://japan-guide.com/ (a comprehensive online guide to Japan)
- http://japanican.com/ (hotel bookings)
- http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ (train schedules/duration/prices)

However, if you are going for budget, here are some links which might be of help.

(Air Transportation)
Keep a lookout for promotional rates from the various airlines. I have ever gotten S$580 rate (inclusive tax & fuel surcharges) per pax for a return flight between Singapore and Osaka onboard Singapore Airlines. Once you get a good airline deal, then you start to plan your itinerary around it.
- http://singaporeair.com/ (Singapore Airlines)
- http://www.ana.co.jp (ANA Airlines)
- http://www.jal.com/ (JAL Airlines)
- http://www.delta.com/ (Delta Airlines: Singapore to Tokyo)
- http://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/home (Jetstar Budget Airlines: Singapore to Osaka Kansai)
- http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/ (Domestic flights: Skymark Airlines)
- http://www.flypeach.com/route/routemap.aspx (Peach Aviation)
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html (Guide to discount air tickets for domestic flights)

(Land Transportation)
Trains are usually more expensive than Bus. I would recommend the Japan Bus Pass instead of the JR Rail Pass. However there are also some really cheap Rail passes (JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass is 1 example) so take a look around the various Passes there are out there before making any decisions.
For trains, there's many types of trains. There's Shinkansen (bullet train), Ltd Exp (skips many stations), Exp/Rapid (skips some stations), Local (stops at all stations). A Local train will be much cheaper (but takes a longer travelling time) than a Ltd Exp train. Shinkansen is the fastest and also the most expensive.
- http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/ (Airport limousine bus between Tokyo and Narita/Haneda Airports)
- http://willerexpress.com (Long distance Express buses)
- http://willerexpress.com/x/bus/dynamic/3/en/html/pc/buspass/ (Japan Bus Pass)
- http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/index.html (Takayama bus operator)
- http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/route_k/index_e.html (Nagano Bus operator)
- http://www.nishitetsu.co.jp/bus/highway/gb/ (Bus operator for Kyushu)
- http://transportation.fujikyu.co.jp/english/ (Bus operator for Fuji Five Lakes)
- - http://www.bus-hikaku.com/ (Bus Hikaku, cheap bus rates)
- http://www.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bus_route_e/ (JR Kanto Highway Bus)
- http://www.odakyu.jp/english/index.html (Odakyu)
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html (List of various Rail Passes)
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html (Seishun 18 Kippu Pass)
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_05.html (JR Kyushu Rail Pass)
- http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html (JR West Rail Pass-Kansai Area)

(Food)
- There is a large variety of ready-packed food being sold at Japan's convenience stores (Lawson, 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Seicomart...etc) and they tastes quite nice.
- Usually, the basement of departmental stores are usually Food Halls, and when it's nearing closing time, many stalls will cut down the prices of their food, which is a good option to buy dinner during this time.

(Budget Hotels)
- http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ (Toyoko Inn chain)
- http://www.superhoteljapan.com/en/ (Super Hotels chain)
- http://www.cubehotel.jp/en/ (Cube Hotel in Tokyo)
- http://www.solarehotels.com/english/chisun/ (Chisun Hotels chain)
- http://www.smile-hotels.com/english.php (Smile Hotels chain)
- http://www.theb-hotels.com/en/ (the b Hotels chain)
- http://www.tokyo-inn.co.jp/en/index.html (Tokyo Inn in Tokyo)
- http://www.sunroute.jp/ (Sunroute Hotels chain)
- http://www.hotespa.net/business/en/index.html (Dormy Inn chain)
- http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/ (Hostels in Tokyo)
- http://www.chuogroup.jp/selene/en/index.html (Hotel Chuo in Osaka)
- http://hotelkinki.com/en/ (Hotel Kinki in Osaka)
- http://j-hoppers.com/e_g_links.html (J-hopper's links to budget accommodations)

(Hostels/Capsule Inns) 
*most of these accommodations have only shared toilets/showers, so check before you book if you are particular about it.
- http://backpacker.ninja-x.jp/ (Directory of Guesthouse/Hostels for budget accommodation)
- http://www.key-yh.jp/index.html (Hostel chain)
- http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html (K's House hostel chain)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/index.html (Khaosan hostel chain)
- http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/ (Sakura hostel chain in Tokyo)
- http://www.jafplaza.com/index.html (Apartments and Guesthouse rental for long stay)

Hokkaido:
- http://inos-place.com/e/index.html (Hostel in Sapporo)
- http://khaosan-sapporo.com/ (Hostel at Sapporo)
- http://www.healingweb.net/nonaka/ (Guesthouse at Sapporo)
- http://www.youthhostel.or.jp/kokusai/ (Youth hostel at Sapporo)
- http://kuwataniya.com/ (Hostel at Otaru)
- http://www.tengu.co.jp/english/index.html (Guesthouses at Otaru)
- http://www.niseko-backpacker.com/index.htm (Backpackers Lodge at Niseko)
- http://www.annupuri-yh.com/index.html (Lodge at Niseko)
- http://www.bdlodge.com/ (Lodge at Niseko)
- http://hirafuhostel.com/ (Lodge at Niseko)
- http://www4.ocn.ne.jp/~furanoyh/ (Youth hostel in Furano)
- http://homepage1.nifty.com/TOIPIRKA/ (Lodge at Obihiro)
- http://www.masyuko.co.jp/ (Youth Hostel at Teshikaga)
- http://www.gogogenya.com/mokuzi.htm (Youth Hostel at Teshikaga)

Akita:
- http://www12.plala.or.jp/ohmagari-YH/index.html (Youth hostel at Akita)

Yamagata:
- http://www.ne.jp/asahi/pension/scrooge/eindex.html (Pension at Yamagata)

Iwate:
- http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tono-yh/index-e.htm (Youth hostel at Iwate)

Sendai:
- http://www.tojianguesthouse.com/sendai.htm (Guesthouse at Sendai)

Ibaraki:
- http://bptokiwa.web.fc2.com/ (Hostel at Ibaraki)

Nikko:
- http://www.nikko-suginamiki.com/ (Youth Hostel at Nikko)
- http://www.nikko-narusawa.com/ (Lodge at Nikko)
- http://www.turtle-nikko.com/turtle/ (Inn at Nikko)
- http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~garrr/Rindou.html (Guesthouse at Nikko)

Chiba:
- http://www.backpackers-fuji.jp/ (Backpacker's hostel at Narita)

Tokyo:
- http://www.cheap-hostel-tokyo.com/ (Guesthouse in Tokyo)
- http://retrometrobackpackers.com/index.html (Backpackers Hostel in Asakusa Tokyo)
- http://bp-shinagawashuku.com/#home (Guesthouse in Shinagawa Tokyo)
- http://backpackersjapan.co.jp/english/ (Ryokan Hostel in Tokyo)
- http://www.first-cabin.jp/en/ (Compartment accommodation in Osaka, Kyoto, Haneda)
- http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/ (Hostels in Tokyo)
- http://www.kimiryokan.jp/index.php (Budget Ryokan in Tokyo)
- http://www.chiyoda-tokyo.com/english/ (Budget inn in Tokyo)
- http://www.hotelmaruchu.com/pc-e/index.html (Budget backpacker's hotel in Tokyo)
- http://www.palace-japan.com/english/index.html (Budget backpacker's hotel in Tokyo)
- http://www.newkoyo.com/index.html (Budget backpacker's hotel in Tokyo)
- http://www.aizuya-inn.com/ (Budget backpacker's hotel in Tokyo)
- http://kangaroohotel.jp/index.html (Budget backpacker's hotel in Tokyo)
- http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-e/ (Backpackers' Hostel in Tokyo)
- http://kshouse.jp/tokyo-oasis-e/index.html (Hostel in Tokyo)
- http://oakhostel.com/ (Hostel in Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/world/ (Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/original/ (Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/ninja/ (Hostel near Bakurocho, Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/samurai/access/index.html (Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/kabuki/access/index.html (Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/laboratory/access/index.html (Hostel in Asakusa, Tokyo)
- http://www.toukaisou.com/index.html (Backpacker's hotel in Asakusa)
- http://capsuleinn.com/shinjuku/en/ (Capsule hotel in Tokyo, only for Men)
- http://ace-inn.jp/index.php (Wooden capsule beds, Tokyo)
- http://www.tokyocozyhouse.com/index.html (Guesthouse in Tokyo, can stay for longer period)
- http://guesthouse1965.com/index_en.html (Guesthouse in Tokyo, can stay for longer period)
- http://www.tatami-guesthouse.com/ (Guesthouse in Tokyo, can stay for longer period)
- http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/ (Sakura hostel chain in Tokyo)
- http://www.housejp.com.tw/ (Budget accommodation at Ikebukuro)
- http://www.tatami-guesthouse.com/ (Guesthouse in Ikebukuro, stay for longer period)
- http://fiftys.com/en_index.html (Family Inn, somewhat near Disneyland/Disneysea)
- http://www.tokyo-inn.co.jp/ (Budget hotel at Magome, Tokyo)
- http://www.homeikan.com/ (Ryokan at Tokyo)
- http://www.sansuiso.net/ (Budget Ryokan at Tokyo)
- http://www.tamaryokan.com/ (Budget Ryokan at Tokyo)
- http://www.tokyo-guesthouse.com/index.html (Guesthouse at Tokyo, stay for longer period)

Yokohama:
- http://www.sakura-garden.org/ (Guesthouse at Yokohama)
- http://www.plaza-inn-shinyoko.jp/index_en.php (Budget hotel at Yokohama)

Kamakura:
- http://www1.kamakuranet.ne.jp/hase_yh/main_eng.htm (Youth Hostel in Kamakura)

Hakone:
- http://fujihakone.com/en/ (Guesthouse at Hakone)

Mt Fuji:
- http://kshouse.jp/fuji-e/index.html (Hostel at Kawaguchiko)

Shizuoka:
- http://kshouse.jp/ito-e/index.html (Ryokan hostel at Ito)
- http://www.izu.co.jp/~aoikaze/ (Youth Hostel at Ito)

Yamanashi:
- http://www.tim.hi-ho.ne.jp/innfuji/ (Inn at Yamanashi)

Niigata:
- http://nakatoshi.fuji.to/ (Lodge at Niigata)

Nagano:
- http://kshouse.jp/hakuba-e/index.html (Backpacker's Hostel at Hakuba)
- http://www.mthakubabackpackers.com/ (Backpackers' Hostel in Hakuba)
- http://hakubagondolalodge.com/ (Lodge at Hakuba)
- http://matsumotobp.com/en (Guesthouse at Matsumoto)
- http://www.avis.ne.jp/~miyasaka/index-e.html (Budget ryokan at Yudanaka)

Toyama:
- http://www1.coralnet.or.jp/buddha/etop/index.html (Budget ryokan at Takaoka)

Takayama:
- http://sakura-guesthouse.com/english/index.html (Hostel at Takayama)
- http://www.hidatakayama-guesthouse.com/sub1/B1.html (Ryokan hostel at Takayama)
- http://kyoto.j-hoppers.com/ (Hostels with branches at Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hiroshima)
- http://kshouse.jp/takayama-e/index.html (Hostel at Takayama)
- http://www.d2.dion.ne.jp/~hidafyh/#飛騨古川ユースホステル (Youth Hostel at Hida Furukawa)
- http://www.irori-sosuke.com/ (Minshuku at Takayama)
- http://kuwataniya.com/ (Guesthouse at Takayama)

Nagoya:
- http://www.hostelann.com/Pages/english.aspx (Guesthouse in Nagoya)
- http://www.japan-net.ne.jp/~meiryu/english/nofrontpage.html (Budget ryokan at Nagoya)

Kanazawa:
- http://murataya-ryokan.com/eng/rooms.html (Budget ryokan at Kanazawa)

Ishikawa:
- http://nakatoshi.fuji.to/ (Youth hostel at Noto)

Shiga:
- http://shiga-an.com/index.html (Guesthouse in Otsu, Shiga)
- http://www.bscjapan.info/ (Hostel at Otsu)

Kyoto:
- http://k-guesthouse.jp/ (Ryokan Hostel near Kyoto station)
- http://www.kyotohostel.net/index.php (Hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.kyoto-kinta.com/index.html (Ryokan Hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.0757085177.com/english.html (Hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.kazari-ya.com/index-e.html (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://nashinokatachi.com/guesthouse-c.html/home.html (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://kyoto-venten.com/index.html (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://kyotoguesthouserenjishi.com/index.html (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://kyoto-itoya.com/index.html (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://kioto-kyoto.com/index_e.htm (Ryokan Hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.koumekawa.jp/index.html (Ryokan in Kyoto)
- http://en.hostel-mundo.com/ (Ryokan hostel in Kyoto)
- http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html (hostel in Kyoto)
- http://hannari-guesthouse-english.com/index.html (hostel in Kyoto)
- http://kyoto-chita.com/index.html (ryokan hostel in Kyoto)
- http://kyoto.cheapest-inn.com/index_e.html (hostel in Kyoto)
- http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/index.html (hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.gojo-guest-house.com/ (Guesthouse in Kyoto)
- http://gh-project.com/index.html (Ryokan hostel in Kyoto)
- http://kyoto.hanahostel.com/ (Ryokan hosten in Kyoto)
- http://rakuza.gh-project.com/e/home.html (Ryokan Guesthouse in Gion Kyoto)
- http://www.first-cabin.jp/ (Compartment accommodation in Osaka, Kyoto, Haneda)
- http://www.bola-bola.jp/top_english.htm (Ryokan hostel in Kyoto)
- http://www.capsule-ryokan-kyoto.com/ (Capsule Ryokan Kyoto)
- http://9hours.jp/details/index/ (9hours Capsule hotel Kyoto)

- http://kyoto.j-hoppers.com/ (Hostels with branches at Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hiroshima)

- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/kyoto/ (Hostel in Shijo Kawaramachi, Kyoto)

- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/theater/ (Hostel in Kawaramachi, Kyoto)
- http://www.bola-bola.jp/top_english.htm (Guesthouse at Kyoto)
- http://www.tojianguesthouse.com/kyoto.htm (Hostel at Kyoto)
- http://www.tojianguesthouse.com/sendai.htm (Budget ryokan at Kyoto)
- http://homepage3.nifty.com/yurakuso/index.html (Guesthouse at Kyoto, for longer period stay)
- http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~greenpeace/ (Guesthouse at Kyoto, for longer period stay)
- http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/rakucho-ryokan/ (Budget ryokan in Kyoto)
- http://www.gojo-guest-house.com/ (Ryokan hostel at Kyoto)
- http://www.hostelskyoto.com/annex%20e.html (Guesthouse at Kyoto)
- http://pascon.gozaru.jp/ (Guesthouse at Kyoto)
- http://unohouse.fte.jp/ (Guesthouse at Kyoto)
- http://www.ryokankyoraku.jp/ (Ryokan at Kyoto)
- http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~seikis/index_e.html (Inn at Kyoto)
- http://www.ryokan-yamazaki.com/ (Ryokan at Kyoto)
- http://www.kohro.com/ (Ryokan at Kyoto)
- http://www.guesthouse-bon.com/ (Guesthouse at Kyoto)
- http://ton-bo.boo.jp/ (Guesthouse at Demachiyanagi, Kyoto)

(Amanohashidate)
- http://www5.nkansai.ne.jp/hotel/hasidateyh/eibunn.htm (Youth Hostel at Amanohashidate)

Osaka:
- http://u-en.hostelosaka.com/index_en.html (Guesthouse at Osaka)
- http://www.asahiplaza.co.jp/ (Capsule Inn at Osaka - available to both males & females)
- http://www.caminoro.com/ (Guesthouse in Osaka)
- http://www.guesthouseosaka.com/en/banana/index.html (Weekly/Monthly guesthouse in Osaka)
- http://www.first-cabin.jp/en/ (Compartment accommodation in Osaka, Kyoto, Haneda)
- http://www.caminoro.com/Facilities.html (Hostel in Osaka)
- http://www.bonsaiguesthouse.com/en/room.html (Guesthouse in Osaka)
- http://www.yamatoyahonten.co.jp/eng/room/ (Budget Ryokan in Osaka)
- http://www.hostel64.com/index.html (Budget Ryokan + Dormitory in Osaka)
- http://ten.hostelosaka.com/index_en.html (Hostel in Osaka)
- http://www.u-en.net/top/top_english.html (Japanese styled Hostel in Osaka)
- http://chuogroup.jp/en/ (Chuo Group, Osaka)
- http://www.chuogroup.jp/minami/raizan-english/main.html (Budget Hotel in Osaka)
- http://kyoto.j-hoppers.com/ (Hostels with branches at Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hiroshima)
- http://hostel.oeh.jp/ (Hostel at Osaka)
- http://u-en.hostelosaka.com/ (Guesthouse at Osaka)
- http://www.hotel-taiyo.com/ (Backpacker's hotel at Osaka)
- http://www.hotel-toyo.jp/ (Backpacker's hotel at Osaka)

Nara:
- http://www.guesthouse-sakuraya.com/ (Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://www.ugaya.net/l (Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://yuzanguesthouse.com/ENGLISH/about-yuzanguesthouse-english.html (Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://homepage3.nifty.com/guesthouse-makura/index.html (Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://www.nara-backpackers.com/home.en.html (Ryokan Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://yuzanguesthouse.com/index.html (Ryokan Guesthouse in Nara)
- http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~asuka-rd/ (Youth hostel at Nara)

Mie:
- http://www.hoshidekan.jp/ (Inn at Ise)

Wakayama:
- http://www.naxnet.or.jp/~yamagiwa/arida/ (Youth Hostel at Wakayama)
- http://www.bgh.jp/index.php (Guesthouse at Wakayama)

Kobe:
- http://kobe-kua-house.com/index.html (Capsule Hotel in Kobe -  available to both males & female )

Himeji:
- http://himeji588.com/ (Guesthouse at Himeji)

Okayama:
- http://www.kurashiki-sh.co.jp/ (Budget hotel at Kurashiki)

Hiroshima/Miyajima:
- http://www.backpackers-miyajima.com/index_e.html (Hostel at Miyajima-guchi)
- http://www.reinoinn.com/english/ (Budget inn at Hiroshima)
- http://kyoto.j-hoppers.com/ (Hostels with branches at Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hiroshima)
- http://kshouse.jp/hiroshima-e/index.html (Backpackers' Hostel in Hiroshima)

Yamaguchi:
- http://www.e-yh.net/shimonoseki/indexe.html (Youth Hostel at Yamaguchi)
- http://www.paltopia.com/ (Budget hotel at Yamaguchi)

Shikoku:
- http://www.ecodogo.com/english/index.htm (Budget inn at Matsuyama, Shikoku)
- http://senguesthouse-matsuyama.com/ (Budget guesthouse in Matsuyama, Shikoku)
- http://www.matsuyama-yh.com/ (Youth Hostel at Matsuyama)
- http://www.hojosuigun.com/ (Inn at Matsuyama)

Kyushu:
- http://www.khaosan-fukuoka.com/ (Hostel at Fukuoka)
- http://www.kaine-g.com/ (Guesthouse at Fukuoka)
- http://www.kaine-g.com/english/e_index.html#setsubi (Guesthouse at Fukuoka)
- http://www.tabicolle.com/ENGLISH.html (Ryokan hostel in Fukuoka)
- http://www.khaosan-tokyo.com/en/beppu/ (Hostel at Beppu)
- http://www.happyneko.com/ (Guesthouse at Beppu)
- http://www.coara.or.jp/~hideharu/EngSmry.html (Budget ryokan at Beppu)
- http://www.nagasaki-hostel.com/index.html (Hostel at Nagasaki)
- http://www.n-kagamiya.com/en/guesthouse.html (Guesthouse in Nagasaki)
- http://nakashimaya.ikidane.com/eng.html (Ryokan hostel at Kumamoto)
- http://homepage2.nifty.com/minamiaso/guesthouse-english.html (Guesthouse at Kumamoto)
- http://www.aso-backpackers.com/index.html (Hostel at Aso Kumamoto)
- http://www.ks-kaikan.com/index_pc.cgi (Budget hotel at Kumamoto)
- http://nakashimaya.ikidane.com/ (Guesthouse at Kumamoto)
- http://www.green-guesthouse.com/english.html (Guesthouse at Kagoshima)
- http://www.cheaphotelasia.com/modules/tinyd0/index.php?id=29 (Guesthouse at Kagoshima)

Sample Itineraries for Japan trip

Tips (will add more in time):
- Certain places are very crowded on weekends, see if you can re-arrange your itinerary to visit it on a weekday instead (like Disneyland/Disneysea, Universal Studios)

- Most hotels & ryokans charges a higher rate for weekend stays (Fri/Sat/Sun) so see if you can re-arrange your itinerary to fit that stay on a weekday on a cheaper rate (esp ryokans in popular places like Hakone, Miyajima, Noboribetsu, Nikko...etc). You would be surprised how much you can save on the difference.

- Many themeparks (except major ones like Disneyland/Disneysea/Universal Studios) & special trains (eg. Arashiyama Scenic Train, Asahiyama Zoo train...etc) do not operate every day, so it's best that you check their operation schedule on their respective websites before you go to ensure that it is available on the day of your visit.

- You can only purchase the nationwide JR Pass outside of Japan so remember to purchase it before you head for Japan.

- When using Hyperdia.com, there are some station with names that you might have problems searching for. Here's some examples: "SAGAARASHIYAMA" (JR Arashiyama station), "HAKATA" (Fukuoka's main station), "TOYA(JR-MURORAN)" (Lake Toya's station), "NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT" (Shin-Chitose Airport station), "KOBE(HYOGO)" (Kobe station).
Eg. In Osaka, Shinkansen only stops at Shin-Osaka station and not at Osaka station. In Yokohama, Shinkansen only stops at Shin-Yokohama station and not at Yokohama station. Therefore don't assume that Shin-Osaka and Osaka station is the same station because they are not.
(More info on how to use the Hyperdia website: here)


Sample Itineraries:
Places listed with " * " doesn't operate every day so check the operation schedule before you go
Nationwide JR Pass for 7 / 14 / 21 days: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
Various other JR Passes: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
Express Bus: http://willerexpress.com/bus/pc/3/top/
Train schedules: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

Hokkaido:
(5 days)
Day 1: Singapore to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo (Shiroi Koibito Park/Odori Park/Susukino)
Day 3: Day trip to Otaru
Day 4: Sapporo to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu onsen town, stay for the night
Day 5: Head for Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Singapore

(7 days Winter) With 3 days JR Hokkaido Pass for Day 5 to Day 7
Day 1: Singapore to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo (Shiroi Koibito Park/Odori Park/Susukino)
Day 3: Day trip to Otaru
Day 4: Day trip to Sapporo Teine for skiing
Day 5: Sapporo to Asahikawa (Penguin march* in Zoo and take the Asahiyama Zoo train* from Sapporo to Asahikawa)
Day 6: Asahikawa to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu onsen town
Day 7: Lake Toya or Noboribetsu to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Singapore

(7 days Summer) With 5 days JR Hokkaido Pass for Day 3 to Day 7
Day 1: Singapore to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo (Shiroi Koibito Park/Odori Park/Susukino)
Day 3: Day trip to Otaru
Day 4: Sapporo to Asahikawa
Day 5: Day trip to Furano/Biei (Lavender fields)
Day 6: Asahikawa to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu onsen town
Day 7: Lake Toya or Noboribetsu to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Singapore

(9 days Winter) With 5 days JR Hokkaido Pass for Day 4 to Day 8, Fly in Shin-Chitose, Fly out Shin-Chitose
Day 1: Singapore to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo (Shiroi Koibito Park/Odori Park/Susukino)
Day 3: Day trip to Otaru
Day 4: Sapporo to Abashiri (Ice breaker cruise) Take Asahiyama Zoo train from Sapporo to Asahikawa, then transfer to another train to Abashira. If the Zoo train's tickets are sold out, then just take a direct train from Sapporo to Abashiri
Day 5: Abashiri to Asahikawa (Asahiyama Zoo)
Day 6: Asahikawa to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu
Day 7: Lake Toya or Noboribetsu to Hakodate (Goryokaku/Old Bricks Warehouse/Mt Hakodate)
Day 8: Hakodate to Sapporo
Day 9: Sapporo to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Singapore

Hokkaido + Tokyo:
(8 days) 
Day 1: Singapore to Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Sapporo
Day 2: Sapporo (Shiroi Koibito Park/Odori Park/Susukino)
Day 3: Day trip to Otaru
Day 4: Sapporo to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu onsen town, stay for the night
Day 5: Head for Shin-Chitose Airport, Shin-Chitose Airport to Tokyo
Day 6: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 7: Tokyo (Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 8: Tokyo to Singapore

Tokyo:
(5 days)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 3: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 4: Tokyo (Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 5: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukiji market* in the morning if you have time)

(7 days)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya)
Day 3: Tokyo (Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara)
Day 4: Tokyo (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 5: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 6: Tokyo (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 7: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukiji market* in the morning if you have time)

Tokyo + Hakone:
(5 days. Get Hakone Free Pass for Day 2 and Day 3)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo to Hakone, stay at Hakone
Day 3: Hakone to Tokyo (Asakusa/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 4: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 5: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukiji market* in the morning if you have time)

(7 days. Get Hakone Free Pass for Day 2 and Day 3)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo to Hakone, stay at Hakone
Day 3: Hakone to Tokyo (Asakusa/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 4: Tokyo (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 5: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 6: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 5: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukiji market* in the morning if you have time)

Tokyo + Karuizawa + Kawaguchi-ko
(9 days with 3 days JR Kanto Area Pass for Day 2 to Day 4)
*The JR Kanto Area pass will be changed to JR Tokyo Wide pass from 19 Dec 2015 onwards.
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo. Stay at Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo to Kawaguchiko. Stay at Kawaguchiko
Day 3: Kawaguchiko to Tokyo. Stay at Tokyo.
Day 4: Day trip to Karuizawa. Stay at Tokyo
Day 5: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*). Stay at Tokyo
Day 6: Tokyo. Stay at Tokyo.
Day 7: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower). Stay at Tokyo.
Day 8: Daytrip to Kamakura + Yokohama. (Kamakura + Cup Noodle museum + Chinatown). Stay at Tokyo
Day 9: Tokyo to Singapore.


Tokyo + Hakone + Kamakura + Yokohama
(7 days. Get N'EX + SUICA package for day 1 and day 7 if you are using Narita Airport )
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo to Hakone, stay at Hakone
Day 3: Hakone to Tokyo (Asakusa/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 4: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 5: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 6: Day trip to Kamakura + Yokohama
Day 7: Tokyo to Singapore  (Tsukiji market* in the morning if you have time)

Tokyo + Osaka + Kyoto 
(7 days with 7 days JR Pass, Fly in Tokyo, Fly out Tokyo)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo to Osaka (Aquarium or Instant Ramen museum/Dotonbori in Namba)
Day 3: Day trip to Kyoto (Arashiyama scenic train*/Kiyomizudera/Gion)
Day 4: Osaka to Tokyo (Asakusa/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 5: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 6: Tokyo (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 7: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukuji market* in the morning if you have time)

Tokyo + Osaka + Kyoto + Nara + Hakone 
(10 days: with 7 days JR Pass for Day 1 to 7, Fly in Tokyo, Fly out Tokyo)
Day 1: Singapore to Tokyo (Shinjuku if you have time)
Day 2: Tokyo to Hakone
Day 3: Hakone to Kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Gion)
Day 4: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train*/Fushimi Inari shrine/Kinkakuji)
Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka, day trip to Nara + Evening at Osaka's Dotonbori, stay at Osaka
Day 6: Osaka (Universal Studios)
Day 7: Osaka to Tokyo (Asakusa/Akihabara) or (Imperial Palace/Ginza)
Day 8: Tokyo (Disneyland or Disneysea or Sanrio Puroland*)
Day 9: Tokyo  (Harajuku/Shibuya) or (Odaiba/Tokyo Tower)
Day 10: Tokyo to Singapore (Tsukuji market* in the morning if you have time)

Kyoto + Osaka + Nara
(6 days. With Haruka + ICOCA package for Day 1 and Day 6)
Day 1: Singapore to Kansai Airport, Kansai to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka (Universal Studios)
Day 3: Day trip to Nara + Osaka (Dotonbori in the evening)
Day 4: Osaka to Kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Gion)
Day 5: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves/Kinkakuji)
Day 6: Kyoto to Kansai Airport, Kansai Airport to Singapore (Nishiki market or Fushimi Inari if you have time)

(9 days: With Haruka + ICOCA package for Day 1 and Day 9)
Day 1: Singapore to Kansai Airport, Kansai to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka (Universal Studios)
Day 3: Osaka (Aquarium/Instant Ramen Museum/Umeda)
Day 4: Day trip to Nara + Osaka (Dotonbori in the evening)
Day 5: Osaka to Kyoto (Fushimi Inari/Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama street)
Day 6: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves/Kinkakuji)
Day 7: Kyoto (Philosopher's Walk/Ginkakuji)
Day 8: Kyoto (Nijo Castle/Nishiki market/Gion)
Day 9: Kyoto to Kansai Airport, Kansai to Singapore (Fushimi Inari if you have time)

Kyoto + Osaka + Nara + Okayama + Hiroshima + Miyajima + Kyushu
(13 days: with 7 days JR Pass for Day 4 to Day 10, and Haruka + ICOCA package for Day 1 and Day 13)
Day 1: Singapore to Kansai Airport, Kansai to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka (Universal Studios)
Day 3: Day trip to Nara + Osaka (Dotonbori in the evening)
Day 4: Osaka to Okayama (Kurashiki)
Day 5: Okayama to Hiroshima (A-bomb/Peace Memorial Museum/Hondori Street)
Day 6: Hiroshima to Miyajima (stay at ryokan)
Day 7: Miyajima to Fukuoka (Canal City Hakata/Foodstalls)
Day 8: Day trip to Nagasaki or Huis Ten Bosch
Day 9: Day trip to Kagoshima
Day 10: Day trip to Yufuin, then Fukuoka to Kyoto. Take evening Shinkansen to Kyoto. 
Day 11: Kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama street/Gion)
Day 12: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves/Kinkakuji)
Day 13: Kyoto to Kansai Airport, Kansai to Singapore (Nishiki market or Fushimi Inari if you have time)

Kyoto + Osaka + Nara + Okayama + Himeji + Kobe + Kinosaki onsen
(10 days: with 4 days JR Kansai Area Wide Pass for Day 4 to Day 7, and Haruka + ICOCA package for Day 1 and Day 10)
Day 1: Singapore to Kansai Airport. Kansai to Osaka. Stay at Osaka.
Day 2: Osaka. Stay at Osaka.
Day 3: Daytrip to Nara. Stay at Osaka.
Day 4: Daytrip to Kurashiki and Okayama. Stay at Osaka.
Day 5: Daytrip to either Himeji + Kobe. Stay at Osaka.
Day 6: Osaka to Kinosaki onsen. Stay at Kinosaki onsen.
Day 7: Kinosaki onsen to Kyoto. Stay at Kyoto.
Day 8: Kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama street/Gion). Stay at Kyoto.
Day 9: Kyoto (Arashiyama Scenic train* and bamboo groves/Kinkakuji). Stay at Kyoto.
Day 10: Kyoto to Kansai Airport. Kansai Airport to Singapore.

Kyushu
(7 days: with 5 days JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass for Day 2 to Day 6)
Day 1: Singapore to Fukuoka
Day 2: Fukuoka to Huis Ten Bosch, Huis Ten Bosch to Nagasaki (take evening train to Nagasaki)
Day 3: Nagasaki to Fukuoka (spend the day at Nagasaki, then take evening train to Fukuoka)
Day 4: Fukuoka to Yufuin
Day 5: Yufuin to Beppu
Day 6: Beppu to Fukuoka
Day 7: Fukuoka to Singapore