Initial Reads

Hi all,

We are not going Japan yet. But there's no harm imagining that we are going next year. Useful for future plans also.

I don't know whether we should make this a pure Tokyo or Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo or Tokyo-Hakone-Tokyo trip.

Recommended duration:
- 4-5 days in Tokyo (Big big city, disneyland, temples, shopping, animes)
- 2-3 days in Hakone (Hot springs, scenery, trekking, lavender farm, black eggs, musical box museum?)
- 2-3 days in Osaka (Big city, universal studio)
This will determine the length of our stay in japan. We will need to settle this before buying the tickets.

Traveling to Hakone is about SGD$40x2 on a fast train from tokyo. We can view Mt Fuji from Hakone. I have not researched on Osaka yet but it should more expensive than going to Hakone from tokyo.

Where to get the tickets @ promos rate:
http://www.nwa.com/sg/en/travel/nwapr/pm1116200703694.shtml
Click on the link Book now.
The promo price should be ranging from SGD600-700 (nett)
Please note you got to book by 17 Dec to enjoy the promo rate. If we missed the boat, I heard we can try approaching some travel agencies.

Where to stay in Tokyo
The reasonably priced ones are popular - book early is recommended to avoid disappointment. It's also recommended that we stay near a train station that falls along the JR Yamanote Line.



Shinjuku is equivalent to the likes of Orchard in singapore. So, it's best for travelers to find lodging there. As expected, it doesn't come cheap to stay in Shinjuku. So, as a guide, we should find a place that is near there.

Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro
For group of 3-4pax, we will be sleeping on tatami mats. Clean and good location. The most value for our money! But it's already fully booked until end of Feb. *cries* $58.50 per person per night (pppn).



Sakura Hotel Hatagaya
We get to sleep on nice comfy beds here. It's slightly more expensive than Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro. Costing about $63.70pppn. This is the newest hotel of the Sakura franchise. The rooms here are snapping up fast.



Sakura Hotel
I like the both location and price here. It's actually a hostel in disguise. So, there is no private toilets here. Seems like they do not have mix-dormitory. But it has the one of the cheapest twin/double room so far! Great for 2friends/a couple traveling. :)
Double Room - $53.30pppn
Twin Room - $54.60pppn
Bed Rate - $49.20pppn
Bed Rate - $40.95pppn (cheaper because you are expected to make you own bed)



Seems like the lodging at Asakusa is generally cheaper as most hostels are over there.. but it's not as convenient as the three mentioned above..
Khaosan Tokyo Guest House
Cheap. It sure looks interesting. I'm looking at the Original branch. The two other branches are Annex and Smile. It has a rooftop access and a view of a river from a mix-dormitory room. Looks very cozy from the pictures. :)


I use this method for Yen-to-SGD conversion: (YEN/100)*1.3 (for e.g. 2000Yen -> SGD(2000/100*1.3)

Sakura Hostel
Cheap twin room. Great for group of 4/6/8 friends.
Twin room - 8,295 yen / room ------> $54pppn
4 bed room - 11,760 yen / room ------> $38.40pppn
6 bed room - 17,640 yen / room ------> $38.40pppn
8 bed room - 23,520 yen / room ------> $38.40pppn

Aizuya
Cheap. Tatami. Not very convenient. Need to pay for shower at 100yen per 5 min. :(


All the Prices listed are inclusive of tax already. :D

Important Things missing:
- Lodging in Hakone/Osaka

Not-so-important things missing:
- Places of interest
- Transportation
- Weather