Well, its been a while since I sat and wrote an article, thanks to the ever changing lifestyle and binge-watching of infinite number of TV series. Japan was there in the planner for last three years and eluded for various reasons to execute. Despite knowing that am choosing the Summer due to term holiday period of the little one, I was hoping for the better weather due to the average clocked 25 degree Celsius historically. However, it was indeed hot and humid.
Here we are finally. The usual drill comes first, the tickets, preparation of itinerary in full and then preparation of visa documents and finally submission. How I wish I had the flexibility to plan something out of nowhere and go. Well, this dream came to reality as the Japan embassy was courteous enough to grant multiple entry visa for long time and every visit up to 90 days. ありがとう.
Here is a bit for the first timers. Though Japan is huge and has 100s of places of interest, if it’s first time, the choice is way too easy (I got that after spending countless hours digging through itineraries). Ideally 8 to 9 days would be perfect enough for the first timers who intend to explore as much as possible. After going through suggested multiple itineraries way too many times, I figured out mostly follow the same and I tried to cover just them and only the important ones, so that I let them to sink in me. Well, still it was rush as the weather, transportation, food breaks added little more than allocated. After all those readings, everything boiled down to 3 days of Tokyo and 4 days of Kyoto. (Tokyo =Eastern Capital, Kyoto = Capital city)
Bit on the railyway pass (JR Pass)
This was another never ending reading. Let me simplify this based on the first timer and visiting the Tokyo, Kyoto as part of the itineraries. Initially buying a 7 days pass sounded reasonable (Which costs S$ 350 per adult and S$ 175 for the child who is below 11 years for normal class. Green class which is even more quieter, superior, spacious costs S$467, S$234 respectively). Then I worked on my travel plan and tried to calculate the real cost. Their websites are good just like their people and validates and advises the individual costs and JR pass cost, compares them and advises (https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass). Though the calculations and suggestions are good, there are some reasons JR pass didn’t get my attention fully. JR pass do not allow travel on Nozomi and Mizuho which was a great let down for me as I was very eagerly waiting to travel on the fastest Shinkansens of Japan. Not just that, the Hikari (the Shinkansen can be used with JR pass) has few extra stops and has limited trains like every 30 or 45 mins once whereas Nozomi or Mizuho run almost back to back with 10 minute intervals. So yes, I opted not to buy the JR pass that greatly worked out. Even then, a pasmo or suica card is very very useful which is covered on the first day below.
Overall impression of Japan.
We loved every bit of it. Though it was hot and humid and drizzling at some odd times, we worked out the trips. People are extremely helpful, places are clean and neat overall. Indeed its expensive but if we are clear with what we really want, we can definitely make it work our way when it comes to the budget.
Friday, June 21, 2019
1:55pm SIN-HND, Arrive at haneda 21:50 (SQ 634)
Flight did arrive on time to the Haneda airport which was quiet for an airport at that time. We slowly walked to the immigration and to my surprise and contrary to the other website information, immigration queue was nearly empty and completed just like a walk through. It was super quick. What puzzled me was, our luggage did arrive already and was enjoying ride on the conveyor belts. Our hotel was at Gatonda (Garden Mitsui Hotel), so planned route was to take the Keikyu line from Handeda to Shinagawa and to take another train to Gotanda or to use the Uber from Shinagawa to Hotel. I couldn’t buy Suica or Pasmo at the airport, so bought ticket at the counter for this leg. At Keikyu Tourist Information Center Haneda Airport, one can get 2 day passes at the airport but it closes early. As it was bit late, we picked up dinner from Devi India restaurant outside Shinagawa station and called an Uber.
The first shocks.
I know the Tokyo real estate is over crowded and was told that the rooms are relatively small. So cautiously booked a huge looking room with a sofa as the little one loves spacious rooms. When I opened the door of the room, I started feeling slightly claustrophobic and worried about the next 3 days’ stay there. It was that small. It struggles even to handle luggage. That one thing was a big let down for the cost that we paid – I traveled a bit and from that experience, its indeed was not the best experience when it comes to room sizes in Tokyo.
Enough of the introduction; you can head to the rest of the Japan Posts. When we are going next time, am skipping Tokyo and head directly to my destination and this time preferably to Hokkaido.
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