I had only 1 day to visit Tokyo.

Why?

I Wwoofed in Oohara and my host allowed only 1 day off. I don’t mind with that cause I prefer Osaka than Tokyo.

I woke up really early, rushed through my breakfast and rode the bicycle like crazy in that stormy weather to Oohara Station. Stopped by at the parking lot to park the bicycle there. The Japanese is so systematic that they have every single thing proper and organized which I find sometime insanely disturbing (cause I’m not that organized as a person ^^).

Oohara Map

Thanks to my host, I managed to catch the rapid train at 8.05am from Oohara to Tokyo. What I like most about being in Japan is that they are very precise and punctual when it comes to train schedule (at least they tried to). Life is pretty much predictable and you can plan your itinerary with less worry.

Yumi, Rie and Tom at Oohara Station

Arrived 1 hour later and the first place I went to was Tourist Information Center (TIC) in Ginza. Initially I have always wanted to find the Sony Showcase in Ginza (thanks to the late Akio Morita)but due to the subway station’s renovation, I cancelled my intention. The guy’s English at the TIC was flawless so I have no problem. He quipped “I have met a few Malaysians before but not one with scarf”. Hehehe..I was first!

In half a day I went to these places:

Ginza

Ueno Park

Asakusa

Shinjuku

Harajuku

Picture courtesy of Nanoda

I bought a 2 week pass at JTB in AMODA building around Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, KL. In 2007, yen was not as strong as nowadays. 100 yen was equivalent to MYR3.10, and it came about MYR1,300 for the Japan Rail Pass. Now, it is around MYR2,300 in the year 2010. Add up another MYR1,000 to your budget. – -^

JTB Inc., (Malaysia) SDN. BHD. N, E, W, K
Unit 16.05-16.07, Level 16, Amoda 22, Jalan IMBI, Kuala Lumpur 55100
Tel : 03-2142-7711
FAX: 03-2142-5344

Check out other Japan Rail Pass sales outlet in Malaysia here.

Benefit of having Japan Rail Pass

Unlimited ride for all JR Group railways’ Shinkansen “bullet trains” (except any reserved or non-reserved seat on “NOZOMI” trains), limited express trains, express trains and rapid or local trains. (With some exceptions). You can make seat reservations on those trains with reserved seats without additional payment.

Also valid for local lines of JR bus companies and some of JR highway bus services. This pass is also valid for the JR Miyajima ferry.

Disadvantage of having Japan Rail Pass

The Japan Rail Pass is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen

Note:

Picture courtesy of Japantravellight

You must purchase the Exchange Order in your country within 3 months before you travel to Japan.

Go to major train station and change the Exchange Order to Japan Rail Pass. You must specifiy the date on the Pass before you want to start using it. It can be any date within one month from the date the Pass is received.

The usage is on consecutive days.

Must you purchase Japan Rail Pass?

Hikari Bullet Train Schedule at Tokyo Station.

Hikari Bullet Train.

Nowadays, you can actually skip the bullet train if you’re on shoestring budget and opt for the cheaper highway bus service.

I had my first international trip in 2006 to Beijing, China. Although Beijing was unquestionably a beautiful place, the whole experience was pretty hilarious and disappointing. Travelling with a group tour; I would say is not my preference. A lot of times you were given limited duration to visit your favorite places in the itinerary. You must rush according to the schedule. What a let down for me who love to take my own sweet time enjoying the moment and marveling at the breathtaking sights which I doubt I would have the time and opportunity to visit countless of time.

Due to that, I swore I would never travel with a group tour. I simply detest it. Mainly because the lack of flexibility on my itinerary. Of course it has its own downside especially the budget. Traveling by yourself needs thorough planning which cracks your brain sometimes and you need courage. Or is it just plain stupidity on my part? Hehehe..

I bought flight ticket once at MATTA FAIR for Japan on 2006 and the other at 2007.  The first time the ticket price was at RM899 for a return flight but I was not aware of the requirement for VISA application. You need to have at least 10,000 MYR in your saving account, have native Japanese friends or friends working in Japan and a company’s official letter stating that you’re still working in Malaysia. Why the VISA requirement is so tedious?

Hmm..according to my knowledge, this is to curb some illegal working activities by Malaysians who refuse to return to Malaysia once they reach Japan. Why? Because of yen’s high value. Because of THEM, we have to go through this mind boggling and heart wrenching process.

I applied VISA for three times. 2 times was rejected and the third was approved on the day my flight was due. It was approved around 0200 hours and my flight was duel at 233o hours. Pheww..that was close. The moment I received that precious call from Japanese Embassy for my VISA approval, I broke down and cried for a good few minutes. Finally, I could go to JAPAN!!!

How much money I used? In 2007, 100 yen was about MYR 3.10. Now is close to MYR4.00. A subway ride was at least 120 yen but now is 160 yen. It is harder now. I saved up to almost RM8,000 and used most of it for transportation. I would say close to 60%.

That will not hinder me to once again make a silly plan for Japan. Mattete~

After seeing it with my own eyes, today, AirAsia started their virgin flight to Tokyo via Haneda Airport. Booking starts from 23rd until 26th September flying from December 2010 until July 2011. There goes my chance to dream about lying on bed of fallen leaves in autumn ala Sandra Bullock in ‘While you were sleeping’. Doushio?

Although my spirit was dampened a bit by that choice of dates but my mind was not. That means the possibility of going to Japan with shoestring budget does exist, right?

The website was a bit unsteady earlier this morning when some of my friends reported of missing prices for certain dates. I thought it must be probably due to too many people hogging the system at the same time; bottleneck. Not until late at night that I was able to get my hands on to the website.

NOTE: AirAsia only flys 3 times per week from Kuala Lumpur to Haneda, Tokyo. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Flight starts at 1215 from Kuala Lumpur and reaching Haneda, Tokyo at 2030.

After playing with some of the dates in the website, the cheapest ticket I could get inclusive of airport tax and fees is around RM990 ~ 27,00yen ~ 320USD.

Click on the link http://www.tokyo-subway.net/japan/ and you will see the site as above. Then, press English or if you are eloquent in Japanese, you can click on the left button.

Say you know the name of the station so click at the ‘Select by station names’ button.

Key in the name of the station. You need to press the alphabet with mouse. Here, I keyed in Shinjuku Station as the leaving from station. Select the appropriate station name. My choice is the first one. After that, press next.

Repeat the same process for ‘going to’ station. Press next button, once done.

Sort result based on your preferences: Travel time/ Fare/ No. of transfers

I chose travel time.  Total travel time: 16 minutes. Fare: 190 yen. No of transfers: 2

There are a few different routes suggested too.