Japan 2017

Trip to Japan 2017

Dates

24/03/2017 - 10/04/2017

Who's Going

• YYY - Yingke
• Mark P
• lmm
• Mark H
• Alasdair
• Zolty
• Dave (Yakushima only)
• (Maria)
• (Dexter)

Checklist

Handle	Annual Leave Taken	International Plane tickets purchased	Domestic Plane tickets purchased	JR Pass purchased	 Passmo card purchased	International Driving Permit acquired	JPY exchanged	Phone that works in Japan	Travel Insurance
YYY	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)		(./)			(./)
Mark P	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)			(./)	(./)
lmm	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)
Mark H	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)
Alasdair	(./)	(./)	(./)	(./)		(./)		(./)	(./)
Zolty	(./)	(./)	(./)
Maria	(./)	(./)	(./)
Dexter	(./)	(./)	(./)

Misc Planning Area

• JR passes are best bought from https://www.insidejapantours.com/japan-rail-pass-all/
  • Plan is to get 2-week passes, exchange them at Haneda on the 25th but with validity not starting until the 29th.
  • Getting a passmo card is a good idea for convenience - it's not any cheaper than buying paper subway tickets but it's easier
• We have agreed to take suitcases but ensure they are wheeled enough to transport between hotels and train stations easily.
• Last time I got a travel SIM from www.ekit.com which worked pretty well
  • Don't buy a travel phone from them as their model can't use Japanese frequencies

Pre-Trip Meetup

Sat, 18/02/2017

• 12:45: Meetup around Leicester Square Station?
• Lunch at http://misato.eu/?
• 15:00 - 17:00: Karaoke at http://www.karaokebox.co.uk/mayfair/bookings/
  • There is a minimum of a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) per person to be bought at the bar.
  • For Japanese songs, please have the song title/artist in Japanese handy (so we can look it up easily if the machine uses a song book)
  • If you want to sing Japanese songs but can't read Japanese well, it may help to have a hard copy of the romanised lyrics. The room will be at basement level so mobile reception may be poor.
• Dinner at Flat Iron?
• Hang out at lmms.

Flight details

• Lmm: Arriving 2017-03-24 12:05 HND on NH972, departing 2017-04-10 14:00 NRT (via Shanghai)
• Alasdair: arriving 2017-03-24 10:00 NRT, departing 2017-04-10 11:00 NRT (via Helsinki)
• Zolty: Arriving 2017-03-24 8:55 NRT, departing 2017-04-10 10:25 NRT
• YYY, MarkP, MarkH: Arriving 2017-03-24 10:35 NRT Terminal 2, departing 2017-04-10 12:35 NRT
• Maria, Dexter: Arriving 2017-03-24 10:40 NRT, departing 2017-04-10 11:40 NRT (via Copenhagen)

Itinerary

Fri, 24/03/2017

• Morning and early afternoon
  • Arrive in Japan and meet up.
    • Narita Arrivals: Zolty, Alasdair, YYY, MP, MarkH
      • Meetup at Terminal 2, Floor B1, "Doutor Coffee Shop". https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/map/?terminal=2&map=8
      • Wait at most 'til noon, then make own way to hostel.
  • Haneda Arrivals: Lmm
  • Any suggestions for a meeting point? Probably a case of having a late lunch?
• Late afternoon we can get a quick taste of Tokyo and enjoy some culture shock
• Spending night in Tokyo - Emblem Hostel Nishiarai, Tokyo Umejima 3-33-6, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Sat, 25/03/2017

• Morning: Possibly a little tourism in Tokyo. Get brunch, as we're flying at lunchtime.
• Lunchtime: Fly to Yakushima
  • Exchange JR passes at the airport: JR EAST Travel Service Center (Tokyo Monorail 2F Ticket Gate/Arrival lobby). http://www.japanrailpass.net/img/purchase/file/exchange_station.pdf . But ask for validity to not start until Wed 29th.
• Flight from Tokyo to Yakushima: 13:20 to 17:35 on Saturday 25th of March.
  • We should make a point of booking our tickets for the ferries when we arrive, as the tourist office is near the airport
• Meet up with Dave.
  • TODO: Confirm his travel arrangements.
• ORIX Rent a Car
  • Pick-up site: Yakushima Airport Rental Site
  • Drop-off site: Yakushima Miyanoura Counter
  • Rental date: Saturday, March 25, 2017 17:30 - Tuesday, March 28, 2017 9:30
  • Vehicles:
    • Vehicle class: WA CLASS Nonsmoking（Wagon）- Total rental charges: 55,350 yen (tax included)
    • Vehicle class: A CLASS Nonsmoking（Sedan）- Total rental charges: 29,808 yen (tax included)
• Should be getting a pickup from airport.

(1 or 2 evenings)

• Stay in Yakushima for 3 nights, at http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~yasuakim/english.html . 7000yen/night each (I think hope), 5000 on Sunday as dinner will not be served.
• Midnight-ish trip to seaside onsen at low tide: http://www.yesyakushima.com/about-yakushima-yakushima-english-services-home/yakushima-seaside-onsens-hot-springs/
  • Bring towels, and carrier bags for clothes.
  • Low tides are approximately midday and midnight
  • Saturday probably best for this as the jetlag will work in our favour and low tide is earlier (23:50 on Saturday, 00:30 on Monday, 1:05 on Tuesday)
• Spending night in Yakushima

Sun, 26/03/2017

• Yakushima day 1
  • Day: walk up to the top of the mountain
    • Evening: Baths. Local baths and/or the JR hotel (1000 yen). List at http://www.yesyakushima.com/yakushima-activities/yakushima-onsen-hot-springs/
• No dinner at our accommodation this night, we will have to eat out (IIRC there is a restaurant just down the road from them)
• Spending night in Yakushima

Mon, 27/03/2017

• Yakushima day 2
  • Day: walk around the old cedar trees
  • Visit Senpiro's waterfall?
  • Alternately: http://kuchinoerabu-jima.org/eng/profile.html
• Spending night in Yakushima

Tue, 28/03/2017

• Ferries: http://www.yesyakushima.com/getting-to-yakushima/by-sea/
  • These are a pain to book from outside, I suggest we book them when we arrive (on the Saturday). They don't tend to fill up AIUI, but best not to be relying on it.
• Part with Dave.
• Tanegashima
  • Morning: Ferry to Tanegashima at 10:00 from Miyanoura to Nishinoomote (arriving 10:50). Return cars at port. Jetfoil timetable is https://www.tykousoku.jp/fare_time/.
    • Our only realistic option is car hire. Try Nippon-rent-a-car (who have an office in Nishinoomote) or Orix. 75 minutes' drive between port and space center.
• Day: space centre tour http://global.jaxa.jp/about/centers/tnsc/index.html . Guided tours are 11:00 to 12:15, 13:30 to 14:45 or 15:30 to 16:45
• Spending night in Tanegashima
  • Booked Tanegashima Araki Hotel. 3 japanese-style rooms of up to 4 people each for one night. Check in March 28 (after 2pm), check out March 29 (before 10am). Total JPY 58,356 with my coupon.

Wed, 29/03/2017

• Nagasaki day 1
  • Morning: travel there (Note that this takes around 3:30 from Kagoshimachuo, a little longer from Kagoshima central. Sakura shinkansen should be ok with the JR pass).
    • Jetfoil to Kagoshima - 07:00 arriving 08:35 or 08:00 arriving 09:35 (makes sense if we're going to the station ticket office for 10AM).
    • Thought about JR pass logistics: assuming we use the subway etc. to/from the airport in tokyo, we can probably defer activating them until the Tuesday, meaning they'll be live for the whole rest of our trip if we do get bored in Tokyo on the last Sunday and want to head out into the country or some such. --lmm
    • We can activate at Kagoshima-Chūō, though the office is only open from 10AM. May be better off activating at the airport, but we'd better all agree dates beforehand in that case. --lmm
• Afternoon: Stuff.
• Dejima: http://nagasakidejima.jp/en/
• Spending night in Nagasaki
  • Nagasaki International Hostel Akari - 1 Triple Room for 4, 1 Double Room for 3, 1 Double Room for 2. Total price 62,000JPY.

Thu, 30/03/2017

• Nagasaki day 2
• Spending night in Nagasaki
  • Nagasaki International Hostel Akari

Fri, 31/03/2017

• Hiroshima day 1
  • Morning: travel there - again around 3:30
  • Afternoon: museum and peace park
  • A friend recommended a tour of the Mitsubishi(?) fully automated factory.
• Spending night in Hiroshima
• Reservations: 1 Room, 2 Nights

Check in: March 31, 2017 (after 03:00 PM) Check out: April 2, 2017 (before 11:00 AM) Booking ID: 116007071 Lead Guest: Dexter Lowe Occupancy: 2 Adults Total price: JPY 18,171 (to be charged on March 28, 2017)

• Reservations: 1 Room, 2 Nights

Check in: March 31, 2017 (after 03:00 PM) Check out: April 2, 2017 (before 11:00 AM) Booking ID: 116007048 Lead Guest: Michael Donaghy Occupancy: 6 Adults Breakfast: Not Included Total price: JPY 46,600 You'll pay Omotenashi Hostel Miyajima in the property's local currency (JPY).

Sat, 01/04/2017

• Hiroshima day 2
  • Miyajima
    • http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3454.html - Go to Miyajimaguchi Station. Take JR Ferry to Miyajima. JR Passes valid for ferry.
• Spending night in Hiroshima(?)

Sun, 02/04/2017

• Kyoto day 1
  • Shrines
    • Fushimi Inari Shrine- I've done it twice before but I'm up for it again if people are interested. The mountain trails are spectacular and you get great views of Kyoto. - MP
    • Kiyomizudera- big temple famous for its huge stage jutting out over the hill. Adjacent to a number of other temples and the traditional touristy Higashiyama District. -MP
• Traditional theatre
  • Nijo Castle- Tokugawa Ieyasu's pad. Inner castle is usually closed but the gardens look very nice and include a variety of cherry trees that should be blooming when we're there. - MP
  • Kyoto station - 10 or 12 story escalator paradise, with a little wedding chapel sticking out the top with a great view over the city.
  • Animu tourism: http://likeafishinwater.com/2016/04/29/pilgrimage-to-uji-for-hibike-euphonium/ --lmm (with due regret)
  • Kyoani shop? http://www.kyotoanimation.co.jp/en/shop/
  • A friend recommends Arashiyama and/or Nara if we want to go beyond the city proper.
• This is the day of the Kawasaki penis festival, but attending is probably impractical
• Spending night in Kyoto
  • Booked two Private Dormitory Rooms for 8 people at Seibido Inn. 37,000 yen per day. http://www.kyoto-seibidoinn.com/
  • Checkin 3PM-9PM

Mon, 03/04/2017

• Kyoto day 2
• Spending night in Kyoto
  • Booked two Private Dormitory Rooms for 8 people at Seibido Inn. 37,000 yen per day. http://www.kyoto-seibidoinn.com/
  • Checkout 10AM on Tuesday

Tue, 04/04/2017

• Hakone day 1
  • Daytime: ???
    • Is there two days worth of stuff here, especially for non-drivers? Hakone Shrine looks fun but what else? -MP
      • The Hakone Tozan Railway looks interesting, and I would interested in seeing the Botanical Gardens or one of the art museums. - YYY
  • http://www.polamuseum.or.jp/english/
    • Hakone Ropeway
• Evening: Baths? (to relax and prepare for driving)
  • Maybe look at booking a bath if we are quorate - otherwise they tend to be segregated
• Spending night in Hakone
  • Booked http://www.wro-hotels.com/merveille-hakone-gora -JAPANESE-STYLE FAMILY ROOM for 4 people at 116,000 yen for 2 nights and ROOM WITH TAMAMI AREA WITH OPEN-AIR BATH for 4 people at 140,000 yen for 2 nights.
    • Half board
    • shuttle service from Gora Station is available between 15:00-18:00. Please call the property upon arrival at the station.
    • Please note that the property does not cater to vegetarian meal requests. The property serves traditional Japanese kaiseki multi-course meals for dinner

Wed, 05/04/2017

• Hakone day 2
  • Team drivers:
    • Ultimate Hakone Drive
      • Michael (RX-7)/Alasdair (S2000)/Yingke (GT-R R35) booked
      • CAN I COME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY? Yes, your friends and family are welcome to ride together free of charge as long as your car's capacity allows. Children are welcome and we have a rental child seat available. However, for safety reasons we do not recommend children under the age of 24 months attend this tour. Pets are not allowed.
      • Cars have capacity for 3 additional people (NOT enough for all of us). You won't fit in the back of the GT-R unless you amputate your legs.
• Team others:
  • ???
• Spending night in Hakone

Thu, 06/04/2017

• Tokyo day 1
  • Rabbit and hedgehog cafe
    • You need to book this > 1 week ahead of time. I can handle this if you let me know how many people. They might not be able to fit everyone at once. - JN
• ngt=TT0c773e930001ac1e4a112ceMZnqYSN_EjdcS3aCnP12g Kujiraya - Whale meat restaurant
  • Perhaps the LittleBSD cafe, having seen the advertising and been amused.
  • Nasu Animal Kingdom In Tochigi Prefecture. You get to feed Capybara!
  • Mahjong in some suitably fancy way (Gemma has offered to arrange) --Lmm
  • Akiharbara etc. (possibly best as a non-group activity)
  • Skytree- again, I've done it before, but fantastic view. - MP
  • Ueno Park- over one thousand cherry trees so likely great at this season. Features museums and a zoo. - MP
    • I always find Shinjuku Park more spectacular than Ueno. You have to pay 200 yen or so to get in, but it's more grassy and much bigger so you don't have to wade through drunk Japanese people & big American tourists - JN
• Pop concert calendar https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=jhqrtl9na3gev1vihqnpt3qvgo@group.calendar.google.com
  • Spending night in Tokyo
    • Taito Ryoukan booked for 06/04/2017 to 10/04/2017.
    • Room : 2 rooms (a twin + a quad) for 6 people. Room number allocation is at Taito Ryokan's option, please.
    • Rate : JPY3,000 a night a person including tax
    • Payment : Japanese yen in cash (total sum of JPY72,000) at your arrival, please.

Fri, 07/04/2017

• Tokyo day 2

Sat, 08/04/2017

• Tokyo day 3
  • Weekend is presumably the best time to see the cosplayers? (I've heard evening too)
  • Flower Notes at Future Seven - 1pm or 5pm.

Sun, 09/04/2017

• Tokyo day 4
  • Suggest we make this a shopping day in Akihabara, to minimize the amount of carrying stuff around. Unless shops shut on Sundays?

Mon, 10/04/2017

• Part ways