We'll Tell You - A&W Couple's Blog: June 2023

Friday, June 23, 2023

Ultimate Japan Adventure: Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo!

ABBEY:

Mistakes to Avoid and Tips in Navigating

At last we set our feet to the Land of the Rising Sun. It is not without its navigation challenges as you explore but fret not. The technology, through internet and apps, will help you towards an enjoyable vacation.

We had Google Maps and Japan Travel Apps installed in our phone and we also got the pocket wifi for the duration of our trip. The apps are helpful specially with the train timings. They even show the platform where you supposed to wait for your train.

Our Japan Rail Pass is with the Green Car but you still have to book a seat reservation.

We opted to book the either ends of the coach to place our luggages and still have extra legroom.

Always check if reservation is required in trains else you take the local train which takes more travel time.

We ask hotel staff for directions to confirm where we’re going.

Signs in Japan are written in their language along with English, and sometimes Korean and Chinese.

Favorite Food

Hard to say which one is my favorite but their pork bone broth ramen, omakase and rice balls stood out.

This is the first time I got a coffee in can which served hot. Perfect for cold weather.

Favorite Accommodation

Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku is the place I liked the most. It was an onsen alongside a river and mountains. Hot and cold in one place. Our accommodation includes breakfast and dinner as well as shuttle to and from the train station. Worry free and total relaxation.

Favorite Train Ride

All our train rides are unique but what I enjoyed the most are the ones in Shinkansen (bullet train). We booked for the Green Car and it was awesome; fast, spacious, clean, and quiet. And best thing is you can eat inside the train.

Best Experience

Overall the Japan stay is best experience. We got to know a little bit more about the country; their infrastructure, culture, and food.

Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Laregst Onsen in Japan Itinerary

Ultimate Japan Adventure Exploring Fukuoka, Kyoto, Gunma, and Tokyo - Tallest Gundam in Japan Itinerary

WILL:

How to Enter Japan without Missing Connecting Flight

We had a connecting flight from Tokyo to Hakata and we missed our flight. Our flight ETA in Narita Japan is 2:35, and our more than 3 hours layover is not enough to transfer from Narita to Haneda. Why? There’s a long wait in the immigration that time and a heaby traffic everywhere. The 1 hour bus travel to became more than 2. Luckily ANA re-booked our ticket to yhe next flight without questions asked. Literally no questions. Haha. From there, I fell in love with ANA. So what is the lesson? Since Narita and Haneda is pretty far from each other you need to alot a 2 hours travel time by bus/train, 2 hours to clear immigration and 1hour for the automated check-in. More ore less 6 hours is pretty safe for a transfer.

Favorite Accommodation

Who beats to our Takaragawa Onsen Stay? We experienced the old and traditional side of Japan. But I know not everyone do not like ro stay in suburbs so my next suggestion is look for Montan Hostel. We stayed at montan Hakata. The staffs are lively and helpful, the room is huge, clean and most specially it is affordable! Indeed a value for your money! You won’t regret staying in this hostel. Wink-wink.

Favorite Food

Although we had a fun experience dining in Takaragawa’s dishes, omakase at Sushi Tokyo Ten and the most expensive coffee we had in LV Cafe what I really enjoyed is eating food from the groceries. Haha! It feels so local. The unforgettable rice balls, bentos, chips and LOVE chocolate. The best part is, it is veryyy cheap! I love the food and booze in Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony. If they say booze it is indeed booze. Undilutedand unoverwhelmed with ice! A MUST when you visit the capital of Japan. Ohh, before I forgot, the Hojicha Tea of Starbucks Japan is a thing not to forget in your travel.

Favourite Train Ride

Do you know that our train ride total cost is JPY240,044 and we bought the Japan Rail Pass for only SGD791.30(Klook). We saved SGD1,476.27! We really do maximised our Japan Rain Pass. Haha! My favourite train ride is from Hakata to Osaka, Sakura 550. The views outside is majestic and you’ll wonder how Japan sticks to its culture and agriculture while being one of the advanced and developed countries in Asia. This idea truly baffling and amazed me at the same time.

Best Experience

Everything!!! We had a great time! We enjoyed the food, the tranquility, bullet train ride is unforgettable experience. One tip I will give to you! STAY AWAY on tourist flooded sites. If you can’t and want to experience what you’ve seen in your feeds, go there early as 6AM. Japan is the Rising Sun of the east so expect that 5AM the sun is already grazing its rays. Enjoy your Japan Planning. Hope this blog will help you in your itinerary!

***

All Nippon Airways

(W) https://www.ana.co.jp/en/sg/

Click here for cheaper flight

Ticket Cost 2-Way for 2pax: S$3,436.80

montan HAKATA

(W) https://go-montan.reservation.jp/ja/s...

Click here for cheaper hotel deal

2-Night Cost for 2pax: S$200.98

Ibusuki Sunamushi Onsen Natural Sand Bath

(W) http://sa-raku.sakura.ne.jp/en/

10-minute session cost: ¥1300 (including bath towel)