Japan-on-a-budget: 2016

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Which travel pass is best for your Japan travels.

My favourite and most convenient pass for traveling in most of Japan's major cities is the Suica Pass.

Suica card

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

Which major cities you can use your Suica card across Japan. It has different names in other cities - e.g. Pasco.

Check on the list below in this link to see which major cities you can use across Japan.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html

Here is a video on how to buy Suica card and how to top it up.

How to Buy and Use a Suica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSPISZ8X6kY

How to return your Suica and Pasco card

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SzP014b8Fw

This article outlines the Japan Rail Pass and the Willer Bus Pass.

http://japan.stripes.com/travel/what-best-transport-pass-japan

The biggest issue I have with the Japan Rail Pass if that it is a consecutive day pass and you may not want to travel every day to get your money's worth.

Platt Kodoma

If you only want to use the Shinkansen or bullet train occasionally as you may be staying in the one area for a few days, then the Platt Kodoma may suit you. It's pronounced Puratto Kodoma.

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/

You need to buy this the day before you travel at the listed travel agencies on the website.

You will pay around 2/3 the cost of a normal cost of a Shinkansen ticket but this includes your seat
reservation.

Planes
The
The two low cost carriers I have used across Japan are Peach and Jetstar Japan.

Both are good low cost carriers.

Best wishes

Carole Goldsmith

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Some news on Japan from Business Travel

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-will-begin-direct-melbourne-tokyo-flights-in-december

http://www.ausbt.com.au/travel-tip-the-jr-rail-pass-for-business-travellers

http://www.ausbt.com.au/travelling-to-tokyo-grab-a-suica-or-pasmo-travel-card

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Cheap ways to travel Japan

This was a cheap travel Japan article written by Terrie Lloyd

http://www.japaninc.com/tt857_cheap-ways-to-travel-japan

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Hostels in Japan recommended by Nick a traveler and my favorite budget business hotel chain Toyoko Inn.

Nick a colleague of mine and a recent traveler in Japan has recommended the following hostels in Japan. I have not stayed there but he has.

Space Hostel Tokyo

http://spacehosteltokyo.com/

J Hoppers, Osaka

http://osaka.j-hoppers.com/

K's House Kyoto

http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/

Santiago Guest House Hiroshima

https://www.facebook.com/santiagoguesthousehiroshima/?fref=nf

I don't stay in hostels anymore and I like the Toyoko Inn Chain located across Japan.

https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/

Toyoko Inn Benefits -

Your own room and bathroom.

Great free breakfast and country hotels best breakfasts

Close to railway stations and you can see top of hotel from station

Reasonably large room for Japan and every amenity you need.

Comfortable beds and pillow.

Free Wi Fi.

Discounts for members - stay 10 nights and one night free.

Early check in (3 PM) for members

Toyoko Inn Narita - rooms are larger than other Toyoko Inn Hotels

Excellent booking system and customer service

Smoke free lobby and rooms

Computers in lobby with printing service for guest

Budget prices for these great business hotels

Spotlessly clean and very well managed across Japan.

Luggage storage if you are returning.

Sterilized night gowns and clean slippers plus extra

amenites at front desk.

You can also book Kuro Neko Yamato Transport at reception

and Kuro Neko will transport your luggage to your next

destination at a reasonable cost.

Book early as the rooms fill up quickly:

https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/hlist_with_address.html