Planning for Japan

We were in Korea when we discussed about experiencing winter and snow in Japan. First and foremost, we decided on which month to go and the duration, so that when the airline promo goes on, we just have to decide specific date to book. So yeah, Easter of 2014, thru Dref's watchful eye, we were able to book a piso fare ticket. 

By July, we started picking and shortlisting hotels so that by September, we booked what won in the voting. It was good to book so early on as we were able to use the book now pay later plan. So we secured the hotel, but we haven't paid yet, we can cancel at least 10 days prior to our arrival.

How do we know where to go to? Aside from me, Roms had been in Japan before for work, and we got the whole of internet to check what are the recommended places to visit. We found out about Shirakawa-go on one of the posts in Facebook, and it has become a must-visit for us. For other places, I asked the group of which places they prefer to go to. 

Transportation. In the same manner that we found out about Shirakawa-go, is how I found out about JR Pass. It gives a foreigner the freedom to take unlimited rides on all JR trains, from local, rapid, limited express to shinkansen (bullet trains). I bought JR Passes for myself and Malou here. You will get the Exchange Order (upper left image) and you shall exchange it in Japan on any JR Office. You shall get the JR Pass in return (left image) This is not available for sale inside Japan. It is available in green or ordinary. We got the ordinary. Both types cannot take the Mizuho, Nozomi or Hayabusa Shinkansen.

So now, what's left for the transportation are those for private companies. And for that, I recommend using ICOCA if you are visiting both Kansai and Kanto regions. It makes the transfers a lot easier.

As for which street to turn or which landmark to check, use Google earth or Google maps with street view. Print out the map with the directions, it will greatly healp.

I prepared an excel file when I was doing the itinerary. I put three columns for costs, one in Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar and Philippine Peso. I took the rate a bit higher than what is in the market. Let's say the rate in the market for JPY to PHP is 1 JPY = .40 PHP, I made it 1 JPY = .45 PHP. Just put some buffer between exchanging. It is better to put a lot of buffer on budgets than being sorry because we didn't bring enough.

Next post would be our Day 1 in Japan.