The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[asnozz]

I actually found ANA better than Virgin, so its all down to the crew and aircraft. I flew with BA here in May and they were fairly average. tbh I havent had a problem with any of them, but I'd recommend ANA and Asiana (via Korea).

[briareos_kerensky]

Me stupid 900 euros per trip, total around +- 1800...me stupid :P

[DCharlie]

yeah, i meant to pop back in here - i was all excited about that deal, but... couldn't find it!

ah well, not a problem

[Supergoal]

I just got a flight from Japan to the U.K for 84,000yen. Last year I did the same trip and paid 150,000yen! It's nuts.

[kryss]

We got a deal with Air Canada and did Tokyo-Calgary for 64'000 each. That was in June too.

[neoboy259]

Looks like I'll be off to Japan again this March! \o/

Fancy visiting Sapporo this time, anyone ever been? Thinking of visiting for 3 days, is it too long?

[Richard.John]

It will probably still be freezing in March. Expect snow.

[Darwock]

I went to Sapporo for the snow festival in 2007, it was an overnight stay in my case but we managed to pack a lot in. 3 days might be excessive but you can take things at a leisurely pace, also more opportunity to try the famous local cuisine. If you fancy ski-ing it's a short tram ride to go up Mt. Moiwa overlooking the city, check out the Ice Bar up there while you're at it - I'm sure it will still be open in March

[kryss]

We went in 2007 as well...Practically every other NOVA teacher I knew went too.

The Ishiya Factory where they make Shiroi Koibito biscuits is a nice little visit. There's a cafe upstairs where you can get a hot chocolate with Godiva liqueur in it and watch the snow falling outside.

[r3z]

You could fit in a day/half-day trip to Otaru. If you're heading to Hokkaido I would recommend Hakodate also.

[Square]

Any advice for handling money on a long-ish trip (4 weeks)?

I plan to take around 4k for the month, but obviously don't want to carry large wedges of cash around. Are UK issued credit cards a good idea?

[Supergoal]

Any advice for handling money on a long-ish trip (4 weeks)?

I plan to take around 4k for the month, but obviously don't want to carry large wedges of cash around. Are UK issued credit cards a good idea?

I have a safe and sturdy holding facility in my house.

[Darwock]

(most) UK issued credit cards will work in 7-11 convenience stores, so you can get by with that but you'll probably get hit by lots of conversion charges and the like.

Carrying cash around is really nothing to worry about... unless you're prone to dropping your wallet (and even if you did you'd probably get it back if you stuck around long enough). Likewise you can leave stuff in your hotel room without fear.

[kryss]

4k?? www.xe.com says that's just under 600'000yen, or in more realistic terms, 5000 cans of BOSS Cafe Au Lait coffee. Sadly cans of coffee are not accepted as currency.

Before buying any newish games, check the prices here. That way you can get even more for your money.

Unless you plan to be drinking in hostess bars, that amount should see you fine. Like Darwock said, leaving in your hotel room should be fine, or carry it around won't cause problems (unless you have it all in 1000yen notes of course).

[Square]

Thanks for he responses. The last time I was in this situation was in Havana, and I had all my cash on me. Made me feel very unsafe >.<

I was thinking something along the lines of an international account I could set up –&#160;what about debit cards (I appreciate the conversion charges would still be an issue)?

BT, that 4k would also have to cover accommodation, so not quite as flush as it sounds