I will be sharing snippets of my Japan Itinerary in this post.
Japan has always fascinated travellers. Mount Fuji, Onsen, culture (yes, anime and cosplay too) and of course the food.
You do not need to understand Japanese language, or enjoy Sashimi to love Japan. If in doubt, just ask and someone will definitely help.
Directions and tips are always helpful on the train subways 🙂
We had bought Klook’s HRA train tickets during our previous Taiwan trip (read 10D9N Taiwan itinerary here). The fuss free experience gave me the confidence to engage Klook again for my Japan trip.
(*Taiwan Klook tickets are not sponsored, only Japan’s sponsored)
Let me share the advantages and tips of booking with Klook.
a ) Convenience
In case you are not aware, most theme parks and attractions in Japan do not sell tickets onsite, you can only buy the tickets online or from Lawson stores (it is like a 7-11 outlets franchise).
Once you locate a Lawson store, buy the tickets at a Loppi machine. You can press for English instruction, then fumble with the menu (day, pax etc).
Imagine, I would need to bring stacks of Yen to buy my Disneyland tickets at Lawson (or use credit card and pay for oversea transaction charges)
Too much hassles and uncertainty, I would definitely prefer to secure my tickets before I leave for Japan.
b) Ease of mind
Download Klook’s app and monitor your Japan itinerary. Read the instructions on where to pickup the tickets.
If in doubt, ping the Online folks at their website. They are quite responsive and were able to provide more tips for me.
Once you reach Japan, most tickets can be consolidated and pick up at Haneda or Narita counter. Do take note they are only open around 0830 (why not 7×24 ?)
c) value for money
I did some comparisons and Klook sometimes offer cheaper tickets through promotions.
When I was researching for my options at Klook website, I came across more suggestions and recommendations. These tips were helpful for my itinerary planning.
Some of the services (total 5) which I utilised for Japan (Hakone, Tokyo and Kamakura) are listed below. Take note these Klook services are sponsored.
*Just click on the links for more details and booking.
#01-Wifi Router
I chose a 9 days Wifi package for about $36. Network was always strong and the router can support up to 5 devices. Wifi router can last me 5 hours before recharge.
*Once you collected your Wifi router, just turn it on and hotspot away. No further configuration (APN etc ) needed).
Do not rely on the “Free Wifi” at F&B outlets or malls, you need a reliable Wifi to help with Google search and navigation.
Tokyo is a packed metropolitan but it is ideally designed for walking. The cool weather, wide pavements allowed me to walk leisurely and explore the city by foot. If I am tired, the mesh and convenient subway and train network is always punctual and convenient.
Trust me, DO not save on Wifi 🙂
Being Online allows me to contact my family and to share my Japan itinerary on the move. You can browse my Instagram posts at this hashtag #SengkangBabiesJapan
I can always Google for nearby Food, Shopping, Attractions and even Sento!
Picture below, Sento at Jakotsuyu 蛇骨湯 (35.712036, 139.792607). I can do this Japan bath everyday! (Review here)
Thank you Google for the tips and navigation!
Donki and Bic (Camera) will offer you hours of cramp shopping :p
Weather forecasting for my Hakone detour…
Takeshita street (GPS 35.671579, 139.703142, next to Harajuku station) is my favourite in Tokyo, so many things to spot and eat, and nostalgic souvenirs too.
Spotted Goku and Ultraman! (at Bandai HQ, Asakusa. GPS 35.707284, 139.794763).
Be it famous Sensoji Temple (at Asakusa) or Anime (at Akihabara), Google directed me to more fun.
Video (Youtube link) : Try to scramble across the famous Shibuya junction! (GPS 35.659528, 139.700534)
Treats from Google map, pictures below L Dandelion Chocolate (35.703599, 139.789618) . R Iwata Coffee‘s pancake (Kamakura, GPS 35.319482, 139.551468)
#02-Tokyo Subway Ticket-Unlimited Rides
Save some money and headaches, I picked the 72 hours package for 18 SGD. First timers to Tokyo will be intimidated by the Train maps!
To and fro, the train tickets might be seemingly affordable (100 to 300 Yen one way), but they add up pretty quickly for a family, especially if you keep making mistakes 🙂
Fortunately, Klook’s 72 hours unlimited rides cover 85% of my city itinerary. Thank you!
Part of the Fun (and challenge) in navigating Tokyo’s maze of train networks is getting LOST! haha.
I only wish the unlimited rides would cover the “circle” JR Yamanote train line.
I will try to share additional tips about Tokyo’s train networks in another post. In the meanwhile, always plan 30 minutes extra to your commute time.
Be prepared to get lost in the maze!
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#03 – Doraemon Museum
A little out of place, but definitely worth the SGD 17 ticket.
If you are 小叮噹 Doraemon fan, add Fujiko F Fujio Museum to your Japan Itinerary. (川崎市 藤子・F・不二雄ミュージアム, GPS 35.610148, 139.573652)
Once you booked a ticket, Klook will follow up with detail instructions on collection and usage of tickets.
Doraemon is one of my favourite cartoons. I spend two hours at the museum and appreciated the artist (Professor ) passion and imagination(the ingenious gadgets!).
My childhood memories!
Professor Fujiko is the creator of the cute Robot Cat anime series.
#04-Tokyo after 5-follow the locals
This is Fun and memorable. A local guide will bring you through the alleys of Tokyo. Small eat, drafts and history-lessons 🙂
Japanese like to destress and chill after work, and some do not even bother to go home. They will sleep in pub, karaoke or Onsen areas before heading back to work the next day.
My friendly host, Tatz brought us to Ginza and Tsukishima. Delicious yakitoris, expensive strawberries and fun cooking my own Monja 🙂
If you love craft beers or sake, there are Klook packages just for happy-hour drinking :p
After Tokyo, I headed South to 鎌倉 Kamakura. This is one of the popular
day-trips out of Tokyo. (blog post Kamakura and Enoshima)
Famous for the Buddha and numerous Shinto shrines, we heard Samurai culture started from Kamakura.
Pictures below, praying for peace at the famous Buddha statue (Kōtoku-in 鎌倉大仏殿高徳院, GPS 35.316811, 139.536262).
And beautiful Enoshima island! (sea candle and beautiful lightups, GPS 35.299738, 139.478732)
One of the reasons I choose Kamakura is because of the trains! They have the nostalgic Enoden (running along the sea) and inverted “Shônan Monorail”!
Thanks to Google, I discovered more Kamakura attractions, and bought a bundle Enoshima-pass for both trains (Choose discount ticket 700 Yen for unlimited day rides on Shonan and Enoden ).
Check out my fun train experience on Instagram below!
Sunset at Kamakura, can you spot Mount Fuji at the right?
#05-Skyliner to Narita airport
Narita is further from Tokyo, compared to Haneda. And Skyliner service shorten my journey to 45 minutes.
Ticket will allow you to travel one-way from Narita to Tokyo (Euno) or vice versa. See the link above for the comfortable interior.
Trains (in Japan) are extremely punctual and runs every 20 minutes. Do not be late!
For trains to Narita, do take note you have to change your Klook voucher to real train tickets at Ueno Keisei Station or Nippori Station.
*Klook website had indicated Ueno station for ticket collection, which is a separate train station 300m away
We would like to thanks Klook for the tips and recommendations, do checkout their Website and Facebook for the latest promotions and Japan Itinerary planning.
Disclaimer : Klook services mentioned above are sponsored.
Do pop by my favourite activities in Japan (Tokyo Mario Kart and Sento , Kamakura or Enoshima)
