Konichiwa !
I embarked on a 5D4N Tokyo Trip on 9th Apr 09. 2 days before i depart, i went into Borders and came out with a copy of Lonely Planet – Tokyo. It is suppose to act as my amulet.
There was a lot of fears before going. Look at the Train map and you will understand what i’m talking about:
I mean what was that really ? (Anyway, this is just to scare you. There are “simplified” maps around. hehe) But the complication is the same.
Suica & N’EX & JR Pass
There was confusion at first on whether i should buy the 7-Day JR Pass or the Suica & Nex Package. But according to my research, i am staying in Tokoy only and my visit is less than 7 days so it may not seem economical to buy the JR Pass.
The JR Pass is very expensive. There are 7, 14, 21 days pass. Check the price here: http://www.japanrail.com/JR_japanrailpass.html You can purchase it in Singapore before you leave for Japan. Just go to JTB Singapore. Sometimes they have promotion but Japan don’t have! so it is always good to check with them.
JTB PTE LTD (Travel Saloon)
390A Orchard Road, #04-02 Takashimaya Shopping Centre. Singapore 238872
Tel : (65) 67352345
The cost for the Suica & NEX package is 3500Yen (very worth it!).
Sucia card cost 2000Y and has a value of 1500Y, 500Y is refundable. Please remember to use up the credit before you refund else a fee of 200Y(?) will be charged. Refund can be made at JR stations.
In case you didn’t know. N’EX stands for Narita Express. This deal is only available to tourist (have to show passport) and can only be purchased in Narita Airport. Suica works like our EZ Link card.
For more information on NEX and Suica, please check out these useful sites:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
http://www.essential-japan-guide.com/suica-nex.html
The trains in Japan arrive and leave promptly. Trust me, you don’t want to take any chances. Seats on Narita Express are reserved (allocated) so don’t try to be funny and choose the “seat-which-is-nearer-to-the-enterance”. You will be stared hard at when someone comes along to find their seat occupied.
Please refer to train timetable here: Narita Express (N’EX)
The journey from Narita Airport to Shinjuku takes appx 80 mins . Snacks are sold onboard the train and if i’m not wrong, there are toilets as well.
Shopping in Tokyo
I covered most of the shopping area, big and small in Tokyo. You don’t get the Bangkok kind of shopping mood because EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE ! #_# Esp, clothes. 1 t-shirt (far east looking) can cost about SGD50 easily. I gave up looking at clothes after a while because it don’t fit my budget :p
If you are stingy economical like me, fret not ! there are shopping for you as well.
Woohoo, this is like a heaven for the cheapskate budget travellers! You can buy plenty of souvenirs back and they don’t even know it only cost only SGD1.50 (tsktsk)
BUT, BUT, BUT look closely at what you buy because some of the items are available in our local $2 Daiso (although you save $0.50, but you don’t want to be caught with your pants down do you?)
At one point of time, a auntie discovered that i am a Singaporean and keep asking me if this or that is available in our local Daiso. heh. I frequent the outlet at PePe Shopping Centre, 8th storey.
Uniqlo
YES, I KNOW. i know that Singapore (Tampines One) has opened a first Uniqlo outlet. But isn’t it better to shop at the original. The t-shirts are reasonably priced. However, I think it is very easy to clash with someone who is wearing the same stuff while walking on the street in Japan. But then again, maybe it can prove that you are fashionable since anything that they wear is fashion.
For more places to shop, you can visit this blog: http://tokyokawaiietc.com/kawaii-shop
It introduce on all things kawaii ne !
I went to :
Shinjuku – My Lord, Isetan, Tokyo Hands, Lumine, Times Square
Shinbuya – Seibu, The Loft (simlar to Tokyo Hands) , Parco (there is a huge Tokyo Hands outlet there as well)
Ginza – Matsuya, Mitsukoshi
Harujuku – Takeshita-Dori, Omeote-Sando
My Lord: sells trendy clothings. There is a RanKING and RanQueen outlet. I spent hours looking through their stuff . Haha! It was so interesting…
Isetan and Matsuya : eh..nothing fanastic except for their basement food section (called “Depachika”) . WIDE VARITY ! in super cute, high class packaging. I went crazy there and spent like mad. I find it more worth it to buy food items… because they are very delicate and tasty. It makes great gift for colleagues and familes! Read up more here: http://web-japan.org/tokyo/tips/walk/walk3.html
Oh, after 8pm…Isetan will have a “Sale” on their fresh food items. Eg: Sushi. So it’s kind of worth it.
Next Up: Food in Japan ! Oishi
OH, yah…something i would like to share: Monitor Exchange Rate
(ps: i can rent the guide book “Lonely Planet: Tokyo” to you if you like. It is very expensive to buy, it cost $35 ! Email me)
Recent Comments