Japan (Hokkaido & Tokyo) in Jan 2009 Advise needed

[hazelng]

Okie. Shall put my itinerary here. See if I miss out or go wrong directions. Hahaz. As well as for those going F&E can have a good look and share together.

23rd Jan 2009
Arrival @ Narita 0705hr

Narita (Tokyo) - Chitose (Sapporo)
Departure: 1130hr
Arrival @ Chitose 1315hr

Chitose (Sapporo) Airport

JR Chitose Line, Chitose – Sapporo
Duration: 29 mins
Train time: 1402hr, 1411 hr, 1426 hr, 1431 hr, 1441 hr, 1456 hr

Check In to Hotel @ 1400 -1530
Chisun Grand Sapporo
5-289 Nishi, Minami 8 jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-11-512-8500
Fax: +81-11-512-0705
ACCESS: From Subway Nakajima-Koen Station #2 Exit: 4 mins on foot. From Douou Expressway Sapporo-Minami IC: (10 km)


Botanical Garden of Hokkaido University
Address: North 8 West 5, Kita Ku
Directions: 15 min walk from North Exit of Sapporo JR Station / Sapporo Subway Station
Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm
Admission Fee: ¥400(Adult)

Apia (Underground Shopping Mall)
Directions: Between Sapporo JR & Sapporo Subway Station

Sapporo Factory (Shopping Mall)
Address:North2 East 4, Chūō-ku
Directions: City Bus Higashi 88, Factory Line, from the south entrance of Sapporo Seibu dept. store's main building to Factory-mae. Or, walk 5 min. from Bus Center-mae Subway Sta. (Tozai Line).
Note: Shops, Museum, Cinemas, Amusement Center, Spa, Galleries, Souvenir
URL: http://www.sapporo-factory.co.jp/travel/en/index.html

Ebi-kani Gassen
Address: S4W5,Chūō-ku
Opening Hours: 4pm-12pm
Cost: All you can eat (90 minutes) ¥3,500-5,000, full course (120 minutes) ¥3,000-10,000, a la carte ¥300 and up
Note: Specialty Crabs, sit by the window to enjoy view

24th Jan 2009
Wakie Wakie @ 0700

Nijō Fish Market
Closing time: Est. 6pm
Address: S3E1&2,Chūō-ku
Directions: The Nijo Market is three blocks south of the TV Tower OR 5mins walk from Odori Subway Station
Note: Fresh Sashimi, Sea urchin, Salmon roe
Sapporo Beer Museum
Opening Hours: 9am-3.40pm (Winter)
Directions: Take Loop 88 Factory Line Bus @ Odori Station, infront of Seibu Department store near Sapporo Station.
Note: All you can eat Genghis Khan (barbecued lamb) with drinks ¥3,400, northern province-style seafood salad ¥1,300
URL: http://www.sapporobeer.jp/english/guide/sapporo/

Odori Park
Directions: JR Sapporo Station, 5-10mins Walk South

Tokeidai Clock Tower
Directions: 5-10min South of Sapporo Station, North Block of Odori Park

Sapporo TV Tower
Address: Odori W1, Chūō-ku
Elevator Fee: ¥700
Opening Hours: 9am-9pm
Directions: Eastern End of Odori Park, 2 min walk from Odori Subway Station
URL: http://www.tv-tower.co.jp/index_e.html

 

[hazelng]

25th Jan 2009
Maruyama Zoo
Admission Fee: ¥600 (Adult)
Opening Hours: 9am-4pm (Winter)
Directions: Nakajima-koen Station -> Oodori Station -> Muruyama Koen Station, Exit No.3, Walk 15 minutes straight to Zoo
URL: http://www.city.sapporo.jp/zoo/english/index.html

Mt Moiwa Ropeway
Fee:¥1300( Ropeway + Lift) – Adult
Address: 5-3-7, Fushimi, Chuo-ku
Directions: Take the Tozai Subway Line and get off at Maruyama-Koen Station. At the Maruyama Bus Terminal, take the (Nishi 12) Ropeway Line bus. After about 11 minutes, get off at the " Ropeway-Mae" stop and walk about 4 minutes.
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm
Note: Cable Car Scenic
URL: http://www.sapporo-dc.co.jp/eng/moiwa/ropeway/index.html


Marui Imai (Department Store)
Address: Chuo-ku South 1 West 2
Directions: Connected to Subway Odori Station.
Note: Biggest local department store. 3 buildings. With ten floors above ground and two basement levels, The first floor is a good place to buy light souvenirs such as fans, dolls, paper products and toys. The tenth floor contains restaurants and coffee shops. The food section (the basement floors) has some fantastic lunch-box offerings, including deluxe crab, sushi and steak. Buy one and dine in the open air of the nearby Odori Park.


STANLEY MARKET
ADDRESS: Minami 2 Nishi 5, Sapporo
Nearest Train: Odori Station
Note: Asian Street Market Dining Experience

WAN NYAN FUREAI PARK
Address: Minami 8 Nishi 4, Sapporo
Nearest Train: Nakajima Koen Station
Note: Pet Shop
URL: http://www.wan-nyan.co.jp/

26th Jan 2009
Check Out 1000: Chisun Sapporo Hotel Sapporo

Sapporo – Otaru
Transport: JR Hakodate Line
Fee: ¥620
Timetable: 1035hr, 1044hr, 1100hr, 1114hr, 1135hr, 1144hr
Travelling Time: 40 mins


Otaru

Check In @ 1400:
Hotel Sonia Otaru
1-4-20, Ironai, Otaru-shi ,Hokkaido 047-0031
Tel: +81-0134-23-2600
Fax: +81-0134-23-1001
Access: From JR Otaru station:8minutes on foot

*Free & Easy

 

[hazelng]

27th Jan 2009
Check Out 1000:

Otaru – Niseko
Transport: JR Hakodate Line
Fee: ¥1410
Timetable: 0807hr, 1220hr, 1450hr
Travelling Time: 1 hr 47 mins

Niseko

Check In @ 1400: Niseko Northern Resort, An’nupuri
480-1 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81-136-58-3311
Fax: +81-136-58-3317
ACCESS : From JR Niseko Station: take bus bound for Konbu Onsen, 1 min on foot from Hotel Nikko Annupuri stop. Pick-up service available from the station

Niseko Annupuri trail-Snow Shoeing
Horse Riding, dog sleigh and etc

28th Jan 2009
Check Out 1000:

Niseko – OSHAMAMBE - Noboribetsu
Transport: JR Hakodate Line - LTD.EXP SUPER HOKUTO 7
Fee: ¥4250
Timetable: 0945hr
Travelling Time: 88minz + 58 Mins

Noboribetsu

Check In @ 1400:
Dai-ichi Takimotokan
55 Noboribetsu-onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0595, Japan
TEL: +81-143-84-2111
FAX ;+81-143-84-2202
ACCESS: From JR Noboribetsu Station: 17 min.s. by bus to Noboribetsu Onsen, then 7 min.s. on foot


Oyunumagawa Natural Foot Bath
Norboribetsu Date Jidai Murai
Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

29th Jan 2009
Check Out 0930:

Noboribetsu - Chitose
Transport: Free Shuttle Bus
Travelling Time: 1000hr – 1115hr
Chitose – Haneda (Tokyo)
1220hr – 1350hr
NH4718

Tokyo
Haneda - SHINAGAWA - OSAKI –Shinjuku
Transport: Keikyu Ltd.Exp. + JR Yamanote Line(Outer loop)
Fee: ¥590
Timetable: 1435hr, 1443hr, 1455hr
Travelling Time: 39min


Check In @ 1400:
Shinjuku Washington Hotel (Main Wing)
3-2-9, Nishin Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
Tel: +81-03-3343-3111
Fax: +81-03-3342-2575
Access: From Narita Airport: 120 mins by limo. From Haneda Airport: 60 mins by limo. From JR Shinjuku Station: 8 minute-walk from South Exit. From Tocho-mae Station(Subway Oedo line): 5 minute-walk.
Omiya Bonsai Village (Tokyo)
See the best collection of miniature trees and landscaping in the world, founded after the earthquakes of the early 1920s.
Omiya (northeast Tokyo).
Directions: 2-7-min. walk from Omiya Koen Sta. on Tobu Noda Line (50 min. from Tokyo Sta. change at Omiya Sta.), is a small village consisting of a dozen Bonsai gardens with hundreds of thousands of pots including more than 500-year-old trees. Most of them are closed on Thursdays. There is a free rest house “Shiki no Ie” (Four Seasons House).
Open: 9:00-17:00. Closed: Thu.& New Year’s holidays. Tel: 048-664-1636.
The annual
‘Bonsai Festival’ is held there from May 3 to 5.
The Imperial Palace (Tokyo)
Several hundred square miles of parks and history are an oasis in one of the most densely populated and congested areas on the planet.
Marunouchi.
Directions: The Imperial Palace is a 10 minute walk from Tokyo Station.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Enjoy the beauty and serenity of this beautiful memorial constructed in 1920 to honor the Emperors Meiji and Shoken.
1-1 Kamizonocho, Yoyoi, Shibuya-Ku. Phone: (81) 3379-5511
Directions: The approach to Meiji Shrine starts a few steps from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Closed: No closed days
Admission: Free

Sunshine International Aquarium welcomes everyone daily.
Monday to Saturday at 10.00 am – 6.00 pm. Sunday and holidays at 10.00 am – 6.30 pm.
The aquarium is situated on 10th floor of World Import Mart Building in Sunshine City at Higashi Ikebukuro, Tokyo which it is simple to reach by any kind of transportations whether riding or driving by own mode transportations or public transportations.
Directions: Several ways you can get to the place, It takes about 3 minutes from Higashi Ikebukuro Station Subway Yurakucho Line, around 7 minutes from Ikebukuro Station JR, 4 minutes from Higashi Ikebukuro 4cho-me Station Tokyo City Train, and Higashi Ikebukuro Ramp Metropolitan Highway No. 5. Sunshine International Aquarium admission fee is Yen1600, $13 for adults and Yen800m $6.65 for children approximately. It is free fee for 4 years or under ages.
Kite Museum (Tokyo)
Marvel at Japanese kites of all description, including those of China and other oriental cultures, on the 5th floor of the Taimeiken restaurant building.
Nihonbashi.

Directions: Ten-minute walk from the YAESU central exit of the TOKYO station (Japan Railways), or one-minute walk from the exit "C5" of the NIHONBASHI subway station.
http://www.tako.gr.jp/eng/museums_e/map_tokyo_e.html
Tokyo Tower (Tokyo)
Patterned after, but lighter and taller than the Eiffel Tower, this Tokyo landmark serves as a major broadcast tower and affords a unique view of the Tokyo area.
4-2 Shiba Koen, Minato-Ku. Phone: (81) 3433-5111
Hours: 9:00 to 22:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1420 Yen (to top floor), 820 Yen (to intermediate floor only)
Directions By train: there are 4 alternative ways:-
1. Take the Hibiya Subway Line to Kamiyacho Station and then follow the signs - about a 7 minute walk.
2. Take the JR Yamanote Line or the JR Keihin Tohoku Line to JR Hamamatsucho Station. From here, it's a 900m walk.
3. Take the Asakusa Subway Line to Daimon Station. From here, an 800 m walk.
4. Take the TOEI Mita Subway Line to Onarimon Station. From here, a 490 m walk
By bus:
Number 88 from Shibuya Station.

30th Jan 2009
Ameyoko
Address: Tokyo
Note: Market Street
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm
Direction: The shopping street runs from Ueno to Okachimachi Station along the train tracks of the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line

Tokyo Disneyland
Departure From JR Shinjuku Station



Travel Time JR Shinjuku Station New South Exit
JR Highway Bus Terminal Tokyo

About 40 min. to Tokyo DisneySea
About 50 min. to Tokyo Disneyland

Returning To JR Shinjuku Station
Leaving Tokyo Disneyland
Bus stop No. 2
Leaving Tokyo DisneySea
Bus stop No. 3

Travel Time
About 60 min. to Shinjuku Station

Fare
Adults: ¥800 One-Way
Children: ¥400 One-Way

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdr/english/plan/access/index.html

31st Jan 2009
Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo)
This open-air, 24-hour retail and wholesale market has been around since the 1500s, and the sushi here is the freshest anywhere.
5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku. Phone: (81) 3542-1111
Directions: Tsukiji Market is just above Tsukijishijo Station on the Subway Oedo Line. Alternatively, it can be reached by a 5 minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Subway Hibiya Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.
From Tokyo Station
Take the Marunouchi Subway Line from Tokyo to Ginza (3 minutes) and transfer to the Hibiya Subway Line to get to Tsukiji Station (3 minutes). The fare is 160 yen.
From Shinjuku Station
Take the Oedo Subway Line directly from Shinjuku Station to Tsukijishijo Station. The one way trip takes 20 minutes and costs 260 yen.
hours and fees
Hours: Inner Market: 3:00 to 12:00
Outer Market: varies, typically 5:00 to 14:00
Closed: Sundays, national holidays and some Wednesdays (see "English Links" below)

1st Feb 2009 - Home Sweet Home

 

[hazelng]

Useful Links:
JR Passes: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html
Getting around on train and transfers: http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
Map of Sapporo: http://www.infomapjapan.com/sight_Sapporo.phtml
Map of Otaru: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/map/024_Otaru.html
Guides: http://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/siryo/pamph.html
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/dms/travel/city_guide/sapporo_guide.html
Shopping in Japan: http://www.jnto.org.sg/shopping.html
Shopping Sapporo: http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/english/shopping/index.html
Otaru Map: http://www.city.otaru.hokkaido.jp/soumu/e_r/otaru-map.htm
Abshiri Information and Map: http://www.abashiri.jp/tabinavi_en/
Hokkaido Maps: http://www.hokkaidoguide.com/general/maps/maps_all.php
Taking Train in Hokkaido: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html
Hokkaido Railway Company: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/index.html
Niseko Hotel: Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel, http://hirafutei.info/en/
Hotel Villa Fontaine, Shiodome Hotel, Tokyo hotel,Est. $200/night: http://www.hvf.jp/eng/shiodome.php#h2_area_attractions
Dai-ichi Takimotokan, Noboribetsu Hotel, Est. $360/night: http://www.takimotokan.co.jp/english/sightseeing/index.html

 

[ArcticFox]

Chisun Grand Sapporo

Umm, have you reserved this hotel? I would recommend Sapporo Aspen because it's nearer to Sapporo JR station. Easy for you to go to Otaru and other places. ¥10200 for three people, ¥8800 for two people.

Overall it looks okay. From Sapporo Station to Odori takes about 15-20min rather than 5-10.

 

[ArcticFox]

23rd Jan 2009
Arrival @ Narita 0705hr
Narita (Tokyo) - Chitose (Sapporo)
Departure: 1130hr
Arrival @ Chitose 1315hr
Check In to Hotel @ 1400 -1530
Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm

Very packed. At 1530, it's like 6pm in Singapore. How are you going to the garden when it closes at 1500h and you are checking in your hotel at 1530h

Anyway, do you have the JR Rail Pass?

 

[hazelng]

Umm, have you reserved this hotel? I would recommend Sapporo Aspen because it's nearer to Sapporo JR station. Easy for you to go to Otaru and other places. ¥10200 for three people, ¥8800 for two people.

Overall it looks okay. From Sapporo Station to Odori takes about 15-20min rather than 5-10.

Oh reserved already. It's alrite. Cos mostly already fully booked.

 

[hazelng]

Very packed. At 1530, it's like 6pm in Singapore. How are you going to the garden when it closes at 1500h and you are checking in your hotel at 1530h

Anyway, do you have the JR Rail Pass?

Thanks for letting me know. Will take note. cos tokyo side i have not really done shifting the itinerary.

Gona get JR Pass... but wondering should get just Hokkaido 5D or 12D for full Japan?Advises?

 

[ArcticFox]

I think go for the 5 days JR Hokkaido Pass because it's not worth to buy the 12 days JR Pass since you have decided to take a plane to Hokkaido and not a train (Tokyo > Sapporo 9 hours) to Hokkaido. Although, it's 9 hours, the ride is pretty interesting.

One more important things is to have alternatives in case of bad weather. For example, on the day you intent to go to Disneyland but it's raining, go on the next day and go to other places instead.

 

[hazelng]

I think go for the 5 days JR Hokkaido Pass because it's not worth to buy the 12 days JR Pass since you have decided to take a plane to Hokkaido and not a train (Tokyo > Sapporo 9 hours) to Hokkaido. Although, it's 9 hours, the ride is pretty interesting.

I see... But I'm travelling around in tokyo via all the subway trains. It won't be cheaper right if we get the full 12 days..... I will do the mathematics once I go the time

 

[two200]

In Hokkaido during winter, it is already pretty dark by 4pm (akin to 8pm in Sg). So not sure how it will affect your travelling/site-seeing. Must have plan B.

 

[hazelng]

Yup. Thanks for the advise. will take note of the weather. prob i will be likely swop the itinerary. as for the darkness. i will take note too.