Trip Report

1. JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass)

This pass is a must especially is you plan to ride Shinkansen (the famous bullet train) to other city. Here is the official website for JR Pass (http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html). So basically, there are 2 big train company in Japan, JR and Metro. There are also lots of private railway operate in Japan. For example, Yurikamome line from Shinbashi to Toyosu via Daiba. JR Pass can be use in all JR train stations, buses, and ferry. If you plan your trip in Tokyo only, you can purchase JR Pass east. However, if you plan to ride Shinkansen and change city, you will need JR Pass that cover all Japan. You can choose 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days JR pass. IMPORTANT! JR Pass can only be purchased outside Japan. So, make sure to buy it from an agent on your home country.

JRpass

2. Hotel

Japan hotel room are mostly small. If you are a budget travel (like me), I think capsule hotel can be a suitable choice. If you plan your trip with your family, you'll need a little more budget for accommodation. Don't worry, lots of hotel staff can speak English well. Ryokan or traditional Japan style hotel is worth to try. In almost all hotel, they will provide yukata or pajama. Dont waste your baggage space for pajama!

3. Phone application

Language is a challenge when you travel in Japan. Learn some Japanese words will definitely make your trip easier. Actually, even if you ask for help and they you can't understand a word they say, don't hesitate to ask again. They will usually do their best to help you, some even willing to walk with you to your destination. However, it is really helpful to download an offline translator on your phone. Also, as Tokyo is one of the most crowded railway, for us beginners, train application is really helpful. you can download it for free in your phone application store. Some applications I suggest are Japan Trains and Japan Travel.

Those are some tips before departing for Japan. Now, let's start my trip report day 1!

inside JAL airline, take a rest hehe

about to get our JRpass

JR train to the city

My mom, my dad, my little brother, and me depart from Indonesia international airport Soekarno Hatta early morning by Japan Airlane. The flight went well and we arrive at Narita International airport 7 hours later. The immigration was fast and baggage claim was also fast. Then, the first thing we have to do is to exchange our JR Pass ticket with the actual pass. To exchange it, you have too go one floor down. JR Pass office is right across the train gate to city. Unlucky for us, we arrive in the same time as Argentina's Carp football supporter. So, we need more time to queue for JR Pass. after standing in line with Carp supporters for more than an hour, we finally get our JR Pass. To use it, you just have to show your pass to the officer. at the right or left side the ordinary gate. We took the JR train to Maihama. We stayed in MyStays hotel, Maihama because our first destination was Disney. Long story short, we arrived at JR Maihama Station, took a 20 minutes stroll and arrive at MyStays Maihama hotel. As it was already late, we bought our dinner in a convenient store 10 minutes from our hotel. Thats all our first day.

Next i'll make a full report of my second day in the one and only, Tokyo DisneySea!

You can read it here