Japan trip (May 2013)

Thought I would write a bit on my first trip to Japan:

Shopping
Info on duty free shopping I copied off the internet: "Duty free shopping is available to foreign tourists only at a small number of licensed stores (typically major department and electronics stores in major cities) when making purchases of over 10,000 yen. Usually you pay the listed price at the cashier, and then take your receipts and your passport to a customer service desk to receive the tax refund. Consumable items including cosmetics, food, alcohol, cigarettes, medicine, film and batteries do not qualify for the tax refund."

For major cosmetic brands (example: SKII / Yojiya), buy at Kansai International airport as it is duty free. I bought some just before I depart from KIX to KL (there's a small duty free shop after the cabin luggage screening, but it's good enough!!! I carried my purchased goods in a paper bag into the flight, it doesnt even add to the 7kg cabin baggage)

Weather
Do check the weather before you head out for the day (so that you can prepare umbrella, coat, etc). It is quite accurate!

Transport
Hyderdia is very useful for train timing & information. Since we used ICOCA card (something like Touch & Go card), on average we spend about JPY1,000 per day per pax for transport (except for the day where we spent in Universal Studios Japan). Can easily top up (recharge) at train stations. In Kyoto, most places of attraction can be reached easily via a tourist bus called "RAKU BUS". There are other local buses too. We also rented a bicycle on Day 3 to go around Arashimaya.

Others
Most historical sites / major railway stations have commerative stamp designs available (decorative rubber stamps that commerate the sites you are visiting, with unique designs for each). Prepare a fancy notebook to stamp them on!

From my experience, Air Asia at KIX is quite strict with baggage allowance. They actually weigh the cabin cabbage to make sure it's not more than 7kg. A lot of ppl had to repack on the spot! The both of us flew to Osaka w less than 30kg combined check in luggage and flew back to KL w close to 50kg check in luggage combined!

Itinerary

I went with my husband and our 9D8N in Japan went something like this:

Day 1 - 10th May 2013 - Kyoto
- arrive Kansai International Airport (KIX) at 825am (go to the KIX tourist information counter to take some free brochures / maps)
- rent portable wifi from GRP (Global Rent-A-Phone) kiosk at KIX @ JPY1,000 per day
- collect Haruka-ICOCA card fr JR station at KIX @ JPY4,000 per person (pre-order it online & pay cash upon collection at JR station)
- take Haruka train from KIX to Kyoto station (75 minutes)
- Kiyomizudera
- Higashimaya district
- Gion (Hanami-koji)
- accommodation @ Hearton Hotel Kyoto (subway station Karasuma Oike)

Day 2 - 11th May 2013 - Kyoto
(raining whole day so we decided to spend it indoors!)
- Nishiki Market (food market)
- Shijo Dori & nearby covered arcades (shopping!)
- Gion (Pontocho)
- accommodation @ Hearton Hotel Kyoto (subway station Karasuma Oike)

Day 3 - 12th May 2013 - Kyoto
- Tenryuji
- Bamboo Groves
- Togetsukyo Bridge
- Monkey Park (20 min climb to the peak)
- Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavillion)
- BIC Camera at Kyoto Station (Steven's gadget shopping)
- accommodation @ Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto (subway station Gojo)

Day 4 - 13th May 2013 - Kyoto
- visited the 'outside' of Kyoto Imperial Palace (we were there in the morning and found out that that particular day's tour is at 2pm so we didn't want to waste time waiting for it. If you want to visit this palace, better find out abt the tour time beforehand to avoid disappointment)
- Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavillion)
- Philosopher's Path (read a lot about it online but found it to just a walk beside a big drain. I think it's only nice during sakura season. We walked halfway and turned back)
- Fushimi Inari (did not go to the top as we were short of time)
- accommodation @ Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto (subway station Gojo)

Day 5 - 14th May 2013 - Osaka
- take ferry to Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
- Floating Garden Observatory
- Yodobashi Umeda (Steven's gadget shopping)
- HEP 5 ferris wheel
- accommodation @ Hotel Universal Port (JR station Universal City)

Day 6 - 15th May 2013 - Osaka
- Universal Studios Japan
- accommodation @ Hotel Universal Port (JR station Universal City)

Day 7 - 16th May 2013 - Osaka
- Osaka Castle
- Shinsaibushi-suji (shopping)
- Dotonbori (neon signs, etc)
- Americamura
- Den Den Town (Steven's gadget shopping)
- accommodation @ Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka (Namba subway station)

Day 8 - 17th May 2013 - Osaka
- Day trip to Kobe
- Take rope way to Herb Garden
- Kobe Beef (we ate at this particular shop, apparently RM300 for 2 pax is considered cheap!!!)
- Harbor Land
- accommodation @ Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka (Namba subway station)

Day 9 - 18th May 2013 - Osaka
- Last minute shopping!!!
- return portable wifi to GRP (Global Rent-A-Phone) kiosk at KIX
- depart Kansai International Airport (KIX) at 1125pm

Originally we wanted to make day trips to these places as well:
- Nara
- Wakayama (fish market, etc)
- Arima Onsen (hot spring near Kobe)
- Okayama (famous for peaches, grapes, Korakuen garden, etc)
but in the end we decided to go on a slower pace and not spend too much time travelling by train :-0