My Japan Experience

[Sack]

Hey guy's, thought i'd share my experience of the car scene side of Japan and maybe help out those of you who may plan on going in the future.
I've got a massive amount of pictures but i'm not that good at taking photo's so bear with me!

Here's a couple of things to do before you go:
-Buy a JR Pass, they're worth the $470AUD for 14days unlimited travel on all JR public transport (trains, buses, bullet trains)
-Have an itinerary of what you want to do and print out heaps of Google Maps of how to get there as it can be quite difficult at times to find a sense of direction
-Save $2000-$3000. I found it was plenty of spending money even if you plan on buying car parts
-Prepare to eat bulk unhealthy food as most menus are in Japanese only!

Things not to do in Japan
-Try to follow their customs. Don't bother as it can be disrespectful especially at shrines (not speaking from bad experience either)
-Talk on the phone on train or speak loudly
-Let Google translate try to help you! It is a very broken translation I found out and hand gestures work better.

I'll post some pictures up of each place I went to in separate posts so it's easier to follow and also with a brief description.

[Sack]

SUPER AUTOBACS

These places are everywhere and they're pretty much a Supercheap Auto/Auto Pro rolled into one. They carry most of the stuff you'll find here but they all have different specialised suppliers eg. RSR, HKS, Fujitsubo etc, so you can get some brand new items. They're about 10-15% dearer than the smaller parts shops though.

This is the largest store in the Tokyo Bay area so there were a few nice modified cars parked up there too.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9676/dsc00667ht.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/dsc00667ht.jpg/)

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8403/dsc00674sut.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/dsc00674sut.jpg/)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2779/dsc00676c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/dsc00676c.jpg/)

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2117/dsc00677ar.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/dsc00677ar.jpg/)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8456/dsc00678r.JPG (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/dsc00678r.JPG/)

This had just received a wash out the back when I got there :confused:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/406/dsc00665ap.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/dsc00665ap.jpg/)

[Skitzo]

No ebisu, no care :P

[180SXTCY]

autobacs is shit too.

basically super cheap.

was not impressed

[Damo 69]

autobacs is shit too.

basically super cheap.

was not impressed

took a $17 Singapore taxi to go to autobacs, was not impressed.basically supercheap auto, except it had HKS Oil - that was the extent of awesome 17 for a cab is huge in singapore

[Sack]

CRYSTAL JAPAN AND TOP SECRET (on the same road about 3km apart)

Crystal was by far the best shop I went to for new parts from all the big brands for almost every import we love here. Walking the road that this is on is also where you will spot the most modified cars as well or even see "smokey nagata" driving his R35's! There are also plenty of small tuning shops on this road that had some cool cars when I walked past.
Top Secret was awesome and there were sooo many cars parked out the front and not one was un-modified. They might even let you in the shop if you're lucky :cool:

Cool cars were always parked here and they even have a dyno!
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9210/dsc00384mp.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/dsc00384mp.jpg/)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5120/dsc00389yl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/dsc00389yl.jpg/)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2852/dsc00393l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/dsc00393l.jpg/)

Ex D1GP car sitting upstairs
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2726/dsc00395w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/dsc00395w.jpg/)

Full house RB26 sitting in the window as well
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4695/dsc00397s.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/401/dsc00397s.jpg/)

Heading down the road I came across this Lotus dealership which even had a track spec Exige parked up. Saw these guys driving full blown race spec ones on the road and not a single fuck was given haha
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/709/dsc00402hd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/dsc00402hd.jpg/)

Another little shop with a Lotus Espirit rusting away
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5498/dsc00411tc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/dsc00411tc.jpg/)

The holy grail of GTR tuning
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6276/dsc00412oe.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/dsc00412oe.jpg/)

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5920/dsc00414yf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/dsc00414yf.jpg/)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6080/dsc00439g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/dsc00439g.jpg/)

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8764/dsc00440cs.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/dsc00440cs.jpg/)

There were so many cars here so it will take too long to post them all up but this pretty much sums the lot up: bombed 34R, bombed 32R and surprisingly bombed race prepped Mazda Cosmo.
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/7956/dsc00433pf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/dsc00433pf.jpg/)

[Sack]

autobacs is shit too.

basically super cheap.

was not impressed

Me neither, went to three of them and they all stocked different stuff. Only came back with cool cup holders haha

[Sack]

No ebisu, no care :P

I really wanted to go here but it was 3.5hours away by bullet train. More than half the day gone in travel time

[180SXTCY]

best thing to do. thrash shit out of 35 gtr up mt fugi

[Sack]

TOYOTA MEGAWEB AND HISTORY GARAGE

Not too exciting but also no big crowds. The showcase is always changing and you can sit in any car in the current Toyota line up and see the awesome cars they get that we will never see. They also have a test drive course but you must buy an International License here if you want a drive.

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5714/dsc00545bd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/dsc00545bd.jpg/)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5732/dsc00553j.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/dsc00553j.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/434/dsc00580puv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/dsc00580puv.jpg/)

G's modified Vellfire. Soccer mums be pimp'n in one of these bad boys
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/663/dsc00572ir.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/dsc00572ir.jpg/)

The light's in here might as well have been turned off. Shit with flash on, shit with flash off. Anyway there were Corollas, Bluebirds, a Soarer, Coronas, a 2000GT and a few others.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9495/dsc00601e.JPG (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/dsc00601e.JPG/)

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9317/dsc00609qs.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/dsc00609qs.jpg/)

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/5652/dsc00636spo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/dsc00636spo.jpg/)

Head downstairs and there a souvenir shop, restaurant and a garage where they carry out all the actual restorations of the cars to go on display.
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3756/dsc00638w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/dsc00638w.jpg/)

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4660/dsc00651qy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/dsc00651qy.jpg/)

TRD 3S-GE race motor pushing out 300ps
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6889/dsc00642pl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/dsc00642pl.jpg/)

TRD 2002 GT Championship engine pushing out 470ps
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3257/dsc00645gl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/dsc00645gl.jpg/)

[uzx83]

so fucking awesome i want to go and do everything

and buy a whole new life from a vending machine

[dstyle]

my japan tips.

1-hire nissan cube
2-hit limiter.
3-photograph said achievement.

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd358/def_trap/DSC_0537-1_zps6de9275f.jpg (http://s531.photobucket.com/user/def_trap/media/DSC_0537-1_zps6de9275f.jpg.html)

[TJ]

Respect!

[1JZVL]

Loved Japan. It really is a beautiful place!

Way less pingpingpingpings and the place is so fucking clean (stay away from the fucking Nigerians etc though during the nights if you're around those "night life" districts though, dodgiest pingpingpingpings out. seriously.)

..the maccas is fucking great also.

-

Also in regards to food and menus being in Japanese,

big deal, didn't stop us from eating! look at pictures or just ask, you'd be pretty unlucky if there wasn't a Japanese person working in the joint who cannot speak english or whatever..enough to help you anyways, that's half the experience anyways..having to deal with this sort of stuff :P

I too found the place pretty fucking cheap.

strong zero grape 8% chuuhai FTW!

[Sack]

Strong zero dry lemon 8% was my drink of choice. $2.50 for half a litre was awesome

[shifted]

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd358/def_trap/DSC_0537-1_zps6de9275f.jpg (http://s531.photobucket.com/user/def_trap/media/DSC_0537-1_zps6de9275f.jpg.html)

Gotta go over 180 for the cops not to chase you.

If Tokyo Drift was correct. :P

Seriously want to travel to Japan though, will keep an eye on this thread!

[Sack]

I'll post some more up later in this arvo.

[180SXTCY]

urge to go back to japan rising..... fml

[Sensible]

Keep them coming
Japan is booked for October for MotoGp

[adrenalin]

Fuck yes !

So much want for going to japan !

[Sack]

D1GP OSAKA

All i can say is fucking wow. If you get the chance to go see a D1 event, do it above all else. (Travelled back to Osaka from Tokyo to go see it) The calibre of their skill shit's on any other drifting, period. The layout is so close to the spectators so you can see the whole course. There are always cars on display and you might be surprised at what you see there.

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/8340/dsc00867za.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/dsc00867za.jpg/)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/341/dsc00871ok.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/dsc00871ok.jpg/)

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7963/dsc00874jr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/dsc00874jr.jpg/)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2771/dsc00961m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/dsc00961m.jpg/)

I was so stoked when i saw the 380SX there. It's been tuned to run in the D1 series now instead of the Nardo Top Speed run.
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/4948/dsc00875yv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/dsc00875yv.jpg/)

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1001/dsc00944qu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/dsc00944qu.jpg/)

You get pretty close to the action but you are aloocated a seat when you purchase tickets.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6736/dsc00899pe.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/dsc00899pe.jpg/)

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5985/dsc00900i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/dsc00900i.jpg/)

Some of the cool cars on display. Notice the NSW plates on the R8!
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4585/dsc00909br.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/dsc00909br.jpg/)

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5706/dsc00913uy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/dsc00913uy.jpg/)

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/356/dsc00920r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/22/dsc00920r.jpg/)

Now I feel like Brockas :p
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7186/dsc00924nl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/dsc00924nl.jpg/)

At the end of the day you get to do a track walk and meet the best drifters Japan has to offer. Even Mad Mike was there.
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4135/dsc00982b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/dsc00982b.jpg/)

[Sebdullah]

does that r8 hav NSW plates on it??

[adrenalin]

Doubtful - left hand drive

[Sack]

does that r8 hav NSW plates on it??

Yes it does! Could be fake but fuck knows why you would put them on it

[Gleeso]

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/3320136/enhance-super-troopers-o.gif

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh207/25jacob25/rthgchtg_zps8edbb430.jpg

It would seem so.


Very cool pics, please keep posting. :)

[Sensible]

Dixcel is a Australian brake company
The Amg next to the R8 has the same rego but in euro plates, so guessing it is a advertising display

[Subafury]

I want to hear more! ounds like an awesome time. Im planning to go soon and would love to check out some drifting.

[Sack]

I want to hear more! ounds like an awesome time. Im planning to go soon and would love to check out some drifting.
More coming this arvo. Hit up the D1GP site to get the dates, then email Jesse Streeter to purchase tickets as the booking website doesn't translate well to English.

[Sack]

GT UP GARAGE AND UP GARAGE MACHIDA

I went to Mahida Up Garage first as it was their head office but was pretty disappointed. They did have a fuck load of rims but not many mechanical parts. GT Up Garage which is focused more on the drift/track side of tuning had an abundance of parts for all the popular models. They also have two car yards where I saw the only 2 33R's in the 14 days I was there and some 35R's over the road. There is also a small car yard/tuning shop next door which had some cool cars for sale. The Tomei factory and Up Garage for motobike's are also in the buildings behind so it's well worth the trip.

Machida store
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3899/dsc00506gw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/dsc00506gw.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7599/dsc00509vv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/dsc00509vv.jpg/)

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8522/dsc00511kj.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/541/dsc00511kj.jpg/)

GT Up Garage
http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/6383/dsc01045o.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/541/dsc01045o.jpg/)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/751/dsc01055p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/dsc01055p.jpg/)

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/8656/dsc01056ro.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/dsc01056ro.jpg/)

You want a full T88 kit for your 2JZ. That's 2k thanks!
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5279/dsc01058xn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/dsc01058xn.jpg/)

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3190/dsc01059n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/dsc01059n.jpg/)

An ex D1GP car they sponsored
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8320/dsc01042c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/521/dsc01042c.jpg/)

Take your pick of GTR's
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9117/dsc01051fk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/dsc01051fk.jpg/)

This was in the car yard next door. Didn't know they came out turbo from factory
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/8098/dsc01046bk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/dsc01046bk.jpg/)

GTS-t but had interesting flares on it, big brakes . . . non turbo!
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9720/dsc01047lu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/dsc01047lu.jpg/)

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/839/dsc01049x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/dsc01049x.jpg/)

Tomei factory out back. That S14 is a LHD example surprisingly.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/97/dsc01041ec.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/dsc01041ec.jpg/)

[Denver]

Dixcel is a Australian brake company
The Amg next to the R8 has the same rego but in euro plates, so guessing it is a advertising display

It's actually AP Racing Japan bought out and rebranded. But using the same tech and manufacturing. They're def a jappo company tho but with an Australian presence.

[zxz]

we did the run of most of the up garages and various car part stores last time we went
a few have stuff all, but some are nice to look at, but it isnt that cheap to buy stuff there
crystal was probably the better of them all, but its still expensive
we brought some parts home in our luggage the last two times we went (lol a diff and a turbo we found cheap! bloody heavy!!), and on the second trip customs searched us and we got charged with an import fee on some stuff. makes it not worth bothering really

my advice is to hire a portable wifi device that you can carry with you.
you collect it from the airport when you arrive, and can drop it back there when you are leaving
unlimited data, and it means you can use your phone etc for apps like hyperdia and for general web browsing
the hyperdia app is fckn brilliant too!!! makes things a hell of a lot easier, even if you know the train/subway lines, as it lists all times, routes and fare costs in simple terms

best exchange rate is from auspost before you go
and ffs dont blow your nose in public!!

[Gleeso]

and ffs dont blow your nose in public!!

What's the deal with that?

[Slip_]

Just common courtesy, over there it's more polite to sniffle and snort than to blow your nose.

Quite rank when on a crammed train, but then again, in hindsight it makes perfect sense.

[Damo 69]

so they would be outraged if you cranked a bushman

[1JZVL]

What's the deal with that?

It's fucking gross :P

..Then again, some might think sniffing etc is gross also, hmmm.

[1JZVL]

we did the run of most of the up garages and various car part stores last time we went
a few have stuff all, but some are nice to look at, but it isnt that cheap to buy stuff there
crystal was probably the better of them all, but its still expensive
we brought some parts home in our luggage the last two times we went (lol a diff and a turbo we found cheap! bloody heavy!!), and on the second trip customs searched us and we got charged with an import fee on some stuff. makes it not worth bothering really

my advice is to hire a portable wifi device that you can carry with you.
you collect it from the airport when you arrive, and can drop it back there when you are leaving
unlimited data, and it means you can use your phone etc for apps like hyperdia and for general web browsing
the hyperdia app is fckn brilliant too!!! makes things a hell of a lot easier, even if you know the train/subway lines, as it lists all times, routes and fare costs in simple terms

best exchange rate is from auspost before you go
and ffs dont blow your nose in public!!

How much did that cost you? (wifi device thingo, do you remember who it was through?)

I wanted to use sim card, but fucking exxy.

[sensei_]

It's fucking gross :P

..Then again, some might think sniffing etc is gross also, hmmm.

i still remember being thrown out of class in secondary school for sniffing, and then refused permission to leave the class to go to the toilet to finish off.

[zxz]

global advance from memory, can buy it online on their website
get the portable wifi device, and that way you can use up to 5 devices on it at once. 72mps or something i think
think it cost about $120 for the two weeks we had it
if you get one, then go to akihabara and from a softmap store grab a portable rechargeable usb power pack. great for recharging phones and the wifi device on the go, and is probably the most useful thing we have ever bought from japan

japan isnt like bali etc
there are really no places that have free wifi, and even hotels have limits on their usage
this way we had it everywhere, from walking the streets of tokyo, through to up at ebisu drifting in the mountains

if you have a spare $1k, then hire a 35 gtr and take it up to the hills
that was fun and definitely one of those things you should do at least once.
you can hire them for 12hrs for about $300, but they come with fuck all km's included, and thats where you need the rest of the $ (plus the tolls suck)

dont forget if you get a JR rail pass to order it at least 2 weeks before you leave, as it take a few days to arrive, and dont forget it!!
on our last trip a mate forgot his ticket, and just had the payment receipt... they didnt accept it, and it was a costly mistake that meant he had to get his sister to express freight it to our hotel
i reckon you dont need the 14 day one. if you go for around 2 weeks, then spend a few days in tokyo, then get the ticket activated and use the 7 day one to scoot down to osaka, and do hiroshima, kyoto etc while down there, then after a week down there, on the last day head back to tokyo before the ticket runs out
we found that the subways etc that we used in tokyo werent owned by jr and we had to pay anyway, plus it isnt that expensive anyway

try this site for ideas to check out
http://www.hellodamage.com/top/tokyo-tour-guide/
i went to a few of the places listed on there and it is definitely worth checking them out
one of my favourites is in nakano - broadway mall. lots of nerdy cool stuff to look at and heaps of collectable models and stuff in general
there is so much to do there besides cars if you know where to look :)

[kyle_340]

who did you guys fly with? im going mid january and not sure who to go with.

air asia is ALOT cheaper than the rest, but we've been told their planes are ridiculously cramped. malaysia airlines is alot better but flights are 600 more. not sure if its worth the extra money.

anyone gone air asia?

[Slip_]

Can't look past Singapore airlines, about 1k return when i went in Oct/Nov 2012

[1JZVL]

Went with Qantas and JAL.

JAL were awesome.

Keen on Air Asia as well for the future....would also like confirmation on the quality of the flight, or lack of? :/

[180SXTCY]

I went with Singapore airlines too. would highly recommend and also got to go on the a380

[redline07]

I went Cathay Pacific for about $1100, have used them a fair bit lately and have always been happy.

[kyle_340]

just looked up singapore air, $1650 return in january...fuck that

[Slip_]

Yeh Dec/Jan is snow season i think dude, prob one of the more exxy times to pay a visit.

[180SXTCY]

in saying that though, I was there during summer and fuck was it hot and humid.

[zxz]

we fly from darwin, so we always use the jetstar specials
usually get it for $450 return, and just got our flights booked for october for $360 return

personally i would rather save $500 each and be cramped for a few hours, than pay the extra. it really isnt that long a flight (well the darwin flight is 4.5hrs then a 1hr stop in manila, then 4 hrs again)

we have flown airasia to bali before, and i find them a lot better than jetstar. the planes just have a little more room, and the meals are more asian which makes for a nice change
if air asia flew from darwin to japan i would definitely go with them

but then i am a bit of a tight ass

maybe try air asia, but pay the extra for the emergency seats? still should work out cheaper

[Sensible]

My flights for October this year were $1600 return that was booked trough Qantas but with codeshare it will be Qantas Cathay and JAL
That is via Hk for a few days on the way there

[TJ]

just looked up singapore air, $1650 return in january...fuck that

Fark thats more than LA return was for me!

[TurboHead]

Just got back from Japan after 2 weeks there and we flew AirAsia X at a cost of about $1800 return for 2 adults 2kids.... Though we bought the tickets during a sale.

JR pass was great but won't cover all your travel by train / subway in the cities but will cover most of it. What it won't cover is cheap and the ticket machines are easy to use. Though if you are not planning on using bulk bullet train trips, the JR pass is prob not worth the cost.

As for web access, I bought 2x data sims before we left and had them delivered to our first hotel. Went through b-mobile and 1gb of fast download access was $40 for 2 weeks. As we had wifi access in all hotels, I only used about half of that gig. Only place I didn't get coverage was under mountains while on bullet train and some of the deeper subways.

[Sack]

dont forget if you get a JR rail pass to order it at least 2 weeks before you leave, as it take a few days to arrive, and dont forget it!!

we found that the subways etc that we used in tokyo werent owned by jr and we had to pay anyway, plus it isnt that expensive anyway


We got our rail pass that day in person from JBT Travel in the city so don't understand how it took two weeks?

Yeah some times it is easier to take the subway than a JR line for a more direct route. It was about $3 tops to go anywhere on the subway.

[Sack]

who did you guys fly with? im going mid january and not sure who to go with.

air asia is ALOT cheaper than the rest, but we've been told their planes are ridiculously cramped. malaysia airlines is alot better but flights are 600 more. not sure if its worth the extra money.

anyone gone air asia?

We flew Air Asia from Perth to KL then onto Japan. . . never again! Then on the way back we had a 16 hour stop over in KL as there was no connecting flight to Perth! The planes are so ridiculously cramped you almost can't sleep and the food is not that great.

I'd pay the extra and upgrade to business class or at least book one of the "hot seats" for a little extra

[Sack]

Just got back from Japan after 2 weeks there and we flew AirAsia X at a cost of about $1800 return for 2 adults 2kids.... Though we bought the tickets during a sale.

JR pass was great but won't cover all your travel by train / subway in the cities but will cover most of it. What it won't cover is cheap and the ticket machines are easy to use. Though if you are not planning on using bulk bullet train trips, the JR pass is prob not worth the cost.


It all depends on what you are doing really in regards to getting value out of the JR pass. When we went to temples, Mt Fuji, Chiba etc the trips were all over an hour away which was roughly $8 per person, so when you're catching 4+ trains a day o get around it adds up pretty quick. It also saves the hassle of having to wait at a ticket machine in peak time and carrying around a ridiculous amount of coin haha

[TurboHead]

Yeah, that's what I meant. If your whole trip is spent in and around Tokyo for example then a JR pass wouldn't be worth it.... But we rode on about 10 bullet trains during our trip, all first class so we got value from ours.

[TurboHead]

Hey all.

Just got back from Japan a couple of weeks ago and have around 70000 yen in notes and coins left over. As we bought this when the dollar wasnt quite as low as it is now, I thought I would offer the yen on here if anyone was planning to go to Japan soon.

Currently the buy price is 88.0 yen per $1 as at 9:16am this morning (BankWest) but I would be happy to sell for around 92 yen per $1. Please send me a PM ASAP if anyone is interested. Cash only please.

Cheers


ALL YEN NOW SOLD.