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1 Week in Japan


Garet

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So I've been working in Korea as many of you know from my yearly reports from Lotte World and Everland, and I just found out from my boss i have feb 25th to march 4th off as a holiday for resigning with my school, i've always wanted to do Japan but i've experienced 1st hand what queues in asian theme parks can be like on a weekend/holidays are like so I held off but this is the only chance I have to do some time off peak (japan doesnt have school holidays at the start of march do they?)

 

Because i'm based in Korea i can also fly into/from Osaka, so originally I thought i could land in Tokyo, then maybe trek out to osaka for friday-sunday at the end, but after checking out the ride rehab times for disney i found out that journey to the centre of the earths rehab ends february 28th, so i figured i'd switch it and fly into osaka and fly out from tokyo back to Korea, i do also want to do some culture sites and i've always wanted to do Georgia aquarium, but i figured i could settle for osakas instead.

 

I should also point out i will probably stay in hostels/cheap hotels since Japan is going to be expensive, any reccomendations would be nice before i book those up next week. I'm still trying to map it out because i only found out last minute i get vacation and the longer i wait the more expensive flights are, but i wanted to get everyones more experienced opions and recommendations.

 

Saturday: Fly out to Osaka, if i land early enough (should be around midday with the flight i'm looking at) i may stash my bag in a train locker and do the aquarium and explore osaka on this day, i know it's a weekend but i don't mind crowds so i think it'd be ok to do it on this day. Might look into doing joypolis this day if i have time

 

Sunday: Universal studios, i couldn't find a rehab schedule because i would love to experience BTTF and Jaws, worried about getting it all done in a day, which was why i was considering monday but if i buy those magic 7 passes they sell at the park it should be ok.... i think it's not too far from the aquarium area so i may look for a hostel near there so i can just hop the subway. If not i'll maybe do the aquarium sunday and this on the monday

 

Anyone know if the spiderman in japan will be closed for the same upgrade as florida?

 

Monday: Here's where i'm not sure, i'd love to try fuji-q on a weekday and see how much i can get done but i'm not sure whether to try and get there by train/subway from osaka then trek onto tokyo or if it'd be easier to go to tokyo find my hostel, have my culture day in tokyo on this day and head onto fuji q the tuesday by shuttle bus from tokyo. Anyone been from Osaka before? I'm also tempted to get a late train to tokyo from osaka on sunday night after universal in this case.

 

Tuesday/wednesday onwards: I was just wondering how many days i should do in the two disney parks, on a weekday what are the chances of getting one done in each day or should i take 3 days, i planned for 3 and to buy a park hopper ticket for the 3rd day but if it could be done in two i would maybe fit a trip in to a park or 2 in tokyo, and if anyone knew somewhere cheap near the area to stay?

 

Friday: If i do follow the above and do Fuji Q on the monday, then i will try and fit in Tobu zoo, if not i'll save it for if i ever make a return journey.

 

Saturday: culture and tokyo tower day, see some temples before i fly home sunday morning.

 

All critisism and opinions welcome.

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A couple of things...

 

- Joypolis is in Tokyo, not Osaka.

- I would not recommend going to FujiQ from Osaka, I doubt you could make it by opening which is VERY important. Go to Tokyo first, base there, then head out to Fuji.

- Japan school holidays don't start till the end of March, so you should be okay.

- The Magic passes at Universal are awesome, if it looks busy at all, grab one!

- The Disney days depend on how much you like Disney. First visit and you like Disney...absolutely three days.

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A couple of things...

 

- Joypolis is in Tokyo, not Osaka.

- I would not recommend going to FujiQ from Osaka, I doubt you could make it by opening which is VERY important. Go to Tokyo first, base there, then head out to Fuji.

- Japan school holidays don't start till the end of March, so you should be okay.

- The Magic passes at Universal are awesome, if it looks busy at all, grab one!

- The Disney days depend on how much you like Disney. First visit and you like Disney...absolutely three days.

 

Thanks for such a speedy response, i will probably go to Tokyo and do a culture day on the monday then, that way I can find the hostel and hopefully the hostel owner can book me onto the shuttle bus in the morning to Fuji-Q, i'm assuming that's the way to get there by opening. Out of interest why is it so important for opening, can i buy fastpasses there for extra money or is it like the disney system where you can collect one and get another later on?

 

I also thought maybe train up to near fuji sunday night, staying in a hostel and on to tokyo after the park.....

 

Universal i think i will definately get the pass, because if i can leave earlier i can go to tokyo that night instead of in the morning hopefully, and it will give me more time to try and get the shuttle bus to fuji q sorted.

 

Disney, i really do like disney so definately pencil that in as 3 days, i want to see fantasmic after seeing Robb's pictures so yes probably 3 days to see everything.

 

Joypolis, i thought there was one in Osaka too must have been mistaken but that's ok i'll see about fitting it in on my culture day for the monday if i need to make base and sort out the bus 1st.

 

Saturday: Land, aquarium etc.

Sunday: Universal

Monday: make base in tokyo, culture day, maybe joypolis

Tuesday: Fuji Q

Wednesday-Friday: Disney

Saturday: Tokyo tower and sights around Tokyo, i hear Tobu zoo can be done in half a day, so maybe, maybe if i can squeeze it in i'll trek out.

Sunday: Fly home

 

Again if anyone knows cheap hostels/hotels near disney or in Osaka please let me know

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^Your schedule looks good.

 

It's important to get to Fuji early because the lines to even get in will get so long even with just a few people there. If you're first there, you're first in line to get tickets, then first in line in the park at an attraction of your choice. You can then also buy the fastpass tickets before they sell out. Also, sometimes the morning weather can be completely different than the afternoon. You need to maximize your time there to maximize your chance for credits.

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Thanks I think Fuji Q is the one i'm really nervous about, because there's a lot of things i really want to experience there that are way too far out from where i live in the UK like a starflyer, 4d coaster and the new coaster so i really hope weather and rehab schedules arre kind to me. Same with universal though i'm a huge BTTF fan so praying that it isn't on rehab that week.

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^ Be sure to check the websites. I know that Fuji will list all of the rides that are down each day, and I'm *pretty sure* universal does also. Note that you might have to weed through the japanese site to figure it out. I'm not sure if they list rehab schedules on the english versions.

Edited by robbalvey
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Hey guys, I am not sure if it'll work, but would getting hotel staff to call up whichever theme park you intend to visit and check on stuff like ride closures, operating hours etc be feasible?

 

I am also thinking of doing Fuji-Q during my Japan trip in October but the bad operations there are kinda holding me back. I mean they certainly have a real awesome coaster selection there, but I do not want to be spending my entire day just queuing up for stuff, esp since my partner is not exactly keen on coasters? Additionally if rides suddenly close because of rain or fog, that'll really put a dent in my mood?

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Hey guys, I am not sure if it'll work, but would getting hotel staff to call up whichever theme park you intend to visit and check on stuff like ride closures, operating hours etc be feasible?

 

I am also thinking of doing Fuji-Q during my Japan trip in October but the bad operations there are kinda holding me back. I mean they certainly have a real awesome coaster selection there, but I do not want to be spending my entire day just queuing up for stuff, esp since my partner is not exactly keen on coasters? Additionally if rides suddenly close because of rain or fog, that'll really put a dent in my mood?

 

TBH most of this information is available in advance of your trip, as for weather i've lived in korea for 2 years and it's always unpredictable... i already found park times and rehab schedules i spent most of last night planning and they post rehab and opening hours way in advance its just trial and error on the japanese sites since only disney list on their english (same as everland in korean though) i found the universal one last night here it is for anyone that needs it: http://www.usj.co.jp/parkguide/schedule/attclose.html

 

Just waiting for fuji q to post febs rehab and i can finalize my schedule

 

Noted hooray after a helpful google translate Jaws the ride is the one down for rehab and it reopens the saturday i fly.... touch wood it isn't delayed and is open by the sunday, the only thing i'll miss is the moonlight starlight parade, now if only fuji q is as kind as disney and universal.

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Best of luck with Fuji Q, I'll be there the following week. So hopefully it'll work out for both of us. Did you work out how much it would cost to get to Tobu Zoo?

As for hotels I was looking at a chain http://www.wmt.co.jp/ The one in Tokyo I was looking at was well reviewed. They charge by person as well so that might be better for you. Not sure what their property in Osaka is like.

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So still undecided about fuji q, was considering taking a train to the city nearby and staying in a hostel on sunday night, then train to shinjuku

 

My plan now being:

 

Saturday: Land at midday, go to the aquarium, look around osaka.

Sunday: Universal studios the park closes at 5pm in february so that should give me time for a train to shinjuku, and make in a hotel i've found there( on the Shinjuku-Gyoemmae station i think 2 stops from main shinjuku train station ) until i leave on the sunday (having 1 main base should make it easier)

Monday: Culture day and make base and get to know the area, find joypolis

Tuesday: Since i'll be in shinjuku book with this bus company to fuji Q (https://www.highwaybus.com/rs-web01-prd-rel/gp/foreign/frgSelectBordingDate?lang=en&lineId=110&onStationCd=008&offStationCd=059) the first bus should get me there 10 minutes before opening.... anyone know if the bus terminal is near the main station or any subway stations?

Wednesday - Friday: Either the shinjuku bus or the train to tokyo disney parks. Can't stay on resort, 1 night would cost me the whole 8 days of hotels in japan

Saturday: Maybe more tokyo or tobu zoo.

 

Anyone taken the metro to disney, it doesn't display Mirihama where disney is located on the subway maps but i'd assume even from shinjuku it wouldn't be bad thw disney website says to take the train: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/access/train/shinjuku/index.html but i don't know whether that means an actual train or as in the metro, if i'm staying until 10pm that rules out the bus.

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^ Awesome thanks i actually booked it all up, i figured after the weekend in osaka if i check in sunday night and stay in one place it makes my schedule so less tight, check the forecast on the train from osaka and plan on the spot that way instead of hoping to the different hostels and having set days i'll keep base in Shinjuku and just plan my schedule as 3 day block disney, 1 day fuji q, 1 day tokyo tower and joypolis day and maybe tobu zoo arranged around in any order.

 

Got a nice place not too far from the aquarium for saturday after landing in osaka so i can hop straight over to universal studioson sunday then it's just getting a bullet train to tokyo after i leave the park at 5pm with all the other people out on day trips returning and the end of the weekend, hope tickets don't sell out, would it be worth detouring to the station before i go to the park?

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Wow so you've booked all the necessary accommodations already? Enjoy your trip in Japan and do post a trip report if it aint too much trouble haha. By the way, is it worth if I were to do a day-trip to Fuji-Q if I stayed at somewhere like Shinjuku or Shinagawa? I've checked the trains and it looks like it'll take me the best part of 2 hours to get there? Would the bus be necessarily faster?

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Oh man! Saturday would be a really bad day to visit though I guess? If I skipped Fuji-Q, I could easily do Tobu Zoo and Yomiuriland in an entire day so there are some hard choices for me to make haha! Sea Paradise and Cosmo World look like good places to spend a couple of hours at though. Is Joypolis worth the jaunt there?

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Wow so you've booked all the necessary accommodations already? Enjoy your trip in Japan and do post a trip report if it aint too much trouble haha. By the way, is it worth if I were to do a day-trip to Fuji-Q if I stayed at somewhere like Shinjuku or Shinagawa? I've checked the trains and it looks like it'll take me the best part of 2 hours to get there? Would the bus be necessarily faster?

 

Yes because it's only 4 weeks away and since my g/f is working i'm going alone, I was going to hop to hostels close to each park but i realised this meant a fixed schedule as seen on the front page, i had tuesday blocked off for fuji q but if it was a day of rain it would just be a waste, by making one base, I only have to fit 3 days in a row for disney and the rest can be arranged around that on the monday-friday (i want to avoid the weekends in fuji and disney and friday will maybe be busy too so i think that would be my disney park hop day). The rooms for more than one people were readily avaliable and so were the hostels but a lot had curfews at around 11 or 12pm which isnt ideal if i'm getting a full day in disney until 10pm, so that only left singles.... since i'm on a budget i looked for ok hotels, but most were already booked up presumably by people doing business in tokyo by the week so that's why i decided to book now, i think you mentioned going with a friend so it wouldn't be such a problem for you.

 

I've been told the bus is the way to go for fuji q, coming back can take a while but going out of tokyo on the first bus normally makes it just before opening.

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Oh haha you travel alone often or something? In your opinion is Fuji-Q worth the long trek up from Tokyo? The coaster selection has me drooling but I an afraid the sucky operations there might ruin my entire day? Also is it a challenging place to visit for someone who does not speak Japanese since I believe non-locals are very much in the minority over there? I guess I am not just referring to Fuji-Q but the rest of the parks like Yomiuriland and Tobu Zoo?

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Oh haha you travel alone often or something? In your opinion is Fuji-Q worth the long trek up from Tokyo? The coaster selection has me drooling but I an afraid the sucky operations there might ruin my entire day? Also is it a challenging place to visit for someone who does not speak Japanese since I believe non-locals are very much in the minority over there? I guess I am not just referring to Fuji-Q but the rest of the parks like Yomiuriland and Tobu Zoo?

 

Not really, it just so happens that i had a week off no-one else did, my girlfriend hates rollercoasters but doesn't mind dark rides so if we'd gone to japan together, it'd maybe have been a day at tokyo disney at best, this way i get to do the places I want to at the pace I want to, if i went with friends no way I could do so many parks. As for fuji-Q i suppose its personal preference, i've never been a credit person or haunt person, i'll ride something if i haven''t experienced it before or i think it's unique. so for me its about the 4 big coasters after that if it came to a choice between the smaller coasters and haunt i'd probably pick the star flyer because it's something new to me, as for speaking i've lived in korea 2 years now and though i now know some basic korean, i still survive without it everyone is so helpful.

 

Sonce Robb & Elissa have been so helpful providing me with websites i thought i'd share the information i've gathered so far (and for selfish reasons it gives me one place to just click instead of having to organise my bookmarks folder), with many thanks to their links and some other information I gathered for anyone else since I see lots of people asking about parks and a lot of the information can sometimes only be found on japanese websites (many thanks to my korean friend who knows some japanese as well) Google translate is pretty good at translating attraction names if you need it.

 

Universal Studios

 

Opening Hours: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/parkguide/calendar.html

Ride Rehab Schedule: http://www.usj.co.jp/parkguide/schedule/attclose.html

Prices: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ticket/index.html

Fast Pass: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ticket/blt7.html

Location and Transportation: http://www.usj.co.jp/e/parkguide/fm_air.html

 

 

Fuji Q

 

Opening Hours: http://www.fujiq.jp/calendar/index.html

Ride Rehab Schedule: http://www.fujiq.jp/calendar/suspend.html

Prices: http://www.fujiq.jp/en/ticket/

Fast Pass: A little booth over by the Carousel and Mad Mouse Roller Coaster where you can buy tickets

Location and Transportation: http://www.fujiq.jp/en/access/ english booking for bus here: https://www.highwaybus.com/rs-web01-prd-rel/gp/foreign/frgSelectBordingDate?lang=en&lineId=110&onStationCd=008&offStationCd=059

 

Tokyo Disneyland/Disneysea

 

Opening Hours: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/schedule/timeschedule/february_e.html

Ride Rehab Schedule: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/schedule/stop/index.html

Prices: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/ticket/index.html

Fast Pass: Disneyland: Thunder mountain, splash mountain, haunted mansion, poohs honey hunt, monsters inc, space mountain, buzz lightyear and captain EO. TokyoSea: tower of terror, storm rider, indiana jones, raging spirits, magic lamp theater, mermaid theatre, journey to the centre of the earth and 20,000 leagues under the sea.

Single Rider Available: Disneyland: Splash mountain. Disneysea: Indiana jones, raging spirits, tower of terror

Location and Transportation: http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/access/index.html

 

Sea Paradise (for the drop tower enthusiasts)

 

Opening Hours: http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/guidebook/top.html the ones on the info part of the website are out of date, consult this book

Ride Rehab Schedule: http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/pleasureland/ bottom line under each ride, no dates no scheduled rehab

Prices: http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/guidebook/top.html also guidebook

Location and Transportation: http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/access.html

 

Cosmoworld closed on certain days so useful to check

 

Opening Hours: http://senyo.co.jp/cosmo/contents/calendar.html

Ride Rehab Schedule: Unknown sorry

Prices: Per ride

Location and Transportation: near the sky tower http://www.yokohama-landmark.jp/skygarden/web/english/

 

 

Tobu Zoo

 

Opening Hours: http://www.tobuzoo.com/global/english/

Ride Rehab Schedule: http://www.tobuzoo.com/park/maintenance/

Prices: http://www.tobuzoo.com/global/english/

Location and Transportation: http://www.tobuzoo.com/global/english/

Edited by Garet
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