Get $25 Discount When You Book Your Stay at Airbnb!

You can enjoy discount $25 if you are not a registered member of Airbnb yet.

This is one time discount which is given to a new member's first time booking. Make sure you do not register as Airbnb member before you perform the steps below.

 You can browse the Airbnb website to look for accommodation that you are interested first. Once you confirm that you want to book it, remember which one you want to book then close the browser.
 Then follow the steps below to get the discount instantly!

1. Click on this URL. You will see a message "Lucky you! Your friend Jessica just gave you credit toward your first trip on Airbnb, the best way to travel."

2. Move on to create an account. You can sign up with Facebook or sign up using your email.

3. After sign up successfully, you can find the accommodation that you looked for just now. DO NOT CLOSE YOUR BROWSER until you make your booking. Otherwise, you will lose the session and no more discount.

4. Click on "Book It", you will see the discount $25 appears under your subtotal.

5. Continue to fill in your personal and billing details. Fill in your phone number and click on Verify via SMS. 

6. Agree to the T&C and click "Book now". That's it. Enjoy your trip!

Japan Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)

If you travel around Japan, it is recommended that you travel with trains. It is very convenient as most of the cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are connected by a network of high speed train lines. The high speed train network consists of

1. Tokaido Shinkansen
2. Sanyo Shinkansen
3. Tohoku Shinkansen
4. Joestu Shinkansen
5. Nagano Shinkansen
6. Kyushu Shinkansen
7. Yamagata Shinkansen
8. Akita Shinkansen

Japan high speed trains (bullet trains) which are called as Shinkansen (新幹線), are operated by Japan Railways (JR). They will bring you to your destination very fast with the speed up to 320km/h. You can enjoy the view outside the window by sitting on the comfortable and spacious seat.



If you plan to travel between cities as well as within the cities, you are recommended to get a Japan Rail Pass. Let see how you could save cost using the pass. For example, if you would like to visit Tokyo and Osaka.

From Narita Airport to Tokyo
Cost: 18060 yen + 3220 yen (Surcharge) = 21280 yen

From Tokyo to Osaka
Cost: 13750 yen Total cost: 21280 yen + 13750 yen = 35030 yen

35030 yen is not including the cost for you to travel to hotel and popular spots. Could you imagine how much would you spend for transportation? If you get Ordinary 7 days pass, it only cost you 28300 yen. You would save 50% of your transportation cost and get unlimited travel.

If you decided to get the Japan Rail Pass, you must buy before your arrival to Japan. The pass is not available for sale inside Japan.

Mount Fuji (Fujisan)

Mount Fuji is 3776 meters, the highest mountain in Japan. It is located on Honshu, the main Island of Japan, stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka. It is also known as Fujisan (富士山), which has become the most popular icon of Japan for both tourist and culture.


Mount Fuji is about 100 kilometers south-west of Tokyo and is visible from Tokyo on sunny days. You can access to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or Tokyo Tower to view it from observation decks. Another alternative is to view it from the train (Tokaido Shinkansen Line) when you are travelling between Tokyo and Osaka. 


You can go to the recommended places to enjoy the best view of Mount Fuji.
  1. Lake Kawaguchiko
  2. Fuji Q Highlands
  3. Hakone
  4. Gotemba
If you wish to go up to summit, Mount Fuji is also opened for climbing from July to August. During this season, the weather is stable and the mountain is free of snow. The mountain huts and other facilities are open. Anyway, try to avoid Aug 13th to 17th as it is Obon Week usually very packed with crowds of people.

Mount Fuji has ten stations with the first station is the foot of the mountain and tenth station is the summit. Most people start climbing from the fifth station which is half way up to summit.


There are four routes from the fifth station. The stations on different routes are at different elevations. The highest fifth station is located at Fujinomiya, followed by Kawaguchi, Subashiri, and Gotemba. The Kawaguchiko route is the most popular route because it has large parking area, a lot of mountain huts for climbers to rest, and the sun rises on this side of mountain.

Fifth Station
Altitude (meters)
Ascent (hours)
Descent (hours)
Fujinomiya
2400
4-7
2-4
Kawaguchiko
2300
5-7
3-5
Subashiri 
2000
5-8
3-5
Gotemba
1400
7-10
3-6

You can take Fujikyu or Keio buses to fifth stations.

From
To
One way (yen)
Round Trip (yen)
Shin-Fuji Station
Fujinomiya  Fifth Station
2310
3000
Fuji Station
Fujinomiya  Fifth Station
2240
3000
Fujinomiya Station
Fujinomiya  Fifth Station
1970
3000
Shinjuku Station
Kawaguchiko Fifth Station
2600

Kawaguchiko Station
Kawaguchiko Fifth Station
1500
2000
Fujisan Station
Kawaguchiko Fifth Station
1500
2000
Gotemba Station
Subashiri Fifth Station
1500
2000
Gotemba Station
Gotemba Fifth Station
1080
1500

Lake Kawaguchi

Lake Kawaguchi is also known as Kawaguchi-ko (河口湖), is located in the center of the Fuji Five Lakes district. Fuji Five Lakes is the name of the area located around the north foot of Mount Fuji. Fuji Five Lakes which is also known as Fujigoko (富士五湖), consist of Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Motosu, Lake Saiko, Lake Shoji and Lake Yamanaka. Lake Kawaguchi is the most famous among the five lakes.

You can enjoy the wonderful view of Mount Fuji on a pleasure boat. The boat runs every 20 minutes during the day. You can get the ticket from a machine near the boat dock. It is about 950 yen per person.



When you are on boat, you will see the inverted image of Mount Fuji reflected on the lake surface, which is very beautiful.



You can get to Kawaguchiko station by

Train (1 hour and 30 minutes)
From Shinjuku Station/Tokyo Station - JR Chuo Honsen line then change to Fuji Kyuko Line

Bus (1 hour and 45 minutes)
From Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal ( 1st Floor, MY Shinjuku Daini Building near Shinjuku Station West Exit)
- Keio Dentetsu Bus (09:00-20:00)
- Fuji Kyuko Bus (07:30-20:00)
- 1700 yen for one way

From JR Highway Bus Terminal at Tokyo Station ( In front of Yaesu South Exit for departure, in front of Nihombashi Exit for arrival)
- JR Bus (2 hours and 40 minutes)
- 1700 yen for one way, 3200 yen for round trip (valid for 7 days)


Universal Studio Japan

Universal Studio Japan is extremely popular theme park. It was opened on March 31, 2001 in Osaka. It is similar to Universal Orlando Resort as it contains certain attractions from Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.


The park consists of 9 areas with a variety of exciting theme rides such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park. 


There are amazing attractions and shows such as Backdraft , a fire special effects show from San Francisco area, 


A Live Sea War Spectacular from Waterworld area and Jaws from Amity Village. 

Moreover, you will meet popular characters like Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Elmo and Shrek. Get ready your camera! Also, make sure you watch the Magical Starlight Parade at night before you leave the theme park.


Universal Studio is a fun place to for adults and kids. Let’s look forward for the 10th area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter which will be opened in 2014. 

To go to Universal Studio, you can get to Universal City Station on JR Yumesaki Line. 

Admission:
There are few type of passes available 1-day Studio Pass, 2-day Studio Pass and etc. You can refer the passes price here. You can get the Universal Express Passes to avoid long queue.

Dotonbori


Dotonbori is a street that running alongside to the Dōtonbori canal in the Namba ward of Osaka. It is the city’s famous dining, shopping and entertainment district that busy day and night. At night, it is a beautiful and amazing place that lit up by hundreds of colorful neon light. You may see the popular landmarks such as giant blow fish lantern, Glico Running Man sign, and mechanical Kani Doraku Crab flashing and moving.




When you see the restaurants with giant blow fish outside, they normally serve Fugu. Fugu is very delicious to eat yet it is said to be the most poisonous fish. Thus, it needs to be prepared properly before serving.

There are many restaurants offer nice food with affordable prices. You should try their local specialties such as okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), takoyaki (octopus balls), udon (a noodle dish), and regional sushi.



Besides tasting the varieties of food, it is a great place to shop. There are a lot of cosmetics stores, fashion stores, souvenir shops, 100 yen shops and Hello Kitty stores. You may find interesting stuffs such as handmade cosmetics, Dotonbori t-shirts, postcards, sushi key rings, hello kitty sandals, bags, and etc.

Dotombori is a fascinating place that you should visit. You can get there by 5-minute walk from Namba Station on Midosuji Line.

Osaka Aquarium

Osaka Aquarium which is called Kaiyukan in Japanese is one of the largest and beautiful aquariums in the world. It is located in Tempozan, in the Osaka Bay Area.


It has 15 water tanks that represent different regions of Pacific Rim. The largest and most popular tank is Pacific Ocean. It is 9 meters deep and home to the aquarium main attraction, a giant whale shark named Yu-chan, the largest fish on earth.





Besides the Pacific Ocean, you could see wonderful marine animals from other tanks such as sea otters from Aleutian Islands, Californian sea lions from Monterey Bay, king penguins from Antartica, and Pacific white sided dolphins from Tasman Sea. You will also see different varieties of Jellyfish with fantastic appearance floating in the tank in the floor of Floating Jelly Fish.



You can get to Osaka Aquarium with 5-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Chūō Line.

Business Hours:
9.30am-10.00pm (last admission 7.00pm)

Admission Fees:
Adult
2000 yen
Children (Primary school and junior high school students)
900 yen
Children (4 years and above)
400 yen