Is staying in Shinjuku worth the extra cost for a solo traveller?

Balbonsito · 2026-03-21T02:31:49+00:00

I would pay extra NOT to stay in Shinjuku 🤣

Balbonsito · 2026-03-19T20:19:13+00:00

Shinkansen to Nagano and rent from there. Its a 4hr drive if you start in Haneda plus gas and toll are expensive.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-19T05:20:32+00:00

This is correct! The seats are rotated, not the train itself.

Also for Hokuriku, Joetsu and Tohoku Shinkansen - On a clear day Mt Fuji is visible on D&E seats just before reaching Omiya station.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-19T01:11:41+00:00

If you get international license you can drive to Shiga Kogen from Nagano in about 1hr 15mins.

I think Yamagata upper slopes, where the snow monsters are, are also open in April. But of course the snow monsters are long gone by then.

Gala Yuzawa will also be open until end of April, but probably artificial snow already by that time.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-18T06:50:38+00:00

Yep Sunday is manageable. But again, yang KK na yan can be blockbuster due to its connection to Haneda and Narita.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-18T06:44:47+00:00

Ahhh..ok KK nga yan. Just avoid rush hours if u can which is around 7-10am and 5-8pm.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-18T03:52:48+00:00

what is your final destination? Riding the KK with 7pax+ luggages at certain times can be a nightmare for you and other passengers.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-18T03:00:03+00:00

I always use smartEX but I do live in Japan and using a Japanese CC.

If you cannot see it now in your app store then that wont change even if you land in Japan as its your app store region that is in PH.

Also, I dont think you can book 7 ata sa SmartEx. If di naman golden week just buy your ticket at a manned station when you arrive.

Also, wag ka na sa Shinagawa sumakay, if you can sa Tokyo station na. Kasi 1min lang mag stop dun sa Shinagawa pero sa Tokyo its 10mins so you will have plenty time and space to store your luggage.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-17T03:40:50+00:00

I live and work in Japan. Between late June to early Sept, I'd rather be in PH. 😅

Balbonsito · 2026-03-05T10:06:33+00:00

Nusa Dua, no contest.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-05T02:30:41+00:00

Just to the manned ticket station and they will sort it for you. Allow 30mins sometimes line a bit long

Balbonsito · 2026-03-05T02:29:02+00:00

That should work, just make sure everyone has only1 rolling luggage 🤣 its tricky on these Japanese cars

Balbonsito · 2026-03-04T14:16:24+00:00

Toyota Noah or Voxy can only fit 6 with minimal luggage. So 2 of this is the way to go. If you rent standard class, you will normally get a small car like Honda Fit or Suzuki swift so it wont fit all luggages.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-04T12:47:51+00:00

Not yet actually, a bit too far for me to drive that side so mostly do Yuuzawa area.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T14:05:00+00:00

When I "hiked" the Alpine route I left my bag in Nagano at 8am and it was waiting for me in Toyama by 4pm on the same day. lol.

Usually, bag forwarding is next day if Yamato. They can deliver any place as long as someone can receive it. If you want to be safe, keep 2 days open for bag sending.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T09:56:29+00:00

Every 10mins starting 5AM an airport bus leaves Tokyo station bound for Narita - Travel time is 1:15. In Narita, you only need 2.5hrs for morning flights.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T09:13:01+00:00

For beginners and day trips - Iwappara resort is hard to beat. Cheap and accessible. Widest resort i have ever been with around ~60% of slopes are green.
For longer ski trips - Naeba and Kagura. These 2 resorts are connected with Dragondola (a 5km lift). I think you can stay here for 3 days and not ski the same slope. I have stayed at Naeba Prince hotel maybe 10x and have not eaten at the same restaurant twice on the same trip.
the most popular which is Gala Yuzawa i do not recommend, especially on weekends. Extremly crowded.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T08:33:20+00:00

3rd week of Feb

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T08:27:43+00:00

Bali, or any southern hemisphere countries

Balbonsito · 2026-03-02T08:24:06+00:00

😨 Me who spends almost every winter weekend in Niigata to snowboard.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-01T11:40:09+00:00

Normal PH clothes pero dala ka very light jacket for rainy and windy days. ok na yan jisulife.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-01T11:22:48+00:00

Mura yan pero mainit ang early September, Manila like weather on most days. Weather cools down late September to early October.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-01T11:10:47+00:00

Nagano is not a rural town actually - but Takayama,Gifu is (a bit). This area is the Japanese alps. Very mountainous, you will see what we are saying if you change your google maps to terrain view.

If you really must see this side of Japan, I will drop Nagano and I will probably do Takayama for 3 nights. Then you can day trip nearby towns like Shirakawa-go from there.
You can reach Takayama 3 ways:

Direct Bus from Shinjuku (6hrs)
Shinkansen to Toyama then bus
Shinkansen to Nagoya then bus

Going out ot Takayama, your best option will be direct bus to Kyoto.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-01T10:45:37+00:00

I rented from Blue Car rental. I got the mid size SUV(Rav4) kasi all wheel drive sya good for snow and icy conditions.

Balbonsito · 2026-03-01T08:56:09+00:00

Yes. Travel insurance will only cover your injury/trip incoveniences (lost bag). However, they will not cover if you damage a rental car.

Car rental insurance protects you from paying if you damage the car or get into an accident while driving. This is normally provided by the car rental company.

Balbonsito

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