Money Matters - Japan

Think it is a good idea for us to check whether our ATM cards work in Japan. Also, change some travellers cheques in case.

Some info from Lonelyplanet.com

Money Changing in Japan

You can change cash or travellers cheques at an 'Authorised Foreign Exchange Bank' or at major post offices and some of the large hotels and stores but few other places. US dollars are preferred; trying to exchange Taiwanese or Korean currency is a fruitless task. The majority of ATMs do not accept foreign-issued bank cards, although post office ATMs are an exception. Look out for the Cirrus or Plus logos.

In order to use international ATMs, ensure the following at home before leaving for Japan:

• Make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad.
• Inquire what fees and daily and/or monthly limits are associated with international withdrawals.
• Remember your card's secret 4-digit PIN.
• Notify your bank that you are going to use your card overseas, since many banks will block a card which is suddenly used abroad, suspecting a fraud.

• Sample Price Guide (1 Sing Dollar = 76.9 yen)
  

  litre of milk

  190 (SGD$2.50)
  

  12 eggs

  300 (SGD$3.90)
  

  cheap bowl of noodles

  400 (SGD$$5.20)
  

  average temple/museum admission

  500 (SGD$6.50)
  

  simple restaurant meal

  1000 (SGD$13)
  

  youth hostel accommodation

  2800 (SGD$36.4)
  

  internet per hour

  500 (S$6.50)
  

  
  

• Average Room Prices
  Low range
  ¥2800-3850 (Average $50/night)
  Average Meal Prices
  Low range
  ¥550-880 (Average S$10)

Weather in China

Chengdu

Average Data May June Average High 25/27 27/29 Average 16/18 19/21

Beijing

Average Data May June Average High 26/28 30/32 Average Low 12/14 17/19

Shanghai

Average Data May June Average High 23/25 27/29 Average 14/16 19/21

So the bottom line is to bring more t-shirts than sweaters!! Berms should work as well.

Japan Weather during May and June

Weather to expect in Osaka and Tokyo...

May

City	Max. Temp	Min. Temp.	Rainy Days	Rainfall	Sunshine
Tokyo	23 C (73F)	15 C (59F)	10 d	128 mm	181 h
Osaka	24 C (76F)	15 C (60F)	10 d	140 mm	200 h

The Golden Week, one of Japan's busiest travel seasons, takes place in the end of April and beginning of May. It is best avoided.

The remainder of May is quite a good time for visiting Japan, as vegetation is lush and the weather is mild, but not yet hot and humid as in the summer months.

June

City	Max. Temp	Min. Temp.	Rainy Days	Rainfall	Sunshine
Tokyo	25 C (77F)	19 C (66F)	12 d	165 mm	120 h
Osaka	27 C (81F)	20 C (68F)	12 d	201 mm	150 h

From the beginning of June, the rainy season (tsuyu) visits most parts of Japan, except Hokkaido. While it does not rain every day, the weather tends to be overcast and dreary. The duration and intensity of the rainy season can vary quite strongly from year to year.

M1 international Phone call and SMS rates.

I found out today that the cheapest way to call back using our handphone is by dialing *138* Phone number # instead of directly dialing +65 Phone number.

Japan rates
All received calls are at S$1.20 per minute.
Dial out rates: *138* method costs S$1.20 per minute.
+65 method costs S$3.15 per minutes. (HUH!?!!?)

China rates
All received calls are at S$2.76 per minute.
Dial out rates: *138* method costs S$2.76 per minute
+65 method costs S$3.60 per minute

SMS:
All received messages are free, fortunately.

Each message sent out costs S$0.72 regardless of China/Japan. Ouch.

Why China costs more than Japan is beyond me...... But it's plain to see that both are damn expensive!


Whatever other information you all have... please post too.

Inventory list

guys, for your reference.. This will be the items i'll be bringing along. See if there's anything to add.

1. 5 sets of clothes - 4 tees, 2 long sleeves, 2 jeans, 2 berms, 8 briefs, 1 knitted sweater, 3 pairs of socks, 1 sleep wear, 1 slipper and 1 sports shoe, 1 towel.
2. Sinus medicine: Spray + Febs tablets
3. Laptop / Charger / Mouse
4. Handphone charger
5. Clothes pegs
6. Passport, international driving permit, driving license
7. Big water bottle
8. Ziplock bags
9. Plastic bags
10. Washing powder
11. Toothpaste / Toothbrush
12. Shaver + charger
13. Tissues
14. Multipurpose tools / Flashlight / Carabineer
15. Cable ties
16. Small bag or pouch
17. Locks
18. Plane Tickets
19. Camera + Camera Cable (Benny how?)
20. Black Tape

Route of Advance

This should be our estimated route of advance

China leg

May 9th - Arrival in Cheng Du

May 14th - Beijing

May 18th - Shanghai

May 20th - Ferry to Osaka




Japan leg

May 22nd to July 4th - Arrival in Osaka.

From there we might be going Kyoto -> Nagoya -> Izu Peninsula -> Mt Fuji! -> Tokyo

The Debut Post by the Punisher with a not-so-great camera

Okay, journey starts with the e-tickets sitting nicely on The Punisher's desk...

And so it begins.......

Finally,

After 2 years of planning sessions at MacDonald's, 2 trips to the China Embassy and alot of research (Only by The Punisher), the time has arrived! We're setting off for Chengdu on the 9th May, 730am, transitting via Bangkok (Coz it's the cheapest flight our Trip Chairman , Benny Poh aka I love Trippin' found)

Jackie the LDR (Long Distance Runner), whom will be flying in from Shenzhen will meet us at Chengdu airport. Our flights are within 5 minutes of each other.

The rest of the trip members are: Marco the Crazy Horse, Benny The Punisher and myself.

Our outline for the trip is Chengdu -> Beijing -> Shanghai -> Osaka and up to Tokyo and the journey should take around 2 months at a budget of $5,000/-. Whether it's achievable, we will find out in due course...