Sidetrip ke Hiroshima
Nagoya - Hiroshima by Shinkansen, turun, titip barang di loker, kalo bisa jejalin aja di satu loker semua barang2 yang kita bawa, sewanya sesuai dengan ukuran loker, dan si loker hanya mau makan uang koinan 100 yen, jadi siapin recehannya ya (didalam stasiun ada yg lebih bagus dan terima IC card juga).
At Hiroshima, first headoff to Miyajima: take the Sanyo line from Hiroshima Station, get off at Miyajimaguchi Station, and take the ferry to Miyajima Island. Disini ada torii gate yang ada di dalam air, dan kuil Itsukushima. DIsini kita bisa ketemu banyak rusa yang dibiarkan berkeliaran dengan bebas. Hati-hati jaga barang kertas, payung dan makanan karena rusa-rusa ini suka curi-curi makanin yang seperti ini. Kalo udah puas, mari kita balik lagi ke Hiroshima Station untuk keliling kota Hiroshima.
Dari stasiun Hiroshima, naik Hiroshima Meipuru-pu loop bus, gratis dengan JR Pass, ada 2 jalur, jadi perhatikan jalur mana yang kita naiki. Kami naik ini dan stops at: Hiroshima Castle, A-Bomb dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, makan di Okonomi-mura (hati-hati okonomiyaki disini ada daging babi) dan back to Hiroshima Station, dari sini naik Shinkansen ke Kyoto. Kebetulan kami sampai sudah malam, jadi sampai hostel di Kyoto (Piece Hostel Sanjo, 6000 yen untuk 2 malam) kami tidak pergi kemana-mana lagi alias istirahat supaya besok bisa berangkat pagi.
Total biaya hari ini adalah (selain makan dan suvenir): 6000 yen
KYOTO
Ini adalah kota tujuan utama saya trip di bulan Agustus, alias kepengen lihat Daimonji, yang gagal karena, mendung dan hujan di hari itu.
Beli Kyoto bus pass, 500 yen, untuk puter-puter seharian sampe puas di Kyoto, pass ini bahkan bisa dibeli di hostel tempat menginap.
Hari ini, mulai dari pagi, dengan rute:
1. Fushimi Inari (the thousand gate shrine, take the train to Nara from Kyoto Station, get off at Inari) - Arashiyama ( take the JR Train Sagano Line to Arashiyama, get off at Saga-Arashiyama station) , langsung beli dulu tiket Sagano train, kereta kayu untuk naik ke atas gunungnya (620 yen), kasih jeda waktu sekitar 2 atau 3 jam dari waktu sampai, barulah kita keliling Arashiyama, dengan rute: Togetsukyo Bridge - Tenryuji Temple - Bamboo Groove - Sagano train ( ada beberapa tempat pemberhentian, berhenti di stasiun Kameoka Umahori, last stop, jalan sedikit, lewat sawah-sawah, ke stasiun Umahori untuk naik JR Sagano line kembali ke Kyoto) - turun di Enmachi.
2. Rute keliling kota by Kyoto Bus Pass : Enmachi bus stop - Kinkakuji - Ginkakuji -Kyomizudera - Gion - Kyoto Tower - Sanjo, disini dekat Nishiki market dan tadinya rencana melihat Daimonji dari Imadegawa bridge tapi apa daya hujan mengalahkan semuanya (untuk naik dan turun bus jangan takut, sudah diberi petunjuk peta yang bahkan ada kita naik bus nomer berapa untuk turun dimana) , istirahat di hostel.
Total biaya hari ini (termasuk masuk temple) 2320 yen
Keeseokan harinya, packing untuk pulang, sarapan sekenyangnya di hostel, check out, titip barang di reception, beli bus pass untuk keliling sekali lagi ke tempat yang kemaren belom sempat. Hari ini bahkan dari pagi hujan jadi hanya sempat ke Toji temple, Sanjusangendo dan jalan-jalan di rooftopnya Kyoto station, dan akhirnya pulang kembali ke Indonesia. Saya pulang lewat Narita, jadi dari Kyoto, take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo, naik Narita line, turun di stasiun Narita, nginep semalem di hotel dekat bandara (APA Narita, 5500 yen), untuk keesokan harinya berangkat kembali ke Bandung.
Total biaya hari ini 6000 yen
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Tokyo and around it , plus Nagoya
Trip plan Tokyo dan sekelilingnya yang kami jalankan adalah sebagai berikut:
- Tokyo - Lake Kawaguchiko ceritanya mau lihat Gunung Fuji
Pagi- pagi berangkat ke Kawaguchiko dari Stasiun Shinjuku, dengan rute: Shinjuku station - Otsuki station ganti ke Fujikyuko line - Kawaguchiko (1140 yen). Turun di Kawaguchiko, beli tiket Kachi-Kachi Ropeway 2 way plus tiket pulang ke Otsuki yang dipaket harganya adalah 1500 yen. Kenapa pagi-pagi adalah kalo rada siangan antre ropeway-nya bisa sejam sendiri. Jalan kaki ke tempat ropeway (kalau jalannya pelan-pelan sekitar 15 menit sampe) dan dari puncak ropeway sudah ada spot untuk foto Gunug Fuji
- Balik ke Tokyo sudah sore, jadi diputuskan untuk pergi Shinjuku dan Shibuya (jangan lupa, keluarnya di Hachiko exit, supaya bisa foto bareng patung Hachiko), dan jalan-jalan lah di Shibuya sampe capek
- hari esoknya baru kami keliling Tokyo yang sebenarnya, dengan rute: Asakusa (Sensoji temple) - jalan kaki ke Sumida Bridge - Sky Tree Tower - balik lagi - Kappabashi -Ueno Park - naik kereta dari Ueno Station - turun di Tokyo Station - Imperial Palace (bisa jalan kaki underground kalau nggak mau panas2an - ke Hamamatsucho Station dari Tokyo Station - kuil di bawah Tokyo Tower (lupa namanya) - Tokyo Tower (banyak toko dibawahnya, bisa belanja oleh2 kalo mau) - balik ke stasiun - eat Sushi at Shibuya's Genki Sushi - Takeshita dori - Harajuku - Odaiba (Gundam Front Tokyo, turun di Tokyo teleport station, tidak dicover JR Pass, bayar 330 yen, untuk pulangnya, beli tiket termurah dan keluar pake JR Pass saja) - Akihabara - pulang
Total biaya selama di Tokyo (diluar suvenir dan makan, untuk 2 hari) : 3180 yen
Hari selanjutnya adalah trip to Nagoya....
Ke Nagoya by Shinkansen, kami sampai sudah agak siang, jadi langsung boleh check-in di hotel (Nagoya Eco , 2000 yen ) dan langsung cari bus untuk keliling Nagoya , Meguru Loop Bus, one day pass 500 yen, berhenti di Toyota Museum , Noritake Garden, Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Art Museum and Sakae, Nagoya TV Tower, sebrangnya ada gedung dengan atap kolam air yg tembus pandang ke bawah, boleh dicoba kalo pengen tunggu sunset (dengan beli tiket ini kita bebas naek turun seharian dan ada diskon sekitar 100 yen setiap masuk ke tempat tujuan), beli tiketnya langsung di halte busnya. Di dekat hotel, ada restoran yang jual makanan, murah (seharga sama Yoshinoya dan Sukiya) hanya disini bedanya adalah bebas tambah nasi (yak untung yang makannya banyak silahkan diserbu).
Total biaya hari ini adalah selama sehari ke dan di Nagoya adalah 3300 yen (hotel, museum toyota, nagoya castle, bus pass).
Next Stop is: Hiroshima - Kyoto
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Osaka travels, 2 and a half day
Kota pertama yang saya kunjungi adalah Osaka.
Setelah mendarat di bandara internasional Kansai (KIX), kami bertiga menginap semalam di bandara karena sampai clear imigrasi dan tunggu check in bagasi milik salah satu dari kami bertiga sudah hampir jam 12 malam. Saya buat poin-poin saja karena kalau diceritakan akan panjang lebar nantinya
* cari tempat yang paling cocok untuk istirahat, bisa di kursi, bisa di lantai, jangan lupa isi perut, bisa dibeli di McDonalds, Sukiya, Family Mart atau Lawson yang buka 24 jam di bandara dan sedia air minum ya
* untuk koneksi internet selama di bandara ada koneksi wifi kok jadi tidak usah takut offline socmed ( ^_^)
* untuk koneksi internet selama di Jepang, saya beli dari simcard machine, ada di lantai 1, harganya 3000 yen, khusus data, kuota 1 GB, ada pilihan nanosim, minisim dan standard sim; serta ada juga pilihan kuota yang 3 GB ( http://www.so-net.ne.jp/prepaid/en/ )
* beli Osaka Amazing Pass, harganya 2300 yen untuk yang 1 hari, 3000 yen untuk yang 2 hari. Pilihan kami jatuh pada yang 1 hari, dengan pertimbangan hari kedua kami hanya akan ke Universal Studio Japan saja. Osaka Amazing Pass ini bisa dibeli di airport, di counter tiket yang seberang JR ticket office. Ada beberapa tempat yang free (tidak bayar) dengan menunjukkan pass ini dan diskon di beberapa toko, ini semua akan ada di brosur yang didapat setelah membeli pass. (https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html)
* setelah menaruh (titip) tas di penginapan, penginapan kami di Hotel Shin-Imamiya, sekitar 10 m dari exit stasiun Shin-Imamiya, mulailah petualangan menelusuri Osaka. Sarapan pagi kami beli di Lawson, dimakan sambil menunggu Tsutenkaku Tower buka.
Day 1 trip : Tsutenkaku Tower - NHK building - Osaka Museum of History - Osaka Castle Nishinimaru Garden - Osaka Castle Museum - Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel - Cruise Ship Santa Maria - Naniwa Hot Spring - Floating Garden Observatory
NOTE: Biaya yang keluar untuk sehari ini (diluar makan dan souvenir), adalah 2900 yen (untuk Amazing Pass plus tiket kereta Nakai line ke hotel) dan bayar penginapan 3900 yen untuk 2 hari. Biaya untuk masuk ke objek wisata dan transportasi (kereta) sudah dicover oleh osaka mazing pass
Day 2 trip : Universal Studio Japan
Dari Stasiun kereta Shin Imamiya, naik Osaka Loop Line ke arah Kyobashi , turun di Nishikujo, ganti kereta JR Sakurajima Line dan turun di Universal City Stasion (180 yen). Bolehlah jalan-jalan dulu di Universal City-nya, jalan yang ke arah gate Universal Studio, ada museum takoyaki dan ada Jump Shop juga disini (terutama One Piece dan Dragon Ball).
Tiket Universal Studio: 7200 yen
Disarankan untuk naik sebanyak mungkin ride yang kalian berani, soalnya nggak mau rugi dong ( *_*) dan tinggallah sampai parade light mobile Universal selesai.
NOTE:
(1) bila ingin naik beberapa ride dan malas mengantri, kita tinggal bilang ke penjaga gate ride tersebut, single rider, nanti akan dimasukkan jalur express, tanpa perlu beli tiket express yang muahal itu.
(2) untuk Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost World, dan BioHazard diberlakukan timed entry, kalian tinggal menuju ke tempat pemesanan entry tiket dan memesan jam berapa kalian akan masuk ke area tersebut.
(3) biaya yang keluar untuk hari ke dua (diluar souvenir dan makan) adalah 7560 yen
Day 3 trip : Osaka (Dotombori) - Tokyo
Hari ini kami berencana pindah ke kota ke Tokyo, jadi JR Pass diaktivasi mulai hari ini. Cara aktivasinya, karena ini pertama kali, tinggal tunjukkan JR Pass ke penjaga gate di JR stasiun, oleh beliau akan dicap tanggal hari itu. Kami berangkat agak siang, jadi kami pagi-pagi check out hotel, titip barang di resepsionis, dan jalan-jalan di Dotombori. Makan takoyaki, cari foto glico man dan kepiting raksasa, pokoknya strolling around dan kalau kebeneran nemu barang aneh ya dibeli.
Dari stasiun Shin-imamiya, naik JR Yamatoji Line dan turun di stasiun Namba, lanjut berjalan kaki ke Dotombori.
Dari sini kami balik lagi ke hotel, and off to Tokyo. ( Shin-Imamiya stasion - Osaka Loop Line towards Tennoji - get off at Osaka Station - Naik Tokaido-Sanyo Line towards OmiShiotsu via Maibara - get off at ShinOsaka Station - ride the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen towards Tokyo, all free on JR Pass, kalau bayar, untuk reserved seat Shinkansen, total kereta adalah sekitar 14500 yen)
Dari Tokyo Stasion untuk ke hotel kami naik JR Joban line, turun di Stasiun Minami Senju.
Untuk biaya hostel (Tokyo Backpackers, 3 hari) adalah 7200 yen.
Beres-beres sebentar di hostel (a.k.a mandi dll) lalu lanjut ke Harajuku, tinggal jalan ke stasiun kereta dan naik kereta ke arah Ueno terus ganti Yamanote Line.
Di hari ketiga ini biaya yang keluar (diluar makan dan souvenir) adalah 7200 yen (karena kereta termasuk Shinkansen sudah dicover JR PASS)
Maaf ya, masih males upload foto-foto
Setelah mendarat di bandara internasional Kansai (KIX), kami bertiga menginap semalam di bandara karena sampai clear imigrasi dan tunggu check in bagasi milik salah satu dari kami bertiga sudah hampir jam 12 malam. Saya buat poin-poin saja karena kalau diceritakan akan panjang lebar nantinya
* cari tempat yang paling cocok untuk istirahat, bisa di kursi, bisa di lantai, jangan lupa isi perut, bisa dibeli di McDonalds, Sukiya, Family Mart atau Lawson yang buka 24 jam di bandara dan sedia air minum ya
* untuk koneksi internet selama di bandara ada koneksi wifi kok jadi tidak usah takut offline socmed ( ^_^)
* untuk koneksi internet selama di Jepang, saya beli dari simcard machine, ada di lantai 1, harganya 3000 yen, khusus data, kuota 1 GB, ada pilihan nanosim, minisim dan standard sim; serta ada juga pilihan kuota yang 3 GB ( http://www.so-net.ne.jp/prepaid/en/ )
* beli Osaka Amazing Pass, harganya 2300 yen untuk yang 1 hari, 3000 yen untuk yang 2 hari. Pilihan kami jatuh pada yang 1 hari, dengan pertimbangan hari kedua kami hanya akan ke Universal Studio Japan saja. Osaka Amazing Pass ini bisa dibeli di airport, di counter tiket yang seberang JR ticket office. Ada beberapa tempat yang free (tidak bayar) dengan menunjukkan pass ini dan diskon di beberapa toko, ini semua akan ada di brosur yang didapat setelah membeli pass. (https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html)
* setelah menaruh (titip) tas di penginapan, penginapan kami di Hotel Shin-Imamiya, sekitar 10 m dari exit stasiun Shin-Imamiya, mulailah petualangan menelusuri Osaka. Sarapan pagi kami beli di Lawson, dimakan sambil menunggu Tsutenkaku Tower buka.
Day 1 trip : Tsutenkaku Tower - NHK building - Osaka Museum of History - Osaka Castle Nishinimaru Garden - Osaka Castle Museum - Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel - Cruise Ship Santa Maria - Naniwa Hot Spring - Floating Garden Observatory
NOTE: Biaya yang keluar untuk sehari ini (diluar makan dan souvenir), adalah 2900 yen (untuk Amazing Pass plus tiket kereta Nakai line ke hotel) dan bayar penginapan 3900 yen untuk 2 hari. Biaya untuk masuk ke objek wisata dan transportasi (kereta) sudah dicover oleh osaka mazing pass
Day 2 trip : Universal Studio Japan
Dari Stasiun kereta Shin Imamiya, naik Osaka Loop Line ke arah Kyobashi , turun di Nishikujo, ganti kereta JR Sakurajima Line dan turun di Universal City Stasion (180 yen). Bolehlah jalan-jalan dulu di Universal City-nya, jalan yang ke arah gate Universal Studio, ada museum takoyaki dan ada Jump Shop juga disini (terutama One Piece dan Dragon Ball).
Tiket Universal Studio: 7200 yen
Disarankan untuk naik sebanyak mungkin ride yang kalian berani, soalnya nggak mau rugi dong ( *_*) dan tinggallah sampai parade light mobile Universal selesai.
NOTE:
(1) bila ingin naik beberapa ride dan malas mengantri, kita tinggal bilang ke penjaga gate ride tersebut, single rider, nanti akan dimasukkan jalur express, tanpa perlu beli tiket express yang muahal itu.
(2) untuk Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost World, dan BioHazard diberlakukan timed entry, kalian tinggal menuju ke tempat pemesanan entry tiket dan memesan jam berapa kalian akan masuk ke area tersebut.
(3) biaya yang keluar untuk hari ke dua (diluar souvenir dan makan) adalah 7560 yen
Day 3 trip : Osaka (Dotombori) - Tokyo
Hari ini kami berencana pindah ke kota ke Tokyo, jadi JR Pass diaktivasi mulai hari ini. Cara aktivasinya, karena ini pertama kali, tinggal tunjukkan JR Pass ke penjaga gate di JR stasiun, oleh beliau akan dicap tanggal hari itu. Kami berangkat agak siang, jadi kami pagi-pagi check out hotel, titip barang di resepsionis, dan jalan-jalan di Dotombori. Makan takoyaki, cari foto glico man dan kepiting raksasa, pokoknya strolling around dan kalau kebeneran nemu barang aneh ya dibeli.
Dari stasiun Shin-imamiya, naik JR Yamatoji Line dan turun di stasiun Namba, lanjut berjalan kaki ke Dotombori.
Dari sini kami balik lagi ke hotel, and off to Tokyo. ( Shin-Imamiya stasion - Osaka Loop Line towards Tennoji - get off at Osaka Station - Naik Tokaido-Sanyo Line towards OmiShiotsu via Maibara - get off at ShinOsaka Station - ride the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen towards Tokyo, all free on JR Pass, kalau bayar, untuk reserved seat Shinkansen, total kereta adalah sekitar 14500 yen)
Dari Tokyo Stasion untuk ke hotel kami naik JR Joban line, turun di Stasiun Minami Senju.
Untuk biaya hostel (Tokyo Backpackers, 3 hari) adalah 7200 yen.
Beres-beres sebentar di hostel (a.k.a mandi dll) lalu lanjut ke Harajuku, tinggal jalan ke stasiun kereta dan naik kereta ke arah Ueno terus ganti Yamanote Line.
Di hari ketiga ini biaya yang keluar (diluar makan dan souvenir) adalah 7200 yen (karena kereta termasuk Shinkansen sudah dicover JR PASS)
Maaf ya, masih males upload foto-foto
Japan Travel August 2015, part 1, preparation
Finally salah satu bucket list travels terwujud tahun 2015 ini, pergi ke negeri Doraemon.
Semua bermula saat ada annnouncement bebas visa ke Jepang untuk pemegang e-passport. Kebijakan ini akan sangan meringankan proses pembuatan visa Jepang, karena hanya perlu mendaftarkan e-passport tersebut ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang, proses gratis, sehari selesai. Kebetulan passport lama habis April 2015, dan setelah cari informasi ternyata di Bandung (kota saya tinggal) kantor imigrasinya belum bisa issue e-passport, akhirnya saya putuskan buat di Kanim Jakarta Selatan. Setelah e-passport selesai, langsung didaftarkan ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang yang di Jakarta.
1. Pembuatan Visa Jepang
Untuk pemegang e-passport, tidak ada syarat lain yang harus diberikan ke Kedutaan, hanya isi formulir, bisa didownload dari website kedutaan, serahkan e-passport dan formulir tersebut, besoknya Visa sudah bisa diambil, Visa yang didapat dengan cara ini hanya berlaku untuk temporary visitor, berlaku selama 3 tahun atau sampai masa berlaku passport habis, yang mana yang duluan sampai tanggal tersebut, untuk masa kunjungan selama 15 hari. Mirip dengan multiple entry visa. Tidak dipungut biaya apapun.
NOTE: saya buat Visa Jepang tanpa buat itinerary, tanpa ada bookingan penginapan atau penerbangan, tanpa harus ada bukti keuangan, hanya dengan modal e-passport saja. Besoknya visa sudah selesai dan bisa diambil. Bila tanpa e-passport, syarat-syaratnya silahkan dicek di website kedutaan.
2. Cari teman berangkat
Ini pertama kali saya berangkat ke Jepang, nggak mau dong sendiri, kurang percaya diri aja, jadi saya cari teman berangkat barengan ke Jepang lewat hashtag #temanjalan di twitter @KartuPos, dari situ saya berhasil dapat teman berangkat barengan 2 orang. Yang saya cari adalah yang mencari teman berangkat barengan di tanggal event Daimonji Okuribi di Kyoto, kebetulan ada, jadilah saya cocokkan tanggal berangkat saya untuk pembelian tiket dengan mereka.
NOTE: untuk yang berminat mengikuti cara ini, cocokkan dengan tanggal yang paling berkenan, belum kenal nggak apa-apa, nanti kenalan aja langsung.
3. Beli tiket penerbangan
Beberapa maskapai sering ada promosi tiket, bahkan maskapai premium seperti JAL dan Garuda Indonesia sekalipun terkadang ada promosinya. Untuk ini, saya gunakan situs pencari penerbangan, seperti skyscanner, namanya cheapflight, dari situ tinggal search jadwal penerbangan dan di website mana yang paling murah, sering kali yang paling murah tetap ada di website maskapai itu sendiri. Untuk pemegang kartu kredit terkadang ada promo discount dan cicilan 0% persen juga. Dengan pertimbangan harga dan jadwal yang bisa berangkat dari Bandung, saya pilih penerbangan AirAsia, fly-trough (tidak perlu ke imigrasi) lewat Kuala Lumpur.
NOTE: kalau tidak punya kartu kredit, boleh dicoba beli tiket di tiket.com, disini bisa bayar dengan cara debit, atau untuk AirAsia bisa ke sales office di masing-masing kota. Untuk pembelian bagasi, sebaiknya dicocokkan dengan kebiasaan masing-masing, untuk yang suka belanja, sebaiknya beli pre-book bagasi karena akan lebih murah. Saya berangkat tanpa check-in baggage, untuk pulangnya saya pre-book yang paling ringan, yaitu 20 kg.
4. Itinerary dan penginapan
Untuk itinerary karena berangkat tidak sendiri, ada baiknya dirundingkan dengan rekan yang berangkat bersamaan. Itinerary saya selama disana adalah Osaka - Tokyo - Nagoya - Hiroshima - Kyoto. Setelah fixed itinerary kota yang akan dikunjungi, baru cari informasi tentang apa saja yang akan kita kunjungi selama disana dan bagaimana cara kita akan ketempat-tempat tersebut.
NOTE:
- untuk penginapan, yang paling aman adalah pesan di booking,com, kenapa disini karena tidak perlu bayar dulu, alias bayarnya nanti di tempat kita akan menginapSebagai alternatif bisa dicoba airbnb tapi saya belum pernah mencoba
- JR Pass : perlu atau tidak beli JR Pass sangat bergantung itinerary dan berapa lama kita akan tinggal di Jepang, kalau itinerary berpindah-pindah kota, sebaiknya beli JR Pass, yang paling sesuai dengan itinerary. Untuk informasi tentang ini bisa dicari di website JNTO.
5. Packing
Packinglah barang yang esensial saja kalau bepergian secara backpacker, karena bila penginapan dekat dengan stasiun kereta atau bus mungkin tidak masalah tapi diatas 100 meter kalau geret-geret koper dan berat lumayan juga olahraga (ini sih hanya saran saja). Kalau tidak mau bawa terlalu banyak, ada opsi untuk mencuci di penginapan saja, biasanya disediakan mesin cuci dan pengering, dengan biaya sekitar 100 atau 200 yen. Hal ini bisa dipertimbangkan untuk bagasi penerbangan juga. lebih sedikit barang bawaan kita, mungkin tidak perlu beli bagasi.
Untuk selama 10 hari di Jepang saya bawa baju (shirt, kaos) sekitar selusin, celana 4 buah dan underwear selusin juga, tidak lupa kaos kaki dan handuk tanggung 2 buah. Untuk bisa muat kedalam ransel yang masuk kriteria carry on baggage Airasia, saya gunakan vacuum plastic bag.Toiletries saya tidak bawa, beli disana, yang bawa dari Indonesia hanya kosmetik (pelembab, bedak padat, ya girls stuff lah) yang sudah biasa dipergunakan.
Gunakan sepatu yang paling nyaman dengan kaki kita, karena akan sangat banyak berjalan. Sendal jepit juga boleh dibawa, atau ya beli saja disana.
NOTE: untuk packing akan sangan bergantung pada musim dimana kita akan berangkat, kalau musim salju, pasti tidak mungkin hanya bawa pakaian segitu saja.
SPECIAL THANKS for oma Nila untuk saran-saran dan wejangan yang diberikan ke saya untuk persiapan ini. terimakasih juga pinjeman buku Claudia Kaunang 2,5 juta keliling Jepang dan buku Lost in Japan-nya.
And guys, we are ready to go.
Total costs: - airline tickets: 1.800.000 (tiket bandung-osaka) + 3.100.000 (JR PASS) + 2.400.000 (tiket osaka - bandung ) = 7,300,000
Semua bermula saat ada annnouncement bebas visa ke Jepang untuk pemegang e-passport. Kebijakan ini akan sangan meringankan proses pembuatan visa Jepang, karena hanya perlu mendaftarkan e-passport tersebut ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang, proses gratis, sehari selesai. Kebetulan passport lama habis April 2015, dan setelah cari informasi ternyata di Bandung (kota saya tinggal) kantor imigrasinya belum bisa issue e-passport, akhirnya saya putuskan buat di Kanim Jakarta Selatan. Setelah e-passport selesai, langsung didaftarkan ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang yang di Jakarta.
1. Pembuatan Visa Jepang
Untuk pemegang e-passport, tidak ada syarat lain yang harus diberikan ke Kedutaan, hanya isi formulir, bisa didownload dari website kedutaan, serahkan e-passport dan formulir tersebut, besoknya Visa sudah bisa diambil, Visa yang didapat dengan cara ini hanya berlaku untuk temporary visitor, berlaku selama 3 tahun atau sampai masa berlaku passport habis, yang mana yang duluan sampai tanggal tersebut, untuk masa kunjungan selama 15 hari. Mirip dengan multiple entry visa. Tidak dipungut biaya apapun.
NOTE: saya buat Visa Jepang tanpa buat itinerary, tanpa ada bookingan penginapan atau penerbangan, tanpa harus ada bukti keuangan, hanya dengan modal e-passport saja. Besoknya visa sudah selesai dan bisa diambil. Bila tanpa e-passport, syarat-syaratnya silahkan dicek di website kedutaan.
2. Cari teman berangkat
Ini pertama kali saya berangkat ke Jepang, nggak mau dong sendiri, kurang percaya diri aja, jadi saya cari teman berangkat barengan ke Jepang lewat hashtag #temanjalan di twitter @KartuPos, dari situ saya berhasil dapat teman berangkat barengan 2 orang. Yang saya cari adalah yang mencari teman berangkat barengan di tanggal event Daimonji Okuribi di Kyoto, kebetulan ada, jadilah saya cocokkan tanggal berangkat saya untuk pembelian tiket dengan mereka.
NOTE: untuk yang berminat mengikuti cara ini, cocokkan dengan tanggal yang paling berkenan, belum kenal nggak apa-apa, nanti kenalan aja langsung.
3. Beli tiket penerbangan
Beberapa maskapai sering ada promosi tiket, bahkan maskapai premium seperti JAL dan Garuda Indonesia sekalipun terkadang ada promosinya. Untuk ini, saya gunakan situs pencari penerbangan, seperti skyscanner, namanya cheapflight, dari situ tinggal search jadwal penerbangan dan di website mana yang paling murah, sering kali yang paling murah tetap ada di website maskapai itu sendiri. Untuk pemegang kartu kredit terkadang ada promo discount dan cicilan 0% persen juga. Dengan pertimbangan harga dan jadwal yang bisa berangkat dari Bandung, saya pilih penerbangan AirAsia, fly-trough (tidak perlu ke imigrasi) lewat Kuala Lumpur.
NOTE: kalau tidak punya kartu kredit, boleh dicoba beli tiket di tiket.com, disini bisa bayar dengan cara debit, atau untuk AirAsia bisa ke sales office di masing-masing kota. Untuk pembelian bagasi, sebaiknya dicocokkan dengan kebiasaan masing-masing, untuk yang suka belanja, sebaiknya beli pre-book bagasi karena akan lebih murah. Saya berangkat tanpa check-in baggage, untuk pulangnya saya pre-book yang paling ringan, yaitu 20 kg.
4. Itinerary dan penginapan
Untuk itinerary karena berangkat tidak sendiri, ada baiknya dirundingkan dengan rekan yang berangkat bersamaan. Itinerary saya selama disana adalah Osaka - Tokyo - Nagoya - Hiroshima - Kyoto. Setelah fixed itinerary kota yang akan dikunjungi, baru cari informasi tentang apa saja yang akan kita kunjungi selama disana dan bagaimana cara kita akan ketempat-tempat tersebut.
NOTE:
- untuk penginapan, yang paling aman adalah pesan di booking,com, kenapa disini karena tidak perlu bayar dulu, alias bayarnya nanti di tempat kita akan menginapSebagai alternatif bisa dicoba airbnb tapi saya belum pernah mencoba
- JR Pass : perlu atau tidak beli JR Pass sangat bergantung itinerary dan berapa lama kita akan tinggal di Jepang, kalau itinerary berpindah-pindah kota, sebaiknya beli JR Pass, yang paling sesuai dengan itinerary. Untuk informasi tentang ini bisa dicari di website JNTO.
5. Packing
Packinglah barang yang esensial saja kalau bepergian secara backpacker, karena bila penginapan dekat dengan stasiun kereta atau bus mungkin tidak masalah tapi diatas 100 meter kalau geret-geret koper dan berat lumayan juga olahraga (ini sih hanya saran saja). Kalau tidak mau bawa terlalu banyak, ada opsi untuk mencuci di penginapan saja, biasanya disediakan mesin cuci dan pengering, dengan biaya sekitar 100 atau 200 yen. Hal ini bisa dipertimbangkan untuk bagasi penerbangan juga. lebih sedikit barang bawaan kita, mungkin tidak perlu beli bagasi.
Untuk selama 10 hari di Jepang saya bawa baju (shirt, kaos) sekitar selusin, celana 4 buah dan underwear selusin juga, tidak lupa kaos kaki dan handuk tanggung 2 buah. Untuk bisa muat kedalam ransel yang masuk kriteria carry on baggage Airasia, saya gunakan vacuum plastic bag.Toiletries saya tidak bawa, beli disana, yang bawa dari Indonesia hanya kosmetik (pelembab, bedak padat, ya girls stuff lah) yang sudah biasa dipergunakan.
Gunakan sepatu yang paling nyaman dengan kaki kita, karena akan sangat banyak berjalan. Sendal jepit juga boleh dibawa, atau ya beli saja disana.
NOTE: untuk packing akan sangan bergantung pada musim dimana kita akan berangkat, kalau musim salju, pasti tidak mungkin hanya bawa pakaian segitu saja.
SPECIAL THANKS for oma Nila untuk saran-saran dan wejangan yang diberikan ke saya untuk persiapan ini. terimakasih juga pinjeman buku Claudia Kaunang 2,5 juta keliling Jepang dan buku Lost in Japan-nya.
And guys, we are ready to go.
Total costs: - airline tickets: 1.800.000 (tiket bandung-osaka) + 3.100.000 (JR PASS) + 2.400.000 (tiket osaka - bandung ) = 7,300,000
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Travelling Singapore - Bangkok, my own personal tips
Tickets:
- flight : some of budget airlines like AirAsia, Tiger Airways and JetStar have promos so if you want a cheaper air tickets you should check it their promos often, you can register to their mailing list for promotions update, they will send the promos to your email, choose the one which suits you better, and don't forget to check their carry luggage allowance, and don't forget to buy check in baggage beforehand on the return flight back to your country
- attractions : usually its cheaper and easier to purchase attractions tickets from Indonesia, so when you get there all you have to do is get inside the attraction. some of the hotels and hostels also offers attractions tickets but i find it more expensive than the one in Indonesia.
Public transportation:
- Singapore : in my opinion when you are on Singapore just purchase the EZ link card for MRT, the card can be top up, use for Sentosa express, and you can use it again the next time you visit singapore. In Singapore MRT can take you anywhere on the island, its cheaper than taxis, but it only operates until 12 pm, so if you are still outside after the closing hour you will have to take the taxi. For MRT map you can take one for free when you arrive at the airport.
- Bangkok : from airport to city, there are two airport line, Express Line and City Line, choose the one who stops nearer to your designated hotel, Express Line did not make any stop until Phaya Thai station, but the City Line makes about 6 stops. If you don't use train often you don't have to but the one day pass. Bangkok MRT ticket machine dont take paper bill so you have to change it to coins in nearby ticket office. Use the river boat also to avoid traffic jam. There is free shuttle to and from Asiatique from Thaksin pier. If you are tourist and wanna go to temples or the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya tourist boat on 150 baht for a whole day.
Communication:
- Singapore : my preference is use Singtel HiCard, you can purchase it at the airport, at 7-11 or at fairprice store, they have many promotion bundle, for blackberry and for smartphone.
- Bangkok : at the immigration there are true simcard for free, just take one, and top it up later at 7-11 store or family mart store. I also tried happy simcard too because somehow my phone can't read true card, overall it's not much different.
Hostel/Hotel:
- Singapore : in Singapore hotel are pricy, so if you are on a budget, just stay at hostel, choose which one is the perfect for your needs. My personal choice is I choose the one which have private bathroom, because i don't like to wait just to take bath or going to the toilet, not to mention we don't know how clean other uses it and i also choose it by location to MRT. You can use online hostelbooking for it.
- Bangkok : hotels are cheaper in Bangkok, when you book a hotel, decide it based on what facilities does it have, are there shuttle from it to malls or airport, how far is it from the ariport link and if you liked the river you can choose hotels at the riverfront. Specify what room do you want, beds, smoking or non-smoking, some hotels price are including breakfast and some are not.
*in comparing hostel or hotel flight you can use wego website, there you can see which online site offers the cheapest price
*sometime hostel/hotel asks some money for guarantee when you check in, but they will gave it back to you when you check out, this is not a scam don't worry
Itinerary: overall, whereever you wanna go, you can decide first where are you going when you are abroad, but i suggest that it is flexible, you don't have to be fixated to the itinerary you previously make, but make sure, you know how to get there.
Food : don't forget to bring your own water bottle when you go to Singapore because drinking water is pricy here, if you are on a budget you can just eat at fastfood restaurant such as KFC or McDonalds, but if you don't like fastfood you can always go to the mall foodcourt, there are plenty to choose from and its not expensive; or you can also go to 7-11 for instant noodles, breads or even a complete meal, they can warm it up for you
Money: if you happen to run out of money, you can always go to the local bank ATM, check if they accept Maestro or Cirrus card, if they do you can withdraw money from it on local currency. Select the withdraw from savings account and voila you get your money, there are charge about 25k rupiahs on every withdrawal so don't do it too often
That will be all my highlights for this trip, thank you for reading this.
- flight : some of budget airlines like AirAsia, Tiger Airways and JetStar have promos so if you want a cheaper air tickets you should check it their promos often, you can register to their mailing list for promotions update, they will send the promos to your email, choose the one which suits you better, and don't forget to check their carry luggage allowance, and don't forget to buy check in baggage beforehand on the return flight back to your country
- attractions : usually its cheaper and easier to purchase attractions tickets from Indonesia, so when you get there all you have to do is get inside the attraction. some of the hotels and hostels also offers attractions tickets but i find it more expensive than the one in Indonesia.
Public transportation:
- Singapore : in my opinion when you are on Singapore just purchase the EZ link card for MRT, the card can be top up, use for Sentosa express, and you can use it again the next time you visit singapore. In Singapore MRT can take you anywhere on the island, its cheaper than taxis, but it only operates until 12 pm, so if you are still outside after the closing hour you will have to take the taxi. For MRT map you can take one for free when you arrive at the airport.
- Bangkok : from airport to city, there are two airport line, Express Line and City Line, choose the one who stops nearer to your designated hotel, Express Line did not make any stop until Phaya Thai station, but the City Line makes about 6 stops. If you don't use train often you don't have to but the one day pass. Bangkok MRT ticket machine dont take paper bill so you have to change it to coins in nearby ticket office. Use the river boat also to avoid traffic jam. There is free shuttle to and from Asiatique from Thaksin pier. If you are tourist and wanna go to temples or the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya tourist boat on 150 baht for a whole day.
Communication:
- Singapore : my preference is use Singtel HiCard, you can purchase it at the airport, at 7-11 or at fairprice store, they have many promotion bundle, for blackberry and for smartphone.
- Bangkok : at the immigration there are true simcard for free, just take one, and top it up later at 7-11 store or family mart store. I also tried happy simcard too because somehow my phone can't read true card, overall it's not much different.
Hostel/Hotel:
- Singapore : in Singapore hotel are pricy, so if you are on a budget, just stay at hostel, choose which one is the perfect for your needs. My personal choice is I choose the one which have private bathroom, because i don't like to wait just to take bath or going to the toilet, not to mention we don't know how clean other uses it and i also choose it by location to MRT. You can use online hostelbooking for it.
- Bangkok : hotels are cheaper in Bangkok, when you book a hotel, decide it based on what facilities does it have, are there shuttle from it to malls or airport, how far is it from the ariport link and if you liked the river you can choose hotels at the riverfront. Specify what room do you want, beds, smoking or non-smoking, some hotels price are including breakfast and some are not.
*in comparing hostel or hotel flight you can use wego website, there you can see which online site offers the cheapest price
*sometime hostel/hotel asks some money for guarantee when you check in, but they will gave it back to you when you check out, this is not a scam don't worry
Itinerary: overall, whereever you wanna go, you can decide first where are you going when you are abroad, but i suggest that it is flexible, you don't have to be fixated to the itinerary you previously make, but make sure, you know how to get there.
Food : don't forget to bring your own water bottle when you go to Singapore because drinking water is pricy here, if you are on a budget you can just eat at fastfood restaurant such as KFC or McDonalds, but if you don't like fastfood you can always go to the mall foodcourt, there are plenty to choose from and its not expensive; or you can also go to 7-11 for instant noodles, breads or even a complete meal, they can warm it up for you
Money: if you happen to run out of money, you can always go to the local bank ATM, check if they accept Maestro or Cirrus card, if they do you can withdraw money from it on local currency. Select the withdraw from savings account and voila you get your money, there are charge about 25k rupiahs on every withdrawal so don't do it too often
That will be all my highlights for this trip, thank you for reading this.
Travelling Singapore - Bangkok (Day 6)
Today plan is going to Universal Studio Singapore.
I purchased USS ticket vouchers from Indonesia, on a bargain price, only 65 SGD, the original price is 78 SGD, and all we have to do is exchange it with the real tickets. We took the MRT, headed towards Harbourfront, went to Vivo City to catch the Sentosa express coach, yo can use the EZ link card for this, it will cost you 4 SGD (for return trip and a day trip as long as you are on Sentosa island), if you dont have an EZ link card just purchased it on the ticketing machine near the entrance. Alight at the first stop, the clock says 10 o'clock, but when we arrived at the designated meeting point with the person in charge of our ticket exchange, he is nowhere to be found. I tried calling him but the phone isn't answered, okay i started to get jumpy all of a sudden. Then i decided to contact the person who issued our ticket voucher, via whatsap, and thankfully she was very helpful, she also helped me contacted the person, and after half an hour we finally met the person, and went inside Universal Studio.
First ride to catch is, Transformers, there was already a line for it, and it took about half an hour until its our turn. Basicly its a moving platform and 3D effect, but it's a perfect ride for starters, I suggests you take the front seat on the ride for better experience. After that we took the ride near Battlestar Galactica, the flying canopy on Jurrasic Park, Shrek's 4 D cinema, Madagascar adventure ride, Spielberg's special effect studio and the new ride Elmo Spagheti Chasing ride. We had lunch at Mel's dine in, and while we ate, outside there was a musical show and people are rounding up to watch it. Another show we catch is breakdancing performance nears New York avenue. We took many photograph, including with some of Universal movie character, shop some souvenirs to bring home, exited the themepark and headed to the giant merlion statue on Imbiah, it is about 15 minutes walking from Universal Studio. There we shop some more and went back to Vivo City.
At Vivo City my friend wants to buy some baby clothes, so we pounder around the mall for some baby clothes, and i wanna buy a suitcase which is on discount there. My accident here was my credit card got declined when i pay for the suitcase, so i borrow some of my friend money to pay for it and search for an ATM to draw money. After two unsuccesfull attempt, out of curiousity i tried one last time, this time i choose the option draw from savings account and finally i can draw money. This is my first time drawing money at overseas ATM, i really dont know how to do it in the first place, so all i try was trial and error. After that we head back to our hostel, put everything we buy and head back to Orchard, i wanna buy some Japanese food at NipponYa ION. We had dinner at ION foodcourt, its almost 10 pm so some of the stalls are closed, but we finally get to eat some singapore noodle for dinner.
We fly back to Indonesia the day after, I check in early because I wanna go to the airport together with my friend, arrived back safely at my homeland Bandung at 4 pm, there was a 15 minutes delay on the flight but the pilot says it was due the air traffic.
Next post, highlight of my a week trip to Singapore and Thailand
I purchased USS ticket vouchers from Indonesia, on a bargain price, only 65 SGD, the original price is 78 SGD, and all we have to do is exchange it with the real tickets. We took the MRT, headed towards Harbourfront, went to Vivo City to catch the Sentosa express coach, yo can use the EZ link card for this, it will cost you 4 SGD (for return trip and a day trip as long as you are on Sentosa island), if you dont have an EZ link card just purchased it on the ticketing machine near the entrance. Alight at the first stop, the clock says 10 o'clock, but when we arrived at the designated meeting point with the person in charge of our ticket exchange, he is nowhere to be found. I tried calling him but the phone isn't answered, okay i started to get jumpy all of a sudden. Then i decided to contact the person who issued our ticket voucher, via whatsap, and thankfully she was very helpful, she also helped me contacted the person, and after half an hour we finally met the person, and went inside Universal Studio.
First ride to catch is, Transformers, there was already a line for it, and it took about half an hour until its our turn. Basicly its a moving platform and 3D effect, but it's a perfect ride for starters, I suggests you take the front seat on the ride for better experience. After that we took the ride near Battlestar Galactica, the flying canopy on Jurrasic Park, Shrek's 4 D cinema, Madagascar adventure ride, Spielberg's special effect studio and the new ride Elmo Spagheti Chasing ride. We had lunch at Mel's dine in, and while we ate, outside there was a musical show and people are rounding up to watch it. Another show we catch is breakdancing performance nears New York avenue. We took many photograph, including with some of Universal movie character, shop some souvenirs to bring home, exited the themepark and headed to the giant merlion statue on Imbiah, it is about 15 minutes walking from Universal Studio. There we shop some more and went back to Vivo City.
At Vivo City my friend wants to buy some baby clothes, so we pounder around the mall for some baby clothes, and i wanna buy a suitcase which is on discount there. My accident here was my credit card got declined when i pay for the suitcase, so i borrow some of my friend money to pay for it and search for an ATM to draw money. After two unsuccesfull attempt, out of curiousity i tried one last time, this time i choose the option draw from savings account and finally i can draw money. This is my first time drawing money at overseas ATM, i really dont know how to do it in the first place, so all i try was trial and error. After that we head back to our hostel, put everything we buy and head back to Orchard, i wanna buy some Japanese food at NipponYa ION. We had dinner at ION foodcourt, its almost 10 pm so some of the stalls are closed, but we finally get to eat some singapore noodle for dinner.
We fly back to Indonesia the day after, I check in early because I wanna go to the airport together with my friend, arrived back safely at my homeland Bandung at 4 pm, there was a 15 minutes delay on the flight but the pilot says it was due the air traffic.
Next post, highlight of my a week trip to Singapore and Thailand
Travelling Singapore - Bangkok (Day 5)
Today, the trip plans is flying back to Singapore from Bangkok.
We slept until about 9 o'clock, then preparing our luggage for check out from the hotel then head straight to the airport. Our flight is around 2 p.m. To prevent the same overweight luggage my friend decided to wear her clothes almost altogether, in layers, and it is hot in Bangkok that day. The check out process was also a breeze, and they also gave me the cancelled receipt for my credit card transaction. We took the airportlink city line back and arrived around 12 o'clock. On check in process apparently ground airport duty staff on Bangkok is not as strict as the ones at Singapore, they don't even weight our luggage. After checking in, the immigration process, it is a long line there, almost take us half an hour just to get pass the immigration. No delay on the flight and we arrived back at Singapore safely. We go and take our left luggage first then head to our hostel, this time we choose Hangout @Mt. Emily hostel to stay in.
Alight at Little India MRT, we follow the instruction directed by google map application on phone, reached the Mt. Emily road and its a climb up the hill road, but ... almost at the end of the road after almost 15 minutes walking we haven't seen the hostel yet, only dark pathway and a hill, the sign says it is Mt. Emily park. So we search for a different route on google map, it directed us on another way, this time via the Wilkie road. So its another walk down the hill and going up the hill again, until we reached our hostel it took us about half an hour, walking, thankfully i carried a backpack, but my friend had to dragged her suitcase and its not light. And after we reached our room, there is a map there, and there i can see that from Mt. Emily road all we had to do is climb up Mt. Emily park, and when i tried it the next morning it gave us about 15 minutes walking time cut. Overall the hostel is much better then the first time we had, the room are bigger, bed are better, bathroom are more spacious, they even provide us towels, soaps and bottled water. After taking a rest, we decided to search for dinner, and apparently there is another cuttrough pathway just by the hostel entrance which will take us directly in the middle of Wilkie road. We had dinner at the nearest KFC, only 10 minutes walk. Overall the location is only 15 minutes from Little India MRT, if you know the pathway trough the park. After dinner we had back, copied photos and rest. This hostel had a free breakfast (i didnt get to try it), free coffee and tea all day and computers you can use. There is a billiard table but you have to pay to use it.
Next, is Universal Studio Singapore day.
We slept until about 9 o'clock, then preparing our luggage for check out from the hotel then head straight to the airport. Our flight is around 2 p.m. To prevent the same overweight luggage my friend decided to wear her clothes almost altogether, in layers, and it is hot in Bangkok that day. The check out process was also a breeze, and they also gave me the cancelled receipt for my credit card transaction. We took the airportlink city line back and arrived around 12 o'clock. On check in process apparently ground airport duty staff on Bangkok is not as strict as the ones at Singapore, they don't even weight our luggage. After checking in, the immigration process, it is a long line there, almost take us half an hour just to get pass the immigration. No delay on the flight and we arrived back at Singapore safely. We go and take our left luggage first then head to our hostel, this time we choose Hangout @Mt. Emily hostel to stay in.
Alight at Little India MRT, we follow the instruction directed by google map application on phone, reached the Mt. Emily road and its a climb up the hill road, but ... almost at the end of the road after almost 15 minutes walking we haven't seen the hostel yet, only dark pathway and a hill, the sign says it is Mt. Emily park. So we search for a different route on google map, it directed us on another way, this time via the Wilkie road. So its another walk down the hill and going up the hill again, until we reached our hostel it took us about half an hour, walking, thankfully i carried a backpack, but my friend had to dragged her suitcase and its not light. And after we reached our room, there is a map there, and there i can see that from Mt. Emily road all we had to do is climb up Mt. Emily park, and when i tried it the next morning it gave us about 15 minutes walking time cut. Overall the hostel is much better then the first time we had, the room are bigger, bed are better, bathroom are more spacious, they even provide us towels, soaps and bottled water. After taking a rest, we decided to search for dinner, and apparently there is another cuttrough pathway just by the hostel entrance which will take us directly in the middle of Wilkie road. We had dinner at the nearest KFC, only 10 minutes walk. Overall the location is only 15 minutes from Little India MRT, if you know the pathway trough the park. After dinner we had back, copied photos and rest. This hostel had a free breakfast (i didnt get to try it), free coffee and tea all day and computers you can use. There is a billiard table but you have to pay to use it.
Next, is Universal Studio Singapore day.
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