Tokyo- mount fuji trips and using credit and debit cards

Hello everyone

My husband and I are off to Tokyo on 7th April for a week. We are first timers to Japan.

We would be interested in going on a Mount Fuji trip. Has anyone done this and if so what are your experience of it? Should i book it here in the UK or wait until we are in Tokyo due to weather? CAn anyone suggest a tour company?

We are not able to get to places like Kyoto on this trip, but I think we might plan a second trip to Japan next year when we might travel about a bit more.

Also, regarding paying for things in Japan. Is it easy to pay for things with credit or debit cards in Japan. Also, regarding money, should I get some Yen in the UK or wait till we are out there. We are aware there may be charges but just wondered what other people%26#39;s experiences might have been.

Many thanks if you can offer us any help!

nic

Tokyo- mount fuji trips and using credit and debit cards

When you say ';Mount Fuji trip';, this can be interpreted many ways, as there is no one way to Mount Fuji, there are many trips in many different parts of Japan that offer a ';Mount Fuji'; experience.

If you mean climb mount Fuji, April is not climbing season for Mt. Fuji. July and August are the official climbing seasons for Mount Fuji.

If you simply want to see Mount Fuji, there are many different points you can see Mount Fuji, everything from Hakone, to Kawaguchiko, each one has a different mode of transit and are located in different areas.

As for using credit/debit cards. Major places like hotels will accept them, and major department stores, however many smaller ships, restaurants etc still accept cash only. Most train ticket vending machines will only accept cash. But usually ticket windows if you like to wait accept cards.

Its always good to have a mix of cash and cards when on the trips, use cards for hotels etc, cash for ';everyday'; spending.

Tokyo- mount fuji trips and using credit and debit cards

Hello Tokyosubway

Thanks for your reply. We are looking at a sightseeing day out really, not a climbing trip so to speak. I have seen one or two that involve a boat trip on Lake Ashi and lunch, Shinkansen return to Toyko. This is the sort of trip we are interested in, but I am just wondering if there are several companies offering the same tour (as there often are in busy cities) and also will there be a tour guide in English or will it be 4 different languages etc.

We are staying at Shinujku sunroute plaza hotel.

Are there any main tour companies in Tokyo do you think that offer tourists a good day out?

thanks again for replying!

nic

Hi dearlicious48

This may be a day trip you would be interested in. It goes to Hakone where you can get great views of Mt Fuji, weather permitting, and tour around the area on various types of transport.

www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html

They have a Tourist Information Centre in Shinjuku Station.

Sunrise Tours is one of Japan%26#39;s biggest tour operators and they have many tours to choose from but be aware if you are 1 minute late meeting their bus they will go without you and there is no refund no matter what your excuse is.

www.odakyu.jp/english/freepass/hakone_01.html

We will be arriving in Japan on 4 April for our first trip there.

Enjoy.

Pam

The so called %26#39;Hakone Loop%26#39; can easily be done by yourselves without paying a commission to a travel agency.

Trip report:

…blogspot.com/2008/08/one-day-trip-to-hakone…

You can make seat bookings for the Odakyu Romance Car running between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto with Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center via email. I%26#39;d suggest you to contact them before the trip.

www.odakyu.jp/english/center/index.html

Romance Car info:

http://www.odakyu.jp/english/rc/index.html

BTW, when you head to Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, you might want to take the Narita Express to Shinjuku directly from NRT with the %26#39;Suica and NEX%26#39; combo.

…blogspot.com/2008/07/narita-express-to-toky…

Access to Sunroute from the Narita Express track:

…blogspot.com/2008/07/way-to-sunroute-plaza-…