Your trip report was very timely for me as we are leaving for Japan on Oct 26. Were you price quotes for your food bills for one or two people? Also, after reading your report, I'm wondering how much cash/pp I should plan on bringing for a 11 day trip. Did you exchange your money before you left home?<BR><BR>Thank you for spending the time to post your report.

Nice trip report, Kat.<BR><BR>BTW, The Shiseido Parlour is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1902 during the Meiji Era, it was one of the first restaurants in Japan serving western style foods such as croquettes and ice cream. It was a very fashionable place to dine back then.

Hi Evelyn,<BR><BR>The price quotes for meals and hotel stays were for 2 people, but I should mention that we're not drinkers and almost always just stuck with hot green tea.<BR><BR>If you don't want to bring too much cash, would a combination of Japanese yen, cash in your own currency and some travellers checks be a better option? You might lose a few bucks in the exchange rates when cashing in the traveller's checks, but I view it as cheap insurance. In any case just don't rely on getting cash at the ATM's with your credit cards, even if they might give better rates!<BR><BR>Will you be taking a lot of train rides? Most of the JR stations seem to accept credit cards. If you do not plan to buy a JR pass and would need individual tickets, you might want to buy some of them in advance at major JR stations which take credit cards - if you're certain you'll take those rides of course!<BR><BR>I hope you'll have a great time! :)

And thanks, Joe, for sharing the history of the Shiseido Parlour with us - I wasn't aware that we were dining in such a special place! How nice. :)<BR>I mean, actually they had brochures showing some special offers celebrating their 100th anniv but it didn't strike us how special such kinds of places would have been in Japan 100 years ago!

wow! great report Kat. I'm going to print this and save it for next trip. It sounds like you had a great time. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it up for us! <BR>Lucy

I forgot to post the websites we've found helpful--<BR><BR>JR Hokkaido<BR>http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html<BR><BR>Activities at Sounkyo<BR>http://www.sounkaku.co.jp/english/index2.htm<BR><BR>The Norokko Little Train (only runs in the summer)<BR>http://www.jrasahi.co.jp/under/norokko/norokko3.html<BR>

Hi, Kat -- Enjoyed your report very, very much and will print it out for our future trip to Japan. Was SUPPOSED to have been this Fall, but next Spring is probably more likely. Oh well, cherry blossom time is just as beautiful. <BR>Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and memories -- hope you'll keep adding details you may have forgotten the first time around!<BR>

I just realized that the 4-day central Hokkaido pass I talked about is only available for sale till Oct 28, and usable till Oct 31. But I'm sure they'll come up with other different sorts of new passes. Just keep your eyes open for info leaflets at the airport or ask your concierge to check the first few sections of the JR timetable for them!<BR><BR>Hi Ladybug -- glad you found the report useful. :) Spring will be a lovely season to go visit. How we envy you!!