Help With My Trip....

Hi,
My sample budget is $155 AUD per day.
This includes food, transportation and spending. Would this be
enough? I don't intend to buy much, just a little here and there.

How do you use a JR pass? I mean, like, do you show someone before
you get on the train or something????

Anyone know a good hotel close to Shibuya station? Doesn't
have to be fantastic, just cheap, nice staff, internet connection.
I've heard of Mets Shibuya or something like that....

What is the maximum cost while travelling on the Yamanote line?
Like, what is the cost for the furthest distance from which ever
station I'm currently at/travelling from?

Has anyone here flown from Australia to Japan? How much did it
cost you and where did you fly from AND what airline did you use?
Any comment on the service of said airline?

How much is a JR pass? Well, I guess what I really mean is....
Is the price likely to go up anytime soon for any reason?

I charge my laptop by plugging it into a normal power-point. I will
be able to charge it at the hotel right? I've heard that some
electrionic things from Japan don't work in other countries and the
other way around, so will I be able to charge it? Actually, it's
a net-book.

I'm going to Hiroshima, but haven't planned that part of the trip
completely yet. How would I get there rfom Kyoto and how would
I get from there to Miyajima? Would I have to use any form of
transport that wouldn't enable me to use my JR pass?

What/where is, in your opinion, the most beautiful site in Japan?
I like to take lots of photos, so I would like to know
the most, err, magnificent place in Japan....

That reminds me, how would I charge my camera? I usually charge it
by plugging it into the computer....Wow, I just answered my own
question! But to plug it into my laptop, it would have to be charged,
so that brings us back to that topic....

I'm going from the very-near-end of March until the end of the start
of April, if that makes sense....So would I be seeing cherry blossoms?

Language barrier: Big affect on my trip???? Oh no, my Japanese is
not very goood and I'm not exactly an expert at pronouncing some
words....

Again, I need help from others who have travelled to Japan....
How much did it cost you total? Food, transportation, accomodation,
spending? What sort of things did you buy, what transpotation did
you use, quality of the hotel and types of food you ate?
Any other information/details?

Sorry it's so much....
Thanks!!!! XD

I have a photo site at
http://rodsrailpage.fotopic.net/
There is a message facility there to contact me. I have been to Japan five times and would be happy to help. I live in Melbourne.

About Japan Rail Pass:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
The price in Australian dollars would vary depending on the exchange rate.

About budgeting for your trip:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2410.html

About Yamanote line:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2370.html
I think from Ikebukuro to the opposite end, Shinagawa, would be 250yen or something like that.

The current exchange rate (which is quite bad at the moment) will give you about 10850yen per day for AUD$155. This is fine if it is just for food and travel around a city or short distance trips. Long distance trips are considerably more so you need to take that into account too.

I flew from Melbourne to Osaka via Brisbane with Jetstar for about $1000 return which is really cheap. I enjoyed their service and the plane was comfortable enough for me. I think they are having a sale for flights to Tokyo at the moment. Check out their website, take note that the prices it gives you doesn't take into account tax until the end so you need to select specific flights.

You will be fine not knowing how to speak Japanese. Lots of signs including all train stations (not necessarily off the beaten track ones) are written in Japanese and English and there are always people who can speak some English who can help you out.

BlackShinobiGurlx, while this is a wonderful site, you really should consider buying a guide book like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, as things like how to use a JR pass, how to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima and recommendations of hotels etc. are really basic stuff which any guide will tell you (and that includes the info already here on this site!) If you have a good guide book you will have all he information at your fingertips while travelling as well, which is important.

Hi,
I will be travelling to Japan in 2 weeks. I will be flying Singapore Airlines from Syd $858 return includes all taxes. This may not be the best airline for you if you are not planning a stopover in Singapore but I think there is a Jetstar special at the moment from Gold Coast around $200.

I got my JR pass for $416 from a Japanese travel agent in TGV (sydney).

As for Kyoto to Hiroshima, you can catch a JR train.

Thanks so much for all the help....
ONCE AGAIN, I made a mistake in my first post; My budget of $155 a day is only for food and spending. As I will have a JR pass, transportation won't be a very big deal!!!! Thanks again for all the help....