Japan planning and SQ biz questions

[voulez]

Hi all, I’m assisting my sister in planning a two-week Japan honeymoon (ex-MEL) July this year using QFF and VA points. She’s thinking an outbound flight in Qantas economy (terrible value I know but QFF points are low and at least it’ll be a direct flight) and the inbound in SQ biz (barely enough points). Few questions:

1. Sis would like to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Hokkaido. She’s considering MEL-NRT/HND-(Hokkaido), shinkansen southbound to Tokyo and Kyoto, and maybe KIX-SIN-MEL. Any obvious route alternatives she should consider?

2. Any other towns/ cities along the Hokkaido-Kyoto route you’d highly recommend? Big foodie.

3. The KIX-SIN-MEL biz flight will cost 92k VA points – does that sound about right? How much cheaper can it get? Is it worthwhile converting to KF and looking for availability there? Also, why is availability for SQ biz to Asia (via VA) much better than flights elsewhere by other partners e.g. EY and DL?

4. Any preference for SQ biz on 333 (KIX-SIN) vs 77W (HND-SIN)? 380 vs 77W on the SIN-MEL flight? Which one/s have the new business class?

Thanks for your feedback!! Much appreciated

 

[Spongbob]

I suggest about 5 days each in Tokyo and Kyoto. Add travel time, and there is not much change from 2 weeks.

 

[Mattg]

For SQ business class, this one of the few redemption routes where it's actually better value to redeem directly with Velocity rather than KrisFlyer. If you were to redeem through KrisFlyer, it would cost you 77,500 miles which is equivalent to 104,625 Velocity points. You also pay less taxes/fuel surcharges with Velocity.

In terms of business class products, I would say that A380 > 77W > A330.

 

[voulez]

Thanks guys!!

 

[Genji88]

Especially if you're going through KIX anyway, I'd add 3-5 days in Osaka. Dotonbori in the Namba area of Osaka is the street food Capital of Japan, with Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki.

The shopping in nearby Shinsaibashi & America Mura is great for vintage & retro stuff.

 

[hm520]

I returned late last year from 3 weeks in Japan. I flew Qantas so I cannot advise on the flight questions. We didn't venture north but did visit Tokyo, Osaka, Hakone, Nagasaki, Kyoto.

We spent 5 days in Kyoto and I could have happily stayed longer there. The food was consistently of higher quality and was slightly cheaper. You can rent bikes easily and it is clearly the most efficient and best way to get around town.

Tokyo and Osaka both were consumption central and it appeared the locals were getting around and shopping like it was their national duty (it somewhat is I guess with their economy). We had two full days in Tokyo and Osaka and that was enough really. Dotonbori was interesting but in terms of food/culture it would have been no different than tourists walking down Cavill Avenue on surfers paradise.

The key for food in Japan is downloading Foursquare on your phone. Similar to urbanspoon/zomato in Australia/America, you can easily find good food with this App. We went to a number of places we wouldn't have otherwise found and the food was top notch and great value!

I can happily answer other questions if you have any.