A week ago I saw an advertisement on the train for JAS (Japan Air System) flights. So I gave them a call today. Tokyo to Fukuoka is 13,700 yen one way (Haneda airport: 6:50, 8:35, 9:50, 11:00, 12:20 & 17:05 daily allow discount fare basis). Fukuoka to Tokyo (Haneda: almost all flights -about 9 daily- allow discount fare). Tokyo to Sapporo for 16,000 yen one way, etc.. The information toll-free number is 0120-511-283. Non-toll-free for international calls +81 (3) 5457-5566. To get the discount fare the seat must be reserved at least one day in advance, but discount seats are limited so it is advisable to reserve as soon as you know your travel dates.

Domestic flights let children under three fly free (international flights the cut-off age is two). This might be an option to consider instead of a train pass. I checked and the discount fares are not being marketed abroad, but a ticket could be purchased using a credit card and calling the above phone number. They have competent English speakers on duty at least during the day

Hi! We have four children, 3,6,9,10 and are looking for interesting trips out of Tokyo, yet still within Japan. We aren't nearly as adventuresome as we could/should be, so we've been reluctant to venture too far. Any suggestions for kid-friendly overnight excursions?

The Tourist Information Center at the International Forum, Tokyo, has moved as of 1 April 2002.

They moved to Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan 10th floor (UFO-like building on the opposite side of Yuraku-cho station from the International Forum side)
2-10-1 Yuraku-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
tel: 03-3201-3331

The web sites for the Japan National Tourist Association and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau are listed on the Links page at:
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/links.html

These web sites are quite useful once you figure out how they are organized, and if they don't crash your hardware/software configuration.

Can anyone suggest any kid-friendly resources (restaurants, sights,parks, etc.) in Kyoto?
Thanks!

Has anyone tried night bus service between cities? I just read this ad in the Tokyo Notice Board, and am intrigued:
___________________________________
Bus/Every night. Are you planning a trip for Kansai? We're offering a convenient & comfortable bus trip everynight. Dept. from Yokohama/Shinjuku and arriving Kyoto/Osaka/USJ/Kobe. One way Y4,800, Round trip Y9,500. Now we also have information on cheap stays in Kyoto and Osaka (Y2,500 - 6,000/night) For more info/booking, call 03-5643-7006. (Mon-Fri 10:00 - 19:30) or check: http://www.nightbus.info

Hi Sandy, A few years ago I used the over night bus between Wakayama and Shinjuku. The bus is very comfortable, the seats reclined quite far back and there was some space between the seats so you don't feel like you are sitting on top of the person next to you. From memory, I think we left around 9pm and arrived around 7am. There was a toilet on the bus too.

The fourth annual Kudos Travel Fair is being held on Saturday March 12 this year at Toranomon Pastoral, a minute from Kamiyacho station and a short walk from Tokyo American Club.

Recognised as a major event in the international community calendar, this has become a great family day out.

For Tokyo with Kids community, this is an opportunity to enjoy a day out, to collect information in English for your 2005 travel plans, and the chance to win fabulous prizes.

Information is available for all your favorite destinations from Australia to USA to Europe, SE Asia and many more, and a specially expanded section on Japanese destinations and attractions including great value packages on JR East.

Great prizes will be given away throughout the day Einternational airline tickets, hotel stays and more. This year again, thanks to the generosity of Kudos partners, airline tickets sponsors include Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Qantas Holidays.

There are many fabulous prizes to be won. But you must be in the room to win. Be sure to bring your meishi (name card).

Admission to Kudos Travel Fair is FREE and open to all. Open from 10:30 to 16:00. DOOR PRIZES for the first 50 visitors.

Parking is available. For a map to the location, please visit www.jp-kudos.com.

Skiing in Japan - Can anyone tell me the name of the place people go skiing that is 2.5 hours from Tokyo on bullet train? Also, any recommendations for kids friendly ski resorts? Appreciate your help as we are new to Tokyo.

There are loads of ski resorts within 2 or 3 hours of Tokyo by bullet train, some very small with only five or six lifts, and others huge with cable cars and lots of facilities (eg Naeba). A good place to start finding out the options in English is the Ski Japan website:
http://www.snowjapan.com/e/index.php

One place we have found to be very child-friendly is Naspa, near Echigo Yuzawa station in Niigata (less than 2 hours from Tokyo on the shinkansen). It's a smallish resort run by the New Otani hotel group, and for several months each season has several young ski instructors from New Zealand who give lessons in English. The group classes for children are mainly in Japanese, but sometimes one of the NZ teachers also joins the group - you may be able to request this. There is also a childcare room for children aged 3 months to about six years. The runs aren't very challenging for really good skiers, but it's a good place for beginner/intermediate and for children learning to ski. The New Otani hotel is very swish and expensive, but there are also plenty of cheaper options in the town of Yuzawa, eg Japanese-style pensions, most of which have minibuses and will take you to and from Naspa or any of the other resorts in the area. The Naspa website is:
http://www.naspaskigarden.com/
but of course it's off season now so they don't have all the information up.

Have fun!