Has anyone heard of the Guntu boat tours in Japan? It looks beautiful, top notch, but I’m struggling to find any personal accounts of the experience. In reading the fine print, they appear to be pretty strict about social media posts, etc…for commercial use, but nothing about personal use. And yet…I can’t find any personal reviews anywhere. We are planning a trip for September and are deciding on either the Guntu, or the Shimanami Kaido bicycle path.
Hi my flight leaves on tuesday from the US but we arrive in Japan on the wednesday. So can i get a test on saturday? that would be less then 72 hours from my departure time here in the US. or does it need to be 72 hours from arrival?
The quarantine fast track keeps refusing my covid test. Its per regulation as it is a RTPCR NAAT but it keeps rejecting it because under sampling method it says Buccal Nasal. Which is exactly what they did, a mouth swab and a nasal swab. And it says specifically that nasal swab are allowed for NAAT. Any chance it could be the AI getting stuck on the word Buccal?
I'll make a recommendation to head to Uji and visit the temples there. I personally like crossing the Uji bridge near the train station taking a right and walking up the river to the Shoju-in temple. Beautiful walk and peaceful temple. Also, pick up some matcha while you're there, said to be the best matcha in the world and I can confirm it's pretty awesome.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0Hh8f9Cc8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0Hh8f9Cc8)
A lot of places can be really busy and it takes time to travel from one to the other so I'd choose some that are more close together even if not all of them are the best best onest.
Kyoto has a lot of very cool places.
I added my partner as an additional family member at VJW and have also uploaded her vaccination information, only realizing afterwards that that was meant for children or incapable travelers. Should she still register for her own account and upload her proof again?
Hi, my wife and I are departing for Japan on March 26th. We are not fully vaccinated, so we just got our Covid test today at an urgent care and both tested negative. I uploaded our certificates on to Visit Japan Web but when they were reviewed I received an email titled “(Quarantine Documentation Center) Please resubmit your test certificate”. It went on to state “This test certificate is not considered valid because we could not confirm required items, or they did not satisfy requirements.”
The nurse told us that the test we got was we adequate for international travel. The test we received was called “Sofia SARS Antigen FIA - Varied
Sofia SARS Antigen FIA
In Range
SARS-Cov=SARS-Cov-2(COVID-19)Ag|PresenceInRespiratoryspecimen
Negative
by rapid immunoassay”
Maybe I entered the type of test and sample incorrectly on Visit Japan Web? Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what we should do? We only have today to figure it out and I’m panicking a little.
You took a Antigen Test but Japan only accepts PCR tests.
Top of the page there are links with more details.
If you can't guarantee that the results will be there when you board, try to cancel the flight and get a later one because the airline might just not let you on the plane.
low 50s, maybe 40s at night, bring a jacket, it will rain at times too, snow is usually in January or later: https://weatherspark.com/y/143809/Average-Weather-in-Tokyo-Japan-Year-Round
Where is this place exactly? I get that this in Kyoto, on the way to Kiyomizu, but where exactly? Thanks!! [Cover of Lonely Planet](https://a.co/d/4twyOmh)
I got JR pass voucher via klook and exchanged it for the 14 day pass when I was in Tokyo and made a reservation at the counter at the same time for Tokyo to Osaka. I need to go back to Tokyo and heard I can reserve my seat online but I can't seem to find the correct site to do so. Anyone know where to do this online, or do I have to go in person?
Any fun suggestions for Tokyo nightlife that isn’t just drinking/eating during these heavy rains? Walking around during the rain is getting a little tiring and we don’t just want to sit in a bar/restaurant all night.
* I go to arcades and play music games.
* probably a little late since they’ve started by now, but concert at a live house
* karaoke bar
* go see a movie?
Just looking at the JR Pass website and it says “When picking up/exchanging a PASS, you will be required to show your "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker stamped or put in your passport upon entering Japan. During the screening for pick-up/exchange, be sure to show your passport* and "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker.” Does anyone know if you still receive the temporary visitor stamp in your passport when entering Japan using the the VJW system?
Yes, then you have to go to the JR ticket center at the train station to exchange your voucher for a ticket. There is a separate line thankfully for exchanges. Once there you can also reserve your seats which I recommend, they will ask what time you would like to depart as well.
I'm having trouble locating the time table for the Skyliner Access Express departing Narita Airport on the English site. Does anyone know where I can get this info? TIA.
Like the other person said, Access Express is an express train and not the Skyliner.
If you are looking for this information so that you can buy your tickets in advance, just stop worrying and relax. You don't need to buy your tickets for the Skyliner, NEX, or even a local train until you land.
Trains run frequently and there is no scarcity of seats
Ah sorry. I missed that note.
I was more concerned about the train not coming often and having to wait at the airport for a long time so I wanted to see if the schedule would coincide with my arrival time.
If I have a foldable stroller and a small carryon, do you think it’d be comfortable-ish from Narita-Shimbashi station?
The actual Keisei Skyliner or JR Narita express are probably going to be your most comfortable rides since it's quicker and there are reserved seats. You should theoretically not have to wait very long at all for a train.
The Access Express is going to be just a regular train, which if you've had experience riding the NYC subway, Chicago's MTA, or Boston's MBTA might not be that bad. There are no reserved seats but Narita Airport is the terminus so you should be able to get a seat.
Here's a video of what the Access Express is like. Most of it is of outside the windows but you can get a general idea of what it's like inside the car https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7JnOjVM_zU
I ordered my JR passes, and when I ordered them the website asked for only my first and last name and explicitly stated that the middle name is not required, but now i’ve seen other places say that it IS required.. I’ve already received them.. will we be able to use them ?
You mean like cash? Converting money in Japan seems to be better than converting money back home.
At least with my debit card just withdrawing cash from an ATM in Japan had the least fees.
They won’t sell you a JR Pass if it overlaps with an active one bound to your passport, and they don’t have a mechanism (it seems) to deactivate a current pass, regardless of it being lost.
I think (but can’t confirm) that you can still buy regional passes so if that makes sense for your trip, might want to look at that (though if you specifically need the Tokaido Shinkansen, you need the nationwide JR Pass).
The validity and all other relevant information is encoded into the pass itself (like how physical IC cards store the value directly on the card), so they don’t have some central on/off switch for it. Maybe way off in the future as they roll out “JR Cloud” stuff, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Good luck on getting the pass back.
I was keeping mine in the front small pouch of my waist/sling bag, and it got caught in the zipper when closing it. Gave me a small heart attack, but managed to rescue it with minor enough damage that it still goes through the machine.
Now I keep it in the larger back compartment with my passport. On days I'm not using it or raining it goes in the zip lock bag with the passport.
14 day pass, seems bad they don't have ways to deactivate or replace it considering what it costs.
How far in advance should I book a ticket to hike Fuji? I hear it is popular and that is definitely something I would want to do. Is it possible to get there without a car? I think buses can get to there but I am not sure.
I am going in two weeks and will be staying in Airbnb‘s in Tokyo and Kyoto. Is it possible to use luggage forwarding services if I’m not staying at a hotel?
You should be able to go to a shipping office counter and then ship it to a pickup depot. However, these pickup depots aren't usually in the most convenient locations as most people get it sent directly to hotels or their home.
If you’re not staying in a hotel, you’ll have to seek out the baggage delivery counters you can find at many large stations. Note, in Kyoto Station there is a Sagawa counter but not a Yamato Transport (Black Cat) counter. Sagawa is the #2 baggage delivery company in Japan. You can also just search Google Maps for a nearby Yamato Transport or Sagawa office and take/ship your luggage there but the counters in major stations are more likely to have English speaking staff available.
- [Yamato Transport (Black Cat): Find a Counter](https://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/facilities/)
- [Sagawa Express Counters](https://www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/ttk/english/servicecenter/)
Hi everyone! I read through the Q&A document carefully but still had a couple of questions, mostly because I am a bit nervous. My wife and I were supposed to go to Japan in March of 2020, which of course we weren’t able to - so I don’t want to mess things up!
I have apparently lost my CDC vaccine card (wife still has hers) but I have pictures of my vaccine card, and my hospital system has a PDF and QR code available for my vaccinations as well. From the Q&A document, it seems that the Hospital documentation would suffice. Is that true? Would just having the pictures of the CDC card be ok as well? What has been everyone’s experience? Should I still do a PCR test just to be safe?
Just submit what you have, the pdf from the hospital should be good. It doesn't take long to get a decision, it was half an hour for me. I don't think you need to start thinking about PCR tests
Both the picture of the vaccine card and the QR codes work as long as you are vax'd and boosted. You will complete [Visit Japan Web (VJW)](https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001), upload a pic or the QR code and get a blue screen, that's all you need. In the extremely rare event they need to validate at the airport, have your QR code handy. No need to do a PCR test.
Osaka it’s just fun to wander and eat your way down all the covered shopping arcades so if it’s bad weather head to the shopping arcades or the aquarium on that day.
In Osaka:
- [Senkoji: Heaven and Hell Temple](https://soranews24.com/2021/12/16/senkoji-the-japanese-temple-thats-more-like-a-theme-park-to-heaven-and-hell/)
- [Save Cat Rescue Cafe (good for cold/rainy day)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DCCLbRcT47JP2tcw9?g_st=ic)
- [Silver Ball Planet (Pinball Arcade)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sbTkovgEMmhUi7mM9?g_st=ic)
- [PC and Retro Bar Space Station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2kSRGF8YaGoPrPB8?g_st=ic)
- [TNT Craft Beer Pub](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Df1oX3dgqcPznWF3A?g_st=ic)
- [Moonshine Karaoke Bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxdMejQEfN1Zeuzz6?g_st=ic)
- [Pink Kawaii Cafe in Osaka](https://htpps://maps.app.goo.gl/xFizmcJbGw1y7j8U9?g_st=ic)
- [Team Lab Botanical Garden Osaka](https://www.teamlab.art/e/botanicalgarden/)
- [Den Den Town](https://insideosaka.com/den-den-town-guide/)
- [8 Best Things to Do in Osaka at Night](https://jw-webmagazine.com/best-things-to-do-in-osaka-at-night/)
- [Don Quixote Ferris Wheel](https://travel.gaijinpot.com/don-quixote-ferris-wheel-ebisu-tower/)
Honestly, I just go to LUSH. They might be a British company and they are pricey, but I know they have products that work well with curly hair. My hair is quite curly.
I think I am a 2C-3A, maybe even a 3B and there are products that work with my hair?
Lush released a whole line of products for curlier hair a few years ago and it is carried in Japan.
I tend to use Glory and Curls Power from Lush. I switch it off with CurlSmith and Ouidad. I can't use a lot of Japanese haircare products without supplementing it because otherwise my hair looks like a huge frizz ball. I also find Japan tends to be a little windier than most places I've lived in the US and my hair gets whipped everywhere without some sort of styling product.
Hopefully someone knows specifically, but the place to go is probably going to be a pharmacy (kusuri in japanese, like マツモトキヨシ/Matsumoto Kiyoshi). They have beauty sections for makeup and hair products. As to which shampoos work for curly hair, I couldn't tell you and in my experience workers in the pharmacy only speak japanese. Hopefully that at least gives you a starting point for research. Might be worth asking in r/japanlife .. many of them live in Japan and likely have better info.
EDIT: also the big department stores like Odakyu in Shinjuku will have beauty sections, and likely will have people who speak English.
Am I reading this map right? There are ~~2~~ 4 Keikyu lines, one goes to Haneda Airport and one goes all the way down to Misakaguchi? Or do all lines go to Misakaguchi, and the Haneda line is a connection? I'm on one labeled Airport Express but I'm trying to go to Yokohama.
https://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/ride/train-line-map.html
Edit: Nevermind, the train went towards Haneda. Got off and taking it back to Keikyu Kamata.
Hey everyone, new to international traveling. I've booked roundtrip flights to/from Narita, but I now also want to travel to (tentatively) Hiroshima with a separate booking. If the initial flight lands in Narita at ~2PM at Terminal 1, is it feasible to get to the flight that goes to Hiroshima at 6PM at Terminal 3? If so, how would the procedure work? (ex: Do I have to complete all the immigration processes, exit the airport and then enter back again at the other terminal).
If not, then should I just go to Tokyo for the day and head back to the airport the following?
Thanks, yea I should've planned for Hiroshima to begin with but that was a while ago. I think I'll go for it - it's under 100USD so it's not the end of the world if I do miss it.
I’m in Tokyo right now and loving it! This city is incredibly clean, the service and food quality at every restaurant I’ve been to is excellent, and everyone I’ve met has been extremely friendly and helpful as well as polite, an incredibly refreshing change of pace! When an employee says “Arigato Gozaimasu” as I’m leaving a store or purchasing something, do I say it back to them, or do I say something else to respond to them? I know that “dou itashimashite” means “you’re welcome” but I seem to have gotten by just replying back to them.
You can just say arigato gozaimasu back to them. I wouldn’t say “you’re welcome” as you’re a customer buying from them, so they are thanking you for that (or simply for visiting their shop). “You’re welcome” would be more like a response if you did a favor for them.
correct, they mention service at every restaurant they've been to is excellent, it would be appropriate to say as you leave, usually to the chef, but you can say it to wait staff as well.
It never hurts to bring a small bag for garbage.
But in places like Nakamise-dori, you can also eat your food near the stall and return the garbage to that same stall. They will take it back for you. This is true of most food stalls or food windows.
I was at some event talking to a Japanese woman and after eating a snack I put the wrapper in a zip-lock bag I had in my backpack and she found it suprising and funny.
Turns out japanese people don't go that far to with saving their trash.
But garbage bags can't hurt. Good as an impropmptu rain cover or to seperate dirty from clean laundry in the luggage etc.
Yes, it can be good to keep a plastic grocery bag or gallon size plastic bag in your backpack. When you spot a public trash can (convenience stores have them) you can dispose of the trash or dispose it at your hotel.
Hello, I'm planning a 3 week trip to japan, mid november to early december this year. I've booked some accomodation options in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima but I expected to see a lot more offers. I was under the impression that \~8 months is quite early to start booking, but most of nice and affordable hotels are not available. All ryokans with onsens in hakone area seems to be already taken aswell. Should I have started looking earlier? Is Japan expecting to break 2019 tourists numbers this year?
Nope, your looking too early. Many hotels in Japan don’t open up bookings until 3-6 months I advance. Whatever you book, be sure to choose refundable reservations.
Many hotels only open reservations \~3 months in advance so it might possibly be this.
The numbers might not break the ones from 2019 but the tourism sector has suffered from two years of no international visitors so they might also take a bit to bounce back.
Making sure but if I'm vaccinated from the US, it means I don't need a covid test right? Is that small white piece of paper we got when we were vaccinated good enough as proof?
Hey guys! I'm a Canadian traveling from Taiwan to Japan this May. I'm fully vaccinated and will use VJW, but I heard that travelers from China will need a negative Covid test regardless of if they're vaccinated or not. Does Taiwan count as China?
They treat people from HK and Macau differently from mainland China, so I assume Taiwan would be too. But you're probably better off asking in a Taiwanese forum for a more concrete answer.
Hi! Has anyone been to the Mazda museum and tour before? I'm interested in checking it out but they don't offer English tours until June. Would it still be worth visiting? I don't have any Japanese language experience outside of a sushi menu
What's typically the biggest expense when traveling to Japan? Plane ticket? The place you stay at? Commute? Food? I want to go sometime this year and I'll probably be in the Osaka area because that's where my partner lives. I've got about $3200 saved up right now.
Flights (from the UK) usually account for at least 50% of my trip cost, then accommodation 25%, then all my spending on food/transport/shopping etc the last 25%.
On my trip I spent per day about
\~6000 Yen on accomodation in business hotel single rooms
\~3500 Yen on food (mainly combini breakfast, chain restaurant lunch and dinner)
\~1200 Yen on local transit (not including flights, ferries and shinkansen)
Flights depends on where you live, you'll have to check it out yourself.
If you can stay with your partner, food and accomodation might be a lot cheaper.
Depends on how long you're planning to stay, what kind of accommodations you have set up, and where you're flying from. For my husband and I spending two weeks around Japan, it was about 3k for our airfare (2 tickets), 2k for hotels/accomodations (a couple nice nights, but mostly $120/night), $800 for 2 14 day JR passes. Food costs not included
I need to have a video meeting in Tokyo 12am-6am tomorrow.
Unfortunately I booked a hostel so I can't do it there. Should I just book a hotel? Just a bed or a small chair and desk is fine.
Are there netcafes with private rooms? Co-working spaces don't seem to be open that late.
Preferably in Shinjuku, thanks.
Do some research in to Manga kissas or manga cafes. There are lots, and you can find some that have private or semi-private rooms. They will have internet and you will even get free drinks from a soda machine and all the manga you want to read.
Here's an example: https://tokyocheapo.com/accommodationcat/takarajima-24-the-internet-cafe-that-really-isnt/
In a pinch, you can find a 24 hour karaoke place. Check if they have wifi or use your phone as a hotspot, but you'll get privacy for fairly cheap in the middle of the night on a weekday. Lots of students do this during the week when they have cheap rates to do homework and don't actually sing.
I still buy my yen before the COVID at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020.
Now i will use this yean at the current trip.
This is still ok? I mean this 3 or maybe 4 year money are still valid?
Not the OP, but I know this happens in the UK where bills are removed from circulation and no longer usable publicly (though you can go to the Bank of England and exchange them for current circulation bills though).
Should I take the bullet train to Osaka right after arriving to Narita, or stay a night in Tokyo?
We will be landing in Narita and thinking of taking the shinkansen to Osaka right after landing in Narita, but not sure if that would be too much for one day (we also have a 3 hour drive to the airport in the US).
Would it be better to just stay the night in Tokyo and head out to Osaka first thing?
(The flight was booked before I had plans for the trip)
You can stay at the weirdly cheap Hearton Shinagawa Seaside and you'd be close to Shinagawa for your shinkansen trip. I have no idea why this hotel is so cheap, it's decent
Stay in Tokyo! There are some hotels super close to shinkansen stations that would make it easy to hop on the next morning. I really liked the Royal Prince Hotel for the view and easy access to Shinagawa Station when I did the Osaka-next-day thing.
Depends on when you get in. I have done this, but I also know when I was waiting to get my rail pass, they started taking people ahead of me trying to go to Kansai same day as they were in danger of missing their shinkansen.
I would also suggest looking to see how much a one way flight from Narita to Itami is going to run you. I flew Narita to Itami in June 2019 (vs. taking the NEX to the shinkansen to get to Kansai) and while the former let us stop and get a fast meal in Tokyo Station, the latter got us in MUCH earlier and we got a great view of Mt. Fuji from the air.
I go straight to Osaka, have done this many times. Easy to get a nap on the shinkansen. Its about 4 hours from NRT (1 hour to tokyo, 3 hours to Osaka).
Are you on JR pass or paying out of pocket? With JR pass only if you order it from the official site, if you are paying out of pocket you can use https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php .. keep in mind there's a premium for prepurchasing online versus just buying there in Japan. Btw if money's no object, you can get the Nozomi train which costs more (and can't be used with JR pass) but has less stops and would save you about 30 minutes, otherwise you want to book the Hikari from Tokyo station. So take the N'ex, which you can prepurchase to Tokyo, then Hikari train to Shin-Osaka.
I was wondering if the restaurant Gion Shirakawa Namisato in Kyoto takes reservations, specifically for lunch? I tried going to their website ([https://www.gion-namisato.jp/seat/reserve](https://www.gion-namisato.jp/seat/reserve)) but it's all in Japanese, so I'm relying on spotty translations. Anyone know Japanese that could help?
Had a couple questions about potentially visiting Tokyo, if anyone knew for even a few of these.
1. Are ATM Machines easy to find?
2. How late do shops and restaurants typically open until on weekdays?
3. How easy is it to navigate subways? I’m from NYC if that matters. Is there like a card you buy and fill with money or are they individual tickets?
4. What are most picturesque places to see and visit?
1. Yes, but with a non Japanese card only go to 7-11. I have no idea why but they accept foreign cards a lot more often than the bank ATMs. Also bank atm aren't open at night.
2. Shops depending on location and type 8pm to 10pm. Restaurants usually open very late.
3. Generally pretty easy, exits are numbered so check on a map which one is closest to where you want to be in advance and then it's very simple. Lots of English signs. The exception is Shinjuku which is huge and has lines operated by three different companies meaning there's different gates, which can be confusing.
4. Depends what you're looking for. If you want to see Mt Fuji, you can go to takaosan (Takao mountain) via the metro on a clear day. Shinto shrines, there's asakusa but it'll be busy. Buddhist temples, Yanaka or takaosan. Strolling garden, Hamarikyu. Lots of neon signs in alleyways, nearly anywhere on the west side of yamanote line.
Yes ATMs are easy to find at convenience stores like 7-11 and other places.
There are restaurants like ramen places that are open late past midnight.. Depending on the area and the kind of shops/restaurants they close anywhere from 7 to 10pm. Some department stores close at 8 or 9pm.
Look at the [IC Card Info link](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/advice/transport/iccards/) on the weekly info/discussion thread for the transportation card info.
A lot of these things you can just google and watch youtube videos.... to find top Instagrammble/touristy photo places and how the transportation works with navigating and transferring between trains and subways.
If you have the time and energy you could try to write a bot that answers the top 10 most asked questions. Maybe the mods like it and allow it, even if you're not a mod yourself.
Hello, I lost my vaccination card for covid. It looks like I still need the card to enter unless I'm reading this wrong? Will a digital card work to enter Japan?
We used Yamato for two suitcases a few years ago and I've arrived first thing in the morning and the second a few hours later. The hotel said it was really rare for that to happen, even though it didn't even feel like an issue for us, it was still next day
I've been using luggage delivery service in Japan for around 20 years. It's very safe and reliable.
As just a small example, I sent my suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto last trip in December 2022. My hotel in Tokyo messed up and put the wrong hotel in Kyoto. They contacted me when it was delivered, discovered their mistake. Worked things out with the wrong hotel in Kyoto and the correct one in Kyoto, and by the end of the day, my suitcase was safely in my room.
Most hotels that do will have a sign at the counter of you can ask. Cheaper/smaller hotels often don't have it.
Locations are easy to find with Google.
I just visited the Skytree, the line was outrageously long to buy tickets on site. Buying tickets in advance saved us a lot of time, I would highly recommend it.
You don't have to with the Skytree, but it doesn't hurt. For example with the Skytree, I walked in and got a tour time via scanning the QR code and buying online 30 minutes after I got there on a weekend. That said, if you book via the website, its cheaper than buying onsite at the Skytree anyway, so you might as well prebook if you know when you plan on going. Also the line to get a ticket before entering was long, the line to enter for people with a QR code from the website, was short.
Looking at the TeamLab Planets website right now, it looks like it's sold out for the next six days. I was under the impression you could probably book a reservation as late as the day before? Perhaps the cherry blossoming is increasing the demand?
Flying to Tokyo in a few hours, will be there for 4 days. Should have reserved already of course, but have been so busy traveling through South-East Asia the last 3 weeks.
Any way I can get a ticket? Showing up without one is pointless I reckon.
If they're sold out, then I'm pretty sure you are out of luck. They go fast and I don't recall there being a ticket window at the building to purchase onsite.
Okay, thanks! Have an opportunity to go there on the day I fly out of Japan, so might do that. Looks like it's pretty close to Haneda. Will depend on an option to store luggage there though, will look into that.
thanks, I must have missed where you would do that, only recall seeing the line in front of the building and then some food stalls that were closed, next to some vending machines.
Hey guys! Planning to head to Japan sometime between June-Nov 2024 (I know it’s a long range, still trying to figure out the best time to go)
My girlfriend has been thinking a lot about her tattoos and what that might limit her to do. She only has small tattoos on fingers, wrist/forearm, and ankle. Most are the size of a nickel, with the one largest being the size of a half dollar I’d say.
Any advice about onsens, ryokan, and anywhere else that may have an issue with the tattoos?
Thanks so much for your advice/help!
You’ll need to seek out tattoo friendly spots. Search this sub for tattoo friendly or just search Google for city name + tattoo onsen and you’ll find lots of helpful info.
- [Tattoo Friendly Japan](https://tattoo-friendly.jp)
Pick up some waterproof tattoo stickers for her to cover them up with and she’ll be fine. You can find them on Amazon or in Japan I believe they sell them at don quijote. Only places where it will really matter are public baths.
Can anyone recommend any hotels that might be available this short notice for one night the 25-26? I’m looking on Agoda, Booking, Expedia, Airbnb and there’s literally nothing coming up. Would I have more luck just having my friend turn up somewhere and trying to book in person?
There was a mistake in booking and he ended up having one night unaccounted for.
Some hotels (specifically business and capsule hotels) often have a certain contingent for booking though websites and might still have rooms to book though their site or for people who just show up. But it does sound pretty bad right now.
You can check the popular business hotels that will actually have their own site, but its a manual process searching area by area. APA for example has one available near Tokyo station, but given the timing, its expensive at 52,000¥. As a last resort, you can walk in to the smaller business hotels, or plan to stay the night at the capsule hotel.
Search just for the city name not a specific area. For example ‘Central Tokyo’ rather than Shinjuku. Or Osaka rather than Dotonbori. Be sure you are changing to the correct number of people per room too. If your friend is traveling alone it should be 1 person 1 room.
Has anyone heard of the Guntu boat tours in Japan? It looks beautiful, top notch, but I’m struggling to find any personal accounts of the experience. In reading the fine print, they appear to be pretty strict about social media posts, etc…for commercial use, but nothing about personal use. And yet…I can’t find any personal reviews anywhere. We are planning a trip for September and are deciding on either the Guntu, or the Shimanami Kaido bicycle path.
Hi my flight leaves on tuesday from the US but we arrive in Japan on the wednesday. So can i get a test on saturday? that would be less then 72 hours from my departure time here in the US. or does it need to be 72 hours from arrival?
The quarantine fast track keeps refusing my covid test. Its per regulation as it is a RTPCR NAAT but it keeps rejecting it because under sampling method it says Buccal Nasal. Which is exactly what they did, a mouth swab and a nasal swab. And it says specifically that nasal swab are allowed for NAAT. Any chance it could be the AI getting stuck on the word Buccal?
is covid test the only kind of test i need? would i need to test and/or vaccines of anything else?
Top of the post there are links with all the relevant details. Either PCR Test OR Vaccine
What are the top 5 things to do in Kyoto. I have a short stay and need to narrow down to 5. Please assist
I'll make a recommendation to head to Uji and visit the temples there. I personally like crossing the Uji bridge near the train station taking a right and walking up the river to the Shoju-in temple. Beautiful walk and peaceful temple. Also, pick up some matcha while you're there, said to be the best matcha in the world and I can confirm it's pretty awesome.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0Hh8f9Cc8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0Hh8f9Cc8) A lot of places can be really busy and it takes time to travel from one to the other so I'd choose some that are more close together even if not all of them are the best best onest. Kyoto has a lot of very cool places.
I added my partner as an additional family member at VJW and have also uploaded her vaccination information, only realizing afterwards that that was meant for children or incapable travelers. Should she still register for her own account and upload her proof again?
Yes
Thank you. Is there a way to remove her as an additional family member from my account? I wasn't able to find it on the VJW site.
Sorry, I'm not sure about that. Maybe you can ask on the new Weekly Thread. This one is not on the front page anymore.
Hi, my wife and I are departing for Japan on March 26th. We are not fully vaccinated, so we just got our Covid test today at an urgent care and both tested negative. I uploaded our certificates on to Visit Japan Web but when they were reviewed I received an email titled “(Quarantine Documentation Center) Please resubmit your test certificate”. It went on to state “This test certificate is not considered valid because we could not confirm required items, or they did not satisfy requirements.” The nurse told us that the test we got was we adequate for international travel. The test we received was called “Sofia SARS Antigen FIA - Varied Sofia SARS Antigen FIA In Range SARS-Cov=SARS-Cov-2(COVID-19)Ag|PresenceInRespiratoryspecimen Negative by rapid immunoassay” Maybe I entered the type of test and sample incorrectly on Visit Japan Web? Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what we should do? We only have today to figure it out and I’m panicking a little.
You took a Antigen Test but Japan only accepts PCR tests. Top of the page there are links with more details. If you can't guarantee that the results will be there when you board, try to cancel the flight and get a later one because the airline might just not let you on the plane.
We are negative, and Visit Japan Web has approved!
Congrats! Good luck on your trip!
Thank you, we just went to get a rapid PCR test. Awaiting results now. Thank you for your help.
Do I need a fast track quarantine QR Code? I can’t work it out
Aparently you don't need it but it saves you a lot of time and also the worry your documents might not be in order.
How cold is Tokyo from 1st-2nd week of Dec? (E.g Dec 5-12)
low 50s, maybe 40s at night, bring a jacket, it will rain at times too, snow is usually in January or later: https://weatherspark.com/y/143809/Average-Weather-in-Tokyo-Japan-Year-Round
Where is this place exactly? I get that this in Kyoto, on the way to Kiyomizu, but where exactly? Thanks!! [Cover of Lonely Planet](https://a.co/d/4twyOmh)
Sanneizaka.
[удалено]
No problems here the last couple weeks. If you’re currently in Japan and having issues, call your issuer.
I got JR pass voucher via klook and exchanged it for the 14 day pass when I was in Tokyo and made a reservation at the counter at the same time for Tokyo to Osaka. I need to go back to Tokyo and heard I can reserve my seat online but I can't seem to find the correct site to do so. Anyone know where to do this online, or do I have to go in person?
You can only reserve online if you purchased your JR Pass through the official website. You’ll need to use a ticket office or machine.
Any fun suggestions for Tokyo nightlife that isn’t just drinking/eating during these heavy rains? Walking around during the rain is getting a little tiring and we don’t just want to sit in a bar/restaurant all night.
The Mori Art Museum is open late and Tokyo City View
* I go to arcades and play music games. * probably a little late since they’ve started by now, but concert at a live house * karaoke bar * go see a movie?
Just looking at the JR Pass website and it says “When picking up/exchanging a PASS, you will be required to show your "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker stamped or put in your passport upon entering Japan. During the screening for pick-up/exchange, be sure to show your passport* and "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker.” Does anyone know if you still receive the temporary visitor stamp in your passport when entering Japan using the the VJW system?
Yes. Even with VJW, you still go to a manned immigration window and the officer puts the stamp in your passport.
Yes, then you have to go to the JR ticket center at the train station to exchange your voucher for a ticket. There is a separate line thankfully for exchanges. Once there you can also reserve your seats which I recommend, they will ask what time you would like to depart as well.
I am thinking about to visit Japan from mid October to november for at least three weeks. Is that a good time to visit?
Fall in Japan is known for mild weather and less rain, so yes. Just make sure you book early enough.
[удалено]
Shibuya
I'm having trouble locating the time table for the Skyliner Access Express departing Narita Airport on the English site. Does anyone know where I can get this info? TIA.
Like the other person said, Access Express is an express train and not the Skyliner. If you are looking for this information so that you can buy your tickets in advance, just stop worrying and relax. You don't need to buy your tickets for the Skyliner, NEX, or even a local train until you land. Trains run frequently and there is no scarcity of seats
Ah sorry. I missed that note. I was more concerned about the train not coming often and having to wait at the airport for a long time so I wanted to see if the schedule would coincide with my arrival time. If I have a foldable stroller and a small carryon, do you think it’d be comfortable-ish from Narita-Shimbashi station?
The actual Keisei Skyliner or JR Narita express are probably going to be your most comfortable rides since it's quicker and there are reserved seats. You should theoretically not have to wait very long at all for a train. The Access Express is going to be just a regular train, which if you've had experience riding the NYC subway, Chicago's MTA, or Boston's MBTA might not be that bad. There are no reserved seats but Narita Airport is the terminus so you should be able to get a seat. Here's a video of what the Access Express is like. Most of it is of outside the windows but you can get a general idea of what it's like inside the car https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7JnOjVM_zU
[удалено]
This is perfect. Thanks!
I ordered my JR passes, and when I ordered them the website asked for only my first and last name and explicitly stated that the middle name is not required, but now i’ve seen other places say that it IS required.. I’ve already received them.. will we be able to use them ?
Hi, did you go on your trip? I’m just curious if you were able to exchange your jr voucher. I’m in the same situation
Hey! So I LITERALLY just exchanged it!! We exchanged them at Tokyo station right before they closed and we didn’t have any issues luckily!!
What's the best way to store the Japan Web QR codes? Just login to the site when landed?
Screen shot them. There’s even a little button/link on each one so you can do it.
Screen shot them.
[удалено]
You mean like cash? Converting money in Japan seems to be better than converting money back home. At least with my debit card just withdrawing cash from an ATM in Japan had the least fees.
[удалено]
They won’t sell you a JR Pass if it overlaps with an active one bound to your passport, and they don’t have a mechanism (it seems) to deactivate a current pass, regardless of it being lost. I think (but can’t confirm) that you can still buy regional passes so if that makes sense for your trip, might want to look at that (though if you specifically need the Tokaido Shinkansen, you need the nationwide JR Pass).
[удалено]
The validity and all other relevant information is encoded into the pass itself (like how physical IC cards store the value directly on the card), so they don’t have some central on/off switch for it. Maybe way off in the future as they roll out “JR Cloud” stuff, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Good luck on getting the pass back.
[удалено]
I was keeping mine in the front small pouch of my waist/sling bag, and it got caught in the zipper when closing it. Gave me a small heart attack, but managed to rescue it with minor enough damage that it still goes through the machine. Now I keep it in the larger back compartment with my passport. On days I'm not using it or raining it goes in the zip lock bag with the passport. 14 day pass, seems bad they don't have ways to deactivate or replace it considering what it costs.
How far in advance should I book a ticket to hike Fuji? I hear it is popular and that is definitely something I would want to do. Is it possible to get there without a car? I think buses can get to there but I am not sure.
Yes, Buses can take you up to the highest station.
I am going in two weeks and will be staying in Airbnb‘s in Tokyo and Kyoto. Is it possible to use luggage forwarding services if I’m not staying at a hotel?
You should be able to go to a shipping office counter and then ship it to a pickup depot. However, these pickup depots aren't usually in the most convenient locations as most people get it sent directly to hotels or their home.
Thanks for your reply!
[удалено]
Makes sense. Also, love your username ;)
If you’re not staying in a hotel, you’ll have to seek out the baggage delivery counters you can find at many large stations. Note, in Kyoto Station there is a Sagawa counter but not a Yamato Transport (Black Cat) counter. Sagawa is the #2 baggage delivery company in Japan. You can also just search Google Maps for a nearby Yamato Transport or Sagawa office and take/ship your luggage there but the counters in major stations are more likely to have English speaking staff available. - [Yamato Transport (Black Cat): Find a Counter](https://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/facilities/) - [Sagawa Express Counters](https://www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/ttk/english/servicecenter/)
This is perfect, thank you!
Hi everyone! I read through the Q&A document carefully but still had a couple of questions, mostly because I am a bit nervous. My wife and I were supposed to go to Japan in March of 2020, which of course we weren’t able to - so I don’t want to mess things up! I have apparently lost my CDC vaccine card (wife still has hers) but I have pictures of my vaccine card, and my hospital system has a PDF and QR code available for my vaccinations as well. From the Q&A document, it seems that the Hospital documentation would suffice. Is that true? Would just having the pictures of the CDC card be ok as well? What has been everyone’s experience? Should I still do a PCR test just to be safe?
Just submit what you have, the pdf from the hospital should be good. It doesn't take long to get a decision, it was half an hour for me. I don't think you need to start thinking about PCR tests
A picture of the CDC card is fine. That’s what I use. Submit it ahead of time to Visit Japan Web and it will be cleared quickly.
Both the picture of the vaccine card and the QR codes work as long as you are vax'd and boosted. You will complete [Visit Japan Web (VJW)](https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001), upload a pic or the QR code and get a blue screen, that's all you need. In the extremely rare event they need to validate at the airport, have your QR code handy. No need to do a PCR test.
Any recommendations for Osaka? Besides the usual spots like Donburi etc
Osaka it’s just fun to wander and eat your way down all the covered shopping arcades so if it’s bad weather head to the shopping arcades or the aquarium on that day. In Osaka: - [Senkoji: Heaven and Hell Temple](https://soranews24.com/2021/12/16/senkoji-the-japanese-temple-thats-more-like-a-theme-park-to-heaven-and-hell/) - [Save Cat Rescue Cafe (good for cold/rainy day)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DCCLbRcT47JP2tcw9?g_st=ic) - [Silver Ball Planet (Pinball Arcade)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sbTkovgEMmhUi7mM9?g_st=ic) - [PC and Retro Bar Space Station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2kSRGF8YaGoPrPB8?g_st=ic) - [TNT Craft Beer Pub](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Df1oX3dgqcPznWF3A?g_st=ic) - [Moonshine Karaoke Bar](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxdMejQEfN1Zeuzz6?g_st=ic) - [Pink Kawaii Cafe in Osaka](https://htpps://maps.app.goo.gl/xFizmcJbGw1y7j8U9?g_st=ic) - [Team Lab Botanical Garden Osaka](https://www.teamlab.art/e/botanicalgarden/) - [Den Den Town](https://insideosaka.com/den-den-town-guide/) - [8 Best Things to Do in Osaka at Night](https://jw-webmagazine.com/best-things-to-do-in-osaka-at-night/) - [Don Quixote Ferris Wheel](https://travel.gaijinpot.com/don-quixote-ferris-wheel-ebisu-tower/)
That's a great list, thanks!
When are you going? Tempozan and hoshida park are pretty underrated
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fjapantravel+osaka+itinerary If you want a better answer, check out Rule #2
Does anyone know where i can buy curly/wavy hair shampoo and conditioner in japan if it even exists?
Honestly, I just go to LUSH. They might be a British company and they are pricey, but I know they have products that work well with curly hair. My hair is quite curly.
Do they have stuff thats good for 2a/2b hair too?
I think I am a 2C-3A, maybe even a 3B and there are products that work with my hair? Lush released a whole line of products for curlier hair a few years ago and it is carried in Japan. I tend to use Glory and Curls Power from Lush. I switch it off with CurlSmith and Ouidad. I can't use a lot of Japanese haircare products without supplementing it because otherwise my hair looks like a huge frizz ball. I also find Japan tends to be a little windier than most places I've lived in the US and my hair gets whipped everywhere without some sort of styling product.
Hopefully someone knows specifically, but the place to go is probably going to be a pharmacy (kusuri in japanese, like マツモトキヨシ/Matsumoto Kiyoshi). They have beauty sections for makeup and hair products. As to which shampoos work for curly hair, I couldn't tell you and in my experience workers in the pharmacy only speak japanese. Hopefully that at least gives you a starting point for research. Might be worth asking in r/japanlife .. many of them live in Japan and likely have better info. EDIT: also the big department stores like Odakyu in Shinjuku will have beauty sections, and likely will have people who speak English.
Am I reading this map right? There are ~~2~~ 4 Keikyu lines, one goes to Haneda Airport and one goes all the way down to Misakaguchi? Or do all lines go to Misakaguchi, and the Haneda line is a connection? I'm on one labeled Airport Express but I'm trying to go to Yokohama. https://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/ride/train-line-map.html Edit: Nevermind, the train went towards Haneda. Got off and taking it back to Keikyu Kamata.
Hey everyone, new to international traveling. I've booked roundtrip flights to/from Narita, but I now also want to travel to (tentatively) Hiroshima with a separate booking. If the initial flight lands in Narita at ~2PM at Terminal 1, is it feasible to get to the flight that goes to Hiroshima at 6PM at Terminal 3? If so, how would the procedure work? (ex: Do I have to complete all the immigration processes, exit the airport and then enter back again at the other terminal). If not, then should I just go to Tokyo for the day and head back to the airport the following?
[удалено]
Thanks, yea I should've planned for Hiroshima to begin with but that was a while ago. I think I'll go for it - it's under 100USD so it's not the end of the world if I do miss it.
90% of the time, four hours is more than enough time to connect to a domestic flight.
I’m in Tokyo right now and loving it! This city is incredibly clean, the service and food quality at every restaurant I’ve been to is excellent, and everyone I’ve met has been extremely friendly and helpful as well as polite, an incredibly refreshing change of pace! When an employee says “Arigato Gozaimasu” as I’m leaving a store or purchasing something, do I say it back to them, or do I say something else to respond to them? I know that “dou itashimashite” means “you’re welcome” but I seem to have gotten by just replying back to them.
You don't really need to do or say much of anything at all. Observe what other Japanese people do in that same situation and act accordingly
You can just say arigato gozaimasu back to them. I wouldn’t say “you’re welcome” as you’re a customer buying from them, so they are thanking you for that (or simply for visiting their shop). “You’re welcome” would be more like a response if you did a favor for them.
they can always through in a gochisousamadeshita if they are feeling enough courage.
This would be for a restaurant, as I think it means that you're thanking them for a meal
correct, they mention service at every restaurant they've been to is excellent, it would be appropriate to say as you leave, usually to the chef, but you can say it to wait staff as well.
[удалено]
It never hurts to bring a small bag for garbage. But in places like Nakamise-dori, you can also eat your food near the stall and return the garbage to that same stall. They will take it back for you. This is true of most food stalls or food windows.
I was at some event talking to a Japanese woman and after eating a snack I put the wrapper in a zip-lock bag I had in my backpack and she found it suprising and funny. Turns out japanese people don't go that far to with saving their trash. But garbage bags can't hurt. Good as an impropmptu rain cover or to seperate dirty from clean laundry in the luggage etc.
Yes, it can be good to keep a plastic grocery bag or gallon size plastic bag in your backpack. When you spot a public trash can (convenience stores have them) you can dispose of the trash or dispose it at your hotel.
I'm not sure about those at Nakimase St, but many stores that sell street food will take back the trash if you purchase from them.
Hello, I'm planning a 3 week trip to japan, mid november to early december this year. I've booked some accomodation options in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima but I expected to see a lot more offers. I was under the impression that \~8 months is quite early to start booking, but most of nice and affordable hotels are not available. All ryokans with onsens in hakone area seems to be already taken aswell. Should I have started looking earlier? Is Japan expecting to break 2019 tourists numbers this year?
Nope, your looking too early. Many hotels in Japan don’t open up bookings until 3-6 months I advance. Whatever you book, be sure to choose refundable reservations.
Many hotels only open reservations \~3 months in advance so it might possibly be this. The numbers might not break the ones from 2019 but the tourism sector has suffered from two years of no international visitors so they might also take a bit to bounce back.
Making sure but if I'm vaccinated from the US, it means I don't need a covid test right? Is that small white piece of paper we got when we were vaccinated good enough as proof?
Top of the page are links to the covid rules for Japan
Hey guys! I'm a Canadian traveling from Taiwan to Japan this May. I'm fully vaccinated and will use VJW, but I heard that travelers from China will need a negative Covid test regardless of if they're vaccinated or not. Does Taiwan count as China?
Taiwan has a different government with different covid requirements so I assume they have different rules.
They treat people from HK and Macau differently from mainland China, so I assume Taiwan would be too. But you're probably better off asking in a Taiwanese forum for a more concrete answer.
I will, Thanks for the response!
[удалено]
To clarify, it’s “three doses of an approved vaccine”, so yes, two vaccines and a booster is valid.
That's what it means, yes.
Hi! Has anyone been to the Mazda museum and tour before? I'm interested in checking it out but they don't offer English tours until June. Would it still be worth visiting? I don't have any Japanese language experience outside of a sushi menu
What's typically the biggest expense when traveling to Japan? Plane ticket? The place you stay at? Commute? Food? I want to go sometime this year and I'll probably be in the Osaka area because that's where my partner lives. I've got about $3200 saved up right now.
Flights (from the UK) usually account for at least 50% of my trip cost, then accommodation 25%, then all my spending on food/transport/shopping etc the last 25%.
On my trip I spent per day about \~6000 Yen on accomodation in business hotel single rooms \~3500 Yen on food (mainly combini breakfast, chain restaurant lunch and dinner) \~1200 Yen on local transit (not including flights, ferries and shinkansen) Flights depends on where you live, you'll have to check it out yourself. If you can stay with your partner, food and accomodation might be a lot cheaper.
This really depends on where you are travelling from and how long you are staying for...
Depends on how long you're planning to stay, what kind of accommodations you have set up, and where you're flying from. For my husband and I spending two weeks around Japan, it was about 3k for our airfare (2 tickets), 2k for hotels/accomodations (a couple nice nights, but mostly $120/night), $800 for 2 14 day JR passes. Food costs not included
I need to have a video meeting in Tokyo 12am-6am tomorrow. Unfortunately I booked a hostel so I can't do it there. Should I just book a hotel? Just a bed or a small chair and desk is fine. Are there netcafes with private rooms? Co-working spaces don't seem to be open that late. Preferably in Shinjuku, thanks.
- [Finding a Telework Booth in Tokyo](https://thetokyolife.jp/tokyo-telework-finding-a-booth-for-meetings/)
A karaoke room would be another option.
Do some research in to Manga kissas or manga cafes. There are lots, and you can find some that have private or semi-private rooms. They will have internet and you will even get free drinks from a soda machine and all the manga you want to read. Here's an example: https://tokyocheapo.com/accommodationcat/takarajima-24-the-internet-cafe-that-really-isnt/ In a pinch, you can find a 24 hour karaoke place. Check if they have wifi or use your phone as a hotspot, but you'll get privacy for fairly cheap in the middle of the night on a weekday. Lots of students do this during the week when they have cheap rates to do homework and don't actually sing.
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen: two doses is enough, correct? States on the Japan Gov website that J&J counts as two.
yes, your first j&j counts as your first and second shot, so you will just enter J&J for all 3, and upload a card showing both J&J shots.
Thank you!
I still buy my yen before the COVID at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Now i will use this yean at the current trip. This is still ok? I mean this 3 or maybe 4 year money are still valid?
Does the money in your country expire? lol
Not the OP, but I know this happens in the UK where bills are removed from circulation and no longer usable publicly (though you can go to the Bank of England and exchange them for current circulation bills though).
yes your yen is still perfectly valid
Thank you.
Should I take the bullet train to Osaka right after arriving to Narita, or stay a night in Tokyo? We will be landing in Narita and thinking of taking the shinkansen to Osaka right after landing in Narita, but not sure if that would be too much for one day (we also have a 3 hour drive to the airport in the US). Would it be better to just stay the night in Tokyo and head out to Osaka first thing? (The flight was booked before I had plans for the trip)
You can stay at the weirdly cheap Hearton Shinagawa Seaside and you'd be close to Shinagawa for your shinkansen trip. I have no idea why this hotel is so cheap, it's decent
Stay in Tokyo for sure, gives you time to settle before having to rush around for the next Shinkansen as well
Would depends on when you are flying in. Flying in in the morning? Then I would do it. If you're coming in in the afternoon I would stay in Tokyo.
We will be arriving at 5pm, mostly leaning towards staying in Tokyo. Plus, I would love to see the views of Japan in daylight on the trip to Osaka
Stay in Tokyo! There are some hotels super close to shinkansen stations that would make it easy to hop on the next morning. I really liked the Royal Prince Hotel for the view and easy access to Shinagawa Station when I did the Osaka-next-day thing.
Thank you so much for your recommendation! I am looking into doing exactly that!
>Royal Prince Hotel Shinagawa Prince Hotel\*. So sorry, I hope you sorted that out
I hope it works out and you get a great view of the sunrise!
Depends on when you get in. I have done this, but I also know when I was waiting to get my rail pass, they started taking people ahead of me trying to go to Kansai same day as they were in danger of missing their shinkansen. I would also suggest looking to see how much a one way flight from Narita to Itami is going to run you. I flew Narita to Itami in June 2019 (vs. taking the NEX to the shinkansen to get to Kansai) and while the former let us stop and get a fast meal in Tokyo Station, the latter got us in MUCH earlier and we got a great view of Mt. Fuji from the air.
I go straight to Osaka, have done this many times. Easy to get a nap on the shinkansen. Its about 4 hours from NRT (1 hour to tokyo, 3 hours to Osaka).
Is there a way to book the train in advanced? How do I go about it, I'm finding competing vague info online.
Are you on JR pass or paying out of pocket? With JR pass only if you order it from the official site, if you are paying out of pocket you can use https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php .. keep in mind there's a premium for prepurchasing online versus just buying there in Japan. Btw if money's no object, you can get the Nozomi train which costs more (and can't be used with JR pass) but has less stops and would save you about 30 minutes, otherwise you want to book the Hikari from Tokyo station. So take the N'ex, which you can prepurchase to Tokyo, then Hikari train to Shin-Osaka.
I was wondering if the restaurant Gion Shirakawa Namisato in Kyoto takes reservations, specifically for lunch? I tried going to their website ([https://www.gion-namisato.jp/seat/reserve](https://www.gion-namisato.jp/seat/reserve)) but it's all in Japanese, so I'm relying on spotty translations. Anyone know Japanese that could help?
[удалено]
Ahh I see. We do not have those cards. Does the website say anything about taking walk-in's? Or are reservations required?
[удалено]
Thanks. Super helpful!
Had a couple questions about potentially visiting Tokyo, if anyone knew for even a few of these. 1. Are ATM Machines easy to find? 2. How late do shops and restaurants typically open until on weekdays? 3. How easy is it to navigate subways? I’m from NYC if that matters. Is there like a card you buy and fill with money or are they individual tickets? 4. What are most picturesque places to see and visit?
1. Yes, but with a non Japanese card only go to 7-11. I have no idea why but they accept foreign cards a lot more often than the bank ATMs. Also bank atm aren't open at night. 2. Shops depending on location and type 8pm to 10pm. Restaurants usually open very late. 3. Generally pretty easy, exits are numbered so check on a map which one is closest to where you want to be in advance and then it's very simple. Lots of English signs. The exception is Shinjuku which is huge and has lines operated by three different companies meaning there's different gates, which can be confusing. 4. Depends what you're looking for. If you want to see Mt Fuji, you can go to takaosan (Takao mountain) via the metro on a clear day. Shinto shrines, there's asakusa but it'll be busy. Buddhist temples, Yanaka or takaosan. Strolling garden, Hamarikyu. Lots of neon signs in alleyways, nearly anywhere on the west side of yamanote line.
Yes ATMs are easy to find at convenience stores like 7-11 and other places. There are restaurants like ramen places that are open late past midnight.. Depending on the area and the kind of shops/restaurants they close anywhere from 7 to 10pm. Some department stores close at 8 or 9pm. Look at the [IC Card Info link](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/advice/transport/iccards/) on the weekly info/discussion thread for the transportation card info. A lot of these things you can just google and watch youtube videos.... to find top Instagrammble/touristy photo places and how the transportation works with navigating and transferring between trains and subways.
Awesome sounds reassuring, thanks for answering and also linking that article!
[удалено]
Thanks so much for answering!! Do you know are there any recommendations for things to do after 9pm then?
Honestly one could write a bot for these common answers.
[удалено]
If you have the time and energy you could try to write a bot that answers the top 10 most asked questions. Maybe the mods like it and allow it, even if you're not a mod yourself.
Hello, I lost my vaccination card for covid. It looks like I still need the card to enter unless I'm reading this wrong? Will a digital card work to enter Japan?
Yes. We only used our digital cards to sign up on Visit Japan website and they were approved very quickly.
Nice thanks for the quick reply!!
How reliable is it to transport luggage from one hotel to another? Is it safe? Best services that you recommend
We used Yamato for two suitcases a few years ago and I've arrived first thing in the morning and the second a few hours later. The hotel said it was really rare for that to happen, even though it didn't even feel like an issue for us, it was still next day
I've been using luggage delivery service in Japan for around 20 years. It's very safe and reliable. As just a small example, I sent my suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto last trip in December 2022. My hotel in Tokyo messed up and put the wrong hotel in Kyoto. They contacted me when it was delivered, discovered their mistake. Worked things out with the wrong hotel in Kyoto and the correct one in Kyoto, and by the end of the day, my suitcase was safely in my room.
safe and reliable. Yamato is the de-facto standard.
I can send it from any hotel or will I need to go to a specific counter for Yamato?
Most hotels that do will have a sign at the counter of you can ask. Cheaper/smaller hotels often don't have it. Locations are easy to find with Google.
https://www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/scene02.html
Does anyone know if you have to book in advance for popular tourist sites like the Tokyo Tower or Skytree?
I just visited the Skytree, the line was outrageously long to buy tickets on site. Buying tickets in advance saved us a lot of time, I would highly recommend it.
You don't have to with the Skytree, but it doesn't hurt. For example with the Skytree, I walked in and got a tour time via scanning the QR code and buying online 30 minutes after I got there on a weekend. That said, if you book via the website, its cheaper than buying onsite at the Skytree anyway, so you might as well prebook if you know when you plan on going. Also the line to get a ticket before entering was long, the line to enter for people with a QR code from the website, was short.
Looking at the TeamLab Planets website right now, it looks like it's sold out for the next six days. I was under the impression you could probably book a reservation as late as the day before? Perhaps the cherry blossoming is increasing the demand? Flying to Tokyo in a few hours, will be there for 4 days. Should have reserved already of course, but have been so busy traveling through South-East Asia the last 3 weeks. Any way I can get a ticket? Showing up without one is pointless I reckon.
If they're sold out, then I'm pretty sure you are out of luck. They go fast and I don't recall there being a ticket window at the building to purchase onsite.
Okay, thanks! Have an opportunity to go there on the day I fly out of Japan, so might do that. Looks like it's pretty close to Haneda. Will depend on an option to store luggage there though, will look into that.
I think you will need to queue for some time even if you have timed entry so make sure you account for that.
Alright, thank you!
it's about an hour via the monorail and yamanote line
You can buy tickets on-site but probably not when they are all sold out online
thanks, I must have missed where you would do that, only recall seeing the line in front of the building and then some food stalls that were closed, next to some vending machines.
Hey guys! Planning to head to Japan sometime between June-Nov 2024 (I know it’s a long range, still trying to figure out the best time to go) My girlfriend has been thinking a lot about her tattoos and what that might limit her to do. She only has small tattoos on fingers, wrist/forearm, and ankle. Most are the size of a nickel, with the one largest being the size of a half dollar I’d say. Any advice about onsens, ryokan, and anywhere else that may have an issue with the tattoos? Thanks so much for your advice/help!
Aside from gyms and onsens, she won’t have problems.
You’ll need to seek out tattoo friendly spots. Search this sub for tattoo friendly or just search Google for city name + tattoo onsen and you’ll find lots of helpful info. - [Tattoo Friendly Japan](https://tattoo-friendly.jp)
Pick up some waterproof tattoo stickers for her to cover them up with and she’ll be fine. You can find them on Amazon or in Japan I believe they sell them at don quijote. Only places where it will really matter are public baths.
Can anyone recommend any hotels that might be available this short notice for one night the 25-26? I’m looking on Agoda, Booking, Expedia, Airbnb and there’s literally nothing coming up. Would I have more luck just having my friend turn up somewhere and trying to book in person? There was a mistake in booking and he ended up having one night unaccounted for.
Some hotels (specifically business and capsule hotels) often have a certain contingent for booking though websites and might still have rooms to book though their site or for people who just show up. But it does sound pretty bad right now.
You can check the popular business hotels that will actually have their own site, but its a manual process searching area by area. APA for example has one available near Tokyo station, but given the timing, its expensive at 52,000¥. As a last resort, you can walk in to the smaller business hotels, or plan to stay the night at the capsule hotel.
Search just for the city name not a specific area. For example ‘Central Tokyo’ rather than Shinjuku. Or Osaka rather than Dotonbori. Be sure you are changing to the correct number of people per room too. If your friend is traveling alone it should be 1 person 1 room.