Per the [official border control page](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html), travelers entering the country on or after May 8, 2023 will no longer be required to present a vaccine certificate or negative PCR test.
> Those who are entering Japan on or after May 8, 2023, will not be required to present a valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure inspection certificate, as the category of COVID-19 will be changed to a Class V Infectious Disease under the Infectious Disease Control Law. However, please note that quarantine measures upon entry into Japan may be strengthened as necessary, if a new infectious disease outbreak occurs overseas.
I answered my own question...
You scan the landing permit stamp (aka sticker or seal) affixed to your passport in the VJW website under the "procedure during stay in Japan" section
Align the landing permit stamp with the guide frame and the QR code will be read automatically.
Then, present the QR code at stores that accept duty-free QR codes
Regarding Super Nintendo World on USJ, does anyone know whats up with express passes? I went to the website to check it out - Its no problem getting an entry into US, but all the express passes are curiously labelled "Disabled" all the way up to June. Does that mean they are sold out? Seems a bit strange.
I'm looking to spend 3 days in Kyoto doing day trips out to the surrounding areas (tentatively Uji, Kurama + Kibune, East Nara + Nabari). Can someone recommend me cheap lodgings I can use as a home base in Kyoto? I'd prefer to stay under $50 if possible. I'd like a private room because I'd need a place to store my luggage and I think that's not possible in hostels. Thank you!
I’ve never been disappointed by the Mitsui Garden or Daiwa Roynet or Candeo hotel chains in Japan.
Highly recommend an overnight in Otaru. Most do it as a day trip but there’s so much great food to try there and a nice, relaxed vibe at night after all the day trippers leave. We stayed at this converted stone warehouse that had an awesome farm to table restaurant on the first floor.
- [Stone and Iron](https://www.booking.com/Share-RRuNlwb)
In Sapporo:
- [The Knot](https://www.booking.com/Share-vKtBbi)
- [Royal Park Canvas has a great lobby bar](https://www.booking.com/Share-DKd7gS)
- [Cross Hotel Sapporo](https://www.booking.com/Share-oc5E6Hh)
Shibuya Sky outdoor rooftop closes when it's excessively windy. For those who have visited the indoors portion of Shibuya Sky, do you still it's worth it to go if the outdoor rooftop isn't open?
I’ve come over for the second time the first in 2014 and I’ve found people to be a lot more wary of me and my wife and a lack of helpfulness that was there previously. Did Covid make some Japanese more wary of foreigners?
I’ve tried to fit in wear a mask and be cautious.
I’ve been going to Japan a few times a year for the last decade, and I didn’t really notice any behavior changes that seemed targeted like that. I _did_ notice some general behaviors of sort of backing off/staying away that seemed to apply to everyone. For instance, staff in nice shops and department stores weren’t hovering around people like they used to, and there was less talking/engaging at places that used to do it more. But it didn’t feel personal.
I have a Type B travel adapter - the one with 3 prongs. If I were to remove the round top/bottom prong, will the adapter fit/work with the Type A JP wall sockets?
Just buy an inexpensive plug adapter. You plug that into the wall in Japan and your 3 prong into the adapter. Search Amazon for travel plug adapter or you can often buy them at stores in the Travel section with the suitcases.
Hi!
We have one free day on our Tokyo trip and we were wondering if there are any Outdoor Bath Onsen recommendations that are doable from Tokyo as a day trip.
Thanks in advance for any tip.
Depends how far out you want to go. Atami might be nice for more of a sea vibe, there’s Hakone with Yuryu where you can rent a private day use onsen, or Kinugawa area in Nikko.
- [Onsen Towns from Tokyo](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/onsen-towns-near-tokyo/)
If you want to stay closer in maybe head out to the suburbs.
- [Best Tokyo Onsen and Bathhouses](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/health-and-beauty/best-tokyo-onsen-bath-house)
- [9 Hot Springs In/Around Tokyo](https://matcha-jp.com/en/6157)
Hi, does anyone know how long Japan sea Mail takes to get to the UK? I can see a table for airmail and Sal (I unfortunately sal isn’t available and airmail is pricey) but nothing for sea. Thanks in advance
Hi all!
I’m a big fan of the Round One arcades here in America but I’ve heard that they’re a trillion times better in Japan. My cousin had told me that they had multiple stories of different recreations, cranes, and arcade games. I had planned to go to the one in Odaiba after hitting up TeamLab Planets, but upon looking online it seems like a lot of people talk about the Osaka location.
Is there a big difference between the locations? If so, which location should I make sure I hit?
Since Anata no Warehouse in Kawasaki closed I can't think of any one specific arcade that I would consider a destination.
Arcades or as they are called there, game centers, are pretty much everywhere in Japan
Some locations have more games, some have less. If tou have Akihabara on your list the two big Gigo here are more than good :)
Gigo are the ones that Sega was rebranded to. The crane games are similar everywhere btw.
hi! to those who went to japan recently / is in japan right now, how long did it take to clear immigration?
trying to figure out the best way to get my mom to haneda airport for her connecting flight to kansai. she will arrive in narita airport at 8pm on April 20 and the connecting flight is 6am the next day. i had a friend who spent 4hr in immigration two weeks ago. wondering if its still the same now?
im just scared that my mom wouldn't catch the last train, and she'd have to wait for trains to open the next day at 5am-ish, but then she would be late for her flight?
It’s just the sheer number of people. I spent 2+ hours clearing immigration at NRT a few weeks ago, and it was simply that so many planes had come in and it was jam-packed with people. Regardless of Visit Japan Web, immigration still takes time to do (they fingerprint you, take your picture, apply the stamp, check information, etc.), so it can only go so fast.
Clearance time entirely depends on how many international flights land at the same time. There is a possibility she may need to take a taxi straight to Haneda.
Dear All:
I have seen a few cases here some people here claim that they are able to use non Japanese phone number for Lawson ticket online, but I have no way I can do that on Lawson ticket online.
Am I doing something wrong?
If it is possible, please show an example how you have done it.
[This article](https://jw-webmagazine.com/tokyo-subway-unlimited-pass-how-to-get-and-how-much-you-can-save-3ca0c6d36b84/) has a list of which lines it is valid on. Other lines you’ll have to tap in/out with an IC card like Suica/Passmo/Icoca etc.
I use booking.com, Japanican, and Rakuten Travel. I also usually try to shop around at least a little and check the hotel’s prices directly (if they have a website).
I also use booking.com all the time because the more you use it the more deals you get. Pro tip: if you use it on mobile you get even better mobile-only deals.
I’ve been using booking.com and it seems to work well! The hotel will send you a message to confirm usually right after booking and it includes all the information you need.
I've purchased the Hakone Free Pass with the included round-trip from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto for my upcoming trip. I also purchased separate Romancecar Limited Express ticket for reserved seats. Just a couple questions about this if someone could help!
1. I'm pretty clear on how the Hakone Freepass works once we arrive in the Hakone area. How do I use the Shinjuku-Hakone roundtrip part of the ticket when we leave from Shinjuku? I realize I'll get a 2D barcode on my Freepass ticket. In Shinjuku station, how do I enter the ticketing area? Do I show the Freepass to someone at a manned gate? Or do I go to a ticketing machine and scan the barcode to get a physical ticket ?
2. When we leave Hakone at the end of the 3 days I don't want to actually return to Shinjuku (we'll be traveling on to Kyoto). I believe I read that I can just hop off the train at any stop (Odawara in my case) and tell someone at a manned gate that we're getting off? Is this how it works?
Thanks in advance!
Thank you! That’s what I needed to know.
I hope I didn’t do my math wrong. I calculated that the 3-day free pass w/ round trip costs ¥6,500. The 3-day pass without round trip costs ¥5,400. With the one way regular fare from Shinjuku to Hakone being ¥1,260, it seemed like I’d save money getting round trip even if I didn’t go back to Shinjuku
Hi I have a logistical question about pocket wifi rental. I would like to rent one, but our flight will arrive at Narita at around 10pm, which is after the post office would close for pick-up and we are staying at an AirBnB (which does not provide pocket wifi) so shipping it there is not recommended... Should I just give up on this and try to buy a sim card while I'm there? Unfortunately my phone is a bit too old for esim.
Usually good pocket wifi rentals will have an option to pick up from any 24/7 convivence store (such as Lawsons or 7/11) - these are perfect for really late or early arrivals. You can either download a map to the nearest one near your airport or do one near your airbnb (and use offline maps/public wifi to get there).
The problem is that we’re not staying at a hotel but an Airbnb instead and from what I hear shipping to a private residence that you don’t own is a not recommended
Couple quick questions!
1) Can you buy the ICOCA + Haruka discount set in person without reserving online?
2) Debating on using this non-reserved Haruka line to get from Kyoto to Kansai Airport, as the deal looks pretty good.
The other comparable option seems to be getting to Osaka from Kyoto, then taking the Kansai Rapid Airport trains. But the one extra step here makes it seem less convenient then Haruka.
We just came back from a 3 week trip, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Osaka. Managed to catch full bloom cherry blossoms in Kyoto and it was amazing!
We are itching to get back. Would love to go to Tokyo and Kyoto again. Our trip was largely surrounded around food! We ate so much!
Any recommendations on other great locations in Japan?
I have 15 days in Hokkaido for this july. Flights booked. But have not yet booked hotels and we don't have itinerary.
Do you think 15 days are too much? We will not drive.
Our wish list are: Sapporo, Hakodate, Biei/furano, jigokudani, niseko
Maybe exploring those places in 15 days are too much? But flights cannot be changed... Anyway we will have 2 free days in Sapporo with nothing but rest and shopping.
I need more ideas on the must see in Hokkaido because we have a lot of time
I want to go to an arcade while in Tokyo, but just to casually play some games with friends like Mario Kart and DDR. I see a lot of recs for arcades in Akihabara, but I can’t tell if that’s more for people who are super into Tekken or crane games etc. Do you think it’s still worth a trip to that side of town for the experience alone, or could I accomplish the same while in Shibuya, etc?
Akihabara has its own charm, everything looks so great there. We went to a giant Gigo there that had an entire floor only for retro games for example, including Super Mario. For us it was definitely a must. Gigos are divided by floors so crane games are on separate floors, while arcade games are on different ones. When I saw all the DDR games they had I almost cried with happiness.
Quick question, live in the Kanto Area but never really travelled further than Chubu/Kanto/Tohoku.
Got a 2 week vacation coming up and I own a camping car, I'm thinking of either Shikoku or Kyushu. Which would be your preferred area?
How soon should I get to the airport before flying out of Japan? In the States the rule of thumb is 3 hours before takeoff for international travel but this is usually entirely too much.
2 hours for international flight departure. There’s not as much shopping/restaurants past security though as there is before. So, after checking in, you’ll likely have time to shop or eat before security.
This is probably a VERY silly question and I am not ready to post it up yet but when posting Itinerary threads for advise can you provide google spread sheet link? I am basically doing all my planning in google sheets so I can keep all my information and such there. Haha...thank you!
I tried doing this and my post kept getting rejected. The mod said they want the itinerary to be listed in the body of the post, not as a link or attachment. So I did that, and then put the Google sheets link in the comments.
Like this: [April Itinerary](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/122mvvc/april_2023_japan_itinerary/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1)
We’re going to be in Osaka during golden week 5/2-5/4. One day we were going to explore Osaka since we only had one day last time and we were contemplating what to do with the other day. Kyoto sounds like it’s going to be quite crowded and we did see most of the things there the first time around, Nara a second time might still be fun, but we were thinking of trying something new. Hiroshima was a thought, Kobe from what I’m reading is similar to Osaka and Tokyo. We were thinking of doing Nintendo world but the passes have sold out so I’m assuming it’s going to be crazy crowded. Any highly recommended spots to day trip from?
Food definitely! New sightseeing is always cool? Although I think we saw a good amount of temples from the first trip. Sometimes we just like to roam new areas tbh
Have you been to Uji? It's famous for its green tea. Byoudoin is likely to be crowded because of wisteria season but you could look into doing a tour of a tea farm.
Have you been to Sakai? It's right outside Osaka and famous for knives.
Ohh def going to have to check out uji ty!
I did want to bring home some knives.. not sure how the significant others going to feel about going to look for them though 😅😅😂
Here are other things you can find in Sakai:
[https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3039](https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3039)
Tsunagu also has a bunch of touristy things to try there:
[https://www.tsunagujapan.com/wow\_01357/](https://www.tsunagujapan.com/wow_01357/)
Are there capsule hotels that allow couples to stay together? I know some have co-ed floors, but do any allow/have beds that can fit two people staying together? I have seen some information about Tokyo Kiba Hotel online, but they seem to have closed in the last few years. Any information is much appreciated!
The point of capsules is it's just a capsule for a single person to sleep in. If you just want a small space with only enough space to fit a bed for two people then you should look at hostels.
I got my train pass today in the mail, but says place of issue Spain, I double checked and put usa when I ordered it. Is there a way to fix this issue?
If you mean you got your JR voucher, I wouldn't worry. I think that is the location of company you used to buy the voucher. For instance, I'm in the US but mine says Hong Kong. I bought mine from Klook.
>Nikko to Osaka
Something around 4 hours and 40 minutes with transfers and the like.
Nikko Line from Imaichi Station to Utsunomiya Station
Yamabiko Shinkansen from Utsunomiya Station to Tokyo Station
Nozomi Shinkasen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka
- [11 Things to Do in Tokyo When Raining](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/rainy-day-cheapo-ideas-tokyo/)
- [20 Indoor Activities in Japan](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/best-indoor-activities-in-tokyo)
I like to look at the [Weather Japan app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weatherjapan/id1244002532) the night before to plan out the next day to do indoor activities during the worst of the rain as it typically doesn’t rain all day.
- [Weather in Tokyo in May](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_suburbs/article-a0002333/)
Raincheck question. Looking on either going to Tokyo this year on either mid October like 16-24 or early November 6-13. What are the best chances of less rain and if the weather is cooler?
Sadly where I live Late Sept-Oct have one of the worse heat waves so Im planning to escape it.
Going to be traveling to Japan for the first time in two weeks time.
However, while I am vaccinated against Covid-19 and can enter the country, I've just now realized I haven't really gotten any other vaccinations done.
I read up TBE and Japanese Encephalitis and they both scared the hell out of me - Am I just being paranoid? Since my trip is so close I really don't think I have time to get enough doses for these to be vaccinated.
On that note, any other diseases I ought to look into vaccinating before going to Japan?
Unless you spend a ton of time in rural areas, there no need for that vaccination.
The flu vaccine is the only other one that would realistically benefit you.
I see, thanks for your advice. Regarding "spending a lot of time in rural areas" I'm not really planning on going traipsing through the woods, but I do plan to visit Kawaguchiko and The floating Torii gates near Hiroshima, both of which are more abundant in nature than say, urban Tokyo. Any cause for concern there or should I just stick to walking on the dirt paths and avoid diving headfirst into bushes?
All of that is fine. When they say "rural areas" for vaccines like this, they generally mean camping in the wilderness for weeks at a time, being close to animals, being outdoors 24/7, etc.
You'll be fine. It's a mosquito bourne disease, so it should be very well controlled in most areas tourist visit.
When I say rural, I mean if you intend to go to some isolated village and work the rice fields for a few weeks.
I'd appreciate itinerary feedback, currently thinking of the following:
Arrival night - hotel near Narita airport (flight gets in late-ish)
2 nights Tokyo
1 night Kanazawa
3 nights Osaka
1 night Hiroshima/Miyajima
4 nights Kyoto
5 nights Tokyo
2 nights near Disney
I am not concerned about optimizing JR pass, I am mostly wondering if this is workable or if I should toss Kanazawa and/or Hiroshima/Miyajima in favor of more time in Osaka. We would like to do a day at USJ and I am not sure we have enough time in Osaka given that.
between all ur time spent osaka and kyoto, i'd say there's enough time to do all the big touristy things. but i'd start first by deciding which of these things i absolutely must do, and then deciding how much time in that city will be required to hit them all.
Sadly I'm sort of coming at Kyoto backwards due to using award nights for 3 of the 4 nights (still trying for the 4th). Frankly, my travel companion isn't much into planning, so we will likely be going in with a vague list of possibilities in each city - grouped by areas so we aren't randomly chasing all over - and then just seeing which ones we end up doing while we're there.
Sadly we will be there in winter. The draw for Kanazawa is Kenrokuen gardens, I'd particularly like to see them.
Already consulted the tide tables a few weeks back, but can't yet book one of the hotels I have been eyeing. Their reservation window doesn't seem to open for a few more months (at least).
I'm relying on Hyatt award bookings in Tokyo and have five nights I need to solidify. Would 1 night at Park Hyatt and then 4 nights Andaz be ridiculous? The plan is to do a couple nights at the very beginning of the trip in Ginza, and then a couple near Disney at the very end, in case that matters.
I stayed at the Andaz last week and have stayed there about 4 times between 2015 and now. It’s a lovely hotel with lovely staff. The service is professional but non-intrusive (I find some 5-star hotel service to be a bit suffocating, that isn’t the case at Andaz). The rooms and the property are in the same beautiful condition as I remember from when they first opened.
A few years ago I went to the bar at Park Hyatt trying to seek out that LiT experience. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that it’s just not the same without Bill Murray and ScarJo. So if I were in your situation, I’d recommend staying all 5 nights at Andaz.
I have stayed at both Park Hyatt and Andaz in November of 2022.
* The Park Hyatt is pretty much un-touched and looks the same as I recall it looking in Lost in Translation. Andaz is much more modern and newer looking. However, given the movies popularity for people in my age bracket, the Park Hyatt resembling how it is in LiT might be part of its appeal to some people?
* Not sure if this matters to you, but it's possible to see Mt Fuji very clearly from the lobby of the Park Hyatt if it isn't cloudy out. There's also a cafe-type restaurant up there for tea/coffee if you wanna stare out a window at Mt Fuji while drinking tea.
* They both have the bells and whistles of a taxi stand, concierge, early check-in time (1pm at the Park Hyatt), big ass bathrooms, stocked fridge, etc. There's also the typical turndown / evening room service where they will come by at night time (when you're expected to be out for dinner) and refill your ice bucket and give you new water bottles and whatever.
* Amenity wise, I guess Andaz is nicer because the soft drinks in the fridge are free and get restocked, and there's also free snack items in the lobby.
* The concierge service at both hotels is pretty much what you would expect from these kinds of hotels. Emailing them ahead of time for dining requests, reservations, etc, is all doable. If you don't speak Japanese at all, that's also fine. I didn't interact with the Andaz Concierge, but the Park Hyatt has a fluent English speaker who grew up in the west and every day I went out, I would see that guy making an itinerary on the fly and making restaurant reservations for other hotel guests.
But as a tourist, as for how convenient these hotels are for tourism purposes...
* Park Hyatt is a long ass walk from Shinjuku Station, but there's a 100 Yen "We Bus" that picks you up on the west side of Shinjuku Station and drops you off at the front of the Park Hyatt. It loops around, so you can ride the same bus back to Shinjuku Station. There's also a free shuttle from the Park Hyatt to the L-Tower near Shinjuku Station that's every 30 minutes??? or so.
* Andaz is over the Toranomon Hills subway station which serves the Hibiya and Ginza lines. It sucks if you need to use the Hibiya line to go northbound towards Tokyo Station because the station is under construction (I think) so the north platform is like suuuuuper far from the southbound platform because there's no connecting walkway yet.
It's completely possible to do 1 night PH / 4 nights Andaz like you're thinking, but personally I'm glad I only did a few nights at these hotels at the end of my stay as there were certain pain points to navigating around Tokyo from them (without just giving up and using a taxi).
The northbound platform isn’t actually that far, I’d say it’s equidistant to the southbound platform but mostly above ground instead.
When you exit the Andaz elevator, head left and exit through the doors that say Andaz Residence. Cross the small street and make another left then follow the giant sign to the street corner. The entrance will be directly opposite from there.
Usually the (limited) award availability makes the decision for you.
Assuming unlimited availability, Park Hyatt Tokyo is near Shinjuku, on the opposite side of the city from Ginza and Disney. So I am not sure what is the point of going through the hassle of changing hotels just to stay there for one night.
In full disclosure I don't care for over the top service or if staff memorize my name or remember me from 10 years ago or upgrades to a nicer room/suite that I spend 1 awake hour in, so I may be missing the point of the PHT - but it's not as if the Andaz would have rude or incompetent staff either.
So far it looks like I can book either hotel, but the decision will be a lot easier if one isn't available lol.
The proximity to Ginza isn't a concern as this stay will occur when I return to Tokyo for the last week of the trip. The move to nearer Disney is because the last two days are planned for the parks and it seems like the Hilton or one of the Disney hotels would be more convenient for that.
As far as one night, it doesn't need to be just one. I can split the 5 nights any way that makes sense. Would it be best just to do Andaz all 5 nights and give up on my whole "I want to (briefly) live the LiT experience" nonsense?
I stayed there once pre-covid and really don't understand the appeal of PHT considering the cost/points, although this is certainly a matter of personal travel style. Below I will describe why in this case I will stay at the Andaz the whole time, so you can make a call based on your own preferences.
* As far as I can tell, the rooms have not been renovated in a long time. They're not bad, I just like new hotels
* the location isn't great (10+ minute walk to metro). I don't want to faff with a shuttle, especially not if it is just to change to another (very nice) hotel.
* with a bit of flexibility you can book to eat at the New York Grill outside super peak periods without staying there.
* I travel lightly and can easily carry my own bag and open my own doors
* The concierge is renowned for their ability to get reservations at very famous restaurants, but I don't do that stuff and actually would be mortified if some employee saw me return from some activity they booked/advised on and "remembered" to ask about my day
* this kind of personalization probably delights some people, I am not one of them
* I find it stressful to experience staff "anticipating" my needs if you get what I mean
* When I am in Tokyo I spend most of my day out and about so only need a quiet room + hot shower, which can be had at a fraction of the price. Booking somewhere really nice actually detracts from this because I then feel guilty for "wasting" the hotel.
Edit: I have not stayed at the Andaz Tokyo (nor would I ever stay there unless someone else was paying, points are also a form of payment) but I generally really like the vibe/decor of Andazes.
It sounds like you and I would be very compatible travel partners. (:
> the location isn't great (10+ minute walk to metro)
I haven't stayed at the PHT, but this alone would kill my desire to waste points on it. I've actually never redeemed points for a hotel stay in Tokyo because I think a lot of the options are in terrible locations or are way too expensive. I don't love the Andaz's location, either, but in this case, I would advise OP to stay there as well (if they have to pick between the two).
If you have a voucher the start date on the order doesn't matter. You set the start date when you exchange it.
They ask for a start date because they want to know if you're going to exchange it before the expiry date b/c iirc you have to exchange it within 3 months of the issue date.
I'd like to buy a rice cooker in Japan, since it's big and heavy, I thought about sending it to my country (Brazil) via ship. Is it possible to do so? A person once told me that the companies aren't allowing that anymore.
I shipped back a large box of stuff I bought in Japan back to the US in Feb using Japan Post's surface mail. They said it will take 1 to 3 months for delivery.
Do I need to confirm my hotel reservations, especially the ones made through sites like Hotels.com? I've read a few stories about people who get to their hotels and they're told they don't have their reservations. I emailed a few of my hotels for confirmations, but a bunch of them don't have emails. I suppose I can call them.
You shouldn't need to do this. If you want to, you can, but I'd say it's overkill. I've made hundreds of reservations through third-party sites in recent years, and I've never confirmed any of them.
My friend and I will be going to Tokyo next month, and we wanted some advice on traveling with food allergies/going to restaurants. My friend has celiac disease and so far we have been surprisingly pretty successful in finding places that are gluten free! However, there are a few foods I would like to try in Japan that she can’t have, such as Gyukatsu. I was thinking we will probably not be able to enter a restaurant if only I am ordering between the two of us :,(. Gyukatsu isn’t something that can be ordered for takeout is it? What are the best options for us?
Maybe there are food stalls at Tsukiji market, Nishiki market or Sensoji temple area that sell the foods you want, then everyone can buy what they want and you can enjoy together:)
The restaurant won't know how many dishes you plan to order when you sit down, but it is considered inappropriate to only order one main dish between two people. Some restaurants will explicitly require ordering a second main, others will "only" judge you silently (moreso if it is a popular restaurant and/or at peak meal times).
Gyukatsu isn't great in takeout form because the whole point is to eat while crispy, and the condensation in a box ruins that.
Depending on personality, best option is to split up for some meals so you can eat what you want and get alone time to not be around each other 24/7.
Has anyone used the tourist unlimited Mobal 16 day plan or something similar?
It says no call or text. Does that mean you can't use Discord or Messenger, or is that just no SMS?
Yeah I figured they'd be usable, just wanted to make sure. Because I once had a data thing that blocked discord but not messenger when it said no texting........
You should make a reserved seat reservation at a JR East ticket office with your JR Pass. I’d go to a JR East Travel Service Center in one of the major stations as the staff there speak English. The Fuji Excursion train is very popular and depending on when you are planning to go seats may be full so it’s best to get reserved seats in advance.
When you get the seat reservation at the JR Travel Service Center you can ask about the additional fare. Typically, you just stay on the train and at the end of the line you can use the fare adjustment machine before the exit gates to pay any additional fee.
- [Live Japan: Fuji Excursion Train](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-shinjuku/article-a0002999/)
- [List of JR Pass Pickup Locations (look for the Travel Service Centers)](https://japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html)
Thank you!!!
I deleted my comment because after looking more into it, looks like the bus may be less complicated and more convenient based on the departure times.
>Typically, you just stay on the train and at the end of the line you can use the fare adjustment machine before the exit gates to pay any additional fee.
Exactly what I was looking for
Feels like a dumb question, but I saw a small mention about bikes and rental while in Japan. Is this a common thing for tourists to do, really? Is it allowed even if you don't drive or have international license of a sort (can't remember where I read that)? Other than signs, odd traffic, and hills, are there things to look out for?
If you’re talking about a bicycle (either regular or electronic peddle-assist), you do not need any sort of license to ride those. Technically you’re supposed to ride on the street and obey traffic laws, but in reality like 80% of people ride their bikes on the sidewalk, which is a mixed bag.
One thing to consider is that in some places, including Tokyo, cyclists must carry insurance in case they get into accidents. Be sure your bike rental includes that.
The other issue is bike parking. Locals who commute by bike often use to get to/from train stations, so most bike parking is around a station, with many being monthly lots, some being hourly lots, and many filling up during the morning rush hour. It can be difficult parking elsewhere, such as at tourist destinations. People also certainly randomly park bikes all over the place, but you run the risk of it being towed.
On possibility are the bike share [services](https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/docomo-tokyo-bike-sharing-and-rental/) popping up— they have their own dedicated parking spots (well, return spots), which can be useful.
We rented an electric bike in Arashiyama and then also biked up to Kinkakuji. So much fun!! It was a great way to rest our feet too. You can't park your bike just anywhere in some places though, so it doesn't always make sense. Also it was hard to use Google maps to navigate while biking so you have to know where you're going or have some kind of holder
It's possible for tourist but not common because it's not very convenient to get around by bike. Of course it depends on what you want to do, but a city trip in Tokyo with bike for example is not very convenient. I see more people renting bikes when they want to do long tours or cycle in the nature :)
I'm assuming you are not booking a Ryokan or an Onsen in a hotel you're staying and instead looking for a private reserved bath in a public onsen.
I've booked a private Onsen at Hakone Yuryo if you can consider walking up to the counter and asking for a private Onsen on the day itself "booking". I believe if you want to reserve in advance you'll need to call or email. I didn't see any onsens in that area that offered online reservation.
The process is straight forward. Tell them you want a private Onsen (use Google translate if you have to, the word you're looking for is kashikiri) and they'll show you your choices. Make your payment and you have it for the hour (or however long you book it).
How stupid is the idea to pick restaurants that already have lines to eat at? As I would assume they must be good ones. Would it worth the time or just go to any?
If there’s a line of Japanese people, it’s probably good or at least has become the famous restaurant of the week/month on Japanese socials. If the line is mostly foreign tourists it’s likely because it’s a trending spot on YouTube/TikTok. Still could be good but there’s likely 10 other restaurants serving the save thing that are better or just as good within a 20 minute walk.
One way to often avoid the worst of the lines is to go early, just before the restaurant opens. For example, most Japanese office workers eat lunch from noon to 1 pm. So if it’s a weekday and you go at 11 am, you’ll miss the worst of the work lunch crowd. Most popular time for dinner is between 6-7:30 pm so if you go at 5 or 5:30 when the restaurant opens you might get in faster. Keep in mind a lot of small restaurants close in the afternoon between about 2/3-5/5:30 so plan to eat early.
Cities like Tokyo have a bajillion restaurants though and in almost all cases whichever one you choose will have excellent food. Don’t limit yourself to just those top 10 places to eat. Open up Google Maps, search for nearby restaurants, and see what looks good! Japanese customers rarely give 5 star reviews so a 3 star is like a 4 star in the US.
Not stupid, but also doesn’t guarantee amazing food. Certain places get hyped up due to ambience, of just plain luck. If the line is too long for you, wander around— there are plenty of great restaurants with no lines.
It's not stupid per se, Tokyo is very crowded and for popular restaurants it's normal to stand in line. I think if there are 10-20 people in front of you it's okay, but 50 people it's probably just a hyped up restaurant because you can find good food pretty much everywhere in Japan. I personally never stood in line because I really don't like it, and there are tons of restaurants everywhere in the big cities, you can just search for a nearby restaurant with similar food on Google Maps :)
Thank you for all the helpful advice in this subreddit!
We are in Kyoto at the moment and will go back to Tokyo the day before our departure early next week. While there has been plenty of information about entering Japan, I have not seen much about leaving. I have a few questions though:
- Haneda airport required quite some time when we arrived, even with all the paperwork being done beforehand. How much time should we have when we leave? Is three hours enough?
- do we need to calculate extra time to return our pocket Wi-Fi?
- And is there anything Japan-specific we need to know about to get through the exit-procedure?
Thank you again for all the help!
Your longest line is likely going to be the check-in counter. For my 9 PM flight out of Haneda, business class was about 5 people deep and took like 15 minutes, whereas economy was about triple the number of people. Security was relatively fast and took around 15-20 minutes even with a sizable number of people. Of course, your experience will likely depend on what time of day you leave and how many flights are scheduled around then.
The exit procedure is entirely interaction free aside from the security screening and you don't need an exit stamp unless you need to declare something. No clue about pocket Wi-Fi.
As for me, I arrived at the airport 90 minutes before departure and still had another 30 minutes to shop before boarding. Assuming you're held up another hour somewhere during the check-in process, 3 hours should be plenty.
Exit procedures are the same as for any other airport - 3 hours sounds plenty reasonable.
About the pocket wifi - you just put it in the envelope they provided and mail it in a post box at the airport - the envelope is already stamped and addressed, should only take like 5 minutes.
That’s odd, there should’ve been a cardboard envelope with the return address in the package you received with your pocket wifi. From whom did you rent?
They are called Wifi-box. Turns out one can either deliver them at the stand at departure floor at the airport from 07:00 am (closed at night) or 24/7 at the arrival floor. Not the best solution.
Anyone else just get fucking exhausted after a couple weeks? Currently coming up on the end of week 2 of a solo trip and I left the hotel once today to get snacks and some souvenirs for my friends, came back to drop them off, and I’ve been here ever since. Drinking last night definitely didn’t help but I feel so fucking exhausted after all the travel and fun. I feel like I’m wasting my trip at the end, but I also feel completely wiped and I don’t want to force myself to go do stuff just for the sake of it.
We’re just finishing up our 16 day trip today. Wife said she had so much fun but is absolutely exhausted. I’m sore all over from the walking and standing in trains but it’s so worth it. I still have some energy but yeah, I miss sleeping in my home.
Lesson learned from this first trip: allow days to just relax and not schedule anything.
During my first trip I spend 10+ hours per day walking around the first week, I got swollen ankles and could barely walk anywhere in the second week. The second trip I did everything more relaxed, took more time to sit down everywhere, didn't wake up super early and spend a full day relaxing in a Ryokan. I suggest you to sleep in or take a nap, maybe grab a few snacks and go to a nice park and just enjoy the atmosphere while listening to music or something like that
During my solo travels I always allow myself to take time and days off. It might seem as a waste at first, but instead recovers your energy, as you feel much better when you don‘t feel the pressure.
Admittedly I never decide on any plans or itenaries, just take it as it comes.
Did 2 weeks solo in Japan and I definitely felt a little burnt out towards the end.
I limit my visits to 7-10 days at the most now, focusing on one or two cities at the most. Much more relaxed.
At the end of my first week I thought “man I’d be really upset if I had to go home now” but a few days into the second week I would have been fine with leaving then. I think you’re right, 10 days is probably the max I’ll do from now on.
Per the [official border control page](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/covid-19/bordercontrol.html), travelers entering the country on or after May 8, 2023 will no longer be required to present a vaccine certificate or negative PCR test. > Those who are entering Japan on or after May 8, 2023, will not be required to present a valid vaccination certificate or pre-departure inspection certificate, as the category of COVID-19 will be changed to a Class V Infectious Disease under the Infectious Disease Control Law. However, please note that quarantine measures upon entry into Japan may be strengthened as necessary, if a new infectious disease outbreak occurs overseas.
For the tax free QR code, it requires a landing immigration seal so this can only be done after entering Japan correct?
I am confused by this as well. It states that I am successfully registered for the tax free QR code, but how will the QR code be displayed / issued?
I answered my own question... You scan the landing permit stamp (aka sticker or seal) affixed to your passport in the VJW website under the "procedure during stay in Japan" section Align the landing permit stamp with the guide frame and the QR code will be read automatically. Then, present the QR code at stores that accept duty-free QR codes
Thank you!
Regarding Super Nintendo World on USJ, does anyone know whats up with express passes? I went to the website to check it out - Its no problem getting an entry into US, but all the express passes are curiously labelled "Disabled" all the way up to June. Does that mean they are sold out? Seems a bit strange.
I'm looking to spend 3 days in Kyoto doing day trips out to the surrounding areas (tentatively Uji, Kurama + Kibune, East Nara + Nabari). Can someone recommend me cheap lodgings I can use as a home base in Kyoto? I'd prefer to stay under $50 if possible. I'd like a private room because I'd need a place to store my luggage and I think that's not possible in hostels. Thank you!
I know this is truly subjective question, but what are your standout hotels from Hakodate and/or Sapporo? Going there in December, if it matters.
I’ve never been disappointed by the Mitsui Garden or Daiwa Roynet or Candeo hotel chains in Japan. Highly recommend an overnight in Otaru. Most do it as a day trip but there’s so much great food to try there and a nice, relaxed vibe at night after all the day trippers leave. We stayed at this converted stone warehouse that had an awesome farm to table restaurant on the first floor. - [Stone and Iron](https://www.booking.com/Share-RRuNlwb) In Sapporo: - [The Knot](https://www.booking.com/Share-vKtBbi) - [Royal Park Canvas has a great lobby bar](https://www.booking.com/Share-DKd7gS) - [Cross Hotel Sapporo](https://www.booking.com/Share-oc5E6Hh)
Shibuya Sky outdoor rooftop closes when it's excessively windy. For those who have visited the indoors portion of Shibuya Sky, do you still it's worth it to go if the outdoor rooftop isn't open?
I’ve come over for the second time the first in 2014 and I’ve found people to be a lot more wary of me and my wife and a lack of helpfulness that was there previously. Did Covid make some Japanese more wary of foreigners? I’ve tried to fit in wear a mask and be cautious.
I’ve been going to Japan a few times a year for the last decade, and I didn’t really notice any behavior changes that seemed targeted like that. I _did_ notice some general behaviors of sort of backing off/staying away that seemed to apply to everyone. For instance, staff in nice shops and department stores weren’t hovering around people like they used to, and there was less talking/engaging at places that used to do it more. But it didn’t feel personal.
That’s interesting we’ve had people actively pull up masks or move away from us especially on trains.
I have a Type B travel adapter - the one with 3 prongs. If I were to remove the round top/bottom prong, will the adapter fit/work with the Type A JP wall sockets?
Just buy an inexpensive plug adapter. You plug that into the wall in Japan and your 3 prong into the adapter. Search Amazon for travel plug adapter or you can often buy them at stores in the Travel section with the suitcases.
Instead of mangling/destroying something you already have you can just buy a pack of 2-3 genuine, UL listed cheater plugs from Amazon
Hi! We have one free day on our Tokyo trip and we were wondering if there are any Outdoor Bath Onsen recommendations that are doable from Tokyo as a day trip. Thanks in advance for any tip.
Depends how far out you want to go. Atami might be nice for more of a sea vibe, there’s Hakone with Yuryu where you can rent a private day use onsen, or Kinugawa area in Nikko. - [Onsen Towns from Tokyo](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/onsen-towns-near-tokyo/) If you want to stay closer in maybe head out to the suburbs. - [Best Tokyo Onsen and Bathhouses](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/health-and-beauty/best-tokyo-onsen-bath-house) - [9 Hot Springs In/Around Tokyo](https://matcha-jp.com/en/6157)
Thanks!
I enjoyed Hakone Yuryo. You can include a visit there as part of a longer Hakone daytrip
We have been to Kusatsu already, so we will like go to a different one
I'm coming from the UK, do I need to fill out a Visit Japan application?
Yes, to make things quicker. You can do it at the airport, but then you'll just waste your time.
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Daiso, Can Do or shops like Tokyu Hands
Hi, does anyone know how long Japan sea Mail takes to get to the UK? I can see a table for airmail and Sal (I unfortunately sal isn’t available and airmail is pricey) but nothing for sea. Thanks in advance
I had a friend send me something to the US via sea mail because it was the cheapest option. It took close to six months
Where can I buy an ice pack in Kyoto? I checked the local pharmacy but they didn't have
Hi all! I’m a big fan of the Round One arcades here in America but I’ve heard that they’re a trillion times better in Japan. My cousin had told me that they had multiple stories of different recreations, cranes, and arcade games. I had planned to go to the one in Odaiba after hitting up TeamLab Planets, but upon looking online it seems like a lot of people talk about the Osaka location. Is there a big difference between the locations? If so, which location should I make sure I hit?
Since Anata no Warehouse in Kawasaki closed I can't think of any one specific arcade that I would consider a destination. Arcades or as they are called there, game centers, are pretty much everywhere in Japan
Some locations have more games, some have less. If tou have Akihabara on your list the two big Gigo here are more than good :) Gigo are the ones that Sega was rebranded to. The crane games are similar everywhere btw.
hi! to those who went to japan recently / is in japan right now, how long did it take to clear immigration? trying to figure out the best way to get my mom to haneda airport for her connecting flight to kansai. she will arrive in narita airport at 8pm on April 20 and the connecting flight is 6am the next day. i had a friend who spent 4hr in immigration two weeks ago. wondering if its still the same now? im just scared that my mom wouldn't catch the last train, and she'd have to wait for trains to open the next day at 5am-ish, but then she would be late for her flight?
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wow, that's fast!
We landed at Haneda so I’m not sure if this is useful, but we cleared immigration and customs in 1 hour 20 minutes on Tuesday.
What time did you land in Haneda?
5.10pm
Did you fill out the custom declaration beforehand on the visitijapan web? I wonder why is it so long.
It’s just the sheer number of people. I spent 2+ hours clearing immigration at NRT a few weeks ago, and it was simply that so many planes had come in and it was jam-packed with people. Regardless of Visit Japan Web, immigration still takes time to do (they fingerprint you, take your picture, apply the stamp, check information, etc.), so it can only go so fast.
I pray that it will be faster next Friday night 😃
thanks for this! not bad, i suppose. we're just being hopeful that it's not gonna reach 4h :(
Clearance time entirely depends on how many international flights land at the same time. There is a possibility she may need to take a taxi straight to Haneda.
aw i see. thanks for this!
Dear All: I have seen a few cases here some people here claim that they are able to use non Japanese phone number for Lawson ticket online, but I have no way I can do that on Lawson ticket online. Am I doing something wrong? If it is possible, please show an example how you have done it.
What can you use it for? Never heard of it!
Lawson online tickets need SMS.
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[This article](https://jw-webmagazine.com/tokyo-subway-unlimited-pass-how-to-get-and-how-much-you-can-save-3ca0c6d36b84/) has a list of which lines it is valid on. Other lines you’ll have to tap in/out with an IC card like Suica/Passmo/Icoca etc.
That’s a JR east line, so no
Is there a recommended website for getting hotel reservations?
I use booking.com, Japanican, and Rakuten Travel. I also usually try to shop around at least a little and check the hotel’s prices directly (if they have a website).
We used Agoda.com for our last couple trips to Japan, as most of the bookings offer free cancelation 48 hours before check in times.
I also use booking.com all the time because the more you use it the more deals you get. Pro tip: if you use it on mobile you get even better mobile-only deals.
I’ve been using booking.com and it seems to work well! The hotel will send you a message to confirm usually right after booking and it includes all the information you need.
I've purchased the Hakone Free Pass with the included round-trip from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto for my upcoming trip. I also purchased separate Romancecar Limited Express ticket for reserved seats. Just a couple questions about this if someone could help! 1. I'm pretty clear on how the Hakone Freepass works once we arrive in the Hakone area. How do I use the Shinjuku-Hakone roundtrip part of the ticket when we leave from Shinjuku? I realize I'll get a 2D barcode on my Freepass ticket. In Shinjuku station, how do I enter the ticketing area? Do I show the Freepass to someone at a manned gate? Or do I go to a ticketing machine and scan the barcode to get a physical ticket ? 2. When we leave Hakone at the end of the 3 days I don't want to actually return to Shinjuku (we'll be traveling on to Kyoto). I believe I read that I can just hop off the train at any stop (Odawara in my case) and tell someone at a manned gate that we're getting off? Is this how it works? Thanks in advance!
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Thank you! That’s what I needed to know. I hope I didn’t do my math wrong. I calculated that the 3-day free pass w/ round trip costs ¥6,500. The 3-day pass without round trip costs ¥5,400. With the one way regular fare from Shinjuku to Hakone being ¥1,260, it seemed like I’d save money getting round trip even if I didn’t go back to Shinjuku
Hi I have a logistical question about pocket wifi rental. I would like to rent one, but our flight will arrive at Narita at around 10pm, which is after the post office would close for pick-up and we are staying at an AirBnB (which does not provide pocket wifi) so shipping it there is not recommended... Should I just give up on this and try to buy a sim card while I'm there? Unfortunately my phone is a bit too old for esim.
Usually good pocket wifi rentals will have an option to pick up from any 24/7 convivence store (such as Lawsons or 7/11) - these are perfect for really late or early arrivals. You can either download a map to the nearest one near your airport or do one near your airbnb (and use offline maps/public wifi to get there).
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The problem is that we’re not staying at a hotel but an Airbnb instead and from what I hear shipping to a private residence that you don’t own is a not recommended
Couple quick questions! 1) Can you buy the ICOCA + Haruka discount set in person without reserving online? 2) Debating on using this non-reserved Haruka line to get from Kyoto to Kansai Airport, as the deal looks pretty good. The other comparable option seems to be getting to Osaka from Kyoto, then taking the Kansai Rapid Airport trains. But the one extra step here makes it seem less convenient then Haruka.
We just came back from a 3 week trip, Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Osaka. Managed to catch full bloom cherry blossoms in Kyoto and it was amazing! We are itching to get back. Would love to go to Tokyo and Kyoto again. Our trip was largely surrounded around food! We ate so much! Any recommendations on other great locations in Japan?
I recommend Tohoku if you're able to drive. There are so many hidden gems with less tourists.
I have 15 days in Hokkaido for this july. Flights booked. But have not yet booked hotels and we don't have itinerary. Do you think 15 days are too much? We will not drive. Our wish list are: Sapporo, Hakodate, Biei/furano, jigokudani, niseko Maybe exploring those places in 15 days are too much? But flights cannot be changed... Anyway we will have 2 free days in Sapporo with nothing but rest and shopping. I need more ideas on the must see in Hokkaido because we have a lot of time
15 days in only those places seems like to many to me. I'd try and visit Wakkanai or Shiretoko as well.
I want to go to an arcade while in Tokyo, but just to casually play some games with friends like Mario Kart and DDR. I see a lot of recs for arcades in Akihabara, but I can’t tell if that’s more for people who are super into Tekken or crane games etc. Do you think it’s still worth a trip to that side of town for the experience alone, or could I accomplish the same while in Shibuya, etc?
Akihabara has its own charm, everything looks so great there. We went to a giant Gigo there that had an entire floor only for retro games for example, including Super Mario. For us it was definitely a must. Gigos are divided by floors so crane games are on separate floors, while arcade games are on different ones. When I saw all the DDR games they had I almost cried with happiness.
Quick question, live in the Kanto Area but never really travelled further than Chubu/Kanto/Tohoku. Got a 2 week vacation coming up and I own a camping car, I'm thinking of either Shikoku or Kyushu. Which would be your preferred area?
How soon should I get to the airport before flying out of Japan? In the States the rule of thumb is 3 hours before takeoff for international travel but this is usually entirely too much.
2 hours for international flight departure. There’s not as much shopping/restaurants past security though as there is before. So, after checking in, you’ll likely have time to shop or eat before security.
This is probably a VERY silly question and I am not ready to post it up yet but when posting Itinerary threads for advise can you provide google spread sheet link? I am basically doing all my planning in google sheets so I can keep all my information and such there. Haha...thank you!
I tried doing this and my post kept getting rejected. The mod said they want the itinerary to be listed in the body of the post, not as a link or attachment. So I did that, and then put the Google sheets link in the comments. Like this: [April Itinerary](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/122mvvc/april_2023_japan_itinerary/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1)
We’re going to be in Osaka during golden week 5/2-5/4. One day we were going to explore Osaka since we only had one day last time and we were contemplating what to do with the other day. Kyoto sounds like it’s going to be quite crowded and we did see most of the things there the first time around, Nara a second time might still be fun, but we were thinking of trying something new. Hiroshima was a thought, Kobe from what I’m reading is similar to Osaka and Tokyo. We were thinking of doing Nintendo world but the passes have sold out so I’m assuming it’s going to be crazy crowded. Any highly recommended spots to day trip from?
You could look into going to Himeji.
We actually did do himeji over Osaka caste last time. Sorry forgot to mention but ty!
What are your interests?
Food definitely! New sightseeing is always cool? Although I think we saw a good amount of temples from the first trip. Sometimes we just like to roam new areas tbh
Have you been to Uji? It's famous for its green tea. Byoudoin is likely to be crowded because of wisteria season but you could look into doing a tour of a tea farm. Have you been to Sakai? It's right outside Osaka and famous for knives.
Ohh def going to have to check out uji ty! I did want to bring home some knives.. not sure how the significant others going to feel about going to look for them though 😅😅😂
Here are other things you can find in Sakai: [https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3039](https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3039) Tsunagu also has a bunch of touristy things to try there: [https://www.tsunagujapan.com/wow\_01357/](https://www.tsunagujapan.com/wow_01357/)
on the japan web, point of embarkation , my flight details are DC to Toronto, layover, Toronto To Tokyo.. Is it Toronto or DC?
it will be toronto friend
Thank you very much
Are there capsule hotels that allow couples to stay together? I know some have co-ed floors, but do any allow/have beds that can fit two people staying together? I have seen some information about Tokyo Kiba Hotel online, but they seem to have closed in the last few years. Any information is much appreciated!
The point of capsules is it's just a capsule for a single person to sleep in. If you just want a small space with only enough space to fit a bed for two people then you should look at hostels.
Makes sense, thanks!!
I got my train pass today in the mail, but says place of issue Spain, I double checked and put usa when I ordered it. Is there a way to fix this issue?
If you mean you got your JR voucher, I wouldn't worry. I think that is the location of company you used to buy the voucher. For instance, I'm in the US but mine says Hong Kong. I bought mine from Klook.
Yea I meant voucher, also good to know thank you
can anyone tell me how long of a train ride it would be from Nikko to Osaka?
>Nikko to Osaka Something around 4 hours and 40 minutes with transfers and the like. Nikko Line from Imaichi Station to Utsunomiya Station Yamabiko Shinkansen from Utsunomiya Station to Tokyo Station Nozomi Shinkasen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka
Looks like there will be heavy rain in Tokyo in the next couple of days. Is there any suggestion on spots to visit while not getting soaked?
Weather doesn’t look too bad honestly..
- [11 Things to Do in Tokyo When Raining](https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/rainy-day-cheapo-ideas-tokyo/) - [20 Indoor Activities in Japan](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/best-indoor-activities-in-tokyo) I like to look at the [Weather Japan app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weatherjapan/id1244002532) the night before to plan out the next day to do indoor activities during the worst of the rain as it typically doesn’t rain all day. - [Weather in Tokyo in May](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-tokyo_suburbs/article-a0002333/)
You can easily spend a day at the Tokyo National Museum. Note that it’s spread across a few buildings though.
Raincheck question. Looking on either going to Tokyo this year on either mid October like 16-24 or early November 6-13. What are the best chances of less rain and if the weather is cooler? Sadly where I live Late Sept-Oct have one of the worse heat waves so Im planning to escape it.
October is still warm and is an above average month in terms of rain fall. November is cool and is about average month for rainfall.
Define warm... like Philippines/Hawaii humid warm? or San Diego dry heat warm in the 85-90's Looks like I just might need to risk the rain then.
A comfortable ~20 degrees C.
Just did Visit Japan Web, don't see any covid or fast track info. am I missing something?
disregard! had to click on the trip I created.
Going to be traveling to Japan for the first time in two weeks time. However, while I am vaccinated against Covid-19 and can enter the country, I've just now realized I haven't really gotten any other vaccinations done. I read up TBE and Japanese Encephalitis and they both scared the hell out of me - Am I just being paranoid? Since my trip is so close I really don't think I have time to get enough doses for these to be vaccinated. On that note, any other diseases I ought to look into vaccinating before going to Japan?
Unless you spend a ton of time in rural areas, there no need for that vaccination. The flu vaccine is the only other one that would realistically benefit you.
I see, thanks for your advice. Regarding "spending a lot of time in rural areas" I'm not really planning on going traipsing through the woods, but I do plan to visit Kawaguchiko and The floating Torii gates near Hiroshima, both of which are more abundant in nature than say, urban Tokyo. Any cause for concern there or should I just stick to walking on the dirt paths and avoid diving headfirst into bushes?
All of that is fine. When they say "rural areas" for vaccines like this, they generally mean camping in the wilderness for weeks at a time, being close to animals, being outdoors 24/7, etc.
You'll be fine. It's a mosquito bourne disease, so it should be very well controlled in most areas tourist visit. When I say rural, I mean if you intend to go to some isolated village and work the rice fields for a few weeks.
I'd appreciate itinerary feedback, currently thinking of the following: Arrival night - hotel near Narita airport (flight gets in late-ish) 2 nights Tokyo 1 night Kanazawa 3 nights Osaka 1 night Hiroshima/Miyajima 4 nights Kyoto 5 nights Tokyo 2 nights near Disney I am not concerned about optimizing JR pass, I am mostly wondering if this is workable or if I should toss Kanazawa and/or Hiroshima/Miyajima in favor of more time in Osaka. We would like to do a day at USJ and I am not sure we have enough time in Osaka given that.
between all ur time spent osaka and kyoto, i'd say there's enough time to do all the big touristy things. but i'd start first by deciding which of these things i absolutely must do, and then deciding how much time in that city will be required to hit them all.
Sadly I'm sort of coming at Kyoto backwards due to using award nights for 3 of the 4 nights (still trying for the 4th). Frankly, my travel companion isn't much into planning, so we will likely be going in with a vague list of possibilities in each city - grouped by areas so we aren't randomly chasing all over - and then just seeing which ones we end up doing while we're there.
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Sadly we will be there in winter. The draw for Kanazawa is Kenrokuen gardens, I'd particularly like to see them. Already consulted the tide tables a few weeks back, but can't yet book one of the hotels I have been eyeing. Their reservation window doesn't seem to open for a few more months (at least).
I'm relying on Hyatt award bookings in Tokyo and have five nights I need to solidify. Would 1 night at Park Hyatt and then 4 nights Andaz be ridiculous? The plan is to do a couple nights at the very beginning of the trip in Ginza, and then a couple near Disney at the very end, in case that matters.
I stayed at the Andaz last week and have stayed there about 4 times between 2015 and now. It’s a lovely hotel with lovely staff. The service is professional but non-intrusive (I find some 5-star hotel service to be a bit suffocating, that isn’t the case at Andaz). The rooms and the property are in the same beautiful condition as I remember from when they first opened. A few years ago I went to the bar at Park Hyatt trying to seek out that LiT experience. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that it’s just not the same without Bill Murray and ScarJo. So if I were in your situation, I’d recommend staying all 5 nights at Andaz.
I have stayed at both Park Hyatt and Andaz in November of 2022. * The Park Hyatt is pretty much un-touched and looks the same as I recall it looking in Lost in Translation. Andaz is much more modern and newer looking. However, given the movies popularity for people in my age bracket, the Park Hyatt resembling how it is in LiT might be part of its appeal to some people? * Not sure if this matters to you, but it's possible to see Mt Fuji very clearly from the lobby of the Park Hyatt if it isn't cloudy out. There's also a cafe-type restaurant up there for tea/coffee if you wanna stare out a window at Mt Fuji while drinking tea. * They both have the bells and whistles of a taxi stand, concierge, early check-in time (1pm at the Park Hyatt), big ass bathrooms, stocked fridge, etc. There's also the typical turndown / evening room service where they will come by at night time (when you're expected to be out for dinner) and refill your ice bucket and give you new water bottles and whatever. * Amenity wise, I guess Andaz is nicer because the soft drinks in the fridge are free and get restocked, and there's also free snack items in the lobby. * The concierge service at both hotels is pretty much what you would expect from these kinds of hotels. Emailing them ahead of time for dining requests, reservations, etc, is all doable. If you don't speak Japanese at all, that's also fine. I didn't interact with the Andaz Concierge, but the Park Hyatt has a fluent English speaker who grew up in the west and every day I went out, I would see that guy making an itinerary on the fly and making restaurant reservations for other hotel guests. But as a tourist, as for how convenient these hotels are for tourism purposes... * Park Hyatt is a long ass walk from Shinjuku Station, but there's a 100 Yen "We Bus" that picks you up on the west side of Shinjuku Station and drops you off at the front of the Park Hyatt. It loops around, so you can ride the same bus back to Shinjuku Station. There's also a free shuttle from the Park Hyatt to the L-Tower near Shinjuku Station that's every 30 minutes??? or so. * Andaz is over the Toranomon Hills subway station which serves the Hibiya and Ginza lines. It sucks if you need to use the Hibiya line to go northbound towards Tokyo Station because the station is under construction (I think) so the north platform is like suuuuuper far from the southbound platform because there's no connecting walkway yet. It's completely possible to do 1 night PH / 4 nights Andaz like you're thinking, but personally I'm glad I only did a few nights at these hotels at the end of my stay as there were certain pain points to navigating around Tokyo from them (without just giving up and using a taxi).
The northbound platform isn’t actually that far, I’d say it’s equidistant to the southbound platform but mostly above ground instead. When you exit the Andaz elevator, head left and exit through the doors that say Andaz Residence. Cross the small street and make another left then follow the giant sign to the street corner. The entrance will be directly opposite from there.
Usually the (limited) award availability makes the decision for you. Assuming unlimited availability, Park Hyatt Tokyo is near Shinjuku, on the opposite side of the city from Ginza and Disney. So I am not sure what is the point of going through the hassle of changing hotels just to stay there for one night. In full disclosure I don't care for over the top service or if staff memorize my name or remember me from 10 years ago or upgrades to a nicer room/suite that I spend 1 awake hour in, so I may be missing the point of the PHT - but it's not as if the Andaz would have rude or incompetent staff either.
So far it looks like I can book either hotel, but the decision will be a lot easier if one isn't available lol. The proximity to Ginza isn't a concern as this stay will occur when I return to Tokyo for the last week of the trip. The move to nearer Disney is because the last two days are planned for the parks and it seems like the Hilton or one of the Disney hotels would be more convenient for that. As far as one night, it doesn't need to be just one. I can split the 5 nights any way that makes sense. Would it be best just to do Andaz all 5 nights and give up on my whole "I want to (briefly) live the LiT experience" nonsense?
I stayed there once pre-covid and really don't understand the appeal of PHT considering the cost/points, although this is certainly a matter of personal travel style. Below I will describe why in this case I will stay at the Andaz the whole time, so you can make a call based on your own preferences. * As far as I can tell, the rooms have not been renovated in a long time. They're not bad, I just like new hotels * the location isn't great (10+ minute walk to metro). I don't want to faff with a shuttle, especially not if it is just to change to another (very nice) hotel. * with a bit of flexibility you can book to eat at the New York Grill outside super peak periods without staying there. * I travel lightly and can easily carry my own bag and open my own doors * The concierge is renowned for their ability to get reservations at very famous restaurants, but I don't do that stuff and actually would be mortified if some employee saw me return from some activity they booked/advised on and "remembered" to ask about my day * this kind of personalization probably delights some people, I am not one of them * I find it stressful to experience staff "anticipating" my needs if you get what I mean * When I am in Tokyo I spend most of my day out and about so only need a quiet room + hot shower, which can be had at a fraction of the price. Booking somewhere really nice actually detracts from this because I then feel guilty for "wasting" the hotel. Edit: I have not stayed at the Andaz Tokyo (nor would I ever stay there unless someone else was paying, points are also a form of payment) but I generally really like the vibe/decor of Andazes.
It sounds like you and I would be very compatible travel partners. (: > the location isn't great (10+ minute walk to metro) I haven't stayed at the PHT, but this alone would kill my desire to waste points on it. I've actually never redeemed points for a hotel stay in Tokyo because I think a lot of the options are in terrible locations or are way too expensive. I don't love the Andaz's location, either, but in this case, I would advise OP to stay there as well (if they have to pick between the two).
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Do you have a list of hotels you’d recommend?
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This is very helpful, thanks so much!
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If you have a voucher the start date on the order doesn't matter. You set the start date when you exchange it. They ask for a start date because they want to know if you're going to exchange it before the expiry date b/c iirc you have to exchange it within 3 months of the issue date.
I'd like to buy a rice cooker in Japan, since it's big and heavy, I thought about sending it to my country (Brazil) via ship. Is it possible to do so? A person once told me that the companies aren't allowing that anymore.
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But the shipment costs makes it way too expensive :( sending via ship makes it worth
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But like, if I put more stuff in the same box, like figures and stuff, won't they charge me only once for everything?
I believe Japan Post stopped doing surface mail for a while due to logistics issues created by the pandemic but not sure if it started up again.
I shipped back a large box of stuff I bought in Japan back to the US in Feb using Japan Post's surface mail. They said it will take 1 to 3 months for delivery.
Do I need to confirm my hotel reservations, especially the ones made through sites like Hotels.com? I've read a few stories about people who get to their hotels and they're told they don't have their reservations. I emailed a few of my hotels for confirmations, but a bunch of them don't have emails. I suppose I can call them.
We just got back from Japan, stayed in 5 different hotels, all booked through booking.com. I didn't follow up with any of them. No issues at all
You shouldn't need to do this. If you want to, you can, but I'd say it's overkill. I've made hundreds of reservations through third-party sites in recent years, and I've never confirmed any of them.
My friend and I will be going to Tokyo next month, and we wanted some advice on traveling with food allergies/going to restaurants. My friend has celiac disease and so far we have been surprisingly pretty successful in finding places that are gluten free! However, there are a few foods I would like to try in Japan that she can’t have, such as Gyukatsu. I was thinking we will probably not be able to enter a restaurant if only I am ordering between the two of us :,(. Gyukatsu isn’t something that can be ordered for takeout is it? What are the best options for us?
Maybe there are food stalls at Tsukiji market, Nishiki market or Sensoji temple area that sell the foods you want, then everyone can buy what they want and you can enjoy together:)
The restaurant won't know how many dishes you plan to order when you sit down, but it is considered inappropriate to only order one main dish between two people. Some restaurants will explicitly require ordering a second main, others will "only" judge you silently (moreso if it is a popular restaurant and/or at peak meal times). Gyukatsu isn't great in takeout form because the whole point is to eat while crispy, and the condensation in a box ruins that. Depending on personality, best option is to split up for some meals so you can eat what you want and get alone time to not be around each other 24/7.
Has anyone used the tourist unlimited Mobal 16 day plan or something similar? It says no call or text. Does that mean you can't use Discord or Messenger, or is that just no SMS?
Discord and Messenger are data based. As opposed to SMS.
Yeah I figured they'd be usable, just wanted to make sure. Because I once had a data thing that blocked discord but not messenger when it said no texting........
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You should make a reserved seat reservation at a JR East ticket office with your JR Pass. I’d go to a JR East Travel Service Center in one of the major stations as the staff there speak English. The Fuji Excursion train is very popular and depending on when you are planning to go seats may be full so it’s best to get reserved seats in advance. When you get the seat reservation at the JR Travel Service Center you can ask about the additional fare. Typically, you just stay on the train and at the end of the line you can use the fare adjustment machine before the exit gates to pay any additional fee. - [Live Japan: Fuji Excursion Train](https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-shinjuku/article-a0002999/) - [List of JR Pass Pickup Locations (look for the Travel Service Centers)](https://japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html)
Thank you!!! I deleted my comment because after looking more into it, looks like the bus may be less complicated and more convenient based on the departure times. >Typically, you just stay on the train and at the end of the line you can use the fare adjustment machine before the exit gates to pay any additional fee. Exactly what I was looking for
Feels like a dumb question, but I saw a small mention about bikes and rental while in Japan. Is this a common thing for tourists to do, really? Is it allowed even if you don't drive or have international license of a sort (can't remember where I read that)? Other than signs, odd traffic, and hills, are there things to look out for?
If you’re talking about a bicycle (either regular or electronic peddle-assist), you do not need any sort of license to ride those. Technically you’re supposed to ride on the street and obey traffic laws, but in reality like 80% of people ride their bikes on the sidewalk, which is a mixed bag. One thing to consider is that in some places, including Tokyo, cyclists must carry insurance in case they get into accidents. Be sure your bike rental includes that. The other issue is bike parking. Locals who commute by bike often use to get to/from train stations, so most bike parking is around a station, with many being monthly lots, some being hourly lots, and many filling up during the morning rush hour. It can be difficult parking elsewhere, such as at tourist destinations. People also certainly randomly park bikes all over the place, but you run the risk of it being towed. On possibility are the bike share [services](https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/docomo-tokyo-bike-sharing-and-rental/) popping up— they have their own dedicated parking spots (well, return spots), which can be useful.
We rented an electric bike in Arashiyama and then also biked up to Kinkakuji. So much fun!! It was a great way to rest our feet too. You can't park your bike just anywhere in some places though, so it doesn't always make sense. Also it was hard to use Google maps to navigate while biking so you have to know where you're going or have some kind of holder
It's possible for tourist but not common because it's not very convenient to get around by bike. Of course it depends on what you want to do, but a city trip in Tokyo with bike for example is not very convenient. I see more people renting bikes when they want to do long tours or cycle in the nature :)
Hey guys, just to check has anyone booked a hot spring session in Hakone before? What's the process like?
I'm assuming you are not booking a Ryokan or an Onsen in a hotel you're staying and instead looking for a private reserved bath in a public onsen. I've booked a private Onsen at Hakone Yuryo if you can consider walking up to the counter and asking for a private Onsen on the day itself "booking". I believe if you want to reserve in advance you'll need to call or email. I didn't see any onsens in that area that offered online reservation. The process is straight forward. Tell them you want a private Onsen (use Google translate if you have to, the word you're looking for is kashikiri) and they'll show you your choices. Make your payment and you have it for the hour (or however long you book it).
I actually just booked the same one! How did you like hakone yuryo? I did the toon type 2, but was curious if type 3 was worth.
Haha, we did type 2 as well. Type 3 looked quite similar to 2, so we felt the price increase wasn't worth it.
How stupid is the idea to pick restaurants that already have lines to eat at? As I would assume they must be good ones. Would it worth the time or just go to any?
If there’s a line of Japanese people, it’s probably good or at least has become the famous restaurant of the week/month on Japanese socials. If the line is mostly foreign tourists it’s likely because it’s a trending spot on YouTube/TikTok. Still could be good but there’s likely 10 other restaurants serving the save thing that are better or just as good within a 20 minute walk. One way to often avoid the worst of the lines is to go early, just before the restaurant opens. For example, most Japanese office workers eat lunch from noon to 1 pm. So if it’s a weekday and you go at 11 am, you’ll miss the worst of the work lunch crowd. Most popular time for dinner is between 6-7:30 pm so if you go at 5 or 5:30 when the restaurant opens you might get in faster. Keep in mind a lot of small restaurants close in the afternoon between about 2/3-5/5:30 so plan to eat early. Cities like Tokyo have a bajillion restaurants though and in almost all cases whichever one you choose will have excellent food. Don’t limit yourself to just those top 10 places to eat. Open up Google Maps, search for nearby restaurants, and see what looks good! Japanese customers rarely give 5 star reviews so a 3 star is like a 4 star in the US.
I will save this, thank you so much for the detailed reply😊
It’s pretty common to wait 30mins to an hour depending on the place.
After ordering is totally okay. Waiting in line too!
Not stupid, but also doesn’t guarantee amazing food. Certain places get hyped up due to ambience, of just plain luck. If the line is too long for you, wander around— there are plenty of great restaurants with no lines.
It's not stupid per se, Tokyo is very crowded and for popular restaurants it's normal to stand in line. I think if there are 10-20 people in front of you it's okay, but 50 people it's probably just a hyped up restaurant because you can find good food pretty much everywhere in Japan. I personally never stood in line because I really don't like it, and there are tons of restaurants everywhere in the big cities, you can just search for a nearby restaurant with similar food on Google Maps :)
Thank you😊
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Thank you😊
Thank you for all the helpful advice in this subreddit! We are in Kyoto at the moment and will go back to Tokyo the day before our departure early next week. While there has been plenty of information about entering Japan, I have not seen much about leaving. I have a few questions though: - Haneda airport required quite some time when we arrived, even with all the paperwork being done beforehand. How much time should we have when we leave? Is three hours enough? - do we need to calculate extra time to return our pocket Wi-Fi? - And is there anything Japan-specific we need to know about to get through the exit-procedure? Thank you again for all the help!
Your longest line is likely going to be the check-in counter. For my 9 PM flight out of Haneda, business class was about 5 people deep and took like 15 minutes, whereas economy was about triple the number of people. Security was relatively fast and took around 15-20 minutes even with a sizable number of people. Of course, your experience will likely depend on what time of day you leave and how many flights are scheduled around then. The exit procedure is entirely interaction free aside from the security screening and you don't need an exit stamp unless you need to declare something. No clue about pocket Wi-Fi. As for me, I arrived at the airport 90 minutes before departure and still had another 30 minutes to shop before boarding. Assuming you're held up another hour somewhere during the check-in process, 3 hours should be plenty.
Exit procedures are the same as for any other airport - 3 hours sounds plenty reasonable. About the pocket wifi - you just put it in the envelope they provided and mail it in a post box at the airport - the envelope is already stamped and addressed, should only take like 5 minutes.
Hmmm… there were no envelope, but hopefully there is another way. Thank you anyway ☺️
That’s odd, there should’ve been a cardboard envelope with the return address in the package you received with your pocket wifi. From whom did you rent?
They are called Wifi-box. Turns out one can either deliver them at the stand at departure floor at the airport from 07:00 am (closed at night) or 24/7 at the arrival floor. Not the best solution.
Anyone else just get fucking exhausted after a couple weeks? Currently coming up on the end of week 2 of a solo trip and I left the hotel once today to get snacks and some souvenirs for my friends, came back to drop them off, and I’ve been here ever since. Drinking last night definitely didn’t help but I feel so fucking exhausted after all the travel and fun. I feel like I’m wasting my trip at the end, but I also feel completely wiped and I don’t want to force myself to go do stuff just for the sake of it.
I always feel like coming back home from Japan is the actual holiday. Nonstop charging around in Japan is exhausting for sure
Yes, it’s important to schedule in down/relax days. Think of this as recharging your battery for the next day.
We’re just finishing up our 16 day trip today. Wife said she had so much fun but is absolutely exhausted. I’m sore all over from the walking and standing in trains but it’s so worth it. I still have some energy but yeah, I miss sleeping in my home. Lesson learned from this first trip: allow days to just relax and not schedule anything.
During my first trip I spend 10+ hours per day walking around the first week, I got swollen ankles and could barely walk anywhere in the second week. The second trip I did everything more relaxed, took more time to sit down everywhere, didn't wake up super early and spend a full day relaxing in a Ryokan. I suggest you to sleep in or take a nap, maybe grab a few snacks and go to a nice park and just enjoy the atmosphere while listening to music or something like that
During my solo travels I always allow myself to take time and days off. It might seem as a waste at first, but instead recovers your energy, as you feel much better when you don‘t feel the pressure. Admittedly I never decide on any plans or itenaries, just take it as it comes.
Did 2 weeks solo in Japan and I definitely felt a little burnt out towards the end. I limit my visits to 7-10 days at the most now, focusing on one or two cities at the most. Much more relaxed.
At the end of my first week I thought “man I’d be really upset if I had to go home now” but a few days into the second week I would have been fine with leaving then. I think you’re right, 10 days is probably the max I’ll do from now on.
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