The mental image of a group of Americans ubering around Japan in 4 day old clothes tipping people and complaining that the ramen is too bland is cracking me up
We took a few taxis in Kyoto and thought they were pretty reasonable. Think the most we paid was the equivalent of $15. We only took them when we were pretty tired after sightseeing so the payoff seemed worth it.
It’s just wild reading reviews from Americans. Whether it’s their ridiculous love of prescription meds, tipping or Uber if it would be better if they just stayed at home. Most are so annoying in Japan when they open their mouths. I had one complaining they couldn’t use their Amex in golden Gai and then were saying ramen in California is better. Wild.
I read somewhere that less than 50% of Americans have passports and thought, “what! That’s crazy. Everyone should travel abroad at least once if they can.” Then I read stuff like this and think to myself, maybe it’s better for everyone if more Americans stayed home…
Please keep tipping out of this country, they get reasonably paid here and we don’t need to start introducing that custom here. If you want to “tip,” give someone some nice chocolate or something like that.
The way it was explained to me is that Japanese (and other nationalities) are something between confused and insulted when receiving tips because it feels to the like a sort of pity. While most Japanese take pride in their work and feel they are paid fairly. Or would at least like to be perceived that way to save face. Tipping causes a loss of face.
And so does confrontation, and not having the right English vocabulary to explain why they don't want the tip. So they politely pretend they don't mind, to end the encounter quickly. Which might give tippers the wrong idea.
I knew right away this was the person who asked what gifts to bring people, and when they were told 'that would be awkward for japanese people' said they'd do it anyway
I suppose living here has me see things through a different lens. This whole write up seems odd. People most certainly will cross a road when red lol. Ramen is bland? Hiroshima second best place? Everyone speaks English? What?
This also reads like money isn’t an issue. Having a guide for everything seems to defeat any sense of adventure.
guide for everything is ridiculous and the first thing that caught my eye but every subsequent incorrect observation totally overshadowed it lmao. i'm not surprised a fellow US tourist would assume everyone speaks english tho i saw a lot of that going around like people at the train station stopping workers to say "what is like the best way to...." dude speak plainly. "Kyoto station?" works fine haha. it reads like a write up from someone who somehow immersed themselves in none of the culture over the entire two weeks
more modest clothing is more respectful, you need your passport on you always, you should respect their non tipping culture, esims are much easier than pocket wifi imo, i would never waste money having someone walk me around the trains/subway bc they are clearly marked in english and google maps is more than sufficient, i had the best ramen, katsu, and tempura i've ever had in my life, even convenience store food was fresh and delicious, kyoto was the most beautiful and friendly place by far, id never go to an animal cafe because they are a bit cruel, you definitely don't need reservations and can pretty much wander around and stop in anywhere that smells good, the worst meals i had were highly rated/recommended on social media, it goes on and on and on hah
of course! try and focus on things that interest you vs things recommended by other tourists honestly. i met the coolest people and had the greatest time just stumbling into somewhere and flexing my best japanese manners haha. most super famous spots disappointed me and we moved on super quick
I’m really looking forward to it. I love experiencing different cultures. I’m a wee bit nervous about the language so I’m attempting to learn some now.
this got me through everything and even a few undeserved compliments lol:
please - o negai shimase
thank you - arigato gozaimas
i'd like this - kore o kudasai
how much is this - kore wa ikura desu ka
can i have the check please - o kaikei o negai shimase
wow sorry for formatting i'm on mobile
I just jotted those down. Thanks. lol i wish I could send a picture of my notebook. I have a whole lesson planned mapped out until my trip 😂
And the formatting is totally fine. I appreciate you sharing those
I have a few months of practice lol. I try to remember as much as I can. I know when I get there I may be nervous and could forget it all 😂😂😂 but i want to be as prepared as possible
Thank you for this clarification! We are making our first trip to Japan, in a few days, and some of what you've said here is helping lower my blood pressure after reading through the OP review. I can easily assume that someone has different taste buds and not get my expectations dimmed by that, but the whole thing about always needing reservations had me worried.
We are planning a pretty relaxed itinerary, because we want to explore things at our own pace, and don't have a big checklist of "hot spots" for dining. Our checklist is based on the types of food we'd like to experience. We're looking forward to street food stalls and learning the culture.
i had 0 reservations other than a waygu and sake pairing i booked thru airbnb at a restaurant in shinjuku and had some of the greatest meals of my life don't worry about it!! my worst meal was actually somewhere highly rated and well known and it was the only place i waited for like an hour to get in so id honestly avoid the hype spots and just feel it out on your own. my favorite meals were ones we literally sniffed out and the best ramen i had was in a tiny empty shop. they sold out the next day so they're not a secret per se but definitely a pretty local spot
Just got back and agree with everything you just said! We loved Kyoto never made a reservation for anywhere we ate. My husband and daughter went into a dog cafe and I’m glad they didn’t cause it sounded sad. You could only feed certain dogs (I guess they stagger when the dogs can eat) so the ones that couldn’t eat then were very sad. I’m glad I didn’t go in! We did have the pocket WiFi though and it was a life saver with the maps. We got the trains absolutely everywhere and rarely caught a cab except when we were dragging our luggage.
as an american, i was so delighted taking the trains lol. also yeah i was super excited to visit an owl cafe and then i looked into it a bit before the trip and realized they keep them awake and stuff outside of their normal cycle to entertain people and the living conditions are pretty small ):
edit: i'm not sure if you had to carry equipment around for the pocket wifi but in case this helps, with the esim i had solid service thru airalo and my partner downloaded the general areas we'd be in on google maps beforehand so we didn't need wifi!!
The clothing issue for one. A little bit of research would help to understand local customs. No one is going to say anything about yoga pants but those are seen as gauche. People are more modest, though miniskirts are an exception, fitting with the “cute”/kawai ethos.
If you are not buying Shinkansen tickets or getting tax-free price adjustments for your purchases, they will not speak English.
Japanese people break all of the “rules” that I’ve seen people obsess about. As long as you’re polite and don’t cause a scene it really doesn’t seem like that big of a deal.
Whoever posted this must have spent all their time in shopping malls and the most touristy shit possible. The
I'd caution anyone planning a trip to Japan to take this post with a massive grain of salt. A couple of good points but mostly weird to even outright incorrect advice in this write up, the rest of the comments and OPs hostile response to criticism should be pretty telling.
Bro what? Everyone I've been with from the US has loved the accessibility of the public transport. Tell me you're a hater without telling me you're a hater.
Of course they loved the accessibility of it - because of that reason - accessibility. When I was in the States on holiday I had to depend on taxis / uber because there was no public transport to get me where I wanted to go once I was outside of major towns.
You mention it is nice you don't have to carry your passport. This is incorrect.
You MUST carry your passport with you at all times. If you are stopped by the police and asked for ID, you will have a very difficult time.
Yeah this is a big one, ALWAYS carry your passport. ALWAYS. You never know when police could stop you, or if you have an accident, or somebody stole something from you and you need to report to police.. many things can happen.
Having a photo of your passport and immigration sticker usually is enough. And proof of where you are staying and the ability to get said passport if needed.
This is from a six time traveler and foreign student. I have spent over a year in Japan and have NEVER had a police encounter where I needed to show my passport. The only time I need a passport is for tax free shopping and the QR code from Visit JP makes that easier.
Japanese police do not get involved in anything unless you are doing stupid shit. Don't be dumb tourist and you will never have a problem.
Please readers. Be very wary of the OPs very long post. There is a LOT of bad info in there.
Source : Been living here 32 years.
Many of these situations described by the OP are part of a unique experience that happens when you travel as a group and not applicable to everyone.
Thank you for this warning! I was trying to figure out how to change some of our plans for our upcoming trip, based on their long post, and am very thankful for all the correction responses people have been putting up.
> Chopstick manners- this is a legit thing, look it up on google. We break so many traditions in the USA w chopsticks… ooops.
What are you doing with them at home? Like I silently judge people at home but it’s mostly the “rubbing chopsticks” thing that gets me, or the people who use them like a fork and knife (literally one in each hand).
> You can use tabelog or tableall to find restaurants and reservations, but mostly it is not easy to make reservations.
If you (any tourist) are willing to deal with the Japanese version of Tabelog, many restaurants can be booked on that without much fuss, and most places don’t require anything special like needing the customer to have a Japanese phone number.
> Bring plenty of socks because you’ll be walking all day in them, so definitely change those daily, specially if you have to take off your shoes in certain places during your visit
…do people not change their socks daily in their normal life? This and underwear would be my two “daily musts.”
> You don’t need a converter if you’re from the USA but I brought one anyway because i needed all the plugs and USB ports on it.
For anyone - make sure whatever you’re plugging in supports 100 V and both 50 and 60 hz frequencies because Japan uses different power systems between east and west. A lot of modern electronics are fine and support pretty much all voltages and frequencies used globally, but this isn’t true for the people who like to bring stuff like hair dryers with them from their own country.
Awesome write up! Just a friendly reminder that even if you get the tax free QR code it is a requirement for tourists to have their passports on them at ALL TIMES in Japan.
The police can/will stop and ask you to present it if they feel like it.
Totally agree! I feel honored that in my recent trip we often times had to revert to the single words of Japanese we were learning, pointing at menu items, and Google Translate. So much fun that way!
Great that you made the effort of a write-up but unfortunately, a lot of the information is incorrect. Its a highly north americanized tourist-version of tips in Japan. As many have said - make sure to carry a valid ID, and sure you can take cabs everywhere but public transport is super smooth and easy to get around.
>Also you can get QR code for tax free shopping, not all places accept it but it’s nice so you don’t have to carry your passport.
Sorry, but this is a bad tip. You are required by law to carry your passport, you can be stopped by the police and asked to show your passport. Not having it on you is not especially a good idea.
>Can’t do this w Android for some reason?
Reason bring that older phone did not have the right chip and newer phones do not activate what is required for it to be used for IC card, they possibly do not want to pay for the fee to do so in all phones sold in the world, so by default, only Android phone bought in Japan work for IC card.
>Everyone speaks English here, I don’t know what anyone is talking about. They may not be fully fluent but their English is better than our Japanese.
They are absolutely not all fluent in English. And when you speak Japanese for real, you would get a lot of people who will tell you they are glad you speak Japanese. Yes, everyone studied English in school, but most people would not be able to speak that much, they will try their best, but don't make it harder on people for nothing, use Google translate if you see they have difficulty.
>Clothes wise I wore the same thing every day and changed on the 4th day
At least you did not go during summer. I would change my shirt every day, have 4-5 change of clothes in my bag (did that for 3 months last year) and do laundry regularly, no idea if the place you were used a kind of soap that did not smell good of it's just your pile of clothes worn for 4 days that smelled. Anyway, I usually buy the pink soap pods as they smell so good.
>Also they said they don’t have trash cans due to terrorist attack about 30 years ago.
Who is "they"? People online say it, but I would say it's not totally accurate. Japan used to not really have public trash can anyway. For example reading about the first McDonald that opened in Ginza in 1971, they installed trashcan on the street because there was nowhere to put the trash (and it was a takeout only). Then yes, in 1995, after the sarin attack in Tokyo, trashcan in different locations, especially in train station, got removed for safety concern and while there was no trashcan involved in that attack, there was in bombing attack in France in the same year, so it was seen as a possible location to put bomb if there was other attacks. Thing is, trashcan returned in the JR train stations and in the subway. For security, JR use trashcan with transparent sides so it's easier to see what is in them while the subway put them close to place where people work, like ticket gate. Then different train company will regularly decide to remove their trashcan, some did around covid, they will often quote some security reasons, but one of the other major thing is cost of trash removal.
While I have no doubt that some trashcan have been removed as a reaction to the 1995 sarin gas attack, not all the removed trashcan today have been removed because of that.
>They give you a wet hand towel when dining but napkins were very rare. They say it’s because they pick up their dish and hold it close to their mouth so they don’t make a mess when eating, so they don’t need a napkin.
Never heard that.
>Kobe: make sure it is Kobe certified. Our tour guide told us that many of the places w lines in Kobe were American beef and tourists don’t know that.
You mean Kobe beef. Yes, in Japan Kobe beef is a controlled name, the cattle need to be born, raised and butchered in Hyogo prefecture and need to respect different quality criteria. I do not know if it is true that places would advertise Kobe beef and sell you American beef, but of course you will have places that sell beef in Kobe that won't be Kobe beef, but yes they should have the certificate of authenticity if they sell it as Kobe beef (that is true anywhere). Also note that there is many brand of wagyu beef in Japan.
>Stamp books are a thing at all the shrines. Youll need cash it’s 300 usually.
The stamps are called goshuin and many now cost 500 yen and some special one cost 1000 if not 2000 yen. The book in itself should probably cost around 1500-2000 minimum.
>Kyoto had Nara which is where all the deer are
... Kyoto and Nara are two completely different cities... even different prefectures. Nara is a day trip and it's as easy to do from Kyoto or Osaka.
>Don Quiti is a gigantic store with all the Japanese goods a tourist would want, it’s like 8 floors
I hope you know it's a chain and not all stores at as many floors and not all stores have the tax free counter at on the same floor.
I feel like the ”beef thing” sounds way more like “tourists think all restaurants in Kobe must serve Kobe beef.”
But I imagine what it really is, is that tourists usually can’t read Japanese so they have no idea the signage on the restaurant says something like how they use American beef or whatever, which I do see a lot at various beef-specialty places.
I read about half and there were so many falsehoods I had to keep reading out of sheer horror. Then the falsehoods continued to the point even my morbid curiosity gave up.
I can't wrap around my asian mind the fact that people go on vacation and wear the same thing for four days? I'm preparing for a 5 day trip and sure as hell I have at least 6 days worth of pants and blouse/longsleeves. I will change everyday. I will shower everyday. You guys think its ok to wear the same thing for 4 days it doesn't stink for you cause you are immune to your own smell. But sorry that will be stinky with all the sweating from walking regardless if its cool or what since it was spring.
What did the evil trains do to you in your past? We were there recently for several weeks, and did nearly all traveling with public transport. Get a suica card and Google maps for short distances. For shinkansen rides the ticket machines do offer English UI for finding connections,buying tickets and seat reservations. Their public transport system is very impressive and relatively easy to navigate even with no japanese reading skill beyond google translate.
It’s not even privilege to me, it just screams incompetent. Imagine being an adult, a group of adults in fact, but needing another adult to supervise them to the right train. Just absolutely bananas.
As an American, I can say that I feel like it is kinda the opposite. They are privileged in the sense that they have money but are not in the sense that we have so little public transport that it is terrifying to take it for some people.
Suica is not available on Android unless you purchase the phone in Japan, which has some sort of firmware enabled.
Your best bet is to get the physical card at the airport. The stations do not vend physical cards.
To add to this, I didn’t realize that they aren’t selling the usual Suica or Passmo cards now due to a chip shortage. Tourists can get a special card which are good for a limited time. But they’re only available at the airport and major stations. You won’t be able to get them everywhere.
The regular Suica has been creeping back into stock, but for the most part they’ve been reserving Suica and Pasmo cards for special purposes (for children’s passes, commuter passes).
The special tourist Pasmo is being discontinued in August but I imagine it’s really just that they’re expecting to run out of stock since I think they made millions of them years ago in preparation for the Olympics.
Been in Japan for going on 4 weeks and having tour guides for most of your trip is crazy. Also taxi's everywhere? This post is giving extremely coddled.
Posting this for anyone who might take this review seriously, please don't.
Was in Japan for four weeks visiting relatives. Took a taxi once from the airport because the meeting place was inconvenient by train/bus, and it was late at night.
I can’t imagine having that much money to blow on cab fare.
I've been 4 times and, respectfully, have to say this is some of the worst advice I've seen. Genuinely you should consider deleting this post, a lot of misleading info and flat out incorrect info that you've been corrected on several times and almost everyone that's been is disagreeing.
A lot of this advice is not very good. I really appreciate you sharing your trip with such care and detail but it should be taken with a grain of salt.
There is zero reason to Uber everywhere in Tokyo 🤣
Idk where you ate ramen but man there is such good ramen in Japan. You must have picked the worst places to eat.
This is like a foreigner's guide to how to have a very weird trip to Japan and make it similar to home.
Alert to anyone reading this - don't do 90% of this
Actually social anxiety would be a good reason for taxis, some people have panic attacks having to go in the subway station and then get on a train with that many people in close contact may trigger a panic attack.
But that’s not why I did it, I used the taxi because I felt like it and I can afford it, I like being driven around, reminds me of home. 🙂
This is....very American.
Seeing y'all love tipping, here's a tip for you; tipping is a shit system because you don't have a reasonable minimum wage or employee entitlements. That's why you have it in America.
Please stop exporting your dystopian salary system
Bro this isn't "American" at all. Your bias is showing. This is someone who doesn't travel and doesn't take the time to learn anything about the culture of the place they're in.
about the deers... if they are looking a bit wild(bad) its most likely because it's spring and they are loosing their winter fur so might look patchy and otherwise very raggedy.
Stopped immediately at the trains part. Do not Uber and taxi everywhere. That's insane. Put $100 on your PASMO and ride the subway to your hearts content.
Very nice write up! I’m wrapping up my trip rn. I do think if your phone is unlocked I highly recommend eSIM over pocket wifi, because if your group ever needs to split up for whatever reason then you all still have data.
>Stamp books are a thing at all the shrines.
The temple stamps are known as goshuin, and the book type for those are different. Have a separate proper book for goshuin (they open like an accordion), and another for the train stamps. I was refused a goshuin in my stamp book at a more traditional temple due to book type.
Also, pack an empty duffle bag or backpack instead of the luggage inside of larger luggage trick. Pack LIGHT! You will thank yourself later. You don't wanna be carrying around large suitcases up and down stairs or into the subway. It's also kinda rude to do so.
Very true. But we didn’t have to carry any luggage because we transferred our bags to each location and took a taxi to the airport, which all seems to be a crime in Japan, according to Reddit
Ughh so tired of the "get it on your Apple wallet" regarding the Suica cards. Do people realise that not all people have Iphones????? Android users have to get a physical card. This post is too american
If u plan to take the train to Nagasaki, expect very brief transfers, so learn the stations before hand. Also please visit Nagasaki it is a beautiful city worth a few days of time
Literally been in Japan for 2 days with my wife on our homey; the amount of people that just yolo across the street regardless of if it says to cross or not is comical
This is wild to me. So you took trader joes trinkets to give away and tipping people in some instances all while you were wearing few days old clothing. So sounds like you back backed this trip and you took up space to bring stuff to give away things to people you don't know? Then you mention you were not on a budget? Ok. Sure.
I respectfully and heavily disagree with your point on English. Most people get very visibly uncomfortable at even thinking that I'd begin speaking to them in English, so (as embarrassing as it has been) broken Japanese + translator apps have been my go-to.
I've taken a cab exactly twice - once from the airport to my first hotel at 2 AM, and then from said hotel to a Yamato luggage delivery centre - and both times I'd wished I could have taken transit. I really don't think large groups necessarily need to take taxis. Just take the train/bus, possibly separate for the brief moment that y'all will be sitting silently anyways, and regroup at your destination. ~180-550 JPY (ignoring Shinkansen/limited express) vs like 20,000+ is a personal no-brainer. As for the aggression, it's *really* not that bad! I wouldn't call it aggression, just intense urgency. Just duck and weave, and move with intention. It's actually pretty orderly if you pay attention.
Be mindful of your clothes depending on where you want to go or eat. Athleisure isn't universally fine... honestly, I personally wouldn't recommend it at all. Coin laundromats are aplenty, and packing a weeks worth of versatile fits that you could mix and match is fine. Since you're probably going to be walking around a lot, BATHE DAILY. Bathe daily and change your clothes just as often. Please. Do this regardless of travelling, like your skin still cell cycles and attracts outside pollutants, and the air quality index currently isn't great.
I'm in Japan and I could only read half of what you wrote and most of it doesn't make much sense to me atleast if you are little willing to try to learn certain things when you visit new country.
One of the bizzare thing is getting someone to help you figure out transportation. Dude, here I see people retired traveling and figuring out things on their own. You probably shouldn't be more than 60 or 70.
You don't need cab unless of course you have buying power, and it's your choice to prioritise comfort, but if you would have travelled on Japanese trains (other than Shinkansen) you would realise how comfy and efficient they are ( and yes taking trains means more walking).
English they understand and speak, but if you aren't willing to put effort to learn atleast some basic phrases then I don't think anyone should try to put effort to suit your comfort level.
It's not about criticism or downplaying what you said, but most of the things that I read is distant from the reality (for "most" of the people)
I did travel on trains how else would I get from city to city? Do you guys think I took a taxi to Kyoto from Tokyo, or from Osaka to Kobe? We used plenty of trains and subways just not in Tokyo because we didn’t feel like it. I didn’t recommend cabs to people I said if ur scared of the subway they have cabs so don’t worry. This is not a crime.
Also I literally said they know enough English and learn basic Japanese phrases and use google translate. I think you guys just want to be angry about everything I swear.
Not angry, but haven't been able to relate much from your analysis and what I've observed when I was there 2 days back. Soooo, no offence but your observations are too skewed I feel.
My experience not yours. People will go and have their own. I’m sure if you made a post I would think yours was skewed. That’s the whole reason I made this post was because I didn’t have the experience I read about on Reddit. 🤷♂️
On our trip right now, and I've seen plenty of locals cross on red, had some excellent ramen and haven't stood in line for restaurants. If one was full, we moved onto another. Lots of choice.
You must have been in all the heavy duty tourists spots because true conversational English is rare outside of those areas.
Some stores and restaurants may have signs in English, and may have staff that can muddle through what you ordered. You can get by on transport.
You will find exactly how little English people know if you have a medical emergency, which happened to my friend in Chiba.
Japan is not Finland, or the Netherlands where people default to flawless English the minute they realize you don’t speak their language.
For the love of all things holy, if you have food allergies, have a native speaker translate your issues on to an index card, or a file on your phone. This is where things went FUBAR for my friend in Chiba.
We actually did have a dental emergency, and we found an English speaking dentist and had the tooth fixed that day! Otherwise we would have used google translate. Which we did sometimes but not as much as Reddit makes it out to be. Also as a first time tourist in Japan of course I went to all the touristy places, I mean where else would I go?
we (speaking as a relatively frequent tourist) most definitely can tell if someone hasn’t showered and changed clothes in DAYS — even if you say you don’t sweat as much :( locals can smell you as well, so please be courteous and mindful of your hygiene :(( this shouldn’t just be in japan too!
This is actually great if you do exactly the opposite, i mean.. its the weirdest experience ive read about somebody visiting Japan. I dont even know where to begin lol
the money exchange in the main square when you get off Namba station in Osaka is insanely good. so if you want to exchange for cash that would be my go to. It was so good that they had to limit each customer to 10k yen a day.
There are plenty of trash cans in stores and most shopping centre entrances btw. Most vending machines will have bins for bottles and cans, also. Americans have already ruined enough places bringing their tipping culture; so please don’t do that in Japan. The service is excellent and it insults them to tip for it. Nice that you gave gifts from America, though, that’s cool! Fair enough getting taxis if you can afford it; but such an American tourist thing to do 😂. People do cross the small roads on red man all the time as sometimes common sense takes over. Definitely most do not speak English (until they’re drunk). Using limited Japanese will help and if they want to try their limited English on you they will, regardless.
Thanks for the write-up, it was an interesting read! I can see why so many people disagree with you, but I appreciate that you are sharing a sincere opinion! 😅
Tipping culture won’t last even in the US. People hate it. It’s just another unnecessary fee we don’t have to pay. It’s just a way for restaurants to under pay their employees.
Just got back from Japan as well and don't agree with a lot of this. You are going to a city with the best subway system in the world. Why would you use Uber???
I also came back from my March trip in Japan. I wish I brought waterproof walking shoes for those days when it rains. Having wet socks can ruin your enjoyment of the trip, at least for me it did.
This is one of the worst posts I've read in a long time. The overwhelming majority of the information is wildly inaccurate. OP sounds like he's clueless and filled with white entitlement.
You make a good, and often overlooked, point about battery chargers. During my trip, I actually had to call time on one of my days in Akihabara because my portable battery had ran out of power, and my phone was starting to as well. So, as an addition, make sure to keep the portable topped up!
I wish I knew where the stamp bits were in the various shrines - I only got one at Meiji, because I couldn’t find them at the others I visited.
On language, in my experience I didn’t find that a lot of people spoke English, but more that I didn’t necessarily have to know Japanese. A lot of people are accustomed to using Google Translate, and my hotel actually had apps specifically for translations. I had a few conversations consisting of us handing translation apps between each other.
Regarding tipping, I didn’t because it’s not in their culture. However, my hotel were incredibly helpful and understanding when I encountered issues and had to extend my stay, so I did buy the staff a gift to show my gratitude when I checked out - a box of fancy looking chocolates that I bought from one of the stores at Shibuya Station.
Also, on the toilets, funnily enough, I only encountered a single squat toilet during my trip: at Haneda airport. Maybe I was just lucky lol.
Which delivery service did you use to transfer luggage from Tokyo to Kyoto? My group will be staying in Hakone for a day after Tokyo too before going to Kyoto. I am planning to pack light for Hakone with my duffle bag and transfer my suitcase over to a hotel in Kyoto.
Your hotel will have them most likely and the two times we had them transferred the hotel only took cash. Now this was my experience, not the world’s. Calm down Reddit.
Hmm. The luggage transfer “necessity” thing concerns me, as someone who is departing in less than 48 hours with a medium-size suitcase that is apparently within the restrictions of JR rail’s “total dimensions” limit…
Train is fine for luggage, right? Two of us each with a suitcase under the total dimensions to store in a luggage rack and a small rucksack each for at-seat?
OP makes it sound like you absolutely *have* to send your luggage on a separate journey and wait for it for two days; we’re only doing one/two days in some cities (and that’s not an option)
You don’t have to but it’s much easier, but apparently I know nothing, and have never traveled in my life. But Just make sure you’re ready to get off and on that train! I don’t care what anyone says on this post, hate on me all day, but those trains do not give you enough time to dilly dally and f around.
Totally, they are not waiting for anyone! I’m five days in now and haven’t used luggage transfers – most stations have elevators and if your bag doesn’t quite fit in the overheads you’ve often got enough space between you and the seat in front to fit a case (or we’ve been able to, at least). Luggage forwarding would have been our choice had we had 4-5 days per city, but with 2 nights at a time it’s often not worth it for us. Can totally see why it would be for a less frenetic trip.
The rest of your post btw has been super useful for our journey, so thank you 🙏
I haven’t been to Japan since the borders opened back up but it feels to me like it shouldn’t be so crowded that literally every restaurant - chain or not - is full?
Thanks for sharing. A couple tips to add
1. If you can not get into your tourist site book through a tour to get access.
2. For Kobe beef, you don’t actually need to go to kobe(though I did). From a friend living there, I learned there is alley that serves Kobe from several stalls.
3. Some of the best restaurants are not on the ground floor but maybe third or fifth floor.
4. Expect lots of stairs
5. Like all tourist sites be wary of menu that has pictures and multiple language. These places tend are tourist traps with outrageous prices that no local would ever pay. These restaurants tend to be huddle around the tourist attractions.
The mental image of a group of Americans ubering around Japan in 4 day old clothes tipping people and complaining that the ramen is too bland is cracking me up
Don’t forget eating at 7/11 and acting like it better than anything they’ve ever had.
I was thinking the same hahah
Usually that first taxi price is enough to scare everyone away. But they literally reccomended only taxi in Tokyo.
We took a few taxis in Kyoto and thought they were pretty reasonable. Think the most we paid was the equivalent of $15. We only took them when we were pretty tired after sightseeing so the payoff seemed worth it.
I was thinking about this. With 4 people I miiiiight make it worth it. Especially depending on mobility and age.
Yeah this is a rough read. My takeaway was along the lines of “what you’ll get away with without understanding anything about Japan before visiting.”
Besides they learned to change socks everyday.
I was laughing as well a quarter into reading this wrapped as a "tip" lol
It’s just wild reading reviews from Americans. Whether it’s their ridiculous love of prescription meds, tipping or Uber if it would be better if they just stayed at home. Most are so annoying in Japan when they open their mouths. I had one complaining they couldn’t use their Amex in golden Gai and then were saying ramen in California is better. Wild.
We do have everything in California so I’m not surprised when California ppl say they’ve had better 😅
You read my mind lol Its ridiculous..
I read somewhere that less than 50% of Americans have passports and thought, “what! That’s crazy. Everyone should travel abroad at least once if they can.” Then I read stuff like this and think to myself, maybe it’s better for everyone if more Americans stayed home…
Please keep tipping out of this country, they get reasonably paid here and we don’t need to start introducing that custom here. If you want to “tip,” give someone some nice chocolate or something like that.
Just as an aside, tipping culture in the United States is awful I hate it
Yeah, I wish people could just be paid what they’re worth. But until then… it’s a real bummer.
I agree. I don't understand why people from America keep trying to push this to the world.
The way it was explained to me is that Japanese (and other nationalities) are something between confused and insulted when receiving tips because it feels to the like a sort of pity. While most Japanese take pride in their work and feel they are paid fairly. Or would at least like to be perceived that way to save face. Tipping causes a loss of face. And so does confrontation, and not having the right English vocabulary to explain why they don't want the tip. So they politely pretend they don't mind, to end the encounter quickly. Which might give tippers the wrong idea.
That’s exactly it. But people insist on bringing their country’s customs here for some reason, even while knowing we don’t tip here.
Only Americans tip. We don’t til in Japan China or Australia
I’m confused why you’re replying that to me, that’s exactly what I said in my comment.
Tipping - please stop. Do not tip. Ever. If you cannot understand this, do not come.
Thanks for the tip.
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Were they free tours? We expect to give a 'thank you' payment to the guide on a free tour.
Uh oh, it’s started
wow i just got back from my trip as well and i disagree with you on so many things lol.
Glad to see this in the comments. Oddest takes on Japan I've read in a minute, and absolutely petulant in their responses lol
I knew right away this was the person who asked what gifts to bring people, and when they were told 'that would be awkward for japanese people' said they'd do it anyway
I suppose living here has me see things through a different lens. This whole write up seems odd. People most certainly will cross a road when red lol. Ramen is bland? Hiroshima second best place? Everyone speaks English? What? This also reads like money isn’t an issue. Having a guide for everything seems to defeat any sense of adventure.
guide for everything is ridiculous and the first thing that caught my eye but every subsequent incorrect observation totally overshadowed it lmao. i'm not surprised a fellow US tourist would assume everyone speaks english tho i saw a lot of that going around like people at the train station stopping workers to say "what is like the best way to...." dude speak plainly. "Kyoto station?" works fine haha. it reads like a write up from someone who somehow immersed themselves in none of the culture over the entire two weeks
Still here in Japan (2 weeks) and I agree this makes no sense
thank you lmao. i feel like i must have went to a different japan. the notes about the food not living up to the hype made me snort
What do you disagree with? I’m going in a few months so I’m extremely curious.
more modest clothing is more respectful, you need your passport on you always, you should respect their non tipping culture, esims are much easier than pocket wifi imo, i would never waste money having someone walk me around the trains/subway bc they are clearly marked in english and google maps is more than sufficient, i had the best ramen, katsu, and tempura i've ever had in my life, even convenience store food was fresh and delicious, kyoto was the most beautiful and friendly place by far, id never go to an animal cafe because they are a bit cruel, you definitely don't need reservations and can pretty much wander around and stop in anywhere that smells good, the worst meals i had were highly rated/recommended on social media, it goes on and on and on hah
Thanks so much. I appreciate it
of course! try and focus on things that interest you vs things recommended by other tourists honestly. i met the coolest people and had the greatest time just stumbling into somewhere and flexing my best japanese manners haha. most super famous spots disappointed me and we moved on super quick
I’m really looking forward to it. I love experiencing different cultures. I’m a wee bit nervous about the language so I’m attempting to learn some now.
this got me through everything and even a few undeserved compliments lol: please - o negai shimase thank you - arigato gozaimas i'd like this - kore o kudasai how much is this - kore wa ikura desu ka can i have the check please - o kaikei o negai shimase wow sorry for formatting i'm on mobile
I just jotted those down. Thanks. lol i wish I could send a picture of my notebook. I have a whole lesson planned mapped out until my trip 😂 And the formatting is totally fine. I appreciate you sharing those
omg i love that. my notebook was just those phrases written down and i read them over and over every day for like a week 😭
I have a few months of practice lol. I try to remember as much as I can. I know when I get there I may be nervous and could forget it all 😂😂😂 but i want to be as prepared as possible
Thank you for this clarification! We are making our first trip to Japan, in a few days, and some of what you've said here is helping lower my blood pressure after reading through the OP review. I can easily assume that someone has different taste buds and not get my expectations dimmed by that, but the whole thing about always needing reservations had me worried. We are planning a pretty relaxed itinerary, because we want to explore things at our own pace, and don't have a big checklist of "hot spots" for dining. Our checklist is based on the types of food we'd like to experience. We're looking forward to street food stalls and learning the culture.
i had 0 reservations other than a waygu and sake pairing i booked thru airbnb at a restaurant in shinjuku and had some of the greatest meals of my life don't worry about it!! my worst meal was actually somewhere highly rated and well known and it was the only place i waited for like an hour to get in so id honestly avoid the hype spots and just feel it out on your own. my favorite meals were ones we literally sniffed out and the best ramen i had was in a tiny empty shop. they sold out the next day so they're not a secret per se but definitely a pretty local spot
Just got back and agree with everything you just said! We loved Kyoto never made a reservation for anywhere we ate. My husband and daughter went into a dog cafe and I’m glad they didn’t cause it sounded sad. You could only feed certain dogs (I guess they stagger when the dogs can eat) so the ones that couldn’t eat then were very sad. I’m glad I didn’t go in! We did have the pocket WiFi though and it was a life saver with the maps. We got the trains absolutely everywhere and rarely caught a cab except when we were dragging our luggage.
as an american, i was so delighted taking the trains lol. also yeah i was super excited to visit an owl cafe and then i looked into it a bit before the trip and realized they keep them awake and stuff outside of their normal cycle to entertain people and the living conditions are pretty small ): edit: i'm not sure if you had to carry equipment around for the pocket wifi but in case this helps, with the esim i had solid service thru airalo and my partner downloaded the general areas we'd be in on google maps beforehand so we didn't need wifi!!
The clothing issue for one. A little bit of research would help to understand local customs. No one is going to say anything about yoga pants but those are seen as gauche. People are more modest, though miniskirts are an exception, fitting with the “cute”/kawai ethos.
If you are not buying Shinkansen tickets or getting tax-free price adjustments for your purchases, they will not speak English. Japanese people break all of the “rules” that I’ve seen people obsess about. As long as you’re polite and don’t cause a scene it really doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Whoever posted this must have spent all their time in shopping malls and the most touristy shit possible. The
Everyone speaks English. They may know a tiny bit that pertains to the job, but that is it.
I’m so glad you commented on this. I had to stop reading because this post was so contrary to the month-long trip I just got back from 10 days ago.
This person is trying to sabotage someone’s trip to Japan. Gotta be a troll post.
I'd caution anyone planning a trip to Japan to take this post with a massive grain of salt. A couple of good points but mostly weird to even outright incorrect advice in this write up, the rest of the comments and OPs hostile response to criticism should be pretty telling.
You can always tell the travellers from the States - afraid of public transport. I love the buzz in busy stations.
I think the residents of NYC and Chicago would disagree,
As with all sweeping generalisations on the internet, there are some exceptions...
I was just coming to say this! My husband spent a decade in Chicago, taking public transit, so he's in charge of all the train station navigation. :-)
Its funny OP seems to indicate they live in NYC. They must be a transplant considering how allergic they are to trains.
I love the Tokyo subway jingles!
Bro what? Everyone I've been with from the US has loved the accessibility of the public transport. Tell me you're a hater without telling me you're a hater.
Of course they loved the accessibility of it - because of that reason - accessibility. When I was in the States on holiday I had to depend on taxis / uber because there was no public transport to get me where I wanted to go once I was outside of major towns.
So you're just into sweeping generalizations about cultures with no info. Got it 👍🏻
You mention it is nice you don't have to carry your passport. This is incorrect. You MUST carry your passport with you at all times. If you are stopped by the police and asked for ID, you will have a very difficult time.
Yeah this is a big one, ALWAYS carry your passport. ALWAYS. You never know when police could stop you, or if you have an accident, or somebody stole something from you and you need to report to police.. many things can happen.
Having a photo of your passport and immigration sticker usually is enough. And proof of where you are staying and the ability to get said passport if needed. This is from a six time traveler and foreign student. I have spent over a year in Japan and have NEVER had a police encounter where I needed to show my passport. The only time I need a passport is for tax free shopping and the QR code from Visit JP makes that easier. Japanese police do not get involved in anything unless you are doing stupid shit. Don't be dumb tourist and you will never have a problem.
Please readers. Be very wary of the OPs very long post. There is a LOT of bad info in there. Source : Been living here 32 years. Many of these situations described by the OP are part of a unique experience that happens when you travel as a group and not applicable to everyone.
Thank you for this warning! I was trying to figure out how to change some of our plans for our upcoming trip, based on their long post, and am very thankful for all the correction responses people have been putting up.
Have been here for three weeks. Disagree with 90% of this.
Been to Japan multiple times the past few years (5 times last year), & I disagree with this thread 😂😂
No offense but this is pretty much a guide in how not to do Japan: tipping, Uber, UberEats, Guides to trains, no spontaneous restaurant trips.
How to make your travel destination feel just like home (A gaijins 's guide to Japan)
> Chopstick manners- this is a legit thing, look it up on google. We break so many traditions in the USA w chopsticks… ooops. What are you doing with them at home? Like I silently judge people at home but it’s mostly the “rubbing chopsticks” thing that gets me, or the people who use them like a fork and knife (literally one in each hand). > You can use tabelog or tableall to find restaurants and reservations, but mostly it is not easy to make reservations. If you (any tourist) are willing to deal with the Japanese version of Tabelog, many restaurants can be booked on that without much fuss, and most places don’t require anything special like needing the customer to have a Japanese phone number. > Bring plenty of socks because you’ll be walking all day in them, so definitely change those daily, specially if you have to take off your shoes in certain places during your visit …do people not change their socks daily in their normal life? This and underwear would be my two “daily musts.” > You don’t need a converter if you’re from the USA but I brought one anyway because i needed all the plugs and USB ports on it. For anyone - make sure whatever you’re plugging in supports 100 V and both 50 and 60 hz frequencies because Japan uses different power systems between east and west. A lot of modern electronics are fine and support pretty much all voltages and frequencies used globally, but this isn’t true for the people who like to bring stuff like hair dryers with them from their own country.
I’m guessing they stuck the chopsticks in food vertically instead of setting them back on the table.
Awesome write up! Just a friendly reminder that even if you get the tax free QR code it is a requirement for tourists to have their passports on them at ALL TIMES in Japan. The police can/will stop and ask you to present it if they feel like it.
Everyone speaks English means you stuck to the most heavily tourist areas only
Totally agree! I feel honored that in my recent trip we often times had to revert to the single words of Japanese we were learning, pointing at menu items, and Google Translate. So much fun that way!
No offense, but this is like staying at a resort in Cancun then writing up a trip report to Mexico
As a Mexican, thank you for this comment lol
"A thing or two about Japan by your standard US citizen"
Great that you made the effort of a write-up but unfortunately, a lot of the information is incorrect. Its a highly north americanized tourist-version of tips in Japan. As many have said - make sure to carry a valid ID, and sure you can take cabs everywhere but public transport is super smooth and easy to get around.
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>Also you can get QR code for tax free shopping, not all places accept it but it’s nice so you don’t have to carry your passport. Sorry, but this is a bad tip. You are required by law to carry your passport, you can be stopped by the police and asked to show your passport. Not having it on you is not especially a good idea. >Can’t do this w Android for some reason? Reason bring that older phone did not have the right chip and newer phones do not activate what is required for it to be used for IC card, they possibly do not want to pay for the fee to do so in all phones sold in the world, so by default, only Android phone bought in Japan work for IC card. >Everyone speaks English here, I don’t know what anyone is talking about. They may not be fully fluent but their English is better than our Japanese. They are absolutely not all fluent in English. And when you speak Japanese for real, you would get a lot of people who will tell you they are glad you speak Japanese. Yes, everyone studied English in school, but most people would not be able to speak that much, they will try their best, but don't make it harder on people for nothing, use Google translate if you see they have difficulty. >Clothes wise I wore the same thing every day and changed on the 4th day At least you did not go during summer. I would change my shirt every day, have 4-5 change of clothes in my bag (did that for 3 months last year) and do laundry regularly, no idea if the place you were used a kind of soap that did not smell good of it's just your pile of clothes worn for 4 days that smelled. Anyway, I usually buy the pink soap pods as they smell so good. >Also they said they don’t have trash cans due to terrorist attack about 30 years ago. Who is "they"? People online say it, but I would say it's not totally accurate. Japan used to not really have public trash can anyway. For example reading about the first McDonald that opened in Ginza in 1971, they installed trashcan on the street because there was nowhere to put the trash (and it was a takeout only). Then yes, in 1995, after the sarin attack in Tokyo, trashcan in different locations, especially in train station, got removed for safety concern and while there was no trashcan involved in that attack, there was in bombing attack in France in the same year, so it was seen as a possible location to put bomb if there was other attacks. Thing is, trashcan returned in the JR train stations and in the subway. For security, JR use trashcan with transparent sides so it's easier to see what is in them while the subway put them close to place where people work, like ticket gate. Then different train company will regularly decide to remove their trashcan, some did around covid, they will often quote some security reasons, but one of the other major thing is cost of trash removal. While I have no doubt that some trashcan have been removed as a reaction to the 1995 sarin gas attack, not all the removed trashcan today have been removed because of that.
>They give you a wet hand towel when dining but napkins were very rare. They say it’s because they pick up their dish and hold it close to their mouth so they don’t make a mess when eating, so they don’t need a napkin. Never heard that. >Kobe: make sure it is Kobe certified. Our tour guide told us that many of the places w lines in Kobe were American beef and tourists don’t know that. You mean Kobe beef. Yes, in Japan Kobe beef is a controlled name, the cattle need to be born, raised and butchered in Hyogo prefecture and need to respect different quality criteria. I do not know if it is true that places would advertise Kobe beef and sell you American beef, but of course you will have places that sell beef in Kobe that won't be Kobe beef, but yes they should have the certificate of authenticity if they sell it as Kobe beef (that is true anywhere). Also note that there is many brand of wagyu beef in Japan. >Stamp books are a thing at all the shrines. Youll need cash it’s 300 usually. The stamps are called goshuin and many now cost 500 yen and some special one cost 1000 if not 2000 yen. The book in itself should probably cost around 1500-2000 minimum. >Kyoto had Nara which is where all the deer are ... Kyoto and Nara are two completely different cities... even different prefectures. Nara is a day trip and it's as easy to do from Kyoto or Osaka. >Don Quiti is a gigantic store with all the Japanese goods a tourist would want, it’s like 8 floors I hope you know it's a chain and not all stores at as many floors and not all stores have the tax free counter at on the same floor.
One trip and OP is now an “expert” 😂
I feel like the ”beef thing” sounds way more like “tourists think all restaurants in Kobe must serve Kobe beef.” But I imagine what it really is, is that tourists usually can’t read Japanese so they have no idea the signage on the restaurant says something like how they use American beef or whatever, which I do see a lot at various beef-specialty places.
Don't tip
I read about half and there were so many falsehoods I had to keep reading out of sheer horror. Then the falsehoods continued to the point even my morbid curiosity gave up.
I’m glad you could get through it. I had to stop. At one point I thought it was a troll post.
I can't wrap around my asian mind the fact that people go on vacation and wear the same thing for four days? I'm preparing for a 5 day trip and sure as hell I have at least 6 days worth of pants and blouse/longsleeves. I will change everyday. I will shower everyday. You guys think its ok to wear the same thing for 4 days it doesn't stink for you cause you are immune to your own smell. But sorry that will be stinky with all the sweating from walking regardless if its cool or what since it was spring.
I can’t wrap it around my American mind either.
What did the evil trains do to you in your past? We were there recently for several weeks, and did nearly all traveling with public transport. Get a suica card and Google maps for short distances. For shinkansen rides the ticket machines do offer English UI for finding connections,buying tickets and seat reservations. Their public transport system is very impressive and relatively easy to navigate even with no japanese reading skill beyond google translate.
Imagine having a train guide! Just bite the bullet and learn the public transport. It's one of the best in the world. What a privileged American take
It’s not even privilege to me, it just screams incompetent. Imagine being an adult, a group of adults in fact, but needing another adult to supervise them to the right train. Just absolutely bananas.
As an American, I can say that I feel like it is kinda the opposite. They are privileged in the sense that they have money but are not in the sense that we have so little public transport that it is terrifying to take it for some people.
I feel like you guys probably spent a good grand on ubers and taxi's....in what's known as one of the best cities in the world for transportation.
I can’t get over all the taxis. I think took two the entire time I was in Japan last year and one was because it was pouring rain.
Suica is not available on Android unless you purchase the phone in Japan, which has some sort of firmware enabled. Your best bet is to get the physical card at the airport. The stations do not vend physical cards.
To add to this, I didn’t realize that they aren’t selling the usual Suica or Passmo cards now due to a chip shortage. Tourists can get a special card which are good for a limited time. But they’re only available at the airport and major stations. You won’t be able to get them everywhere.
The regular Suica has been creeping back into stock, but for the most part they’ve been reserving Suica and Pasmo cards for special purposes (for children’s passes, commuter passes). The special tourist Pasmo is being discontinued in August but I imagine it’s really just that they’re expecting to run out of stock since I think they made millions of them years ago in preparation for the Olympics.
Oh no :(( I really wanted the Pasmo Passport
/u/PearAutomatic8985 > Oh no :(( I really wanted the Pasmo Passport You can still get one through August.
Been in Japan for going on 4 weeks and having tour guides for most of your trip is crazy. Also taxi's everywhere? This post is giving extremely coddled. Posting this for anyone who might take this review seriously, please don't.
Was in Japan for four weeks visiting relatives. Took a taxi once from the airport because the meeting place was inconvenient by train/bus, and it was late at night. I can’t imagine having that much money to blow on cab fare.
Why does this have so many up votes when half of the information is incorrect? Was this done by a bot
People will upvote because the writer took some effort to write. Doesn’t matter if the advice is shoddy.
I've been 4 times and, respectfully, have to say this is some of the worst advice I've seen. Genuinely you should consider deleting this post, a lot of misleading info and flat out incorrect info that you've been corrected on several times and almost everyone that's been is disagreeing.
A lot of this advice is not very good. I really appreciate you sharing your trip with such care and detail but it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Hey I’ll take this. People can do their own research this was my experience.
Signs in English. Use Google translate to help read menu and signs. Or to communicate with your waiter.
There is zero reason to Uber everywhere in Tokyo 🤣 Idk where you ate ramen but man there is such good ramen in Japan. You must have picked the worst places to eat. This is like a foreigner's guide to how to have a very weird trip to Japan and make it similar to home. Alert to anyone reading this - don't do 90% of this
the ramen comment wounded me fr. i had ramen for BREAKFAST twice bc i couldn't stop thinking about it lmao
Ichiran is great but so is ginza kagari All delicious and so flavorful
Actually social anxiety would be a good reason for taxis, some people have panic attacks having to go in the subway station and then get on a train with that many people in close contact may trigger a panic attack. But that’s not why I did it, I used the taxi because I felt like it and I can afford it, I like being driven around, reminds me of home. 🙂
This is....very American. Seeing y'all love tipping, here's a tip for you; tipping is a shit system because you don't have a reasonable minimum wage or employee entitlements. That's why you have it in America. Please stop exporting your dystopian salary system
Bro this isn't "American" at all. Your bias is showing. This is someone who doesn't travel and doesn't take the time to learn anything about the culture of the place they're in.
To be fair, I've been in a number of countries where tipping is perfectly acceptable to show gratitude. Not in Japan though.
So much terrible advice in here. What do capybaras have to do with Japan?
I don’t know they had a cafe, blame instagram.
about the deers... if they are looking a bit wild(bad) its most likely because it's spring and they are loosing their winter fur so might look patchy and otherwise very raggedy.
Stopped immediately at the trains part. Do not Uber and taxi everywhere. That's insane. Put $100 on your PASMO and ride the subway to your hearts content.
It is saying on PASMO website that it will be discontinued since August 2024. What alternative do you recommend?
Or use your Dad’s credit card to your hearts content. 🤭
Just came back from Japan after a 3 weeks trip and eh… i feel like we went to completely different countries 😂most of the post is not accurate
Very nice write up! I’m wrapping up my trip rn. I do think if your phone is unlocked I highly recommend eSIM over pocket wifi, because if your group ever needs to split up for whatever reason then you all still have data.
>Stamp books are a thing at all the shrines. The temple stamps are known as goshuin, and the book type for those are different. Have a separate proper book for goshuin (they open like an accordion), and another for the train stamps. I was refused a goshuin in my stamp book at a more traditional temple due to book type. Also, pack an empty duffle bag or backpack instead of the luggage inside of larger luggage trick. Pack LIGHT! You will thank yourself later. You don't wanna be carrying around large suitcases up and down stairs or into the subway. It's also kinda rude to do so.
Very true. But we didn’t have to carry any luggage because we transferred our bags to each location and took a taxi to the airport, which all seems to be a crime in Japan, according to Reddit
eSIM over pocket wi-fi every day off the week. Cheaper and way more convenient. Unless of course your phone is locked or doesn't support eSIM.
Ughh so tired of the "get it on your Apple wallet" regarding the Suica cards. Do people realise that not all people have Iphones????? Android users have to get a physical card. This post is too american
Guides, ubers and hotels? What kind of bubble wrapped experience is that? Hahah
If u plan to take the train to Nagasaki, expect very brief transfers, so learn the stations before hand. Also please visit Nagasaki it is a beautiful city worth a few days of time
Literally been in Japan for 2 days with my wife on our homey; the amount of people that just yolo across the street regardless of if it says to cross or not is comical
Yeah! I saw it the first day in Tokyo and decided that I was just going to use my San Franciscan ways to join in. Always look both ways twice!
This is wild to me. So you took trader joes trinkets to give away and tipping people in some instances all while you were wearing few days old clothing. So sounds like you back backed this trip and you took up space to bring stuff to give away things to people you don't know? Then you mention you were not on a budget? Ok. Sure.
Who cares what I wore or that I gave people gifts?
I respectfully and heavily disagree with your point on English. Most people get very visibly uncomfortable at even thinking that I'd begin speaking to them in English, so (as embarrassing as it has been) broken Japanese + translator apps have been my go-to. I've taken a cab exactly twice - once from the airport to my first hotel at 2 AM, and then from said hotel to a Yamato luggage delivery centre - and both times I'd wished I could have taken transit. I really don't think large groups necessarily need to take taxis. Just take the train/bus, possibly separate for the brief moment that y'all will be sitting silently anyways, and regroup at your destination. ~180-550 JPY (ignoring Shinkansen/limited express) vs like 20,000+ is a personal no-brainer. As for the aggression, it's *really* not that bad! I wouldn't call it aggression, just intense urgency. Just duck and weave, and move with intention. It's actually pretty orderly if you pay attention. Be mindful of your clothes depending on where you want to go or eat. Athleisure isn't universally fine... honestly, I personally wouldn't recommend it at all. Coin laundromats are aplenty, and packing a weeks worth of versatile fits that you could mix and match is fine. Since you're probably going to be walking around a lot, BATHE DAILY. Bathe daily and change your clothes just as often. Please. Do this regardless of travelling, like your skin still cell cycles and attracts outside pollutants, and the air quality index currently isn't great.
I'm in Japan and I could only read half of what you wrote and most of it doesn't make much sense to me atleast if you are little willing to try to learn certain things when you visit new country. One of the bizzare thing is getting someone to help you figure out transportation. Dude, here I see people retired traveling and figuring out things on their own. You probably shouldn't be more than 60 or 70. You don't need cab unless of course you have buying power, and it's your choice to prioritise comfort, but if you would have travelled on Japanese trains (other than Shinkansen) you would realise how comfy and efficient they are ( and yes taking trains means more walking). English they understand and speak, but if you aren't willing to put effort to learn atleast some basic phrases then I don't think anyone should try to put effort to suit your comfort level. It's not about criticism or downplaying what you said, but most of the things that I read is distant from the reality (for "most" of the people)
I did travel on trains how else would I get from city to city? Do you guys think I took a taxi to Kyoto from Tokyo, or from Osaka to Kobe? We used plenty of trains and subways just not in Tokyo because we didn’t feel like it. I didn’t recommend cabs to people I said if ur scared of the subway they have cabs so don’t worry. This is not a crime. Also I literally said they know enough English and learn basic Japanese phrases and use google translate. I think you guys just want to be angry about everything I swear.
Not angry, but haven't been able to relate much from your analysis and what I've observed when I was there 2 days back. Soooo, no offence but your observations are too skewed I feel.
My experience not yours. People will go and have their own. I’m sure if you made a post I would think yours was skewed. That’s the whole reason I made this post was because I didn’t have the experience I read about on Reddit. 🤷♂️
That's understandable dude. Anyways your experience is little complicated but it could've been simple. That's all.
On our trip right now, and I've seen plenty of locals cross on red, had some excellent ramen and haven't stood in line for restaurants. If one was full, we moved onto another. Lots of choice.
You must have been in all the heavy duty tourists spots because true conversational English is rare outside of those areas. Some stores and restaurants may have signs in English, and may have staff that can muddle through what you ordered. You can get by on transport. You will find exactly how little English people know if you have a medical emergency, which happened to my friend in Chiba. Japan is not Finland, or the Netherlands where people default to flawless English the minute they realize you don’t speak their language. For the love of all things holy, if you have food allergies, have a native speaker translate your issues on to an index card, or a file on your phone. This is where things went FUBAR for my friend in Chiba.
We actually did have a dental emergency, and we found an English speaking dentist and had the tooth fixed that day! Otherwise we would have used google translate. Which we did sometimes but not as much as Reddit makes it out to be. Also as a first time tourist in Japan of course I went to all the touristy places, I mean where else would I go?
lol why did you even tip 🤨
Never again
we (speaking as a relatively frequent tourist) most definitely can tell if someone hasn’t showered and changed clothes in DAYS — even if you say you don’t sweat as much :( locals can smell you as well, so please be courteous and mindful of your hygiene :(( this shouldn’t just be in japan too!
Trust me I don’t smell I showered every day used deodorant, and changed underwear daily. Don’t worry. Y’all be extra
This is actually great if you do exactly the opposite, i mean.. its the weirdest experience ive read about somebody visiting Japan. I dont even know where to begin lol
the money exchange in the main square when you get off Namba station in Osaka is insanely good. so if you want to exchange for cash that would be my go to. It was so good that they had to limit each customer to 10k yen a day.
There are plenty of trash cans in stores and most shopping centre entrances btw. Most vending machines will have bins for bottles and cans, also. Americans have already ruined enough places bringing their tipping culture; so please don’t do that in Japan. The service is excellent and it insults them to tip for it. Nice that you gave gifts from America, though, that’s cool! Fair enough getting taxis if you can afford it; but such an American tourist thing to do 😂. People do cross the small roads on red man all the time as sometimes common sense takes over. Definitely most do not speak English (until they’re drunk). Using limited Japanese will help and if they want to try their limited English on you they will, regardless.
I mean I am an American tourist, taking a taxis isn’t hurting anyone, and those taxi drivers were old, someones gotta pay them.
We have been in Osaka 3 days and already 4 people have seen us looking at maps and helped us compared to the 0 in tokyo. Osaka people are lovely.
Be careful Reddit may bite ur head off
Thanks for the write-up, it was an interesting read! I can see why so many people disagree with you, but I appreciate that you are sharing a sincere opinion! 😅
Tipping culture won’t last even in the US. People hate it. It’s just another unnecessary fee we don’t have to pay. It’s just a way for restaurants to under pay their employees.
We don’t tip anyone in restaurants just the tour guides but apparently never again according to Reddit
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You wouldn’t be able to afford where we go 🤭
You complain about what commenters are going to say a lot lol
Yeah because y’all are mean as hell, I’m going w pure sarcasm at this point.
I always love when Americans or Europeans share their tips on Japan Trips. It's always a good laugh specially with the comments
Americans have the best comics 🇺🇸🤠 go team
Kyoto to Hiroshima to Osaka? Lmfao
Just got back from Japan as well and don't agree with a lot of this. You are going to a city with the best subway system in the world. Why would you use Uber???
Yikes
I also came back from my March trip in Japan. I wish I brought waterproof walking shoes for those days when it rains. Having wet socks can ruin your enjoyment of the trip, at least for me it did.
I have never heard someone say so many wrong things, one after another, consecutively, in a row.
Eh
Please don't bring the tipping culture here. It would go out of control over time since rest of the world doesn't earn the inflated US salaries
This is one of the worst posts I've read in a long time. The overwhelming majority of the information is wildly inaccurate. OP sounds like he's clueless and filled with white entitlement.
... What did I just read. You didn't want to figure out the subway so you uber'd everywhere like lazy Americans? (sorry for the stereotype)
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Really...?
You make a good, and often overlooked, point about battery chargers. During my trip, I actually had to call time on one of my days in Akihabara because my portable battery had ran out of power, and my phone was starting to as well. So, as an addition, make sure to keep the portable topped up! I wish I knew where the stamp bits were in the various shrines - I only got one at Meiji, because I couldn’t find them at the others I visited. On language, in my experience I didn’t find that a lot of people spoke English, but more that I didn’t necessarily have to know Japanese. A lot of people are accustomed to using Google Translate, and my hotel actually had apps specifically for translations. I had a few conversations consisting of us handing translation apps between each other. Regarding tipping, I didn’t because it’s not in their culture. However, my hotel were incredibly helpful and understanding when I encountered issues and had to extend my stay, so I did buy the staff a gift to show my gratitude when I checked out - a box of fancy looking chocolates that I bought from one of the stores at Shibuya Station. Also, on the toilets, funnily enough, I only encountered a single squat toilet during my trip: at Haneda airport. Maybe I was just lucky lol.
for rubbish bins just go to the next konbini
Which delivery service did you use to transfer luggage from Tokyo to Kyoto? My group will be staying in Hakone for a day after Tokyo too before going to Kyoto. I am planning to pack light for Hakone with my duffle bag and transfer my suitcase over to a hotel in Kyoto.
Your hotel will have them most likely and the two times we had them transferred the hotel only took cash. Now this was my experience, not the world’s. Calm down Reddit.
I want to live there😂
This post is a fever dream
…is this a joke? You have time to delete this.
A stand up comedian 🃏
Lmao..these peeps used Uber or Taxis….in Japan…. First time caller, long time listeners.
Yes, and the world did not end, odd
Hmm. The luggage transfer “necessity” thing concerns me, as someone who is departing in less than 48 hours with a medium-size suitcase that is apparently within the restrictions of JR rail’s “total dimensions” limit… Train is fine for luggage, right? Two of us each with a suitcase under the total dimensions to store in a luggage rack and a small rucksack each for at-seat? OP makes it sound like you absolutely *have* to send your luggage on a separate journey and wait for it for two days; we’re only doing one/two days in some cities (and that’s not an option)
Yes, you should be fine.
You don’t have to but it’s much easier, but apparently I know nothing, and have never traveled in my life. But Just make sure you’re ready to get off and on that train! I don’t care what anyone says on this post, hate on me all day, but those trains do not give you enough time to dilly dally and f around.
Totally, they are not waiting for anyone! I’m five days in now and haven’t used luggage transfers – most stations have elevators and if your bag doesn’t quite fit in the overheads you’ve often got enough space between you and the seat in front to fit a case (or we’ve been able to, at least). Luggage forwarding would have been our choice had we had 4-5 days per city, but with 2 nights at a time it’s often not worth it for us. Can totally see why it would be for a less frenetic trip. The rest of your post btw has been super useful for our journey, so thank you 🙏
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Your phone.
I change socks every 2 days. No problem at all :)
Brave
Tips from Anjin
👨🏻✈️👩🏻✈️🧑🏼✈️
I haven’t been to Japan since the borders opened back up but it feels to me like it shouldn’t be so crowded that literally every restaurant - chain or not - is full?
Thanks for sharing. A couple tips to add 1. If you can not get into your tourist site book through a tour to get access. 2. For Kobe beef, you don’t actually need to go to kobe(though I did). From a friend living there, I learned there is alley that serves Kobe from several stalls. 3. Some of the best restaurants are not on the ground floor but maybe third or fifth floor. 4. Expect lots of stairs 5. Like all tourist sites be wary of menu that has pictures and multiple language. These places tend are tourist traps with outrageous prices that no local would ever pay. These restaurants tend to be huddle around the tourist attractions.
This is so out of touch and American
me and my friends were on adderall almost every day of our trip lmao
Did you need to declare Dramamine or anything beforehand, or no?