What do I need to prepare for Japan?

pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 22:06
Last edited 13/11/2016 - 10:52

Hey all,

Just wondering if you could help me and give me some tips?

My first time to japan and I'm doing a solo trip!

I have no idea what to bring, I leave in about a weeks time.

All accommodation, Jr pass, travel insurance has been all organised. What else should I bring?

Edit: so I'll be in Japan from nov 12-28

I arrive at Narita at about 9am will be taking the shinkasen straight to Osaka (spend the rest of the day there? Maybe smash out Nara)

I'll be there from nov 12-18 so a week as I've got a 7 day Jr pass. Whilst there I'll be in shin Osaka so I can use it as a base to visit; Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe (for the beef) and maybe Nagoya if time permits.

I wanted to visit the zoo with the red pandas about 2 hrs north but I doubt I'd have the time :(

I'm travelling to experience the culture but also to eat. I love food and Japanese food and culture has always interested me. Souvenirs and things I like too, I really want the magic totoro umbrella! It's super adorable!

After that I haven't really decided if I wanna spend a majority of my last day there (18th) in Osaka and surrounds or go to Tokyo and spend it there. I might do the former seeing as I had less time there. I just don't wanna lug about luggage is all.

Then I'm in Tokyo for 9 days 18-28 I basically lose the 28th as I fly out at about noon. :(

Here I'd like to visit, harajuku, shinjuku, shibuya, roppongi, ueno, akihabara, ikebukuro, Ginza, I'm missing places..

I'm staying near shinjuku (okubo station). So it's kinda central. I wanted to visit tsuji fish markets too. Have amazing Akita beef I'm gonna and compare it to that of Kobe. Go to the 1 Michelin star ramen restaurant, and get my hair done at nalu hair salon!

There's a place a fee hours north of Tokyo that has the fox village and they're one of my fave animals. I want to go, but time :(

Also wanted to visit Mt Fuji, but time :(

I might skip out roppongi, ueno to fit it in. I think I'd have to drive to get to the fox village :( so far though and no international license.

I'm also travelling super light I think
Bringing next to nothing, come back with everything is the plan. I'm going to the ghibli museum as well, yay!

What do you recommend buying whilst there? I remember reading Bout some amazing Thermos that kept things hot for like a week! Insane! I want two, shut up and take my money! Haha.

Edit! Day after landing in Japan, omg the food in Osaka, and my feet. Aside from that. All worries of feeling unsafe in Japan have been expelled. Takoyaki, oden, melon pan icecream, icecream sandwich, tarts, custard creme choux, dango, katsu sandwich from a combini, pasta salad. So good. Holy shit.

I'm headed to kyoto today so if y'all have Amy suggestions on food or places, hit me up

Travel

Comments

  • PVA on 02/11/2016 - 22:15
    +5

    a sense of adventure.
    Lucky bugger, I am jealous.

    have you organised a travel sim, so you have a phone (data) over there?

    • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:42
      +3

      I have looked, but they're so expensive!

      I have a sense of adventure, thanks! :D I'm travelling solo which is super scary, but I'm hoping to just wing my first solo trip and relax and enjoy it.

      I'm actually having a horrid time atm and it seems like everything is falling apart, but I'm thankful that this trip is coming up and I can get away from it all. So here's to hoping!

      • PVA on 03/11/2016 - 12:08
        +1

        Search on Ozbargain there's a few past deals and I thought ok.
        Or see if the mobile crowd you are with has a deal, Vodafone is like $5 per day. Super handy to look things up on the go.
        Google has a translate app that you take a photo of a sign and it will show that sign in English (or menu or whatever else written in Japanese)

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 22:52
          -2

          yeeeeeeah but, Voda is unreliable in Australia, let alone trust them when I'm in a foreign country

          Does google translate do that now? The marvels of technology!

        • greatlamp on 04/11/2016 - 07:14
          +4

          @pyro love bird: you wouldn't be using Vodafone, you would be using whatever Japanese telecom they have partnered with locally

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:06

          @rememberme: oh okay. Maybe I'll consider it. Thanks!

        • antonthenet on 04/11/2016 - 11:39
          +1

          @pyro love bird:

          I did the Vodafone $5 a day while travelling through Europe and it was great.

          Even had 4G coverage on a glacier in Iceland. So I'm sure it can manage major cities in Japan.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 12:14

          @antonthenet: whaaat that sounds so amazing. I dunno though. I don't really trust voda haha

        • jerjergege on 04/11/2016 - 12:48
          +4

          @pyro love bird:
          What's wrong with them? They have the fastest 4G speeds in Australia (yes even over telstra)
          Been with them since 3 pushed us over to Voda, been reliable in where I live I guess and pretty good deals, I only do sim only plans, i buy my phones outright overseas.

          EDIT: Seems like Telstra just beat vodafone's speed last year.
          http://opensignal.com/reports/2016/06/australia/state-of-the…

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 13:00

          @jerjergege: I've been with voda since they took over 3 and they've been pretty shocking at times.

        • PVA on 04/11/2016 - 17:27

          @pyro love bird:

          https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and…

          its great, you can take phots of signs, have someone talk into, hand write, type etc and it translates. Really good. I even tried it taking a photo of a photo on a computer screen, translated well for me.

        • OzBLover on 05/11/2016 - 13:53

          @jerjergege: It could be me and my household but I had nothing with trouble with them. We had 3 services with three got transferred to Vodafail when they took over. No coverage within my house (Carnegie), calls constantly dropped out at work (Glen Iris). Calls quality is terrible when my wife calling me on the way to work (Dandenong Rd, especially the section near Clayton/Springvale). Help desk was completely useless. I just posted away to Virgin and Telechoice recently and everything is good again.

      • MunkyX on 03/11/2016 - 16:20
        +1

        If you don't need much data:
        https://umobile.jp/d/lp/prepaid/eng.html

        • dcthulhu on 03/11/2016 - 21:40

          Does that include any calls/texts? Seems like a great deal as the other one I saw was a hotspot with unlimited data and high speeds for up to 10 devices but it was about $120 so not worth it for solo.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 22:53

          I've been watching youtube videos for ideas of places I want to visit as I follow a few youtubers online, so this might not be enough :(

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 22:54

          @dcthulhu: yeah, it's uber expensive! the one I was looking at was like ~$70

        • Elision on 05/11/2016 - 00:56
          +1

          @dcthulhu:

          You can't get calls/texts in Japan, only data sims unless you wish to rent a phone from them. Only Japanese residents can acquire their own phone number.

          We got by fine using apps that used data/wifi such as whatsap etc to contact people.

          You definitely need data though, and Japan has very little free wifi.

      • SaberX on 03/11/2016 - 19:09
        +3

        depends how long you're going for. order yokoso sim cards from ebay if you have time.

        Actually scrap that just saw you leave in a weeks time - probably left it abit too last minute to create this thread. you'll haveto buy a sim there.

        I don't think any sim you buy there for between $25-50 aud is 'expensive' when compared to the overall holiday. If you can afford to fly there I'd definitely not cheapen out and buy the sim. The yokoso sim I think cost me for the 20 or 30 day expiry I think $40 or so AUD? forgot.. but it was the one with 5 or 7 gb, forgot which. But it works wonders - having internet is a HUGE HUGE difference on a smartphone. I looked and found so many different things to guide me around.

        For the price you pay it is definitely not expensive, and unless you can speak the local language you should definitely stay connected.

        edit: I might have even got an unlimited plan? I forgot now, but all I remember is it was several GB at least of credit I had, more than enough . it also keeps you occupied on long train rides between cities.

        edit 2: most importantly having internet allows you to easily gooogle map. I found it was pretty accurate with what trains, lines and numbers I needed to catch.

        Definitely helped heaps.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 22:57

          XD Because of a few issues that came up (trying to find a travelling companion for the past 6 months, and something that meant I might've had to cancel the whole trip altogether, all good now though) I couldn't exactly do too much in advance.

          I paid like $368 for my return flight though.. and as a uni student, I am rather money poor. Thanks, I'll have a look at it, do you know if its available at the narita airport?

          Thanks so much saberx!

        • StrayfireX on 05/11/2016 - 16:53

          @pyro love bird:

          My friend bought a IIJO travel SIM a few days after we landed and it was all fine.

          Cost about $30 AUD for 2Gb of data.

          Just watch the videos at 480p and your data will go a lot further. :)

          Since you are in Okobo, then Shinjuku is only a 15 min walk away and you can pick up whatever SIM you want.

          If you booked an Airbnb you will penalty be given a WiFi hotspot anyhow.

        • SaberX on 11/11/2016 - 20:39

          @pyro love bird:

          Wow that's cheap!

          $368.. from where to where?

          There are a few sims that - depending on your time arrival into Narita, you can order the sim cards ready to pickup at the collection desks in Narita. I think day time flights are safer as a certain time they close. Best to check ozbargain and whirlpool for the common Japan wikis, I am sure there are many topics where people have been given the mobile providers that operate a desk where you can preorder and pickup your sim card in Narita airport (as I specifically recall when planning my trip).

          I did Yokoso sim as it was available to take to japan with me, so literally as soon as I was landed (still on the plane) I had internet. So I could easily google something to sort out my bus counter ticket etc on the spot. Whereas had I waited to get to my hotel I wouldn't have had internet. Plus just cool overall being able to message while on the bus to your hotel and tell everyone about everything :D

      • oneleaf86 on 03/11/2016 - 19:21
        +6

        I just returned from a two week trip in Japan on Monday and had a blast. In regards to a travel sim, b-mobile sells an unlimited data sim for only 2,380 yen.

        http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/

        All the information is in the link provided. Have an amazing time!

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 22:59

          whaaaat unlimited!? That's amazing!

          Thankyou so much!

          Actually, any recommendations? food, travel etc? I'm staying in Osaka for my first week than Tokyo (Shinjuku) for 9 days.

          Thanks!

          edit just checked it, it is restricted to 1gb/ 3 consecutive days or else it slows down

        • oneleaf86 on 04/11/2016 - 01:07

          @pyro love bird: I personally much preferred Tokyo over Osaka - I would recommend checking out Akihabara and Ikebukuro.

          I also never had an issue with the data restrictions. If you're staying in private accommodation most places provide unlimited pocket wifi which you can take with you.

          Regards.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 01:11

          @oneleaf86:

          Thanks! :D

        • cannedhams on 04/11/2016 - 08:09

          @pyro love bird: a . a

        • Telios on 04/11/2016 - 13:57

          Its not quite unlimited sadly, if you used too much data they restrict you for 24 hrs.

          But the b-mobile option is cheap and saved my ass multiple times while over there.

        • coolhand on 04/11/2016 - 23:38
          +1

          @pyro love bird: why do you need so much data? use it for directions and finding attractions/places to eat nearby, save the rest for wi Fi at the accom. 333mb a day is more than enough

        • So Was Red on 05/11/2016 - 16:22

          I'm not likely to use this anytime soon or maybe even ever but (profanity) yeah, thanks for this info! Who am I even gonna call over there?

        • rover on 07/11/2016 - 10:11

          Ikebukuro is great for shopping. For the female anime fan Otome Road is probably superior to Akihabara. Also the "cat park" is cute. Sunshine City also has a Pokemon Centre, J-World (an anime themed theme park inside the shopping centre!,) and a video game theme park.

          Lots of accomodation options, but stay close to a train station. First time I stayed in Tokyo, we were way out from the train station, pretty inconvinient :-(. Next time prxoimity to sttion was a key issue.

          Hostels are clean and cheap and safe in Japan. If you manage to get a travel partner, private rooms at hostels can be as cheap as a dorm bunk (even ensuite).

          Have you consider Kyoto over Osaka, probably has a bit more to see and you can easily pop in to Osaka from Kyoto.

        • SaberX on 11/11/2016 - 20:44

          @pyro love bird:

          Osaka:

          The jap curry rice place which was an affordable , low cost restaurant, but bloody good:

          Shinsaibashi Madras 5 - curry / café

          very good! Just north of dotonbori street -w hich is where as a tourist you'll definitely end up. Choose a nice okonomiyaki (egg pancake) from one of the many available on dotonbori.

          The madras 5 I went around 10pm at night, my second dinner, and yeah it was good. I polished it off! not just an indian curry, but a Japanese curry style - and definitely great.

          For Tokyo - where are you staying? I was Shinjuku based and I definitely enjoyed Omoide Yokocho for decent , street food. It's literally a few alleyways north of the Shinjuku train station.

          There are many small, cramped stores (so don't bring luggage or big bags, literally you will be crammed, but it's enjoyable solo) many of which serve yakitori (grilled meat etc). Try one or two that (after walking past) look your thing.

          There's a little stand there, with some stools like a bar style that does tempura udon noodles and the like. It's literally the only one there you'll see all the noodle bowls and tempura - 450 yen or something for a bowl of one tempura and hot udon noodles. I had it two or three times, evne if it meant a second dinner. because it was dirt cheap and felt as local as I could get (small line, cramped, eat fast, enjoyable). Nothing fancy, but hey it's a feel of the urban rush of life there. In and out in 10,15 mins!

      • lunartemis on 05/11/2016 - 22:27
        +1

        I'm japanese native and when I visited Japan in April this year, I got a data sim that got delivered to the convenience store at Narita. It came with 2GB for 30 days and cost me $33AUD. I bought it through Amazon Japan (you can switch it English). The set up took about 5 mins and I was able to do pretty much everything I usually did in Australia. I stayed there for 2 weeks and used about 1.2GB after using it everyday for things like Google maps,email,FB,Skype,general browsing. The sim was called so-net

    • cinna on 05/11/2016 - 17:34
      -1

      I don't think you need a sim
      If you stay in hostels most will have free wifi, or just choose a place that does. And there are scattered free wifi spots through the major cities.
      You can load google maps when you have wifi - then you can use the loaded map to track where you are when you're walking around without data/wifi

      I did a two week trip to Japan and found I didn't need a SIM.
      Obviously it would be more convenient, but definitely not necessary if you'd rather spend your money on delicious food!!

      In Kyoto I hired a bike from near the make shinkansen train station and rode all the way along the main river to the botanical gardens - definitely recommend this!

      • SaberX on 11/11/2016 - 20:45
        +1

        for the $25-45 it surely adds a lot of value. you can instantly google map your directions or go somewhere. It shouldn't break your bank too, if it does then one has to question how you're travelling on that sort of budget (with all due respect) . For what you get out of it it's definitely worth it. THe language barrier to accessing local free wifi may be hard for some, depending what sort of restaurant they goto . i.e. very tourist driven, or getting more authentic, local adventures.

    • barkley on 07/11/2016 - 16:49

      i rented a 4g hotspot over there was reasonable to expensive from memory (partner organised it).

      but was super convenient for us picked it up from a 24 hour post office (who knew) with a return postage bag.

      unlimited data
      i would have struggled over there with out it as street names and stations are very similar.

    • IVI on 23/10/2018 - 03:05

      +1

      You know, there’s at least 1 app out these to help you
      learn to Speak + Understand Some Japanese, if you
      have time before flying off…

  • toristo on 02/11/2016 - 22:17
    +1

    Check out their prepaid wifi hotspots. You preorder and pick up at the airport or get it delivered to your hotel, then post it back (from the airport before you go through customs) - I did my trip on wifi (no local sim issues). Fast and easy if you prearrange.

    • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:42

      I looked at it, it's like $70 for 9 days! Can I ask what company you used?

      Thanks!

      • mskeggs on 03/11/2016 - 08:53
        +3

        Why not just get a prepaid SIM to go in your phone?
        Travel SIM direct sorted me out with 4Gb to use in a fortnight for less than $40.

        • Jebediah_Kerman on 03/11/2016 - 14:40
          +1

          I would second this. I just did my first trip in october. Getting around in Japan was very easy, but only because we had data.

          You can probably use wifi at hotels and stations, but using google maps while your walking around is really valuable and can get you out of trouble.

          I ordered yokoso sim 4gb for $40 delivered to my house before i went.

          My friend bought a 14 day - 200mB/day sim at Narita airport for about 2600Y.

          Here are all of your options

          http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Japan

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:09
          -1

          I actually bought an optus modem from an OW deal a few months back in prep for Japan, didn't realise that it's probs cheaper to just buy a data sim for my phone. god damn.

          I'd honestly probs use more than that though as I'm gonna rely on yt videos of people that I follow to find places I wanna go to in Japan.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:12

          @Jebediah_Kerman: Thanks so much for the link!

    • mezje on 03/11/2016 - 19:37

      Data only travel sims will perform much better than these portable hot spots, we used 3 in Japan and had issues with them all, ended up usually being easier for me to just tether net through my phone with a travel sim for my mates to share. I paid something like $40 for 3.5GB with Yokosim.

      Additional point, travel a lot and look in to getting a 1 week rail pass. I think the best thing to do is to visit Tokyo first, then start the pass and travel to Osaka, from there you can smash the travel for the next 6 days going to places like Hiroshima, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara etc.

      • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:16

        Oh, I just finished booking all my accom last week and I'm doing the opposite! I'm going to smash out everywhere in a week first and then do Tokyo.

        I'll look into getting the sim. Did you bring a laptop at all? I've got a z2 that's slowly dying, I'm not sure how reliable that is gonna be in Japan honestly.

        • mezje on 04/11/2016 - 16:01

          Yes I bought a laptop, we found the wifi egg/hotspots all had very poor ranges and battery life. I have a dying z1 and it worked fine with the travel sim :)

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:32

          @mezje: Damn, I wanted to get a new one as my current dinosaur is dying, wifi card is chucking the shits at me, lasts about 5 mins unplugged and the plug is SUPER loose so it doesn't even charge. My Z2's mic doesn't even work anymore, so if I needed to call ICE I can't, the headphone jack doesn't work either fml

  • captobvious on 02/11/2016 - 22:22
    +2

    Basic understanding of the japanese laguage helps. Not a nessesity in the big cities but very handy outside of tourist areas.

    • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:43

      I actually did a semester of Japanese and have a general interest in the language/culture so I know a bit, like, bits and pieces, although I've forgotten a lot of it! Thanks :)

      • KEPPERS on 03/11/2016 - 10:20

        You probably know more Japanese than me and I lived in the country for a year. You can get around with the basics pretty easily I find and any city with tourists in Japan actually has maps and signage everywhere . Where are you travelling to? You will have an amazing time, Japan is beautiful but it will definitely be a culture shock.

        • KEPPERS on 03/11/2016 - 10:22
          +1

          Wi-fi is pretty easy to come by so you don't necessarily need to buy a travel sim unless you feel like you are going to get lost a lot or need to call home. Pretty much all accommodations have it and Wi-Fi is available in all the Tokyo Metro stations.

        • mataeka on 03/11/2016 - 16:54

          @KEPPERS:

          And convenience stores (which are EVERYWHERE) Family mart supplied me all my wifi needs last time I was there - but it is in Japanese so having an understanding of Kanji def helps

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:19
          +1

          Ah yeah, I mean, to say that I know more Japanese than you is probably a bit of a stretch in reality.

          I'm going to stay in Osaka first, day trips to; Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe (gotta have that beef! then to compare to akita beef in ginza courtesy to eat your kimchi youtubers), and maybe Nagoya if time permits! then I'll be in Tokyo for 9 days, a whole day has been put aside from Ghibli, I'm assuming 1 day each for like; Shinjuku, Akihabara, Harajuku (can probs be done on the same day as shinjuku), Roppongi, Ueno, Asakusa… I can't remmeber if there was anywhere else, but those were the main ones.

          I'm actually gonna get my hair done whilst I'm in Japan, I can't wait!

          Thanks so much for your kind words, I hope I will enjoy it, goodness knows how worn out I am atm!

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:20

          @KEPPERS: ah okay, I'll keep that in mind, thanks :)

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:20

          @mataeka: nooooo I'm only okay with hiragana and most of katakana, I can't for the life of me do kanji :(

        • KEPPERS on 05/11/2016 - 09:07

          @pyro love bird:
          You can do Shibuya when you do Harajuku as they are within walking distance. Aim to do it on a Sunday if possible as thats when all the interesting people come out. Also check out Yoyogi Park when you visit Harajuku as on the weekend all the Japanese people let their inner wild child out in this park. Make sure you head to the free viewing deck at the Metropolitan Government Building at Shinjuku and it's cool to do it during the day and again at night. If you like anime or manga or really any pop culture then I would recommend a trip to Nakano Broadway in Tokyo they have a massive Mandarake store there with some very cool and very bizarre things. I think it is on the same line for Ghibli so you can easily do them on the same day.
          Osaka is awesome depending on how much time you have get the Osaka Amazing Pass as you can definitely get your money worth if you plan well, otherwise it is one of my fave cities. If you are brave, research Nara Dreamland in Nara it's amazing but is considered trespassing. Stop off at Himeji Castle on the way between Hiroshima and Kobe, one of the best Castles in Japan.
          http://jpninfo.com/ http://en.japantravel.com/ and http://www.japan-guide.com/ are all very good sources of information

        • rover on 07/11/2016 - 10:17

          @pyro love bird:
          Ghibli is great! Really great, it will be a high point of your trip, but you won't need a whole day for it… so can comfortable plan another activity (e.g. Nakano Broadway, which is on the way on the Chuo line). Make sure you get the Cat Bus from Mitaka station to the museum. And if you haven't got your ticket… buy it as early as possible they sell out fast.
          http://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-tickets/ghibli-museum/

      • Elision on 05/11/2016 - 01:01

        I know nothing more than Hello, thank you, good morning, goodnight, excuse me, cute, orange juice, water, ice cream.. a few numbers and how to say "this please" and sorry.. didn't need more than that my entire trip! honestly you shouldn't have an issue. Might be good to have an app with some Japanese travel phrases or voice translation though, in case you need help in an emergency situation or something.

  • hamwhisperer on 02/11/2016 - 22:37
    +3

    I used this company
    http://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/
    I can't recommend em enough, we got 30GB of "real" data, not X GB then shaped data, it actually worked and well.

    I got a Suica card online and loaded it up with some money, so I could use the normal trains (many lines I was using, weren't Jr)
    Google maps will save your butt
    BUY SOME GOD DAMNED GOOD REALLY GOOD SHOES
    Practice walking, a lot, before going, at least 3ks a day

    You don't need Japanese skills but you do need to be polite, I smiled, nodded a lot.
    Bidets are great, once you get over the fear, mannnnnnnnnnnnnn so good.

    • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:57

      Thanks, I'll have a look! ~$45 for 10 days?! are you for real!?

      I've heard it's cheaper to get the Suica when you're there?

      I was gonna buy shoes when I'm there too (I love my sneakers) and I have smaller feet so hopefully they'll have size 4/5!

      Thanks so much for the tips!

      • hamwhisperer on 03/11/2016 - 08:43
        +1

        I also tried saving money and it ended up costing me money, because you're dealing with people who don't speak english well.

        DON'T get a SIM only and put it on your own hotspot, it's not a smart idea.
        $45 isn't that bad and you actually get good speeds and the quoted data.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:23

          opp, why's it not a good idea?

        • hamwhisperer on 04/11/2016 - 10:17

          @pyro love bird: I got a SIM to put in my hotspot and SPECIFICALLY asked them AND showed them the hotspot to confirm it would work.

          Yeah nah, Hotspot Mac address blocked, just like a lot of Aussie SIMS
          No refund either.

          There went $40
          Plus the network frequencies - unlocked phone or not, you don't want something which gets weak signal in your device or bad speeds. Screw it, just get a hotspot and relax, they are quite decent ones.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 11:59

          @hamwhisperer: I'm guessing it didn't work? That's pretty farked. Damn.

          Thanks for the advice! Sorry about your bad luck, I appreciate you passing on the info

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2016 - 22:40

    Book your Shinkansen tickets with JR pass on arrival or soon after to make sure you can get reserved seats for your journeys (ideally at the airport)

    A wifi egg and a phone with Hyperdia and google maps for navigation

    Seriously warm clothes - at this time of year it gets a lot colder there than any major Aussie city ever does in winter (edit: not so much November but definitely December is you're staying that long)

    • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:59

      I have my JR pass thanks :) I think I need to exchange it at the airport? I booked the economy one, so no reserved seats?

      can I get the wifi modem at the airport for a reasonable price?

      I was gonna travel light there and just buy a load of stuff when I'm there? Any recommended places to shop? I'm going to Osaka first!

      • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2016 - 08:32

        Yep you exchange your voucher for your JR pass at the airport. You most certainly can reserve seats on the ordinary JR pass, you just can't reserve in the 'green' (premium) carriages

        There are several telcos you can get the wifi from from the airport

        The department stores (Daimaru, Isetan etc) are awesome for Japanese homewares, souvenir grade foods, the likes of Yodobashi camera and BIC Camera are interesting to look at for electronics and certain luxury items like watches (not so good for Swiss watches but obviously excellent for Japanese watches), and I always stack up on groceries (mainly sweets) at the supermarkets. Those shops will be in any major city. I used to get excited by H&M and uniqlo there but they're here now in Aus.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:29

          oh! That's so cool! I didn't think that was the case, how do I do that?

          I will go adventuring/searching!

          :D I will keep that in mind! I actually wanted to buy a couple of those thermoses that kept things hot for like 2 weeks, I forgot what brand they were! but they're SUCH good value for money! God dayum. I'm a lover of Mont Blanc, I'm not sure if these can compare :(

          What sweets/dry goods do you recommend!? I wanted to bring some gifts back as well as a stash for myself to go through when I'm missing Japan.

          Don't they have different products in H&M or Uniqulo there?

        • [Deactivated] on 04/11/2016 - 00:32

          @pyro love bird: Reservations can be done at the same place you pick up your JR pass. You will need the exact train number and time that you want to book (pre planning your trip using Hyperdia timetable is a must). I have actually booked as long as a week in advance.

          Sweets try out the Shiroi Koibito chocolate cookies (famous from Hokkaido) or my favourite Yoku Moku souvenir cookies which you can buy from most department stores souvenir section. Otherwise I buy stacks of real Japanese pockys and kit kats - they are actually big on kit kats as little souvenirs there and they come in all sorts of special flavours. Weirdest one I had was Japanese rice wine flavour. Green tea / matcha flavour is a safe bet.

          This is just me but I take literally a whole bag of nissin curry cup ramen back, about 30 cups. It's the best cup noodle flavour and you can't buy it in Aus (believe me I've looked). There is a curry cheese variant which is also good.

          Other thing I buy is real high grade sake there, I have a couple of favourites that aren't sold here. The Japanese guys I've wined and dined with there tell me you don't get drunk on the really good stuff. Total bollocks but it makes the Aussie made sake taste like nail polish in comparison.

          For uniqlo and H&M the seasons are the other way around but it tends to be similar and the uniqlo T shirts are often the same collections.

          If you are in Osaka and have a JR pass, definitely make a lunch trip to ANA Kobe Wakkoqu restaurant. It is a very short trip by Shinkansen and virtually attached to train station. Kobe beef is famous in Japan, and this is a really classy quality place to eat it which won't cost you a fortune if you go at lunch (still not cheap about $60-70pp).

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:40

          @jay29043: Ah alright, maybe I'll just show them the hyperdia thing on my phone.

          omggggg sweeeeets! I love desserts and sweets and stuff. I will look at all the food things and eat them all, I can't wait!

          All the kitkats and pocky, special pocky here is like $20 a box! wtf!

          whoaaa how'd you even fit that in, it'd take up so much space in your luggage, no?

          I don't drink unfortunately. So no sake for me. Ramune though, that stuff is my drug.

          KOBE BEEF! yesss thanks for the reocmmendation, I actually specifically wanted to go to Kobe to have the beef. 60-70pp isn't actually bad. places I was looking at were like $100+ and I wanted to try a michelin starred resturant :D

      • Jebediah_Kerman on 03/11/2016 - 14:51
        +2

        Jay is right, reserving tickets for the Shinkansen is best. There are also normally a few cabs with non-reserved seats. There's a chance they might fill up though.

        You show them your pass at the ticket counter and tell them what train/time you want and they will give you a ticket for free. Most of the time we had the trip ready on google maps or hyperdia to show the attendant which helped. They do speak pretty good english though

        I saw a sign that said you can only reserve 24 hours ahead, so I don't know that you will be able to reserve all you trips at once. I did not try to ask though.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:32

          I will have to look into it! Thanks :) btw, I have like luggage, how do I train with them? do you recommend seats in a certain part of the train?

          What ticket is free sorry?

          Thankyou again!

        • laurence on 05/11/2016 - 21:38

          @pyro love bird: don't reserve seats on the shinkansen, most of the time going from shinjuku to nagano there is barely anyone on it and you pay nearly 2x just to reserve a seat

    • Telios on 04/11/2016 - 13:59

      You can actually setup an account and book JR seats online via the japanese website.

      Apart from some of the Northern lines and Super fast rail lines.

  • rambutann on 02/11/2016 - 23:27
    +4

    Do not ever catch a taxi under any scenario ever. If you have an early flight out or a late flight into Osaka kansai or Tokyo Narita it is literally cheaper to get a hotel at the airport than what it is to catch a cab. Its literally about $300aud for the 1 hour cab trip.

    Go to Tokyo Disneysea, it is the best Disneyland on the face of the earth (google it if you don't believe me). Its an adults Disneyland and I swear to god it is amazing, I don't care how non suited you think you are for it you just have to do it. Do it during a weekday. Merch is cheap, food is cheap, its just an amazing place.

    Yes to basic knowledge of Japanese. They use 'mushi mushi' more than konichiwah as a way of saying hello. But it is very easy to survive without knowing Japanese (compared to other Asian countries). They weren't as good at English as I thought they would be.

    Yes to portable WiFi, I had one with my airbnb which was handy as fuerk. But it is doable without one.

    Go to the ramen noodle museum in Yokohama. Its great.

    • altomic on 02/11/2016 - 23:40
      +2

      its literally about $300aud for the 1 hour cab trip.

      yep. I used to live about 30 minutes from Narita in Ichikawa City. got a really late flight and all public transport was finished. and thought a taxi would be ok. most expensive taxi ride I've ever had. in smaller cities where you take short trips then its fine.

    • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 00:01

      Whoa! Okay, thanks so much for the advice! I heard they were expensive, but I never imagined that they were THAT expensive! Noted, thanks!

      Opp. I did not plan to go there, maybe next time? I didn't wanna spend all day standing in line waiting for things.

      I thought Moshi moshi was for phones? I know basic Jap, like VERY basic.

      I have one with the airbnbs I booked, but both say that they're likely to slow down, as I'm booking towards the end of the month :(

      I will defs go to the ramen museum, Ramen is love, Ramen is life.

      • rambutann on 03/11/2016 - 00:34

        Response in regards to Disneyland, as a singular person you will skip a few lines as you are a single rider and they also have a system called fast pass so you can cut lines all the time for free. If you get a spare day you will not regret it.

        Also, as altomic said in the below comment, bring as little as possible. I'm currently on a 2 and a half month trip around Asia and japan was my 2nd and 3rd week so I had to hold off so hard on buying things due to lack of luggage space.. If I were to do it again I would have done japan at the end of the trip because its just that good when it comes to shopping.

        • Kangal on 03/11/2016 - 17:42

          Meh… Japan is okay when it comes to shopping. Hong Kong is much better.
          I do like how considerate and clean Japanese people try to be.
          I discovered dozens of bikes unchained, and never stolen.
          One bike even had a ladies purse, and it didn't get stolen in Downtown Tokyo.

          Just be careful with buying drinks/junk food outside.
          There are literally no bins out there. Their custom is for people to take their rubbish home and dispose of it there.
          And always be on the look out for places where shoes are not allowed.
          (I got yelled at once for entering a Business Building's Ground-Floor Reception area not knowing it was a No Shoe Zone).

        • nobby148 on 03/11/2016 - 22:04

          @Kangal: was it a custom I thought it was the response to the anthrax attack they had back in the 90s or something and thats why they removed all the bins. but either way the no bins or lack of is a big pain

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:35

          That sounds so amazing, I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Disneyland, in fact, I've been wanting to go since I was 5 years old. I will try to cram everything in so that I can go to Disneyland, if not, JAPAN I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN IN A MONTH :D

          I'm pretty much planning to do just that, bringing as little as I can, clothes and stuff and just bring ALL of Japan back with me.

          That's actually super cool! Omgosh, that sounds so amazing! Props to you for doing it though, I'd honestly be too scared!

          Lemme know how it goes!

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 01:53

          @Kangal:

          why are there no bins, that's so strange, what do I do with my rubbish?

          That's amazing that nothing was stolen! wow.

          oh gosh, that's kinda scary with the shoe thing.

        • Kangal on 04/11/2016 - 06:16

          @nobby148:

          I think it is a custom.
          A weird one when men have to start carrying purses : \

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:07

          @Kangal: opp. I thought by they were called man bags?

      • KEPPERS on 03/11/2016 - 10:27

        They do only use Moshi Moshi on phones, I've never heard any Japanese person say it off the phone.
        I agree Disneysea is awesome, best scenery of any Disney park but unless you love theme parks there are better places to head although it is an experience in itself to see how the Japanese attend a theme park. If you do go just run around and get fast passes all day. I took my Mum and at one point we had 6 and they all had to be used within 2 hrs. So much fun.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:37

          What did you have 6 of? I think I missed something.

          I thought so! I remember learning it in class, (or seeing it in anime) I only ever remember it being on the phone. Yokatta, I'm not wrong :P Thanks for clarifying!

          Man, everyone is hyping up Disney theme parks, god dammit

        • JayCeeJay on 04/11/2016 - 13:10

          would you have experience compare HK disneyland to disneysea JP?
          And what about Fuji-Q for rides comapre to disneysea?

        • rambutann on 05/11/2016 - 03:09

          @Dnkei:

          I have been to Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disneysea, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland.

          Each park has its own little thing that makes is great. Hong Kong's is extremely small, cute, have great shows and great merch. I got it on a dead day so it was awesome waiting no more than a few minutes to get on a ride. Tokyo disneysea is just next level amazing. Its large, its got some amazing rides that beat all rides at Hong Kong disney. The Hong Kong minecar ride does destroy Tokyo Disneyland's minecar. The final show at Hong Kong Disney is literally the smallest worst thing ever compared to Tokyo disneyseas final show.

          The main difference is the quantity of quality rides at Tokyo disneysea.. Its amazing.

          If I went back to Hong Kong I wouldn't go back to disneyland. If I went back to Tokyo it would literally be the first thing I would do.

        • KEPPERS on 05/11/2016 - 09:11

          @pyro love bird:
          I had 6 fast passes. You get a ticket to come pack to the ride during a specific time frame and you go through a faster line instead of waiting in the normal queue.
          You could still probably fit in a Disney Park, just don't do it if it's holidays or the weekend.

        • j4ck on 06/11/2016 - 21:37

          @Dnkei:

          Fuji-Q has the best rides! Dodonpa, Eejanaika and Takabisha! Some of my favourite rollercoasters in the world!

      • nobby148 on 03/11/2016 - 22:07

        Well if you intend to travel short distances its fine I did that just 4 times across my whole trip and each journey although did cost me around $20-25 was reasonable i.e early flight, didnt know where hotel was at 11pm when I first got there and bucketing down rain

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:38

          I guess that's not too bad, however the couple hundred dollars is scary!

        • rambutann on 03/11/2016 - 23:57

          @pyro love bird:

          Just to put it into perspective, its about $4 per kilometre. Uber isn't much cheaper. It ends up being about $20 per hour of walking haha

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:58

          @rambutann: There's uber in Japan? I'm a rather small female, I don't really want to risk being kidnapped! either way, both are kinda scary tbh

        • rambutann on 04/11/2016 - 00:07

          @pyro love bird:

          Only in Tokyo I believe.. Japan is probably the second least rapey place on the earth behind Singapore. Didn't feel unsafe for a single second. Essentially you won't need to take a cab unless you attempt to travel after midnight.

          One last thing if you do end up going to Tokyo disneysea (don't go to Disneyland, like it is the second best one in the world but disneysea is much better.), stay til the end and watch the night show on the lake. Easily one of the best parts of going there but I can see how somebody who hasn't been to Disneyland could easily miss it. Also, get a map/guide at the entrance, you won't automatically be given one.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 01:56
          +2

          @rambutann: really? but I've heard about the culture of like upskirt photos and men trying to get grabby with women on trains, which is so scary to me. I'll be home before midnight, I dont club or party or drink, so it shouldnt be much of a problem.

          thanks for the advice again, not only were your my childhood favourite fruit (Hairy fruit) but you're my favourite commenter!

        • KEPPERS on 05/11/2016 - 09:14

          @pyro love bird:
          Yeah, it's a safe country. Just use your normal common sense and avoid peak hour trains or just use the female only carriages.

    • hamwhisperer on 03/11/2016 - 08:45

      Ramen noodle museum is cute but I actually ended up liking the cup noodle museum more. Yokahama is great, the theme park at night lights up very well. (near the cup noodle museum)

      • rambutann on 03/11/2016 - 12:08

        Oh crap no I meant the cup noodle museum!

        I'm still carrying the noodles I made after 2 months of traveling Asia and I'm yet to break them!

        • hamwhisperer on 03/11/2016 - 12:15
          +1

          My house was empty when I got home of food so I ate them the next day, I chose some good stuff too.

          Yokahama is really REALLY nice at night, I liked it a lot.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:42

          you MADE noodles? mindblown that's so super amazing! ahhhhhh!

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