First Timer, Solo Traveller - Japan 10 Days Any Suggestions?

Rukiata on 14/01/2024 - 09:24
Last edited 14/01/2024 - 09:28

Hi guys I'm a little nervous it's my first time in Japan. I booked for around late April
I got my ESIM sorted already
however I'm nervous about train travel and how it works. Also will be staying in Tokyo Akihabara
of course I'm a gamer. are there any suggestions on where to go that can help me? I have a few ideas but not much. I sort of want to stay within the city

Also looking at going to Final Fantasy Cafe as well, i know I need to book for it, and I know there is a zoo in Ueno Park but not sure
also thinking of getting the steam deck oled

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • Ryuhayebusa on 14/01/2024 - 09:41

    I know there is a discord for helping people find steam deck oleds. Not sure if this is the right link https://discord.gg/GjYuNsNSmY

    Also during one of the last steam deck posted they were talking about steam decks in japan in the comments, might wanna give that a look through for helpful information mayhaps.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/824273#comment-14798807

    Final Fantasy cafe sounds cool.
    Safe travels friend.

    • Rukiata on 14/01/2024 - 09:45

      looks like their all out of stock on that discord?

  • CyberMurning on 14/01/2024 - 09:56

    Kabukicho - 10 days.
    Done

    • th123 on 14/01/2024 - 14:16
      +1

      Get approached by scouts for adult workers and scammers every night - Done.

  • Kail on 14/01/2024 - 10:17
    +2

    Get a Suica or Pasmo Passport at the airport to tap for trains.

    For shopping, Akihabara is open in the afternoons.
    Tokyo Skytree Town has some good stores.
    Ueno Park has the zoo plus lots of museums, you can spend a full day there easily.
    Maybe check out Koto City. They have Tokyo Joypolis indoor theme park, TeamLab Planets, Gundam Store with a huge gundam out the front.

    • Rukiata on 14/01/2024 - 10:52

      do i book tickets a month early for zoo and that or can i just walk in and get them?
      looks like Suica has stopped

      • pantsparty on 14/01/2024 - 20:25

        Do you use an iPhone? If so on your phone open Wallet, press the + button on the top right of the screen, select transit card and search for suica. You can set it up on your phone right now and add credit, no need for a physical card.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 14/01/2024 - 11:53
    +1

    Solo riderrrr

  • miruku on 14/01/2024 - 12:23
    +1

    If you’re just travelling around Tokyo, train travel isn’t too tricky. Just need to load your Suica/Pasmo card and tap on and off. If you have an iPhone, you can get a digital version to use too so you don’t need to worry about finding a card there. https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207155

    Google maps is good for getting train directions. Then just follow the clear signage at the station to find the right platform. Train stations there can be huge, so leave extra time to navigate the station.

    Gamer themed suggestions of places to consider, mainly for merch. Food at themed cafes isn’t that great.

    • Pokémon Centre for shopping Pokémon merch (there’s a few stores around)
    • Nintendo Store
    • ARTNIA - Square Enix themed cafe
    • Pokémon Cafe
    • Hunters Bar - Monster Hunter themed

    Some generic suggestions:

    • Parco (dept store in Shibuya) - includes a Nintendo Store, Pokémon Centre, Jump Shop, etc
    • Harajuku - mainly shops aimed at young women, but the products and crowds are something to experience
    • Meiji Shrine - near Yoyogi Park too
    • Sensoji Temple - big temple, snacks and shops along the way
    • Teamlab Planets - novel art exhibition, a bit out of the way but nearish Toyosu Market (seafood) if you’re going

    Eating out as a single person in Japan is easy too - lots of people do it at many of the little restaurants. Sometimes you’ll need to make your order via a vending machine in front of the restaurant.

    Get the Google translate app for translating menus etc when needed.

    • Rukiata on 14/01/2024 - 14:14

      do i get this one? does it work all over tokyo? sorry im confused https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/use/
      also how much do i put on it? likely wont travel a lot with it

      • dtc on 14/01/2024 - 15:11

        Suica/Pasmo are all interchangeable https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html . Btw, if you havent discovered that site, it will answer 90% of your questions, well worth having a good read through. these suggested itineraries are good https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051.html albeit they are for the general tourist; if you have your own specific interests then need to add to that.

        You can use IC cards to buy things at shops (7/11 etc) and vending machines, so if you put 'too much' on them you can easily spend it, so dont stress about it. The train trips are about Y200 - 250 each, give or take, so Y1000 per day is probably about right. Some days will be less, some more

        Dont stress about the trains/transport, everything is in English and colour coded. However it is essential that:

        • you know which train you need to catch before you enter the station. If you need the Ginza/orange line, then once you are in the station its super easy to find the right platform. But if you go in knowing you want to get to, say, Ginza but you dont know which train to catch, you will have to wander around and find a map, which is usually not too hard but it might take a while.

        • know which exit you need to take before you arrive at the station. Some stations are notoriously complex eg Shinjuku. But if you know you need to exit via the New South Gate, or exit A-8, then you just follow the English signs and you are fine. How do you know which gate - look it up beforehand, most major sites/stores will tell you on their website. Otherwise google maps or whatever.

        Other than avoiding rush hour (7-9 and, although not as bad, 4-6) you will be fine; if you can catch a train in Sydney or Melbourne then Tokyo will be a piece of cake.

        If you are just staying in Tokyo, then suggest a day trip to Kamakura, its a very easy one to do. Some people suggest Nikko but its about 2 - 2.5 hrs travel each way so its probably better as an overnight trip (but is worthwhile, especially if you are only going to Tokyo and not Kyoto). Of course there are 100 different things to do in Japan/Tokyo.

      • miruku on 14/01/2024 - 15:22

        To add to dtc’s response.
        The pasmo link you included shows the Pasmo Passport (available only to visitors) which seems different to the regular Pasmo. I haven’t looked into the differences but a regular one is also fine.

        https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/pasmo-cards-guide/
        Special deals with Pasmo passport: https://pasmopassport.jp/
        Pasmo types: https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/normalpasmo/

        Not sure if Pasmo works on Shinkansen lines - but if you’re staying in Tokyo you shouldn’t need them.

        It’s super easy to top up the Pasmo at the train station ticket machines. So you could do something like top up however much you think you might need for 5 days, then top up again based on actual usage for the next 5 days.

  • garetz on 14/01/2024 - 12:38
    +5

    Have you heard of a youtuber called abroadinjapan ? He has been living in japan for 10 years and recently created a 16 day itinerary, maybe check it out.

    • Frangipani on 15/01/2024 - 11:44
      +1

      Thank you. Im watching now and is so helpful for my planning.
      Much appreciated.

  • AdosHouse on 14/01/2024 - 14:14

    Japan is awesome, I'll be in Osaka for a week in the first week of May, but I've been before.

    While in Tokyo go to a VR arcade, they are a lot of fun.

  • AustriaBargain on 14/01/2024 - 14:29

    I'd visit a spa or whatever they call the hot spring places. Nothing is better than a good soak and from what I gather from anime and kung fu movies, Japan has some good facilities.

    • Lurk Hartog on 15/01/2024 - 09:18
      +2

      It's called "onsen".

  • Daabido on 14/01/2024 - 18:21

    One of the best ramen places and according to a local, the best he has tasted;
    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g1066460-d1…

    • Rukiata on 14/01/2024 - 18:46

      that looks amazing, but to far to travel just for ramen rather stay local again nervous about traveling

      • AdosHouse on 14/01/2024 - 18:54
        +1

        Nothing to be nervous about with going to Japan. People are great, it's super safe, plenty of English on signs and spoken, especially in Tokyo. Google maps is great for getting around, and will include train travel, telling you what stations and entrances and time and the like.

        If you want quick food while moving around, there are noodle places every 100m from what I saw in Tokyo, LOL.

        Metro is great for getting around. Plenty to see and do.

        I absolutely don't regret going to Japan on my own, and that's why I'm going back on my own again.

      • dtc on 14/01/2024 - 21:06

        Akihabara to Ikebukuro is 20 minutes on the Yamanote Line, don’t even need to change. Ikebukuro is a great area, it’s almost taken over as the place for anime and pop culture in central Tokyo, lots of small alleys and shops/restaurants, the Pokémon mega store. Definitely put it on your list - even if you don’t want the ramen.

        Other than perhaps Singapore, tokyo is the easiest city in the world to get around (it’s crowded but it’s easy). Easier than London or NY or places that speak English. After your first day there you will relax and enjoy things.

        Well, Shinjuku station confuses even the locals, but just take a deep breath, stand out of the passageway and gather your thoughts and you will be fine.

  • Tech5 on 14/01/2024 - 18:43

    If you like electric town + cyberpunk + alcohol vibes- Golden Gai in Kabuchiko is great. People say to have your wits about you there but it seems fine to me

    Also this is one of the best sites for Japan: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

  • sumyungguy on 14/01/2024 - 21:36

    All you can eat buffet KFC

  • penting on 15/01/2024 - 08:49

    Get ubank account to withdraw some cash. Ubank use mastercard hence it will be free ATM withdrawal with 7-11 ATM network there. Also need a mastercard to up suica card in apple wallet. Their system doesnt allow visa card to be use in apple pay ecosystem.

    • movieman on 16/01/2024 - 09:01

      Would UP bank also be free?

      Their debit card is also MasterCard…

  • Socialsuicide01 on 15/01/2024 - 11:03

    With regards to train travel, sometimes it's quicker just to walk. The amount of time it takes to walk underground and find your platform is unreal, then exit the other end.

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