Off to Japan in 3 Weeks, Final Questions and Checklist

hazzad on 22/04/2026 - 17:10

Hi all,

Off to Japan for approx. 10 days in 3 weeks time. Have some questions to finalize some things before we depart as its our first time there and my first time flying in about 20 years.

[1] - What are peoples suggestions for mobile whilst there and what is the best bang for buck offer i should go for? We will be in Tokyo and Osaka for coverage. We will only be using data for maps, searching whilst out and about. We will have free wifi at our stay so doesnt need to be unlimited or huge data plans. But an option for shaped if we do happen to go over would be handy. I dont want to use roaming as it will be to expensive for the 3 of us.

[2] - We will be traveling to Osaka via the Shinkansen there and back. What is the best option for buying tickets? Ive heard you can get discounted tickets with some of the rail providers but have not worked out where you would look?

[3] - Is there any difference between the rail passes, be it Pasmo, Suica, etc, or are they the same thing just from different rail providers?

[4] - Do i need to pre-purchase tickets for Universal/Mario world? Ive read i should be safe to purchase actual universal tickets fine but im concerned we may need to get Mario World tickets in advance. Our issue is we havent quite decided which of our two days in Osaka we plan to actually go to Universal and may decide depending on what day is better weather wise. On this topic what do people recommend using as a carry bag for Universal? Backpack, small carry bag?

[5] - If its advised that we need to prebook tickets whats the best place to do so? Klook or can you book via Universal Japan?

[6] - Lastly we plan to take the train from Narita airport to our hotel in Ota City upon arrival. What is the best option for navigating using the train from Narita? Google maps or is there another app that people would suggest?

Im sure i will get prompted with other questions but they are the main ones for now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Travel Asia Japan

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  • Dollar General on 22/04/2026 - 17:35
    +15

    You have really done your research

    • hazzad on 22/04/2026 - 17:58
      +7

      Ive actually done hours of research reading forums, looking at websites, watching Youtube videos. So yes ive actually done a lot. Im looking for people personal opinions on these as travelers from Oz. Sorry if it seems like im asking to much but im a 52 year old dad who hasnt travelled OS in nearly 20 years and im taking 2 teens who have never traveled. They arent really doing any leg work so it all falls on my shoulders to make sure i get them there safely and we have a good time. Things are going to be quite a bit different to my last experiences plus im at an age where these kinds of large events make me a little anxious. So yes im a little nervous about the whole experience and want to arm myself with as much relevant info as i can.

      • DazMon on 22/04/2026 - 19:19
        +3

        I forgot to say we haven't bought JR Pass since before COVID, it became not worth it.

        Also learn some basic Japanese and don't be the typical gaijin that they are starting to resent.

      • DazMon on 22/04/2026 - 19:18
        +2

        4 of us go to Japan every year and I buy 4 SIMs from TravelKon, usually advertised here.
        We had a bad experience with an eSIM once so never again.
        I take them out on the plane and then I know its done.
        We have a mix of Suica & Icoca cards, they work the same, I'd just get whatever.
        2 of those cards are child cards too which need to be organised correctly.
        I got them with names printed on, probably because we will need to use them in the future.
        Load onto phones, top up mainly on phones.
        You can pay for 7-11 and lockers etc using the Suica on your phone, its very convenient.
        Also get cash while the rate is good and try to not rely on credit card and definitely don't assume everyone will accept it.
        Do the Visit Japan Web before you leave.

  • oldgrumblebum on 22/04/2026 - 18:56
    +8

    Never buy Shinkansen tickets from Klook. Either pre-purchase using the Smart-Ex app, or just go to any JR station a day or three beforehand and buy your tickets there.

    Buying on the day at your departure station - literally just before - is also not a problem (except obviously during Golden Week, for example), but I like to buy tickets a couple of days beforehand when I pass a handy JR station.

    • SlinkyDemille on 23/04/2026 - 13:56
      +2

      Only time you need to prebook shinkansen is if you have a lot of big luggage. Those spots with extra luggage space are limited and usually sell out about two weeks in advance. I made the mistake of not prebooking and whilst I did manage to put my carry-on bag in the overhead racks, I had to squeeze my big luggage between me and the seat in front. My legs could not move the entire trip between Osaka and Tokyo. If I had two piece of larger luggage I would've been screwed.

      • Gina Rinehart on 24/04/2026 - 09:32

        There are also luggage racks at the end of every carriage. Unless you have massive luggage in sizable quantities, the dedicated big luggage seats are almost always not needed. It's advice that is constantly incorrectly reported online - the dimensions for luggage that needs to be in the large luggage area are published clearly online. A standard suitacase of any size is smaller than this.

        • SlinkyDemille on 24/04/2026 - 10:24
          +1

          I don't know what you consider standard, but the larger suitcases you can get are definitely larger than the recommended sizes for those racks or storage on deck. And this is Japan, a lot of people are there for the shopping, they bring the biggest suitcase they can find, which is often 81x54x35cm. Direct from the JR website: "Oversized baggage with a total of three dimensions between 161 and 250 cm (64 and 98 inches) must be placed in the baggage space located behind seats with an oversized baggage space".

          If you must travel with an extra large suitcase and you haven't booked the oversized seats, it is possible to place them on the racks if it's not a busy day and the suitcase isn't heavy, but I couldn't manage this on the two trips I've done. It's no the worst thing to just squeeze the suitcase in front of you (depending on your size) or, if you don't mind, just stand in the deck/toilet area for the trip with your bags, but like I said, it's not comfortable.

      • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 09:33

        We will only be bringing a carry on and backpack so that's not an issue. Will book Shinkansen tix when we are there.

    • burningrage on 23/04/2026 - 11:31

      In my last trip to Fukuoka, my Shinkansen (Nozomi) trip from Fukuoka to Hiroshima and then to Osaka were cheaper via Klook than it was via Smart-EX. However, from Osaka to Tokyo, kiosk price was cheaper than Klook.

      I would suggest to check both.

  • Benoffie on 22/04/2026 - 18:17
    +6

    Dontbuy a JR pass unless you really, really need it. Too expensive for foreigners now and you should try to stick to the local/Toei network in Tokyo etc.

    The Shinkansen fare, even with a discount via Klook, wont be improved with a JR pass. Most cities (certainly Kyoto and Osaka) have hop on/off buses which are great value (again, check Klook for discounts etc).

    If coming into Narita, buy your Suica pass, Shinkansen tickets at the airport. 2 reasons - 1, there's offices on site with multilingual staff who can set you up and book you on the spot 2 - saves trying to get to Tokyo Central later if there's an issue

    The train/buses from Narita are pretty easy. Weve done both. Honestly, the bus is super convenient. Drops you right at the door of most major hotels. The train is a slog, with transfers etc depending on where you are staying.

    • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 16:14

      Nah wasnt looking at JR pass. Just Suica and fares back and forth from Tokyo to Osaka.

  • AdosHouse on 22/04/2026 - 17:59
    +5

    1. But a esim, Klook has plenty of deals.

    2. Again look at Klook.

    3. JR East, JR West, one card will work for both.

    4. Klook.

    5. Up to you. Both will work.

    6. Google Maps works perfectly for me in Japan, even tells you what exit to use from train stations, and trust me, you want that. To save data, pre-download Tokyo and Osaka maps on Google Maps. Or do it on Wi-Fi in hotel.

    • cabler365 on 22/04/2026 - 18:02
      +4

      Agree re Klook for eSIM

      And strongly agree about Google maps for getting around - the directions it gave were amazing. Down to “board at the third car on platform 3” (because it made transfer at next station easier)

      • singlemalt72 on 24/04/2026 - 13:01
        +1

        Even inside big stations like Shinjuku, Gmaps was faultless - never got lost once

    • DangerNoodle on 23/04/2026 - 20:29
      +1

      To add to klook, don't forget to access klook through shop back for some cashback!

    • wots on 23/04/2026 - 11:05

      Alternative for Klook is trip.com. Same same with some price differences here and there.

  • Kongzi on 22/04/2026 - 18:23
    +4

    1. Trip.com - Used it for hotels & eSims

    2. Klook. Check both website and the app, for some reason the price was different when I checked it. You can always buy it at the station too. They have plenty of tickets.

    3. If you have apple, just use Suica. That's all I used when I travelled for 2.5 weeks

    4 & 5. Never went there

    1. Google maps is sufficient

    Don't overcomplicate things. Just go with the flow.

  • petestrash on 22/04/2026 - 20:40
    +3

    1. I just buy the cheapest esim available from esimdb.com. It's pretty much a different suppliers each time, but never had any issues,

    2. I prefer to book via JR west but Jr East or Smartex apps are also fine. You are likely too close to departure now for any early booking discounts. They are only available for some trains and mostly 15-30 days out.

    3. Pretty much all the same. Just pick up a Suica in Tokyo as your first city.

    4. You may have left this too late now. Studio passes are pretty easy to get as long as you are not going on a weekend or busy day. Entry to SNW can be hit or miss. There are days that it is open only to people who have a reserved time, and other days it's open to all until the area is full. Most people who want to go to SNW and jump the queue on some of the rides purchase express passes in advance. You are likely too late for this now as they tend to sell out very quick. Your options are get there very early and do the fast walk there to get in before they close the area due to congestion. also you can keep looking at the universal app and hope a timed entry comes up while inside the park. Note The Flying Dinosaur is closed for annual maintenance from May 7, 2026 – May 31, 2026

    5. Klook is ok for non limited tickets, but I don't trust them for limited tickets as there sell more than their allowance and people end up thinking they have one, only to find out klook could not get it an will be refunding. For USJ I recommend purchasing via the Japanese USJ site. Don't change the language to english, just set your browser to auto translate. OR you can use their English site if the japanese site fails but often has less tickets available.

    6. Google is pretty good in Japan. Also try Navitime as an option to look up routes. The free version is fine, but you can pay a subscription for more refined searches.

  • FireRunner on 22/04/2026 - 18:24
    +2

    I went last year around this time.

    [1] I got an esim from roamic. Worked fine for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya
    [2] I believe we booked directly the Shinkansen one of the Japan Rail sites, I can't remember which, sorry
    [3] Got a ICOCA card from the station at the Kansai Airport and it worked everywhere. AFAIK there's no difference between the different cards. You just get the one that's available where you land.

    Can't help you with the last three questions.

    • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 23:35

      Thank you for your suggestion of Roamic. Can you advise how the activation of the esim works? That is does the time period i buy for(in our case 10 days) start from when i activate the esim here or does it only start once it connects when we land? I want to ensure that the esim actually activates as id hate to get there and find it doesnt work. Ive read of some esim services that only start once you arrive in japan.

      • FireRunner on 24/04/2026 - 07:01

        It activated once it connected to the network in Japan

  • deveshwar0 on 22/04/2026 - 21:05
    +2

    Came back from Japan on the 10th instant. I can give you 2 tips.
    1. Use luggage forwarding. Its a blessing.
    2. For universal, you'll definitely need the fast passes to make the day worthwhile. We could only get the 5 ride fast pass which didn't include the Nintendo world rides. We reached there at 7:15 am but still had about 500 people lined up before us.We ran to the Nintendo world ride that we wanted to do and could do it in about 30 minutes. The timed entry for the nintendo world did not open that day so unless we did what we did we would have missed out completely. The other ride there had a waiting time of 210 minutes all day so we missed out on it. Did all included rides on the fast pass and lined up for 80 minutes for Hollywood Dreams backwards. I'd suggest booking as early as you can.

    • allo-guvnah on 24/04/2026 - 08:39
      +2

      This is bad advice for Universal. The best option is to not go. It is absolute aids. You pay a motza to get in, and what do you find? 60-70% shops. So I'm paying for the privilege of paying more money. There is like 4 rides, and the lines are ridiculous. Everyone is wearing these Harry Potter robes and then you go to look at how much they want for them and it will seem like you've been cursed by Voldermort himself.

    • hazzad on 22/04/2026 - 22:40

      As much as id like to use a luggage forwarding service we are doing this on a budget so we will have to just lug our cases with us alas

      Did you do Universal on a weekday or weekend?

      • deveshwar0 on 22/04/2026 - 23:25

        Weekday.
        Luggage forwarding wasn't expensive.
        It was about $25 for a medium suitcase and $35 for a large one.

        • psj2019 on 23/04/2026 - 02:31
          +2

          Agreed - best $25-35 I've ever spent. No having to luggage suitcases around made a big difference for myself and my partner. Hotel reception should help you with organising it, you just need to confirm with the hotel you're staying at next whether they can receive it or not (called yamato delivery/ta q bin).

          • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 16:12
            +1

            @psj2019: Problem is im not staying at a hotel. Its an apartment that had digital check in. So dont think i cuold use it anyway. Plus with our cases we'd be paying a few hundred each way. We will just have to shlub it.

            • Gina Rinehart on 24/04/2026 - 09:33

              @hazzad: Don't stress over it. It's good but people act like it's the best thing since sliced bread. You'll be fine moving your luggage around like a normal person.

  • ForkSnorter on 23/04/2026 - 11:24
    +2

    My answer to all your questions:

    Eat a lot of good food while you're there. It's the best food in the world.

    • Cheap Gamer on 23/04/2026 - 18:01

      Say hi to Paolo if you see him, and please bring back some hot sauce.

    • b0son on 23/04/2026 - 18:52

      Plan to… just made a reservation for the Molecular Tapas Bar :D

  • Cluster on 23/04/2026 - 13:25
    +2

    If you have a standard Japanese three prong power adapter sold here you'll quickly realize almost no plug in Japan is compatible. They're two prong. You can by a 3 to 2 prong adapter from many stores like Bic Camera / Don Quixote / etc.

  • Haulien on 24/04/2026 - 23:43
    +2

    1. I used Ubigi during my time. Data-sim only. WhatsApp for contacting family back home. Make sure you download offline maps beforehand for the areas you'll be visiting to avoid using so much data.

    2. We bought at the station the first time, and used the smartEX app the second time. Apparently jrailpass.com has them cheaper but have never used it.

    3. They all work with each other. Just pick up whichever is at the nearest station. If the card you get has your name put on it, ensure it matches your passport (no nicknames/shortened) as you can get a refund at the airport should you wish on your return home. Avoid the tourist ones I think they're a scam.
      Also if you have an iPhone you can get a digital version.

    4. 🤷‍♂️

    5. 🤷‍♂️

    6. Google maps was indispensable. Navitime was pretty good too for connecting everything but still double check in google maps for updates. Again, download offline maps for the areas you'll be visiting most.

    The train lines can be a bit confusing for a first-timer. There's a few different rail networks and they all operate stations right next to each other, don't assume they're in the same building - 9/10 times you'll need to exit the station you're in and cross the road to find the next one. They're almost all underground too with entrances and exits everywhere on the streets, in malls, etc - if you're looking for an above-ground building to enter, 8/10 times you won't find one.

    A few notes:

    The locals love if you at least attempt something in their language, so learn some greetings and basic replies, thanks, sorry, excuse me, etc. Some can speak English but not all - don't rely on them being able to.

    One thing to keep in mind is Japan is heavily cash-focused. We found the ATM's at 7-11s and Lawsons had a really good exchange rate so we withdrew there as needed instead of converting at the airport at home or there.

    I'd recommend getting a little coin pouch - I seemed to acquire the coins very quickly. Also, 7-11 is great for getting rid of them in bulk, their pay machines you just drop a handful in and it spits out change in a higher demonization. Just don't do it when it's busy otherwise the clerk looks at you funny.

    On money too, they updated the notes a couple years back and some older vending machines and gacha machines only take the old ones. You'll find both in your change but just something to keep in mind if the note isn't working.

    And most of all, enjoy!

  • deeevan on 22/04/2026 - 21:45
    +1
    1. PASMO/ICOCA/Suica are just regional versions, they all work the same across Japan. Do the 3 of you have iPhones? If so, you can create a digital Suica in Apple wallet. Load it up while in Australia, and easier to check balance and top up on the go.

    Children under 12 get 50% off, which would be my only reason to get a physical card. Given they're teens, you'll all be paying adult fares so go digital if you can.

    • Emli on 23/04/2026 - 09:00

      This is the best response as far as a suica card goes. I am currently in Japan and our digital card is the best thing we did as far as travel. Get the digital version and preload 5000 on it. It is then linked to your digital wallet. You can add money at any stage without going to a machine. We regularly look at the queues at the machine. The queue at Narita was one hour for credit card to buy the pass. almost non-existent for cash.

      Also use the smart-ex app to buy Shinkansen tickets. You then link the tickets to your digital suica card. When you go through the gates to the Shinkansen just tap your phone and the entry gate will spit out a seat ticket. No need to join the queues to swap your Klook ticket for a real ticket. Those queues are long.

      Also do your arrival card online using the official site - no money required. Show the QR code and it helps to go through a little quicker.

  • toomuchdogfur on 23/04/2026 - 08:55
    +1

    Kudos for you for doing the research - I can see your questions are just the little bits you need to fill in after all your work!

    1. I've used TravelKon SIMs for the past three trips and they've all worked well.

    2. SmartEX is the official way of doing it, I'd stick with that as it will give you all the options you might need (e.g. easy reservation changes/cancellations, booking oversize luggage seats).

      • You can still get discounts for advance booking, have a look ASAP as there are still discounts for 1, 3 and 7 day advance bookings.
      • Note if you're travelling on the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen (especially any paths between Tokyo and Osaka), 100% book tickets in advance - this route is a commuter route and hence is popular with both locals and tourists, so if you don't prebook you are likely to get stuck fighting for seats in the unreserved cars (of whcih there are only 2 out of 16 cars… and in some busy periods, ALL cars are reserved seats only).

    3. Not really. All ICs from major cities are interchangeable.

    4. For Mario World - honestly, if you're going to Universal primarily to visit this, don't bother with the crazy expensive express pass and just go to the park early (before opening time).

      • There is a window in the morning where no passes are required to enter Mario World, and once you are in you can stay as long as you like.
      • Also the area fills up as the day goes on, so you'll want to be there early anyway - when we went, the area was pretty much packed by 11am. With this in mind, keep your carry bag as small as possible (but also note there are lockers in the park if you want to bring a larger bag of supplies).

    5. USJ

    6. Google Maps is very strong in Japan and is the easiest option.

      • If you want more information/control over your routing there is the Navitime app as well, but I wouldn't bother doing this for trips within the same city.

    • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 23:20

      Thank you. I appreciate your suggestions regarding the Shinkasen.

      So with Universal, the overwhelming tip seems to be get there early and beeline for mario world first and go from there. In reality whatever rides we get on, we get on. I dont have any specific wish list so really just looking for wander and experience the place with the time we have. We are looking at going to Universal on a Thursday so hopefully it will be a little less busy than on weekends.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 23/04/2026 - 12:27
    +1

    In Tokyo now, accommodation is soooo expensive even with the strong dollar. Best to spend more time in Osaka, where the hotel rates are much more affordable.

    • DazMon on 23/04/2026 - 20:33

      Everyone underestimates Osaka and I don't know why.

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:40

      We booked back in Jan. Paid about $1400 for 10 nights in Ota City at a place called Mini House Tokyo South. Seems clean and good reviews.

  • SnowDragon on 23/04/2026 - 12:58
    +1

    1 - Got my eSIM from Travelkon when they had 35% off special here. Worked fine everywhere (golden triangle).
    2 - Bought tickets at the station itself using the kiosks. Not sure if it's cheaper - it was about $145 each from Tokyo Station to Osaka Station Try and book seats on the right side when going to Osaka and you may be able to see Fuji on a clear day.
    3 - The IC Cards are the same, just a different name depending on where you buy them. They also work when purchasing from konbinis or some vending machines.
    4 - When I went you could purchase the fast passes which gave you access to them at a certain time, you could use the app on the day and register for entry at a certain time, or if the park wasn't that busy you can access them at any time. I'm not sure what their definition of busy is because I'd never seen so many people but it was ok to enter at any time.
    5 - There is an English version of the Universal Website but it never worked for me - had to end up using Klook.
    6 - Google Maps is great. It'll tell you which colour line and number to get on, which platform to stand on and which exit number to take. You can plan your routes and Japans trains are super reliable and on time. Around Tokyo there's always a train a few minutes away.

    Some tips:
    Before you go, fill out the online immigration form https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/. When you arrive you can use the QR code it provides and skip filling out one of the forms.
    Highly recommend the teamLab exhibits in Tokyo. Planets is probably slightly better than Borderless but both are cool.
    If you're a tightass and don't want to pay to go up the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is 200m tall and has free entry. Just have fun navigating Shinjuku station!
    There's a 7 storey Uniqlo in Tokyo. Their Uniqlo is quite cheap and have different designs you'll only find in Japan.
    The Japanese convenience stores will change how you see convenience stores forever.

    • penting on 23/04/2026 - 14:12

      just to add on the uniqlo sizing. their sizing is about one size down from australia. so if you usually buy L here you will need to buy XL there. if you are a big person they have 4XL size (online only) which is AUS 3XL and non existent size in AUS.

      this sizing also work with GU as it's their sister company.

  • bi7m4p on 24/04/2026 - 02:07
    +1

    Currently over in Japan.
    1. We got one of the travekon esims and one from ivideo for Hotspot for the kids so far so good. They were also on different carriers which worked out well for some redundancy.

    1. Booked our shinkansen tickets via klook during their sale mid March not a big discount.

    2. We got suica from narita airport, but note that it is possible that they can sell out of the physical cards. We were directed to another station to get 2 more child ones. As noted you will need the passports for the kids and there is a short form to fill in took about 10-15 minutes.

    3. We didn't end up going to USJ as the youngest is too short for the rides. But for Disney we did 2x backpack and it worked out well. Change of clothes, snacks, jackets and the such.

    4. When originally looking at USJ you can go via klook but I think someone else recommended going via USJ direct being able to reschedule your booked date.

    5. We've been using Google maps pretty much the whole time. Gives great details about line colors, exits, which train car for better transfers.

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:31

      Thank you for the USJ suggestion. Yes i was looking direct as there are still tickets available for when we go. Also good to know there may be the option to re-schedule tix if something goes pear shaped.

  • Eeples on 27/04/2026 - 19:52
    +1

    Don't eat while you are walking.

    Try to have some authentic experiences. eg. popping into a bar down an alleyway for a beer. (You want beer, they sell beer… how hard can it be?)

    Be delighted in the quietness.

    Take a small bag/backpack to carry around your rubbish.

    Prepare to be surprised by the stuff you encounter.

  • Davo1111 on 22/04/2026 - 21:14
    1. 3 weeks and you havent organised an esim? I used this but the deal is expired. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/954256
    2. AFAIK you get them through klook, but we didnt bother. The marginal difference and we didnt want to miss the train
    3. no
      …

    Six. I used google maps, no issues.

    • hazzad on 22/04/2026 - 22:40

      We will be using Esim so it shouldnt be an issue as long as i have it organised within a week or so yeah?

      • Davo1111 on 22/04/2026 - 23:10

        yeah, just a true ozbargainer would have looked in advance.

        Japan Softbank eSIM(earthesim.com) 50GB 90 Days $51 $30.60 FLASHSALE40 Long Expiry • Japanese IP Address

        That's the one i got.

        Need to have a look:

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/tag/travel-sim-card

      • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 12:03

        It's instant, you can get a esim the day you depart if you wanted

  • scrimshaw on 23/04/2026 - 01:15

    Don't overspend on unlimited data SIMs. Free Wi-Fi is really common in cities.

    Japan is also obsessed with cafe's and pretty much all of them will have locals sitting drinking coffee and doomscrolling on their mobile phones with the in-store Wi-fi, so if you run out of data or have to perform big downloads, just walk into a Starbucks or Doutor.

    For travel passes: the IC card you will obtain if you land in the Kansai region is the ICOCA card, if you land in Tokyo then the pass you'll pickup first is the SUICA / Welcome Suica or PASMO. Either of those will work on JR railways, and is compatible with payment terminal that displays this logo.

    Please take note that in certain smaller cities, the local buses might have their own IC cards issued by the bus operator, and won't take Suica or ICOCA. You probably won't find it economical to buy and load their IC passes, so you either a) carry coins to pay the fare when disembarking or b) buy a special day pass which lets you ride as much as you want for the entire day.

    Also note if everyone in your family is pulling luggage, don't ride Kyoto city buses. Book a taxi to and from your hotel when you have large lugge (Uber / DiDi works there). They have signs that explicitly say you shouldn't bring large bags on buses.

  • psj2019 on 23/04/2026 - 02:41

    Went during Oct 2025/Feb 2026

    [1] - I used ubigi for convenience, but everyone is right that there's always free wifi in japan. May be better to spend your money getting a VPN to stay safe.

    [2] - I used this website to calculate my shinkansen costs - https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/. It has most of the stops, but not all, so I did have to do some further manual investigation and I found that the 7 day pass was worth it because I was taking the Shinkansen nearly every day. For only to Osaka, I would not recommend it unless you're breaking even somehow. Discounted tickets I'm not sure about, but there are region exclusive passes such as the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area pass which worked out to break even for me with a trip to Hiroshima and back from Osaka. These area passes ended up being cheaper for me than the japan wide JR pass.

    [3] - All the same thing end of the day.

    [4] - When I went, I lined up reall early to get into Mario world and didn't want to spend money to get in. I did rope drop so was there from 6-7am (pre much at the front) and speed walked to nintendo + got an online entry pass via their app. I personally recommend a small carry bag/bum bag as when you get on rides, you have to carry your bags with you sometimes.

    [5] - Just a plain normal ticket, book via Klook. Booking via Klook is better because they have packages for express lanes, which I'd recommend if you're a big thrill seeker. If you don't mind waiting in queues (can be up to an hour or two) then save your money.

    [6] - Google maps is the best for navigating around Japan. You only need to be aware of what train line you need to be taking, the colour of the train line, and the direction. I found the colour/number system of the trains to be very helpful because there could be 2 different stations next to each other and I accidentally entered the wrong station multiple times on my first trip :(

    • psj2019 on 23/04/2026 - 02:50
      +1

      Other good advice:
      - Learn convenience store basics, such as "thank you, this only please, card please". A lot of tiktok videos will cover this.
      - When in doubt of language barrier, use google translate. Better to attempt to speak the local language than speak English.
      - If you enter a train station, you cannot exit of the same station by tapping out. You will have to get the train staff to help you as they'll take your card and swipe your entry.
      - Cash is king - Japan is mostly card nowadays, but I would recommend always carrying some cash on you as not all places take card still.
      - Withdrawing cash from any convenience store in Japan is a lot cheaper than getting in Japan.
      - Topping up your suica/pasmo/travel card is by using cash only at the train station. If you have a digital travel card, I believe you can tap up online but if you have physical then you can only use cash. I would convert and bring $20-$50 pp just to make sure we had enough cash to get out of the airport.
      - Uber isn't a common ride share service in Japan, "Go app" is what the locals use. Rates are more or less the same as uber and not a scam at all. It's a taxi calling service, but their prices are quite fair and I've used it multiple times with no issue.
      - Verify your number in Australia if you download "Go App" as you won't be able to receive texts overseas.

      Last but not least, Japanese people are polite but I have experienced instances of being turned away or looked down upon at restaurants because I'm a foreigner in very touristy areas. I was able to pass as Japanese with beginner knowledge phrases and being asian, but once I spoke a bit of english then service did drop quite dramatically to what locals were receiving. .

      If this happens to you, please don't be too disheartened as one bad experience doesn't mean the rest of your trip can't be good. As with bad experiences, I've had some wonderful experiences with Japanese hospitality that I'll remember forever. Japan is hyped up for sure, but it's just another country at the end of the day

      • Madfrega on 01/05/2026 - 19:52

        Hey for the go ride service are you saying that with an eSIM the app won’t actually work? Any way to get around this?

        • psj2019 on 01/05/2026 - 20:46

          With eSim it'll work, just saying you'll need to verify you local number in Australia before you go travel since you won't get texts overseas. No verified number then you can't order rides

    • dogboy on 23/04/2026 - 10:00

      I went earlier this year and discovered free wifi was hard to find even in Tokyo. Defintely not something most retailors or shops provide for their customers. No free wifi on trains either. It is almost expected in Australia that cafes and restaurants provide free wifi but this is not common in Japan. They are also a very cash based society and expect cash over card almost everywhere you go.

      • Roman Sandstorm on 24/04/2026 - 14:42

        @dogboy

        I don't know where you went, or what you did in Japan, but….

        I was in Osaka/Kyoto/Kanazawa/Tokyo for over a month this last January/February. Kyoto main shopping area (Teramachi) has free wifi. Most cafes, etc as well. Every hotel. Some subway, some buses. All long distance trains. Seriously, if you can't find free wifi in Japan, you're just not looking, or are really out in the sticks.

        As for cash… in five weeks I used cash at: two temples in Kyoto (entrance fees), one bus in Kanazawa (my Suica was out of funds and I didn't want to hold up), ummmm… the odd vending machine (to burn the useless cash I had taken out at a 7-Eleven.

        Again, maybe if you are going to tiny towns in distant areas, perhaps… But for most 'tourist-related' things in most bigger cities, you could easily get by without cash.

  • timhn on 23/04/2026 - 07:46

    1) https://esimdb.com/japan/microesim

    10GB for 10 days for $6 after $1 off. When runout, don't top up but just get another one.

    6) Google Maps. Enable accessibility so it can find paths with lifts

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:41

      Can you remember which provider you used? Esim.dog is the first that pops up but cant much in the way or reviews. Seems they should be ok in Japan but reviews are sketch for other regions.

      • timhn on 24/04/2026 - 19:59

        oh, they've changed the site layout and also the esim providers. I guess just find which plan that suit for your trip because they all roam on Japan telco anyway.

  • kolorijo on 23/04/2026 - 09:03

    Avoid going to USJ on weekends.

    • Cluster on 23/04/2026 - 13:24
      +1

      Yes. I was there on a weekend in August 2025. Some rides, like the donkey kong rollercoaster, had a 90 minute wait in the hot and humid weather.

      Despite it looking intimidating, you must go on the Flying Dinosaur. Awesome fun.

      • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 11:06

        I like coasters but hated Flying Dinosaur, the way it rotates you to hang facing down makes it really hard to see where your are going and it also was not a very smooth ride..

  • Hardtarget on 23/04/2026 - 09:13

    1. I used TravelKon. Its straight forward and you can start using once you land. Pre-fill your immigration details online before you go

    2. I booked direct with smart-ex.jp cause I was travelling with luggage. And you can book your seats and reserve luggage space. There wont be luggage space without reservation (unless it is small). Its not cheaper but you have a seat.

    If you go during the day to Osaka sit on the right hand side to get a good view of Mt Fuji. When returning to Tokyo sit on the left

    1. No difference but when you arrive maybe get the Welcome Suica card which you can get at the train airport station. Doesnt need a deposit and expires in 28 days.

    2. Yes - they are incredibly popular. It may be too late already.

    3. Google maps - you wont have an issue but download offline maps just in case

  • dogboy on 23/04/2026 - 09:56

    If you got kids and want a child train pass (Pasmo or w/e) for them, expect it to be a process and take at least 30 minutes. You will also need to provide proof of their age (passport) even if they are obviously children. They are really strict about this. Will need to get it from one of the transport offices in the train station.

  • md333 on 23/04/2026 - 12:47

    For SIMs, if you don't need much data keep an eye out for free trials/info offers on ozbargain (saved search) I haven't had to pay for data on my last 2 trips.
    Some of the free data I have is on Roamless, which seems like a good backup if you need to pay as there credit never expires so you only pay for what you use.

    The transit cards are all compatible, but consider if you really need one. I think I spent more time getting cards and managing card balances on the last trip than I would have spent to just buy tickets from a machine for each trip. Some rail lines outside the major cities don't accept any of the cards (Matsumoto).
    If you have an iphone the electronic version seems like a better option.

    Google maps works really well for the trains most of the time, but assumes you just want the fastest option and can be a pain if you want to explore other options.
    There are lots of trains, so a train on the expected platform a few minutes from the expected time is quite likely not the one you are after.

  • b0son on 23/04/2026 - 13:49

    I'm off next weekend…. staying in Ginza for 4 nights, doing a cruise for 10 days, then another 4 nights in Shinjuku. what are the train fares like? how much should I budget for to get around? do they charge per trip, or per day?

    • Cluster on 23/04/2026 - 14:01

      Very cheap, varying from maybe $1.50 to $4, even across the city per trip. Buy a Suica card and load money onto it (cash only), or use a iphone as the suica card and draw from your credit card.

    • SnowDragon on 23/04/2026 - 14:06

      If you're just on the trains around Tokyo it's dirt cheap. Just put some destinations into Google Maps and it'll tell you the cost.

      For example Shinjuku to Asakusa (where Sensō-ji is) is $2.50 for a 25 minute commute.

  • belongsinforums on 23/04/2026 - 18:20

    Usj is pretty crazy. Highly recommend going on r/Japan travel tips (I think that's the one) and reading all the tips

  • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 23:16

    Thank you everyone for the all the tips and advice. Plenty to sift through here.

    Upon looking at the cost of rail from Narita to our hotel in Ota City, im considering just arranging an airport taxi. For the 3 of us it looks like we would spend about $80 AU on tickets plus the hassle to lugging our cases about which wont be fun after a long flight. I see the cost of an irport taxi is about $145 for a people mover. Will get us to our accomodation faster and with less hassle.

    Is this something we would need to arrange in advance or is this something that can be arranged when we arrive? My only concern would be delays to flights not lining up with our booked pickup time. And on that, if anyone has used an airport taxi who did you use?

  • bread69 on 23/04/2026 - 23:22

    just came back on Saturday from second trip there crazy what 10 years difference has made alot more people speaking english and much more rude tourists

    when you get off at narita get a welcome suica from memory the machine did take card but take cash anyway for suica cards as like none accept card for top up

    however youre connecting to the internet use google maps, maps will show a colour for the railway line signs will be the same colour for that rail line elevators can be a pain to find when you have bags or all the time with a pram

    fairly sure they were saying over the PA on the shinkansen they will be reserved seated tickets only soon

    if you are taking your luggage on the shinkasen youll need a large baggage ticket and they sell out

    ladda batteries are $4 a pack at ikea

    have fun

    • hazzad on 23/04/2026 - 23:29

      I think the Shinkansen reserve ticket notice you heard was for Golden week. How common is english there? Do most touristy places understand basic english? Communication is one of my concerns whilst we are there.

      • bread69 on 23/04/2026 - 23:48

        yeah wasnt bad, couldnt think of anyone who couldnt speak any even older generation could, just have text translator app handy everyone there has it too

        7/11 shops just need to know if you want bag and payment method

        good idea to take a card from hotel incase you do need a cab can just show it to a cab driver but shouldnt need it

        card-O - card
        arigato gozaimasu - thankyou
        sumimasen - excuse me

        keep an eye on who ever has bags, busy trains can change the flow of people at the train stations and you can get stuck at gates bottlenecks with bags

        • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:24

          Im curious, what does the card word refer to? Is it asking if they accept card or am i missing something?

          • bread69 on 24/04/2026 - 08:31

            @hazzad: to use card on eftpos machine

            • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:33

              @bread69: Gotcha. So just to advise payment method. Are self serve eating places much of a big thing? Ive seen some in videos where you just order at the table on a tablet. Is this common or not?

              • bread69 on 24/04/2026 - 09:45

                @hazzad: mix, some are like mcdonalds self serve some are table service some are vending machine style they print a ticket then you que with your ticket and hand it to then typically ramen sit down places are like this

                ask for an english menu when you arrive people are friendly and will help

      • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 12:18

        Language is not much of a problem anymore, most signage is also in English and most people have basic English. I recommend setting up google translate etc on your phone, you can use your phone camera and it will translate Text and overlay the English translation without even needing to even take a photo - great at Konbini's to workout what flavor chips or drink etc - or restaurant menus if a English version is not available (which is uncommon).
        Also if you do encounter someone that can't speak English you can get your phone to translate for you.

  • casho on 24/04/2026 - 08:23

    A lot of train stations are a pain to get around with a large suitcase. Try and pack small.

    Also Taxis are great when moving with your suitcase

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:29

      Thank you. I posted this question a few up but no replies yet. I was considering trying to navigate the rail system on arrival but im starting to think it may be a bit to much on arrival and am now considering an airport taxi/transfer/private car(whatever they are called). Do you have any experience with this?

      I assume there is a difference between an actual taxi and one of these pre booked transfers. Do you need to arrange beforehand or can it be arranged on arrival? If beforehand how do you deal with any possible flight delays? We will have 3 checked cases plus carry on and a backpack and im thinking this is gonna be a real challenge getting from Narita to Ota City when we have never used PT in Japan before.

      • casho on 24/04/2026 - 10:49

        The Narita train is pretty easy to deal with. Ask one of the staff. But yes booking an uber or taxi will take the stress out of it, at a cost. Or split the difference. Train from Narita to Ota City or nearest station, then uber the last bit

        • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 10:58

          You may not know this but do you have a vague figure for how much it would cost to get from Narita to lets say Shingawa on the train? Google gives me a price break down of $25-50 AU per person from Narita to our accom doorstep(we have a station literally 2 mins from our stay) but does not indicate what travel options that price range actually covers? A private car looks to be about $140-150 odd for the 3 of us in a van from Narita to our doorstep.

  • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 08:56

    Just been looking at reviews of USJ. Seems people are on both sides of the fence on whether its worth it or not. Seems lines can be very long without fast passes(which we wont be getting). What do people suggest as must do rides if we did decide to actually line up? I see the Flying Dinosaur will be closed when we are there. Just for reference, my kids are 15 and 18 so none of the little kid stuff matters.

    • Cluster on 24/04/2026 - 09:22

      Flying Dinosaur being closed does take a lot of gloss off a visit. I did as many rides as I could given limited time. There is another major rollercoaster there and it has two modes: one runs backwards. It's quite a different sensation. When I was there they had the SpyXFamily rollercoaster/VR combo that worked well, but if you've never seen the anime it might not be your thing. Minions ride was fine, although aimed at small children.

      Nintendo World is worth seeing. It's absolutely gorgeous. The donkey kong rollercoaster was good, while the kart ride is aimed at a younger audience.

      I did both USJ and Disney/Disney Sea on my last trip, and enjoyed all of them.

  • brawndo on 24/04/2026 - 09:44

    This doesn't answer your questions, but why are you only going for 10 days?

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 10:53
      +1

      Budget and time constraints. I booked during school term to get better value flights and accommodation plus to miss major events like blossom festival and golden week and to hit sweet spot for weather. Would i have wanted to stay longer, maybe? But as ive noted this is my first OS trip in 20 years and our kids first OS trip ever so wanted to strike a balance between value for money spent and overstaying and them(and me) getting exhausted. In hind sight i may have bitten off more than i can chew and maybe should have gone for something slightly less intimidating for our first trip like Singapore, but it is what it is know and we will make the most of it and enjoy it. As long as i have plenty of info to fall back on i will be good.

      • brawndo on 24/04/2026 - 18:35

        I think you'll have a blast either way, enjoy the trip!

  • Sydney2K on 24/04/2026 - 11:14

    Was over in Tokyo for Easter for my first trip to Japan (this year). Here's some alt.comments

    [1] - If you don't get one beforehand there are plenty of outlets selling tourist eSims. You can get them in convenience stores or tourist information centres. They're even in vending machines at the airport! Also there is wifi at the airports, so you can depend on that if you don't have an eSim on landing.

    [2] - I won't worry about discounted tickets, they're really only available 15-30 days beforehand, and from resellers. It's really best to purchase them when you need them, and give yourself at least 30 minutes between purchasing tickets and getting to the right platform. And don't get on the wrong shinkansen- they don't come early! Trains are on time (unless they're not.)

    [3] - What you describe as rail passes are actually called IC cards (IC short for integrated circuit). As mentioned iPhones have the capability of digital IC cards, but not Android. There is an app for Suica on the Google Play store, but it is meant for Japanese residents (so don't download it.) Welcome Suica cards are probably best for your use, they come with a precharged amount, can be charged during your stay with cash at a ticket machine or 7/11 ATMs. You can't get refunds if you have any funds left on the card, but you can use it up by purchasing at an airport shop, and covering any excess unpaid amount with cash.

    [4] - All the comments so far has been on Super Nintendo World, but Universal Studios Japan also includes Harry Potter and other IP, and you don't need to purchase anything extra to enter those areas.

    [6] - People have suggested Google Maps, but another one I would suggest is Organic Maps, an open source mapping app. Organic Maps allows you to download maps to your device, and not need internet for navigation.

    • Sydney2K on 24/04/2026 - 12:01

      More tips!

      . department stores usually have in their basement levels a food hall. At late afternoon or twilight the shops at these food halls will discount their food, making for an inexpensive away to get local delicacies to take back to the hotel room;

      . hotel concierges can suggest restaurants, and may even book tables for you;

      . it is law to have your passport on your person at all times- no exceptions. In any case you need it for duty free shopping;

      . talking about duty free shopping, goods are divided into consumables and non-consumables. Consumables, such as food, drink, tobacco and alcohol, will be bagged and sealed, and and cannot be opened until you leave the country. Non-consumables, such as most electronics, can be opened and used after purchase.

      . BIC Camera, one of the largest electronics stores in Japan, have a coupon where you can get up to 7% discount on top of the duty free 10% rate. It's available on their website;

      . Narita airport has same day luggage delivery services, which will deliver luggage to most Tokyo hotels on the same day, provided they are lodged by mid-morning;

      . some people have mentioned Visit Japan Web as a simple way of lodging your immigration details ahead of your trip. If you do so my recommendation is that each person with a passport fill out a separate application. Dependents, such as children or elderly people, can be added under one person's application.

      . be really careful as to what medicine you bring; most common medicine, such as aspirin and other pain relievers, have an one month supply allowance. If you have a special prescription, you need to contact the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The Japanese Embassy in Australia's website will have more information.

      . if you are looking for gigs, musical or theatrical performances, check the Time Out Tokyo website for the latest concerts. However, most large scale acts will need to have pre-purchased tickets.

      . if you are looking for sporting events, most places will have walk-up ticket booths, however the best seats will be pre-paid.

      • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 22:18

        Thanks so much for the extensive tips. Very helpful.

      • Madfrega on 01/05/2026 - 20:05

        Hi there, for the online declaration there is a question asking about travelling with family and then inputting their passport. Does that mean we only have to do the one declaration or my sister will have to do one also and input my passport on hers too?

  • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 11:18

    You are probably too late to book for USJ, you have to book express passes (on top of the cost of the park pass) as soon as they come available (a month before) as they sell out straight away, Also USJ was a bit Meh and really expensive (i'd already been to Universal Orlando which IMO was much better), if you do go, ride as solo riders to make the wait in the lines a little shorter (but it's going to be really busy if the weather is fine), or instead take a train to the Fuji-Q Highland theme park in Fujikawaguchiko which is much cheaper not as busy and is a world-renowned theme park and you may get to see Mount Fuji.

    • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 13:39

      Checked usj website and all days were available from a day or two from here. Don't think we will have issues. We only need entry passes. Don't want anything else. Whatever we get to see we get to see. Not paying silly money to go on rides. Will look at this alternative theme park though. How far from Osaka is that?

      • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 17:50

        Yeah, it's only the express passes you need to get a month before but yeah they are pretty expensive. if you go early and line up with everyone else (park opens between 8-9am) you will be able to get into Mario land before they close it for timed entry, we did (but we had a pass for rides at 6pm as well). fyi the rides in Mario land were already 70mins long first thing in the morning and Donkey Kong mine cart was broken most of the day (it breaks a lot) and when it finally opened the wait times were 240min.
        Fuji-Q Highland theme park in Fujikawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) is closer to Tokyo (1hr 20 by train) so if you've already planned your itinerary probably no point, it's along way from Osaka.
        FYI there are two queues you have to wait in to get into USJ, a security screening and then once you are through that you have to queue for the park gates.

        • hazzad on 24/04/2026 - 22:18

          Thank you again for the tips

  • BigglesKDH on 24/04/2026 - 11:47

    We went at the end of March for 3 weeks, my advice is use Klook, it's great for booking stuff.
    Using klook we got one esim from Airlo and one from Ubigi and both worked fine.
    I'd recommend getting a Wise Travel card, it doesn't cost any fees to use and is easy to top up online (if you need to get money out best place to go is a ATM at 7-11's).
    When you arrive everyone in your group will need buy a welcome to Suica card (it's the best option) or the iphone virtual version you will need this on top of a Shinkansen and some other train tickets like the Narita train which goes direct from the Airport, fyi on the airport train you can squeeze a suitcase between your knees and the seat in front or even above you in the overhead storage (if the luggage storage at the end of the carriage is full - fyi don't be a dick and put your small carry on cases there like people did on our train, use the overhead storage).
    Try and avoid using the metro trains with all your suitcases at rush hour (7:30-9:30 & 5pm-8pm) it will be a nightmare for you and locals trying to commute.
    You can only book the shinkansen online if your credit card has 3D Secure 2.0 active (the Wise card has this) otherwise you have to book at a JR station and book early if you want the rear seats of the train carriage that have extra room for large suitcases, you can put suitcases in the overhead or in the storage between carriages but it is very limited (don't worry about sitting on the Mount Fuji side there is only a small window of time on the trip you might be able to see it).

  • sentinel on 24/04/2026 - 12:51

    [3] In Tokyo it will be Suica and Pasmo you can get. I think its only Suica that will be at the airport to purchase. Note that the regular Suica and Pasmo will need a Y500 deposit. The card is valid for 10 years since last used and both the balance and deposit are refundable (with a fee.) "Welcome Suica" and "Pasmo Passport" are non-refundable and don't need a deposit. However, they will expire in 28-30 days.

    If using Android, get the "Japan train card balance check" app to check the card balance by tapping the card with the phone. To remove ads you can subscribe and cancel before the month is up (first month is free.)

    IC cards can also be topped up at 7 Eleven ATMs (using cash). They can also be used to check the balance.

    [5] Along with Klook will be good to check GetYourGuide for more options and cashback.

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