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[MikeHattsu]

I was thinking, maybe I should write the place I'll stay more time? I don't know, I'm probably overthinking.
Thanks.

Nah, just write the address of the place you're staying. You'll also need to write down their a phone number. What kind of place are you staying at? If it's at somebody you know's place you'll also need to write down their name, or if it's AirBnB, you need to write AirBnB.

 

[nabe_shogun]

Ugh... Why.
I was thinking, maybe I should write the place I'll stay more time? I don't know, I'm probably overthinking.
Thanks.

When I went through, I didn't know what to put so I just asked the guy. I wrote the name of the first hotel I was at, and wrote that it was a hotel. They said it was fine, and it was a place I only stayed at 2 days. You pretty much just need to show you have a place to stay.

 

[Laevateinn]

Ugh... Why.
I was thinking, maybe I should write the place I'll stay more time? I don't know, I'm probably overthinking.
Thanks.

They just want to make sure that you will be obeying the limits of your visa. Don't worry about it too much.

 

[Banjoman]

Thank you all for your replies.
It's just that bureaucracy stresses me out too much.

 

[MikeHattsu]

Another place in Japan added to the UNESCO World Heritage list:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1689/

Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata (Japan)

Located 60 km off the western coast of Kyushu island, the island of Okinoshima is an exceptional example of the tradition of worship of a sacred island.

Good luck if you wanna try visit it though ;p
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40549909

The island now welcomes visitors on a single day every year, 27 May, and ancient rules are still observed.

The number of visitors is restricted to 200. They must perform ablution rites in the sea, and - most controversially - be male.

Before stepping foot on the island, men must take off their clothes and undergo a cleansing ritual.

When they leave they are not allowed to take away any souvenirs, or disclose details of their visit.

 

[Zhadgon]

That's when ticket go on sale online here:
https://l-tike.com/st1/ghibli-en/

It sells out in less than 1 hour, so you gotta be there right away to get some

http://www.pasela.co.jp/paselabo_shop/ff_eorzea/

Some of them requires reservations though.

Thank you so much, I was able to make a reservation for the Ghibli Museum.

Still trying to make a reservation for eorzea but do not have luck, the page is in japanese and I cannot decipher how.

.n_n.

 

[NyMartin90]

Hey guys

I'm trying to download areas in google maps for offline mode while on my trip but no luck. Any help?

Also I'm trying to make reservations for Tokyo Skytree but the page is in japanese.

 

[MikeHattsu]

I'm trying to download areas in google maps for offline mode while on my trip but no luck. Any help?

That's because ya can't

Not allowed by whoever owns the map data.

 

[Worthintendo]

That's because ya can't

Not allowed by whoever owns the map data.

thats was super frustrating for the first few hours in Tokyo late at night with no map I'll tell you.

Hey does anyone know any good reasonably priced Onsens for Kyoto? looking for something private and of course Gaijin friendly, want to start researching it all now.

 

[cj_iwakura]

That's because ya can't

Not allowed by whoever owns the map data.

There's other map software you can use, I found an alternate one that had a map of Tokyo.

 

[Hexxen-Panda]

That's because ya can't

Not allowed by whoever owns the map data.

Huh, that's weird. I didn't have a pocket wifi my first couple days in Tokyo, but I used my little iPod touch's Google maps app just fine. It had the streets loaded in and I just used the GPS to tell me where I am. If I needed specific directions, I would just screenshot it while I'm resting at a wifi spot.

 

[Fowler]

Just booked my trip to Japan for Tokyo Game Show! Third trip this year

 

[danowat]

Maps.me has offline map data.

 

[D.Lo]

Hey Japan travel GAF, I'm going to do a week in Hokkaido, and really want to go all the way north.

Does this look like insanity for a Hokkado trip:

Day 1: Tokyo to Hakodate
Day 2: Sapporo
Day 3: Asahikawa
Day 4: Wakkanai
Day 5 and 6: Sapporo

 

[Fowler]

Hey Japan travel GAF, I'm going to do a week in Hokkaido, and really want to go all the way north.

Does this look like insanity for a Hokkado trip:

Day 1: Tokyo to Hakodate
Day 2: Sapporo
Day 3: Asahikawa
Day 4: Wakkanai
Day 5 and 6: Sapporo

I didn't explore much of Hokkaido when I was there earlier this year, but I did take the train from Sapporo to Tokyo, and really enjoyed the journey. Have fun!

 

[NyMartin90]

I'm leaving to Japan today GAF. Thanks for all the tips. I'm sure I'll consult this thread as I travel.

Thanks!

 

[MikeHattsu]

Does this look like insanity for a Hokkado trip:

Day 1: Tokyo to Hakodate
Day 2: Sapporo
Day 3: Asahikawa
Day 4: Wakkanai
Day 5 and 6: Sapporo

Hm... What are you planning to do in Asahikawa?

 

[Boy Wander]

Just under 6 weeks before my son (12) and I return to Japan. We loved it so much last year that we're doing another trip.

We're doing part of Hokkaido and north Honshu this time:

* 3 nights Tokyo (planning to do Ueno Park and Tokyo Dome City this time)
* 3 nights Sapporo (including a day trip to Otaru)
* 1 night in Asahikawa (serving as a base for a day trip to Furano)
* 1 night Noboribetsu Onsen
* 2 nights Lake Towada
* 1 night Matsushima
* 1 final night in Tokyo

Quite a bit more travelling than we did last year (Tokyo->Miyajima->Kyoto->Tokyo), but it will hopefully be a great adventure for us both.

 

[MikeHattsu]

* 1 night in Asahikawa (serving as a base for a day trip to Furano)

Ya gonna drive?

 

[Boy Wander]

Ya gonna drive?

I was planning on doing it by bus?

 

[MikeHattsu]

I was planning on doing it by bus?

It's better to do it by car since you can stop at and check out more places if you're there for the flower fields/nature sights.

But then you'd have to drive in Japan of course...

You booked tickets for the bus?

 

[Boy Wander]

It's better to do it by car since you can stop at and check out more places if you're there for the flower fields/nature sights.

But then you'd have to drive in Japan of course...

You booked tickets for the bus?

Not yet - I'm doing the more detailed planning in the next week or so.
Japan rail vouchers and all accommodation booked though so just the day to day stuff to sort out.

I've not even considered hiring a car. How easy is it? Can I use my UK licence? Do the Japanese drive like crazy people? Last time I was there, I noticed that they at least drive on the correct side of the road.

 

[D.Lo]

Hm... What are you planning to do in Asahikawa?

Break up the trip to wakkanai

 

[MikeHattsu]

Break up the trip to wakkanai

Ah, right. Cause Asahikawa itself is kinda meh compared to some other places in Hokkaido

Not yet - I'm doing the more detailed planning in the next week or so.
Japan rail vouchers and all accommodation booked though so just the day to day stuff to sort out.

I've not even considered hiring a car. How easy is it? Can I use my UK licence? Do the Japanese drive like crazy people? Last time I was there, I noticed that they at least drive on the correct side of the road.

You gonna fly up to Sapporo or are you spending a whole day on trains?

Should be easy enough to hire a car. Check https://www2.tocoo.jp/en/

You'll need to get an IDP to drive in Japan:
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/driving-abroad/idp-country-list

And since they drive on the wrong side of the road in Japan as well it should be easy if you're from the UK ;P

 

[Boy Wander]

Ah, right. Cause Asahikawa itself is kinda meh compared to some other places in Hokkaido




You gonna fly up to Sapporo or are you spending a whole day on trains?

Should be easy enough to hire a car. Check https://www2.tocoo.jp/en/

You'll need to get an IDP to drive in Japan:
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/driving-abroad/idp-country-list

And since they drive on the wrong side of the road in Japan as well it should be easy if you're from the UK ;P

Thanks for the advice - I'll check it out.

Re: Sapporo - we're going by train but we're going to Takuhaibin our large cases and leave them at the hotel in Sapporo and take a day bag out to Asahikawa and Noboribetsu.

 

[D.Lo]

Ah, right. Cause Asahikawa itself is kinda meh compared to some other places in Hokkaido

Ah thanks, maybe I can skip it. Just means a 5.5 hour train to wakkanari

I'm kind of playing it by ear with accomodation/trains, since I'll have to book the trains at the time. Inn of course assuming seats will be available too.

 

[MikeHattsu]

Re: Sapporo - we're going by train but we're going to Takuhaibin our large cases and leave them at the hotel in Sapporo and take a day bag out to Asahikawa and Noboribetsu.

Ah, cause it might have been cheaper and faster to just fly up and then have just a 1 week JR Pass for travelling around Hokkaido and down to Tokyo again if you chose to get the 2 week JR Pass

Of course, if you got the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass or something then it doesn't matter.

Ah thanks, maybe I can skip it. Just means a 5.5 hour train to wakkanari

I'm kind of playing it by ear with accomodation/trains, since I'll have to book the trains at the time. Inn of course assuming seats will be available too.

A day trip to either Otaru or Noboribetsu Onsen/Hell Valley would be much more interesting than Asahikawa IMO.

 

[havokex]

What do you guys do for cellphone plans when you're in Japan? I've been reading up that visitors can't get a voice plan and it's only data SIM cards?

 

[MikeHattsu]

What do you guys do for cellphone plans when you're in Japan? I've been reading up that visitors can't get a voice plan and it's only data SIM cards?

Do you need voice/text and how long are you staying for?

If you only need data then get a data SIM or portable WiFi depending on how much data you need.

 

[havokex]

I always feel like a local number is nice to have when travelling. I'll be in Japan for 3 weeks before heading to Seoul for a week

 

[rpmurphy]

Sorry about my question not being travel-related:

What is the best way to pre-order from Capcom's online shop? It doesn't seem possible to go down the credit card method since they only take Japanese CC's.

 

[MikeHattsu]

I always feel like a local number is nice to have when travelling. I'll be in Japan for 3 weeks before heading to Seoul for a week

Well, the easiest/cheapest way is if you know somebody who lives in Japan that can buy a prepaid voice SIM in their name for you.

Other than that you can rent a SIM card with voice options:
http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/simrent.html
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/e/rental-plan-ib03.php

Quite expensive though

 

[ys45]

Alright !

Got at the airport too early lol
So I will arrive to Narita tomorrow afternoon (Japan time of course).

Can't wait to explore Tokyo once again.

I think first thing il do when I arrive at Shinjuku Station will be to buy something from a vending machine

 

[danowat]

I think first thing il do when I arrive at Shinjuku Station will be to buy something from a vending machine

Yeah are some just outside the new south entrance, plus, it's a nice place to sit and breath in the city, surrounded by the big buildings.

 

[kubus]

Yeah are some just outside the new south entrance, plus, it's a nice place to sit and breath in the city, surrounded by the big buildings.

There's nothing to breathe in right now except for smoldering death

 

[nhlducks35]

Took some pics of my recent trip (10 days), there's more at the link

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4e1aBu

 

[ys45]

There's nothing to breathe in right now except for smoldering death

Yeah I heard it was freaking hot right now in Japan ?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Took some pics of my recent trip (10 days), there's more at the link

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4e1aBu

Beautiful pictures and nicely photographed!

 

[Denali]

Going to Tokyo for 10 days this Friday. Meeting a friend who is working over there for a few months, so he'll be able to show me around a bit. Aside from that, I have no itinerary and plan and figuring it out as I go. Am I making a mistake by doing it this way? This is my first solo vacation and I'm horrible at this whole planning thing. Help!

 

[Valkerionseven]

Yeah I heard it was freaking hot right now in Japan ?

There is a massive heatwave here now across the whole country. Everyday is above 30C+ It was well into 37 degrees yesterday in Saitama. The week before had crazy rain, now its a heatwave @.@

Anyway I'm traveling up to Sapporo for a few days. Anyone been here and recommend some things to see? Only going to be there for about 3ish days and go back to Kagoshima. Want to set aside a day for shopping, a day for seeing w/e interesting things, and the rest is just eating and drinking which I assume I can find easy enough.

Going to Tokyo for 10 days this Friday. Meeting a friend who is working over there for a few months, so he'll be able to show me around a bit. Aside from that, I have no itinerary and plan and figuring it out as I go. Am I making a mistake by doing it this way? This is my first solo vacation and I'm horrible at this whole planning thing. Help!

Heh I do this too. I just go and figure it out later more or less. Google some stuff you might be interested in, typical touristy things, something more interesting, good food, ect. Smaller plans can turn into bigger things.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

I've been to Sapporo. We visited the TV-tower, the clock house, the old townhall, Okurayama ski jump stadium, Asahi beer factory D), Nikka whiskey brewer D) and the summer festival in the city.
We also went to an Ainu-village near by, but I thought it wasn't worth the money and they kept bears in tiny cells. So I wouldn't recommend going there.

 

[hohoXD123]

The OT title is so true. Of all the countries I have visited, Japan is probably the only one which I have to see again. Persona 5 brings back so many memories of my trip, the locations are so well done.

 

[InsaneMonkey]

Any recommendations on what to do in Nagoya?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

The OT title is so true. Of all the countries I have visited, Japan is probably the only one which I have to see again. Persona 5 brings back so many memories of my trip, the locations are so well done.

You need to play Yakuza then. Especially Osaka was amazing in 0.

 

[MikeHattsu]

Any recommendations on what to do in Nagoya?

Day trips to Ise Shima, Takayama or Kiso Valley ;P

Could go to the rail museum or Toyota museum if you're interested in trains or cars. Nagoya Castle if you've not been at other castles before. Osu Kannon temple and the surrounding markets if you're interested in geek and anime goods.

 

[danowat]

You need to play Yakuza then. Especially Kyoto was amazing in 0.

Kyoto was in 0?

Wasn't it Osaka?

 

[Laevateinn]

Kyoto was in 0?

Wasn't it Osaka?

0 is Osaka. Isshin is Kyoto.

 

[Denali]

I was going to take $500 USD with me initially and get that exchanged for yen. What's the best way to do this? Wells Fargo is my bank, and I know there can be some crazy fees for just swiping that card everywhere I go.

For everything else I was going to use my Discover card. Zero fees. They're partnered with JCB now, so I think it's a little more widely accepted that it has been in the past. Anyone have any experience using Discover over there?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Kyoto was in 0?

Wasn't it Osaka?

Err, yes. Osaka. I'm becoming senile.

 

[Fritz]

The urge is growing, hnnnnnnnggggg


I just returned from France, am going to Venice in September and Kenya this Winter. I cannot justify another trip to Japan yet!