Weekly Japan Travel Information and Discussion Thread – March 08, 2024

50 comments

1. Hi, I’ll be traveling to Japan in a month and I’m curious about medical costs. It appears that free healthcare doesn’t apply to tourists and can be quite expensive. Is there a travelers insurance that is recommended for Japan visits?

2. Is the new Teamlab Borderless the same as the old Teamlab Borderless just in a new location?

   Also how busy are Teamlab Borderless and Teamlab Planets later in the evening? I’m not 100% sold on which one I want to go to/if I want to go to either, but I’d rather book a later slot since they are open later than many things.

3. Should I bring flip flops or slides (using showers in public bathes etc.) or are they commonly provided (due to the no shoes inside culture)?

   I am onebagging and trying to spare as much luggage as possible.

4. I’m going with my dad in June and he asked me to “not fill our schedule with just temples and shrines”. Considering he’s an engineer and into cars and luxury watches, what kind of stuff could we do? I’m open to pretty much any suggestions since I have visited Japan several times already and I don’t mind just doing things he wants. I’m considering the Toyota museums in Nagoya and going to Nakano Broadway to check out the watch shops, thoughts?

5. Are 2 big luggages (28”) too much to haul around in Japan? I have to go to another country after my Japan trip so I need to bring bigger luggages. I was just wondering if they will be too much if I plan to take bullet train from Kyoto back to the airport

6. I’m on my way to Nikko for a day trip. Last night I purchased the limited express tickets for the Tobu line from Asakusa for 1650 yen each way, and the confirmation email told me to just show the email at the counter.

   Getting there today to grab the train, the guy at the counter said no (I don’t speak Japanese and he didn’t speak English) and directed me to the machine outside to buy a Nikko pass for 1400.

   What did I miss here? Am I supposed to buy both or did I just pay twice?

7. I think I got my first bout of food poisoning the night before last night. On top of that I was experiencing some pretty rough DOMS from going to the gym. I think it was from an okonomiyaki place in Hiroshima.

   Basically spent the whole next day just laid out in bed. Couldn’t hold down food the night before, barely slept, and the next day just had water/OJ and a single plain yogurt. I’ll leave out the gross details, it sucked but was not overly worrying.

   Went on a short walk near one of the museum parks and that sort of spent me :/

   I feel much better today…. But sucks because I already had some slow days because of meh weather and I’ve been digging Hiroshima.

   Had I been about the same today, I would have contacted my travel insurance to find a doctor.

8. The Pasmo website says that the Pasmo Passport card grants benefits when presenting it in Puroland. But it doesn’t say what the benefits are. Does someone know?

9. Posting here because my post was removed 😭 Is it possible to find kayak/canoe rentals at Sapporo Lake or Toyohira River? I’m only finding tours.

10. Tour of Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (G-cans)

    I want to visit this facility.

    I have read on the official website, the constraints of visiting: reservations in advance (4 weeks) and proficient Japanese speaking skills (safety concerns) or an english-japanese interpreter.

    Now, i have checked the following website that also provides a translator service, but it seems it’s not available for the moment. https://www.tanaka-tokyotours.com/our-favorites/tokyo-less-visited/g-cans/

    Every official statement underlines that they do not provide such a service and you need to search it on your own.

    Can someone direct me to a guided tour that also provides an interpreter?

11. Does anybody know if I have an 8 hour layover (specifically in Beijing) from Tokyo to my destination and I want to leave the airport, do I have to claim the baggage or just exit and go back before departure?

12. Just a heads up – I flew into Narita a few days ago and tried to buy a welcome suica from a machine but it wouldn’t let me so I went to the JR ticket worker and he said they were out of stock and not available, but he was able to set me up with a regular suica instead.

13. (Post got removed, so moving here)

    # How to get over Japan?

    This feels a bit silly to ask and I’m not too good at expressing my thoughts well in text, but after visitting Japan I just cannot get it out of my head, and I have been there twice already in past 10 months.

    I’m an expat and I never had homesickness as bad as this desire to go to Japan again.

    I want to visit other new countries, but my thought process usually ends up to “I should just go to Japan again”. Best middleground plan for next trip I got to, is to visit South Korea and hop on a ferry to Fukuoka for a couple of days.

    I’m reaching a point, where I’m trying to figure out a plan to somehow go and temporarily live in Japan for a few months working remotely with the hope of getting this “bug” out of the system.

    Has anyone had anything similar?

14. I’ve noticed that a few shrines/temples like Otagi Nenbutsuji in Kyoto, Okunoin in Koyasan, and Daishoin in Miyajima have lots of little statues with crochet hats on them. Can I make some and just put them on them or is there a different process?

15. So I am going to solo travel to Okinawa as female in April for about 8 days, and my question is, do you guys have any recommendations/places to go to? I will only stay on the main island.

    Mind you, I am not that huge on beaches or just swimming in general, I prefer looking at historical landmarks, gardens and walk around seeing many things.

    Naha has a lot that I can look at, be it shrines, museums, fish markets, beaches and other things. Also definitely planning to go to Okinawa world, since buses are available everywhere.

    I looked at places like Uruma, Onna and so on, and most seem to be beaches, hotels and restaurants. The only more interesting place I looked at was Southeast Botanical Gardens in Uruma.

16. Hello all,

    My partner and I (30s) are travelling to Japan for the first time this month and wandering if anyone could gloss over our itinerary and provide any feedback and suggestions!

    ​

    |Day 1: Tokyo|Arrive in Tokyo late afternoon, get to our lodgings in Shimbashi and get a bite to eat.|
    |:-|:-|
    |Day 2: Tokyo|Day trip to Yokohama. Among many other sites, we’re keen to visit Chinatown and walk along the promenade.|
    |Day 3: Tokyo|We have tickets to teamLabs Borderless, and might explore the More Art Museum and Tokyo Tower.|
    |Day 4: Tokyo to Hiroshima|Plan to take a Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Haven’t planned much more than that.|
    |Day 5: Hiroshima|General Hiroshima things: Peace Museum and Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and maybe Hiroshima Castle. Also Okonomiyaki!|
    |Day 6: Hiroshima|Day trip to Miyajima. We also plan to climb Mount Risen and take the cable car down.|
    |Day 7: Hiroshima to Osaka|We plan to explore Himeji Castle on the way through. We’re staying near Dotonburi so likely find some dinner nearby.|
    |Day 8: Osaka|Osaka Aquarium, and might look at getting tickets to teamLabs in the botanical gardens this evening.|
    |Day 9: Osaka|Don’t have much planned, but have pinned a number of interesting stores in America-mura and Den Den Town so might have this as a respite day and explore.|
    |Day 10: Osaka|Day trip to Nara!|
    |Day 11: Osaka to Koyasan|Temple stay in Mount Koya.|
    |Day 12: Koyasan to Osaka|Have dinner booked at a restaurant we’ve been eyeing back in Osaka.|
    |Day 13: Osaka|Have tickets to the Asahi Beer Museum. Might try and see blossoms at the Expo Park. This evening also want to explore the Umeda Sky Building.|
    |Day 14: Osaka to Kyoto|Spend the morning at Osaka Castle and Nishinomaru Gardens.|
    |Day 15: Kyoto||
    |Day 16: Kyoto||
    |Day 17: Kyoto to Kanazawa||
    |Day 18: Kanazawa|Omicho Market, explore the gardens (some of it are still closed after earthquake) and perhaps look at some of the museums.|
    |Day 19: Kanazawa|Respite day without much plan. Find an onsen.|
    |Day 20: Kanazawa to Takayama|Stop via Skirakawago? Spend a few hours here.|
    |Day 21: Takayama|We have a few shrines and temples earmarked. Also want to walk around the outskirts of the town. Also would love to explore Takayama Jinya.|
    |Day 22: Takayama to Tokyo (via Nagoya?)|Big travel day.|
    |Rest of the Trip: Tokyo|We have an endless list of things we want to do in the remaining six days Tokyo, and this is a case of whittling it down. Top of our list include day trips to Hakone, and exploring Shinjuku and Shibuya as well as trying to get tickets to the baseball.|

17. I’m going to take a 14 day trip solo, but don’t want to overexert myself as I tend to do on trips. I have never traveled internationally before. The main places I want to go are Tokyo, Mt. Fuji (I want to do the climb and am in relatively good shape) and a couple days in Aomori (I am obsessed with cider, apples and seafood). I would probably be going during the summer. So is 3 places in 14 days too much?

    Beyond Mt. Fuji, A-Factory, doing some light game/movie hunting, and museums I don’t have much else planned. I’m sure as I get closer to the trip I’m sure I will have more of a plan, but I don’t want to overdo it and play it more by ear.

18. How important is it to book kimono rentals ahead of time in Kyoto?

    Edit: typo

19. I’m trying to load my USJ tickets to the USJ app, and neither scanning nor uploading the image seems to work. The ticket says that it’s valid March 20 – June 17. Do I have to wait until March 20 to upload it to the app?

20. My partner (47) and I (56) are planning our first trip to Japan. It’s only 7 days (Not counting 2 travel days) And I would love to get some feedback as well.

    Day 0 USA -> Tokyo Travel

    Day 1 Tokyo Haneda -> Hotel

    Day 2 Tokyo Tokyo Morning Tour / Tokyo Disney Afternoon/Evening

    Day 3 Tokyo Afternoon tour of Akihabra

    Day 4 Tokyo -> Osaka Shinkasen

    Day 5 Osaka Arashiyama, Yasaka, Nara Tour

    Day 6 Osaka -> Tokyo Shinkasen

    Day 7 Tokyo Shoutengai

    Day 8 Tokyo -> USA Travel

    I don’t know where to start for meals. Again any feedback warmly welcomed.

21. Hello, I’ve looked at the prescription medication wiki and looked at the narcotics agency’s website ([https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/index.html](https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/index.html)) and I just wanted to confirm my understanding. Thanks in advance!

    If 1) your medication is NOT on the controlled substances list ([https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/dl_data/keitai/list.pdf](https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/dl_data/keitai/list.pdf)) AND 2) you are carrying less than a 30-day supply, then you do not need the Yunyu Kakunin-sho.

    If I have a 30-day supply on the prescription description, but bring less than 30 pills, will that flag anything?

22. Hey folks! Quick question – does anyone know of somewhere to join in competitive beach volleyball games near Tokyo? Really hoping to play end of March/early April, and I’ve heard of places like Odaiba Beach or Ota City having beach volleyball, but haven’t found any resources online for joining a pickup group, training session, tournament or anything else.

23. Traveling with a small family and some young children for the first time in Summer. We have done a lot of reading (appreciate this reddit) and are pretty sure Ueno is the right choice for us, with a Mimaru property allowing good sized rooms.
    We are planning on exploring Ueno (including park and zoo) and the local areas, as well as using the train quite a bit to visit other parts of Tokyo and go to Disney for 2 days.
    For our budget, the Ueno East and Ueno Okachimachi Mimaru locations are what we have it narrowed down to. I would prefer the least amount of walking to the train in summer with young kids, easy access to walking distance shops and food. Night life is not important, but it would be fun to not go far for an evening snack or walk.
    Given that, I was wondering if one of these locations is a better choice than the other? Also, does anyone have any experience booking directly with Mimaru’s website? The prices are better direct, coming from the US.
    Thanks so much!

24. Has anyone tried to go to the Takayama spring festival for the night festivities but not stay in Takayama? I was wondering if it was at all reasonable to commute from Toyama as a cope option for cheaper hotels if there’s late trains but it seems like google only shows the latest train at 7:50PM. Was wondering if anyone had experience with this

25. Kind of a random kitchenish question.

    Does anyone know where the best price to buy Swan (Ikenaga) shaved ice machines would be? Thinking of the hand cranked models for home use. I think Ikenaga is from Osaka. Is there a better price there and what store?

    Also any idea on finding Zojirushi hot water boiler replacement parts?

    I presume its Kappabashi-dori but any particular store recommendation?

26. Anyone ever brought a cake into Japan on a flight? Did you have to declare it? The form says only meat and vegetables are an issue and “candies/chocolates” are fine. I’m still unclear on if I need to declare a cake.

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28. Any suggestion for a special dinner in Marounchi or Nihonbashi area?

29. Is Fujinomiya worth a day stay in? Or would it be better to just stay 2 days on Kawaguchiko? I was contemplating 1 day in Kawaguchiko and 1 day in Fujinomiya, but I’ve never been to Nomiya before though I heard they had some cool falls. I’m headed toward Nagoya after that area in a month, so I figure I could also just see the falls as a stop over.

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31. i’m taking my 4th trip to japan this june. i’ll be there for 3 weeks. tokyo for week one, but otherwise open to ideas. i’ve done most of the major tourist stuff and am looking for any suggestions for eats, travel, events that maybe you wouldn’t recommend to someone on their first trip. cost doesn’t matter. location doesn’t matter. i love punk shows, flea markets, anything counter-culture, but pretty much open to anything at all.

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33. We are planning a late summer trip to Japan, and are interested in staying in a Gassho-Zukuri in Shirikawa-go. Does anyone have any suggestions on which ones might be the better to stay at, or any other tips? They all look delightful, but thought it would be worth asking if anyone had any specific recommendations. Thank you for the help!

34. This is kind of random, but does anyone need an extra (premium pass) ticket for Ghibli park for March 28, 2024? One of our group members isn’t going anymore so we have an extra ticket.

35. Been a while since I’ve jumped on here and asked for some advice! Would love if people could assist with the following questions. I’ve googled it, but always find the advice and insights here much better.

    **Travel group:** 4 people**Experience:** myself and my partner with multi-trips, other couple only one trip prior

    We’re looking to wake up early from Hiroshima, and head to the Shimanami Kaido bike trail, to get to Matsuyama, and then spend five or so days exploring around in a car, so my questions are:

    1. How reliable would it be to ship luggage from Hiroshima the day before, to arrive at a Matsuyama hotel? Any recommendations on the best ones? As we would need to do this to be able to do the bike experience.
    2. Any tips, tricks or recommendations on rental bikes for Shimanami Kaido?I’d like to rent a car from Matsuyama, and deliver it back to Osaka. I’ve only managed to find one that allows me to hand it back in Takamatsu. I’m going to have a better look this would, but would appreciate any experience here as I’ve only ever done pick-up and drop-off from the same locations.
    3. Is it stupid of me to try and “wing it” with some of the accommodation? We’re going to get one night in after the bike ride sorted, but wondering if I could wing the rest with the group. Probably better to just book hey?

    Always open for any recommendations in Shikoku as well, currently looking at the standard vein bridge, some places in Kochi and the scarecrow village. I don’t mind long(ish) driving sessions.

    Any thoughts?

36. Hello, I am hoping to travel to Japan in 2025, still a long while away but I am starting to compile ideas, as my partner and I are avid photo- and videographers.

    With the new ban in Kyoto due to the harrasment of locals (understandably) I wanted to inquire if there is the possibility for foreigners booking a Geisha professionally, for a tea ceremony in a traditional setting.

    We of course want them to be fairly compensated, and capture the culture in a nice environment – teahouse, or something similar – I know that some organizations outright refuse to accept bookings from foreigners, so I wanted to know if there is experience for some that due accommodate foreigners?

37. Is it worth going to Kanazawa for a couple of nights if I won’t have time to visit Shirakawago, Takayama etc from there ?

    It’s my third trip but with people who have never been so spending most of the time doing Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, I’m just hoping to fit somewhere new to me in.

    Current plan is :

    Tokyo 3 nights

    Kyoto 4 nights

    Osaka 2 nights

    Kanazawa 2 nights

    Tokyo 9 nights

38. I’m planning to stay in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during my 2 week stay (group of 6), we’re likely going to use kuroneko to move our suitcases between the cities however we are staying in airbnbs and I heard you can’t transport them between airbnbs unlike hotels, what’s our next best options?

39. Planning to book highway bus tickets using Willer Express from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko but was wondering if it is easy to cancel tickets and get a refund in the event that it rains on the day we decide to go?

40. Hi, has anyone ridden the Captain Line (near USJ) recently? I could not find anything about its schedule, some cruises start late in the afternoon but I am not sure if it is the same with Captain Line.

    Website link: [https://www.mmjp.or.jp/Capt-Line/english/eindexnew.html](https://www.mmjp.or.jp/Capt-Line/english/eindexnew.html)

41. About the tourist ban in Kyoto for specific streets in the Gino District

    It’s really sad it’s happening (I am going for the first time in April), but unfortunately, it’s completely understandable (too many jerks). I saw they’ve tried to enforce a photography ban in 2019 with limited success. How do you think they’ll implement this new ban? Would they ever overturn it you think (I suspect not)?

    *corrected

42. Anyone have good ideas/spots for a thing my SO and I can do while in Tokyo? I want to surprise her with a date/event!

43. Hi, can anyone tell me what the typical timeframe is to clear customs and passport control coming in from the US? I’m trying to look at booking another flight from Haneda to Osaka but need help with the timing of that flight. Thanks!

44. I’m going to be in Japan for 10 days. Haven’t done much research yet, but what’s a good amount of days to spend in Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto? I was thinking 5/5. I’m not going to cover everything, just trying to do the top hits

45. Should I transfer USD to Yen now before my trip in October? I’m going to Japan in October for two weeks. I was doing some research on things new travelers to Japan should know, and a video I watched talked about the current state of Yen. After more research I discovered Yen is pretty low compared to the past and that the Japanese economy is in a recession.
    My question is, is it smart to start transferring the USD I was planning on bring on the trip to Yen now?
    If so, what’s the best way to do this?

46. In Kyoto there are quite a few must see things that seem relatively close together, Do i have time to see Kiyomizu-dera, Nanzen-ji temple, Heian Shrine, Higashiyama jisho-ji, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo castle and spend some time in the Nishiki Market in 1 day or would that be too much of a squeeze?

47. Is it worth it to travel to Japan from December 17 – January 5 ?

    I know Christmas isn’t the biggest of holidays in the country, and that’s fine, but… it kinda seems like there isn’t a whole lot of festivals or activities going on during this time, and that everything kinda picks back up in February.

    It works nicely for me for work to take the above listed days, but I just kinda feel like it might be either too cold or nothing really going on during that time. Can anyone shed some light on what to do uniquely during 12/17-1/5?

    Thank you!

48. Question about luggage.

    2 week trip in November, Tokyo 6 nights, Kyoto 3 nights, Hiroshima 1 night and Osaka 5 nights.
    Just wodnering if my plan for luggage is a good idea.

    Plan to take a small personal items bag for the plan trips and EDC. I will be taking a carry on hardshell wheelie for clothes to store overhead on flights and then also taking a large checked bag empty to fill with whatever I buy on the trip.

    I plan to send the large luggage from Tokyo to Kyoto, then Kyoto to Osaka, Only taking the carry on for the Hiroshima night.

    I know some people say to just buy checked bag for shopping over there but I already have one so was jsut going to take that empty and bring back full-ish.

49. I am currently travelling from Hiroshima to Tokyo where I will fly home on the 21st of March.

    Do I have any chance of seeing cherry bloom along this trip and where would you recommend???

    Cherry bloom forecast all say blooming starts around 20-23 March in most big cities.

50. Has anyone bought tickets to the Sumo Tournament through viagogo before? The March tournament is currently sold out on the official site and I was wondering if I could trust this third party. Thanks.