Hello everyone! My trip to Japan is in about a week and wanted to ask some questions. If you can please share some tips, must dos, hidden gems .. whatever it is, it will be greatly appreciated.
1. Before I spend money on a international license; is the go kart still in operation? I believe I read somewhere it was banned before COVID. If not, what is the cost? is it worth it, is it safe?
2. Is the Suica card necessary? Can I use it anywhere ? If so, it would be amazing if I can use it as Apple Pay.
3. I’m going there in January, so I was wondering how cold will it be. Would there be a lot of snowy or rainy days?
4. Is Uniqlo cheaper in Japan? (I’m from the U.S)
5. Should I go to Nara park to see the deer or the deer island in Miyajima. I was thinking about doing both but not sure if it’s necessary.
6. I’ll be staying in the “touristy” areas in Japan. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. Any place I should avoid for any reason? Are these places safe?
7. Etiquette!!!! Any certain way I should act, not do? I know on the trains the Japanese people despise noisy people. What’s the tipping culture like? Please correct me if I wrong but apparently they find it offensive when someone tips?
Please don’t feel obligated to answer ALL my questions just answer what you know best. I’m adding more since I can’t think of all at the top of my head
Thank you!
4 comments
1. For the Go Kart, I believe it’s (unfortunately) still around.
I’d advise against it however, it’s a complete shit show and I wish it would just completely die already, as does any local having to experience this crap.
It’s all fun and games as a tourist but locals (me included as I live here as well) absolutely despises it.
It’s your decision in the end but I wish the retarded go-kart tour thingy would just die already.
2. Suica isn’t necessary but if you want to use the train easily, it’s highly recommended.
3. Depends, where are you going?
4. Depends, where are you from?
5. Up to you, deers will be deers no matter where.
2. Yes if taking, you can register it via Apple Pay (but need to reload via Mastercard, my CSR wouldnt work for reloading)
4. Depends on the product but on avg things have been 30-40% off, factoring in sales, tax free and USD-jpy conversion rates
5. Miyajima might be more out of the way unless planning to go to Hiroshima, Nara has more deer and they are more aggressive for food from tourists, Miyajima they are just chilling more but there aren’t as many
Where can I get this card? Would it automatically convert to usd ? Sorry for the millions of questions. Would you happen to know if I show my passport will I get tax free if buy clothes or whatever. Ugh yea, I was thinking the same thing. Might stick to nara, I did read that the deer are a bit meaner lol
1. yes it’s still around unfortunately
2. it’s not necessary if you want to buy tickets every time you ride a train
3. did you check the annual forecast?
4. when you check the uniqlo website, check the size table as well
5. no, it is not necessary to see deer, but it’s about what you want rather than what you need
6. define “safe”. there will always be scammers