Weekly Japan Travel Information and Discussion Thread – September 15, 2023

18 comments

1. Hi, we will be staying in Japan over new years dec 28 – jan 6. Does anyone have hotel recommendations in Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto? We tried looking on google and the search/reservation process got overwhelming. If anyone has any hotel recommendations, that are simple to reserve, please send away! If there are any ryokan recommendations as well please do tell.

2. I’ll be solo travelling to Japan in about 7 weeks from now. Do I have to book shinkansen in advance or can I just buy tickets the same day I get to the station?

   I won’t be getting a JR Pass for my trip.

3. Want to stay in a luxury Onsen in Hakone for one or two nights on a 14 day trip to Japan. Any one have recommendations, found one on YouTube but it runs 500-700 USD a night !

4. Another knows where I can get some tcb jeans on Tokyo, osaka or kyoto?

5. Hey folks – might be a dumb question. I’m in Japan for 31 days. The suica card says it lasts for 28.

   Can anyone confirm that it indeed turns off? And is there an obvious simple thing to get for those last 3 days (Tokyo) or best just to buy individual tickets as I go ?

6. Does anyone have experience getting to Kumamoto? Right now I’m in my early planning stages and thinking one month via the Golden route. So maybe Golden route and then transport (Air or train I figure) from Osaka to Kumamoto. Spend whatever time there and then make my way back to Tokyo for return flight (or maybe fly back out of Osaka?).

   Also any opinions on Huis Ten Bosch? Seems kind of interesting, but think I’d prefer to avoid amusemen parks?

7. What are some typical souvenirs that people get in Japan? I’m trying to get an idea of how much extra space I will need to bring back souvenirs. Thanks!

8. I’m going to be in Tokyo for Halloween, does anyone have any recommendations on what to do at night? I heard Tokyo can get crazy during Halloween.

9. Is it worth visiting the Tokyo National Museum if we can only spend 1.5-2 hours there? We’d be there at 9:30am opening time on a Sunday in February.

10. Hello,

    We’re planning on taking a trip to Japan in a few weeks and wanted some recommendations on whether the JR Pass was worth it or not. Our itinerary is as follows

    Tokyo -> Hakone
    Hakone -> Osaka
    Osaka -> Kyoto (day trip x2)
    Osaka -> Nara (day trip)
    Osaka -> Hiroshima (day trip)
    Osaka -> Tokyo

    I entered this itinerary in the JR pass calculator and it said the 14 day pass was worth it (as long as we get it before the price increases). I checked the actual routes to these places on Google maps and the Japan Travel app and lot of them have us go on the Nozomi bullet train which I’ve read isn’t covered by it, so I’m wondering how much we’ll actually get to use our JR Pass. Does anyone have any experience with a similar itinerary and can give us some guidance please? Thanks!

11. I can’t seem to find a proper answer online or I’m just doing a terrible job looking for one, is there any required immunizations/vaccines needed to enter the country? Thank you

12. I did some searching but can’t find exactly what I’m looking for. I’ll be Tokyo the beginning of March, and wanted to spend about 10 days exploring other areas of Japan including some more countryside/rural. I’ll be departing at the end, but no flight is booked so can leave from anywhere. I initially wanted to go to Kanazawa and Sapporo, but there aren’t exactly near each other.

    * Is it a bad idea to spend a few days around Chubu, then fly to Sapporo for the last 2-3 days? Does that add a significant amount of travel time over train?
    * Alternatively, are there places with a similar feel to Kanazawa if I were to do a JR trip from Tokyo up to Sapporo spending 2-3 days in different prefectures along the way?
    * Better to save Sapporo for another trip? Honestly, I just want to try some Sapporo miso ramen.

13. I’m just about to buy two 14 day JR passes for my partner and I’s trip in Oct/Nov, and the website (jrpass.com) says for exchange in Japan we need documents like an embassy issued certificate of overseas residence, or is this only for Japanese nationals who have lived outside of japan? Will our passports be enough?

14. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good Kobe beef spot in Osaka. Lunch or dinner

15. I have a question about using luggage delivery from Haneda Airport. Yamato Transport says they do same day delivery to hotels, but mentions there being a deadline for same day. Does anyone know what the deadline is? I am failing to find it on their website.

16. What’s more similar to Nara’s fall folliage timing, Kyoto or Osaka? Early koyo forecasts seem to put the momiji peak for Osaka at 12/3 and Kyoto around 12/11, which would be pretty similar from last year. Can’t find anything on Nara specifically though, was wondering if anyone had experience here.

17. I wanted to double check, if you buy the JR Pass directly from the website we can only buy it 1 month before we arrive? Is it possible to reserve earlier to lock in the price. (Arriving in Tokyo on Nov. 15 2023)

18. I’m looking at doing the Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi trail), Koyasan, and Hachijofuji in the first half of November. Google says the temp range is 10-15C at that time. Would I need Merino wool shirts or would synthetic fabrics do? I’m thinking shirt + fleece jacket, and a poncho in case of rain? My wardrobe also only has chinos, jeans, and shorts. Should I buy hiking trousers/overtrousers/Merino tights? I’m taking the easiest trails and I’m relatively fit, although I’m from the tropics and not used to temps below 15C. I already have decent hiking shoes and Merino wool socks.