I just arrived in Tokyo today via Haneda airport.
– for the love of Godzilla, please take the time to
fillout the “Visit Japan Web” so you can generate your QR code that you will scan at the immigration line together with your passport. Make sure that you take a screenshot of the QR code and save it in your photo album for later use. So you only need your Passport and QR code when you queue!! The line was very very long but very fast because a lot of people use QR codes..(i just got this tip here as well…thank you🙏)
– Bought eSim Airalo 20gb valid for 30 days. Downloaded and installed while in my home country. Today, when I arrived, I panicked as it took me sometime to figure out why it wasn’t working. Turned out, you still need to turn on Data Roaming for your eSim (i called mine Airalo lol) then, I just individually turn on apps that i want data to be used (google maps, whatsapp.. etc). Now, it works seamlessly!!! [ You can save $3 if you use a referral code such as mine: RO8362] (thanks for the random code I found here and I also saved $3 myself🙏😅)
– When I arrived at Shinagawa, I couldn’t find Yamanote Line and I panicked again. Asked a staff, it was Platform 3 in Shinagawa😅
– Don’t worry if you don’t speak Japanese. I only know Konnichiwa and Arigato and so far so good. As usual, Japanese people are very hospitable, polite, kind and accomodating and understanding if you struggle to express yourself😅. So far, the Japanese I encountered speak very good english!!!
– I downloaded the Suica on my iPhone 15 via apple wallet/apple pay and it works seamlessly as well. Take note: I don’t have any cash at all. None, zero. I preloaded the digital Suica with ¥6000 yen using my mastercard debit in my apple wallet and I immediately used it to pay for the train rides, for the gyudon I ate at a small shop and for the desserts I bought from Family Mart. I will just keep reloading my digital Suica via apple pay if necessary. However, I bought a Pasmo physical card at Haneda (as a Just In Case card) it’s preloaded with i think ¥1500. I’ll try to spend it before I leave Japan as the card expires in 28 days. Plus, the Pasmo card is sooo cute, it can actually be a souvenir I can keep in my wallet!!
– I am in cloud9 at the moment as Japan is really super amazing country!!! The people are the politest, the japanese language is a music to my ears, the food is all fucking delish, the animes!!!, all the stuff, the fashion, virtually everything I see here is super cool and nothing short of amazing!!! Even the roaming trucks blasting with ads are one of a kind! I am just so happy to experience all this now…
And this is just few hours after I arrived and I will be here for the next two weeks✌️😜
by chezjvr