Weekly Japan Travel Information and Discussion Thread – May 17, 2024

12 comments

1. Are there any multi-floor (7+ floor) super sentos anywhere in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto besides Spa World? I went to a massive one in my youth that had a really hot sauna with warning signs that you could only spend ~15 minutes in (that’s about all I remember about it!), which I think was in Tokyo, but I can’t find it. Any ideas?

2. Maybe this is a dumb question, but…

   I’m a US citizen traveling to Japan over the summer. My first name is Gary, which is usually written ゲイリー in katakana.

   Unfortunately, that’s awfully close to 下痢 (げり), which means “diarrhea.”

   I’ve been learning some basic Japanese, but I’m afraid I’ll say “Hello, I’m diarrhea” when introducing myself to someone.

   Should I just go by my last name which AFAIK has no close homophones in Japanese?

3. Are there any services for which a virtual/smartphone suica pass WON’T work?

4. What is the best way to travel from Kyoto-Nara? I’m looking at a hotel near Kiyomizu-Dera Station, and it is showing a 1 hr trip one way, is there any quicker way?

   Any helpful websites suggestions would be greatly appreciated! This is my first time doing an itinerary and i’m lost on how to navigate online train bookings 🙁

5. I’m flying into Kansai airport.

   I have a 3 hour layover before I fly to Haneda.

   Should I pick up my pocket wifi at Kansai or Haneda?

6. [deleted]

7. Hello,

   I’ve been trying to purchase Summer Sonic tickets overseas for Osaka, but have been unable to. Whenever I try, I get an error saying “This is a credit card that cannot be accepted. Please re-enter with a different card or contact your credit card company.” (google translated). I’ve tried multiple cards, but nothing’s worked. Both banks have said there’s been no requests with my card. Also from the US.

   Has anyone had any luck purchasing tickets overseas? If so, how did you guys do it?

   Thanks.

8. If I’m reading it correctly, I think I could use the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass to bounce between sendai, tokyo, and hakodate (or at least Hokuto). Is this accurate?

   Also, I’m noticing it’s only valid for 6 days. Are you eligible to purchase another if you intend to stay longer than that?

9. I arrive in Tokyo on 7/27 and need to hop on the shinkansen toward Hakodate on the 28th.

   Will I have any issues with pricing or availability waiting until what will likely be less than 24 hours before my departure to reserve those shinkansen tickets?

   I’d reserve online, but zero sites will accept my American VISA card and my card issuer is no help.

10. Have a couple of questions!

    1. I booked a tour In Kumamoto in the future and now the tour guide is inviting me to stay over at the countryside BnB they run after the tour which is located at Yamaga. While this sounds really amazing, they unfortunately don’t have a listing online but they do have some (less than 10) reviews on the tour site (GoWithGuide). I do not really see any red flags but I wonder if there’s anything that I should ask before committing to it?
    2. As part of my Kumamoto trip I’m planning to get to the One Piece statues and figurines. My tour will be covering all except [Jinbe](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jv7qhxXZdMgWJN1F7?g_st=ic), [Jinbe Figurine Shop](https://maps.app.goo.gl/CMoxrSm3Sp54aseEA?g_st=ic) (open everyday) and [Brook and his shop](https://maps.app.goo.gl/enAXe98WanNt3GPH9?g_st=ic) (closed on Monday/Thursday). Does anyone have any suggestions on covering these locations on the same day through public transport?

    My Kumamoto Itinerary for 3D2N (Sunday-Tuesday) (this part pf a longer 21 Day trip to Japan)

    **Day 1 (Sunday):**

    Morning: Reach Kumamoto from Hakata and immediately go for tour (will visit Aso during) until 1700~1800

    Evening: BnB (guide will bring me there) or Hotel (guide will drop off near Train Station)

    **Day 2 (Monday):**

    Bnb:

    Breakfast at Bnb, Checkout, go to Yunokura Onsen or Yachizoya Theater. By noon Take 1 hour bus to Sakuramachi Kumamoto Terminal, head to hotel to drop bags

    1pm onwards: Jinbe Statue and Shop. Explore if have spare time if not check in.

    Hotel

    Morning : Checkout of first hotel, drop bags at next hotel. Kumamoto Castle/Suzenji Jojuen Garden/ Various residences

    Afternoon : Jinbe Statue and Shop, back to Kumamoto City after. Explore if have spare time if not check in.

    **Day 3 (Tuesday):**

    Morning: Checkout, leave bags at hotel first. head straight to Brook Statue and shop. Head back to hotel to pickup luggage, then straight shinkansen to hiroshima.

    Main differences are that i wont explore the city or the castle/gardens much if I stay in the BnB, while if i go to the hotel I do miss out on a possibly unique experience. Price is about the same (hotel is slightly cheaper)

11. If I’m heading to USJ on June 13, when should I buy my Studio and Express passes?

    Basically to make sure that I get into Super Nintendo World.

12. We’re about to go to Japan in a few months. We have suica cards from our previous trip. My wife was messing around and transferred her physical suica card over to her iPhone. Is her physical suica card rendered useless or can we re-eactivate it at a JR window? Just to note, she did not download the suica transit card from her Apple wallet. She had trouble adding money using our debit card so she transferred her physical card when it gave her that option.