What do I need to prepare for Japan?

pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 22:06
Last edited 13/11/2016 - 10:52

Hey all,

Just wondering if you could help me and give me some tips?

My first time to japan and I'm doing a solo trip!

I have no idea what to bring, I leave in about a weeks time.

All accommodation, Jr pass, travel insurance has been all organised. What else should I bring?

Edit: so I'll be in Japan from nov 12-28

I arrive at Narita at about 9am will be taking the shinkasen straight to Osaka (spend the rest of the day there? Maybe smash out Nara)

I'll be there from nov 12-18 so a week as I've got a 7 day Jr pass. Whilst there I'll be in shin Osaka so I can use it as a base to visit; Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe (for the beef) and maybe Nagoya if time permits.

I wanted to visit the zoo with the red pandas about 2 hrs north but I doubt I'd have the time :(

I'm travelling to experience the culture but also to eat. I love food and Japanese food and culture has always interested me. Souvenirs and things I like too, I really want the magic totoro umbrella! It's super adorable!

After that I haven't really decided if I wanna spend a majority of my last day there (18th) in Osaka and surrounds or go to Tokyo and spend it there. I might do the former seeing as I had less time there. I just don't wanna lug about luggage is all.

Then I'm in Tokyo for 9 days 18-28 I basically lose the 28th as I fly out at about noon. :(

Here I'd like to visit, harajuku, shinjuku, shibuya, roppongi, ueno, akihabara, ikebukuro, Ginza, I'm missing places..

I'm staying near shinjuku (okubo station). So it's kinda central. I wanted to visit tsuji fish markets too. Have amazing Akita beef I'm gonna and compare it to that of Kobe. Go to the 1 Michelin star ramen restaurant, and get my hair done at nalu hair salon!

There's a place a fee hours north of Tokyo that has the fox village and they're one of my fave animals. I want to go, but time :(

Also wanted to visit Mt Fuji, but time :(

I might skip out roppongi, ueno to fit it in. I think I'd have to drive to get to the fox village :( so far though and no international license.

I'm also travelling super light I think
Bringing next to nothing, come back with everything is the plan. I'm going to the ghibli museum as well, yay!

What do you recommend buying whilst there? I remember reading Bout some amazing Thermos that kept things hot for like a week! Insane! I want two, shut up and take my money! Haha.

Edit! Day after landing in Japan, omg the food in Osaka, and my feet. Aside from that. All worries of feeling unsafe in Japan have been expelled. Takoyaki, oden, melon pan icecream, icecream sandwich, tarts, custard creme choux, dango, katsu sandwich from a combini, pasta salad. So good. Holy shit.

I'm headed to kyoto today so if y'all have Amy suggestions on food or places, hit me up

Travel

Comments

      • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:41

        Can I ask where yokohama is? wait wait wait. Why are there two? Which one is the famous one? with all the ramen from the different prefectures?

        • hamwhisperer on 04/11/2016 - 10:19

          It's about 35 minutes south of Tokyo, you can catch normal trains or high speed (Shinkansen)
          JR Pass should get you there. I got off at the 'normal' Ramen museum, had breakfast then walked to the Cup Noodles one at the little island with the theme park. A few KM - accidentally walked through the Nissan building, pretty cool

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 12:05

          @hamwhisperer: y so far. I'm staying in shinjuku so hopefully it won't take quite that long. Actually that sounds amazing and if they're pretty close I'll probably do both!

        • hamwhisperer on 04/11/2016 - 13:24

          @pyro love bird: Shinjuku is the only part of Japan that I found to be slightly dirty or dodgy - it's not BAD but it's the seediest part, at least at night. It's still very cool.

          Also, despite how gimmicky it is, you would be a FOOL not to go to the Robot show (just don't get the food) it's absoloutely 1000% worth it.

          You totally want to go to this place too.
          https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6934877,139.699485,3a,75y,17…

          Not the building but the alley - to the left and to the right (with the green sign) they are like super funky very very small, cool eateries in there, especially the one on the right - only about 150meters long but at least 15 places. Way cool.
          https://www.google.com.au/search?q=shinkuku+alley+food+stati…

          EDIT: Also go to Mandarake in Akihabara - it's only 15 minute train ride away, 8 floors of toys dating back to the 50's - some super super cool stuff to just look at (G1 transformers, etc)

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:19

          @hamwhisperer: nooooooooooo. That's where I'm staying.

          I dunno man, I'm female, so caberet shows don't interest me, I'm not a drinker either, or a party goer, so basically I'm an old fart. not really, but really.

          What's that place?

          opp nevermind, you've answered me! haha. thanks! fooooood yessss. I'm gonna actually get so fat, especially cause I'm so depressed atm.

          ohhmyyygahhhhhd that's so amazing!

        • hamwhisperer on 07/11/2016 - 16:54

          @pyro love bird: Dee is that you :( <3

          Also, if you want some amazing custard bun tart things
          https://www.google.com.au/search?q=beard+papas&hl=en&tbm=isc…

          There's one at Shinjuku station.
          I quite liked the park near Shinkuku to the East, it's very nice.

          I think I mentioned elsewhere Yokahama is very very nice, especially if you go afternoon / evening. Would be better as a date place in the later evening at the fun little park (think a better Luna Park) I think it's Cosmoworld.

          Oh and take a couple of plastic bags with you for garbage, there's (profanity) all bins in the whole country.

    • mataeka on 03/11/2016 - 16:57

      mushi mushi for hello? Never heard that once EXCEPT on phone calls when I lived there for 10 months and visited for 15 days a few years later. Might be a regional thing? (there is a LOT of regional dialect quirks)

      • Hirolol on 03/11/2016 - 17:33
        +1

        you say moshi moshi when you answer the phone.
        its not regional, its part of the language.

        • saintmagician0 on 03/11/2016 - 20:05

          I don't think anyone's saying it's not part of the language. It can be part of the language, but it's use can still vary from region to region. People are saying they've never heard it except on phone calls. I've never heard it in Japan either, except when people pick up the phone.

        • Hirolol on 03/11/2016 - 23:25

          @saintmagician0:
          Its use does not vary.
          Its only use is when answering phones.
          That is the reason why you wont hear it anywhere except phone use.
          Its quite common knowledge and nothing to be surprised about.

        • saintmagician0 on 04/11/2016 - 22:22

          @Hirolol: "Its use does not vary" citation needed. Either that or the guy that first mentioned this is just flat out lying. Considering there's a lot of regional variation in how Japanese is spoken in different parts of Japan, it doesn't seem that far fetched…

        • Hirolol on 05/11/2016 - 12:56

          @saintmagician0:
          I'm guessing the guy that first mentioned it just didn't know.

          I'm half Japanese and it was one of the first things we are taught in Japanese school.

          Whenever I have stayed with relatives in Japan it's always moshi moshi when answering the phone.
          I think a few times I may have even met them at the door and said face to face moshi moshi which which they would laugh at coz it sounds so odd.

          Its like me saying to you good morning (in a serious way) when its obviously evening.
          Also how odd would it be for me to say (seriously) "when I was living in Australia I had never heard anyone say good morning at night time unless it was the morning"
          That is basically why it sounds so odd to me when people are saying that they have never heard moshi moshi unless people are answering the phone.

        • Lacko on 05/11/2016 - 13:51

          @Hirolol:

          Yup im half Japanese as well, moshi moshi is only used when someone calls and you answer the phone. Basically asking who is it or who's speaking. Is it only home phones though? or both?. Have to admit my Japanese is quite bad now days.

        • mataeka on 05/11/2016 - 19:22
          +1

          @Hirolol:

          Woah, you must have travelled super extensively for a freakin long period of time to make such a sweeping statement… Even Japanese people dont necessarily know all of the regional dialects and quirks (my host mum from Nagoya struggled to translate Kobe-ben for me)

          I'm going by the statement that someone above has said that was their experience - many others have said its not common - logical reasoning is at least somewhere out there someone was saying moshi moshi.even if only to screw with a gaijin…

      • Spazzwan on 03/11/2016 - 22:35

        It's to stop foxes trixing you over the phone, they cant say moshi moshi properly.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:43

          This is an adorable explanation

        • Forfiet on 04/11/2016 - 03:45

          foxes tricking you? Is this joke from the kitsune yokai playing trickes legends/tales?

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:07

          @Forfiet: I believe so!

      • rambutann on 04/11/2016 - 00:01
        +2

        Man I must have looked like an absolute dingo then. I was under the impression mushi mushi was just a relaxed/informal way of saying hello. I was aware that they use it on phones but I thought they used it off the phone also. Probably made the local paper somewhere haha

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:08

          Ahahah that's kinda adorable. Theres a certain cuteness when foreigners mistake things like this

      • hamwhisperer on 04/11/2016 - 10:30

        It sounds like they are saying "Mooshiemoosh" and it's in every goddamn anime ever.
        EDIT: and yes it's PHONE ONLY for some reason.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 12:06

          Ahahaha moshimosh I think when I did jap back in first year

    • SaberX on 03/11/2016 - 19:13

      second all the other comments - moshi moshi is definitely not a normal or used term for saying hello.. maybe out of context or an once off, but it is definitely not something you'd hear them say often. I would say konichiwa if struggling with the language.

      • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:44
        +1

        Konnichiwa is good afternoon right?
        Ohayou gazaimasu is good morning?
        and sayounara is good evening?

        • Hirolol on 04/11/2016 - 00:03
          +1

          Sayounara is goodbye - can you used anytime
          But at night you might say oyasumi
          Konbanwa is good evening
          :)

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:04

          @Hirolol: ohhh it's all coming back to me now. It's been a while since I had a chance to use any Japanese, gosh, wish me luck!

          Ikura desu ka? how much, is that right?

        • Hirolol on 04/11/2016 - 00:12

          @pyro love bird:
          Hai soudesu!

          Good luck!
          I am actually going back in December, I am half Japanese so will be going to visit my relos over there. Its been so long since I went back!!

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:21
          +1

          @Hirolol: yokatta!

          Thanks! That's so awesome, we should have Japanese lessons, in return I could uh. teach you how to order food in Chinese? (I work in an asian restaurant and so many customers dont speak english! haha)

          You're gonna have a blast too from the sound of it

        • rover on 04/11/2016 - 16:04

          @pyro love bird:
          yep, remember to pronounce the u is desu as slightly as possible or just drop it.

        • KEPPERS on 05/11/2016 - 09:20

          Sayonara is goodbye but we were told by a Japanese person that no one really says it as it means goodbye forever. They tend to use matane which is more see you later.

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:33

          @rover: Yep, I just drop it so its essentially des. Thanks though! I'm sure a lot of people didn't know that!

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:34

          @KEPPERS: omg I remember matane from anime! Edit. I think matane is casual and sayounara is formal

        • KEPPERS on 10/11/2016 - 08:46

          @pyro love bird: They say bye bye a lot too in the younger Japanese.

    • Elision on 05/11/2016 - 01:13

      It's interesting that you say that about Moshi Moshi, as it's really only commonly used when you answer the phone..or if you're trying to get someone's attention when they can't see you. konnichiwa, konbanwa and Ohayo Gozaimasu are the common phrases used to greet each other, depending on what time of the day, unless it's a store/restaurant where they will greet you with irasshaimase which you don't need to respond to :)

      I agree with what you say about Disneysea! I've been to a few Disney parks and I can see why it has the reputation it does, it's so amazing and the staff are incredible.

      edit: sorry I somehow didn't see all these other replies saying the same sort of thing xD

      • Hirolol on 06/11/2016 - 00:52

        If you are trying to get someone's attention you would say sumimasen.
        You wouldn't say it any other time.

        • Elision on 06/11/2016 - 14:21

          I know that sumimasen is excuse me :) a few sites said moshi moshi can also mean excuse but is almost never used! but yes I realise the way I worded that sentence made it sound like I was saying it was commonly used as excuse me which I know is totally incorrect, was meant to be a separate comment. Thanks for clarifying~

          I'm not sure if you are a japanese speaker although your username sounds potentially japanese, multiple websites say something similar to the line below-

          "It's not uncommon to hear it used, many times semi-ironically, to grab someone's attention, particularly when they're being less than responsive and/or acting "out of it"."

  • altomic on 02/11/2016 - 23:46
    +2

    I have no idea what to bring, I leave in about a weeks time.

    I lived in Japan for 4 years.

    take as little as possible. the weather is cooling down over their at the moment. just take some sensible clothing.

    if you're a omnivore then enjoy the food.

    don't try and do too much because it's impossible. plan a few things but mostly just walk around randomly. there is so much to see and every few blocks there is something interesting.

    I was there in June for 2 weeks. one day I just walked around doing a convenience store beer walkabout. go to a convenience store buy a beer, walk around randomly, finish beer and go to another convenience store and buy a beer, etc etc.

    It's Japan. it's so very unique.

    enjoy.

    • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 00:06

      Hi Altomic! Thanks so much for your reply! I actually planned on going super light, and bringing as much of Japan as possible home with me!

      Do you know of any cheapish? ways I could mail things home? (I may want to attempt to bring a takoyaki plate home with me) I kinda wanted to mail home souvenirs, saves me from carrying them back.

      Any places you recommend? Any wisdom you could spare would be greatly appreciated!

      I did kinda want to just wander about. I'm going to Osaka first, and I wanted to visit Nara for the deer, Hiroshima for their take on okonomiyaki and to visit the historical sites, Kyoto for the autumn leaves and shrines, (hopefully) Kobe for the beef, and Nagoya if I have time, if not, more time to Osaka/Kyoto I hear that Osaka is like the food capital of Japan, so I'm really hoping to stuff my face!

      I don't actually drink! Nevermind, I'll go have some ramune! :D

      Thanks so much again

      • altomic on 03/11/2016 - 00:30

        I lived there for 4 years and was a shit tourist. I only went to Osaka to catch a boat to Shanghai.

        Hiroshima was good/sad/tragic. I only went there as Mrs Altomic had a job interview.

        I lived in tokyo for 18 months and then Sendai for 2.5 years.

        mainly I travelled around Tokyo and northern Japan.

        We had a car when we lived there so we would just drive randomly into the countryside and just see what happened.

        Kamakura (south west of tokyo) is good. an old town. they have a diabutsu (giant buddha statue). and historical sites.

        catching the hop-on/hop-off buses is good. The Hato (pigeon) bus in Tokyo is cool.

        there isn't really any cheap way of mailing stuff back. Japan post/EMS isn't cheap. - I used to export stuff as a side line.

        there is so much to see that you couldn't see it all even if you tried. it's awesome just being there and observing the people and how they live. go there expecting nothing and you can only walk away satisfied. when i took my daughter there in June we would often just sit for an hour or 2 with drinks + snacks and watch the world go past.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 00:37
          +1

          I think that's always the case though, before moving to Melbs, I had a list of things I wanted to do, and I'd do a lot of it seeing as my time here is limited, however, because I now live here, the urgency to do those things is no longer present, so I am a shit tourist too :P

          I'll actually be in Tokyo for 9 days following osaka, I might consider doing a bit more of a roadtrip on another trip to Japan later, it sounds beautiful, I really liked driving along the coast in WA I'm a massive fan of roadtrips!

          I'll keep all those places on my list and hope I have some time.

          It's like $50 to mail a smallish box back to Australia isn't it? :( that makes me sad.

          I'll people watch in Japan then :P

        • altomic on 03/11/2016 - 00:46

          @pyro love bird: EMS postage (through Japan post) tended to be the cheapest option. it depends on weight - here's a link to japan post

          if you drive then you MUST MUST MUST have an international license. it is impossible to rent a car without one. available from RACV for ~$35. driving was fun in Japan. random country driving. deserted and overgrown roads. strange little small villages.

          a good day activity is to walk from shibuya to harajuku.

          checkout yoyogi park (next to Harajuku) on a sunday morning (flea market)

          you sound pretty grounded and will enjoy your time there.

        • KEPPERS on 03/11/2016 - 10:30
          +3

          If you don't want the souvenirs quickly you can send it by surface mail which will take 2 months to get back to Australia but is only 1080 yen for 2kgs if it fits under the small parcel size which is still a pretty decent size box like 30 x 25 x 20 cms approx.

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:45

          @altomic: Thanks Altomic! Why so expensive T__T

          opp, I have yet to obtain one, I will do it for the next trip! I'm staying in Shinjuku, so I was gonna do the walk from Shibuya to Shinjuku via Harajuku. There's a flea market? :D is that like food stalls and stuff or is that second hand stuff?

          Thankyou so much for all your responses!

        • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:50

          @KEPPERS: Keppers! you blood legend, I've just realised that I've replied to a tonne of your comments! You're so amazing.

          That actually sounds like a great alternative, have you got a link by any chance that I could check out? Thanks in advance!

        • rover on 04/11/2016 - 16:13

          @pyro love bird:
          Good walk, you can check out Meiji Jingu in the park. Make sure you take "Cat Street" for the Shibuya to Harajuku leg.

          Flea Markets are second hand markets held in street, parks and even temple grounds all over. Good fun, you can pick up yukata for like 500 yen.

        • encekharco on 04/11/2016 - 16:59

          The correct term is actually International Driving Permit although people often call it as International Driving License.

          It's easy to get one as I applied it before going to South Korea. I just popped to one of RACV stores and brought my Victorian driving license. They did it for me on the spot.

          Although the ladies on the counter misspelled my name which I didn't understand how as she just need to copy it down directly from my driving license. Having said that, they've corrected the name when I pointed the mistake. So make sure to check your detail on your IDP before leaving the store.

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:40

          @rover: What's this cat street you're talking about?

          omg I read that as Yakuza, it's almost 2am, I need sleep

        • rover on 07/11/2016 - 13:18

          @pyro love bird:It's a street that connects Harajuku to Shibuya. It is a quiet back street, ideal for a stroll, interesting shopping all the way down.

          No cats though; as a side note if you are interested in actual cats see Yanaka Ginza.

    • SaberX on 03/11/2016 - 19:15
      +1

      did the same but with whisky at night - whisky to the hotel room, wake up randomly the next morning. was brilliant. loved how you could grab all sorts of food snacks. I actually just saw my credit card statements from april and march this year while doing my tax, and god I went to a lot of convenience stores judging by all the little transactions going through each day. haha good times, but it sure adds up (you'd be surprised).

      • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:51

        ahhaha, sounds like you had an amazing time though!

        Believe me I know that feeling too well, I recently got a debit card and god damn, I am not aware of my spending AT ALL with cash I could open my wallet and be like "yeah I got $200 today, spent way too much when I get down to my last $50 note" I can't see the physical notes with my card, so it's spend spend spend :(

    • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 00:24

      That's amazing! Thank you so so much!

  • yaziyo on 03/11/2016 - 00:48
    +2

    I'm half way through a 3 week trip of Japan at the moment - it's great! The food is so bloody good, people are lovely and it's so easy to get around.

    I bought this Sim card before I left, $45 for 4GB of data/30 days. It's fast and 4GB is plenty for me for maps and general web browsing. All of my AirBNBs have had free pocket WiFi but as a solo traveller I'd guess you'd be using hostels so you wouldn't have the free pocket wifi. They have 7/14 day options too if you're not here for so long.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191925545861?_trksid=p2060353.m27…

    There's no need to get a Suica or similar card in advance. You can pick one up before you use your first train. I grabbed a Pasmo from airport train station and used the cheapest train (Keisei Limited Express) to get into Tokyo from Narita airport.

    Also www.japan-guide.com has been an amazing resource. They've got bloody everything on there.

    • mskeggs on 03/11/2016 - 09:11

      This matches my experience.
      Leave some time at the airport to sort out your JR pass, and if you know some of your itinerary for train trips you can book them all then and there. The English skills of the JR staff in the Shinkansen offices were the best of anyone we dealt with, as my Japanese is based on cartoons, this was very helpful.
      You can buy a Suica/Pasmo (same features in every way, just different brands) from any ticket machine at the station, and you can recharge it the same.
      Hit the button in the top right labelled English. If you have any issues, hit the help button and a staff member in an office behind the machines sticks his head out a little door to assist.
      I used the cheap train on the way in from Narita - it is a long ride. Since I had a JR pass activated on the way back I got the N'Ex which was great, but still took an hour.

      Getting around I mainly used Google maps. It is very accurate. The free JapanTravel app was a good alternative to have on hand to double check.

      Highlights of the trip were the Studio Ghibli museum, window shopping in Harajuku, letting my kids order at yakitori, wandering around Shibuya, visiting the free Metropolitan Government building observation deck at night, temples and tori gates in Kyoto, the owl cafe in Akihabara.

      Best guide I found by far was Tokyo Cheapo, especially for some off-beat things. I downloaded a pirate copy but went back and bought it, I found it so useful.

      • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:02

        How much time would you recommend? is it a long process then? Book them? Sorry I don't know what you really mean. yay Anime!

        How much do you recommend I put on the Pasmo card?

        Thanks for the advice about the trains :)

        I'll make sure to download the app before I go, thanks!

        I've got tickets to the Ghibli museum, I'm so excited for that! I stayed up before a 40% test to buy the tickets only to realise that they were being released not at midnight but 10am japan time sighs I got my ticket though!

        Which owl cafe did you go to do you mind me asking? I'm hoping to go to an owl cafe and the Ms Usagi bunny, chinchilla and hedgehog cafe.

        What do you mean you bought one/downloaded one? Is it like a guidebook?

        • mskeggs on 04/11/2016 - 08:04

          How much time would you recommend? is it a long process then? Book them? Sorry I don't know what you really mean. yay Anime!

          Your JR Pass is currently a voucher. When you get to Japan, you must redeem the voucher for the actual pass. This is a cardboard ticket that includes your details (name, DOB etc.). So it takes a few minutes to fill out the form and a few more for the staff to process it. They will need to know the date you wish the pass to commence, either straight away, or in the future. Depending on when you arrive, there are a couple of ticket offices at Narita, and there will likely be other tourists redeeming their passes. For my family of 6 it took 20mins or so to line up and get sorted. On your own will be quicker.
          Once you have your pass, you can then reserve seats on specific inter-city train services. So if you plan to go to Kyoto on Wednesday, for example, you can ask the ticket office to book you a seat on the bullet train and they will give you a choice of times and print off a second 'reservation' ticket showing your seat & carriage number.
          You might as well book all the trips you know you want to take at once, but you can do it later if you prefer. You can book any shinkansen service at any JR ticket office, but the big stations have more staff so you are less likely to be stuck behind a little old lady booking her summer holiday.

          How much do you recommend I put on the Pasmo card?

          I started with 1500yen plus the 500 yen deposit. I recharged it several times, but you can recharge at any ticket machine quite easily. If you miscalculate and the barriers won't let you out because you don't have enough credit, got to the staffed barrier and the guard will recharge the card for you. IF you end up with credit left at the end of your trip, you can hand in the card and get a refund at the machine. I didn't bother as I didn't have much credit and didn't need more Japanese coins.

          Thanks for the advice about the trains :)

          The train system is excellent, and should be you default for getting around.

          I'll make sure to download the app before I go, thanks!

          I've got tickets to the Ghibli museum, I'm so excited for that! I stayed up before a 40% test to buy the tickets only to realise that they were being released not at midnight but 10am japan time sighs I got my ticket though!

          It was one of the most whimsical and delightful places I have visited. My kids thought it was wonderful.

          Which owl cafe did you go to do you mind me asking? I'm hoping to go to an owl cafe and the Ms Usagi bunny, chinchilla and hedgehog cafe.

          http://animalcafes.com/v/25540.html
          Note it is on the 5th floor in a commercial building, and gives no outward appearance of a cafe except the sign that says "Take lift to 5th floor, stairs too hard."

          What do you mean you bought one/downloaded one? Is it like a guidebook?

          It is a guide book, available in PDF. Take a look at their blog for an idea of what it is like:
          https://tokyocheapo.com/
          It suited my OzBargain way of travelling, because I am interested in daily life sort of activities that a re free or inexpensive as much as museums or attractions with entry tickets.
          Their step by step guide to getting into town from Narita is also quite good: https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/cheapest-transport-…
          as there are about 5million options and the subway map can look quite daunting.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:14

          @mskeggs: you're a legend! Super detail responses, thankyou so so much.

          Ah because it's a solo trip I'm sort of winging it. I don't wanna book a seat only to not go. Btw I'm travelling from Narita straight to Osaka which end if the train do you recommend me going with luggage?
          Thanks for the tip with the pasmo card. That's so awesome!

          Was the owl cafe ethical? Owls are one of my fave animals (second behind red pandas) and it's break my heart if they weren't treated well.

          Thanks for the guidebook. This will be invaluable during my trip!

        • mskeggs on 04/11/2016 - 10:22

          @pyro love bird:

          travelling from Narita straight to Osaka which end if the train do you recommend me going with luggage?

          I assume you will have a sensible amount of luggage. There is an overhead parcel shelf that easily fitted our bags like this:
          http://www.luggagedirect.com.au/it-luggage-euston-76-wheel-d…

          Here is a picture:
          http://www.japan-guide.com/g16/2274_03.jpg

          I think only the largest hard shell bags would be a problem, so I wouldn't worry about it.

          I don't know if the cafe is ethical. It means different things to different people, and in different cultures. For example, I once rode an elephant in Thailand. The mahout obviously cared for the animal, and his job also clearly depended on the elephant's well being. But some people, quite reasonably, think keeping an elephant in captivity at all is unethical.
          I think this points to cultural differences, so I don't think it is something that can be described as factually one way or another.
          In the cafe, all the owls were secured in some way. A few of the smallest owls were in cages, to protect them from careless customers, I think.
          The larger birds each had perches with leads about 1 meter long that were clipped around their ankle. These allowed free movement, but not any flight. Considering the larger birds were very large, it isn't unreasonable, I guess.
          None of the birds seemed distressed or agitated, and they seemed alert and curious.
          The staff, and there were 5 or 6 on hand to manage approx 12 customers, were very gentle and careful with the birds.
          The birds were given rest breaks so they weren't passed from person to person.
          I think if you aren't upset at the idea of owls kept as pets, then you would find the cafe staffed by attentive people who love their animals.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 12:11

          @mskeggs: I am ok with that. I've just heard that some people abuse the animals and that makes me sad. As long as their are luggage things I should be all good thanks so much for all of your detailed replies you have no idea how much it means to me.
          Im quite happy to hear as I have heard the pet industry in Japan can be quite savage towards the animals. I love owls and I'm ok with them being pets given they are happy and looked after :)

        • mskeggs on 04/11/2016 - 12:29

          @pyro love bird:
          No worries.
          My little sister travelled solo to Japan a few years ago and had a blast. I hope you do as well!

    • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 23:57

      That's so amazing! we might actually overlap in Japan, if you've got any recommendations on places to go, I'd totally appreciate it if you could take the time to let me know!

      I'll be in Japan for about 2.5 weeks, I'm not actually sure if the 4gb will be enough as I'll be looking at youtube videos for help of where I want to go.

      I'm actually staying in airbnb apartments that I get to myself (first time solo travelling, so I wanted to be safe!) so they do provide wifi too, but they've all specified that it may slow down due to usage from the previous people.

      I thought so, I wanted to grab a pasmo because of the cute penguin on it! How much was the train do you mind me asking? I'll actually need to travel from Narita directly to Osaka (Shin Osaka specifically)

      Thankyou for the resource :D

      • renza on 04/11/2016 - 02:16

        Get the limited edition pasmo if they still have them, it's only available for foreigners!

      • tabz on 04/11/2016 - 21:52

        I wanted to grab a pasmo because of the cute penguin on it!

        The Suica card has the penguin on it. Works on some vending machines too.

        Pasmo has a bus on it? I think.

  • ozgekogirl on 03/11/2016 - 01:22

    I recommend you get the Tokyo Subway app I found it extremely useful http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/tips/connectivity/smartphone/ind…

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:02

      Thanks! i'll make sure to download it!

  • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2016 - 06:57
    +1

    I lived in Tokyo for a while. I tend to do my favourite things over and over. Nerdy fun activities are riding the real life Akasaka R246 course from Gran Turismo, finding every location from Lost in Translation and lunchng in the restaurant that inspired the Kill Bill club place. They have fantasic $1 carton drinks at all the convenience stores, the Halloween sweet pumpkin pie drink was a favourite. I used to ride close to the Yamanote circle every day and that was fun.

    The advice about never catching a cab is good advice. They are clueless. Use public transport, walk and ride. There used to be a cheap and slowish regular train from the airport for about $13. You'll grow to love the train station tunes.

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:11

      Was it amazing living there? I actually wanted to do an exchange program/ live there for a couple of years, it seems like such an amazing place to live.

      I don't know that the R246 course is, actually I have no idea of the things you listed, but, I will endeavor to check them out. Do you think that the halloween things will still be available when I go? nov 12?

      Thanks for the advice :)

    • Elision on 05/11/2016 - 01:21

      I love how everything has a happy little song.. the atm does as well!

      And how the toilets play the sound of running water haha.

  • MaxTravels on 03/11/2016 - 08:50
    +2

    +1 for the subway app, we didn't have reliable wifi during our visit so we paid for the offline versions. Awesome.

    Download your city maps via google maps in advance. Gives you maps and god without internet. Just awesome

    Update or install google translate. The translate from photos feature (offline) is amazing but I've not used it in Asia.

    Loved Tokyo Disneyland but I've only got Gold Coast theme parks to compare.

    Trust people, I feel safer in Japan than I do in my home town. They are shy but helpful.

    If you can't get a Takayuki plate back, just buy a couple of cake-pop makers. That's what we use :)

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:22

      Ah okay, I'll make sure to invest in wifi then :) thanks for the advice!

      I think I have google translate on my phone, hopefully it won't get me into any trouble, if it does I'll keep you posted so you may all learn from my mistakes :P

      I'm the same, I've only been to the ones in the gold coast.

      I'll still want to keep my wits about me as I'm a solo female traveller, and I'm not very scary :P

      I never thought of that, thanks for the advice

  • theHMASfriendship on 03/11/2016 - 09:57

    Prepare to eat everything

    Best Takoyaki I have ever had is near the train station at harajuku (south eastern side). We ended up going back a couple of times, there was always a line.

    I goddamn love japanese food :3

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:24

      my body is ready. I'm actually so scared that after Japan, I'll never be able to have Japanese food in australia/at home again.

      Do you remember the name of the place by any chance?

      I love Japanese food too, I actually cook a lot of Japanese at home!

  • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2016 - 10:09
    +1

    From what I've seen in anime they have giant robots and the city's go upside down

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:24
      +1

      Yes, anime has told us all these things. I am prepared for anything.

    • Forfiet on 04/11/2016 - 03:52

      Well some of it's true…. there is a 18 meter (1:1) tall Gundam in Odaiba somewhere….

      • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 09:51

        I thought it was in akihabara?

        • shakoo on 04/11/2016 - 16:10

          one of the gundam cafes is in akihabara. the big gundam statue is in Odaiba, outside of Diver City plaza.

        • pyro love bird on 07/11/2016 - 01:35

          @shakoo: ohhhh ok thanks for clarifying!

  • gm3stevens on 03/11/2016 - 11:59
    +1

    If you are not a heavy user, buy a b-mobile visitor Sim. 14 days for 2380 yens with 1 G data. Better than finding the free hotspot.

    If you're visiting Tokyo, buy the 24, 48 or 72 hours Tokyo metro ticket. For the 72 hours ticket, works out only 500 yens per day. You can buy it at the airport.

    Enjoy your trip:-)

    • mataeka on 03/11/2016 - 17:25

      Yup If you're spending a bit of Time in Kyoto they have a 1 or 2 day ticket as well which is awesome value (even on top of a JR pass)

      Nagoya is not a huge tourist spot but if you go there, on weekends and public holidays they have the 'donichi kippu' which you have to ask for instead of buy from a machine but it's super cheap unlimited day travel - great if you're getting around a bit - plus those kind of tickets often give you discounts to touristy locations (castles, museums etc)

      • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:26

        What's the ticket for sorry?

        Is there anything to do in Nagoya? If not I'll drop it from my list, I kinda wanted to visit the red panda zoo with the red panda curry as it's adorable, but it's like 2 hours north!

        • laupito on 04/11/2016 - 13:25

          Nagoya, or not far from, has one of the largest light displays in Japan http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2304.html

          A colleague of mine went there on his trip last year and said it was brilliant.

        • rover on 04/11/2016 - 16:19
          +1

          There is Nagoya castle and a side trip to Inuyama for another castle. We did a lot of castles last trip so this was the focus for our Nagoya stop off.

          Nagoya will have local food for you to try.

        • mataeka on 04/11/2016 - 21:44

          Depends on what takes your fancy really - There is a few museums but I never went to them - The stock standard castle turned museum, Someone else mentioned Inuyama being close by - they neglected to mention Penis temple is also on the way to Inuyama ;) (They carve a new wooden penis for the penis festival every year - so right now there would be a temple staff member polishing/sanding/carving a penis … #truestory :D )

          For me it's more of a natsukashi warm fuzzies type place - it is pretty industrial though. I wouldn't say it's particularly a must - spend the time in Kyoto or elsewhere if need be :P

          Oh And I recommend avoiding Japanese zoos - Super depressing (Nagoya Zoo had/has polar bears that were just in a white concrete enclosure - No ice )it was winter but still…) Apparently Ueno has a canetoad feature though …

          Oh Dounichi kippu is your subway pass - Nagoya isn't particularly JR friendly (buses and trains FROM Nagoya - but nothing in Nagoya from memory)

    • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:25

      Thanks for the advice! I'll look into the train tickets, can I buy them in advance or is it only when I'm there? and do I just go to a ticket booth?

      • mataeka on 04/11/2016 - 21:45

        Ticket booth or in person is usually the way to go with those extra passes - Ask at your bigger touristy spots for English speakers usually - Think Kyoto Station, MeiEki (Nagoya station) or Practically any main station in Tokyo :P

    • tugnabs on 04/11/2016 - 21:47

      I think they've discontinued this 24/48/72 tokyo metro ticket. From my last trip it has been changed to a 600yen daily ticket to use on all Tokyo Metro subway line. still good value though

  • Brendoo on 03/11/2016 - 14:46

    Two big tips from someone who has travelled to Japan:

    1) Learn as much Japanese language as you can. Most people do not speak English. You will be ok at a hotel, but not many other places.

    2) Most ATMs will not accept your card if you are planning on withdrawing any cash while there. International bank ATMs will, like Citibank, so just do a little research first to be aware of where ATMs are that you can use if you need to.

    Japan is awesome, you will have a great time. It's very safe and the people are unbelievably friendly and helpful. Enjoy your trip!

    • Jebediah_Kerman on 03/11/2016 - 15:07
      +2

      1) It is funny how people experience this differently. It might depend on which part of japan you go to. Which cities did you visit?

      Just about everyone i spoke to in japan spoke enough english to get by. Some very well.

      At most restaurants, the staff will give you an english menu and speak english if you are Caucasian. If they don't speak english very well you can point at the menu.

      In bars, there was always one local who spoke very good english and would facilitate a conversation between you and everybody else there. This happened very often. It was amazing.

      2) 7 elevens are on almost every corner and have international atms that accept every card we had. I used citibank most, and cua once. My friend's used different bank cards, though i don't remember which.

      • mskeggs on 03/11/2016 - 15:43

        The post office also has ATMs that take international cards, but 7/11 is everywhere and open all the time for ATM withdrawals.

      • SaberX on 03/11/2016 - 19:36

        Agreed - post office and 7/11's are where they'll accept your cards: namely the Citibank cards which most ozbargainers know - due to the fee free withdrawls. It was like withdrawing cash here. Great.

        Mixed too: not everyone has English, but I did a few hours here and there of the local library Japanese stuff, and it is unbelievably easy I Thought to pick up a few things. Once you learn the key phrase structuring you can change to asking if they have an English menu, is this meat etc? enough for them to get a 'rough' idea. the rest is a sense of sensible sign language, intuition and part of the 'travelling solo' fun. the good thing is in japan you can't go too wrong. Sometimes I'd google how to say something in Japanese too, which is why the sim card is great.

        • Jebediah_Kerman on 03/11/2016 - 22:55

          Yes. Speaking the local language is part of the fun, and also I think, the polite thing to do.

          The first couple days I didn't say a word of Japanese. it was just my natural reaction to say hi, please, thankyou in English. I didn't realise how in built that is.

          After that I made an effort to use the litte Japanese i know. It always seemed to be appreciated if you at least make the effort.

        • pyro love bird on 04/11/2016 - 00:54

          ah yeah, I mean, I used to be able to order things in Japanese, but I haven't used it in so long, I actually don't know how to anymore.

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