Japan in June, The Need to Knows below Please!

Godric on 10/04/2017 - 11:44
Last edited 10/04/2017 - 11:45

Hi All,

Planning on a Japan trip in June for a 3 week stay but seeking what the need to knows are?

Few questions;
What Citibank account do i need to take advantage of their fee free transactions & withdrawals, CITIBANK PLUS BANK ACCOUNT or a certain CC?
Why is public transport so expensive? Is it really about $400aud for 3 weeks?
For a single person where is the cheapest place to stay? i'd like to be around Tokyo.

I've read a few previous threads and got the following;
Using a Citibank card for fee free withdrawals and payments over the counter.
Obtain a JRP if planning to use public transport which i am.
Use optus perks to get discounts off airbnb.
Plan itenary before hand

What else is there to know?

Thanks Ozb

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2017 - 11:48
    +1

    There are some capsule hotels that are around $30-40 (last time I checked and Japan doesn't really have inflation for the last 20 years) a night. Asakusa riverside is not a bad one. June will be hot in Tokyo (and rainy) so be prepared. As a concrete jungle, 30C in Tokyo feels like 40C to me.

    • Godric on 10/04/2017 - 18:03

      Capsule hotel interesting but probably not unless i am out of other options haha
      Thanks for info

  • the frost on 10/04/2017 - 11:58
    +2

    Most of the time the Rail Pass is not worth it, if you're planning on spending a few days in each area. Look up the prices of any big travel you do on Hyperdia and see if it comes close to the cost of the Rail Pass you would buy. When I lived in Japan and my family and friends visited, I calculated each time based on our itinerary and rarely made sense, even with a few days in Hiroshima, a few days in Kyoto, an extended period in Tokyo, etc.

    If you want the cheapest place, you could do fine staying in a net cafe. Pay a little extra for a flat bed. Not ideal for many nights in a row, but it answers your question. Seems like you're all over Airbnb anyway.

    Enjoy!

  • DarthAntz on 10/04/2017 - 12:23
    +1

    the more planning the better. there are plenty of hostels for about 3000Y a night, and in hostels you:ll meet other travellers who you can explore different areas with. JR pass is only necessary if you are going to use the JR rail lines across japan, and travel from Tokyo to Fukuoka and stop along the way. otherwise check peach and jetstar flights for cheap flights, if you want to check out more than one city.
    Id recommend getting a mix of accommodation, so you do get good sleep. pay 6000Y for a one bedroom hotel at APA hotel for example, and then stay in a hostel. always take ear plugs for mixed dorms, you dont know what sort of chainsaw snorer could end up in your room.
    Tokyo is very busy and full of tourists, so do get your accommodation sorted asap.
    And its best to find an area with good access via train, somewhere you can easily get to and from. Theres lots of walking to do in japan.

    • rover on 10/04/2017 - 12:34
      +2

      Many hostels have private rooms, some even with ensuite. Proximity to train is a high priority.

    • Godric on 10/04/2017 - 18:09

      Thanks for the info, i think im staying in Tokyo most of the time and maybe out to Kyoto, but as Rover said bit below passes seem like a good option for travel.

      A hostel with a private room would be ideal also, any suggestions in Tokyo?

      • DarthAntz on 10/04/2017 - 22:39

        K's house Asakusa is a favourite. check airbnb, as there are hostels listed on there too.

        And dont forget you are in a capital city/mega city. theres plenty going on, and being cheap for absolutely everything wont be enjoyable. live a little

      • ne0x on 11/04/2017 - 15:10

        Hi, I have been to Tokyo 3 times and I stayed here https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/chiyoda-inn.html?aid=927311 - close to station and amazing place to eat at the Izakaya behind and to the left of burger king at the station - get the Chicken Karaage - also try Sunny Diner burgers in the next town over or get delivered

        • Godric on 11/04/2017 - 18:38

          Sweet tips thanks heaps, i'll check each of these out

  • Blackfyre on 10/04/2017 - 12:24
    +1

    What Citibank account do i need to take advantage of their fee free transactions & withdrawals, CITIBANK PLUS BANK ACCOUNT or a certain CC?

    Yes the Citibank PLUS savings account allows fee free ATM withdrawals (I use it at 7-11 and JapanPost ATMs)

    Obtain a JRP if planning to use public transport which i am.

    JR Pass is only worth it for long distance travels. If you're only in Tokyo, get an IC/PASMO card which you reload as needed.

    For a single person where is the cheapest place to stay? i'd like to be around Tokyo.

    Bunk bed dorm rooms in hostels.

    • rover on 10/04/2017 - 12:40

      If you're doing a lot of travel around Tokyo on a given day the various day passes are great value. Choose form Metro, JR or Metro+JR.

      http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/practical/tonai_tic…

      days when you are only doing a couple of shortish trips the PASMO type cards are best.

      As said don't get a JR pass unless you are long distance travel. Use HyperDia to check prices for your planned travel.

      Also get WiFi for navigation and translation.

      • ne0x on 11/04/2017 - 15:13

        For wifi i grabbed one of these http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/ - pick up at the airport (follow the instructions given) and drop off at the airport (in post office box, don't miss it)

  • John on 10/04/2017 - 12:51

    Transport cost goes upward $400 plus if you start travelling inter-city. Its quite reasonable considering the speed and distance you might traveled in. Within the city itself is about 200 yen per ride which is very affordable.

    Just dont take the taxi…..

    Other things to know:
    - Have a note in your phone with all the basic japanese words (comes in handy!)
    - Download google maps & hyperdia for transporting. Google maps is ultra handy for me as I can see more than just transport routes but also all the convenience shops, restaurant etc with reviews
    - Place a star on all your places to visit in google maps, so you know whats good nearby and saves you from searching around
    - If your citibank plus is low on balance, leave plenty of time to top it up if from another bank account esp on the weekend

    • Godric on 10/04/2017 - 18:11

      Thanks for the info!

      Hows uber compare in Tokyo compared to here?
      From my brief research only Tokyo does Uber in japan

      • John on 10/04/2017 - 18:50
        +1

        I didn't dare try it. I'm sure its as expensive as the taxis. I had to ride the taxi at one time because I had a tired son & wife, and for about 7 minutes ride I had to fork out 3500 yen. And that was in Lake Kawaguchiko

        In Tokyo the traffic would make things even slower and expensive. Just stick with train and bus within the city. Alternatively, you can choose to ride a pushbike especially in Kyoto where roads are less condense.

        Outside Tokyo, driving may even be preferable as some people have had great fun with it. The road culture there is very good and GPS guide is reliable. Just make sure you have international driving license (I think takes about 2 weeks to process)

  • fivespice on 10/04/2017 - 12:57
    +1

    Public transport isn't that expensive if you are confined to a small area. I used a rail pass because I went from Sapporo to Osaka over about 2.5 weeks so it was cheaper for me, but might not be for you.

    A tip I would advise is to familiarise yourself with basic earthquake safety. It's unlikely to happen and I'm not intending to scare you, but it happened to me while I was in sendai in November and I had no idea what to do.

    Enjoy your trip!

    • nightelves on 10/04/2017 - 16:58

      Wow that's pretty scary. Don't you just hide under something solid?

    • Godric on 10/04/2017 - 18:12

      Woah what was that like?

      Good tip though can be hard for a foreigner to know what to do in that situation

      • DarthAntz on 10/04/2017 - 22:37

        in your dwelling turn off the gas asap and open a door/window/exit. most people perish from going back into a dwelling after an earthquake and subsequent shocks toppled the building on them.

        if youre in a high or complex building, know the location where your exits and emergency torch.

      • fivespice on 13/04/2017 - 10:31
        +1

        It was very scary. Hotel alarms were going crazy, building was swaying from left to right. Got a bunch of emergency text messages and tsunami warnings that I couldn't read and the guy at the hotel reception didn't really know English too well. Thankfully no damage or anything too serious.

    • fivespice on 13/04/2017 - 15:36

      I would concur. Very bizarre and so much fun, just don't order the food there.

      • myusername on 13/04/2017 - 15:45

        yeah food wasn't anything special but you're not going there for a meal anyways

        the beer was cold!

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