Hi all, we are heading to Japan in April 2025, first time going so would love all advice and information and cheapies money saving tips.
We are planning on heading to Kyoto, Toyko, Hiroshima and Fuji.
There's a group of 12 of us going. In particular any tips for accommodation and transport?
Thanks in advance!!
tbh, join Tokyo Travel Tips group in fb as they will help you straightaway. Been very helpful after my recent visit.
Pro tip read up on face saving in Japanese culture. It's only a matter of time until one of these tiktok gimps ends up in jail.
Aussies are fast turning Japan into another Bali and destroying alot of the bi-cultural respect we had. Don't be like these gronks.
Just and be respectful and enjoy the trip.
I don't think it's limited to just Aussies but disrespectful tourists as a whole.
While Japan's always had bad tourists, it's so, so much worse post-covid, and unfortunately, Aussies are over-represented. The devaluation of the JPY combined with rock bottom budget airline tickets means all the bogans started diverting from the Denpasar express. There was a cross post this week about these Ipswitch idiots who stole a wheelchair outside convenience store.
How do you know Aussies in particular are over-represented? From what I’ve seen and read online there have been bad tourists from everywhere and in the videos I’ve seen where there’s been a Caucasian (we are predominantly a Caucasian country) behaving badly it wasn’t discernible where they’re from.
Hmm the devaluation of the JPY makes sense but wouldn’t other countries also be able to benefit from that?
I have a feeling that social media has played a role, especially with morons like Logan Paul going to Japan and acting like an idiot. Those guys that stole the wheelchair are probably fans of his.
I do wonder why it’s gotten so bad though especially seemingly after COVID like you’ve mentioned, or at least there seems to be more stories circulating about tourists behaving badly in Japan. I think it was also Italy recently where I read a story of locals telling tourists to go home.
@Ghost47: It's anecdotal, but anyone who's been over the years has invariably overheard more Aussie accents over the last 5 years. It officially overtook Bali in late 2023.
Yes, all tourists benefit from exchange. Chinese tourists are especially common, and do a lot of shopping there. Aussies are frequent travellers, but as their closest large, western neighbour, the dirt cheap airfares from Jetstar and Virgin, has opened the floodgates to bad behaviour.
Use AirBnb for accommodation for large groups. Trains are the only transportation you'll need unless you want to hire a couple vehicles for a day trip to the Fuji area.
Check out the Hiroshima Castle. Its not overly busy and very peaceful unlike the tourist flooded Osaka Castle.
TeamLabs in Tokyo is pretty fun but quite busy. Nishiki Market in Kyoto is worth a visit.
Check out Golden Gai in Shinjuku if you're a drinking group but expect an expensive night out. Worth checking out once but better experiences can be had at a local Karaoke bar.
I recommend booking airport transfers on Klook & Kkday (whichever cheaper) for large group. It's really convenient, not that expensive with a big group sharing the cost and takes you directly to your accommodation, no need to worry about luggage too.
Amen to this one. We got free airport transfer with our Booking.com order, and thank goodness we did. The inbound flight was delayed and we arrived at like 1am into Tokyo….there are no trains running at that time. And taxis cost an absolute bomb. It would have been around $120AUD just for the 3 of us
What time do trains stop?
Midnight i think?
Stayed at apartments. Certainly enjoyed having laundry, kitchen etc in room. You want to have pharmacy, Lawsons and a good selection of TA food nearby.
Think about the train lines - are you coughing up for a JR Pass or just relying on Tokyo local subway? If the later, being located next to more convenient line interchanges is worth extra $$ especially if dealing with large groups. I would be looking at something around Shimbashi as the Ginza and Asakusa lines will get you to most tourist places with minimal changes
My biggest tip - luggage forwarding is your best friend.
Your accommodation will fill out the paper work for you. Overnight to your next accommodation where it will be ready for you in your room.
Just be aware that we found while between cities was overnight it was 2 days to get to the airport in Tokyo and we'd missed the last pick up of the day from our hotel in Osaka before we had even checked in.
These websites are really good:
https://tokyocheapo.com/ the original
https://japancheapo.com/ now covering the whole country
cashy, if peeps keep asking the same questions here, I'll keep providing the same answers.
Doing something over & over getting the same crappy result.
The definition of madness I believe.
@cashless: I have no idea what you mean by 'the same crappy result'. That is some sort of subjective value judgement you have made there. I do not aim for any 'result' when I post comments/opinions/information here. I post those things in case anyone who reads them finds them interesting, informative, or entertaining for any reason.
I've always been treated far better in Japan than I do in Australia as a white person. I've had complete strangers take 15 minute detours out of their day just to walk me to my destination and had some of the nicest treatment in hotels/restaurants. Been multiple times as well.
Realistically Australia is far worse when it comes to racism.
I agree. Just see what is happening in Australian schools. It’s a breeding ground for racism. It’s now a growing trend to take out protection orders against racist bullies!
i lived in Japan for 4 years.
Japan is a homogeneous society (but not really - but that's whole other conversation).
foreigners can be treated differently.
I had friends in Japan who had been living there for 20 years (and could read, write, speak japanese fluently, understood the culture perfectly, etc etc) and were still considered outsiders. When I moved to Sendai and lived in a residential area (where i never saw another foreigner living in my larger neighbourhood in 3 years) , I was known as the only foreigner. some old guy about 3 blocks away complained about my singing loudly and guitar playing to my boss - i don't own a guitar and don't/sing. but there was a problem with loudness so it must be the foreigner. I laughed.
the retired salary man across the road disliked me. his wife loved me.
people being considered "outsiders" is the same as my father-in-law town on Vic-NSW border - "my neighbours are outsiders, new to the area, moved here in 1975. we've been here 4 generations".
In Japan there are subtle reactions to foreigners by some people - like on trains there exists the "gaijin bubble" gaijin meaning foreign person. I experienced it in Tokyo on my daily commute where whilst on a crowded train, with people pushed up together , there would be a ring of space around me. but then I'm half westerner and have to use deodorant (most japanese do not have the bacteria to produce body odour - Japanese deodorant is more of a perfume rather than an antiperspirant ).
also I literally stood out at 185cms , and forget about buying shoes as a US size 11 person. I only ever met one japanese man that wore size US11 (he was 182cms tall) and his coworkers used to tease him about both.
and then there is the fear of embarrassment by Japanese people who don't want to "lose face" by attempting to speak english to a foreigner and getting it wrong.
also somethings are difficult for foreigners to understand in Japan - i.e. social norms - e.g. talking on a mobile phone on the train (don't or be very discrete/quiet/and quick), or, the rigidity of how things are done- e.g. if there is a set way of doing something ,even if there is a short cut, the set way is the way to do it - until someone in authoirity (e.g. the boss) says that the short way is the way. That level rigidity can be frustrating at times, as it leads to unnecessary complexity.
inshort- if you are not japanese then most japanese people are cool, some will treat you normally, some will treat you differently (sometimes older people, or people from "remote" areas).
Weren't born in Straya, were you Knuck?
No, tractor fan, I was not.
any tips for accommodation and transport?
Accommodation: Airbnb or hotels
Transport: trains
the cheapest way to get from Narita to Tokyo station is the Tokyo -Narita bus for JPY1500 (AU$15.32)
TYO-NRT airport bus website -english
it also stops at Ginza Station and Shinonome Aeon-mae
buses leave every 10 minutes. there are pickups from Terminal 1, 2, 3
Payment method: Cash, transportation IC card (Payment by credit card, etc. may be possible depending on the ticket counter/ticket vending machine. Payment on the bus will be cash or transportation IC card.)
it takes ~65 minutes - depending on the time of day / traffic
the 11:20 PM from Narita is JPY3000
Can also use Keisei Limited Express for JPY1220 or cheaper if getting off at closer stations like Asakusa.
My family will head to Tokyo early October.feel really excite……..
For Tokyo, please opt for Haneda Airport (Not Narita - this airport is far outside Tokyo and you will spend too much time travelling between the airport and your destination in Tokyo).
Narita is a lot further but the Keisei Skyliner gets you into the city in about 30 minutes. Plus I believe JAL only go to Narita if you want a non-stop flight unless you want to deal with Qantas.
You can go to Haneda with ANA. I'd personally endure Qantas to Haneda than JAL to Narita, but that's my subjective preference :)
I have done both airports and I strongly prefer Haneda.
Makes sense. ANA doesn't fly direct from Melbourne unfortunately :(
@Darkscythe: Ah, sorry, I didn't know that. Maybe worth to fly with JAL to Narita then in your case :)
Depends on the city you are departing from. JL52 Sydney-Tokyo Haneda and JL51 Tokyo Haneda-Sydney are both non-stop flights.
Does anyone know if we can still overload the 28 degrees card to withdraw cash at foreign ATM's with no fee?
Sorry no idea, but Japan is so much more credit card friendly these days.
I swapped $600 in cash to JPY for my 15 days in Japan and mainly use the cash for IC card for trains and buses.
So there is really no need to withdraw a large sum of cash over there.
Where you swap the cash? At a Japanese bank or do the ATMs accept AUD to swap out?
World expo 2025!
I would recommend to visit Nara as well. to see the deers. It's quite an experience. Just bring carrots beforehand and you can feed them as well.
You can use the JR Rail Pass for easy and affordable travel between cities. It's a great deal for tourists. You can take the Shinkansen (bullet train) for quick trips between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Book your seats in advance to get the best views of Mt. Fuji. Also, You can look for group discounts on attractions and tours https://gowithguide.com I used them personally, try checking prices with them. Booking in advance can also save you some money.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/japan%20type%3Aforu…