Hokkaido

[rbjhan]

That is also why, some places don't take solo guests! This happens frequently with more high end ryokans.
Or no single guest plans on weekends and public holidays.
Or they only offer the smallest room...etc

I am very used to it, to the point that I get annoyed if a hotel is charging the same price for a room no matter the guest numbers...

 

[drron]

We are having our first stay in a My stays hotel in Nayoro, Hokkaido. The cheapest hotel so far in Hokkaido but with a king bed and best designed room and by far the cheapest at 12000 Yen. If we are doing any more Driving trips around Japan we will seek them out.

 

[MJ_/\_]

Will probably take my Bankwest debit card , and Macquarie.

I used my Macquarie debit card in Japan to get cash from the ATM's. Worked perfectly, got the daily mastercard rate every time which was at most 0.5% from the googled rate at that time. No need to 'pre load' yen like all the silly travel cards make you do to double dip on fees, just works on the fly.

When you insert your card, you get to select the language before anything else, so pretty straight forward... and yes, always pick yen. Maybe if you're using a backup card that has bad foreign transaction fees the atm aud rate may be better, not really sure, but if you have a no FTR% card it is nice and easy

Talking about the smartEX shinkansen app.

I tried the same thing before I left and none of my cards would load in the app either... but tried the same card when I was physically in Japan and it let me add it no problem then.

I didn't end up using the smart-ex app though, there is a nice discount on there if you book 3 days+ in advance, but it locks you in for a specific time... with the number of Shinkansens that leave Tokyo station it was just easier to 'get there when you get there' and book one you don't need to rush to make. Unless you're traveling on a major holiday or golden week, you'll likely be fine.

 

[RooFlyer]

No need to 'pre load' yen like all the silly travel cards make you do to double dip on fees, just works on the fly.

There is one - Wise - where you can load up various currencies and virtually no fee#, let alone double. I could tap it at merchants or get cash from an ATM.

# Unless there is a fee from the ATM of course

I didn't end up using the smart-ex app though, there is a nice discount on there if you book 3 days+ in advance, but it locks you in for a specific time... with the number of Shinkansens that leave Tokyo station it was just easier to 'get there when you get there' and book one you don't need to rush to make. Unless you're traveling on a major holiday or golden week, you'll likely be fine.

Agree. On holiday, don't wish to be running for a train.

 

[drron]

So I will add a few of our experiences to this thread for information.
First driving is easy. the roads are good and we haven't used an expressway yet.
Definitely stop at the roadside rest areas. called Michi-no-Eki. They have free wifi, usually a restaurant or two and shops. You can look up your journey and find where they are.

北の道の駅

hokkaido-michinoeki.jp

Unleaded petrol around 170 yen per litre. Always use the red pump for a rental. most of the pumps have an English option to guide you through the refueling steps. If paying cash and you need a refund you get a docket first and take it to a cash dispenser and scan the QR code.

I would recommend that you consider a road trip in Hokkaido.