Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[Seat0B]

The 100 Yen shop !! I never knew I needed so many 100 Y things !! OMG you can not go in and come out without buying something !

This! I totally agree. Last visit I bought interesting flavour Kit Kats, an anodised metal spectacle case, and an elastic threading needle! Plus milk candy.

 

[karen blancfield]

Agree with @Pele, eSIMs are really convenient and may work out better than roaming depending on how long you're going for. Keep in mind you can always receive SMS for free with roaming with Optus.

Take a look at esimdb
The Ubigi plans may be of interest - I'm going to be getting the 10GB for my trip in December.

1GB	30 days	$6.23
3GB	30 days	$12.46
10GB	30 days	$24.93

Just quickly, where do you get it from?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

This! I totally agree. Last visit I bought interesting flavour Kit Kats, an anodised metal spectacle case, and an elastic threading needle! Plus milk candy.

Is that all ??? !!!

 

[Seat0B]

Is that all ??? !!!

Oh no, many other things too - masks with cute patterns (pre-COVID when that was a novelty), lots of cheap and cheerful chopsticks, some great little tubes and tubs for travel cosmetics, a nest of 3 different sized funnels to use in the kitchen, some amazing salty snacks, cute hair accessories for kids…..it’s a thing I do in most cities we visit, every time. I just love looking at the gadgets.

 

[RealtimeY]

Just quickly, where do you get it from?

They’re eSIMs, so you just click through to the website and download it to your phone. Your phone needs to support eSIMs though.

 

[karen blancfield]

They’re eSIMs, so you just click through to the website and download it to your phone. Your phone needs to support eSIMs though.

Oh right…. Yes an iPhone 13.

 

[group-of-5]

Another great area to visit is Kamakura and Enoshima (can do as a day trip from Tokyo)........
........ Toyota museum/tours ..........
We also loved Takayama

Just seconding some of these comments.

The Kamakura/Enoshima/Ofuna triangle are great. We were happily able to spend a full three days non-stop there without any trouble. You can get the Narita Express direct to Ofuna (train splits in two at Tokyo station so make sure you are in the right half). We stayed in Ofuna (JR-EAST hotel next to the station was good value) as we found it to be most practical for transport and food options for what we wanted to do. It's a good way of avoiding the hustle and bustle of Tokyo on arrival. Various local passes available for transport. Kamakura Enoshima pass (JR) ¥700/day was useful. National parks in the area are beautiful if you like hiking (locals will discourage you from taking the more adventurous trails because they seem to think we are a bit soft - when they saw decent hiking shoes they were more understanding though I would take walking poles next time as Japanese ideas of OH&S on these trails are a bit less than we might see in Aus.) Black sand beaches around Enoshima were interesting as well. Staying at Ofuna also makes access to Yokohama quick and easy, or our favourite, the Kirin Brewery tour just on the other side of Yokohama. Tour is in Japanese but you get headsets with English translation and very attentive guides. Once again, lots of fun and the tasting samples at the end of the tour are 3x500ml beers, so get there by public transport!

I was going to say if you weren't going to Nagoya you could still soak up everything Toyota at the Mega Web Toyota City Showcase in Odaiba area of Tokyo, but when looking up details just now, it shut down at the end of last year. We went there ourselves because we had a day of torrential rain, not expecting much, but we had a great time spending far more time than we thought. Supposedly they are moving the exhibits to a new, as yet undisclosed location.

Takayama is also great, including the train journey from Nagoya. There is a historical village attraction walking distance from town that we visited with children of various ages that all really enjoyed. If you are looking for gifts, the Takayama Sarubobo monkey baby dolls are great. They have no faces. The idea being that can then have whatever expression or emotion that is appropriate (or at least that is what I was told).

Other thoughts:

If you like train journeys, try one of the "resort trains" or "Joyful trains". We did the Resort Shirakami from Akita to Aomori along the north west coast of Honshu and it was well worth the effort.

We also liked the Hakone region. Once again, lots to do, especially if you like hiking, but lots of other options too. We did the full Japanese accommodation experience here. "Half board" so full Japanese style multi-course breakfast and dinner with all the local specialties. For dinner you were expected to dress in full Japanese style (all supplied) which we did (it was fun), but the one other pair of foreigners staying there who didn't want to do that were accommodated without fuss. We stayed two nights and dinner and breakfast was different each day, with all the local seasonal specialties. When we expressed interest in what we were eating, the Maitre'd would laboriously type into Google Translate and present us with the results. He seemed genuinely happy that we were interested.

I've rattled on a bit but there are just so many great places and experience. Just in parting, Fukuoka and Kyushu in general is a different type of experience. In case you haven't picked up on it, I want to go back again!

 

[group-of-5]

One of the things I like to do in Japan, is walking down the "shopping street" in larger towns.

You will also find "second-hand" clothing stores in these shopping streets. In the main street, they are quite upmarket but good value. One street back from the main drag you are more likely to find the Japanese equivalent of an Op-Shop. My spouse loved these. Storage space in homes is restricted, so a lot of stuff is recycled with the seasons. If you are smaller size, it's amazing. High quality items for 100 yen that she gets comments on all the time.

 

[group-of-5]

I have always used Lemon Mobile with great success for a data sim card.

I insert the sim into my mobile during the flight, so once mobiles are allowed to be turned on, I have access to wi-fi.

SIM cards, eSIMs, IoT solutions, SMS services and more

I see they are now doing esim.

I've also used Lemon Mobile in the past without any problems. I've always gotten the NTT DoComo ones as you tend to get better coverage (from reports of others)

 

[group-of-5]

Oh no, many other things too - masks with cute patterns (pre-COVID when that was a novelty), lots of cheap and cheerful chopsticks, some great little tubes and tubs for travel cosmetics, a nest of 3 different sized funnels to use in the kitchen, some amazing salty snacks, cute hair accessories for kids…..it’s a thing I do in most cities we visit, every time. I just love looking at the gadgets.

The 100 yen shops are great. Much wider range than the Daiso ones here (and cheaper of course). It's interesting to see what's available for so little. Useful for those souvenirs where you have to get something for someone but don't want to spend too much. Have done the colourful chopsticks and hair stuff. Fortunately haven't needed to buy some of the other more esoteric items like the disposable underwear.

We have seen an interesting variation on a 100 yen shop. Opposite our hotel in Kyoto was a shop that was just food (it was actually a 99 yen shop I think. Everything in it was 99 yen, just the size/portion changed to fit the 99 yen criteria. We were travelling with the kids and it was the only hotel where we didn't include breakfast. We had a hotel room feast for five (sweet buns, bananas, cans of coffee, rice cakes etc) for about a 1000 yen (or 990 yen to be exact).

 

[group-of-5]

They’re eSIMs, so you just click through to the website and download it to your phone. Your phone needs to support eSIMs though.

For those with phones that don't support eSims natively, there is another option I believe. You can buy a Sim card replacement that then allows you to download eSim profiles. Advantage I see is that you can then do the instant purchase online of the eSim as needed. Disadvantage is that you still have to put the generic eSim card in your phone. I have a dual sim phone, so might work better for me as I can keep my Aussie sim intact.

I haven't tried any of these myself. I'd be interested in hearing other people's experience/recommendations.

 

[Seat0B]

In case you haven't picked up on it, I want to go back again!

You are among friends, @group-of-5!

 

[karen blancfield]

Just seconding some of these comments.

The Kamakura/Enoshima/Ofuna triangle are great. We were happily able to spend a full three days non-stop there without any trouble. You can get the Narita Express direct to Ofuna (train splits in two at Tokyo station so make sure you are in the right half). We stayed in Ofuna (JR-EAST hotel next to the station was good value) as we found it to be most practical for transport and food options for what we wanted to do. It's a good way of avoiding the hustle and bustle of Tokyo on arrival. Various local passes available for transport. Kamakura Enoshima pass (JR) ¥700/day was useful. National parks in the area are beautiful if you like hiking (locals will discourage you from taking the more adventurous trails because they seem to think we are a bit soft - when they saw decent hiking shoes they were more understanding though I would take walking poles next time as Japanese ideas of OH&S on these trails are a bit less than we might see in Aus.) Black sand beaches around Enoshima were interesting as well. Staying at Ofuna also makes access to Yokohama quick and easy, or our favourite, the Kirin Brewery tour just on the other side of Yokohama. Tour is in Japanese but you get headsets with English translation and very attentive guides. Once again, lots of fun and the tasting samples at the end of the tour are 3x500ml beers, so get there by public transport!

I was going to say if you weren't going to Nagoya you could still soak up everything Toyota at the Mega Web Toyota City Showcase in Odaiba area of Tokyo, but when looking up details just now, it shut down at the end of last year. We went there ourselves because we had a day of torrential rain, not expecting much, but we had a great time spending far more time than we thought. Supposedly they are moving the exhibits to a new, as yet undisclosed location.

Takayama is also great, including the train journey from Nagoya. There is a historical village attraction walking distance from town that we visited with children of various ages that all really enjoyed. If you are looking for gifts, the Takayama Sarubobo monkey baby dolls are great. They have no faces. The idea being that can then have whatever expression or emotion that is appropriate (or at least that is what I was told).

Other thoughts:

If you like train journeys, try one of the "resort trains" or "Joyful trains". We did the Resort Shirakami from Akita to Aomori along the north west coast of Honshu and it was well worth the effort.

We also liked the Hakone region. Once again, lots to do, especially if you like hiking, but lots of other options too. We did the full Japanese accommodation experience here. "Half board" so full Japanese style multi-course breakfast and dinner with all the local specialties. For dinner you were expected to dress in full Japanese style (all supplied) which we did (it was fun), but the one other pair of foreigners staying there who didn't want to do that were accommodated without fuss. We stayed two nights and dinner and breakfast was different each day, with all the local seasonal specialties. When we expressed interest in what we were eating, the Maitre'd would laboriously type into Google Translate and present us with the results. He seemed genuinely happy that we were interested.

I've rattled on a bit but there are just so many great places and experience. Just in parting, Fukuoka and Kyushu in general is a different type of experience. In case you haven't picked up on it, I want to go back again!

Noting all these suggestions so we can start to nail our itinerary and buy the JR Pass that will suit. Their site is so helpful in helping decide what to buy. Many thanks for your comprehensive assistance.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I am going to Tokyo for 4 days then Kyoto for 2, before bus to Osaka-Itami to fly back to Aus via Narita.

Just starting out my research, but my first instinct from other travels is that given it's my first time in Japan that the JR pass would be not worth it, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of Tokyo, paying as I go and in advance online via JR for the Shinkansen to Kyoto?

 

[karen blancfield]

I am going to Tokyo for 4 days then Kyoto for 2, before bus to Osaka-Itami to fly back to Aus via Narita.

Just starting out my research, but my first instinct from other travels is that given it's my first time in Japan that the JR pass would be not worth it, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of Tokyo, paying as I go and in advance online via JR for the Shinkansen to Kyoto?

I’d strongly advise you jump on the JRRail site to the forum section. You can ask the specific question and they will give you excellent advice. It’s a brilliant service! I’ve just given them my 20 day itinerary but won’t hear til Monday probably.

 

[drron]

I am going to Tokyo for 4 days then Kyoto for 2, before bus to Osaka-Itami to fly back to Aus via Narita.

Just starting out my research, but my first instinct from other travels is that given it's my first time in Japan that the JR pass would be not worth it, and just enjoy the sights and sounds of Tokyo, paying as I go and in advance online via JR for the Shinkansen to Kyoto?

Going to Kyoto and back via Shinkansen costs almost as much as an ordinary 7 day rail pass. So for most the raipass is the best.Considering you will use the pass on the Narita express you are in front before using JR services in Tokyo or Kyoto.
However seeing you are not returning to Tokyo by train you are better off just buying your train ticket.
Here are the sites i find useful. Hyperpedia gives you Timetables and cost so you can work out what is best.

HyperDia | SearchResult

www.hyperdia.com

And of course the JR site.

Japan Rail Pass Price - Tickets and Discounts

Check the prices of the Japan Rail Pass for 7, 14 or 21 days unlimited train travel in Japan, both in economy and first class. Best value for money!

www.jrailpass.com

 

[karen blancfield]

If your phone can use one then get an e-sim. I put a post on the phone thread in the forum.

Can you direct me to your post please? It’s not jumping out at me.

 

[Pele]

Can you direct me to your post please? It’s not jumping out at me.

eSims, what is your experience.

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them. The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy. What have members experience been? TIA

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I hope that works.
Thanks.

 

[karen blancfield]

eSims, what is your experience.

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them. The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy. What have members experience been? TIA

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I hope that works.
Thanks.

So I’m testing ubigi for my 2 weeks in NZ ….
the prices are US dollars, but it’s $55 Aus for a 30 day plan. That’s saved me $15 compared to using Optus Roaming. If it goes smoothly, I’ll feel very pleased to use it in Japan. Thanks for your help. Like everything, first time takes some effort but I’ve got an account now and have had a practice.

 

[encryptededdy]

For anyone interested in going to Japan over easter, I just booked some good fares on Cathay Pacific and thought I'd share them here.



Mixed Premium Economy (SYD - HKG, 9 hours, A359) and Economy (HKG - TYO, 4 hours A333) fares. Reasonable <4h transits in Hong Kong (especially if you have OWE and hopefully at least one Cathay First lounge is open to transiters by then, although even their current J lounge is very good).

Note that the trick is you need to fly into HND and fly out of NRT to get optimal pricing / transit times from what I can see.


Prices at AU$2272 (no credit card fee). Free changes before 31 Dec, 1 free change after that.

My booking booked into the "E" (SYD-HKG) and "H" (HKG-TYO) fare classes, in case anyone is wondering (since Cathay's website doesn't show it).

Direct on the same dates are currently around $2100 in NH Y, and $2500 in JL Y, $2800 (wtf) in QF Y (plus credit card fee, and no changes permitted too).

I personally am happy to take the layover and slightly longer travel time in exchange for Premium Economy on the longer leg and a visit to the Cathay Lounge.