Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[Himeno]

Even knowing the Tokyo train network, there are connections I wouldn't want to make with less then 10 minutes between trains. Anything involving a major station during morning travel peak for one.
There are some stations where it can take 7 minutes to even find the station exit (Shinjuku for example).
and I tend to walk 30-40% faster then the walking times Google tends to give.

 

[rbjhan]

60 days! Woah. I put one in for a trip in a few weeks but that seems very optimistic now.

Yeah I had to cancel my last application

 

[sudoer]

Did my secondary TTP inspection at the landside HND T3 inspection point today Was very painless to both buy the stamps and complete the process. Probably post some photos/tips later on.

 

[elanshin]

Did my secondary TTP inspection at the landside HND T3 inspection point today Was very painless to both buy the stamps and complete the process. Probably post some photos/tips later on.

Did you ask them to still give you a QR code for entry (tax free purposes)?

 

[RealtimeY]

For those who need visas for Japan, the eVISA system is now available for Australian residents, removing the need for any physical handling or paying hefty third party fees. I sent in an application on Friday and the visa was issued on Thursday.

 

[sudoer]

the eVISA system is now available for Australian residents

From what I can tell the eVISA system is only capable of issuing single-entry 90 day tourist visas, but Australian passport holders along with many developed countries are already visa exempt for short stays.

Mostly foreign residents from non-exempt countries (notably China and India) that would benefit?

 

[RealtimeY]

Mostly foreign residents from non-exempt countries

That's correct. As the de facto travel agent for some relatives whose passports seem to be non-exempt from everywhere, any online visa system that works is a huge time saver.

 

[elanshin]

latest trip to Japan. Someone at Google is really messing around. Gmaps now actively recommends bus transfer around tokyo for 1 stop (5-8minute walks).

I get it that it's technically faster but most most of the time I just hop off the train and walk. My friend reckons someone at Silicon Valley has an agenda to use more buses over there in the states and pushed an algorithm update not thinking it'd affect the rest of the world.

 

[henrus]

latest trip to Japan. Someone at Google is really messing around. Gmaps now actively recommends bus transfer around tokyo for 1 stop (5-8minute walks).

I get it that it's technically faster but most most of the time I just hop off the train and walk. My friend reckons someone at Silicon Valley has an agenda to use more buses over there in the states and pushed an algorithm update not thinking it'd affect the rest of the world.

There are settings to control best route vs least walking. I wonder if they are causing problems?

 

[Himeno]

latest trip to Japan. Someone at Google is really messing around. Gmaps now actively recommends bus transfer around tokyo for 1 stop (5-8minute walks).

I get it that it's technically faster but most most of the time I just hop off the train and walk. My friend reckons someone at Silicon Valley has an agenda to use more buses over there in the states and pushed an algorithm update not thinking it'd affect the rest of the world.

I noticed that on my last trip as well.
Suggesting that I get a bus from a hotel to the train station, when the train station was right outside the hotel. It also suggested that I get the bus from Tokyo Tower to Akabanebashi station, then ride the Oedo line 1 stop to Daimon, then walk across the road to Hamamatsuchō, rather then just get a bus right to Hamamatsuchō (or walk the 1.2kms)

 

[RealtimeY]

I have noticed this to some extent with other cities too. I’ve started sanity checking it with some alternative app in places I’m not familiar with.

 

[elanshin]

It also did a really dumb transfer to try and get me to HND from my friends place. My traditional way is oedo subway line into asakusa at a station. 600 yen as well as minimal walking/transfer as it's a platform cross on the station I transfer.

Gmaps wanted me to take metro into JR into monorail. Costs 800 yen, about the same time taken but with 2 different transport mode changes.

I might go back to non Gmaps navigation again.

 

[encryptededdy]

Oh I've got a fun one for this thread that genuinely makes no sense



It has me take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Hamamatsucho to Kanda (note this is via. Tokyo station). Then, it has me switch trains at Kanda, and get on the Yamanote line one stop back to Tokyo station.

Why can't I just get off at Tokyo station in the first place?

It's not even walking distance or anything since the two lines are just one platform apart in Tokyo station.

 

[elanshin]

Oh I've got a fun one for this thread that genuinely makes no sense

View attachment 373067

It has me take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Hamamatsucho to Kanda (note this is via. Tokyo station). Then, it has me switch trains at Kanda, and get on the Yamanote line one stop back to Tokyo station.

Why can't I just get off at Tokyo station in the first place?

It's not even walking distance or anything since the two lines are just one platform apart in Tokyo station.

Googles having a shibuya meltdown.

 

[Seat0B]

latest trip to Japan. Someone at Google is really messing around. Gmaps now actively recommends bus transfer around tokyo for 1 stop (5-8minute walks).

I get it that it's technically faster but most most of the time I just hop off the train and walk. My friend reckons someone at Silicon Valley has an agenda to use more buses over there in the states and pushed an algorithm update not thinking it'd affect the rest of the world.

We too had less than the usual good results from Google Maps on our trip to Japan Jan/Feb 2024.

 

[drron]

I would never use Google for Japanese trains. Always go with Japan transit planner.

 

[Seat0B]

Oh I've got a fun one for this thread that genuinely makes no sense

View attachment 373067

It has me take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Hamamatsucho to Kanda (note this is via. Tokyo station). Then, it has me switch trains at Kanda, and get on the Yamanote line one stop back to Tokyo station.

Why can't I just get off at Tokyo station in the first place?

It's not even walking distance or anything since the two lines are just one platform apart in Tokyo station.

Or why not just take the JR Yamanote line all the way from Hammamatsuchō to Tōkyō? It’s only a couple of stops!

 

[Himeno]

Oh I've got a fun one for this thread that genuinely makes no sense

View attachment 373067

It has me take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Hamamatsucho to Kanda (note this is via. Tokyo station). Then, it has me switch trains at Kanda, and get on the Yamanote line one stop back to Tokyo station.

Why can't I just get off at Tokyo station in the first place?

It's not even walking distance or anything since the two lines are just one platform apart in Tokyo station.

I didn't even notice the past Tokyo and transfer at Kanda to go back to Tokyo part.

I just saw transfer at Kanda from Keihin-Tohoku to Yamanote to go to a station that is on both lines (and with both lines normally using the same island platform). 14 stations along the eastern side of the Yamanote loop, from Tabata to Shinagawa are on both Keihin-Tohoku and Yamanote lines, and at most (all?) of those stations, the tracks are next to each other and use the same platforms.

 

[Himeno]

I would never use Google for Japanese trains. Always go with Japan transit planner.

Google Maps has normally been quite good and highly regarded. It's just been recently that things have been "odd".
Not a problem for people who have a reasonable understanding of the train system. Could be a big issue for people who haven't been there before.

 

[RealtimeY]

A question for anybody who's applied for the TTP - I've just submitted my application and received an email titled "Notification of completion of application registration", and see this in the portal:

Am I now done, and just have to wait for preliminary inspection to happen?