Japan Tourism for independent travellers

[gibboflyer]

Rescheduled our flights last week to November with our fingers crossed!!
Looking forward to it!!

 

[rbjhan]

It's finally happening! I'm going to Japan after almost 3 years!!

 

[henrus]

I've booked for next year, what I'm trying to decide, if it's better to pay now for hotels or pay later given the exchange rate.

 

[gibboflyer]

I've booked for next year, what I'm trying to decide, if it's better to pay now for hotels or pay later given the exchange rate.

It’s probably a good idea to book now- we booked hotels on Wednesday for November and they have doubled in price since then. Also bought currency on a travel card because exchange rate is so good.

 

[rbjhan]

I've booked for next year, what I'm trying to decide, if it's better to pay now for hotels or pay later given the exchange rate.

I always book Japanese hotels using Japanese sites like Ikyu. You can lock in the price in JPY but don't have to pay.
And then I would buy some Japanese Yen with the Citibank Global account to also lock in the FX rates.
Edit: if the rates are good, that is. Otherwise just hope for the best!

 

[ketsuzei]

I've booked for next year, what I'm trying to decide, if it's better to pay now for hotels or pay later given the exchange rate.

It’s a better exchange rate than it’s been in a long time, so why not pay now (or at least buy yen). If it gets even better in the meantime you’ll be happy enough when you’re there with the other money you’ll presumably need to spend, and if not…

 

[Pele]

Does anyone have official notice of the changes that were mentioned from 11th October 2022 in writing?

I have checked the Japanese embassy in Canberra website, the Japanese consulate in Sydney's website, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website of the Japanese government but could find zero mention of the changes.

I have a booking at the consulate next week to get a visa but based on what the Prime Minister said it isnt even required now.

Thanks!

 

[Port Power]

Does anyone have official notice of the changes that were mentioned from 11th October 2022 in writing?

I have checked the Japanese embassy in Canberra website, the Japanese consulate in Sydney's website, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website of the Japanese government but could find zero mention of the changes.

I have a booking at the consulate next week to get a visa but based on what the Prime Minister said it isnt even required now.

Thanks!

The FF Gazette published an article today. Perhaps you should telephone the consulate to inquire if your meeting is still required.

 

[jase05]

Anyone know when NH or JL are going to load more flights to/from Australia into the system?

 

[Seat0B]

Anyone know when NH or JL are going to load more flights to/from Australia into the system?

soon I hope!

 

[Pele]

The FF Gazette published an article today. Perhaps you should telephone the consulate to inquire if your meeting is still required.

The Japanese embassy Canberra website was updated today with basic details confirming what the Prime Minister said last week. Essentially (if you are triple vaccinated) it is a return to 2019 style travel to Japan. (With the exception of loading your proof of vaccination into the MySOS app).

Also im not sure JL will be adding more flights out of Sydney as from 1st October onewards there looks to be one flight a day which from what i recall is all there was pre pandemic.

 

[jakeseven7]

Anyone know if QF has more flights coming on? I know they are waiting for more 787s and A380s to come online…

 

[encryptededdy]

Just got this from JAL. I did have a check and sadly these new schedules have not resulted in any new award flights... yet at least.

​

We are pleased to announce our latest flight schedules through January 2023, from Australia to Japan and on to Europe and North America.​

​ Latest flight schedules through January 2023​

Starting October, Japan Airlines will fly between Sydney and Tokyo Haneda daily and further increase flight frequency between Melbourne and Tokyo Narita to 4 weekly flights from 30 October 2022. Enjoy smoother connectivity to destinations such as London, Paris and New York and more, via Tokyo.​

Also it looks like they have a DSC promo going on for JMB till the end of the year: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/121campaign/2022/inter-flyon-wpoint/

 

[aikman]

I'll ask my question here if I may.

My whole family was booked on economy reward seats MEL-NRT for Christmas which JL cancelled two weeks ago. I have not yet called Qantas to ask for a refund.

If JL was to reinstate the flight and I miss the reward seat release, does anyone think there is a chance of getting my seats back by asking Qantas to ask JL?

Or should I forget about it and just ask for a refund now?

 

[encryptededdy]

If JL was to reinstate the flight and I miss the reward seat release, does anyone think there is a chance of getting my seats back by asking Qantas to ask JL?

I'd say it's an ok chance that a request would be approved. Might as well try. Also, most likely they will not release any seats with the reinstated flight unfortunately.

 

[renatts]

Just got this from JAL. I did have a check and sadly these new schedules have not resulted in any new award flights... yet at least.


Also it looks like they have a DSC promo going on for JMB till the end of the year: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/121campaign/2022/inter-flyon-wpoint/

We're booked MEL - NRT - FRA next August. I was desperately hoping to see 'Frankfurt' in the list of smoother connections haha.
If things stay as they are, our connection sadly won't hold. I wonder what my chances will be of being moved onto an earlier flight out of MEL or later flight out of NRT instead of just the dreaded cancellation.

We're also heading to to Japan in February. Been checking daily for QF to release some J awards on QF61, no luck as of yet.
Regardless of that, so excited to get to Japan again, hopefully the border opening holds (it should)

 

[Seat0B]

Well I just did my bit for someone looking for hotels in ski areas of Niseko and Madarao and cancelled some of my speculative bookings. When things were closed, I booked a “ghost” trip for my whole family using fully refundable bookings. For various work and personal reasons, the younger Seats won’t be coming along this time, so I cancelled their rooms and just kept ours - we are definitely still going.

I had no trouble cancelling for full refund on book8ng.com but will have to wait a few days to see evidence of the transactions and also to see the transactions process to my card.

I had a lot of trouble, but won in the end getting a full refund from Luxury escapes. They wanted me to take Luxury Escapes credit, and had sneakily changed the booking conditions from “fully refundable” to “flexible cancellation” after I booked. The customer service person just kept telling me there was no refund available. I said it was fully refundable when booked and I have screen shots to prove. We went around the buoy a few times with that. Short lecture from me on Australian Consumer rights and she agreed to “help me” by referring to the manager. I said I appreciated that as I was helping them avoid legal trouble for consumer law issues! Anyway manager took less than 2 minutes to authorise full refund which was processed on the spot - immediate email promising the full amount has already been refunded to my card. I will check that later today.

so, don’t despair if you can’t get hotels right now - I think there are a lot of people cancelling and rearranging now plans can go firm, so keep checking to see what comes up. Pricing however does seem much higher than before opening and definitely higher than before COVID.

 

[Cynicor]

I think every room cancelled is a boon for them in Japan, they’re basically jacking the price to nearly double some times then selling it on.

 

[Seat0B]

I think every room cancelled is a boon for them in Japan, they’re basically jacking the price to nearly double some times then selling it on.

Yep I think that’s happening for sure based on my own online searching.

 

[Pele]

Yep I think that’s happening for sure based on my own online searching.

What is compounding this more than overseas tourists(of which there are basically none) is the subsidies available for locals from the government. From what i read they can almost stay for free at the lower to mid range hotels.