Snow, Onsen and Crab!

[craven morehead]

So far the Airalo esim is working great, if anyone wants to know....
They use KDDI.

I've been a Vodafone user for years, finally ditch them last year so no more roaming.

Airalo has worked very well for me, in numerous countries

 

[rbjhan]

How much daily data do you typically use, rb? I'm trying to get a handle on how big an esim to buy and am not sure how my use here versus on the road would stack up.

Since I only arrived late afternoon yesterday, let me get back to this in a few days...

 

[craven morehead]

How much daily data do you typically use, rb? I'm trying to get a handle on how big an esim to buy and am not sure how my use here versus on the road would stack up.

Probably a lot less than you would imagine, as for the most part, you login to Lounge/Hotel/Cafe etc free Wi-Fi

 

[rbjhan]

Probably a lot less than you would imagine, as for the most part, you login to Lounge/Hotel/Cafe etc free Wi-Fi

Yeah when I was roaming I didn't bother with a lot of the wifi, other than hotels.
But now will be using more.

 

[rbjhan]

Happy to report that I used the jttp card in 2 shops today. No problem re tax refund.

 

[rbjhan]

How much daily data do you typically use, rb? I'm trying to get a handle on how big an esim to buy and am not sure how my use here versus on the road would stack up.

So I've used 500mb roughly in 24 hours.
I bought 10g, should be enough....

 

[rbjhan]

Dinner I went to a restaurant specialised in Yakiniku for one person. Yes that's a thing haha.

 

[rbjhan]

Basically, if you guys have been to Ichiran, it's similar, without the partitions.
Everybody faces the wall so no awkward eye contact with strangers! So very Japanese....

 

[rbjhan]

Almost tricked by Google maps!
I was going from Kami Suwa to Matsumoto. It told me next express train is 11:17. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at Kami Suwa station at 10:05 and saw there's one departing 10:12!!
Problem was, the queue buying express train tickets were loooooong....So I got a 200 Yen ticket from a different machine and entered the station! Now waiting for the conductor so I can pay the actual fare.....

 

[rbjhan]

The nerve racking part is, this train is reserve seats only.
I found one that's empty.
But I'm kinda nervous somebody will book it and come.....

 

[rbjhan]

Well no one came! So I did the fare adjustment in Matsumoto station.

 

[karen blancfield]

Aahhh look at Kenrokuen today!

View attachment 430286

Very different experience to August!

 

[karen blancfield]

Well no one came! So I did the fare adjustment in Matsumoto station.

I’m following now thanks. We will have a few days in May then June so different weather to you.

 

[elanshin]

Well no one came! So I did the fare adjustment in Matsumoto station.

Haha the good old gaijinish punch.

 

[rbjhan]

Holy cow I am dead tired now....
Did the snow shoe tour of Kamikochi today. 5.5 hours of walking in a blizzard!

Happy to report I made it out in one piece. Frozen but still functioning!
After a long soak in the bath I came back to life....

 

[rbjhan]

I did 25k snow shoe steps!!

 

[rbjhan]

Yeah I went to bed at 9:30 last night, which basically never happens
Currently on a bus to Takayama, from there I'll take a train to Toyama and finally Unatsuki onsen for tonight. Heavy snow everywhere...

 

[rbjhan]

I am thinking about poping in to Takayama city for a bit of photo op.... depends on how much time till the express train departs!

 

[rbjhan]

On my way to Kyoto now.
Planning a lunch break in Kanazawa!

 

[rbjhan]

Sigh the lunch didn't happen, queue was too long.
However I did take some pictures of Kenrokuen in snow.
Hmmm please wait for the photos when I get home )