I ordered the JR rail passes for my father and me last night. Got the "They shipped" email this morning, and the packet is scheduled to be delivered Monday. All nice and fast, along with being fairly painless.
PSN|AspectVoid
+6
BaidolI will hold him offEscape while you canRegistered Userregular
I'm heading to Japan to stay with a friend (lives in Tokyo) in July and this thread has been immeasurably useful in planning. To ensure I get the basics down, how does the following checklist look?
1) As we're going to Kyoto and environs for a few days, buy a JRRail Pass now.
2) Upon arriving, buy a sim card for my iphone.
3) Buy a SUICA pass for Tokyo public transportation.
4) Get cash from an ATM.
5) Don't get lost getting to friend's home.
For a specific question, we're planning to hike up Mt. Fuji (I've been warmed to bring appropriate heavy winter gear) and I'm considering staying at a ryokan in the area the night before the hike. Does anyone happen to have stayed at one and enjoyed enough to recommend?
Be aware your ability to traverse Mt. Fuji pleasantly (if at all) will depend on the weather. Monsoon season is coming. If its a rainy day, Mt. Fuji will be miserable and you won't see anything when you get up top. It might not be worth it in such a scenario.
I'm heading to Japan to stay with a friend (lives in Tokyo) in July and this thread has been immeasurably useful in planning. To ensure I get the basics down, how does the following checklist look?
1) As we're going to Kyoto and environs for a few days, buy a JRRail Pass now.
2) Upon arriving, buy a sim card for my iphone.
3) Buy a SUICA pass for Tokyo public transportation.
4) Get cash from an ATM.
5) Don't get lost getting to friend's home.
For a specific question, we're planning to hike up Mt. Fuji (I've been warmed to bring appropriate heavy winter gear) and I'm considering staying at a ryokan in the area the night before the hike. Does anyone happen to have stayed at one and enjoyed enough to recommend?
I’m actually in Japan now on a brief vacation :P
You don’t need a SIM card for you phone necessarily. I’m posting right now from my phone with my normal US card, it just all depends on what your carrier supports. For example, I could get much faster internet with a Japanese SIM card or WiFi hotspot, but it’s enough to do basic tasks so wasn’t ever worth the money for me. I can also make texts for free, and make calls (although those aren’t free).
So could be necessary, or could just be a convenience, you should check on that.
Similar with a SUICA card. Convenient? Sure! Not really required though. All the buses have automated machines that can break down larger bills/coins for you, so there’s never a problem of not having exact change. And the buses take the coins and count it automatically quickly, so the biggest hassle is just making sure I have my coins ahead of time. SUICA cards may be cheaper though? Not sure. But my point is that if you don’t, it won’t have a big effect on your trip.
You won’t see nearly all of Kyoto and the surrounding area in a few days, but it’s still worth the trip imo because there’s a lot of cool things. JR pass now is definitely what you want.
Interesting fact, you can now buy JR passes in Japan if you forget beforehand, it’s just a bit more expensive (about $40 US I think?). For now, that is planning to again no longer be the case next year, in case anyone sees this thread in the future
We stayed at Hakone, which is near-ish Mt Fuji. I’d recommend it in general, but you’d want to check how far it actually is, we didn’t go to Fuji
We stayed in Kyoto a couple of years ago when the (not then) wife and I went to Japan. We stayed a the Centurion Cabin & Spa, and to this day it's one of the greatest choices we made during that trip. It's not a Ryokan, but it's a great cabin hotel with an amazing Sento. If you are willing to give Sentos a try (read on their particular rules) it the most awesome thing ever.
We rented bikes during our Kyoto stay, so we would bike around the city quite a few kilometers while sightseeing. Loved biking next to the Kamogawa. At the end of the day you'll be a bit sore, so the sento is very much welcome. I recommend you the biking if you're up to it, it's quite another experience to bike around Kyoto because the city and the people are so set up to it. I had never experienced such a thing before.
If you rent bikes, just find out a bike parking close to your hotel and leave them overnight, which will cost a few yen.
If you don't already have Kyoto lodgings, Airbnb has been much much more successful for us than equivalently priced hotels. Always plenty of options in the big cities.
Assuming you don't have a recommendation like Drovek's, of course. We never did haha
I'm heading to Japan to stay with a friend (lives in Tokyo) in July and this thread has been immeasurably useful in planning. To ensure I get the basics down, how does the following checklist look?
1) As we're going to Kyoto and environs for a few days, buy a JRRail Pass now.
2) Upon arriving, buy a sim card for my iphone.
3) Buy a SUICA pass for Tokyo public transportation.
4) Get cash from an ATM.
5) Don't get lost getting to friend's home.
For a specific question, we're planning to hike up Mt. Fuji (I've been warmed to bring appropriate heavy winter gear) and I'm considering staying at a ryokan in the area the night before the hike. Does anyone happen to have stayed at one and enjoyed enough to recommend?
I was in Japan for the first two weeks of may. Here's my advice on your list:
1) A JR Rail pass is great if you're doing a lot of travelling, but not so great if you're staying local. A round trip Tokyo-Kyoto on the Shikansen is only about $250, which is cheaper than a JR Rail Pass. So, if Kyoto is the only place you're going, I don't recommend a JR Rail Pass. You best bet is to download HyperDia on your phone and map out the prices for where you're going. If its less than the JR Rail Pass, don't buy the pass. Also, it took less than a week from when I ordered my JR Rail Pass to when it was delivered, so no worries on time.
2) The sim card will depend on what type of cell band your iPhone uses. There is no GSM network in Japan, so if your iPhone only supports GSM, it won't work.
3) SUICA is iffy, especially if you do get a JR Rail Pass. Its nice that you can get a refund on your remaining money on the card (minus a 400yen fee) when you leave japan, but we found a good chunk of the Private subway system in Tokyo didn't take SUICA, and we had to pay cash for about half the tickets we bought.
4) Any ATM in a 7-11 should let you get money out. Outside of that, though, make sure the ATM specifically states it supports international cards. Also don't forget to contact your credit card company and inform them you are going to Japan. Some cards block international ATM use unless you specify that you will be travelling.
5) Google Maps is pretty good about it. I had a few compass issues, but otherwise it worked great.
I stayed at a Ryokan hotel in Takayama (which is Ryokan style rooms and treatment in a modern hotel building). It was probably the most memorable night of my stay in Japan. For reference, the hotel had 28 rooms, and 70 staff. Each room had a personal staff person just for that room. Just a great experience all around, and I highly recommend it. Finally, if you are going to Kyoto, I highly recommend you consider also heading to Osaka for a day. Its only 20 or 30 minutes by standard train from Kyoto, and its got its own great experiences.
Something to be aware of when booking hotels/ryokan: many accommodations charge per person rather than per room. It seems to be about 50/50 for hotels depending on the area. Pay close attention when making your plans to avoid potential budget issues when it comes time to pay.
0
BaidolI will hold him offEscape while you canRegistered Userregular
Thank you for all of the advice! We are going to spend some of our time in Kyoto (via Airbnb) making day trips to Osaka and/or Nara.
I just wanted to thank every single user who has posted here. So frickin useful. I am planning my trip to Japan in August and this thread has been more valuable than any travel site.
I don't want to hijack the thread but my question to those who have been in Japan: I am not planning on taking any luggage for my 7 day trip but instead will rely on a giant backpack as well as a smaller one. Are lockers common in train stations, etc.? Also are there laundromats around?
And finally, how does this itinerary look like?
Day 1: Tokyo
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Osaka
Day 5: Nara
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Tokyo
After seeing Osaka and Nara around Kyoto, do you have any other recommendations for Day 6? Should I instead stop by Fuji? As my time is limited I won't have time to climb but maybe spend some time in the city?
Thank you once again.
Basar on
i live in a country with a batshit crazy president and no, english is not my first language
If it's ok to use this thread, I'm looking for some advice aswell.
In July and August I'll spent two weeks in Japan with my girlfriend. We'll arrive in Toyko and leave two week later from Fukuoka, and try to use a JR pass to do most of our travelling.
We're looking for a traditional ryokan somewhere near Hiroshima or Fukuoka. Preferably in an area with some nice nature to do mild hiking. I'm having difficulty finding sites other than tripadvisor like sites to find ryokans on. Any hints or tips are welcome!
As for day 6 in Kyoto or mt Fuji. When I was in Kyoto two years ago. We rented a bike there and used that to go to mt Takaoyama. It was a nice bike ride and the mountain was nice hiking.
All of the major train stations have lockers, though they aren't super big.
There are laundromats, and they are coin operated, so make sure to bring cash. When I went for 2 weeks, I brought 8 days of clothes and then did laundry one day. Cost me about $1000 yen total to do 1 load of laundry (wash & dry). I recommend using google maps to check around where you are staying for one.
Kyoto/Osaka/Nara are all right by each other, so you're good there. I only spent a couple of days in the area, so my visits were very targeted. I'm kind of jealous that you have more time than I did to explore the area.
When I was looking for Ryokan, I mostly used this site to get a grip. I liked that site because they included information just as how well the Ryokan supported English and what kind of baths were available. Once I had a list of Ryokan that looked good, I used regular sites like Expedia to dig into them some more.
I just wanted to thank every single user who has posted here. So frickin useful. I am planning my trip to Japan in August and this thread has been more valuable than any travel site.
I don't want to hijack the thread but my question to those who have been in Japan: I am not planning on taking any luggage for my 7 day trip but instead will rely on a giant backpack as well as a smaller one. Are lockers common in train stations, etc.? Also are there laundromats around?
And finally, how does this itinerary look like?
Day 1: Tokyo
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Osaka
Day 5: Nara
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Tokyo
After seeing Osaka and Nara around Kyoto, do you have any other recommendations for Day 6? Should I instead stop by Fuji? As my time is limited I won't have time to climb but maybe spend some time in the city?
Thank you once again.
There are lockers in some stations. There are, I think, 3 sizes. The thing is that they will sometimes fill up, so you need to plan for that. Depending on where you stay, they will let you leave your bag somewhere.
Thank you for the replies! I'll share more tips, etc. once I do more research so anyone else who may be visiting can benefit as well.
Cheers!
Also, almost anything that is coin operated uses 100JPY coins, so make sure to grab a few. You can find machines that will change them for you in most train stations.
Regarding locker sizes:
These sizes are pretty standardised across rail stations. Transport hubs will have a lot of each. You can also usually use a Suica/Pasmo card to pay for these.
Many hotels offer a laundry service where you just fill out a small form and give the clothes in a supplied bag+form to reception, and they do it during the day for you. Might be easier than a laundromat.
These sizes are pretty standardised across rail stations. Transport hubs will have a lot of each. You can also usually use a Suica/Pasmo card to pay for these.
Many hotels offer a laundry service where you just fill out a small form and give the clothes in a supplied bag+form to reception, and they do it during the day for you. Might be easier than a laundromat.
Thank you, great pic about the lockers.
i live in a country with a batshit crazy president and no, english is not my first language
Regarding locker sizes:
These sizes are pretty standardised across rail stations. Transport hubs will have a lot of each. You can also usually use a Suica/Pasmo card to pay for these.
Many hotels offer a laundry service where you just fill out a small form and give the clothes in a supplied bag+form to reception, and they do it during the day for you. Might be easier than a laundromat.
WAY more expensive though, and they charge by the item, not load. My dad miscounted his clothes and ended up a day short. The hotel laundry was like 2000yen per piece of clothing. Its way cheaper to go to a laundry mat on Sunday morning for a couple of hours.
Regarding locker sizes:
These sizes are pretty standardised across rail stations. Transport hubs will have a lot of each. You can also usually use a Suica/Pasmo card to pay for these.
Many hotels offer a laundry service where you just fill out a small form and give the clothes in a supplied bag+form to reception, and they do it during the day for you. Might be easier than a laundromat.
WAY more expensive though, and they charge by the item, not load. My dad miscounted his clothes and ended up a day short. The hotel laundry was like 2000yen per piece of clothing. Its way cheaper to go to a laundry mat on Sunday morning for a couple of hours.
I think this is universal though... hotel laundry service is always way more expensive than laundromats. I'll try to pack 10 days of underwear + tshirts for a 7 day trip but I sweat like a pig and Japan is even more humid than Istanbul (which is around 80% during summer) so I will locate a few laundromats as soon as I arrive, just in case.
Cheers.
i live in a country with a batshit crazy president and no, english is not my first language
So, I spoke with my dad some more, and one of the things we agreed we should do is stay at a Ryokan for a night. Anyone have advice on what we should look for, things to keep in mind when/if we do?
If you'd like a neat little two day trip for this there was a tour I did which took me from Tokyo via bus out to Mount Fuji then ended the day at an inn with hot springs in Hakone. It was pretty good as far as tours go, the stops were not rushed and you get to see a bit of the countryside. I don't recall what it was called, but I do have a picture, it was on a lake (Lake Ashi I think?) that the tour swaps you onto a ship for.
Just discovered that Google Maps no longer offers offline map downloads outside of the US. Apparently Google doesn't want to pay the licensing fees for the data. So if you're going to Japan you'll either need a sim card, an app other than Google Maps, or to find good wifi spots.
Just discovered that Google Maps no longer offers offline map downloads outside of the US. Apparently Google doesn't want to pay the licensing fees for the data. So if you're going to Japan you'll either need a sim card, an app other than Google Maps, or to find good wifi spots.
This varies by country. Unfortunately, it's true with Japan. What a bummer.
Just discovered that Google Maps no longer offers offline map downloads outside of the US. Apparently Google doesn't want to pay the licensing fees for the data. So if you're going to Japan you'll either need a sim card, an app other than Google Maps, or to find good wifi spots.
Or a network that works in Japan already. Last two times I've been, my T-Mobile plan has given me (not fast) data in Japan. Good enough for Google Maps most of the time, although a couple times it was very slow. I used it pretty extensively.
Just discovered that Google Maps no longer offers offline map downloads outside of the US. Apparently Google doesn't want to pay the licensing fees for the data. So if you're going to Japan you'll either need a sim card, an app other than Google Maps, or to find good wifi spots.
Just discovered that Google Maps no longer offers offline map downloads outside of the US. Apparently Google doesn't want to pay the licensing fees for the data. So if you're going to Japan you'll either need a sim card, an app other than Google Maps, or to find good wifi spots.
Posts
Don't.
1) As we're going to Kyoto and environs for a few days, buy a JRRail Pass now.
2) Upon arriving, buy a sim card for my iphone.
3) Buy a SUICA pass for Tokyo public transportation.
4) Get cash from an ATM.
5) Don't get lost getting to friend's home.
For a specific question, we're planning to hike up Mt. Fuji (I've been warmed to bring appropriate heavy winter gear) and I'm considering staying at a ryokan in the area the night before the hike. Does anyone happen to have stayed at one and enjoyed enough to recommend?
I’m actually in Japan now on a brief vacation :P
You don’t need a SIM card for you phone necessarily. I’m posting right now from my phone with my normal US card, it just all depends on what your carrier supports. For example, I could get much faster internet with a Japanese SIM card or WiFi hotspot, but it’s enough to do basic tasks so wasn’t ever worth the money for me. I can also make texts for free, and make calls (although those aren’t free).
So could be necessary, or could just be a convenience, you should check on that.
Similar with a SUICA card. Convenient? Sure! Not really required though. All the buses have automated machines that can break down larger bills/coins for you, so there’s never a problem of not having exact change. And the buses take the coins and count it automatically quickly, so the biggest hassle is just making sure I have my coins ahead of time. SUICA cards may be cheaper though? Not sure. But my point is that if you don’t, it won’t have a big effect on your trip.
You won’t see nearly all of Kyoto and the surrounding area in a few days, but it’s still worth the trip imo because there’s a lot of cool things. JR pass now is definitely what you want.
Interesting fact, you can now buy JR passes in Japan if you forget beforehand, it’s just a bit more expensive (about $40 US I think?). For now, that is planning to again no longer be the case next year, in case anyone sees this thread in the future
We stayed at Hakone, which is near-ish Mt Fuji. I’d recommend it in general, but you’d want to check how far it actually is, we didn’t go to Fuji
3DS Friend Code: 3110-5393-4113
Steam profile
We rented bikes during our Kyoto stay, so we would bike around the city quite a few kilometers while sightseeing. Loved biking next to the Kamogawa. At the end of the day you'll be a bit sore, so the sento is very much welcome. I recommend you the biking if you're up to it, it's quite another experience to bike around Kyoto because the city and the people are so set up to it. I had never experienced such a thing before.
If you rent bikes, just find out a bike parking close to your hotel and leave them overnight, which will cost a few yen.
Man, I miss Japan...
Assuming you don't have a recommendation like Drovek's, of course. We never did haha
3DS Friend Code: 3110-5393-4113
Steam profile
I was in Japan for the first two weeks of may. Here's my advice on your list:
1) A JR Rail pass is great if you're doing a lot of travelling, but not so great if you're staying local. A round trip Tokyo-Kyoto on the Shikansen is only about $250, which is cheaper than a JR Rail Pass. So, if Kyoto is the only place you're going, I don't recommend a JR Rail Pass. You best bet is to download HyperDia on your phone and map out the prices for where you're going. If its less than the JR Rail Pass, don't buy the pass. Also, it took less than a week from when I ordered my JR Rail Pass to when it was delivered, so no worries on time.
2) The sim card will depend on what type of cell band your iPhone uses. There is no GSM network in Japan, so if your iPhone only supports GSM, it won't work.
3) SUICA is iffy, especially if you do get a JR Rail Pass. Its nice that you can get a refund on your remaining money on the card (minus a 400yen fee) when you leave japan, but we found a good chunk of the Private subway system in Tokyo didn't take SUICA, and we had to pay cash for about half the tickets we bought.
4) Any ATM in a 7-11 should let you get money out. Outside of that, though, make sure the ATM specifically states it supports international cards. Also don't forget to contact your credit card company and inform them you are going to Japan. Some cards block international ATM use unless you specify that you will be travelling.
5) Google Maps is pretty good about it. I had a few compass issues, but otherwise it worked great.
I stayed at a Ryokan hotel in Takayama (which is Ryokan style rooms and treatment in a modern hotel building). It was probably the most memorable night of my stay in Japan. For reference, the hotel had 28 rooms, and 70 staff. Each room had a personal staff person just for that room. Just a great experience all around, and I highly recommend it. Finally, if you are going to Kyoto, I highly recommend you consider also heading to Osaka for a day. Its only 20 or 30 minutes by standard train from Kyoto, and its got its own great experiences.
I don't want to hijack the thread but my question to those who have been in Japan: I am not planning on taking any luggage for my 7 day trip but instead will rely on a giant backpack as well as a smaller one. Are lockers common in train stations, etc.? Also are there laundromats around?
And finally, how does this itinerary look like?
Day 1: Tokyo
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto
Day 4: Osaka
Day 5: Nara
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Tokyo
After seeing Osaka and Nara around Kyoto, do you have any other recommendations for Day 6? Should I instead stop by Fuji? As my time is limited I won't have time to climb but maybe spend some time in the city?
Thank you once again.
In July and August I'll spent two weeks in Japan with my girlfriend. We'll arrive in Toyko and leave two week later from Fukuoka, and try to use a JR pass to do most of our travelling.
We're looking for a traditional ryokan somewhere near Hiroshima or Fukuoka. Preferably in an area with some nice nature to do mild hiking. I'm having difficulty finding sites other than tripadvisor like sites to find ryokans on. Any hints or tips are welcome!
As for day 6 in Kyoto or mt Fuji. When I was in Kyoto two years ago. We rented a bike there and used that to go to mt Takaoyama. It was a nice bike ride and the mountain was nice hiking.
There are laundromats, and they are coin operated, so make sure to bring cash. When I went for 2 weeks, I brought 8 days of clothes and then did laundry one day. Cost me about $1000 yen total to do 1 load of laundry (wash & dry). I recommend using google maps to check around where you are staying for one.
Kyoto/Osaka/Nara are all right by each other, so you're good there. I only spent a couple of days in the area, so my visits were very targeted. I'm kind of jealous that you have more time than I did to explore the area.
When I was looking for Ryokan, I mostly used this site to get a grip. I liked that site because they included information just as how well the Ryokan supported English and what kind of baths were available. Once I had a list of Ryokan that looked good, I used regular sites like Expedia to dig into them some more.
There are lockers in some stations. There are, I think, 3 sizes. The thing is that they will sometimes fill up, so you need to plan for that. Depending on where you stay, they will let you leave your bag somewhere.
Cheers!
Also, almost anything that is coin operated uses 100JPY coins, so make sure to grab a few. You can find machines that will change them for you in most train stations.
These sizes are pretty standardised across rail stations. Transport hubs will have a lot of each. You can also usually use a Suica/Pasmo card to pay for these.
Many hotels offer a laundry service where you just fill out a small form and give the clothes in a supplied bag+form to reception, and they do it during the day for you. Might be easier than a laundromat.
Old PA forum lookalike style for the new forums | My ko-fi donation thing.
Thank you, great pic about the lockers.
WAY more expensive though, and they charge by the item, not load. My dad miscounted his clothes and ended up a day short. The hotel laundry was like 2000yen per piece of clothing. Its way cheaper to go to a laundry mat on Sunday morning for a couple of hours.
I think this is universal though... hotel laundry service is always way more expensive than laundromats. I'll try to pack 10 days of underwear + tshirts for a 7 day trip but I sweat like a pig and Japan is even more humid than Istanbul (which is around 80% during summer) so I will locate a few laundromats as soon as I arrive, just in case.
Cheers.
If you'd like a neat little two day trip for this there was a tour I did which took me from Tokyo via bus out to Mount Fuji then ended the day at an inn with hot springs in Hakone. It was pretty good as far as tours go, the stops were not rushed and you get to see a bit of the countryside. I don't recall what it was called, but I do have a picture, it was on a lake (Lake Ashi I think?) that the tour swaps you onto a ship for.
The inn is right next to a sky car to go up over the mountain to the Hakone Open Air Museum, which is well worth checking out.
From the front of the museum there is a train station/line that will take you directly back to Tokyo.
This varies by country. Unfortunately, it's true with Japan. What a bummer.
Or a network that works in Japan already. Last two times I've been, my T-Mobile plan has given me (not fast) data in Japan. Good enough for Google Maps most of the time, although a couple times it was very slow. I used it pretty extensively.
3DS Friend Code: 3110-5393-4113
Steam profile
Rent a wifi dingus, they're worth it.
Those also work really well, yeah.
3DS Friend Code: 3110-5393-4113
Steam profile