Japan holiday

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1337

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Anyone here recently been to Japan for a vacation?

Tips, tricks, recommendations?

Anything please :)
 
1337 said:
Anyone here recently been to Japan for a vacation?

Tips, tricks, recommendations?

Anything please :)
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I think let's start with when you plan going for how long etc?

Japan is on my to visit list. Only Asian country I have done so far was Hong Kong and loved that!
 
Yes.

1. Check the manners rule, they can be strict
2. Fly in via Tokyo (Tokyo Disneyland) and from there take the Shikansen to Kyoto, and out via Osaka. Fly home via Osaka. You can also pop over to Korea, but the Koreans are like Ice Queens equivalent. Very cold people. (not the temp)
3. there are Two times to go to Japan, ie March/April (Spring) and September/October (Autumn). Avoid June and July as its baking hot and rains a lot too (monsoon) and December/Jan. Its ice cold. Snowing.
4. Osaka has universal Studios, sorry forgot that. Marioland, etc.
5. Studio Ghibli park recently opened. There is also a Thomasland. Yip Thomas the tank engines.
6. Use a app called Rome2Rio to plan how to get around.
7. You have to book most tickets (theme parks in advance), you can also book the Japan Railpass in advance (can collect there but cant buy there).
8. Take an umbrella. It rains a lot.
9. In Tokyo try stay 2 places, Near Disney is good, but Shibuya is the other place thats more popular for shopping etc.
10. Dont interfere with the Geisha. Some guys can be real stalkers. They have put rules in place.
11. If you like Robots etc, then Yokohama is great.
12. Take Cash (85% of Japan is cash based - it can be hellish difficult to find an atm, usually in the subway, behind the broom closet kinda way.
13. You can book a day guide in advance.

But do visit Kyoto, its theyre cultural Capital, read up a bit about it.
 
Singapore Airline is a good way to fly in and out. If you can, do a Singapore Stopover, its well worth it. They also have a Universal Studio at Sentosa. But one thing about the Japanese, they dress up.

You can book hotel accomodation via Booking.com. Become a member. Some bank cards give discount and cashback. Same with lounge access when travelling. If you plan to shop a lot have a look at Qatar and Emirates luggage allowance, they are friendlier. If you do plan to stop in Dubai as a stopover, then look up the Carlton Downton hotel. Its next to their Dubai Metro station, easy to go anywhere from there.

Keep an eye out for tickets and hotel specials. My colleague books in advance with free cancellation, then checks every 3 days, he starts 2 star then end up 4-5 star by the time of the trip.
 
Corelli's advice is good
We spent 4 weeks there in March

I'd add:

Google Translate is your saviour
We took along a power bank and a pocket 4G router. Got a SIM for a month with unlimited data.. So Google translate was connected all the time

Figure out the trains. At a station, find your correct line. Look for the destination. Above this is the fare in Yen. Buy (using cash) the ticket. Insert this at the barrier and pick it up. Same at your destination

Shopping is amazing and not expensive. Visit IKEA. There are ¥100 shops too. Plenty of Food Marts and 7-11.

Be sure to visit Team Lab Planets. Stunning

Take a trip on a ferry around Tokyo Harbour

Visit the Shibua Crossing, several times

We stayed at a hotel (no food) near Shibuya for 3 weeks for R35000

There were 20 local restaurants within 5 mins walk. The food is really good

And the Japanese themselves are polite and very friendly. We got lost a few times and they went out their way to help

1702655559596.jpeg
 
Last edited:
chrisc said:
Corelli's advice is good
We spent 4 weeks there in March

I'd add:

Google Translate is your saviour
We took along a power bank and a pocket 4G router. Got a SIM for a month with unlimited data.. So Google translate was connected all the time

Figure out the trains. At a station, find your correct line. Look for the destination. Above this is the fare in Yen. Buy (using cash) the ticket. Insert this at the barrier and pick it up. Same at your destination

Shopping is amazing and not expensive. Visit IKEA. There are ¥100 shops too. Plenty of Food Marts and 7-11.

Be sure to visit Team Lab Planets. Stunning

Take a trip on a ferry around Tokyo Harbour

Visit the Shibua Crossing, several times

We stayed at a hotel (no food) near Shibuya for 3 weeks for R35000

There were 20 local restaurants within 5 mins walk. The food is really good

And the Japanese themselves are polite and very friendly. We got lost a few times and they went out their way to help

View attachment 1634323
Click to expand...
This is some good info thanks. We are going to Japan in 2025 so I am already starting to gather information.

But we will probably end up using these guys:

www.untold-japan.travel

UNTOLD JAPAN | Luxury Tours

Experience luxury tours with Untold Japan. Discover hidden gems, explore authentic cultural experiences, and create unforgettable memories on your journey through Japan. Let us guide you on a luxury tour, tailored to your unique interests and preferences. Contact to start planning today!
www.untold-japan.travel www.untold-japan.travel
 
Buy an umbrella at one of the 7-11's or at a tourist place. They're cuter and there's less luggage for you to carry on the way there.
The 7-11's are also good for cheap lunches and cups of coffee to keep you going.
The Japanese water bottles/flasks are better quality than ours so rather buy a good quality one there.
Don't go in summer.
Hokkaido (especially with the snow and hot springs in winter) and Kyushu are amazing to see. Osaka and Tyoko are a must.
In the urban areas you get the main tourist shops but I found the most interesting shops and cafes on side streets further on.
Spend several days in Kyoto and use it as a staging area to explore the surrounding areas.
Get your gifts at the Daiso. They've got cute cheap stuff that's also good quality. Japan has fun socks and those make good gifts.
If you're an artist start saving up now because you'll blow out your budget. They've local and international products and their selection is a lot better than ours.
Matcha chocolate covered strawberries are amazing.
The Cup Noodle Museum was fun.
Manga Museums weren't worth it.
 
Is anyone familiar with getting a Japanese visa on a piece of **** SA passport? It seems you can get an eVisa, but only if you actually live in SA, which makes zero damn sense.
 
Bill Clitnon said:
Is anyone familiar with getting a Japanese visa on a piece of **** SA passport? It seems you can get an eVisa, but only if you actually live in SA, which makes zero damn sense.
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I was in another country when I got my visa.
I had to get a certified statement from my bank stating that I had enough funds for my holiday, proof of bookings/accommodation/proof of flights in and out and a general idea of my itinerary. I went in to the consulate, handed everything in, and 3 days later got my visa
 
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