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Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back
- Thread starter MikeHattsu
- Start date
Ah, gotcha. I've never tasted that but I Googled real quick and found this, if this is helpful....
家でもココイチ。やみつき「旨辛にんにく風」再現レシピ - macaroni
ココイチ風旨辛にんにくの再現レシピを紹介します。クセになる味わいのココイチの旨辛にんにくは、無性に食べたくなりますよね。にんにくとラー油のスタミナトッピングはどの料理とも相性バツグン。紹介するレシピは家にある材料で気軽に再現できますよ。家で再現するコツとポイントも要チェックです。
macaro-ni.jp
Awesome!Ah, gotcha. I've never tasted that but I Googled real quick and found this, if this is helpful....
家でもココイチ。やみつき「旨辛にんにく風」再現レシピ - macaroni
ココイチ風旨辛にんにくの再現レシピを紹介します。クセになる味わいのココイチの旨辛にんにくは、無性に食べたくなりますよね。にんにくとラー油のスタミナトッピングはどの料理とも相性バツグン。紹介するレシピは家にある材料で気軽に再現できますよ。家で再現するコツとポイントも要チェックです。
Apparently the simple approach is to just fry the garlic and then do a 1:2 ratio of yakiniku sauce to chili oil. If you want to make it yourself properly, you need:
- 6 cloves of garlic
- Cooking oil enough to cover said garlic
- 2tbsp chili oil
- 1tsp sesame oil
- 1tsp soy sauce
- 1tsp sweet sake
- 1tsp grated garlic
- 1/2tsp sugar
They mention that you can keep it for a week in the fridge. Oil and garlic together can be a recipe for botulism if not prepared exactly right, so I wouldn't chance it longer than that anyhow :-).
Just came back from 3 weeks in Tokyo and it was great as usual. Lots of waiting in line for my food but was expected. My high end sushi and tempura were underwhelming but still positive overall. Lowest rated meals would still be considered good.
The only shop I will make a comment on is Kagari (ramen) in Ginza. Extremely overpriced if you order the tokusei (all toppings) which included a bunch of veggies that didnt add anything to the ramen. Lot of tourists so maybe that plays a part. Its still good tori paitan but I would recommend only going there if youre in the area. Tori no Ana is a much better alternative for tori paitan,.
The only shop I will make a comment on is Kagari (ramen) in Ginza. Extremely overpriced if you order the tokusei (all toppings) which included a bunch of veggies that didnt add anything to the ramen. Lot of tourists so maybe that plays a part. Its still good tori paitan but I would recommend only going there if youre in the area. Tori no Ana is a much better alternative for tori paitan,.
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Should be able to come up to LA for cheap, and then fly out from there. Might be cheaper than from San Diego, but I'm not sure what prices you're looking at there.
Currently in GoGo right now and it's pretty good. Not the best one I've tried during this long trip right now but pretty good. Pretty different from Coco so I can't really compare the two.
My favourite one is some location in Korea called Oretachi that apparently has a location Osaka. Really solid curry but heard the Japan and Osaka location are pretty different in taste (like Coco in Korea vs Coco in Japan). Their Katsu is just aight though
My favourite one is some location in Korea called Oretachi that apparently has a location Osaka. Really solid curry but heard the Japan and Osaka location are pretty different in taste (like Coco in Korea vs Coco in Japan). Their Katsu is just aight though
I've thrown together a basic itinerary for a potential solo trip next year.
Outside of visiting Hiroshima for a couple of days and doing the bulk of Tokyo in the second half of the trip instead of the first, the itinerary doesn't actually differ too much from my first trip with my mate. There's so much I want to see again at my own pace whilst also getting "lost" and discovering new things that it made sense to keep it similar.
I'm also contemplating going to South Korea this year as well, but it's probably foolish (?!) since I only have just over a week of annual leave left... 😂
Outside of visiting Hiroshima for a couple of days and doing the bulk of Tokyo in the second half of the trip instead of the first, the itinerary doesn't actually differ too much from my first trip with my mate. There's so much I want to see again at my own pace whilst also getting "lost" and discovering new things that it made sense to keep it similar.
I'm also contemplating going to South Korea this year as well, but it's probably foolish (?!) since I only have just over a week of annual leave left... 😂
100%. I had GoGo first and after that only had access to CoCo after that and it just wasn't the same. Definitely going to eat at GoGo a few times now on my coming trip.
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From the day of your arrival. It's up to whatever immigration officer you get at that point if you're allowed in, get a bunch of extra questions before getting in, or if they don't allow you in at all. If you stay more than 183 days total though, then you might also get some issues with taxes and/or pensions if you got a job. You have to check the rules for both the country you're from and Japan.
It's pretty much dead at night, unlike Osaka yeah.
Probably too late to reply now, but yeah. They're there most of the year, only some weeks to avoid is during mating season around October/November.
Some of the information on that page is misleading or incorrect, but for your specific case it should be fine to get on the next train and sit in an unreserved seat.
Like a proper expensive kimono or tourist stuff?
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Tourist taxes coming everywhere :P
I decided last week to do an impromptu trip / holiday to Japan for three weeks, from next week...yes, quite expensive leaving it that late to book (certain things unexpectedly fell into place), especially from the UK. This will be the second time I've been, visited for a few weeks back in early 2019 also.
I'm travelling and doing this trip by oneself this time, and I'm arriving in Tokyo the evening of Tuesday 19th March.
If anyone is in Tokyo, or Japan in general, and also doing the self-travel thing, and wants to hit up some retro or video game shops, grab a beer and eats etc, then I'm around in Tokyo from Wednesday 20th - Saturday 23rd.
Also going to be in Nagoya from Thursday 4th April - Sunday 7th April (travelling home the following day), for the Japanese F1 Grand Prix, so if anyone is planning on attending that then feel free to ping me.
I'm travelling and doing this trip by oneself this time, and I'm arriving in Tokyo the evening of Tuesday 19th March.
If anyone is in Tokyo, or Japan in general, and also doing the self-travel thing, and wants to hit up some retro or video game shops, grab a beer and eats etc, then I'm around in Tokyo from Wednesday 20th - Saturday 23rd.
Also going to be in Nagoya from Thursday 4th April - Sunday 7th April (travelling home the following day), for the Japanese F1 Grand Prix, so if anyone is planning on attending that then feel free to ping me.
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We're flying in and out of Tokyo for our 3 week trip. We're staying in Shinjuku for our first 4-day stint, but we'll be back for 2 nights before we fly out and are looking to stay in a different area. Still relatively convenient to airport, but maybe different vibe. After looking, I was leaning Asakusa or Ueno, but does anyone have any thoughts?
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Cherry blossoms forecast to flower in Tokyo from March 21, peak 1 week later - The Mainichi
Click here to read this in easy English TOKYO -- Cherry blossoms in central Tokyo are expected to bloom from March 21 and reach their peak a week late
mainichi.jp
Cherry Blossom and Full Bloom Forecast for 2024 (Part 2) <br>Blossoming earlier than usual in northern and eastern Japan with Tokyo Expected to start on the 21st | EN-NEWS | Japan Weather Association
This is the official website of Japan Weather Association (JWA). Introducing our business which is used in various industries.
www.jwa.or.jp
Cherry blossoms forecast to flower in Tokyo from March 21, peak 1 week later - The Mainichi
Click here to read this in easy English TOKYO -- Cherry blossoms in central Tokyo are expected to bloom from March 21 and reach their peak a week late
Cherry Blossom and Full Bloom Forecast for 2024 (Part 2) <br>Blossoming earlier than usual in northern and eastern Japan with Tokyo Expected to start on the 21st | EN-NEWS | Japan Weather Association
This is the official website of Japan Weather Association (JWA). Introducing our business which is used in various industries.
I realize we're a bit past peak but if I'm in Tokyo and Kyoto areas from April 3-12 will it still be noticeable?
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Depends on how windy and rainy it is :p
Should most likely be ok in the first half of that period though, second half is more iffy.
But as always, there's other types of sakura trees than Somei Yoshino, and if you go to one of the big parks you'll probably at least have a couple of another type that blooms later on.
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Remember to be careful when crossing the streets in Japan :p
mainichi.jp
55% of car drivers in Japan don't stop for pedestrians at crosswalks: survey - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- Over 50% of car drivers in Japan do not stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, and Niigata Prefecture ranked the worst by prefecture, according
mainichi.jp
Last year we visited the Hamarikyu gardens in Tokyo on April 5th. They don't have an overwhelming volume of cherry trees, but the ones they have are later-blooming variants that have some really gorgeous and interesting blossoms, like these tiger tail cherry blossoms:
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Last year they bloomed 1 week earlier than what is forecast for this year in Tokyo:
2023 Cherry Blossom Forecast (Part 3): <br>Rush of Blooms in This Weekend | EN-NEWS | Japan Weather Association
This is the official website of Japan Weather Association (JWA). Introducing our business which is used in various industries.
www.jwa.or.jp
Yeah, the somei yoshino cherries were pretty thoroughly done by April 5th in Tokyo last year, but hopefully will still be there in some capacity this year. We got to see plenty of them in Kyoto, at least - we nailed the peak there. Just wanted to provide an example of what someone might see if they came along a little later. We also saw plenty of blossoms still going strong in Nikko right up to the tail end of our trip a few days later.
Cherry blossoms forecast to flower in Tokyo from March 21, peak 1 week later - The Mainichi
Click here to read this in easy English TOKYO -- Cherry blossoms in central Tokyo are expected to bloom from March 21 and reach their peak a week late
Cherry Blossom and Full Bloom Forecast for 2024 (Part 2) <br>Blossoming earlier than usual in northern and eastern Japan with Tokyo Expected to start on the 21st | EN-NEWS | Japan Weather Association
This is the official website of Japan Weather Association (JWA). Introducing our business which is used in various industries.
I'm arriving in the afternoon on the 22nd in Tokyo, so we managed to pick the right date 6 months ago when we booked. Hope the weather will be nice for that week as well.
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Remember that 21st is the starting to bloom date, but I guess you'll be there on the 28th anyway when it's supposed to be full bloom if the forecast is correct.
Yeah, we'll be there for a month. So now we are just going to decide on what spots to visit during that first week.
Can't believe has been 5 years since I was in Japan, we were supposed to go back in 2020 but had to put those plans on hold for a few years. :P
We want to visit other countries as well in both Asia and here in Europe, but as the thread name says "we have to go back".
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First time trying this out
View: https://www.threads.net/@mikehattsu/post/C4mJSO2v2wi
Less than 2500 JPY for 6 hours
View: https://www.threads.net/@mikehattsu/post/C4mJSO2v2wi
Less than 2500 JPY for 6 hours
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Aircon and a private space to lay down, so it was ok. Too much noise with people opening and closing doors outside a lot to get any sleep though.
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Conveyor belts disappearing from conveyor belt sushi restaurants
I've personally always preferred the straight-line conveyor belt system.
I randomly thought about going to Japan near the end of the year. Flight tickets are so expensive right now, unfortunately, but if I somehow get YOASOBI tickets for their Tokyo show, I've gotta go.
I randomly thought about going to Japan near the end of the year. Flight tickets are so expensive right now, unfortunately, but if I somehow get YOASOBI tickets for their Tokyo show, I've gotta go.
When I just want a decent meal without too much fuss, the order-to-your-table model does seem better. But I'll miss the circular-belt ones if they ever disappear completely; I remember going to what seemed like an older-school one on my first trip and it had a communal vibe you just don't get from the other places. Wish I could remember where it was, I can't even recall if it was in Kyoto or Osaka (or possibly even Tokyo!).
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Visitors to Japan surge in February as post-pandemic rebound continues
The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose 89.0 percent in February from a year earlier to about 2.79 million as it continued to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, government data show, although visitors from mainland China only showed a limited recovery.
This post was on my mind - I felt guilty for never responding. But I've been incredibly busy. I am finally going to Japan tomorrow. Below is what our plans looks like. Note, my guess is we are too jam-packed, so we are expecting we will shed a lot of the plans below as each day progresses.
High level itinerary:
- [ ] Day 1: Flying to Tokyo
- [ ] Days 2-6: Tokyo
- [ ] Days 7-9 Kyoto
- [ ] Day 10: Hiroshima
- [ ] Day 11: Miyajima Island
- [ ] Days 12-13: Osaka
- [ ] Day 14: Nara, and then Tokyo
- [ ] Day 15: Fly back home from Tokyo
Detailed itinerary:
Tokyo days:
Day 2:
No specific plans for this day - just eat Japanese food and relax at the hotel.
Day 3:
"Bunkyo City: Since we are skipping a day trip to Mount Fuji, walk to Bunkyo Civic Centre, and go to the observation deck for free for a chance to see Mount Fuji. Make this visit once each morning from Days #3 to #6 in Tokyo, until you are successful (some days might be cloudy, so may have to make repeated trips before we can see Mount Fuji).
Taito (morning): Sumida Park
Asakusa (morning and afternoon):
-Old Tokyo free roam
-Senso-ji temple (must visit before 5pm)
-Nakamise-dori street
Taito (late afternoon or early evening): Ueno Park
Akihabara Neighbourhood (evening):
-Electric town free roam
-Visit any maid cafe
-Visit anime shops
-GiGO Gaming Arcade
-Super Potato (closes 8pm)"
Day 4:
9:00am JST - 12:00pm JST: teamLab Planets (museum in Minato City)
"Minato City and Odaiba (afternoon and early evening, after finishing with teamLabs excursion):
-Zojo-ji temple (must visit before 5:30pm)
-Shiba Park
-Tokyo Tower (must purchase ticket)
-Odaiba Seaside Park
Koto City (evening): The Gundam Base Tokyo (must visit before 9:30pm)"
Day 5:
"Shinjuku (early morning): Gyoen National Garden (must visit early, so we don't miss booked 10:40am Shibuya Sky tickets)
Shibuya (morning and early afternoon):
-Shibuya Sky (must arrive by 10:40am for booked tickets)
-Shibuya Scramble
-Center Gai
-NOTE!!! Consider heading to Harajuku a little early if we risk missing out on Meiji-jingu temple, which closes at 5:20pm!!!
Harajuku (late afternoon and evening):
-Meiji-jingu temple (must visit before 5:20pm)
-Takeshita Street
-Purikura photo booth
-A Happy Pancake (for fluffy pancakes - closes at 7:30pm)"
Day 6:
"Chiyoda (early morning): Imperial Palace Garden (ust visit before 11:15am)
Chuo (late morning):
-Tsukiji Fish Market (must visit before 2pm)
-The Ginza
-Visit Uniqlo nearby The Ginza
Rest of afternoon and early evening: Free roam!!!
Shinjuku (late evening): Tokyo Metropoliton Government Buildiing (must visit before 10:30pm)
(Big maybe - time permitting!!!): Toshima: Pokemon Mega Center
Note: Remember that we have a 6:33am Shinkansen train to Kyoto the next morning - so if we need to rest, we can push Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to Day #14 in Tokyo, and we can cancel Toshima's Pokemon Mega Center (since we might visit a Pokemon store in Osaka)."
Kyoto days:
Day 7:
"Kyoto (start of day):
-Kyoto Station
-Kyoto Tower
-Nishiki Market
-Kichi Kichi Rice
-Heian-Jingu Shrine (100 year old shrine) 10 min walk from Higashiyama station
Kyoto's Gion District (afternoon and evening):
-Traditional Japanese homes and Geishas
-Gion Shinbashi Bridge
-Shirakawa Lane
-Tatsumi Bridge
-Shirakawa River
-Hanamikoji Street
Kyoto (evening):
-Shijo-ohashi Bridge - sunsets
-Shijo-Dori Street - long street"
Day 8:
"Kyoto Shrines:
-Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine (10,000 torii gates)
-Kiyomizu-dera (nestled on the hills)
-Sannenzaka and Ninezaka - quaint alleys with traditional homes
-Hokan-Ji Temple (6-story pagoda from 6th century)
-Yasaka Shrine - visit at night to see the lanterns
-Rengeo-in (Sanjusangen-do) Temple - MAYBE"
Day 9:
"Kyoto travelling around:
-Kinkaku-Ji Temple (covered in gold leaf, 35-40 min bus ride from Kyoto Station)
-Kyoto Imperial Palace (underwhelming but free)
-Arashiyama - Bamboo Forest
-Philosopher's walk"
Hiroshima days:
Day 10:
"Hiroshima (morning):
-Peace Memorial Park/ Arch - free open 24/7
-Children's Peace Monument
-Atomic Dome
Hiroshima (afternoon and evening):
-Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - $1.82 open until 7
-Hiroshima Gokuku Shrine - closes at 4:30pm
-Hiroshima Castle - $3.36 open until 6pm
-Hondori Shopping Street"
Day 11:
"Miyajima Island:
-Itsukushima Jinja (shinto shrine in water) - $2.72
-Hokokujinja Senjokaku Pavilion - Shinto shrine $2.72
-Daigan-ji - Buddhist temple
-Daishoin - Buddhist Temple
-Mani-den - Buddhist Temple
-Henjo Cave
-Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street"
"??:??: Ferry to Hiroshima
Hiroshima (evening):
-Night-time attractions
-Relax and/or visit some Hiroshima attractions we missed on Day #10."
Osaka days:
Day 12:
"Osaka (afternoon and early evening):
-Hozen ji
-Namba yasaka Shrine
-Namba Shrine
-Shinasaibashi-Suji Street - shop for budget travellers
-Umeda Sky Building Garden - free admission until 4pm with pass
-Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine"
8:00pm-11:00pm JST: Osaka Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl (via Airbnb)
Day 13:
"Osaka (throughout the day):
-Shop at Osaka Station - Pokemon and Mugiwara store
-Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower
-Japanese Garden
-Hozen Yokocho
-Umeda Sky for sunset views
-Umeda Sky Building Garden - free admission until 4pm with pass and 30% off after"
Day 14, which consists of Nara and Tokyo:
"Nara (early morning to very early afternoon):
-JR Nara Station
-1 min walk to Higashimuku Shopping Street
-2 min walk to Nakatanidou
-2 min walk to Kofuku-Ji Pagoda
-few min walk to Nara Park
-few min walk to Todai-Ji Temple"
"??:??: Travel back to Osaka (regular subway? bullet train?)
3:00pm: Bullet train to Tokyo
5:27pm: Arrive in Tokyo
"Shinjuku night life (evening):
-Godzilla head
-Giant 3D Cat Cafe
-Omoido Yokocho (Memory Lane)
-Kabukicho Tower
-Golden Gai
-(In case we didn't have a chance to visit it on Day #6 in Tokyo): Tokyo Metropoliton Government Buildiing (must visit before 10:30pm)
"
Then final day: Day 15: Fly back home
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These days seems way too busy
If you're using the e-Pass or Amazing Pass, then you can only go once, not 2 times.
Thanks. Definitely concerned with night #14 for sure.
Thanks for the heads up about Osaka Amazing Pass. We bought the Amazing Pass and yes we plan to visit Umeda Sky only once.
If you're going to Super Potato and looking to buy, I'd recommend also going to Surugaya Akihabara Game Museum and next door to that BEEP Akihabara, they're both very close to Super Potato. I get why people want to visit Super Potato, and they should at least once, but the prices are just insane. The second story of TRADERS is also great and nearby
Wouldn't Odaiba after teamLab Planets be a better flow? You're kind of on your way to Diver City by that point? Is it because of Zo-joji temple?
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Assorted thoughts:
- In Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is right next to the Gion district. You have that broken up over days 7 and 8, but maybe just move that + Sannenzaka / Ninenzaka to day 7?
- You could do Fushimi Inari and Nara in the same day on Day 8, then, which frees up Day 14 for perhaps more Tokyo things? Also, I keep hearing that starting Fushimi Inari from the bamboo forest entrance is great and might give a better experience than the Arashiyama bamboo forest, but did not do this myself.
- On Day 9, I'd recommend starting the day at Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and walking the Philosopher's Path down to Nanzen-ji. The cherry blossoms are gorgeous and if you get there early it hopefully won't be too crowded. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is a lot of work for a 15 minute photo op, honestly, but if you have your heart set on it maybe just take a taxi since it is otherwise out of the way. Arashiyama is fun but note that it's on completely the other side of town from this, and the bamboo forest is infamously crowded. I liked the monkey park in Arashiyama a lot, also.
- Seconding Construct that BEEP is great fun in Akihabara for retrogaming.
Thanks for this advice. Our Osaka to Tokyo bullet train ticket from Klook on Day 14 is booked for 3pm. I know I can take a later bullet train without penalty. Is it possible to take the train earlier? I really hope so!!!!
Edit: Talking to Klook support to see if this will be possible.
My wife and I really like your Kyoto ideas, hyouko . If we're allowed to take an earlier bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo on Day #14, then we can move Nara to Day 8 as you suggest, and head to Tokyo way earlier on Day #14. And construct , we added your Akihabara suggestions as "maybes" to our Day 3 itinerary (since that day is already a bit busy).
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It seems mostly good to me. Has more observation decks than I would do, but if you enjoy them then go for it.
Day 3: I'm not sure about your chances of seeing Fuji from Tokyo. At a glance, the weather forecast doesn't look too great, but I assume the Civic Center is very close to your hotel so you're not wasting too much time getting there.
The rest of the day would be very busy for me, but it depends on how much you want to do in Ueno and Akiba, since you definitely won't have time to fully explore both areas. Shopping on your first day also means you'll have to keep the things you bought with you for the entire trip, which can be a hassle if you go on a large shopping spree.
Day 5: Shinjuku Gyoen opens at 9am, and it's about 20 minutes from there to Shibuya by Google Maps. I'd say you'll probably have an hour at the garden before you need to leave for Shibuya.
Day 6: You go back to Shinjuku for the Metropolitan building. Consider if it makes more sense to put Shinjuku Garden here after you're done with the Uniqlo in Ginza. Personally, I like Shinjuku much more than Ginza for random walking around and exploring.
Day 7: If you're at Shijo-ohashi for sunset, Yasaka shrine is right next to you. I would move it here instead of doing it on day 8.
Day 13: You don't have a ton of stuff planned here unless you're going to spend a ton of time in Shinsekai. On the other hand day 14 can easily be made into a full-day itinerary. I would think about moving Umeda Sky to day 12 before the bar-crawl, and then swapping day 13 with day 14 so you get a full day in Nara. Otherwise, Denden Town is between Shinsekai and Hozenji if you want more anime shopping.
From my experience on my first trip, we stayed for 16 days and went to about the same amount of cities, it wasn't the best experience. While it was a great overall, all that travel time adds up and is quite exhausting. Things don't always line up like they should and trips can take much longer than expected.
I would say to pick a couple of things you want to do each day and then let your feet take you wherever. Just walking around to less popular areas can be an experience on its own, you always find some cool places.
If I were to do a similar trip again, I would visit like 3 cities and have one daytrip to Nara or whatever. I also would've booked my flight home from Osaka and gone to Nara when I first arrived in Tokyo to skip that trip from Osaka to Tokyo.
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Just 12 hours left until my journey starts, so excited to finally be going back!
Question, so with the chip shortage and not being able to get a suica/passmo what are my options for Android? I'm taking my mom and she has an iPhone so I can set that up for her but I would love to be able to just use my pixel. Does that not work?
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Get a shitty welcome suica or pasmo passport, unless you bought your Android phone in Japan.
You *might* get it working on a newer Pixel phone, but then you need to root and hack it.
Yeah I don't want one of those shitty welcome cards.
I guess I'll just fork the $50 to T-mobile for 30 days of international data for my iphone.