Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back

MikeHattsu · Oct 13, 2019

Looks like the Hakone Tozan Railway is messed up as well:

They only got it running between Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto now and the rest of the line will take a long time to fix.

MikeProtagonist · Oct 13, 2019

It's a bit surreal seeing the damage and at the same time being excited for my trip. I found a couple of live houses near our hotel in Dotonbori so we'll be checking out some bands.

Alice · Oct 14, 2019

Sorry for changing the topic with a more general question, but I guess you guys would know best:

My Japan trip is getting closer and closer, and the one thing I keep pondering right now, due to how strong the Yen is compared to the Euro... where to buy?

I've 3.5k Euros set aside for this trip, and I'm not sure, if I should just go buy Yen here before I fly, or buy Yen in Japan. Logic dictates that buying Yen in Japan should be more pricey, due to fees and all. What's everyone's experience with this?

Argyle · Oct 14, 2019

Alice said:
My Japan trip is getting closer and closer, and the one thing I keep pondering right now, due to how strong the Yen is compared to the Euro... where to buy?

I've 3.5k Euros set aside for this trip, and I'm not sure, if I should just go buy Yen here before I fly, or buy Yen in Japan. Logic dictates that buying Yen in Japan should be more pricey, due to fees and all. What's everyone's experience with this?

I don't exchange cash anymore, I just get money out of my checking account from an ATM. Whether this works out better for you kinda depends on if your bank charges extra fees for foreign transactions, though... The rate you get exchanging cash is usually pretty bad in my experience, so the only reason I'd bring cash is just to make sure you have enough to cover your first night if your bank card doesn't work for some reason.

Alice · Oct 14, 2019

Argyle said:
I don't exchange cash anymore, I just get money out of my checking account from an ATM. Whether this works out better for you kinda depends on if your bank charges extra fees for foreign transactions, though... The rate you get exchanging cash is usually pretty bad in my experience, so the only reason I'd bring cash is just to make sure you have enough to cover your first night if your bank card doesn't work for some reason.

Last time I went, there was a 500 yen fee. Not sure about ATM exchange rates. Is there anywhere I can check what ATM exchange rates currently are?

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

Alice said:
Not sure about ATM exchange rates. Is there anywhere I can check what ATM exchange rates currently are?

You have to check with your specific bank/card issuer.

MikeProtagonist · Oct 14, 2019

Last time I brought maybe 50000 yen, but there was no problem getting more from ATMs at convenience stores.

mantis · Oct 14, 2019

For me it was always cheaper to get the Yen from an ATM in Japan than exchanging them at my bank.

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

mantis said:
For me it was always cheaper to get the Yen from an ATM in Japan than exchanging them at my bank.

Same here, but I've seen some banks that other people I've traveled with uses that charge horrible amounts of ATM withdrawal fees and currency conversion fees.

Alice · Oct 14, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
You have to check with your specific bank/card issuer.

Just did, rates are good, but they limit me to a daily withdrawal of 500 Euros, which is all kinds of bullshit. :(

Metalix · Oct 14, 2019

kami_sama said:
Oh shit, I remember the ferry terminal at hakone. Damn, the lake is up a lot.
You can even see the pirate ship at the back.

That's nuts to look at, was just there 2 weeks ago and it was sunny & serene!

kami_sama · Oct 14, 2019

MikeProtagonist said:
Last time I brought maybe 50000 yen, but there was no problem getting more from ATMs at convenience stores.

For me only the convenience store ones worked for me. Every other ATM gave me errors.
But as they are pretty ubiquitous, it's not really an issue.

Metalix said:
That's nuts to look at, was just there 2 weeks ago and it was sunny & serene!

Same thing, I was almost exactly 2 years ago (I think the 9th) and it was great.

TheAggroCraig · Oct 14, 2019

I plan on just doing an ATM withdrawal, as my bank (TD Bank) supposedly doesn't charge conversion fees, they'll probably just nail me with different ATM fees which is fine if I'm only going to withdraw a few times at most.

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

TheAggroCraig said:
I plan on just doing an ATM withdrawal, as my bank (TD Bank) supposedly doesn't charge conversion fees, they'll probably just nail me with different ATM fees which is fine if I'm only going to withdraw a few times at most.

If you using one of their credit cards it seems they have a 3-5% cash advance fee depending on the card... $3 in ATM fees on their debit cards, or free depending on your account type.

TheAggroCraig · Oct 14, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
If you using one of their credit cards it seems they have a 3-5% cash advance fee depending on the card... $3 in ATM fees on their debit cards, or free depending on your account type.

Just using my debit card over there for cash withdrawals and nothing else. Any purchase that I can use a credit card for will be going on one of my travel cards with no international fees.

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

TheAggroCraig said:
Just using my debit card over there for cash withdrawals and nothing else. Any purchase that I can use a credit card for will be going on one of my travel cards with no international fees.

Aha

Deleted member 2328 · Oct 14, 2019

Alice said:
Sorry for changing the topic with a more general question, but I guess you guys would know best:

My Japan trip is getting closer and closer, and the one thing I keep pondering right now, due to how strong the Yen is compared to the Euro... where to buy?

I've 3.5k Euros set aside for this trip, and I'm not sure, if I should just go buy Yen here before I fly, or buy Yen in Japan. Logic dictates that buying Yen in Japan should be more pricey, due to fees and all. What's everyone's experience with this?

Since you're talking about Euros, then definitely get a Revolut pre-paid card. From my experience they always have the best exchange rate, and their free plan allows withdrawal from ATMs up to €200 with no fees.
Basically I use it to pay for everything in foreign currency that can be paid by card (Ex: hotel, supermarket/combini ) and recharge the card directly from the Revolut app as needed. For everything else I buy Yen from my local bank beforehand as the exchange rate for Euros while in Japan is usually worse.

Alice · Oct 14, 2019

sechsterangriff said:
Since you're talking about Euros, then definitely get a Revolut pre-paid card. From my experience they always have the best exchange rate, and their free plan allows withdrawal from ATMs up to €200 with no fees.
Basically I use it to pay for everything in foreign currency that can be paid by card (Ex: hotel, supermarket/combini ) and recharge it directly from the Revolut app as needed. For everything else I buy Yen from my local bank before hand as the exchange rate for Euros while in Japan is usually worse.

Woah, sweet, thanks for the tip!

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

sechsterangriff said:
From my experience they always have the best exchange rate

Note the markup if you use the card in the weekend though:

https://www.revolut.com/help/gettin...rencies/what-foreign-exchange-rate-will-i-get

Deleted member 2328 · Oct 14, 2019

Alice said:
Woah, sweet, thanks for the tip!

No problem. Just keep in mind that Japan is still very much a cash based society so you'll definitely need some Yen with you. That being said it's slowly changing and there are a lot of places where you can pay by card. So in those places where you can use your card definitely use Revolut.

MikeHattsu said:
Note the markup if you use the card in the weekend though:

https://www.revolut.com/help/gettin...rencies/what-foreign-exchange-rate-will-i-get

Right. I tend to forget to mention this because it's still way lower than what I would pay in fees using my local bank cards. In this case it really depends of one's circumstances.

Alice · Oct 14, 2019

sechsterangriff said:
No problem. Just keep in mind that Japan is still very much a cash based society so you'll definitely need some Yen with you. That being said it's slowly changing and there are a lot of places where you can pay by card. So in those places where you can use your card definitely use Revolut.

Right. I tend to forget to mention this because it's still way lower than what I would pay in fees using my local bank cards. In this case it really depends of one's circumstances.

Oh, I've been to Japan plenty of times, the caveat this time is, that I have to use a Hotel, and that's why the withdraw limit of 500 Euros is bugging me since I wanted to pay cash upfront.

As long as I can pay by card when I spend a fortune in Tokyu Hands, everything will be fine. But afaik they'll take my Visa just fine.

Atom Heart Mother · Oct 14, 2019

Hi everyone! I posted here quite a while back asking for advice on my first solo trip to Japan. I went on my trip in August and had the time of my life! It was so much fun meeting my Japanese friends, going to yakiniku, drinking, sharing art, etc.. So much fun! So much fun that I went back last week for another Doujinshi event, but this time I helped my friend sell his book alongside him. Really felt like I contributed to something. I really love Japan, planning to go back in March for spring break.

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

Atom Heart Mother said:
I really love Japan, planning to go back in March for spring break.

Another one living up to the OT title ;P

Atom Heart Mother · Oct 14, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
Another one living up to the OT title ;P

It also helps that another event is during my spring break too, makes it easier ;)

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

Atom Heart Mother said:
It also helps that another event is during my spring break too, makes it easier ;)

Not joining us for NatsuComi tho...

TrafficCoen · Oct 14, 2019

Hi all, I'm heading to Japan for two weeks with two of my best friends next month. We're all 23, will have a good amount of Yen and are going around Japan in the order of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima then back to Tokyo. We're all fairly nerdy guys, and staying predominantly in air bnbs but what I really want to ask is for any really interesting, less touristy/more native activities you'd think we'd enjoy

Atom Heart Mother · Oct 14, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
Not joining us for NatsuComi tho...

This year's Natsu Comi? I was there! But I couldn't really join with you guys because I was there with my Japanese friends, we had dinner planned for afterwards.

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

Atom Heart Mother said:
This year's Natsu Comi? I was there! But I couldn't really join with you guys because I was there with my Japanese friends, we had dinner planned for afterwards.

How bout FuyuComi then ;p

MikeProtagonist · Oct 14, 2019

TrafficCoen said:
Hi all, I'm heading to Japan for two weeks with two of my best friends next month. We're all 23, will have a good amount of Yen and are going around Japan in the order of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima then back to Tokyo. We're all fairly nerdy guys, and staying predominantly in air bnbs but what I really want to ask is for any really interesting, less touristy/more native activities you'd think we'd enjoy

Go to a local music event. Get surprised looks as you are the only foreigners there.

Spend an entire day in Taito HEY in Akihabara or (if it's as awesome as they say) Mikado Game Center in Shinjuku.

Eat at izakayas rather than posh restaurants or (the horror) McD.

Atom Heart Mother · Oct 14, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
How bout FuyuComi then ;p

Nah, I gotta save up for money.. Comiket is fun and all but I prefer Reitaisai (Touhou event). What days did you go to for NatsuComi? I only went on the 4th day.

firehawk12 · Oct 14, 2019

I have a friend stuck in Japan an extra week because of the typhoon and all the flights were bumped. I think he's just trying to find things to do in Tokyo now to try to make the best of it.

TrafficCoen · Oct 14, 2019

MikeProtagonist said:
Go to a local music event. Get surprised looks as you are the only foreigners there.

Spend an entire day in Taito HEY in Akihabara or (if it's as awesome as they say) Mikado Game Center in Shinjuku.

Eat at izakayas rather than posh restaurants or (the horror) McD.

I'd give my friends the frostiest looks if the were like "Let's head to Burger King" in Japan of all places

TheAggroCraig · Oct 14, 2019

firehawk12 said:
I have a friend stuck in Japan an extra week because of the typhoon and all the flights were bumped. I think he's just trying to find things to do in Tokyo now to try to make the best of it.

Oof... I'm supposed to fly into Tokyo (Narita) this Friday, I hope there isn't too much of an issue on that end as I haven't heard anything from the airline yet.

firehawk12 · Oct 14, 2019

TheAggroCraig said:
Oof... I'm supposed to fly into Tokyo (Narita) this Friday, I hope there isn't too much of an issue on that end as I haven't heard anything from the airline yet.

His flight out is now scheduled for Saturday, so I assume it's fine by then unless something else comes up...

MikeHattsu · Oct 14, 2019

Atom Heart Mother said:
What days did you go to for NatsuComi?

Didn't go this year

MikeHattsu · Oct 15, 2019

That arcade in Kawasaki is closing down:

https://kotaku.com/legendary-japanese-arcade-anata-no-warehouse-is-closing-1839051433

Worthintendo · Oct 15, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
That arcade in Kawasaki is closing down:

https://kotaku.com/legendary-japanese-arcade-anata-no-warehouse-is-closing-1839051433

Oh no, that was always one of those places I wanted to check out

MikeProtagonist · Oct 15, 2019

Theoretically we could go there. We've got a day set aside for Mikado Game Center. Would this be a better place?

MikeHattsu · Oct 15, 2019

MikeProtagonist said:
Theoretically we could go there. We've got a day set aside for Mikado Game Center. Would this be a better place?

Why not both? ;P

MikeProtagonist · Oct 15, 2019

MikeHattsu said:
Why not both? ;P

Well, we might.

TheAggroCraig · Oct 15, 2019

A friend of mine let me know this was closing last night, I guess I'll make the effort to get out there one night.

Mendrox · Oct 15, 2019

Alice said:
Sorry for changing the topic with a more general question, but I guess you guys would know best:

My Japan trip is getting closer and closer, and the one thing I keep pondering right now, due to how strong the Yen is compared to the Euro... where to buy?

I've 3.5k Euros set aside for this trip, and I'm not sure, if I should just go buy Yen here before I fly, or buy Yen in Japan. Logic dictates that buying Yen in Japan should be more pricey, due to fees and all. What's everyone's experience with this?

Just get money from a 7/11 ATM with your credit card.

Edit: holyshit is the yen strong compared to euros currently. Last time I was there I had a rate of 135yen/euro

firehawk12 said:
I have a friend stuck in Japan an extra week because of the typhoon and all the flights were bumped. I think he's just trying to find things to do in Tokyo now to try to make the best of it.

holyshit, a whole week? o_O

MikeHattsu · Oct 16, 2019

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...itors-to-japan-plunges-nearly-60-in-sept.html

The number of South Korean visitors to Japan plunged nearly 60 percent in September from a year earlier, following a 48.0 percent tumble in August, amid frayed ties over wartime history and trade policy, government data showed Wednesday.

The Japanese government aims to attract 40 million tourists from overseas next year, when the country hosts the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. But the goal has been overshadowed by the deteriorating Tokyo-Seoul relations, which have prompted some airlines to suspend services connecting the two countries.

The estimated number of South Korean tourists fell 58.1 percent to 201,200 in the reporting month, the Japan Tourism Agency said. However, the overall number of foreign visitors rose 5.2 percent to 2,272,900, led by a 25.5 percent increase in Chinese tourists to 819,100.

By country and region, Taiwan came second in the China-topped list with 376,200, up 14.3 percent, followed by South Korea and then Hong Kong with 155,900, up 23.6 percent.

Benjamin · Oct 16, 2019

I leave Japan tomorrow from Narita.

I have some yen leftover and was wondering if Narita (after security) isa ripoff like most airports or is it ok value? I'm talking souvenirs. Otherwise I'll spend at Tokyo station.

MikeHattsu · Oct 16, 2019

It's a ripoff :p

TheAggroCraig · Oct 16, 2019

Yeah I feel like the rule of thumb is to not buy stuff at the airport unless it's an "oh fuck I forgot to buy stuff" moment.

Laevateinn · Oct 16, 2019

Save your yen for your next trip

Pedrito · Oct 17, 2019

Left yesterday and I was quite shocked to see how bad Narita was compared to the rest of the country and asian airports in general (terminal 2 at least). Really rundown and barely any shops/restaurants passed security. They're doing renovations but even the "after" pictures don't look too appealing.

Metalsnakezero · Oct 17, 2019

I wonder how Haneda Airport is doing since it the airport me and my family will be landing in late Nov. I imagine most things will be back in order by the time we get there but I expect some things to be in repair.

Ottaro · Oct 17, 2019

Pedrito said:
Left yesterday and I was quite shocked to see how bad Narita was compared to the rest of the country and asian airports in general (terminal 2 at least). Really rundown and barely any shops/restaurants passed security. They're doing renovations but even the "after" pictures don't look too appealing.

This is the most frustrating thing. There are I think 2 restaurants and a cafe, and that's it.
Getting through security has always been incredibly fast, but the stress of knowing I still have to get through it prevents me from hanging around the shops and restaurants before security for very long. Doesn't leave me with very many food options, and I prefer eating right before getting on a long flight to avoid the in-flight meals.

Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back

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