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Japan Travel |OT| We have to go back
- Thread starter MikeHattsu
- Start date
I'll be going to the concert too. So looking forward to it. Mostly for Sarah, really.
Huh? SIM card stopped working, but it should be well inside 30 days. I have wifi and I have the things I need available offline so it's not a disaster, but quite annoying.
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How do I get tickets to this 🤔
Oh hey, I should probably check in on this thread, huh?
I'm heading back to Japan later this week for the first time in 15 years. I kinda randomly decided to do it about a month or two ago on a whim, so I'm kind of winging it (to a point). Since I've spent a lot of time in the Tokyo area in the past, I figure I don't need to devote my whole time there to that, so I'm going to use some of the 9 or so days to check out some places I haven't been before. So far I'm planning on taking a ride out to Osaka for a day or two, and I'm considering taking a day trip to Hakone as well, though I know they got hit the hardest in the typhoon recently. I was thinking about going to Nikko, but it seems like the autumn colors have already mostly come and gone there, so I'm probably going to pass on that. Other than that, I don't really have a set agenda.
I'm heading back to Japan later this week for the first time in 15 years. I kinda randomly decided to do it about a month or two ago on a whim, so I'm kind of winging it (to a point). Since I've spent a lot of time in the Tokyo area in the past, I figure I don't need to devote my whole time there to that, so I'm going to use some of the 9 or so days to check out some places I haven't been before. So far I'm planning on taking a ride out to Osaka for a day or two, and I'm considering taking a day trip to Hakone as well, though I know they got hit the hardest in the typhoon recently. I was thinking about going to Nikko, but it seems like the autumn colors have already mostly come and gone there, so I'm probably going to pass on that. Other than that, I don't really have a set agenda.
I'm still heading to Tokyo for NYE. What is the best practice for exchanging my USD money for Yen. I'm currently living in DC.
How far in advance should I exchange my money?
Exchange the money in the US or Japan?
How much should I exchange if my spending budget is $2000?
What's the best way to store and spend the cash/coins while I'm in Japan?
Any additional recommendations/suggestions is helpful.
How far in advance should I exchange my money?
Exchange the money in the US or Japan?
How much should I exchange if my spending budget is $2000?
What's the best way to store and spend the cash/coins while I'm in Japan?
Any additional recommendations/suggestions is helpful.
Assuming you have a good bank/credit union that doesn't charge you for international withdrawals, you can always just use an ATM at 7-11 when you're there to get cash. I don't ever exchange money before arriving. I personally try to pay with card where I can (for rewards with a no-international fee card) and withdraw increments of ¥30,000 as needed.
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I checked the OP. Was seeing if there was any additional information.
Great OP and help as always!
Any recommendations for places to get "old" game OSTs? I'm looking for some FFXI arrangement and these seem to be more elusive than some other stuff I thought were difficult to find.
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I quite liked Yokohama. Decided to go there on a whim as it was one of the places that I missed on my 2015 tour from Tokyo to Fukuoka (via Nikko, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, and Shikoku). I loved how relaxed laid back it is. I can definitely see myself bringing my young son here next time.
Already tried those with no luck.
It was closed yesterday. Will have another chance when I come back to Tokyo in a few days.
On the train home now after being in transit for almost 48 hours (stayed the night at my cousin's). I can't wait to be home and start unpacking all the stuff as well as my impressions.
I did find both Labrys and Zelda 3 eventually, both in Mandarake stores in Nakano. Zelda was a bit expensive though at 7500 yen, not worth it to just have the box on a shelf.
I did find both Labrys and Zelda 3 eventually, both in Mandarake stores in Nakano. Zelda was a bit expensive though at 7500 yen, not worth it to just have the box on a shelf.
Living there, nope. It's exhausting. I'm a country guy at heart, and my favourite place in the world is the cottage in the middle of nowhere, where you can listen to complete and utter silence. Then again Akihabara is probably my second favourite place in the world - but only in small doses. Three days every three years seems plenty.
I don't know... I know about the work culture in major companies and urban centers and that has always been a reason I refrained from trying to apply for a job and moving here. But every time I venture into the suburbs, and you don't really have to go that far, life just seems so different and more calm. Sometimes I think I really wouldn't mind living in a small town in the suburbs in a Kyo-machiya. Maybe if I ever win the lottery lol
Anyone who is staying in Tokyo and wants to see a match, I went here in May and highly recommend it, especially if they get promoted to J1. The 15ish minute walk from Omiya station is gorgeous.
I got a job offer once from a company in Tokyo and it paid 1/3 what I make now but promised a lot more work.
My wife and I think about moving to Japan all the time. When we visited, we stayed at Air BnB's in suburban areas in Tokyo and Kyoto and it was so chill and peaceful, yet still just 20 min from city centers bus train.
As to the question about food costs, overall we found it very affordable, much less than we were expecting.
About the same as in Sweden, but admittedly we have high prices.
A vending machine drink costs 100-160 yen. Fast food like karaage or ramen or gyudon normally around 800-1000. Probably no upper limit to fancy food.
If you buy in supermarkets, probably way less. But there's so much good stuff in conbinis and restaurants.
We'll probably do fancy a bit but yeah everyday meals.
Like NYC Ramen is around $13 USD for cheap I seen Japan price for Ramen is around $10.
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TBH I found eating in Japan -- even eating relatively well -- was much more affordable than I thought it would be. Definitely have a fancy meal or two and be prepared to pay 1500-2500 per person depending on where you go, but I bet you'll end up paying about 800-1400 yen per meal.
Don't neglect the convenience stores for lunch or a quick and easy dinner. The food is actually really great, portions are perfect, and prices are cheeeaapp.
I thought the food prices were very affordable, just eating at normal places. Same as america.
Yeah. It's probably going to be cheaper than nyc as long as you don't want to eat fancy.
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Turns out its the Emperor's Birthday when I'm there in Feb, is there anything special done for it?
i'm staying near nihombashi station and need to leave for haneda at about 6pm for my flight back to australia on thursday. noting i have a big suitcase with me and it will be rush hour, what is the best option of the below?
1. take yamanote from JR tokyo to hamamatsucho, then take the monorail to haneda; or
2. take taxi from hotel to hamamatsucho, then take monorail to haneda; or
3. take limousine bus (i think there is one near JR tokyo).
i'm only reluctant about the trains because i've never taken a suitcase on during rush hour before.
1. take yamanote from JR tokyo to hamamatsucho, then take the monorail to haneda; or
2. take taxi from hotel to hamamatsucho, then take monorail to haneda; or
3. take limousine bus (i think there is one near JR tokyo).
i'm only reluctant about the trains because i've never taken a suitcase on during rush hour before.
I don't know how bad it is to take a suitcase during rush hour, but the limousine bus can be a good option if you're worried about it. Since you're probably having to check out of wherever you are staying earlier that day you could go early and take your suitcase on the train/subway to where the bus departs outside of rush hour and stash it in a coin locker or at a luggage storage counter.
i gotta check out at 10am, but yeah, the hotel will let me keep the suitcase here until later in the day.
Just a few more days before I leave.
Edit: My WiFi thing just arrived. It'll be nice not having to stop somewhere to get it in the airport this time.
Edit: My WiFi thing just arrived. It'll be nice not having to stop somewhere to get it in the airport this time.
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Of course, the Hakone Tozan Line between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora is still closed though.
just returned from my fourth tokyo trip. stayed at the hotel ryumeikan due to the shitty exchange rate, but i was pleasantly surprised at how much i enjoyed it. it's in a relatively 'quiet' area by tokyo standards in nihombashi, although you are literally 30 seconds walk away from a station and about 15mins walk away from ginza.
although this was my fourth visit, it was my first a) flying in/out of haneda and b) flying with ANA. haneda is great and reminds me of a slightly smaller HK. ANA on the way over was borderline flawless, but there were a few minor issues coming back. i got the impression their (economy) cabins have sliiiiightly more legroom than qantas, JAL, etc. am i crazy? i'm 6'1 so any extra room is always welcome.
tokyo was surprisingly very warm for november: one of my friends over there told me to bring jackets, sweaters, scarves etc, but most of the time i was wearing a tee. i was there in november 2008 (!!!) and it was freezing.
nine days went by way too fast as usual.
although this was my fourth visit, it was my first a) flying in/out of haneda and b) flying with ANA. haneda is great and reminds me of a slightly smaller HK. ANA on the way over was borderline flawless, but there were a few minor issues coming back. i got the impression their (economy) cabins have sliiiiightly more legroom than qantas, JAL, etc. am i crazy? i'm 6'1 so any extra room is always welcome.
tokyo was surprisingly very warm for november: one of my friends over there told me to bring jackets, sweaters, scarves etc, but most of the time i was wearing a tee. i was there in november 2008 (!!!) and it was freezing.
nine days went by way too fast as usual.
Landed and checked into my hotel. Yamanote was still closed when i got to Ikebukuro but luckily that was my stop.