Friday, December 06, 2024

25 random tips for Japan

 


1. Better to stay one week in one place than 7 different places in a week.

2. Better to go one bar all week and meet all the regulars and go a different bar each day.

3. You DO NOT have to use the JR Pass. It might be cheaper just to pay as you go. The regional passes used to be amazing because you did not have to use them on consecutive days ie you could choose which days to use them but now if you got a 5 day regional pass, it is five days in a row instead of you being able to choose which 5 days to use them.

4. You don't have to use the shinkansen when there are also cheaper express train options. Sure it will take 45 minutes vs 15 but how much in a hurry are you when you van save money and enjoy looking at the countryside.

5. Cash is king but you can put cash into your suica and use it as most places now accept payment by IC card.

6. Bring a bag for rubbish as bins can sometimes to hard to find and bring your rubbish back to your hotel. Don't be like those people from a certain country who leave their rubbish at hotel lobbies. You can dispose of some rubbish at convenience stores.

7. When on trains or trams, make sure to wear your backpack on your front so you are taking less space and move inside where there is more space. If you are standing at the train door, get off at the next stop so everyone can get off and then get back on. When you want to get off and you are far from the doors, just say 'sumimasen, orimasu' and the sea will part.

8. If you think you might want something, stop thinking and buy it. Better to regret buying something than not buying at all and don't assume you can find it somewhere else. I recently learnt this again on mercari. Sigh.

9. The less money you spend on accommodation, the more you can spend on alcohol. No point spending money on a 3 star hotel when you are out all day. Business hotels or bijiho are amazing. Japan can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.

10. Get away from the places that have too many foreign tourists and go where the locals go like KitaKyushu or Tohoku or Shikoku. 



11. Learn to read hiragana and katakana and your trip will be a lot more interesting.

12. When at an event, do not take pictures of cosplayers without asking permission first.

13. Always buy at shops with 10% tourist tax exemption. Some shopping centres charge a handling fee so you only get 8% back.

14. It is ok to get lost and explore randomly, especially away from main streets. Side streets are where the interesting shops or eating places are at.

15. Watch out for the female only trains in Osaka, especially during peak hour. On a side note, on the Osaka loops, they have different queues for normal or rapid trains which are marked on the ground.

16. At a lot of eating places, you are required to return the trays. If your food comes on a tray, there are usually tray return slots.

17. In emergencies, keep an ear out for pachinko parlours and arcade centres as they have toilets. When you are in the countryside, konbinis usually have them as they have a huge parkIng space in front for drivers to stop.

18. Be flexible with your itenerary and don't pack it full. Have a list of things/ places you are interested in but go with the flow. I have had to change plans halfway many, many times.

19. Explore the food in convenience stores an you will never look at konbinis the same way again.

20. At sushi trains, stack similar coloured plates together to make it easier for the staff to add up your bill.

21. You will see people handing out tissues with advertising stuff usually outside train stations. Take the tissues because you never know when they will come in handy especially in the countryside.

22. You can always leave your luggage at the hotel you are staying before check in time or use the coin lockers at train stations.

23. Use the humidifier in your hotel room during winter because the air gets very dry with heater on and I have gotten sore throat from the dry air.

24. Always stay on the left on stairs and escalators except when you are in Kansai.

25. If you missed the last train , manga cafes are your best friend. Cheapest way to spend a few hours until the first train back.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

And what ever happens - don't panic.
It doesn't help the situation, it makes people less likely to help if you need it. Stay calm, there will be a solution....sure not what you were planning but if you let go of your pre-planned schedule - you and everyone around you will have a better time.
It's all about how little time/energy you expend before you get back to your itinerary.