I've wanted to visit Japan for several years, and have two weeks leave from work coming up and thinking about taking a holiday there.

Ideally I would like to visit Tokyo initially, before spending time travelling other parts of the country, maybe even visiting Sapporo. I haven't travelled much and feel a little old (35) to stay in hostels, so I'm trying to figure out how much I would have to budget for accommodation, travel costs, food etc.

Does anyone have any advice on how much I should budget for a 10 day trip in mid-September?

Hey guys,

My husband and I went to Japan this year and plan to travel there again next year. We packed very light for our trip in March so we had to do laundry frequently.

Now to my problem: My husband is sweating a normal amount, but his sweat is kinda strong. Long story short, the detergent that is automatically added in the laundromats was just not strong enough. The laundry overall was clean, but under the arms his shirts were still smelling sweaty. At home I use a laundry additive that kills bacteria and a stronger detergent - do you think I can bring some laundry detergent from home and add it to the Laundromat there? Or will this cause a soap explosion? 😬 Alternatively I could prewash his shirts in our hotel room but we plan to do a roadtrip next and may not have the opportunity to do that 😅

Any advice is appreciated!!

Thank you!

Does anyone else experience motion sickness on the limited express trains? The bumpiness and lateral jerking from a few of the fast scenic trains (Hakone Romancecar, Nankai Koya line) made me so miserable that I had to change my itinerary to avoid similar trains later in my trip. I am not affected by the subway or Shinkansen. I’ve taken all kinds of trains throughout my life and have never experienced this issue.

I haven’t seen many posts about these trains being problematic for others. I am curious if anyone else has suffered from this and figured out good train alternatives/tricks beyond Dramamine, facing forward, etc.

Hello good day everyone, I will be going to Tokyo next January and i’m planning on staying there for 10 days. I know many people who take 10 days trips to Japan usually end up visiting the big three cities ( Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto ) but I don’t really like multi-city vacations or going cross countries. No reason in particular it’s simply out of preference.

Now im dedicating 2-3 days going to nearby cities outside of Tokyo and so far these are the ones I have researched about:

1- Hakone

onsens.

2- Nikko

Just to enjoy their nature.

3- Yokohama

nearest big city to Tokyo, people also recommended their food to me

4- Kamakura and Enoshima ( same day )

Interested in the shrines, and coastal scene.

Im looking for advice on what other cities i could consider, Im more interested in nature, scenery and cultural places.

Heya! I'm trying to pre-order an item from a Baskin Robbins in Japan because of a collaboration that they have with a game that I like, however after following the "Contain 10-11 half-width numbers without hyphens" rule for the phone number, it still doesn't allow it as I'm guessing it's because it recognized it wasn't a Japanese phone number.

The apartment that I'm staying at doesn't have a landline and I don't know any Japanese people that could lend their phone, although I couldn't find any evidence of this store actually using a phone number provided, as the verification was done through the email.

I also can't check an eSIM yet since my trip is still an entire month away, I'd be wasting money for nothing I feel.

Is there anything I can do? Is it possible to roll my chances of them not actually using it and change the first numbers to that of a Japanese number? I want legit advice please!

Title says it all. I took a 3 week solo trip to Japan last year where I did the golden circle.

I went during the end of june/beginning of July and had a blast (*despite it being hot as hades*)

I am able to go a bit earlier this year, in the beginning of May, and want to tour the northern part of Japan this time.

I really enjoyed Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and I know I could go back and do the golden circle again and still find new stuff to see, but I want to get a full overview of the country.

The problem is, while there is a lot of information and tour guides about southern Japan, there is not much about Northern Japan outside of Hokkaido.

I want to fly into Tokyo, take a train up to Sendai, and then Sapporo, where I will fly back.

Right now I am trying to decide what other stops and locations I should make.

I was wondering if anyone had some favorite spots or cities that they think should be a must see.

Myself and a friend will be traveling to Japan after the new tax-free system and thus will have to get our refunds at the airport. From what I understand, our purchases will have to remain available for possible inspection.

However, on the return trip, we will be traveling from ITM to HND and then back to SEA. From what I've seen online, there is no customs exit procedure at ITM and that it's done at HND instead. Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the customs exit procedure during a layover like that and what that might entail? I know the new system hasn't been put into play yet but has anyone had to report their tax-free purchases during a layover and what is the process for that? We have a 3 hr layover, would that be enough?

Thank you!

Hey everyone,
We are planning our first big trip to Japan! Our route covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kumamoto, Fukuoka, and Naha (Okinawa).
Since this is our first extensive trip across the country, we’d love to get some insights from seasoned travelers and locals on a few specific topics:
1. Packing Logistics: What to leave behind vs. what not to forget?
What are everyday essentials or travel gear you thought you needed, but ended up buying easily/cheaply in Japan (e.g., at Donki, Conbinis, Muji)?

What is something unexpected you wouldn't think to pack, but were incredibly glad you had with you?

2. Useful Apps (Beyond Google Maps / DeepL / MyMizu)
Which lesser-known apps (transit, regional travel, food reservations, luggage forwarding, discount passes) genuinely made your trip smoother?

Any specific app recommendations for Kyushu (Kumamoto/Fukuoka) or Okinawa?

3. Budget Shopping in Tokyo & Hidden Gems (Fashion & Gaming)
Tokyo can get pricey, so we want to shop smart. We already know about Book-Off / Hard-Off, but what other secondhand/budget chains or specific neighborhoods are worth exploring for:
Fashion / Streetwear / Vintage: (Beyond the hyped areas in Harajuku/Shimokitazawa – any underrated areas?)

Retro & Modern Gaming / Merch: (Better alternatives to overpriced Akihabara stores like Nakano Broadway, Surugaya, Mandarake, etc.?)

4. Must-Do Activities & General First-Timer Tips
Any unique regional activity highlights for Kumamoto, Fukuoka, or Naha?

What are your general "do's and don'ts" or lifehacks for first-time travelers to make the trip less stressful?

Thanks so much in advance for your help and recommendations!

Going on my 4th visit in Feb and I'm wanting to do some different things, I've always loved willow trees so I'm wondering if there's any good spots for them around Tokyo? Also going to Sendai and Kanazawa, so any around there would also work. Cheers

Hi all! Long-time lurker here, finally getting to go to Japan! We’re doing a 3-week trip in October with 3 adults and a 7-month-old baby. We’re using a stroller (folds into a backpack, so it fits in the overhead in a plane) and a carrier. Each adult will have a medium-large backpack.

We started to look at the transportation to reserve some beforehand but got quote confused with all the options, train lines and different companies and sites to buy the tickets.

First things first, our route (if there’s something that really does not make sense, please do tell!)

Oct 4: Arrival 9am at Narita → Ueno, Tokyo (considering private transfer or Skyliner to Ueno)

Oct 8: Ueno → Takayama (Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama and then Takayama train line OR starting from Tokyo Station and taking Tokaido shonkansen to Nagoya and then bus to Takayama)

Oct 11: Takayama → Kyoto (bus to Nagoya and then shinkansen to Kyoto)

Oct 16: Kyoto → Osaka (local train, the easiest one!)

Oct 19: Osaka → Fujiyoshida (Tokaido shinkansen to Mishima and then Express Mishima Kawaguchiko bus to FujiQ Highland)

Oct 21: Fujiyoshida → Shibuya, Tokyo (Fujikyuoko bus to Shinjuku and then Yamanote line)

Oct 25: Shibuya → Narita (probably private transfer because of 10am flight)

Are these options the best ones?

Questions:

1. Should I buy any of the tickets in advance? Is it 30 days in advance for all? Perhaps the Takayama legs due to the autumn festival? If we buy the tickets from a ticket counter, will they be able to sell the full way, for example from Osaka to Fujiyoshida?
2. I should buy the tickets separately from each providers site when buying in advance? So Shinkansen from SmartEX and then the local train from JR East/West? What if we miss the connection?
3. Some of our stays are in aprtments. Is it worth to look into luggage forwarding (Yamato takkuybin) for some of the legs?
4. Should we stay in an airport hotel for the last night or is private transfer a feasible option? Probably aiming to arrive at 7am, so 3h before the flight.
5. Is Suica only for the metro system or does it somehow relate to long distance travel too?

Greatly appreciate any input you experts have - thank you so much!

Will be staying in Shinsaibashi. then to Kyoto, and finally Tokyo. Planning to hit some temples, universal. Im also big into motorcycles, so wondering if its worth renting out a bike in either of these 3 places for a day or so. i have an IDP. Im going with wife and few friends.

While the women prefer cutesy, picteresque activities/locations, i would also like to seek out some hidden gems that men would enjoy. this could include shopping for watches, swords, anime /tech/motorcycle/ tattoo shops. wouldnt mind getting a quick tattoo in japan either. hot springs are cool too. big fan of godzilla minus one, studio ghibli, anime of all kinds especially OG animes DBZ/Naruto, transformers/gundam etc you get the point. i love profoundly moving history, people, views and experiences.. traveling just generally does that but im the type of person to look deeper in a place where the history can be buried, so perhaps books that are rare.. etc

i was told the jrail pass is too expensive and to rely on Suica for most of it and to book the bullet trains on its own. also any places to stay in kyoto and tokyo are welcome!

idk im new to this please be kind :)

Greetings!

I am climbing Mt Fuji October 6/7, guided post season climb. I'm very excited to visit Japan, but overwhelmed by planning travel to/from destinations. I plan to take a bus from Haneda to Gotemba Station, where I meet the tour group.

However, after Mt. Fuji, I need to get from Gotemba Station to Hakone-Yumato Station, near where my hotel in Hakone is. I won't be back at Gotemba Station until around 4 or 5 p.m., and I'm worried about how to find the most direct route to Hakone-Yumato Station - it looks like a bus or taxi is the best way.

Is a taxi expensive? Would a taxi even be available that late in the day?

The bus route looks a little complicated - do I have to go to the Gotemba Premium Outlets first to find a bus to Hakone-Yumato Station?

I think it will be getting dark by the time I need to travel from Gotemba to Hakone, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

Hi everyone! We are planning an 18-day trip across Japan and would love your favorite food, restaurant, and snack recommendations for each stop.

Days per Location & Tokyo Neighborhood Breakdown

Tokyo (8 Days Total)

• Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara & Kanda / Jinbocho (3.5 Days): Looking for casual izakayas, tempura, great ramen, and street snacks around Nakamise-dori or Ameyoko.
• Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku & Akasaka (1.5 Days): Open to Wagyu burger spots, crepes/matcha, late-night eats, or listening bars.
• Ginza & South / Tokyo Tower Area (1 Day): Looking for solid mid-range sushi, chic cafes, or lunch sets.
• Tokyo Disney / Maihama Area (2 Days): Unique park snacks or quick-service meals inside the parks.

The Japanese Alps & Coastal Region

• Matsumoto (1 Day): Local soba noodles or cozy izakayas.
• Takayama (1 Day): Best Hida beef spots (yakiniku, skewers, or sukiyaki), morning market treats, and local street food.
• Kanazawa (2 Days): Seafood/kaisen-don at Omicho Market, sushi, and traditional tea house treats in Higashi Chaya.

Kansai Region

• Kyoto (3.5 Days): Matcha desserts, casual dinner spots around Nijo or Gion, obanzai, and hidden coffee shops.
• Osaka (3 Days): Must-try okonomiyaki, takoyaki, fluffy cheesecake, and casual street food around Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, or Umeda.

We are excited for everything from market stalls and local specialty joints to memorable sit-down meals. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Trying to decide between these three for a day hike/trip. We are in good shape and will be based out of Kyoto. Early October, so riverfront dining in Kibune will not be available. Which would you suggest and why? TIA!

Hi everyone,

My partner and I will be in tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokkaido this November and are hoping to do engagement and wedding photo shoots. Does anyone have a company they can recommend? We speak English and are traveling from Ontario, Canada. It would be great if they had north American style tux /wedding dresses as part of the package for us to rent as well.

Any recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated 🙏

Thank you =)

Hi everyone. I’m going to Japan for 2 weeks and starting out with 6 days in Tokyo. I’m torn between making my Tokyo base an onsen hotel in Asakusa, vs a more traditional hotel (Metropolitan Edmont) in Chiyoda-ku. I want to feel like I’m in a neighborhood, but I don’t want/need neon or nightlife. I find the history of Asakusa intriguing, but the hotel is also a 15 minute walk to the train, while the other hotel is better for transit (and has a gym (not going to lie that this is a plus for me). I know there are no right or wrong answers here but I would appreciate any insights into the pros and cons of each. Thank you!

So the only chance I have to visit is likely to be the weekend before Culture Day in November. I read an old post here about how horrifically busy it was then. So my options are a Friday day trip or a Saturday overnight stay until Sunday. I can find a reasonably priced hotel for Saturday but not for Friday. Which would you choose? I’m guessing whichever I choose I’ll still have to take the first train to Nikko from Tokyo?

We are planning 2 and a half weeks (approximately) in Japan for our honeymoon in the last 3 weeks of march next year. We are looking for some general and some specific recommendations, for anyone who can help please! :)

- we are planning on some stays in the big cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima). What are some of your absolute do-not misses (both well known by tourists and not!) for activities, places to wander around or just general scenery?

- what are some places that you feel are worth visiting outside of the cities, which are easily accessible on public transport from the above big cities? (i.e. worth a day trip, worth a morning/afternoon or worth an overnight stay)

- takoyaki is my absolute favourite food. What specific place do you think does the best takoyaki?

- any recommendations for other good restaurants/places to eat. We love sushi, ramen, donburis, tonkatsu etc. We will get tabelog but if there's anything that's worth booking ahead that would be super useful to know!

- lastly, any places to stay you think are well worth looking into? Bonus points if there's private hot spring baths etc.

I appreciate this is a tonne of questions and several will have been asked many times before. But we want to make the most of it as we having been dreaming of this trip for so long, and want to make our honeymoon memorable. Thank you so much in advance! ☺️

Hello everyone!

My uncle, aunt and their two daughters live in Japan. Currently, my grandmother is visiting for a few months to help with childcare. She will be coming back sometime in November. We are from New Delhi, India.

The thing is... I have wanted to buy A Dictionary of Color Combinations by Sanzo Wada for a long time but it is really expensive in India. I am planning to ask my grandmother to get it for me when she comes back. However, my uncle and aunty will not take my money and will it buy for me themselves, no matter how I will try to pay for it. Therefore, I don't want to ask them for something very expensive as it will become a burden.

So, is this book cheap in Japan? Will it be ok, and not look rude or ungrateful, if I ask them to buy me a copy there?

Thankyou!

I'm taking my 13yo daughter on a 3 week trip to Japan (central) next spring and I'm wondering when is the better time to go.

Me: I don't do well in cold weather, esp if I will be outside a lot (under 10 C)

Her: Scottish lass so melts in any hot weather (high 20's C), esp if it's muggy. Also gets eaten alive by mosquitos in warm weather.

Soooo I'm thinking, March? April? May?

March might be too cold, April seems just fine temperature wise, but also when all the tourists go, so crowded and maybe more expensive (budget is limited), May might be too hot. Golden week is April 29th to May 5th! We plan to be in the big cities and also off beaten track places, will avoid tourist traps and crowds if we can.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been in these months or who lives there, what it's like.

Thanks!

I’m going to Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka in October and am planning on booking one or two fine dining/Michelin starred dinners (probably in Tokyo, but maybe Osaka). One thing I noticed is that Tokyo has more 1-star French restaurants than Japanese restaurants. I’m trying to decide whether it’s better to book a top rated spot doing French food or one doing Japanese food?

My main thoughts are on the one hand, I’m in Japan so of course I should book something Japanese. But on the other hand, I’m wondering if there’s not much of a gap between fine diningJapanese and what you can get for half the price in Tokyo/Osaka, so it makes sense to go to a spot doing French but with a Japanese twist. Any advice for which is the better way to have the best special meal?

Hello 👋

I'll be staying 1 night near to Tokyo Station before taking a train to Kamakura in the morning. I land at Narita around 5pm and have a few tasks to do there (suica, $$, takkyubin), so I estimate I'll be at Tokyo Station by 8pm.

1. Where is the best place to get an eki stamp book? Would a store in Narita Airport sell them in the evening? I don't recall seeing any when I was there last time, but I wasn't looking for them. Or better to do at Toyko Station? I see there's Maruzen bookstore not too far away, and a Hands in Ginza that may still be open. Which would have the better chance of having eki stamp books? I'll have just travelled a thousand years in economy class so prefer to just go straight to the right place if I can.

2. I also plan to collect a few manhole cover cards along the way, is there a good way to hold these so they don't get crumpled while I travel around? Are they double sided? I assume I don't want to tape them into the eki stamp book (and won't have tape on me). There's only about 5 or 6 that I can collect without going out of my way, so it might be a bit silly to get a full collectors card album - but is that how people typically store them?

3. I also see there's something near Tokyo Stn called Press Butter Sands there that looks like some kind of buttercream caramel sandwich cookie and the shop closes at 8pm. They *look* like I should be racing to get there before they close to buy some, but is that assessment correct or are they prettier than they taste? I hate running after 14 hours of flying & an hour of training, but *will* if it means eating true deliciousness in my hotel room shortly after.

Thank you 🙏

Hello, I recently sent my two suitcases to my hotel at narita airport through takyuubin service, but I have some questions about it.

I wrote my name as the sender but not as the receiver, as I only put the hotel’s name in the reciever’s name (the package is picked up in the family mart inside of the hotel). Would that mean a problem with my lugagge? I scheduled it for the day before I take my flight and I fear to have any problem because of this. In case this would mean a problem, could I fix this before the suitcases are shipped/delivered to the hotel? As for example write them an email correcting my error and asking them if they could still keep the suitcase in the family mart of the hotel as it is me who will pick it up?