An island nation in East Asia known for many aspects of its unique culture and having one of the world's largest cities, Tokyo as its capital.
8
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1answer
193 views
Can you still buy used panties in vending machines as a souvenir from Japan?
In 1999 I came across a vending machine of used panties while hiking through Japan. Apparently it was made illegal in 1993, but still in 1999 they seem to be wide spread. Is this still the case, or ...
16
votes
3answers
918 views
How should I wash clothes in Japan?
I'm going backpacking for a month in Japan and I plan to pack lightly. So I have couple of questions about how I can wash my clothes in Japan.
I expect laundromats to be quite common in big cities ...
3
votes
2answers
44 views
Do I need Japanese transit visa when arriving at Narita and departing from Haneda?
I'm arriving from New Delhi, India (Indian Passport) by JAL at Narita on 11th July 0730 hrs and departing for San Francisco by Jal Flt 2 at 0005 hrs 12th July very early morn from Haneda. Do i require ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
Attend Sumo match in Nagoya
I'm planning to buy tickets for a sumo match in Nagoya in July. As A tall European guy who never visited a sumo match before I'm struggling to decide which tickets to buy.
To really experience sumo ...
7
votes
4answers
156 views
Japan's crumbling temples and shrines — How can I find them?
I will be staying in Japan for a few weeks late this summer, and would like to find a bunch of back-woods, off-the-beaten-path temples and shrines, especially if they are dilapidated and not "new" ...
17
votes
3answers
787 views
How do you know if a Japanese person means no when they say yes?
I have come across a few situations when a Japanese person will extend themselves beyond what they probably should to help people. I am often worried when asking them to do something that they will ...
13
votes
1answer
142 views
Presents for Japanese couchsurfer hosts
I was evaluating doing couchsurfing during my next trip in Japan and this question: What does a couchsurfing host expect from their guests? makes me want to ask if there is a sort of "etiquette" I ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Guided tours of Japanese nuclear power plants
Do any Japanese nuclear power plants offer guided tours of their facilities? I'm aware that most nuclear plants in Japan are currently not producing electricity, but that's not a big problem.
8
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1answer
146 views
Safety [petty crimes, mostly] in Japan
I'm fully aware of the fact that Japan is considered a quite safe country in regards of petty crimes. However, I recently stumbled upon alerts about the Roppongi area where [quoting from wikitravel]
...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
Advices on how to attend the auction at the Tsukiji market in Tokyo
I'm very aware of this question What are my chances of getting into the Tsukiji fish auction if I arrive by 5:25? but I'd really like to be there in time for the auction so that I can take pictures of ...
4
votes
1answer
86 views
Daisetsuzan (Hokkaido, Japan) Grand Traverse, how hard?
I'm planning a trip to Japan and I'd like to spend one week immerse in Japanese nature. I've read something about the "Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse", which is a 5 days and 55km trekking on a route that ...
8
votes
2answers
216 views
How expensive is a vacation to Japan?
Since I am planning a vacation to Japan this fall, I'd like to have a rough overview about my expenses. I'm flying from Germany (probably Frankfurt) to Tokyo. I know that the flight alone will net me ...
5
votes
1answer
86 views
Is it considered “cheap” to not eat dinner at your ryokan?
I'm booking accommodation near Izu Inatori for the dontsuku matsuri (don't google it at work!) and I'm considering whether to book dinner at my ryokan.
I suspect that I'd rather be able to eat out so ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Ski rental for Mount Gassan
I'm visiting Japan in late May, early June, and I hope to go skiing. Mount Gassan (月山, literally "moon mountain") in Yamagata prefecture seems to be my best bet - it has a ski season of April to July, ...
24
votes
4answers
1k views
What is wrong with eating while walking in Japan? It doesn't seem to be an issue in other Asian countries
I have seen on many etiquette questions about Japan that this is a no no, but I can't seem to find what the reason for this is. I know that in countries like Taiwan or China it doesn't seem to be an ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
Where can I find a local guide for Japan?
My friends and I are going to Japan in October. A coworker mentioned that there's a site where university students will gladly guide tourists in exchange for transportation/food costs and learning ...
4
votes
4answers
110 views
Finding cheap apartment for a month in Japan and South Korea?
In these countries, if I decide on a whim that I would like a regular apartment for one month, what's the best method to find something CHEAP (less than 300USD) no matter where I am?
Craigslist or ...
7
votes
1answer
72 views
Universities open to public in South Korea and Japan?
In California and most other states in the USA, at public universities (and sometimes private universities), it is possible for anyone who is not affiliated with the institution to walk into a ...
6
votes
2answers
75 views
Staying on the Nakahechi route without walking
The Nakahechi route is part of the Kumano Kodo walking trail network in Honshu, Japan. I am taken with the idea of staying on this route in particular but do not want to do more than moderate ...
5
votes
1answer
49 views
Hard copy travel guides with information on Tohoku post-tsunami
The 12th edition of Lonely Planet Japan entirely removed Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. I ended up bringing the 11th edition (pre-earthquake) with me when visiting Japan.
Are there hard ...
5
votes
3answers
130 views
Do official health agencies recommend getting the “Japanese Brain Fever” vaccine for travel to Japan?
I will be spending four weeks in Japan, visiting all of the "main islands" except for Hokkaido. Some of the activities would be hiking across the woods and mountains as well.
The vaccine is for ...
2
votes
1answer
126 views
Web 2.0 style tourism bucket list sites
I'm in the early stages of planning a three week trip to Japan, and I'm still working out where to go. There's a couple of things on my "to do" list, but I want to find out if there's any activities ...
3
votes
3answers
95 views
Are there Onsen towns with both skiing and geisha?
Last year, I found out that some onsen towns had geisha (and still do!), and that other onsen towns have ski resorts (for example, Zao Onsen), and I wondered if any towns had both. As well as enjoying ...
10
votes
3answers
231 views
Internet in Japan
During travel in Japan I would like to have internet in my laptop and Ipad. What is not very expensive solution to do that? Is there any prepaid internet in Japan? I Think I will need 1GB
4
votes
2answers
179 views
Overcoming the language barrier while experiencing traditional Japanese culture
I'd like to see live performance of traditional Japanese culture. For example, watching noh theatre or bunraku, as opposed to merely seeing artworks or pottery. Unfortunately, my Japanese is fairly ...
30
votes
6answers
1k views
Japanese etiquette: Most common (and offensive) mistakes?
I am aware that Japan has many unwritten rules of etiquette. What are some of the most common (and offensive) breaches of etiquette made by visitors?
On the flip side, what behaviors show respect ...
5
votes
4answers
155 views
Kamakura, Japan: Feasibility of day trip from Tokyo?
I will be in Tokyo for a conference and was hoping to check out Kamakura for a visit.
Is it practical to travel to Kamakura for a day trip, or should I look into overnight accommodations?
5
votes
1answer
72 views
ROC to TYO - how can I reduce the cost of my flight?
I'm trying to find the cheapest flight I can from ROC, Rochester, New York, to one of the airports in Tokyo for a six week study abroad in Kobe. I'm wondering what the cheapest, OR easiest routes from ...
6
votes
1answer
156 views
Visa: How specific must the itinerary be when visiting Japan?
I am planning on visiting Japan and I am required to get a visa for entering the country.
One of the requests for me to get a visa is to specify what my itinerary is, the problem is that I don't know ...
3
votes
0answers
25 views
Do I need a transit visa at Narita airport? I am an Indian citizen travelling from South Korea to India [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Layover at Narita, Japan. Do I need a transit visa?
The flight of Japan airlines from Seoul arrives at Narita on 14th Feb 4 pm and flight for Delhi departs on 15th Feb ...
8
votes
3answers
159 views
Is it possible to go from South Korea to Hong Kong by sea?
More specifically from Busan (but other sites also possible).
My plan is to do Japan - South Korea - Hong Kong by sea.
7
votes
2answers
579 views
How, specifically, can I travel between Taiwan and Okinawa by sea?
This is a followup to a previous question of mine where we established that it is possible to travel between the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan.
So now that we know that it's possible, and because ...
5
votes
1answer
332 views
Safety and practicalities of eating dolphin meat in Taiji, Japan
At a recent Japan festival, amongst the various tourist brochures I got, one was for Wakayama prefecture, which included a page for Taiji. If I visited there, I'd have to decide whether or not to eat ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Tax refund in Japan
I'm an Italian tourist and I bought a certain amount of things here in Japan.
Is it possible to have a tax refund at the airport? In particular Narita airport.
In case it is possible, what kind of ...
5
votes
1answer
61 views
What is the best way (price wise) to travel from Japan to Mexico and Venezuela, then come back?
What I want to do is go to those two countries for a week each. Basically the order doesn't matter much for me. But I must depart from Japan and come back.
I was wondering if there was someone ...
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votes
0answers
82 views
What is a suitable place in Japan for learning the language? [closed]
What are good cities that teach japanese language?
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vote
0answers
58 views
What is the cheapest way to travel from Italy to Japan? [closed]
In city for relaxing, for tourism and learning Japanese language,for 3 months,
what city best to choose,whats place to live -hotel,flat.........
1
vote
1answer
144 views
Does Amazon Japan deliver to hotels? [closed]
Is it possible for travellers to Japan to buy stuff at Amazon and have it delivered to the hotel?
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I use a power adapter designed for USA in Japan?
I'm about to travel to Japan (from UK) and can't seem to buy a mains adapter that specifically says it can be used in Japan. However, the internet (e.g. Wikipedia) tells me that Japanese power sockets ...
3
votes
1answer
118 views
Should I buy the Suica & N'EX package to go from Narita to Tokyo?
I read in this post that maybe it's a good idea to buy this package to go from Narita to your hotel and have get some subway credit. This page states that for ¥3500 I can get a one-way trip plus some ...
4
votes
1answer
273 views
How easy is it to find stores that do tax refunds in Tokyo?
According to this governament site, some stores offer tax refunds to tourists. Is it very common to find in Tokyo?
Specifically, I want to buy electronics at the Ginza Apple Store. Will I be able to ...
4
votes
1answer
128 views
Is it possible to use the JR Pass at these stations in Tokyo?
I'm thinking about staying in this Horidome hotel because I read it's a good place to get to other places.
I'll buy a Japan Rail Pass, but I didn't understand if I can use it at nearby subway ...
4
votes
1answer
61 views
What are the opening dates for ski areas at Nagano?
Are there fixed dates for the openings of ski resorts at Nagano or does that depend on the snow fall?
6
votes
2answers
283 views
Can tourists meet onsen geisha nowadays?
Japan's most famous geisha are from Kyoto, Japan's former capital and still a major cultural capital of Japan. But I've also heard of onsen geisha, far away from the big cities, who are at the bottom ...
7
votes
3answers
190 views
Suitable (and affordable) accommodation in Japan with children
Some years ago I backpacked through Japan. It is still one of the highlights of my traveling career. We are now considering going to Japan with (small) children. Based on my earlier trip I consider ...
4
votes
1answer
194 views
Are there any prepaid travel cards available in Japanese Yen?
Are there any prepaid travel cards (like the Amex GlobalTravel) available in Japanese Yen?
5
votes
1answer
305 views
Is Willer Express reliable?
I'm organizing few days in Japan and I would like to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto during the night.
In a previous question I asked for a good connection.
I finally decided to use an overnight bus.
...
4
votes
1answer
124 views
Japan tourist visa without ticket for expat in Shanghai, China
I'll be in Shanghai under a business visa for 5 months. During the third month, I would want to travel to Hokkaido, Japan for one week break. I'm a Malaysian and I'll need to obtain a short-term ...
3
votes
3answers
256 views
Where can I photograph fake geisha in Kyoto?
I've read about tourists who go to Kyoto to get made up to look like geisha or maiko. Over half a million a year according to Foreign correspondent, and mostly Japanese, based on some makeover houses ...
11
votes
1answer
547 views
Are there high crime areas in Japan that I should avoid?
According to the this link (in the "Crime" section), I should avoid the areas of "Roppongi, Shinjuku (especially the area of Kabuki-cho), Shibuya, and Ikebukuro" in Tokyo, due to them being high crime ...
