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.
5
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1answer
329 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
191 views
Do any of the ferries between Korea and Japan charge per car and not per person in a car?
I've travelled on ferries between Korea and Japan probably more than anyone else using our site so far, but there's one thing I never thought about until now:
Do any of the ferries commonly take ...
4
votes
1answer
192 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?
6
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1answer
113 views
Japan Rail Passes, will I need one?
When I got to Japan, I am going to spend 8 days in Tokyo (doing central sight seeing), 5 days in Osaka (with 3 return train trips to Kyoto to see the area) and a day in Hiroshima then a train ride ...
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0answers
82 views
What is a suitable place in Japan for learning the language? [closed]
What are good cities that teach japanese language?
7
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1answer
107 views
How can I find a good school to learn Japanese in Tokyo?
So I'm trying to live in Tokyo, and would like to learn japanese. I'm looking for an immersion school that will teach me Japanese starting from the basics to intermediate level (JPTL4-JPTL2).
I used ...
7
votes
1answer
158 views
Are most flights to Japan staffed by hosts with good Japanese?
Are most flights from Australia to Japan staffed by hosts with good Japanese language skills?
I assume that Australian based airlines would, but I'm not sure about airlines that are based in ...
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
57 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
143 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?
5
votes
1answer
302 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
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 ...
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
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?
7
votes
2answers
139 views
Are there other country-based theme parks in Japan besides “Huis ten Bosch”?
During my visit to Japan, I was surprised to find Huis ten Bosch, while on my way to Nagasaki. It is a park where major and historic buildings from the Netherlands are remodelled on a same-size base. ...
4
votes
4answers
431 views
Carrying large amounts of Cash in Japan
Is it, generally speaking, safe to carry large amounts of cash (US$4000) in Japan?
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 ...
28
votes
3answers
2k views
I have a tattoo. Can I visit a public swimming pool in Japan?
A friend of mine is currently traveling in Japan. She has a small tattoo on her neck. Now she wanted to visit a public swimming pool but was denied entry.
It was difficult to understand the reason ...
11
votes
1answer
544 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
75 views
What are the typical/traditional events taking place during Christmas and New Year's day in Tokyo?
I am looking for traditional events taking place in Tokyo during either Christmas or New Year's day. Could you make some suggestion of cultural events you can only enjoy at these particular moments?
...
4
votes
1answer
193 views
Best connection Tokyo - Kyoto
I'll travel to Tokyo during the first 2 weeks of November.
What's the fastest and not too much expensive way to reach Kyoto from Tokyo?
As reported here: a Shinkansen ticket form Tokyo to Kyoto is ...
3
votes
1answer
694 views
How much does it cost to eat at Jiro's?
How much does it cost to eat a "typical" meal (if we may call that) at the famous Japanese restaurant Jiro in Tokyo, per person?
2
votes
1answer
375 views
How many days to know Tokyo? [closed]
I'm going for a 10-day trip to Japan and need to schedule it. For this question to not be specific for my case and useful to others, I'd like to know how many days is a good number to get to know ...
5
votes
1answer
260 views
Male nerd here, how on earth can I listen to an “otohime” / “sound princess”?
The other day, I read about "otohime", also known as "sound princess":
Many Japanese women are embarrassed at the thought of being heard by
others during urination (see paruresis). To cover the ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Portable wifi hotspots in Japan
Instead of getting a prepaid SIM chip, I'm thinking of renting a mobile wifi hotspot. I've found these two so far. Two questions:
Are these reliable? I will be mostly in the big cities.
If I'm not ...
6
votes
2answers
128 views
Amusement parks in the Tokyo area
What big popular amusement parks are there in the Tokyo area? I am looking for anything with fun rides, a bit of history if possible and nice surroundings. If the locality is close to other ...
4
votes
1answer
468 views
How big are “twin” beds in Japan?
It's been my experience that "twin" sized beds in Japanese hotels are quite a bit bigger than what we would call "twin" here in the US. How wide/long are they exactly?
6
votes
1answer
247 views
Internet access in Japan
What options are there in terms of prepaid Internet services? Are the charges reasonable? I will be there for no more than two weeks so prepaid seems to be the sensible option.
5
votes
1answer
153 views
Taking photos in Japan
I plan on taking photos of everywhere I go in Japan and am wondering if there are certain places, e.g. airports or possibly temples, where photos are not to be taken.
A link to online resources would ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Is there a guide regarding places least known/visited in Japan?
While I can find guides regarding places to visit in Japan, they all seem to promote the same places Tokyo shopping, inner city shrines, etc. Is there a website or book regarding places in Japan that ...
6
votes
3answers
321 views
What are the cheapest ways to get from East Asia to Australia?
I have a return ticket that gets me from Turkey to Korea to Australia but it cannot be extended beyond the end of May.
I'm thinking of forfeiting or refunding some leg(s) of my ticket but as my ...
9
votes
2answers
346 views
Does female sword fighting as entertainment still exist in Japan?
The "Lonely Planet Tokyo" iPhone app describes female sword fighting as a bygone form of male entertainment:
Surprisingly, striptease almost failed to catch on due to the
popularity of a rival ...
4
votes
1answer
190 views
Good mountains to camp on in Japan
I'm planning a trip to Japan next year. It will be my first time there. While there, I'll probably spend a few days hitting up the major tourist attractions, but I'd also like to spend some time ...
14
votes
9answers
1k views
Can I side-step discrimination against foreigners in Japan?
I've heard that there can be discrimination against foreigners, and even naturalized citizens born in other countries, in Japan, and that it happens in onsen, bars, and adult entertainment ...
4
votes
1answer
289 views
Options for flying to Tokyo from Seoul
We are planning on the ferry from Fukuoka to Busan and then fly back to Tokyo from Seoul a week later. What are the options for flying one way from Seoul to Tokyo? We would like to find something ...
9
votes
1answer
230 views
Exchanging business cards in Japan
In Hong Kong (and I believe other parts of China as well), one offers his business card by holding it with both hands with the text unobscured and oriented so that the other person can read it. After ...
6
votes
2answers
147 views
Unambiguous contact details for Japanese people
What are some good ways of getting unambiguous (yet not too intrusive) contact details for Japanese people you meet on your travels?
Apparently, Japanese people don't have a middle name, and I've ...
3
votes
1answer
234 views
Changing yen to won in Japan vs. Korea
Is it better to change yen to won in Japan or Korea? We are about to move from Japan to Korea and just want to get the best rate.
4
votes
2answers
368 views
How to buy Japanese baseball tickets from the US?
What's a good way to buy Japanese baseball tickets from the US?
I'm trying to get tickets to the 4/13 Tigers game at Koshien stadium in Osaka. I can read Japanese, and would love to buy from the ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views
Avoiding human trafficking when getting a massage in Japan
I'm currently unable to distinguish between Japanese, Korean and Chinese ethnicities. How do I avoid exploiting victims of human trafficking while having a massage in Japan?
Is human trafficking more ...
4
votes
2answers
439 views
Will luggage offices in Japanese train stations hold bags overnight?
I understand that many JR stations have luggage offices (手荷物預かり所) that will temporarily keep your luggage for a fee. Is it possible to leave luggage there overnight?
10
votes
2answers
3k views
Solo travelers choosing a mixed gender onsen
I'm planning on going to a mixed gender onsen (konyoku), and one place suggested to me in Nyuto onsen village, Tohoku, has a male only section, a female only section, and a mixed section. If I'm by ...
5
votes
2answers
468 views
Where to get Ghibli museum tickets: JTB or Lawsons?
As I understand it, there are two options for getting tickets to the Ghibli museum: through a local travel agency before we get to Japan, or at a Lawson's convenience store after we get to Japan.
I ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
How long does it take for letters to get from Osaka to Tokyo?
I would like to order tickets to be mailed from Osaka to my hotel in Tokyo. How long should I expect it to take? It'll be mailed by standard post (no express charges).
5
votes
1answer
130 views
What are my chances of getting into the Tsukiji fish auction if I arrive by 5:25?
From the Tsukiji article at Japan-guide.com, I understand that they start taking names for auction visitors at 5am, and let the first 60 in at 5:25, and the next 60 in at 5:50.
Because the trains ...
5
votes
2answers
343 views
Can you receive mail at hotels weeks before you arrive?
Do hotels accept mail for guests that haven't arrived yet? Even weeks in advance?
I am buying tickets for an event (see this question), but the vendor can only mail tickets to a Japanese address. I ...
1
vote
1answer
436 views
Why do the Japanese wear masks like Surgeons in Tokyo? [closed]
In Japan, Tokyo it is common to see Japanese people walking around with masks like the kind Surgeons wear during surgeries.
Why do the Japanese wear masks like Surgeons in Tokyo?
12
votes
2answers
473 views
Cell phones in Japan
What are the options for getting a smart phone up and running when travelling for a couple of weeks in Japan?
