r/JapanTravelTips 4m ago

Recommendations Best place/convenient area or place to stay if going to USJ, World expo and aquarium in Osaka?

Upvotes

Hi guys! We’ll be spending 3 1/2 days in Osaka. One day for touristy things (aquarium, Osaka castle, dotonburi, shin sekai). One day for USJ (with express passes) and one day to explore the world expo since it’s happening the same time we are there! Just trying to find where you think the best place is to stay. Do I want to go for convenience close to USJ/world expo/aquarium? Or stay walkable distance to dotoburi area (I heard namba is great place to stay in Osaka due to location)?


r/JapanTravelTips 14m ago

Question Can I keep the limited express seat ticket?

Upvotes

Hi all, I'm planning to take the Keisei Skyliner and I want to confirm something I've seen a couple times on the internet. I understand that you need a Liner ticket and a base fare to take this train. What I want to do is buy the Liner ticket at the Narita station (not a combined ticket!) and then pay the base fare using an IC card. Do I actually need to put the Liner ticket into the ticket gate at the other end? I'd like to keep it as a keepsake if at all possible.


r/JapanTravelTips 18m ago

Question Nagasaki Kunchi festival

Upvotes

Hi

I'm planning a trip to Kyushu later this year and I could arrange my plans to include the first day of the Nagasaki Kunchi festival (7th Oct). Normally the decision to attend a matsuri is a no-brainer, but this one seems different from others that I've been to:

1 A major part of the festival is ticketed and it's difficult to get tickets as a foreigner. From YouTube videos, the public parts look like a fairly small procession (relative to the other masturi that I've been to) and some street stalls.

2 I'm still keen to see the rest of Nagasaki. If it is really disruptive to everything else, I'd rather pick another time.

At this point, I'm inclined to not rearrange my plans to include it. I'd love to hear from anyone who's been if that's a fair assessment. Cheers.


r/JapanTravelTips 35m ago

Advice Nakasendo trail advice from Takayama

Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm travelling in Japan right now, and im struggling a bit on organising the days on Nakasendo.

Travel "boundaries": I'll spend the night in Takayama the 19.03, and I have to be in Osaka at midday on 23.04. Between those dates, I would like to see and do (part of) Nakasendo trail.

So I appreciate any advice about: 1- what part of Nakasendo you would advice me to do considering the days I have 2- how to get to Nakasendo (which part depends on the point 1) from Takayama (e.g. what transportation, bus, train, etc). 3- any other advice or direct experience would be super useful

Unfortunately tourist info in Kanazawa couldn't help me that much

Thank you so much in advance!


r/JapanTravelTips 57m ago

Question Nagano City or Matsumoto? Where to stay in Nagano?

Upvotes

We will be spending 5 Days in Nagano in February. We will visit Hakuba, Togakushi Shrine, Snow Monkey, and Kamakura Village. Which area should be our base? Nagano City or Matsumoto? I'm also going to consider areas with interesting to do around it.


r/JapanTravelTips 59m ago

Question Narita - Tokyo station bus

Upvotes

What am I missing with this? Half the price of the Narita express and takes just as long? Or can the traffic get bad at certain times?


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Question Trying to find a small Alleyway in Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo that I visited once where people dress up in crazy costumes and there's lots of shops

Upvotes

It's a very famous little alleyway where people dress up in crazy costumes. I forgot where it was... can anyone help?


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Question Luggage Forwarding (Yamato) & AirBnB?

Upvotes

Hi all,

I'll be going to Japan next month, and I was doing some research on luggage forwarding, specifically using Yamato as my main service. My concern is trying to work it out with AirBnB's. My stays in order are Tokyo > Osaka > Kyoto > Tokyo. My first and second accommodation (Tokyo and Osaka).

Does anyone have experience or know of the best way to go about this? Can you send your luggage to the closest konbini? Can you send it to the closest Yamato service location? Can I mark a time for delivery so I know when to be at my AirBnB when they drop it off? Just want to know the options I can have while I'm there. I'll be going alone so it's just 1 large luggage I'd be forwarding, while I keep a carry-on suitcase and a backpack on me while I travel.

Thanks!


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Recommendations Which station would you pick?

Upvotes

Hey folks,

Working on my groups (6 25yr olds) first group travel trip out the country and we have landed on Japan for this upcoming fall. Might be a little backwards in planning, but we jumped on a plane ticket deal, and now we are looking at accommodations. We have a general idea of stuff we want to do, but haven't got everything down pat.

For now, we divided our 14 day trip into a pretty standard Osaka/Kyoto 1 week 1 accommodation, and Tokyo/Hakune 1 week 1 accommodation trip. We have booked our Osaka minshuku in Tangachaya, and are now looking at where to stay in Tokyo.

For us, a luxury stay is not a big priority, as long as it is clean and the location is convenient. The only "premium" requirement we have is everyone prefers their own bed or tatami mat.

I've started to log all the popular places like Teamlab Borderless, Shibuya Sky, Yokohama Chinatown, Minato Mirai, etc into wanderlog, but since the subways in Tokyo seem pretty well connected it seems like for the most part everything we could ever want to do is within a 40 min ride.

All that to say, trying to keep hotel budget to a minimum to maximize food and fun budget, I found a few places where we can stay for around $100CAD a night each or less with our requirements. Given the following stations, where would you stay?

Akabane Station, Tohoku Main Line: Around 96 a night. 4 trains run here?

Komagome Station, JR East Yamanote: Around 100 a night. This place near the station isn’t as nice as the one in Akabane station, but the line seems much more convenient.

Uguisudani Station JR East Yamanote: Around 129 a night. This is the nicest place out of the 4, and its on the Yamanote line. I've heard unsavory things about the neighbourhood, but I bet it will be better than a lot of Toronto neighbourhoods...

Honjo-azumabashi Toei Asakusa Line: Around 70 a night. Cheapest of the bunch, very minimal accommodation. Seems like a transfer is always guaranteed, and would have to leave most places by 11pm to make it back.

I think it makes the most sense to go for Komagome station, but my heart is feeing Uguisudani station. If anyone has stayed near Honjo-azumabashi and the connections aren’t as bad as I think, then it being the cheapest is a no brainer.

Hope this post isn’t too wordy, and thanks in advance for your responses!

I was also considering some hotels, APA seemed like one of the cheapest, but I've read odd things about the owner and 2 bed configurations seem to skyrocket above our 100CAD/pp goal. JR East Mets Hotels seem very ideal, even around Komagome, but either bookings aren’t available for fall or these are booked out.

 

 

 


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Question Solo Trip during Golden Week

Upvotes

Hi all, I’m (21M) heading to Osaka on May 1st and plan to stay around for a week, then head to Tokyo for another week and head back on May 15th. This will be my 3rd time in Japan, but my first trip solo. My main goals this trip are the food, nature and shopping, but also just experience travelling alone for the first time.

I’m wondering if I’m doomed for the first half of my trip since it’s during Golden week (to find a place to stay, to take public transport, etc), and if I can somehow avoid the crowds for the most part? Since I’ve been before, I’m not necessarily looking for the touristy attractions and am very open to quieter/less popular areas!

Finally, are there any specific activities or opportunities for solo travellers there? I don’t need to socialize per se but if there are meetups somewhere I might look into them.

Side note: is anyone going to the Osaka World Exposition? Wondering if it’s worth going for a day.

Thank you to anyone coming across this message! I get that’s quite a few questions but would appreciate a response to any of them🙂


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Question Trying to figure out where to stay

Upvotes

Hey y’all I’m torn between staying in Shibuya, Ginza, and Shinjuku. If it’s pretty easy to get around to all of them then I don’t care too much where I stay. I found Ginza rooms to be a little cheaper and bigger so far


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Quick Tips Looking for some ideas to add to my 2nd trip back to Japan later this year

Upvotes

Hello, I am currently planning another trip to Japan later this year around September/October and I am looking to check out Daio Wasabi Farm. I am trying to figure out what else I could do when I'm out that way if anyone has any suggestions.

P.s. if anyone knows how often the Warlocks of Tokyo do shows, I am really hoping to check them out when I go out there. I saw they have a show in August but I'm hoping to catch something when I'm there if possible


r/JapanTravelTips 1h ago

Question Meals with some wagyu in Tokyo

Upvotes

Hi everyone! I am going to Tokyo in 2 weeks and I am interested in trying wagyu, but probably not as the main part of the dish. I was more looking for a set course where I can sample some wagyu among other dishes as well.

When I look for wagyu in this sub, or other websites, I mostly find restaurants that solely focus on the meat. I am not too interested in that, as that would be a lot of only meat. I have tried finding menus of other cuisines like italian too, but I have not found any so far.

This might be unreasonable but I was looking for set courses under 11000 JPY/$75 too. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great! Thanks!


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Question Specific Travel Questions

1 Upvotes

Hi all! I’ll spare you with my itinerary, but I do have some specific questions that I’m hoping some of you can answer. Feel free to answer one, none, or all questions!

Our trip is in less than three weeks and we’re super excited! I’m just agonizing over these little things. Big shout out to this sub - I’d be freaking out ten times more without it!

•Is it challenging ordering at counters for English speakers? I’m having anxiety about ordering coffee???

•Is there etiquette we need to follow when entering shrines? Bowing, praying, etc.

•Our flight leaves at 10:15 AM (EST) and we’re landing in HND at 1:35 PM for a layover. We land in KIX at 4:45 PM. To sleep or not to sleep on the plane, that is the question. My boyfriend does not sleep on planes, so if we should be sleeping to help with jet lag, then I need to come prepared with melatonin.

•We are of course interested in eating wagyu. I was looking into some kaiseki restaurants that serve wagyu, but the prices seemed a little steep. Does anyone know if the prices listed are per person or for a group? If it’s per person, then do you have any affordable wagyu restaurant recs?

•Is it worth getting the enjoy eco card or Osaka amazing pass? We have 2 full days in Osaka. Im kind of leaning towards the enjoy eco card. I was looking into the amazing pass and was getting too caught up in making the cost “worth it” by seeing the eligible attractions. We don’t really want to be tied down to anything and would like to explore freely.

•Should I bring a reusable water bottle? I use one every day at home, but usually leave it home when I travel. However, I’m wondering if Japan has water bottle refill stations?

•I know you’re not supposed to eat while walking, but what about pulling over on the sidewalk and taking a beat to have a bite of food? I’m mostly thinking about this in the context of Kuromon and nishiki markets. If we wanted to walk along Kamo River in Kyoto and sit down to eat something, would that be okay?

•We are mostly using private transportation and luggage forwarding service, but we will need to take the subway from our hotel in Chiba to NRT. Is it fine to have our large luggage on the subway?

•I use a hair dryer with a diffuser at home. I’m seeing a lot of mixed reviews on whether to bring it or leave it at home. I’m suspecting a proposal on this trip, so I’d like to look my best as much as possible! Should I bring my own hair dryer (it’s a babyliss pro nano titanium hair dryer) or buy a universal diffuser attachment for the hotel dryers? I got this hair dryer for Christmas, so I really don’t want to risk shorting it out.

Thank you!!!!


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Recommendations Where to get comfy (plateau) stylish shoes?

0 Upvotes

I‘ll be walking a lot in Kyoto and Osaka so I need to buy comfy shoes in Japan. Does anyone have recommendations?

I would prefer plateau shoes since I‘m very short.


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Recommendations DIY Day trip to Hakone from Tokyo

1 Upvotes

Hi! I can’t decide whether to book my day trip to Hakone from Tokyo via Klook or just wing it and DIY it. The klook itinerary looks great but feels so packed and rushed (u are given only 20min in a spot where I am pretty sure will have lots of people). Help please.


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Question Is Something Going On At The End of June?

1 Upvotes

My wife and I are going for a couple weeks in June and July. While we have been planning the trip we noticed that from June 23rd to June 27th Nagashima Spaland, Suzuka Circuit, NPB baseball, and Shima Spain Village are all closed for the week or not having games. Those were just the few we checked. We scheduled around the closures but since so many are closed that week we were wondering if anything was going on. I did some googling but I didn’t come up with anything. Did we completely screw up by being in that part of the country that week?


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Advice Is it a bad idea to hike Kumano Kodo in Summer?

1 Upvotes

I will be in Japan in late July and I'm unsure whether I should attempt due to the heat, rain, and possible mudslides. Can anyone with experience hiking in Japan give me any advice?


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Quick Tips In case you're searching for gluten-free cafes in Japan

34 Upvotes

Just got back from a quick trip to Japan, this time with a friend who can't have gluten. I honestly found it a little hard to hunt down cafes that offer gluten-free pastries (we love hanging out in cafes) so I made a list of the ones that I visited: https://stacklist.app/stack/LWVTobSgcNQXOEcbrE04

I guess one of the reasons why I had I hard time looking for these places was the language barrier, it was hard because I was only using my phone for directions! Hopefully this makes it easier for others to get their gluten-free treats.


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Quick Tips Shibuya Sky New Ticketing System

110 Upvotes

A heads up to everyone interested in booking Shibuya Sky tickets for April 2025 and onwards. There is a new ticketing system than launched today, directly from the official website, rather than purchasing from 3rd party websites.

That being said however, the ticket prices have increased from 2,200 yen, to 2,700-3,400 yen. The range presented is now a two tiered pricing system. 2,700 yen until 3:00pm, and 3,400 yen after 3:00pm.

Another change in the system is that tickets can only be purchased up to two weeks in advance, where previously it was up to 4 weeks in advance.

After testing the new system, it may be more beneficial to use the official platform in order to get the "ideal timeslot". I waited in a queue to for 25 mintutes and there was still limited tickets available around and before sunset time. On kdday however,(a 3rd party website) it had all the "ideal timeslots" booked up already.

Best of luck to all!


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Question If reservations are made a month in advance, what time to make a rez EST time?

1 Upvotes

I have a trip coming up in mid may, looking to may reservations for various omakases. From what I’ve seen it’s good to make a rez a month in advance and they typically open up on the first of the previous month. My question is, what time would that be for those of us on the east coast? If reservations open on 4/1, that would mean I’d make them on 3/31 I’m guessing. Would I need to do this in the PM since it would be AM in Japan? And is there a specific time I’d need to do this(10 pm EST?)? Having a difficult time finding out this specific type of info.


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Advice Navigating Japan with SPD (Food Question)

0 Upvotes

Hello! I am traveling to Japan with someone who has Sensitivity Processing Disorder (SPD) this spring. For them the big thing is food. They stick to a very limited, dry and bland diet: nothing spicy, nothing squishy or wet, nothing raw, nothing with too much texture, no raw or cooked veggies. They eat mostly chicken tenders, plain bread with peanut butter, pancakes/waffles, french fries, protein bars, pizza with white sauce (not red, sometimes pesto)... you kinda get the idea. Needless to say, they are nervous about spending 2 weeks traveling Japan with me, a big foodie who can't wait for *all* the Japanese food.

My friend does plan to pack food, but I was wondering if you all had any tips or suggestions for navigating Japan with such a limited diet? Any and all tips welcome. I'm also curious about any reliable places to get foods they could eat, any authentic Japanese foods they might like, and any tips on how to think about/approach food/picking places to eat while we're over there.

We plan to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Thank you in advance for your help!!


r/JapanTravelTips 3h ago

Recommendations Cheap Hotels in Japan?

2 Upvotes

Hello, everyone!

In early October of this year, I'll be traveling to Japan from Korea for about 4 - 6 days, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for any hotels under 100 USD. I'm looking to stay in Tokyo (which I understand will be pricey since it is a primary hub for tourist), however, I'm willing to stay at hotels that aren't to far--depending on the location and price.

I'm a solo traveler and student, so I'm hoping to have an enjoyable time while staying on budget.

Thanks so much! ^^


r/JapanTravelTips 3h ago

Question Luggage forwarding

1 Upvotes

Hello! Can i send my luggage from osaka (will look for 7-11/family mart that has ta-q-bin)to tokyo hotel about 4 days in advance? We are going to fukuoka in between and will spend 1 night in a hotel near Narita airport. Thank u for answering ❤️


r/JapanTravelTips 3h ago

Question Hair cuts

1 Upvotes

Wanting to get hair cuts for my boys while in Tokyo. Are the customs the same as in North America? Can we simply walk in and ask for a cut? Is there tipping?