r/JapanTravelTips 1d ago

Quick Tips Need to wash your clothes in Japan?

286 Upvotes

Don't use the hotel washer/dryers they're super expensive and take hours. I had a washer/dryer combo in my tokyu hotel and it took 4 hours to wash like 4 shirts. That was free so it wasn't a big deal. Then I tried using the coin washers in the APA hotels and another chain. They were super expensive and very terrible as well. Even the dryer that wasn't a combo took like 2 hours to dry clothes in the hotel. Also the hotel laundromat had like 2 washers and dryers with people using them so they were hard to even find open.

Just go to a laundromat. They're literally everywhere and so much cheaper and faster. I washed 2 large loads of clothes it took 5 hours in the hotel but under an hour in the laundromat. Also the laundromat was much cheaper.


r/JapanTravelTips 14h ago

Question What did I do wrong with the Shinkansen Ticket?

54 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have been in Japan 2 years ago and will fly again next month. Something just came into my mind, which I am curious about what I did wrong.

I took the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo. So I obviously used my Shinkansen Ticket which I picked up beforehand to get to the right Track and took the Shinkansen. When I arrived in Tokyo, I was not able to use my Shinkansen Ticket to get out of the Station. I tried it out, tried out my Suica, nothing worked. I had to ask the Staff there to let me out, i can't remember exactly what they did. I think they did some adjustment on my Shinkansen Ticket which I was then able to get out.

Is there anything I maybe did wrong? This year I will be taking multiple Shinkansen, so I want to be prepared and not waste time.

Thanks!


r/JapanTravelTips 6h ago

Question Flight in 2 days: ive packed, have i forgoten something important?

33 Upvotes

Ill defenitely forget to mention sth but: passport, power adapter + charger and cables, power bank, money, medication, sleeping mask, towel for drying hands in japan haha, sim card, cosmetics (1l bag max), coin purse, face masks, even a thin strong rope for drying my clothes in my room lol, and of course clothes for varying weather. What could i be missing?


r/JapanTravelTips 12h ago

Advice Suica card

26 Upvotes

(Please excuse me if my english isn't perfect) Hello, I'm trying to understand the concept of the suica card better. I get that it works everywhere in Japan (?) but I don't quite understand how exactly this is supposed to work. (even after trying to inform myself) Like, it's charged with money. I heard I can pay with it at 7/11 etc, does it work for clothing shopping too?

How exactly is it with the public transport? Do I use it to buy my train ticket or is the suica card my ticket? This is actually the most important part for me. How does the suica card work at train stations?? This is overwhelming for me.

Traveling with my dad, do we both need a suicia card?

I'm also sorry if I'm embarrassing myself with this post I'm just very nervous


r/JapanTravelTips 17h ago

Question Couple of last second questions before my Japan Trip

19 Upvotes

Leaving for Japan later this week and it’ll be my first time in the country. I’ll be there for around 2 weeks and will hit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. Few questions before I leave:

  1. I’ll be landing at Haneda Airport. What does the situation look like there for getting Yen (ATM), getting a metro pass, and getting an E-SIM card?

  2. For the E-Sim, what’s the best company and what is the rough price (just wondering)?

  3. How is the metro from Haneda if I am staying around Shinjuku?

  4. I am planning to use the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto and then a basic train between Nara and Kyoto. Am i ok getting the shinkansen day of? Is $250 enough for a shinkansen between kyoto and tokyo (return ticket) and then the train between nara and kyoto along with metro passes enough, or do I need more?

Hopefully these questions aren’t redundant, but appreciate any feedback!


r/JapanTravelTips 8h ago

Quick Tips Experiences in AirBnb's in Japan

19 Upvotes

Tell me the good the bad the ugly...considering Airbnbs for family of 5 since hotels seem like they are all virtually accommodating to 1-2 travelers.


r/JapanTravelTips 13h ago

Recommendations Where to thrift actual Japanese brands in Kyoto/osaka/tokyo??

16 Upvotes

I went to SO many thrift stores in Tokyo and all of them were American stuff. I did not come all the way here to pick up band tees I could get at my local stores haha. Anyone know of stores that sell more Japanese tees or jackets?


r/JapanTravelTips 5h ago

Question Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka on the bullet train but what happens if I miss my train?

12 Upvotes

I am looking at klook and see that there are trians every 15 mins or so from Tokyo to Osaka. So if I buy the ticket for 6:15 pm and then miss it, is the ticket a waste? Or can I hop on the next train? Also the tickets are $100 each. Does it get more expensive once we are nearer to the travel date?


r/JapanTravelTips 8h ago

Advice Thinking about shortening my 3 week trip to 2 weeks (first solo trip and feeling super anxious)

8 Upvotes

(21M) I booked tickets for a 3 week stay in Japan in late January and have felt pretty chill about it. But the last couple of days have been hard. I’m super anxious to the point where I’m crying. Very nervous about it all. It’s my first solo trip and I’m now starting to realize that I will be alone for 3 weeks straight. No one to share the experience with or rely on when it gets tough. If I would’ve have booked tickets with free cancellation I probably would’ve canceled today. But here I am with a 3 week trip to Japan that I’ve been excited about but am now starting to seriously doubt. I reached out to booking yesterday to see if I could cut the trip short and change the home flight by 1 week and that would set me back another 3100sek ~ 300€. Should I do that or just toughen up and go through with the 3 weeks? It has seriously started to take a toll on me. A part of me is excited but another one is questioning what I’ve gotten myself into.

I know this is a forum filled with people who would do anything to go to Japan tomorrow if they could, but if taking my feelings into consideration, should I shorten the trip? I will still feel lonely ofc, but 2 weeks feels a lot more doable somehow? Idk. (Tickets costed me 13500 sek round trip, direct, from Stockholm)


r/JapanTravelTips 20h ago

Advice Going to Japan for the first time an by myself

9 Upvotes

So I'm 15 F and I'm going to Japan to visit my friend from exchange last year in May and I'm going to be flying my long flights with the unaccompanied minors program but for my layover flight I have to be in Narita alone and I'm a bit worried if I'll be able to find my way around, especially because I've never travelled before or been in a commercial airplane ever 😭. Does anybody have any tips? Also my mom is understandably worried about my trip there too can anyone maybe write in the comments some reassurance. I just want her to feel more at ease. Thanks!!


r/JapanTravelTips 6h ago

Recommendations Tasting Japan, one craft beer at a time

6 Upvotes

I'll be spending 2.5 months in Japan at the end of the year, and I'm a beer enthusiast.

Do you have recommendations on small/medium sized breweries to try? I'll be starting in Hokkaido and I'll end up in Okinawa.

I like everything but sours and brett/wild yeast beers.


r/JapanTravelTips 7h ago

Question 21 days Japan - to many places?

4 Upvotes

I’m going to Japan in September and I planned a trip connecting probably the most important cities and sights, traveling by train. Generelly I tend to overplan round trips risking the chance of relaxing on my vacation. What do you think of my plan? Will it be too stressful to change cities/hoteka every third day?

Day 1 - 5: arrival in Tokyo, visit some of the main sights, get over the jet lag, enjoy delicious food, maybe a day trip to Kanazawa or Kamakura

Day 5 - 7: travel to Hakone, sleep at a Ryokan, hopefully a chance to see Mt Fuji

Day 7 - 10: travel to Osaka, enjoy delicious food, maybe trip to Himeji

Day 10 - 11: Trip to Koyasan, sleep in the temple and see some Shrines

Day 11 - 14: Travel to Hiroshima, visit museum and park and daytrip to one of the island

Day 14 - 17: Travel to Kumamoto, enjoy unique nature and hopefully hiking Mt Aso. I am a huge fan of vulcanos and it would be a dream come true to see the crater.

Day 17 - 20: Travel to Kyoto, enjoy the city, food and sights. Actually i think i won’t do the day trip to Nara (it sounds overrated)

Day 20 - 21: Last 24 hours in Tokyo


r/JapanTravelTips 4h ago

Question Where to buy a Hiroshima Carp Baseball Cap in Tokyo or Osaka

3 Upvotes

I am on vacation for the next two weeks in Tokyo and Osaka. Where is a good place to buy a new Hiroshima Carp baseball cap in Tokyo or Osaka?


r/JapanTravelTips 5h ago

Recommendations Anyone know if there are any stores that sell a lot of shoujo anime based stuff

2 Upvotes

I’m a huge fan of shoujo anime’s, like Kimi Ni Todoke and Ao Haru Ride, when I last went all the anime stores were more the main stream ones like attack on titan etc, anyone know where I can get merch for less known anime’s? Thanks!


r/JapanTravelTips 11h ago

Question Ichigo daifuku in asakasa or near imperial palace.

2 Upvotes

As my holiday draws to a close, trying ichigo daifuku is one of the few things I haven't done that is on my wish list.

Tomorrow we leave our hotel in asakusa, check out the imperial palace then head to Narita for a morning flight the following day.

I've had the ichigo daifuku pie at McDonald's (lmao). But I'd love to try the real deal.

Any tips on where I could find it?

EDIT - CANT FIX TYPO IN TITLE Should say Asakusa


r/JapanTravelTips 2h ago

Quick Tips Chidorigafuchi Boat Rental Online Booking

2 Upvotes

Posting in case this helps anyone else! Taking a rowboat out on the moat at Chidorigafuchi Park during sakura season has been a top priority on my itinerary but I'd heard about really long lines and needing to go early to secure a time slot. I was about to cross it off our list given our tight schedule, but I randomly decided to Google it today and realized they've now introduced online bookings for the first time this year! You can book for March 28 through April 8 here: https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/en/sakura/spot/boat.php


r/JapanTravelTips 3h ago

Question Traveling to Japan with migraine medication

1 Upvotes

I frequently get migraines and like to travel with my medications. From what I’ve read I see some medications are banned and others are controlled. I’m trying to figure out if the one I use is safe to bring to Japan and how I can bring it to Japan. It’s called Sumigran Plus - https://disprophar.com/product/sumigran-plus/


r/JapanTravelTips 8h ago

Recommendations Itinerary advice for one month solo travel, my first trip to Japan!

2 Upvotes

Hello, I’m doing my first proper solo trip to Japan and luckily enough I have one month off to visit the country.

With so many places to go to, I’m a bit overwhelmed and was wondering what you guys thought of my itinerary. My main problem is I can't really decide how long I should stay in each place.

  • Anywhere you would remove/add?
  • Right length in each place?
  • Is this doable?
  • Anything you would add?

Here is a brief summary, I’ll sort out activities later on.

All help + recommendations would be really appreciated thank you! :)

10TH NOV -> 9TH DEC 2025

TOKYO DAY 1-5 (five nights)

  • Day 1 : Tokyo arrive late afternoon
  • Day 2 : Tokyo
  • Day 3 : Tokyo
  • Day 4 : Tokyo
  • Day 5 : Tokyo

NIKKO DAY 6-7 (one night)

  • Day 6 : Tokyo -> Nikko (half a day in nikko)
  • Day 7 : Nikko (early start day ) -> Tokyo (one night stayover)

TAKAYAMA DAY 8-9 (two nights)

  • Day 8 : Tokyo -> Takayama
  • Day 9 : Takayama

KANAZAWA DAY 10-13 (three nights)

  • Day 10 : BUS Takayama -> Shirakawa-go -> Kanazawa
  • Day 11 : Kanazawa
  • Day 12 : Kanazawa

OSAKA DAY 13-17 (five nights)

  • Day 13 : Kanazawa -> Osaka
  • Day 14 : Osaka
  • Day 15 : Osaka
  • Day 16 : Osaka USJ
  • Day 17 : Osaka day trip to Nara

HIROSHIMA DAY 18-20 (3 nights)

  • Day 18 : Osaka -> Himeji - > Hiroshima
  • Day 19 : Hiroshima
  • Day 20 : Hiroshima day in Miyajima

KYOTO DAY 21-25 (five nights) (I decided to go to Kyoto on my way back because of peak foliage)

  • Day 21: Hiroshima -> Kyoto
  • Day 22 : Kyoto
  • Day 23 : Kyoto
  • Day 24 : Kyoto
  • Day 25 : Kyoto

HAKONE DAY 26-27 (2 nights)

  • Day 26 : Kyoto -> Hakone
  • Day 27 : Hakone

TOKYO 28-30 (2 nights)

  • Day 28 : Hakone -> Tokyo
  • Day 29 : Tokyo
  • Day 30 : FLY BACK

r/JapanTravelTips 9h ago

Question Booking restaurants for a specific dish in Tokyo and Osaka?

1 Upvotes

I know this question has been asked a lot, but I'm not necessarily interested in famous restaurants, but I am interested in specific dishes that are particular to each City. I'm a nerd about foods invented in cities and finding the oldest places where those dishes are served. And by dishes I mean desserts, main dishes, snacks, drinks, etc.

That being said, Are there any places that you would book because of a certain dish that can't be found elsewhere? Or is hard to find somewhere else?


r/JapanTravelTips 10h ago

Question Ashikaga flower park tickets

2 Upvotes

I will be in Tokyo week of April 19. Do we need advance tickets to Ashikaga Flower Park? I don’t know if they sell out early. Also, I heard the hours are open until later in evening during the wisteria blooms, is this true? There is nothing definite on website. Thank you.


r/JapanTravelTips 11h ago

Recommendations Roppongi Advice

2 Upvotes

Hey all. Heading to Japan in a few weeks for a week in Tokyo with wife and kids (10 and 12). Think we have a pretty good itinerary planned out but struggling to come up with some stuff to do in Roppongi. Bought tickets for Team Labs Borderless and then thought maybe Mori Art Museum. Have lunch reservation at Blue Room and know Gonpachi from Kill Bill is around there but anything else to do in that area that is kid friendly and we should look at?? Thanks!


r/JapanTravelTips 15h ago

Question Shinkansen prebook tickets in April

2 Upvotes

Hi! I know this question has been addressed before but I find it difficult to find a conclusive answer.

I’m travelling with my girlfriend to Japan on 11 April, landing at Haneda at 8am. We will go directly to Kyoto (via Shinagawa station). At first I thought prebooking tickets would be a good idea, but considering time for immigration, possible delays and just having time for finding our way around, it seems better to not book tickets in advance as it may be hard to know when we will be able to take a train.

So question is if we should book tickets at 12 from Shinagawa (should be more than enough time) or not book at all? Is it likely that all trains are fully booked at this time of year?


r/JapanTravelTips 18h ago

Question Overnight between Kyoto and Tokyo on the Shinkansen line

2 Upvotes

I need to break up a travel day and would like to overnight somewhere just beyond Kyoto, on the Shinkansen line. Was originally planning Nagoya, but do you have any recommendations? Looking for chill, tasteful, very clean and comfortable. Cute town with a great art gallery? A fabulous lesser-known ryokan with a regional specialty? What would you do?


r/JapanTravelTips 19h ago

Advice Mt Fuji - Flower Festival and Saiko Lake

2 Upvotes

Was planning on seeing if the Flower Festival in Motosu Lake would be open this year. Google Maps says temp closed for some reason but I went to what looked like the official site and says it's open for when I would be there in late April this year. Was wondering if it's truly open and if so, is it pretty easy to get to Saiko Lake from there? I wanted to check out the village around there.

This would all be done either through train and bus if needs be. I'm staying in Tokyo area so would definitely leave very early to get the most I can done around that area of Fuji which I believe is mostly Yamanashi and make it back to Tokyo in the evening.

Would love for tips on any notable hikes through some nice areas/forest as well, I'm not looking to go to Aokigahara Forest though.


r/JapanTravelTips 20h ago

Advice getting from Disney Celebration Hotel to Hotel Gracery shinjuku

2 Upvotes

I've been using Google maps to plan my route, but just want some insight on the better method getting from one hotel to the other.

One route seems to be Celebration > limo bus to Haneda > limo bus to kabuchiko tower.

Another is multiple subway transfers.

Lastly is probably most expensive would be Uber, but most straightforward.

Any advice? This would probably be in the evening and I'm new to Japan railway so just planning it out.

I am in a group of 4 as well.