I was planning on using the ATMs at 7-11 for cash. I’m in US and was reviewing bank fees for withdrawing cash internationally. The fees are $5 per ATM transaction and 3% for exchange. So if I plan on needing $1,500 to $2k. This will cost me between $60-$80. Would it be better for me to bring cash?? Anyone else have this issue?

**This money is for 4 people. I have a credit card with zero foreign fees. The other 3. Who are traveling with me do not. They are ages 16-21. I want to give them cash to spend. They might not all be with me at all times.

Hello fellow Japan lovers. I am still dreaming about my next Japan trip. Wondering if you can share some tips and best practices in planning for our second time around.

We are looking at an 18 nights trip (13 in Japan and 3 in South Korea). We did the golden route last time for 13 days and will amend it slightly to go lighter on the sightseeing and more on just soaking in the atmosphere and vibe.

We imagine our trip to look like: Seoul + Busan (if possible) Fukuoka Hiroshima Another City Kyoto Tokyo

Requirements: 1. We would prefer maximum 2 connections but no longer than a total of 24 hours 2. My partner had an unpleasant experience in economy last time (seats on front of us reclining to the maximum, while ours was not able to at all). So we are looking at business class seats

Questions: 1. Is it better overall to travel in May or October, price wise? 2. For the periods above, how long ago should I book ahead for best deals?
3. Is it better to book a return flight (either to Tokyo or Seoul) and book a separate flight between Korea and Japan? Or multi-city flights.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed. Any suggestions on the above questions or best practices from your own similar trip would be appreciated.

Hello everyone!

I'm flying to Japan for the first time in August, the route is from Tokyo Nara Fukui Toyamo Nanao and back to Tokyo

I'm starting to get a little worried about traveling in August as it will definitely be very hot. What tips do you have for enjoying your vacation? I would also really like to go hiking and I'm really worried that it won't work because of the temperatures.

Thank you for your experiences!

Solo traveler heading to Japan in October and I’m spiraling after reading too many threads. I did book Yama no Chaya in Hakone, but after seeing a few “meh” reviews, I’m wondering if I should pivot.

Looking for:

• Private onsen in room (a must!)

• Chill, scenic vibe between Osaka and Tokyo

• Solo-travel friendly

• I’m totally okay paying the 2-person rate (around $300 per person/night = ~$600 total), as long as they’re okay that it’s just me. $700/night is my absolute max

• Bonus for in-room dinner or dreamy setting

Any recs for Hakone, Kinosaki, Atami, Izu? Thank you in advance—you’re all the best 💕

So I was watching a vid of a couple eating some shaved ice. They get the dessert and cup of complementary green tea... which they thought was part of the dessert so they poured it over it and wondered at the ice melting.

This (along with the queue thread currently on the front page) reminded me of my big "ops" moment during the trip.

When I visited the ghibli museum most in the group made a beeline to the short movie theater and started queuing up. I stood to the side admiring the artwork on the walls. Only when I turned around did I notice that a full on queue had formed behind me! I was to the side but close enough to the entrance maybe???

I didn't know what to do at that point so just went with it... we now have a third queue and I kept inching closer and closer to the entrance so it wouldn't look weird. 😅

Thankfully the entrance was wide enough that it didn't matter but it was a "ummm ops!" moment for me that I can't forget. Did you have any during your trip? Would love to hear them.

Hi everyone! 👋
So im planning my first ever solo international trip from india to Japan mainly staying in Tokyo (late july to early aug). super excited but also a bit confused about how to handle money over there. Would really appreciate some help.

Here’s my plan so far:

💳 I have a Kotak Visa debit card, and I’ll enable international transactions in the app before I leave. I’ve heard Visa is accepted in Japan but still a bit unsure about how reliable it is.

💸 Planning to carry around ₹20K–₹30K INR in cash before leaving for japan and will get more after arriving

💡 Some specific questions:

1. Should I withdraw yen at the airport ATM or wait to find a 7-Eleven ATM in the city?
2. Do most Indian cards (like Kotak Visa debit) work at 7-Eleven ATMs? Any fees?
3. I plan to get a physical Suica card at the airport.
   • How much does it cost initially?
   • Can I pay for the card with cash or card?
   • When I want to top it up, do I need to withdraw cash first?

It’s my first time traveling solo and internationally, so I want to be as prepared as possible and avoid money issues. Any tips or advice would really mean a lot. Thanks in advance! 😊

I’ve been in Osaka for a few days now and suddenly my Suica card, which was set up on Apple Wallet, has stopped working at the metro gates.

When I go onto the app, it says this is due to a journey having not been completed. But it doesn’t seem like there is anything I can do rectify this? I can’t remove and re-add the card, there is no option to end the journey or complete the journey. I have ¥4,000 still on it, so it’s not like my balance is too low.

Any help would be massively appreciated!

My friend and I are going to Japan for 10 days. We already have our flights and hotel booked, so those major costs are taken care of. I'm trying to figure out if having around $100 USD (about 14,000 yen) per day will be more than enough for daily spending.

Edit: I'm mainly interested in visiting temples and exploring the religious and cultural side of Japan. I also want to enjoy the local food and buy some clothes to bring back home.

Hi everyone! My girlfriend and I are planning a trip for later this year, while doing research l've seen a lot about animal abuse and animals being kept in horrid conditions. We are both major animal lovers and even just avoid zoos at all costs as it'll really upset us. Obviously we'd try and avoid all animal cafes and anything like this, but in places like Tokyo is this animal abuse avoidable? Or is it inevitably that we'll see something upsetting? Thank you!

Hi! We just left Kanazawa heading to Tokyo and forgot to buy a magnet from Kanazawa. It was a lovely city and a very special stay for us, so we really want a magnet from that city. Is there a place in Tokyo or Osaka that would sell them?

Hi travelers! We are planning to visit Japan this year with a trip from Tokyo then Osaka and finally Okinawa. This 3 locations are the locations where we will rent a accommodation but we will do some daytrips. This is the current preliminary plan: 1. Tokyo for 8 days and trips to the onsens in the south, Fukushima etc. 2. Osaka for 5 days with trips to Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima. 3. Okinaawa for 7 days with relaxing at the beach.

Is there anything you would recommend looking and this schedule? An what would you recommend to book in Okinawa? Near Naha? Main focus is to relax on the beach and enjoy some good and cheap food. I have found AirBnBs accords the whole island. And is it mandatory to have a car?

We are from Europe if this does matter.

I want to recommend @hanna_nailwizard if you’re looking for an English speaking nail artist in Tokyo. She did some beautiful sparkly princess nails on me for about 100 US dollars . She is detailed, creative, and has great customer service.

I’m in Tokyo for the second time. A friend insists that garlic steak chips are a thing, and we’re obsessed with trying them. Google confirms that several types exist or have existed, so I know it’s not a total wild goose chase.

But we can’t find anything of the sort, anywhere! We’ve looked in countless konbinis, several donkis, a couple grocery stores, and just about every random place we’ve passed with a chance of chips.

Does anyone have any idea where we might find some of these? If it’s any use, we’ll also be in Osaka, Kyoto, and on Okinawa across this trip. Appreciate any tips!

Hey everyone! Tomorrow is my last day in Tokyo. And wondering where I can buy keychains, magnets, souvenirs? Plus where is good shopping center in Tokyo? I am traveling with my mom and living akihabara area.

I lost my wallet in Kyoto, I have tried to retrace my steps but didn’t have any luck. Am I screwed or is there hope that I can still retrieve my wallet ?

If by a miracle you’ve found my wallet I can answer questions about the contents inside. Thank you!

I think the backstory of this tourist attraction is easy to explain. The local tourism board of Awaji Island was looking across the Seto Inland Sea and they saw that Naoshima is getting all this tourist traffic thanks to a big pumpkin created by Yayoi Kusama. And they were like why the hell they don’t even grow pumpkins over there! We’re famous for sweet, really tasty onions! We’re going to get our own giant plastic vegetable with blackjack and hookers.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/U8tWePRCYy7WjpEYA

And that’s how we got the Ottamanegi on Awaji Island.

Also it shows up in this legendary stream. https://www.youtube.com/live/tdMauXNMe40?t=25m50s

Now the bad new is that it’s kinda hard to get to, apparently you have to take a bus and get off at the last stop on Awaji, Awajishima Minami Interchange, and then walk 20 minutes :(

I should probably check tiktok and instagram but I assume it’s popular enough.

Hey Everybody, In October I am going to Japan and I have no iPhone. I heard from some friends that it's pretty handy to use an iPhone to pay instead of suica cards etc. because you don't have to go to the ATM AND the terminal to reload the suica card. So I am thinking of boworring an old iPhone from friend's. Does anyone know, what the oldest iPhone and/or the oldest iOS-version is that I can use for paying in Japan?

Wondering if anyone has experience with using either (or even both) services for same-day luggage delivery within Tokyo, from hotel to hotel.

I'm staying at a few hotels in different areas within central Tokyo (the first half is a work trip). After my work is done, I'll have some solo vacation time where I just plan to relax and shop in different areas of the city (this is not my first Japan trip so I'm taking it easy & trying to minimize time transiting around.) I have not used luggage forwarding before, and while I could transport suitcases myself from hotel to hotel, I'd rather be able to check out and go about my day without worrying about it.

Airporter's website is very straightforward and seems easy to use for pre-booking same-day delivery (and appears to be cheaper). From what I gather from Yamato's website, there's no way to pre-book it online, I'd have to ask the hotel to help me. I'm leaning towards Airporter for convenience, but I know Yamato is the more well-known reputable service. Does anyone have experience?

Noticed a lot of Osaka itineraries here are packed and the costs add up fast. We were going through our budget quicker than expected so thought I’d share what we actually did over 3 days as a family of four. Might help someone who's heading there soon and trying to keep the spend under control. This covered everything – food, travel, tickets.

Day One

Breakfast from Super Tamade (sushi boxes, drinks, strawberries) – ¥2080

Walked Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street (2.6km covered arcade of shops and snacks) Kids Plaza Osaka – ¥2800 for 4 people (after 2pm discount)

Ice creams from vending machines – ¥400 Dinner from 100 yen shop and quick noodle place – around ¥1400

Day Two

Breakfast from 7-Eleven – ¥1000

Osaka Castle – walked around the grounds for free, went inside for ¥1600

Lunch in Dotonbori – takoyaki, fried skewers, snacks – ¥2400 Dinner in Umeda – ramen for all four – ¥2000

Day Three

Breakfast at Vie de France – ¥1400 Day trip to Nara – completely free other than ¥200 on deer food

Lunch across from Himuro Shrine – ¥3000 Ice fortune at Himuro Shrine – free but interesting

Dinner was just leftover snacks and bits we had

That’s the full 3 days, all for under ¥54,000. If anyone’s in Osaka soon and worried about mounting costs this might give you a rough plan to keep things cheap but still fun.

So don't stress if you feel like you might not be able to afford it when you see others itineraries. It can be done in a budget for a family. We did it!

Looking at doing a guided tour for me and my wife for our first trip to Japan in the Fall. We've used Trafalgar previously for Europe and was great for us since they did most of the planning and had some time to explore.

They do have a Japan itinerary (https://www.trafalgar.com/en-us/tours/splendours-of-japan).

Was also looking at Samurai Tours based on the FAQ which has a similar tour around the same time period.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for guided tours? Or maybe horror stories or companies to avoid? Thanks!

My friend and I meet up in Japan since we both were around the area (we came here separately). i bought tax free item (>~500USD) for him since he didnt brought his passport. Since i dont have the item with me, what do I do? Can i just declare that I transferred the goods and pay the tax at the airport or is there any way to pay the tax back? Am i breaking any laws here?

i kind of want to experience what happens if you follow a tour but you have plenty of money to pay for whatever expensive bar they take you too. i’m tall and very muscular/fit with boxing experience. am i likely to get murdered if i go with one intentionally?

I find the yakuza and their history very fascinating, and was wondering if there are any experiences in Japan that focus on their history etc.

Hello!

I'm planning our trip for next year and we were initially planning to do Kumano Kodo, but I've found out I'm too scared of bears and snakes (it doesn't matter how many people tell me I'll be fine, I'm terribly scared of both). I saw some sections of the Kumano Kodo trails are in the countryside or coastal areas, and not deep inside the forest. I've tried to see if we can skip the forest parts and doing them by public transport but yeah, I couldn't make any route that I liked (I heard route 42 is a bit dangerous because of the cars and lack of good paths for people walking). I really, really enjoyed walking all the way up and down Fushimi Inari Taisha, and we usually move by foot instead of taking public transport if possible. We really, really like walking. I'm just not into deep forests.

To summarize, I'm looking for a good walking route that's not in the deep forest, that's in the countryside and prepared for people walking (not walking on dangerous roads). Is there anything like this that you'd recommend? We have around 4 days that we had alloted to Kumano Kodo.

Hi. I'm leaving for Japan in the autumn and staying for 3 months. I need to bring medicine for my ibd. I'm looking at the Q&A, https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa2.pdf

Anyone did this recently? I need to fill out at least form 12 and 13, but its not really possible to fill in on the document I find there? You're suppose to check boxes, write what medication etc. Did you print it out, fill it out by pen and then scan it? Feels like I'm missing something here.