r/JapanTravelTips

Hello! I will be flying into Narita airport soon and i am planning to get a taxi to my accommodation, but I have a few questions am about the process.

If I pre-order it, and then have to go to baggage claim to collect my checked baggage, will the taxi driver wait for me? What if i get lost and it takes longer for me to get my suitcase?

I've been told I can request for them to hold a sign with my name so I definitely see them, but where will they be waiting for me? Do they wait at my arrival gate or is there a dedicated taxi pickup bay for arrivals. Im unsure, this is my first solo travel so I want to be prepared!

Also, where did you book it through? Ive been looking at doing it through booking.com or klook.

Please let me know if you have done this before and what the process looked like!

Hi everyone!

Looking for recommendations on where to stay in Tokyo with two young kids (3 years old and 8 months old).

Ideally, we’d love somewhere within walking distance of a train station, with a playground or park nearby. We also enjoy exploring neighbourhoods with shopping streets, little shops, cafés and restaurants, so somewhere with that kind of atmosphere would be perfect!

We’re also looking for apartment-style accommodation with a kitchen and washing machine (a must!), preferably with a bit more space for the kids.

Does anyone have recommendations for specific neighbourhoods or family-friendly apartment hotels? Or would Airbnb be a better option for our needs?

We’ll be visiting during Golden Week, so any advice on areas that are convenient but not overly hectic would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Two of us, Nov 8–26. Tokyo → Nikko → Kawaguchiko → Hakone → Takayama → Kyoto → Osaka → Fukuoka (Takachiho day trip) → Hiroshima/Miyajima → Tokyo. All booked, changing dates will be really tough.

Japan looks rough from outside with the floods and I'm worried about the weather in November. Let me know what I should do, if its going to be worse, I can still try to cancel my trip :(

Hey everyone! I’m planning a solo trip to Kyoto and Osaka from 19-25 Dec. Am looking for a good Kyoto neighborhood to stay in. It's my first time to Kansai region so would love to hear some thoughts and recommendations.

It's mainly an escape-of-work thing so I’m not too focused on famous sights or shopping. A perfect day is like a comfortable stroll around neighbourhood, some cool nice shops, and a drink or two at friendly local bars and meet and chat with folks. Also might need to do some easy hikes into nature in surrounding areas.

So i'm probably looking for somewhere that's

- Relaxed, walkable, and not overly crowded

- Near casual food and small local bars

- Easy for getting around the city and reaching nearby nature or hiking by public transport/taxi

Btw I’m also deciding between:

• 3 nights in Kyoto + 3 nights in Osaka
• 4 nights in Kyoto + 2 nights in Osaka

Specific neighborhood, hotels, small bar and easy hiking recommendations are all very welcome. Thanks!

I have some extra vacation time and am thinking of a solo trip in January or February. I have max 10 days including flights that I can be away. So 8 days total in Japan.

We already did a big Japan trip last May and are planning 3-4 weeks in November. I’m hoping that January won’t be too cold although where I live it will likely be up to -20C 😭

Questions I have:
- Is it worth it to come to Japan just for 8 days? I’d likely stay in Tokyo and do some day trips.
- Would capsule hotels be an affordable way to travel solo? I was thinking of doing the first half in a capsule hotel and the last 3-4 nights in a business type hotel. I like shopping and think it would be hard to shop & organize my luggage in a small space.
- Favourite capsule hotel?
- Favourite area to stay in for solo travel?

Hi!

I'm travelling to Japan mid-October and am researching various things for my trip.

I've been told the tax free shopping system has changed? Apparently it was done at individual stores before, but now its changing to claim the money back at the airport?

For any purchases I make in October should I follow the old system or is there an overlap period?

Thanks!

I’m visiting Tokyo in a couple of weeks’ time and I’ll be in the city for 5 days. It’s also my girlfriend’s birthday during the same time. I was thinking about giving her a little surprise on her special by taking her for dinner at a special place or just trying some fun/unique stuff.

We are both in our mid twenties and open to trying something new. I would love to hear your ideas and recommendations. TIA!

Edit: She’s really into coffee, matcha, food, loves animals, dancing, singing, and shopping (clothing). I was thinking about some of the animal cafes too and found a cute cat spot in Kichijoji, but I want to know if those are actually worth it, and I wouldn’t want to support a place that doesn’t treat animals with care.
I would also love to hear about fun couple activities (see a lot of those on Klook) at the end of which we can have souvenirs to take home! Also, we have been in a long-distance relationship for 3 years (different countries) and we will be meeting after almost 10 months on this. I want to make it a memorable one.

Where do you guys shop in Osaka? Like a mall or something. I’ve only been to Dotonbori shopping district. Prices for souvenirs are a bit high and design choices for shoes are limited. Im looking for cheaper prices for souvenirs and clothes/shoes.

I’m traveling to Japan in a few months for around 2 weeks (1 week in Tokyo and a few days in Chichibu, Saitama to visit a friend).

I’m very into lifting and bodybuilding and I would like to get 1-2 lifts in while I’m in Tokyo, but I’ve had a hard time finding gyms online that are clear on prices/equipment/ease of access for tourists. Do you guys know of any good gyms that offer day passes that are relatively inexpensive (¥1000-2000/day)?

I’m not very picky, but ideally I’m looking for a gym with simple benches, dumbbells, and cables, and maybe some basic machines. It’d also be nice if it’s within a few minutes of a station!

Hi guys! Me and wife will be reaching Kyoto for the first time on 30th Nov end of this year. Coming from tropical country, we've never experienced Autumn before. So I'm excited to catch at least the tail end of it.

Originally (after plenty of research), I wanted to visit Kiyomizu for its night-time illumination since 30th is the last day. So I plan to visit its surrounding areas during the day (crowded as it may be) and waiting out for the night illumination.

Then today I come across a video on Momiji train tunnel. Judging only just from pictures / videos alone, I prefer the train. As it turns out, 30th is also the last day the train will slow down when going through the maple tunnel. The pros being, I can adjust my plan to visit Kiyomizu during the early-morning and explore the surrounding Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka around 10-11am which makes it less crowded.

Anyway, it seems like I can only choose one between these two choice. For those who has experienced them, what do you think? Thank you! <3

Canadian couple heading to Japan for the first time & looking for something “different”…thought we’d take in some pro sports.

We’re going in early December and it seems Baseball and Basketball weren’t available during that time period, but I stumbled across the Yokohama Grits hockey team.

Being Canadian, we thought it might be fun to see what the Japanese hockey experience was like.

Anyone have any experience with games? Ticket prices & availability? Limited posts I’ve seen have mentioned the games don’t sell out and tickets can be had at the arena on game day.

Any thoughts?

I‘m looking for ceramics shops in the following places:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Kamakura
- Ise
- Kyushu (Kumamoto, Fukuoka, basically all of Kyushu since we’re going to have a car for it)

It’s important that it’s actually handmade, preferably small batches and not mass-produced. The smaller the shop, the better. Bonus points if the ceramics have cats on it.
TIA!

I have a 3 days trip coming up to Japan, I will be there on Wednesday 5am in Tokyo. I don’t know if I can squeeze in most of the stuff in Tokyo till 6pm Thursday and then take a bullet train to Kyoto and be there around 8-9pm. I know a lot of things are closed and train would be shut down to after 11pm. I want to know if there anything I can do in Kyoto after 9pm. I know probably walking around the river, Gion and the shrine 24/7. Would that be all? What about late night food that close around 12am? Also is it dangerous to walk alone at night after the train service is shut off at 11pm? Thank you

Or I can also go to Kyoto Friday early morning from Tokyo just take 6am train to Kyoto and visit a little bit then take train to Osaka. My flight departs from KIX at 5pm which I need to be airport before 2pm Friday.

Hi everyone, I am looking for yukata, both for me and my husband. I was in Kyoto for a quick stop but sadly I have seen only touristy places which usually rent them, some sell them but the quality was pretty low. I would like to purchase something made from a good fabric (cotton at least) and not synthetic fibers. I will be in Kagoshima in the next days and then in Tokyo. Do you have any recommandation about it? I would like to buy them new, not second hand. Thank you so much for any advice!

Hello all, I leave for Japan in 4 days. As the title states this is my first time traveling internationally solo. I haven’t left the country in over 12 years. My plane is booked, completed the visitjapanweb form, added suica to my wallet, Shinkansen booked,international pass from t-mobile,downloaded offline maps,booked my stays, and created an itinerary for my 10 days.
With all the prep I’ve done, I’m still feeling very nervous for when I land. Any advice or words of wisdom to pass down? Whether you’re someone who just completed there first solo trip or a veteran in the travel game. Thank you all

Suggestions on a food tour that has zero seafood? Long shot I know but.. either Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka (Osaka preferably)

My family and I are going to Japan next June and I’d love to take them to a Giants game. Is there a particular section you recommend sitting in?
How far in advance will they release their schedule for the next year?
Any other tips? Thanks.

Friend trip of 3. Scheduled to go to
Universal in a few weeks. Is it worth to spend $200 each for the express pass? What makes it worth it and what makes it not worth it? First time all 3 of us are going to Japan.