I go to Japan every year we always take the same route we land at hanida and take a bus to shinjiku then take the subway from shinjiku to setagaya where is my grandma lives
Great vid. Planning my own trip and saw there's now a bus that goes from one of the airports to five or so stops. Only runs a few times in the day, so hm. Train might be easier...
Thanks for making this when you must be exhausted from the flight! We had to get directions twice from the information desks in Narita, and they were so friendly and helpful. The staff at the JR office were also great and very used to tourists (of course!). We were travelling beyond Tokyo and as well as giving us our JR passes they told us the best route, booked us seats on both trains and told us where to change.
I was sold on Pocket Wifi for over 4 years. It was just so convenient and always reliable. Now I use Google Fi exclusively. Here in the US the Google Fi cost $20 per month for unlimited talk and text. The data is an additional $10 per GB. Max at 6 GB then its free after that. The way they charge is per fraction of the GB. So, if you use 2.3 GB they will charge you the $20 US for the talk and text and 2.3 GB for date which is about a little over $23 US. for a total of $43 for the month. The main reason I switched is because the cost of replacement of the Wifi should you misplace it. Also, in China you can access site that are blocked like RU-vid and Google. My friends used the Google Fi phone in China with no issues. Anyway, just a thought. Really enjoy your channel! Thanks for all your work and info!!
Thanks for the recommendation! Hadn't heard of that before - looks like for now it's only available in the US, hopefully they'll roll it out worldwide, or maybe other providers will follow suit.
I always love and share your videos but this is particularly cute as it reminded me of our fist time in Japan, I am still excited when I go but that first time is so special!
I was in Tokyo for 10 days last weeks, and now I dream for those onigiri. They're super delicious with the black nori outside. They were my breakfast almost everyday.
Something I recently thought about is why don’t you buy your own personal pocket WiFi Device and just turn it on and off when you need it? Like a skyroam
I have to thank you again, of all the videos I watched in the run up to my son and my trip to Japan, yours was the only one that mentioned the Portable WyFi. I've come across only one other Utube channel that mentioned it since we got home, so it's not something thats well advertised. Thanks again, greatly appreciated!
Really, I didn't realise that! :-) A lot of people recommend a sim card but to me it makes sense to get a portable wifi so you can both share it. Glad to have helped! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces we cant share a sim card? i thought one person could buy a sim card and then share the data with a second person? :( is it really not possible?
Thank you for this great video! As for your internet access, there is a cheaper option than renting a pocket wifi: I always buy a Japanese data SIM card for my smartphone. You can get unlimited internet access for 1 or 2 weeks or even a month. Usually I get my SIM card online together with a Japan Rail Pass, but you can get it after arriving in Japan at the airport or in town (I recommend Yodobashi Camera and BIC Camera stores). Besides JR Narita Express I like Keisei Skyliner train from Narita Airport to Nippori and Ueno stations in Tokyo. It’s cheaper and perfect for destinations in north-eastern Tokyo such as Asakusa.
Thanks for sharing your recommendation! The reason I get a pocket wifi is because you can connect multiple devices to it including ipads, laptops, etc, and you only need one for your group. The sim card sounds like a great deal too with the unlimited internet included!
@@cakeswithfaces With a SIM card you can use multiple devices as well. Just turn on tethering ("Mobile Hotspot" on Android) and your smartphone works the same way as a pocket wifi. But you don't have to carry and charge an extra device. But we usually get one SIM card for each family member anyway. When we go shopping or sightseeing separately everyone can use Google Maps and WhatsApp to stay in touch.
could you also make a video on how to get from Tokyo/shibuya back to the Narita airport? Which trains to take, etc. Thank you! Ive been really enjoying your content, new subscriber!
I don't think I've filmed going that way (always too depressing on the way home!!). You can take the Narita Express (the train in this video) directly back from Shibuya Station to Narita Airport so that's an easy route! www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/
With the rumours of Japan finally opening up I've started making plans again, I was supposed to go the month everything locked down so I've waited a while, thanks for all the useful info
Ah no, unlucky timing for your 2020 trip! I was booked for May 2020 - can't wait to reschedule. There are rumours there'll be an announcement when Kishida's in the USA this week... 🤞🤞🤞
Haha, I'd love to go that much but I go once a year at the most, as my holiday. Fingers crossed for your trip! I was supposed to be there at the start of May.
You can have your suitcase delivered from the airport to your hotel. Cost me about £10 but you don't have to lug it about all day and you can pick the time it gets delivered. Just makes your first day a little easier if you land in the morning
I can recommend. On my last Japan trip in 2019 I arrived at Narita first thing in the morning, checked my bag in at the delivery service as soon as I cleared customs. Was then able to go directly to Odaiba without lugging a suitcase around the whole day. Then by bag was waiting for me when I checked into my hotel at Shinjuku that night. Very convenient.
Ive watched one of your videos and now i feel like ive gone through your channel watching most of your Japanese videos. Keep doing what you're doing. 🔥🤙
Another option from Narita Airport to Tokyo is the Keisei Skyliner. It's faster (41 minutes) because it takes a more direct route and cheaper, 2520 yen or 2250 for the discounted e-ticket. Round trip is 5040/4380. It goes to Ueno station instead of Tokyo and also stops at Nippori. Keisei also offers a Skyliner ticket combined with a subway pass for 24, 48 or 72 hours and is good for both the Tokyo Metro and Toei lines.
For Nippori and Ueno, the Skyliner is faster and cheaper than the Narita Express. But if you want to go to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Yokohama without changing trains, Narita Express is convenient and comfortable.
I'll be going in may so this is perfect!! I always tend to watch your vidoes every now and then and now finally I'm going ! So excited !!! Thank you for all this info !!!
Yeah it is a good idea if possible to get a flight that arrives later in the day. That way you can just go straight to the hotel, drop off your bags and freshen up. If you still have energy or do not suffer from jet lag cuz you are from a country in the same time zone then go ahead and explore.
Aaah this brings me such fond memories of my first trip to Tokyo. We got accosted at Arrivals at Narita by a tv crew from "Why did you come to Japan?" (i think thats what its called) who interviewed us whilst we were running on maybe 4 hours of sleep in 24 hours! It was certainly an exciting start to my holiday xD
love your videos. i would like to ask, for the N'Ex pass, is good for going back and forth to the airport 2x only? or are we able to use the pass during the 14 days, around the narita line? or it's only strictly use for the airport transfer 2x? please let me know. thanks.
It's just a return ticket (if you buy the return ticket package, it's possible to also buy a single ticket). Tickets that allow you to travel on the line whenever you want are usually called a 'free pass'.
Check your Narita airline arrival terminal for collecting your pocket wifi but don’t count on arriving there. We were booked Etihad to Abu Dhabi & Cathay Pacific on to Tokyo so picked T2 to collect but our flight from Abu Dhabi ended up being on another Etihad plane so we went into T1. I was travelling with assistance due to an ankle injury & the guy was amazing, he took us all the way to T2 & the post office then onto the Limo Bus service. If I had been mobile it would have been easy to get between terminals, there’s a regular bus service so it’s not the end of the world if you choose the wrong terminal to collect your WiFi xx
Have you ever used the limosine bus from Narita? It will stop in front of my hotel near Shibuya station. I thought it would make my arrival in Tokyo less stressful.
I've taken the bus back to the airport on the way home. If it stops at your hotel, that sounds like a good option! It'll be easier than changing trains with your luggage, etc.
Where did you get your suica pass carrier thing it's so cute! I've seen multiple people with something like that and I'd really like to get one myself when I visit the country.
Mine was from the Tamagotchi shop that's sadly now closed down (I miss it!). But they sell passholders in lots of places where you can get character merch, like Kiddyland, Character Street in Tokyo Station, Tokyo Disney... They're really useful, as well as super cute! :-)
The first thing to do after arriving that I always recommend: Shower! It'll set you back about ten bucks, but starting your trip feeling clean and refreshed is totally worth it IMHO. Especially when I arrive very early in the day and can't check into my hotel for hours, navigating public transport and places with people nearby with all that airplane funk on me just makes me feel super gross. Plus the shower helps me stay awake for a bit longer. I can't speak for Narita, but Haneda's shower facilities are excellent, and I expect the same to be true at Narita as well. You get a slot in the queue and they tell you when to expect your turn, so you can pick up your other stuff while you wait.
A good tip - a shower always makes you feel refreshed. Actually I saw just the other day that Nine Hours capsule hotel (locations at the airport and Shinjuku) offers showers without a stay, so maybe some other capsule hotels do the same too.
Shame BA are no longer flying direct into Nartita from 1 of march I think (they now do 2 flights a day into Haneda) as I love the N'Ex to Shinjuku. cant wait till i'm back in October :-)
On our first trip to Tokyo we took an airport limousine bus from Narita for 1000 JPY per person. It was cheap and took us directly to Tokyo station, but from there it was a little difficult. We had to lug our bags down some steep stairs and then find our way through that huge train station to the right platform. It would have cost more to take the N'ex into town but would have been a lot easier, especially since we were deliriously sleepy after our long haul flight! And yes, the N'ex is indeed covered by the JR Pass, but like you guys we didn't activate ours until later in our trip.
Lugging your suitcases around stations can be difficult whichever route you take. They always have an accessible route without stairs but it's not always obvious, or the exit you want to take. There've been times we've done a relay tag team up and down stairs with the suitcases! :-) But that bus is a great price!
Love your videos! I think it’s important to mention that whilst the Welcome Suica has no deposit fee, you cannot get a refund of the balance remaining at the end of your trip, so you’ve got to be sure to use up all your balance before the 28 days/end of your trip , so you don’t lose money :) so that’s the main downfall to getting the Welcome Suica over the normal Suica. With the normal Suica, it has a deposit fee of 500yen but at the end of your trip, they will refund you the balance (+ your 500 yen deposit) minus a 220yen return fee - so you will only lose 280 yen over your potential unused balance on the Welcome Suica. Of course it’s good to have options, but just something to consider when weighing up which to get ^_^
Yes, good point, you have to be careful with your top-ups towards the end of your trip! If you run out of credit entirely on your last day, you can go to the Fare Adjustment Machine (before going out through the ticket barriers) and get a single ticket for your last trip.
Can you do an in depth video on booking and organising a trip to japan before leaving :) i really want to travel there but i dont have the information i need to properly book everything
I'm planning more for my Japlanning series! :-) Did you see this one - it's a checklist of the things you need to sort out, might help! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OhbjDd8DqzQ.html
It's fun to see the journey once more from the Narita airport to Tokyo, done that way twice myself. Once in 2017 September and in 2019 April. I will not be going in 2020 but might once more in 2021 :) The first time in Japan I was without internet access other than Hotel Wi-Fi, getting around certain cities with offline maps so to say was a challenge but interesting as well. The second time I learned from my earlier experiences and got a data SIM card for my mobile phone. Which worked as well for programs like WhatsApp so it was great. But mostly it was really nice to be able to use things like google maps anywhere ^^ thanks as always for sharing your experiences of Japan, it is always a joy to watch your videos :)
Thanks, glad you enjoy them! I didn't have wifi on my first trip either, I used offline maps too. It's do-able but you have to do a lot more research beforehand and write everything down. I'd always get wifi now!
You can download Google maps for the Tokyo area to your device beforehand, leave airplane mode on and the gps will still work so you can find your accommodation easy peasy
Google maps doesn't work off line in Japan...you need to be online to use it...free Wifi in Japan is almost everywhere..there's free Wifi on Narita Express, shinkansens, SevenElevens, McDonalds...etc
I’m flying into Haneda and the train system baffles me haha Thanks for another great vid 👌🏻 My gf now wants me to buy her some Cakes w/ Faces shirts to wear on the trip 🤣 Guess I’m shopping 🛍 later 👀
Luckily Haneda's much closer to the city than Narita so it'll only take about 15 mins to get into Tokyo. The Tokyo metro map looks like multicoloured spaghetti but it's not that bad really! :-) Thanks so much for supporting my shop, it really is appreciated! :-)
It’s very easy to get in from Haneda. There’s a monorail train too as well as the Limousine Buses that may drop you right at your hotel or quite nearby if you don’t want to figure out the trains on your first day.
CarterCrows Check and see if one of the limousine buses stops near your destination. www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/ I found it super convenient because I was traveling with heavy luggage by myself and I didn’t want to manage train stations and packed trains with my luggage. It was only about $11 as of Nov 2018 too, so very reasonable for door to door service. Coming from Haneda it’s also a fairly short trip but I can see why coming from Narita a bus would be slower because of the distance and traffic. Here’s the link for the Tokyo Monorail which goes directly from Haneda through various stops ending at Hamamatsucho. www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/. I took this on my return to the airport as I had moved hotels. It was very convenient too. It connects to the Yamanote Line (the main line circling Tokyo) at its terminus so can get to a lot of places with one connection. You can buy your ticket for ground transportation when you get to Haneda at the transportation help desk right as you exit from immigration and customs with your luggage. You can also reserve your seat for the limo bus online if you are really nervous (because it’s the last bus of the day for example.) I did not take the third option from Haneda, which is the Keikyu Line train which connects through Shinagawa. But if your hotel is directly on the line, that would be a great option. Anything with the fewest transfers is what I usually choose But in general, Haneda airport is very well sign posted for all the services. ps, one final tip..note that almost every train station in Tokyo is now handicapped accessible with elevators and most also have escalators. So don’t take the first set of stairs you see when you have heavy luggage because if you just walk a bit further you will get the easier route. Usually the stairs are the closest to train door exits to get people moving out of the way. But if you just ignore the stairs and look for the escalator and elevator signs, you will find them and save yourself and your back/legs.
I know you must have had an itinerary for your trip and wanted to start the JR pass on a specific day, but for others that are planning a typical 14 day trip, they can get their JR pass at the airport and it will cover the fair into Tokyo and to the other stations to the hotel. That is around $35 right there...
Yes, if that works out for your itinerary it's a good saving! :-) And you get to go on the N'Ex (in my opinion the most comfortable way to get into the city!).
Fun video! I haven't made my mind up yet. I could either get incredibly lost when I go there. Or I could have one of my people come pick me up and bring me to my home there. Hmm what should I do ya think? I'm thinking the second option. But getting lost in a new place seems kinda fun and exciting. Although carrying luggage with me is an issue. - VKM
Did u have to go through quarantine checks with this coronavirus thing Going around im supposed to go in April but it says they may carry out compulsory hospitalization and extended health checks if that is the case if feather not go out would ruin my journey please can you tell me what they had when u where their
This was filmed before the coronavirus outbreak. I haven't been through since it's been happening, but from what I hear they check your temperature when you arrive. If you're in good health there should be nothing to worry about. I think there would only be extra checks if there's any reason to suspect you might have coronavirus. Have a great trip! :-)
Cakes with Faces thank you for the reply I think you are right , but I’m afraid to cough or sneeze just incase they might think I have it 😂🤣 I know it sounds silly but it’s my worrying self because of this outbreak of course nobody wants to get it
@@Legend-ui2dj I know what you mean - I think everyone would be a bit tense going through the airport at the moment! If it makes it any better, they monitor your temperature on arrival anyway as standard procedure, using thermal imaging cameras that you walk past without even knowing it. I think they're just being a bit more careful at the moment.
Cakes with Faces yes everyone is on edge I suppose but I don’t think a normal cough or sneeze would be a major problem as long as u don’t have that fever I have been to Tokyo before it was different than going now I’m kind of nervous about going 🤦🏻♂️
I think the N'Ex is reserved seats only, so you need to buy a ticket. The round trip ticket gives you a discount too 😊 Most trains you can just scan your Suica and get on though, especially when you're in Tokyo.
Don't make the mistake I made when I went to Japan. Got off a 9 hour flight from the UK feeling a bit tired so I got a taxi from the airport to Shibuya cost about £80! Definitely getting the train next time ☺ ♥ 🇯🇵
Something I'll bear in mind when I go back to Japan soon! Will try and show more of that type of thing! Ticket machines pretty much always have a button in the corner of the screen to change the language to English, so that's the first thing to look out for.
@@cakeswithfaces thanks. We arrive late and offices are closed. Plus we won’t have pocket wifi to manoeuvre, should be interesting ha. Perhaps I should make a video of this upcoming adventure.
@@kayjenn5721 Will the desk at the airport for picking up your wifi be closed? You can get it delivered to your hotel (you'll just have to be able to get to your hotel without internet!). :-) Or there's the option of an e-sim.
I have to be honest, I’m so nervous 😬 to go to Japan. It looks amazing but I’m so scared I will get lost, confused, and be in everyone’s way in the crowded places.
I was nervous too! But you'll be ok :-) When it's crowded, it's not as bad as somewhere like London, because people are more polite and orderly, so they're not pushing you. And you can never truly get lost if you have Google Maps :-) Hope my videos help, and if you ever have any questions or concerns just ask in the comments and I'll try & help out!
Hi amy im your new subscriber.im going to Japan in a few months but due to my disability i can only take taxis everywhere.can you twll me if its easy to book cabs there.thanks
Hi, thanks for subscribing! :-) There's Uber in Tokyo, and JapanTaxi is a similar Japanese app. Be aware that a taxi from Narita Airport will be quite pricey as it's quite a long distance. (Haneda Airport not so bad). There are also coaches if that's an option for you. Here's a great guide to taking taxis: www.tokyoweekender.com/2018/05/a-guide-to-taxis-in-japan-apps-fares-hailing-booking/ Enjoy your Japlanning! :-)
Just got my passport! Ill be going to Akihabara in a few months! 😊 So If i get the Suica card i can use all the trains i want rather than getting the tickets?
Exciting!! Yes, exactly, you can use Suica to pay for ALL the trains, it's the easiest way. There's more about it in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rvqitrtmziY.html
Hi, Only in Japan Go covered this really well on his livestream channel last week, I'd recommend taking a look at what he said about it: ru-vid.com/show-UCDsvL48jluG3tvlyurB4K3gvideos Apart from that, I've heard that masks are selling out, so get one before you go if you can, and keep an eye on the news and travel advice.
Only in Japan Go did some really good livestreams about it last week; he lives in Japan and knows the situation a lot better than I do! :-) ru-vid.com/show-UCDsvL48jluG3tvlyurB4K3g
Assuming you mean KIX: Check out the ICOCA&HARUKA package. ICOCA is JR West's IC card and works the same as PASMO and Suica. It'll work where the others do, the only difference being that you can't return it for a refund outside JR West's area. You can reserve an IC card with a unique design too. HARUKA is the express train that takes you from KIX into Osaka and Kyoto. Alternatively there's the Kansai One Pass that comes with some discounts at tourist spots and an Astro Boy design if you're into that, but is a little more expensive. Default recommendation: As you step into the main hall after customs, turn left and head to the shower facilities to get a slot in the queue. Absolutely worth it.
I'd take the N'Ex (same train as in the video) to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line, which goes to Akihabara Station. You can get a round trip ticket from the airport that gives you a small discount on the N'Ex: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/nex.html
Hellooo from London, can you tell me what the situation is like in Tokyo? (Re:coronavirus?) planning to get there second week of March and am super worried/stressed out...please please let me know 🙏🏻...ps. I love watching your videos :)
Thanks! I'm in the UK too at the moment; but Only in Japan Go covered this really well on his livestream channel last week, I'd recommend taking a look at what he said about it: ru-vid.com/show-UCDsvL48jluG3tvlyurB4K3gvideos Apart from that, I've heard that masks are selling out, so get one before you go if you can, and keep an eye on the news and travel advice. Fingers crossed for you and stay safe!
Hi Viv, I just came back from Japan yday 07th Feb. We we're there for a week and it's not a chaos as other Asia country panicking about the virus such as HK and mainland China. Some People in Japan are wearing mask better safe then sorry. Our hotel was kind enough to give some out if needed, shops like don Quijote are selling them but limit 1 pack per person a pack has 5 masks. Other so Japan is quite hygienic. But check news update as there was a cruise ship quarantined on Fri in Yokohama. Hope it helps. Stay safe everyone. P.s We also flew from LHR to Haneda on Lufthansa.
Lilwunx hello! Were you wearing masks all the time? I was thinking to bring some from here and wear them on the plane & in crowded places. Did they check your temperature once landed in Tokyo? I hope the Japanese government is not going to close their borders to all arrivals as I read that next week they will reinforce their travel security...
@@vivyven5117 we wore them on plane and metros mainly gets crowded. Arrival was smooth when we arrived there wasn't any temperature checks. Outside shops they have hand gel/sanitizer pumps so can use before entering as never know thousands people touching same products. But yes travel updates and news as the situation can escalate quickly unfortunately. Hope it will die down soon. Safe trip :)
@@Lilwunx Thanks so much for sharing, that's really helpful! Glad you stayed safe, I'd heard the situation isn't as extreme in Japan as some other asian countries. Hope you had a good trip!
All different ones! :-) I shop around for the best fares. British Airways, ANA and JAL fly direct if you don't want any stopovers. ANA is excellent, Lufthansa was good. I'll be trying JAL for the first time this year, heard good things about them too.
Personally I'm using www.jrailpass.com/ which are recommended by the JR company. I've had a very bad experience with Japan Experience . I found them very rude and disrespectful but, this was my personal experience.
um, one tiny correction,... Japan Rail Pass is also possible for certain Japanese nationals who live outside of Japan (for USA at least just give Green Card information). NEX sounds so nice but for me it is the slowwww local train to Chiba (^_^) ... ah! actually if you ever come back to Japan maybe this is good; after a long flight you can relax for a day in nearby Chiba and then take Sobu line into Tokyo.
