Hey Nathan, long time lurker first time commenter, just wanted to say thanks for all the tips over the years! Finally headed back to Japan for a couple of weeks at the end of this month after 4 long years, and it’s convenient that this video came out at just the right time. A little tip I’d like to share of my own is for reservations at Shibuya Sky - you can reserve 1 month in advance and they currently release the time slots at midnight JST, which is crucial if you’re aiming for a sunset time slot because these can fill up within the first 15 minutes-first hour (from my experience)
Wow! Thanks for lurking and for the comment! .. Awesome tip for the crucial sunset time slot! I'll have to remember that! It seems the timing of this video is indeed convenient! :)
@@NinjaMonkeyguy I plan to visit for 2 months. Can the suica app be used as a complete replacement for the 10 year card? (With allowing me to refund my remaining balance after the trip is over)
Hi Nathan I'm excited for my trip and kinda nervous to start booking everything, currently waiting for flights to lower their prices for the dates I want (almost close to 2k) but your videos have help me so much keep up with lates update in Japan and things I have to keep in mind.
I'm glad I can be of help.. Set up a Flight price tracker using Expedia or skyscanner for example.. Unfortunately flights are expensive but having a tracker will give you an idea of whats happening
Good Info. i ended up getting Pokemon Cafe Tickets for April 1st about 40 minutes after they went up. was stressful as they kept adding new spots every 10 minutes once the timer ended for the reservation. so yeah if you want a reservation check back every 10 minutes on the dot afterwards.
been to japan countless times, i only speak english and mandarin but i’ve only been using english throughout my trips to japan without much issue . never had to use any translation apps
Went January 2023 and covid measures were still in place and with the visit Japan web stuff already done I got out of narita in like 30-45 minutes including getting the WiFi and our bags shipped to hotel. I plan on much faster exit from haneda next week
thanks for this helpful video! just a minor remark on the IC Cards: Okica used for Okinawa cannot be used outside of Okinawa Prefecture, but is nevertheless useful to have for Okinawa buses. (You can use the other Japanese IC Cards on the Naha Monorail though)
One might just might say that Ninja Monkey is a Just In Time video creator. Now, I wouldn't say that, but I'd for sure think that. How apropos, that this video appears right when many of your viewers might need to find this knowledge, all in one spot, before they travel to Japan.運命 (shukumei).
@@towada1066 Taxes are destiny everywhere, unfortunately. Japan just adds a few extras to remind you that sometimes there will a few pains to remind you you're alive.
@@NinjaMonkeyguy Here's the detail I left out - My wife's service got cut because her iPhone still has a physical SIM but my did not because I have e-SIM.
Hi! Thanks for the great informative video! When you mentioned about forwarding your luggage, can it be taken to somewhere a bit more remote? Is this service expensive ? and if I don’t have a reserved seat or can’t fit my case on the racks, what are my options? How do you reserve a seat? Thanks for your time!
Yes, luggage forwarding services in Japan, can be used even to more remote areas, including rural locations but you need to factor in time to get there. The cost depends on the size of the luggage and distance, but it’s generally around ¥2,000-3,000. If you can’t fit your luggage on the overhead racks or don’t have a reserved seat on the train, you can either store it in the designated luggage areas (available on some trains) or use the luggage forwarding service to send it to your destination ahead of time. To reserve a seat, you can do so online when booking ticket if you do so online kr or at ticket machines and JR ticket counters at train stations. For trains like the Shinkansen, reserving a seat is highly recommended if you have large luggage. Hope this helps!
@@NinjaMonkeyguy thanks so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. I’m planning on going to Japan for the first time solo at the end of this October. Thanks for your content, keep up the great work! ✨
I like Sakura pocket wifi too and have used it on 3 trips now. Better than the sim as your whole group can share it. They can send before you land in Japan to the first hotel you are staying if you dont want to pick up at the airport.
I only advertise products or services I've used or use myself and YES this is amongst one of the best :) .. I usually get it sent to my hotel too because who wants to line up after a 15 hour flight :)
the best thing to do is get yourself a physical card unless your android phone was purchased in Japan. There are some apps that allows you to at least check the balance of your card. When it comes to using a currency card like Revolut or Wise, these can be great for taking cash out and spending but not for transportation
My biggest fear of traveling to another country is the language barrier and getting lost. I have done much research on Japan, but mostly Tokyo. I just wonder if it would be easier to hire a guide for my whole trip and have them meet me at the airport when I arrive and walk me through everything.
Its always easier to have a guide but I think that although there is a language barrier when travelling in Japan, if you are well prepared with a good internet connection, translation on the phone and addresses written down plus some gestures you'll be surprised how far you can get in Japan.. A middle ground would be to get a guide for the first few days so that you can get the hang of things but I really think part of the adventure is actually getting lost!
Hey Nathan. Some great tips all the time! I’m visiting first time 19 March for 3 weeks, Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka (and 1 night back in Tokyo). I believe the JR pass would not be worth it for these journeys. In Hakone I will be getting be 2 day free pass, and haven’t reserved anything yet. What is the maximum size suitcase that will not need reservations for Shinkansen?
As per JR website info: The total dimensions must be 160 cm to 250 cm When bringing baggage that is larger than a certain size onto the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen (routes: Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Shin-Osaka - Hiroshima - Hakata - Kagoshima-Chuo) or onto the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line (Takeo-Onsen - Nagasaki), passengers are required to make an advance reservation for both their seat and baggage area. As a general rule if its too heavy or wont fit on the overhead shelf its oversize
I was in Osaka during the earthquake, pretty scary. My building was swaying, as were the powerpoles. Does the app predict the quakes somehow? I did get a text from the Japanese authorities afterwards. That was nice.
The only annoying about Apple Wallet Suica is that my country does not support Apple Pay. The only way I can top up my Apple Wallet Suica is through terminals which has IC card reader in big stations. Likewise I have to change my phone region to Japan if not, all payment will fail despite Apple Wallet Suica having enough funds.
interesting about having to change region (not a bad thing since it will also unlock the earthquake early warning on your phone) .. as for annoying to go to a terminal.. you'd need to do that with a physical suica too right?
Thank you for the informations! We are gonna arrive at the Kansai airport in april but as I see i can just simply buy an ICOCA here right? There are no shortage about ICOCA.
Thank you for this video! I am having issues with my Visa and Discover credit card buying Shinkansen tickets through their official website. Do you have any tip ? TIA ❤
Hi! Thanks for all the info. I'm gonna fly from Fukuoka to Seoul and from Seoul to Osaka before heading home again. Should I register two seperate journeys on the Visit Japan App?
I have a question. Could you please talk about Osaka Airport? I am planning to arrive at osaka Airport and departure from tokyo. i have been trying to find videos about it, and i need information about osaka Airport, like can we get suica from it? Thank you, your fan from Saudi Arabia
KIX has extensive facilities including shops, restaurants, currency exchange offices, and transport services. Regarding your question about the Suica card, it's worth noting that Suica is typically used in Tokyo and surrounding areas, while the ICOCA card is the equivalent used in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, etc.). You can purchase an ICOCA card at KIX from ticket machines and use it for public transport across japan
Can you print the visit Japan QR codes vs having to connect to the website? I have an eSim I will be enabling as soon as I arrive, but my sister plans on buying hers after arrival. Airport wifi is, to me, a security hazard 😅
Hi. I have a lay over at japan this week. And im thinking about going out to tokyo for a few hours. My problem is with visit japan website, they need an address where im going to stay there but im not staying there over night. Do you have any advice on what i should do? Thanks
@@NinjaMonkeyguy ok im gonna do that, but i guess i wont be able to do the visit japan web yet and would have to do that manually when i get there at the airport. Thank you
I'll be leaving Rio to Tokyo on jan 25th and arrive in tokyo on 27th. In this case, is it worth to fill online papers during the flight to get changes advantages after 25th?
TO be honest im not too sure! .. My guess is that the only thing that will happen is you'll refresh to get a new Qr Code... if that fails there will be paper entry so not to worry :)
Hi, i filled the online form, got the square QR code with my name below. when i scan the QR code, it's not a link, just a jumble of letters. is that how the japan qr code is formatted? usually when i point the camera at a QR code, it shows a link and it takes me to a website. This one does not do that... how will they verify when it's just a jumble of letters? could you please check how your QR codes were? thanks
Hi Nathan, unfortunately with LINE, it is no longer supported to sign up with a phone number outside of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. So I can't register my USA phone number to chat. Is it still worth it to have?
Hey Nathan. Thanks for the informative video. I've been to Japan many times but I was mostly interested in the info around IC Cards as I'm heading to Japan in June this year with my school students and I've heard about the chip shortage. I understand about the Pasmo Passport and Welcome Suica, but all the other videos and websites I've viewed are saying the actual SUICA card is no longer available. So I'm confused. But you're saying it is at specific JR Offices?? It's the first time to hear this. I'm not sure now whether to get Pasmo Passports at Narita or get actual Suica cards at Ueno Station. Any advice? And I take from what you said, I can still use my Suica Card as it's not 10 years old yet. We are only in Japan for 9 days. We fly in at 6:00pm so I'm assuming an office would be still open after we clear immigration to get the Pasmo Passports. Thanks.
Depending on the age of the children: Children under the age of 5 travel for free on public trains and don't require an IC card. Those between 6 and 12 years old are eligible for a child fare, which is half the adult fare. Once they exceed 12 years of age, they are classified as adults and must pay the full adult fare. Some families like putting some credit into IC cards and giving it to their children so that they can purchase things from vending machines for example but this is not needed
it will save you some time as there is less checking happening at the control point, also it means not having to fill in the form on the flight or even worse at the airport, saving you time. And most importantly more likely you don't make mistakes on the form after a long flight that will lead to your form being inspected for longer. The reality is that physical forms are inspected for longer than the Qr Code regardless of line.
Mate, can we use WISE VISA debit card to pay for hotel accommodation? I have read online that people can use it to purchase things like using a credit card but they never mentioned about paying for hotel. Thanks.
Entry is based on passport unless there is a specific issue with a country.. simply enter normally However, it’s important to ensure you have a valid passport, a return or onward flight ticket
I see thanks for the update here. I only gave various options that had been reported to me (As Im not from the USA) It's also VERY IMPORTANT to note that Digital Suica is down for maintenance every day between 1am-5am Japan time meaning that trying ANY card to top up or set up Apple Pay will fail (which is what happens a lot of the time due to the time difference people try it and it doesnt work.. then they try another card at a different time and it does! :)
I ran into that issue with my US issued Visa on a trip there last year. The same card worked OK in 2022 - there was a change to Japan based card processing protocols. I found that my AMEX card worked just fine.
Wait so pasmo can't use in the osaka/kansai area? The last time I used JR Pass when in Osaka/kyoto so I think, I only topping up the Pasmo when the JR pass expire in tokyo.
You need to leave the country and return .. or some countries like the UK have special agreements that slows you to extend by another 3 months if you apply
I'm going Feb 8-23 but I don't know if i need the 7 day JR pass or the 14 day pass. its a big price difference but if you're traveling every other day, then it won't be 7 straight calendar days I would use JR. Landing Haneda, I want to go (in no order) Tokyo, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Osaka/Kyoto/Nara (and I was told to devote 4-6 days just for that)
Use a JR pass calculator to figure out individual tickets compared to the JR pass.. if you are spreading it out accross 7 days it might not be worth it?
Hi! I'm trying to enter the details for the qr code, but I'm stuck at "point of embarkation": I travel from Rome to Narita via Seoul incheon, what is considered my point of embarkation then, Rome or Seoul? I can only enter one flight number so I'm confused.
If you are doing tourism but staying at your bf accommodation then tourism, if you are only going to visit your bf then put reason as visiting him but bear in mind that things like Jr pass require visitor entry stamp
@@NinjaMonkeyguy THANKS! He will be driving me around to each location I want to go to - I was just worried about immigration officers in terms of purpose of my trip. But yeah, I'll choose tourism because I do want to do sightseeing but just use his place as my accommodation... Do you think the immigration will be suspicious of me or something? :( hopefully not
im not too sure, some people reported they could, others said they couldnt.. just remember that between 1am-5am Japan time the system is down and it wont work!
My country (New Zealand) comes up in most questions on the Visit Japan Web, but no locations in New Zealand for the "Point of Embrakation" questions comes up. Should I just fill out the paper forms on arrival?
I don't understand this shortage of IC card. Welcome suica has a chipset too. So normal or welcome suica use one chipset. And for people which stay more than 28 days, they will use 2 or 3 cards, so 2 or 3 more chipsets than one normal suica. (sorry for my bad english)
A question if I may: it seems that there are two smartwatches which are compatible with digital SUICA, but only the version sold in Japan: if I wanted to "get my hands" on a "Galaxy Watch6" (Osaifu-Keitai compatible) where should I go?
I mention some workarounds you can try in this live stream: ru-vid.com_ci0IPVeeos?si=N7f-K62xMEDBmjTs&t=1715 (its at 28:35 ish) basically try Apple Cash or set up a currency app like wise or revolut and pay that way. In Nagoya you should be able to pick up a pysical MANACA card quite easily but if you can set up digital on iPhone it's much better!
For the visitjapan qr code i need to register after the 25th right? I already registered and my flight is in the 26th will the unified qr code still available?
@@NinjaMonkeyguy it's a starter "Visa" A secured credit card is a type of credit card that requires a security deposit to open the account. The cardholder typically makes a one-time, refundable deposit that acts as collateral for the credit card issuer. A secured credit card can be a great option if you're trying to build, rebuild or establish credit. But not a normal Visa.
@@HacksignKT hmmm ... there is JCB secured card but I will never use these types of services because I don't need it ... EPOS also has this thing but why will foreigners pay high fees ? ... if you're a foreign tourist I think just use your own credit card ...
What happen if my trip to Japan I'm going to arrive 25th at 17h, do I'm still going to be okay to use the 2 QR codes or going to change already at this date?
@@NinjaMonkeyguy Hello I'm back from my trip to Japan and what happen the 2 QR codes merged together so everything was okay, we didn't have any problem or need to redo it. Have a nice day.
It's not an App, an app wouldn't work even if they made one... Android phones made outside of Japan dont have the hardware used in Japan for IC payments
I'm going from London to Tokyo with a 2hr layover in Abu Dhabi (same airline). Do I give the visit japan web service my second flight number or the first? I'm confused as to which flight number to input at the 'point of embarkation' section since I have two. Thanks Nathan
hmmm,... it would be easier if foreigners just did not visit Japan (^_^) ... though guest workers seem ok (except to my relatives) ... I think having currency is actually good advice ... in the backward countryside, sometimes some train stations cannot accept SUICA so it is only paper ticket.
@@NinjaMonkeyguy hmmm,... as annoying to me as it is ... I think the Edo Era was anything but boring ... and Meiji Era seemed to create the first generation of European weeaboo ...