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Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

japantimes.co.jp

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Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#81

Post by bemmu »

impendia wrote: post #19
kaycebasques wrote: post #4

Road trip across Japan is quickly moving to the top of my bucket list? Has anyone done it? How was it? Must see stops?

I've traveled extensively in Japan and very highly recommend it. I especially recommend a long walk in rural or small-town Japan. Perhaps the best one-day option is the Yamanobe Road https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/nara/the-yam... which is breathtaking. You pass ancient tombs, temples, and shrines -- you will have beautiful mountains to your east and even more beautiful small towns to your west. If yo…

If anyone here decides to do henro, message me as we live on the path (Tokushima).

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#83

Post by DoingIsLearning »

drderidder wrote: post #63
suggestion wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any advice or resources for someone seriously considering this?

SevenEleven ATMs generally take foreign interac debit cards if you need cash (yen). Most places accept credit cards. When given the option on the debit card machine to pay in yen or convert to USD / CAD etc always choose yen, to avoid high conversion rates charged by the processor. Allow your credit card company to convert to your home currency at a much better rate. Get a Japan Rail pass. Pack lightly and hit a Uniq…

> Get a Japan Rail pass

I am going next month, the Japan Rail pass sounds like a big saving, can I also use Shinkansen trains with the Rail Pass? Specifically the Tokyo to Kyoto route (JR central)?

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#84

Post by dagw »

drderidder wrote: post #75
rippercushions wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A lot of this advice is out of date. - Most bank ATMs in Japan now accept foreign cards. - Credit card acceptance remains low by international standards, although things have improved a bit with the "cashless" drive. Carry cash (yen), you'll need it at many restaurants and even some hotels. - Most rail companies now sell discounted advance fares and LCC airlines are competitive as well, so a Japan Rail Pass is no lon…

Sorry, but it’s not out of date. Based on very recent extensive travel and living there. But yes of course there are additional places to get cash (yubinkyoku etc) and various rail passes. The JR pass really is a nobrainer though.

The JR pass really is a nobrainer though.

I really recommend doing the math based on your particular itinerary. I've been to Japan twice, 14 days each time, and, at best, I would have broken even on a JR rail pass based on the traveling did. For longer trips, like Tokyo Sapporo airplanes are both quicker and cheaper.

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#86

Post by Markoff »

Personally I don't support countries which locked people outside under some false pretense of protecting anyone as Australia, NZ, Canada or Japan is doing and LATE reversal on such policy is even more reassuring me to not visit (out of those 4, only Japan is a bit interesting for me and worth visiting (as someone who lived for years in Eastern Asia)).

If you didn't fully open by spring 2022 for everyone, then you don't deserve my money and can wait at least 1-2 extra years before I even consider spending money, since you didn't rush I won't rush either.

Same reason I didn't even consider this year holidays in Spain (maybe not one specific harsh restriction but overal sum with locking children inside, wearing mask outdoors and other nonsense), Italy (work ban for unvaxxed takes the gold) or Greece (fines for unvaxxed seniors takes the gold) this summer in Europe, because of what they did to own citizens.

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#87

Post by KTallguy »

Markoff wrote: post #86

Personally I don't support countries which locked people outside under some false pretense of protecting anyone as Australia, NZ, Canada or Japan is doing and LATE reversal on such policy is even more reassuring me to not visit (out of those 4, only Japan is a bit interesting for me and worth visiting (as someone who lived for years in Eastern Asia)). If you didn't fully open by spring 2022 for everyone, then you don…

Personally, I’m thankful that they’ve locked down as long as they have. We’ve already had our share of death, long Covid cases and stress on our public health system. Simultaneously, people are generally free to choose whether or not they want or be vaccinated, and there are no heavy handed lockdowns like many other countries. It’s inevitable that Covid will still spread even with our best efforts, but not overwhelming hospitals and avoiding needless death and disability is very important. I think that Japan‘s response to this ongoing crisis is not perfect, but well balanced overall.

When tourists do return, I hope they respect the norms here and wear masks in public spaces, disinfect their hands, and do their best to avoid risky situations… and don’t act like Japan is a giant theme park where Covid doesn’t exist.

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#88

Post by midoridensha »

DoingIsLearning wrote: post #83
drderidder wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

SevenEleven ATMs generally take foreign interac debit cards if you need cash (yen). Most places accept credit cards. When given the option on the debit card machine to pay in yen or convert to USD / CAD etc always choose yen, to avoid high conversion rates charged by the processor. Allow your credit card company to convert to your home currency at a much better rate. Get a Japan Rail pass. Pack lightly and hit a Uniq…

> Get a Japan Rail pass I am going next month, the Japan Rail pass sounds like a big saving, can I also use Shinkansen trains with the Rail Pass? Specifically the Tokyo to Kyoto route (JR central)?

Look carefully at it; probably you won't be able to use the fastest trains with the JR pass.

Also, if you're just going to Kyoto from Tokyo, it really is not worth it to get the pass. Just buy regular tickets. The pass is useful if you're doing a lot of train travel in a short time.

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#89

Post by midoridensha »

suggestion wrote: post #66
drderidder wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

SevenEleven ATMs generally take foreign interac debit cards if you need cash (yen). Most places accept credit cards. When given the option on the debit card machine to pay in yen or convert to USD / CAD etc always choose yen, to avoid high conversion rates charged by the processor. Allow your credit card company to convert to your home currency at a much better rate. Get a Japan Rail pass. Pack lightly and hit a Uniq…

This is all great and relevant advice! I have actually considering moving there, any tips with respect to that? For example could I, as a US citizen, work remotely for a US company while living in Japan indefinitely (not necessarily permanently, but at least as an option)?

>For example could I, as a US citizen, work remotely for a US company while living in Japan indefinitely (not necessarily permanently, but at least as an option)?

NO.

You must have a work visa to live here, and you won't get that unless a Japanese company sponsors your visa. A US company can't do that for obvious reasons, unless it's a company with a Japanese branch office.

The only way to do what you ask is to get permanent residence first, but that means living here for a while on a work visa or spouse visa.

Also, on top of this, the US company may have issues with you living outside the US while working for them, but that'll be the case for any other country. This was discussed within the last week or so here on HN.

Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

#90

Post by paraselene_ »

dagw wrote: post #84
drderidder wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, but it’s not out of date. Based on very recent extensive travel and living there. But yes of course there are additional places to get cash (yubinkyoku etc) and various rail passes. The JR pass really is a nobrainer though.

The JR pass really is a nobrainer though. I really recommend doing the math based on your particular itinerary. I've been to Japan twice, 14 days each time, and, at best, I would have broken even on a JR rail pass based on the traveling did. For longer trips, like Tokyo Sapporo airplanes are both quicker and cheaper.

It's more for flexiblilty and peace of mind, with a all-you-can-ride ticket, you can book all itinerary/reserved-seat tickets(when available) right when you land, and have the flexibility to bail on any single train connection when you couldn't make it, either because of emergencies, or you just like the place you're visiting so much that you'd like to move your tour schedule around a bit.

And it's not like you have to get the pass for all region, there are dozens of types of regional jr passes depending on the region you're visiting. Those are the ones that's of better value when travelling in-region, and covers most touristy places. Personally I'd say tokyo-wide, kaisai, and hokkaido are the ones that's pretty no-brainer when in those regions.

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