What's the catch? Can anyone visit Japan without a visa? People of any country?
It's only a return to the previous norm.
Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
31–40 of 103 posts
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#32Road trip across Japan is quickly moving to the top of my bucket list? Has anyone done it? How was it? Must see stops?
Ryokan in Kyoto is a must. Also, if you spend enough time - don't just do Shinkansen all the time. It gets boring pretty quick as you are moving from one big city to another. Rent a car for some time too!
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
Train trips mostly fit Japan better, and it's more relaxing. Kyoto is an amazing place, Tokyo is a must, and Mount Fuji is quite nice. I've heard Osaka is cool, but I've never been. Beyond that, specifics depend on what you're into. My favorite bits were generally the food, temples, museums, onsen and just wandering around shopping districts and taking it all in.
Also, Japan has fairly high road tolls, so driving adds up fast. And there's not really free street parking either.
Travelling by train kinda becomes boring after a while, hence I'll go for a car next time.
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#34Road trip across Japan is quickly moving to the top of my bucket list? Has anyone done it? How was it? Must see stops?
Edit: for some reason I'd interpreted the question as being about cycling. Leaving in case it's useful for cyclists or motorcyclists.
I've done a lot of cycling across various bits of Japan, from shorter day trips on the order of 150km to longer 1000km+ trips. One thing to keep in mind for visiting cyclists on longer road trips: this may seem obvious but Japan is very mountainous which means a lot of narrow roads with little/no shoulder, and long (sometimes multi-kilometre) tunnels. Fortunately drivers are in general, very considerate and careful around cyclists.
For shorter day trips, many large rivers/lakes in Japan have cycling/walking paths along one or both sides and make for really nice riding. In Tokyo, the Tamagawa or in Kyoto Kamogawa and Katsuragawa have paths. Lake Biwa has a really nice cycling trail as well.
One of my favourite longer routes was along the north coast of Japan between Tsuruga and the north end of Fukui. The mountain pass along no. 8 through Takefu has some nice views but a lot of climbing and tunnels. For something shorter but pretty, follow the Tamagawa from Tokyo up to Lake Okutama. As someone else mentioned, I find travelling in rural Japan a lot nicer than cycling in/near big cities.
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#35Nooooooooooo, I was about to go to Japan this November, using my iPhone 14 Pro to take pictures of Japan with less tourists............... With special privilege that’s not available for regular tourist of course.
something something tragedy of the commons
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yeah all of those pesky tourists always taking pictures with their iPhone 14 Pros, oh wait...
Loooll, thankfully I am not your average tourist.
Feels like everyone thinks they're not the average tourist. Ok well the average tourist is really the tour bus, get off, take photos, back on the bus kind. But are you the average "not-average tourist" ;)
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#37What's your favorite snowy mountain onsen in Japan?
Thinking of going to meditate for ten days for New Years.
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#38[deleted]
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#39To fellow American HN people.
Right now USD/JPY is around 145, and it was about 100 in 2020, which means almost 30% discount for everything! (Please note that CPI of Japan is not so high)
Come to Japan, and enjoy!
Re: Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap
#40To fellow American HN people. Right now USD/JPY is around 145, and it was about 100 in 2020, which means almost 30% discount for everything! (Please note that CPI of Japan is not so high) Come to Japan, and enjoy!
USD/JPY purchasing power ratio change between 2020 and 2022 is even better than 30% because Japanese inflation is so low: https://tradingeconomics.com/japan/inflation-cpi