Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Japan to reopen to independent travelers and lift daily arrival cap

japantimes.co.jp

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 103 posts

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

#91

Post by fps-hero »

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A lot of this advice is out of date.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Sorry, but it’s not out of date.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.

Another factor, travelling on the Shinkansen is an experience in itself. JR pass maximises your chance of experiencing the bliss of high speed rail.

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

#93

Post by dennis_jeeves1 »

orblivion wrote: post #29

This reminded me to check on Canada as I periodically do, and it looks like they also just made a related announcement today: they're ending vaccine requirements for the border at the end of the month: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/government-lifting-pandemic... I've previously been misdirected here, since they have different rules for vacationers vs business travelers or something like that. But, this sounds like…

Btw, cool concept: https://itsnotgov.org, hope it grows over time.

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

#94

Post by suggestion »

midoridensha wrote: post #89
suggestion wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 p…

I figured that might be the case, thank you for the information. I think I would struggle to adjust to the Japanese work culture in order to establish residence within these constraints.

I also pretty much exclusively have software experience in government contracting so the jump to commercial would be pretty big too.

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

#95

Post by suggestion »

drderidder wrote: post #74
suggestion wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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)?

Basically no. But if your company has a Japanese branch and is willing to transfer you there, then maybe. But be aware that visiting Japan as a tourist vs living and working there are very different experiences, and plenty of expats burn out within a year. Visit first, maybe do the digital nomad thing for a bit.

Thanks for the advice, visiting first would be my approach, but just trying to gather info as much as I can.

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

#96

Post by rendaw »

midoridensha wrote: post #88
DoingIsLearning wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

The not-fastest shinkansen is still pretty fast, and plenty of people enjoy the train for the experience.

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

#97

Post by warabe »

bamboozled wrote: post #69
warabe wrote: post #39

To 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!

It's good, but it kind of sucks for locals who are competing for things like property etc already. I guess such is life? Japan, all hail your new USD bearing overlords.

yes, unfortunately. From USD perspective, Japanese salary got 30% cut, which is ridiculous. it gets even worse if you take surging US CPI into consideration!

Nowadays, I cannot imagine having a trip to the U.S.

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

#98

Post by warabe »

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)?

Just out of curiosity, why are you considering moving to Japan?

I am not trying to discourage you, but if you really want to live in Japan, you have to learn Japanese, which is not an easy language to learn, especially for English speakers, even if you live in Tokyo.

edit: wording

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

#99

Post by orblivion »

dennis_jeeves1 wrote: post #93
orblivion wrote: post #29

This reminded me to check on Canada as I periodically do, and it looks like they also just made a related announcement today: they're ending vaccine requirements for the border at the end of the month: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/government-lifting-pandemic... I've previously been misdirected here, since they have different rules for vacationers vs business travelers or something like that. But, this sounds like…

Btw, cool concept: https://itsnotgov.org , hope it grows over time.

Heh, wow! Thanks. Haven't touched it in a good while but I may again at some point.

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

#100

Post by whoosh3 »

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)?

You can use the Kodama (all stops) and the Hikari (limited express) with a JR Pass. You'd have to pay extra for the Nozomi (superexpress).
Post reply on HN