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4:13 we put the card on our iPhone. In the Apple wallet and you can top up easily.

Yep Darn Tough socks are the best!

Do you have an updated code for the eSIM?

Andrew, great content, can I suggest sections and time link summaries like your content competition :}

Well done Andrew another practical and informative 5⭐ video. It bewilders me how little we use umbrellas for shade in the West. It's a no-brainer, but we're all hung up on "Oh a man's holding an umbrella is that ok" I take a folding shade umbrella with me on my Japan trips and love it. It's like the stupid western cultural norm of shaking hands ... and then we wonder why colds & flus are so rampant ... Bowing or even a simple head nod is surely a sufficient greeting worldwide. Alongside tissues and wet wipes in my day pack I include expanding wet towels (thanks to my wife) ... Have you seen these ? They're the size of a thick postage stamp and when wet become the most incredible tough absorbent 'man size' disposable hand towel. (I've never seen anyone mention them, now the secret's out 🫢). Loved seeing you loading your Brompton(?) folding bike into the lockers ... a man after my own heart 🚲 I'm travelling with my folding e-bike now every trip. Ya gotta absolutely include a battery pack, get a slimline designed one. In fact they're only 1000Y in Daiso. I've got to look into that magnetic shoe lacing system, thanks 🤔 Coincidentally trip #11 for the first time I ran out of deodorant, ¼ bottle 🫣 ... A supermarket vist surprised me of the price of deodorant and antiperspirant in Japan 💰. I got a small bottle for around 700Y which must have been an antiperspirant that kept me drier than I've ever experienced before 😮 Great content keep it coming. Oh and for what it's worth, I'd love to see you do live Q&A streams. Your down to earth logical approach to travelling in Japan would be welcomed LIVE 🎤

Yep, the sweating in the summer is real. You shower in your own sweat while walking outside. 😅

Take your own trip is a great tip. Too many people are fixated on pleasing others

Thanks for the info! Sidebar question, If I'm arriving to Tokyo @ the end of March, when should I purchase a JRpass/ Sukansen, I believe that I'm only going to purchase a 7 day pass, or do I need one at all? I am not trying to run myself crazy trying to visit so many places on my first trip, i'm the kind of guy there whatever I feel like doing or whichever way the wind blows. If it tickles my fancy, then I may want to do it. I'm there for 2wks. Thanx astack!!

15:31 deodorant kills the bacteria that cause bad smells; it doesn't just hide the smell.

"If you think it looks silly come back and laugh at me when you're dying from skin cancer" 💀💀 I adore your sense of humour

very good list!! and it's nice to see content that isn't catered to just tokyo (:

If you still have luggage space on your way to Japan, I'd recommend packing 1-2 rolls of toilet tissue. The Japanese version is so thin it's practically see-through. Same for napkins/pocket tissues.

Always enjoying your content, And the fact that you do not make neither shorts or live streaming. Finally, one with the same problem as me regarding cups. i bought the same collapsible type you showed before the pandemic and it is always with me when I travel. And your choice of tea is excellent as well. I always bring a couple of teabags with me as well, even to England as one never knows what type of tea is on offer at the hotel *or when traveling in Europe, if tea is even offered.

Forget sunscreen, I use an umbrella to sheild me from the sun in Japan.

I bring my own coffee/tea cup where ever I travel. The perfect size for me every time. 😊

Comment 4 Algo

Im going Gala Yuzawa and Disneyland. Should i buy this?

Does this pass cover Nara also ?

Just wondering what type of discounts avaialbe using the base fare plus add on shinkassen model vs the one way discounted fares of JR West. I'm doing Hiroshima to Osaka to Kanazawa to Nagao to Futaba [in Fukushima]. So wondering if base fare option has more savings or would it be better to buy the two discounted fares via Klook for Hiroshima to Osaka and Osaka to Kanazawa? thx

I followed the first couple of recommendations for this trip and made it out to Amanohashidate, Ine, Asago city, as well as Himeji! I had a great time at all these places thanks to your write up on substack! If you're trying to do Amanohashidate and Ine together, you're probably going to want to get to Amanohashidate as early as possible! preferably by 9/10am! (i.e. take the first train). Also, don't get careless with the trains out of Amanohashidate, because if you mistakenly stop at some of the smaller stations along the way to Asago city, and its the evening, it won't be a fun wait out in the cold!!

just got back fro m Japan. For got JR pas for Green cars for 70,000Y. It was great!

There seems to be only 3 limousine buses per day from narita to asakusa. None at a suitable time for me. Think I’ll just take the train for turn up and go service.

Thanks! Great video!

tokyo to kyoto with 21 days advance is only 11500 yen which is alot less than klook so no i dont think its worth it, ig if you were planning to go to kyoto and then hiroshima aswell it might be worth it but its only slightly less, idk why they only offer the advance from tokyo it should be all stations, but yeah for sanyo klook seems good

Having visited Japan a fair bit _ I totally agree with all your observations/suggestions! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Thanks for the video! For the joyful train, Is it fully covered by the pass? or is there an additional fee for reservations?

Where to buy at terminal 2 narita? Can i buy at the same day?

Last year i was in Japan and i skip Tokyo entirely. Some of my friend and people who i talk about my trip didn't understand this choice. They where like "You can't skip it" and i was like, i've already been here once, and when i only scratch the surface on 9 days, i wanted to live away from the Japanese "image d'Épinal". And what an adventure! Also i've to say that Ikeshima>Gunkan-jima. Yeah i was 3 day in Nagasaki for the lantern festival and i did visit Ikeshima along the way. It's also an abandonned island who did had 9000 people on his glory but has now only around 50 habitants . Yeah it's more difficult to go there than Gunkan-jima (you have to take the bus and they aren't much ferries) but you can freely move around. All in all this video give amazing tips, i 100% agree (except on the detail about Gunkan-jima if you can deal with japanese bus ^^ ). In fact, if i've to recommand one channel to help for preparing your Japanese trip, it's this one. Ps:As an apprentice tourist guide, most people don't know that guide spend most of their time preparing their itinerary, reading books about what to say, verifing that what they know is still valid, that the weather will allow to go there, etc... A least in France where i am, you can't improvising yourself guide, you need to have your license.

What do you mean that this pass start at midnight?

For solo travel, Toyoko Inn works great for me. Usually close to train stops. Very inexpensive, especially once you are a member and book and pay online. I'm usually out and about, so the tiny room is ok. Breakfast free and ok to good, scallops today! Also all hotels will hold your luggage before and after checkput.

A friend use always luggage delivering services in Japan and he loves it! Needs a bit planning, but takes a LOT of stress of you.

Hi pal great video, I'm solo travelling to japan , I'm starting in tokoyo, mount fuji, osaka, kyoto,hiroshima, nagasaki, then back up to tokoyo, would u say get the jr pass ?

I was forced to travel back to the airport during rush hour, because my brother had booked an earlier flight back than me. Honestly, don’t do it. It was hell. My brother did genuinely think that it wasn’t going to be a problem, but he quickly changed his mind about that. It was an experience though! But not a good one 😂

The icoca' peluche T_T

Bookmark done! We'll be staying in Kyoto for 5days in March and will have time to enjoy your recommendations!

Thanks for this tips! I am heading to Japan late February to run the marathon and then to visit so I really need to register a suitcase as I am bringing racing shoes, and other things that I will use during the marathon but my suitcase is medium size so hopefully it won't be too complicated to move around 👼

Hi is this itinerary doable? 1. 8:38-10:38 am - Kyoto to Amanoshidate (is this the earliest direct train?) 2. 10:38 am - 1 pm - View Land park 3. 1-2 pm - travel to Ine by bus 4. 2-4:45 - boat ride, stroll 5. 5-6 pm - travel back to Amanohashidate from Ine by bus 6. 7-9 pm - going back to Kyoto station

This channel itself is a hidden gem! Traveling to Japan next month with a baby so this is perfect. Just subscibed. Thank you so much 😊😊

I greatly appreciate your insights. I will be in Tokyo in April 1st - 15th I don't have an itinerary, I like to go with the flow of things, in addition I am traveling solo. Do you have any recommendations for a great location to look for accommodations, no 5☆ hotels unless it's a great deal, 3- 4 ☆ that serve a free breakfast, oh and my Japanese is so basic.😢 Thank you for all that you do & HAPPY New Year!!

The only caveat for the mega-whopper luggage that I'll say is if you are staying exclusively at American brand hotels which will be much bigger, and fully utilizing the Yamato luggage transport system. We only pack as many clothes as fit in a carry on, but bring huge suitcases because we fill them up completely by the end of the trip 😂 Our trips are about 60% shopping, especially with Donki, Pokemon Centers, and Japanese department stores.

This is easily the best channel I've found for tips when traveling to Japan. Thank you!

Love the video, very helpful :). Do you know a trustworthy way where we could store our large suitcases for 1 - 2 weeks in Tokyo?

Hi! Does this pass cover the Kounotori 7 Limitee express from Osaka Station to Fukuchiyama and Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate using the Tango Relay limited express without additional fees? I just need to reserve in advanced?

5:48 LOL this is hilarious to me. A month ago I got home from my first ever Japan trip and I, too, took that train to get back to Tokyo, albeit the Sunrize Izumo. Thankfully there were no delays, and I had an entire final day in Tokyo, but I made up for it by making a bunch of other stupid avoidable mistakes. xD (Note to people out there: The hayabiko leaving 40 minutes earlier than the hayabusa WILL NOT beat the literal hayabusa to sendai LOL, not even close)

Hi Andrew Thank you so much for this video. Question: if I'm starting my trip from Kyoto, going to Tottoro, I take the Haruka to Shin Osaka and then catch shinkansen?

Great video. I'm also a 20 year Japan traveler, but just for the sake of leaving a comment I would disagree a bit on the staying close over cost. Granted, major tourist sites are kind of just a minor note for me these days, but i don't think i've ever stayed anywhere relevant in the Tokyo area pretty much ever. On my 2005 trip for example i think we lodged in Saitama at my then Fiance's "Mansion" (condo) and had about an hour trip into Tokyo every day. On our most recent trip we stayed in Shinagawa which was great, but we were only in Tokyo for 4 days of our 2 month trip. Anyways, making my argument, i find that by staying "away" from tourist sites you generally get a more laid back experience, you're going to find quiet restaurants, staff that is excited to interact with you, and more than likely quiet, even tiny train stations that are empty before the busier stations fill up with "rush hour". Allowing you the luxury of not even considering that in your schedule. The only downside i have found to being a bit away is trains may end service early in the night. We once stayed an hour out of Kochi on our last trip, magnificent Ryokan, very authentic experience, but the trains would stop at 7pm and we'd end up getting a taxi to drive us an hour away... and taxi cabs really don't like driving an hour away 🤣

Hello, hope you can help. do you know of a luggage delivery company that will transport my luggage from tokyo to osaka, but will then store my bags for a few days

Many of these pieces of advice are fantastic for travel in general, but there are some that are definitely underrated considerations when traveling to Japan. 1) The hotel selection trap is very real and it can take some experience to understand how your hotel selection fits with your particular style of travel. For example, if you are planning to visit a specific cluster of sights, booking a hotel near that area will save you commuting time and money. Alternatively, if you are using a city as a base of exploration for sites further away, booking near a major train station will save time. The key is to understand what the purpose of your stay is and planning accordingly. 2) Coin lockers are often overlooked by Western (American) travelers because we simply don’t have any trustworthy equivalent here. They can be used in all sorts of ways to help free up your hands of excess luggage. Most medium to large accommodations will hold your luggage before check-in, but it is still important to confirm this. 3) If you enjoy traveling and plan to travel frequently, it is a good idea to develop a general packing strategy to help streamline your process. One-bag travel is a common style among those who want to minimize the amount they carry, but this philosophy can be scaled to whatever degree you are comfortable with. The general idea is to eliminate the number of unnecessary “what if” items you pack and instead focus on the essentials. Understanding how you like to travel will help set up your ideal packing strategy. 4) A little bit of planning will go a long way, especially in Japan. As mentioned, many experiences now require advanced reservations and it would be a shame to miss out due to something like that. I have also found that planning increases my sense of connection with the trip as you will naturally learn more about your destination as you plan. 5) While trip planning is key, Min/Maxing your travel itinerary is a huge trap inexperienced travelers can fall into. Traveling is inherently stressful and can drain a lot of energy even when things are running smoothly. Adding buffer time into your itinerary will help to avoid feeling burnt out during your trip. 6) Do not be afraid to talk to help staff. I know this advice can get mixed results in the US, but help staff in Japan are truly helpful and can help eliminate the stress of trying to figure things out on your own. Swallowing your pride and seeking assistance can go a long way towards improving your experience.

Hey, I take advantage of this unrelated video to thank you for your "Kyoto without crowds" serie. We were in Japan this summer and your suggestions were absolutly excellent and brought even more joy to our trip. Team Icoca by the way. Thank you so much!

I plan to go to Japan in Fall this year for 5-6 weeks. I plan on washing my cloth every 5 days or so and try to travel with a small or medium sized back. Then when leaving I'm gonna buy a cheap suitcase from a Donkey store and fill it with all the souvenirs and snacks I can get.