I already booked my flight and hotels for January 19 -29. Does that mean I have to ask permission through esta? And is esta different than visit Japan?
Another great video update Meg! I highly recommend hiring Meg as a tour guide. I hired her last year and she was amazing! Will be looking forward to my next trip to Japan!
Meg, I have been following your videos for a while now and noticed that your english pronunciation have improved a lot! You're able to speak much more smoothly and better accent now. Good job and hope you'll be able to make more contents - very useful for us foreign tourists :D
It’s a shame about the increase in crime. For hotels they should make guests pay with a credit card, then if something is stolen the staff can charge the guest’s credit card. That is what’s done in a lot of places.
i cant wait to visit Japan again, and this time for my honeymoon, but it is so sad to hear all this negative impact tourism has caused to Japan. I love Japan, the people, the culture, the food, the scenery, and it is a shame if some bad individuals ruin it for the other, i hope Japan can implement all the necessary measure to counter all this negative impact.
Hi Meg. Really informative videos. So if I amcoming from a country needing a visa to visit Japan, I dont need to use the new system right? About the tax, how will the refund work? Will it go directly to the international bank account that we used for payment then? Im sorting out our family trip for next year❤
A few bad apples and everyone has to suffer. In the Fendi case, a store staff was forced to kneel by a Chinese customer because of perceived "rude" behavior.
The rule changes make perfect sense to me, personally. I especially like the changes to the Tax Free system, it will take the pressure off of the store clerks to have to do all those extra steps and scan passports, etc. I was just in Osaka and Kyushu for the last 2 weeks and if I bought something that qualified for tax free, I just told them I didn't want to bother and paid the taxes.
So visitors from visa exempt countries have to apply online in order to visit? What exactly is needed for authentication? The rise in crime is also concerning. I was looking forward to visiting for the first time next year. Not so sure now.
@@MegLog_JAPAN thanks. So as of now, can I still use the Visit Japan site and fill out my immigration and customs information? I was planning on visiting early next year. I'm assuming any new changes by the government will also be updated on the Visit Japan site as well?
I would not worry about crime. It's very safe compared to most countries. If you're from USA for example, even the slums of Osaka will be safer than even the nicer parts of a normal US city. But of course always be aware, if you wear a purse make sure it has zipper closure or other secure closure to prevent pick-pocketing (but I've personally never had to, it's only precaution in any crowded big city). Violent crime is very unlikely, but theft or (if you're woman/child) sexual harassment may be possible still in cities, but it's more likely sneaky than confrontational. You're more likely to have umbrella stolen during rainy day than anything else really. Sexual harassment is also a lot less likely to happen if you don't look Japanese or don't look very shy because criminals in Japan are typically very cowardly and usually target modest-dressed shy-looking women or children who they know are less likely to say anything/report the crime. If you are concerned about that for trains I recommend go in the front-most or back-most train car that is less crowded, and during rush hour may have a women-only car if you're a woman or senior or handicapped. I live in San Francisco California and experience sexual harassment pretty frequently (I estimate about 25%-40% of the time I take public transit, more at night), but whenever I went to Japan or when I used to live in Japan as a kid, I never experienced it myself even during rush hour trains, if that helps to compare the frequency.
To me, tax refund was bogus before anyway, because I was required to spend X amount of money to get it , and my Souvenirs were usually way below that line… also the stores offering tax refunds were on average at least half of the tax refund more expensive, if not the whole 10%… I am used to be taken advantage of by the TAX REFUND advertising stores in Japan.
Oof yeah, I remember buying shoes at a shop that were just under the requirement for tax free, and I couldn't just go back and buy one small thing to make it eligible, since the purchase was already made and had to go to some other place outside the store to request the tax free refund (it was a department store building). It's more for buying lot of things from a single store or more expensive things. Wasn't TOO bothered since the currency conversion is in my favor, but just mildly annoying from how close it was.
What I disliked about it that most was stores that had multiple floors. They wanted you to purchase products before proceeding to the next floor. Some stores had a system where they would hold the items, and then bring them up to you when you were done and willing to check out, but this was mostly a favor you had to ask for, not advertise, which is difficult for those who don’t speak the language because, you know, they’re tourists, and don’t plan on being in that country for very long, which is why they don’t want to pay the tax in the first place. But still, when asked, many don’t offer this service, even though, in your mind, it’s the same store, and same type of product, making the concept of floors and departments redundant. It may of been some sort of security measure, as I noticed many “department” stores doing this, but there were just as many that did not. I even set off an alarm once because I didn’t see the sign, and tried to go up. But there was this one toy store that bothered me because I ended up paying just under the amount, going to all the other floors, back down, and then buying another few items from that same first floor that would have put me over, but since it was two separate transactions, neither one qualified. I know that space is limited, but they really should have some sort of designated area where you can set your items down, go to the next floor, and return to your items later. The other issue is what’s considered a consumable. I didn’t get tax free at Don Quijote because my husband swore up and down that I could not because if I tried, they would bag everything up, such as clothing, accessories, and such with things like food, and I would be unable to use them at all. If I changed my mind, then I would open the sealed bag, and have to pay taxes on everything, including food not consumed. The cashier was very confused when I went to check out, trying her best to tell me about to get this tax free, but I kept insisting “no” because of my husband’s wild claims. At the same time, there was a place where this DID in fact happen! They took all of my receipts, all of my purchases, and packed them in a vacuum sealed bag. Thankfully things we wanted to wear weren’t in there, but everything else was. So it’s pretty random what’s considered a “consumable.”
Hello from argentina! I am going to japan with my 9 year old son, do i have to purchase a suica card just for him or we can use mine for both? Any extra advice regarding traveling with a kid? Thanks
I’m in Japan at the moment, my second trip, and just like the last trip the worst behaviour such as jumping queues and being rude to service staff has been by one nationality in particular
Thank you for your videos. My husband and I will be in Tokyo for Christmas. We're coming from Sweden. I watched from somebody's video about dresscode and she explicitly said not to dress as European in Japan with no explanation whatsoever. What does she mean? My apologies for my ignorance :( Btw, she is not Japanese. She just lives there indefinitely.
I think she means don't dress inappropriately, aka no revealing clothes. Things like a tank top or leggings are considered revealing although they may not be in our countries.
I bought 2 expensive watches. Really wanted to wear them while in Japan. Didn’t wear them till I got home. Tourist really do be ruining a nice country…. I’m getting for my month long stay but hoping by then the rude tourist don’t ruin it
When I last went they didn't check the tax-free stuff at all, but I would probably be the same and not risk it for more expensive things. My most expensive purchase was a dress that for that reason I kept it in the bag because the tax on it would be a lot. But other things like regular clothing that was not too expensive, I was able to wear in Japan and just put back in the bags before leaving. It might depend how it's packaged if that's safe to do though, in-case they check the quality of packing or if there's a seal of some sort. It seemed to vary by the store how they packed it.
Yeah, the duty free system is so weird in Japan. In S. Korea, you only get your refund at the airport. Meanwhile, I could be living in Japan and get duty free because all I need is a foreign passport and the exemption is given right away 😂😂😂 that was my thought when I was given it because the staff didn't look at what type of visa I had... P.S. I don't live in Japan. I visited about 2 weeks ago and this was my recent experience.
In Australia, hotels have a security charge, this covers any room damage during the customers stay and will be refunded after room checks are carried out, obviously after checkout. This charge is usually made during check-in so is not normally included in the booking/room charge. This charge is also not discounted at all. Does Japan not charge this?
@spannaspinna Really? I'm from Queensland and I've always been charged a security for stays across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. I don't stay at motels either so I don't know about motels
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I was going to ask you if you did private tours. I have no problems asking. Great I sent the request
I already booked my flight and hotels for January 19 -29. Does that mean I have to ask permission through esta? And is esta different than visit Japan?
If you are coming from a VISA EXEMPTION COUNTRY, don't worry, as the Japanese Government has not yet given you a date.
@ am coming from the united states, and thank u so much for the information.
I found these new facts regarding Japan are indeed very informative.
Thank you for sharing... 😊
Sad to hear about the terrible behaviour of tourists coming to Japan. Thank you for the updates.
Another great video update Meg! I highly recommend hiring Meg as a tour guide. I hired her last year and she was amazing! Will be looking forward to my next trip to Japan!
Very informative! Thank you for showing the good and the bad. Being aware is important.
Meg, I have been following your videos for a while now and noticed that your english pronunciation have improved a lot! You're able to speak much more smoothly and better accent now. Good job and hope you'll be able to make more contents - very useful for us foreign tourists :D
It’s a shame about the increase in crime. For hotels they should make guests pay with a credit card, then if something is stolen the staff can charge the guest’s credit card. That is what’s done in a lot of places.
😍 Megami, you are so very helpful. I wish infinite prosperity, abundance, and happiness for you and all of Japan 🙏🏽
Thank you 😊
@MegLog_JAPAN 😍😍😍
I can't believe someone set fires while travelling abroad, that is deplorable! Be better world ambassadors, people.
Probably thought Tokyo was part of the USA
He is lucky enough to go to japan at such a young age meanwhile I've been waiting and saving for over a decade 😢
Once more great presentation of infos to the point. Thank you!
Thank you for these updates ❤
i cant wait to visit Japan again, and this time for my honeymoon, but it is so sad to hear all this negative impact tourism has caused to Japan. I love Japan, the people, the culture, the food, the scenery, and it is a shame if some bad individuals ruin it for the other, i hope Japan can implement all the necessary measure to counter all this negative impact.
Hi Meg. Really informative videos.
So if I amcoming from a country needing a visa to visit Japan, I dont need to use the new system right?
About the tax, how will the refund work? Will it go directly to the international bank account that we used for payment then?
Im sorting out our family trip for next year❤
Thank you!!I am curious how tax free is going to look in 2025 - will be watching for updates when you find them.
Yes, same here!
A few bad apples and everyone has to suffer. In the Fendi case, a store staff was forced to kneel by a Chinese customer because of perceived "rude" behavior.
The rule changes make perfect sense to me, personally. I especially like the changes to the Tax Free system, it will take the pressure off of the store clerks to have to do all those extra steps and scan passports, etc. I was just in Osaka and Kyushu for the last 2 weeks and if I bought something that qualified for tax free, I just told them I didn't want to bother and paid the taxes.
Hi can you do one update on kumamoto? Heard that they are removing IC cards in that city😮
I'm always roooting for you!!
Good! Thanks!
Hi Meg, is Pasmo accepted in Osaka? Thanks.
So visitors from visa exempt countries have to apply online in order to visit? What exactly is needed for authentication? The rise in crime is also concerning. I was looking forward to visiting for the first time next year. Not so sure now.
You don’t have to you can fill out the immigration and customs declaration, they stamp you’re passport and then through the gate into Japan
If you are coming from a VISA EXEMPTION COUNTRY, don't worry, as the Japanese Government has not yet given you a date.
@@MegLog_JAPAN thanks. So as of now, can I still use the Visit Japan site and fill out my immigration and customs information? I was planning on visiting early next year. I'm assuming any new changes by the government will also be updated on the Visit Japan site as well?
I would not worry about crime. It's very safe compared to most countries. If you're from USA for example, even the slums of Osaka will be safer than even the nicer parts of a normal US city. But of course always be aware, if you wear a purse make sure it has zipper closure or other secure closure to prevent pick-pocketing (but I've personally never had to, it's only precaution in any crowded big city). Violent crime is very unlikely, but theft or (if you're woman/child) sexual harassment may be possible still in cities, but it's more likely sneaky than confrontational. You're more likely to have umbrella stolen during rainy day than anything else really. Sexual harassment is also a lot less likely to happen if you don't look Japanese or don't look very shy because criminals in Japan are typically very cowardly and usually target modest-dressed shy-looking women or children who they know are less likely to say anything/report the crime. If you are concerned about that for trains I recommend go in the front-most or back-most train car that is less crowded, and during rush hour may have a women-only car if you're a woman or senior or handicapped. I live in San Francisco California and experience sexual harassment pretty frequently (I estimate about 25%-40% of the time I take public transit, more at night), but whenever I went to Japan or when I used to live in Japan as a kid, I never experienced it myself even during rush hour trains, if that helps to compare the frequency.
To me, tax refund was bogus before anyway, because I was required to spend X amount of money to get it , and my Souvenirs were usually way below that line… also the stores offering tax refunds were on average at least half of the tax refund more expensive, if not the whole 10%… I am used to be taken advantage of by the TAX REFUND advertising stores in Japan.
Oof yeah, I remember buying shoes at a shop that were just under the requirement for tax free, and I couldn't just go back and buy one small thing to make it eligible, since the purchase was already made and had to go to some other place outside the store to request the tax free refund (it was a department store building). It's more for buying lot of things from a single store or more expensive things. Wasn't TOO bothered since the currency conversion is in my favor, but just mildly annoying from how close it was.
What I disliked about it that most was stores that had multiple floors. They wanted you to purchase products before proceeding to the next floor. Some stores had a system where they would hold the items, and then bring them up to you when you were done and willing to check out, but this was mostly a favor you had to ask for, not advertise, which is difficult for those who don’t speak the language because, you know, they’re tourists, and don’t plan on being in that country for very long, which is why they don’t want to pay the tax in the first place. But still, when asked, many don’t offer this service, even though, in your mind, it’s the same store, and same type of product, making the concept of floors and departments redundant.
It may of been some sort of security measure, as I noticed many “department” stores doing this, but there were just as many that did not. I even set off an alarm once because I didn’t see the sign, and tried to go up. But there was this one toy store that bothered me because I ended up paying just under the amount, going to all the other floors, back down, and then buying another few items from that same first floor that would have put me over, but since it was two separate transactions, neither one qualified. I know that space is limited, but they really should have some sort of designated area where you can set your items down, go to the next floor, and return to your items later.
The other issue is what’s considered a consumable. I didn’t get tax free at Don Quijote because my husband swore up and down that I could not because if I tried, they would bag everything up, such as clothing, accessories, and such with things like food, and I would be unable to use them at all. If I changed my mind, then I would open the sealed bag, and have to pay taxes on everything, including food not consumed. The cashier was very confused when I went to check out, trying her best to tell me about to get this tax free, but I kept insisting “no” because of my husband’s wild claims. At the same time, there was a place where this DID in fact happen! They took all of my receipts, all of my purchases, and packed them in a vacuum sealed bag. Thankfully things we wanted to wear weren’t in there, but everything else was. So it’s pretty random what’s considered a “consumable.”
Hello from argentina! I am going to japan with my 9 year old son, do i have to purchase a suica card just for him or we can use mine for both? Any extra advice regarding traveling with a kid? Thanks
I’m in Japan at the moment, my second trip, and just like the last trip the worst behaviour such as jumping queues and being rude to service staff has been by one nationality in particular
im leaving for tokyo tomorrow
I'm leaving in a few weeks Lord willing. How long are you staying? I'm going for 16 days
Thank you for your videos. My husband and I will be in Tokyo for Christmas. We're coming from Sweden. I watched from somebody's video about dresscode and she explicitly said not to dress as European in Japan with no explanation whatsoever. What does she mean? My apologies for my ignorance :( Btw, she is not Japanese. She just lives there indefinitely.
I have no idea! You should ask her!
I think she means don't dress inappropriately, aka no revealing clothes. Things like a tank top or leggings are considered revealing although they may not be in our countries.
I bought 2 expensive watches. Really wanted to wear them while in Japan. Didn’t wear them till I got home. Tourist really do be ruining a nice country…. I’m getting for my month long stay but hoping by then the rude tourist don’t ruin it
When I last went they didn't check the tax-free stuff at all, but I would probably be the same and not risk it for more expensive things. My most expensive purchase was a dress that for that reason I kept it in the bag because the tax on it would be a lot. But other things like regular clothing that was not too expensive, I was able to wear in Japan and just put back in the bags before leaving. It might depend how it's packaged if that's safe to do though, in-case they check the quality of packing or if there's a seal of some sort. It seemed to vary by the store how they packed it.
@ yea been there before they never check but in the rare case they do check I don’t want to be a reason why this great country gets more strict
Yeah, the duty free system is so weird in Japan. In S. Korea, you only get your refund at the airport. Meanwhile, I could be living in Japan and get duty free because all I need is a foreign passport and the exemption is given right away 😂😂😂 that was my thought when I was given it because the staff didn't look at what type of visa I had...
P.S. I don't live in Japan. I visited about 2 weeks ago and this was my recent experience.
I hope the new Duty Free rules get advised soon, they are going to effect my luggage. I was planning to post the heavier items home to save weight.
In Australia, hotels have a security charge, this covers any room damage during the customers stay and will be refunded after room checks are carried out, obviously after checkout. This charge is usually made during check-in so is not normally included in the booking/room charge. This charge is also not discounted at all.
Does Japan not charge this?
I’m Australian and I’ve never ever been charged or had a credit card hold put on , and I don’t stay in poverty pack motels
@spannaspinna Really? I'm from Queensland and I've always been charged a security for stays across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. I don't stay at motels either so I don't know about motels
In Hong Kong, they often ask for HK$500 in cash. When you check out, they refund it so long as there are no issues.
I know you pay when you check in and some hotels will still take cash for the exact amount. I don't remember any sort of "hold" being charged.
@@michiganwannarbor3255 I've seen both. Usually, if they have a card on file, they won't worry too much about it.
It's a shame people just do not know how to act and can't respect other environments.
Yeah that's a shame.
Omg why like a. esta ?? E ery yesr they change it my god …
Arsonist is a liar. Put him in jail for 3 months please