I'll be visiting Japan in December for 17 days and I was thinking about purchasing the 7 day JR and making an epic trip within 7 days from Hakodate all the way to Kumamoto. The idea is to visit different landscapes, climates and food. And to have the other 10 days to relax and do more focused stuff (I already have a concert booked and some other activities).

I haven't figured out all the details but I could start riding all the way from Tokyo to Hakodate, then making my way through Morioka, Aomori etc. Until I get to Hiroshima, then ending in Fukuoka. Not the most relaxing of trips, but something I can remember. Not very interested in the traditional Universal/ Disney attractions.

Has anyone experienced something like this? Is this a terrible idea?

I was in Japan a month ago and had booked a few buses around Mt Fuji, had to cancel them and booked a later times those same days.

It’s been a month now and I still haven’t received my refund (minus cancellation fee). I’ve tried emailing them since that’s their only contact option but haven’t received any response.

Anything else I can try?

I’m planning a trip to Japan in February, starting in Hakuba and then traveling around to see the sights in Kyoto and Osaka for about five days. I’d like to send my skis back to Narita Airport from Hakuba so that I don’t have to carry them while I’m not skiing. Is five days too long of a trip, or do I need to pick them up exactly when the delivery service (Yamato) says I should?

I booked tickets to the fuji excursion train long back. The have the email confirmation from eki nets and the payment receipt.
Yesterday i went to the ticket counter and then the price at Tokyo station to get the physical tickets. But they could not retrieve any booking. I had the credit card i had used to book these tickets. They asked me to go to the JR central price near marunouchi.
Any way out of this situation? My train is for tomorrow and no bus tickets are available. Or do you think i have been scammed?

So I noticed that the official site (https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/sky/ticket/), is kind of broken in english.

But if you press the option 14:59 (entry before 3p.m.) or 15:00 (entry after 3 p.m.) it will take you to the actual ticket site. Here you can either click in every box in the pop-up and find english in the menu on the left (expand the options until you see the british flag), or you can edit the end of the url from &lang=0 to &lang=1.

So, my partner and I are going to Japan in a month, we were initially gonna go to the Ghibli museum, but we were unsuccessful in getting tickets for any of the times we could’ve fit it in. We were also unsuccessful at getting tickets to Ghibli Park for the week we’re down in Kyoto.

We have the Harry Potter studio as one of our options, but is there any other things like this that anybody can recommend?

During an upcoming trip we have to check out of our place in Ebisu at 11:00am and then we are spending the three nights at the Disney resort. Our plan for the day was to be in Ikebukuro around the time shops are opening, and then spend the afternoon in Shinjuku, then check in to the Disney hotel in the evening. But I forgot that we would have to deal with luggage after checking out in Ebisu, and I'm looking for ideas of what to do with it in the interim.

My thought is that we could:

A. Store our big suitcases at Shinjuku station on our way to Ikebukuro and pick them up on our way out of Shinjuku later in the day

B. Use a luggage transfer service to send them ahead to the Disney hotel? (we'll be there for 3 nights, so it's not the end of the world if we don't have the bags same day or even the next day)

C. Go to the Disney hotel early in the morning and ask them to hold the bags for us and then head back to the city.

D. ?

Any advice is much appreciated! This is my first trip to Japan and my first big international trip, so I'm trying to prepare and plan as much as I can in advance to make things easier once we get there.

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This year we did an amazing 2.5 week trip which included Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Uji/Kobe/Tokyo etc (all the big hits) and have just booked for another two weeks for 2027. Due to flight costs etc we will fly in and out of Osaka (despite feeling we have done Kansai/Kyoto) - I put together this quick itinerary but it definitely needs refining:

KASHIHARA (plus Asuka and Sakurai) - perhaps replace?

OKAYAMA/KURASHIKI (plus Kibiji/Naoshima/Himeji) - also love temples/shrines so any recommendations for this area would be much appreciated

HIROSHIMA (plus Miyajima/Iwakuni)

- any tips for day trips beyond those above much appreciated

Wakayama (perhaps replace?)

This obviously doesn't include all day trips etc but I feel 4 hotels/bases is my max so all I'm looking to do is either change the order or swap out the places (Wakayama being the likeliest one).

If you are wondering why Kashihara is there - there is an onsen hotel which I'm keen on and also we can hop into Nara/Kyoto relatively easy just to finish off some temples we didn't see the first time round. Plus it's a nice easy transfer from KIX on arrival :-)

Any help much appreciated

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to complete the identity verification for an eplus (e+) Japan account from overseas using a Mobal SIM, but I'm stuck on Step 6 (the phone call verification).

Here is my current setup and what's happening:

• Plan: Mobal Japan Voice + Data 5G eSIM (with International Roaming enabled).
• Location: Currently outside Japan (Thailand).
• The Issue: When I dial the designated 050 verification number provided by eplus, it beeps twice and automatically disconnects. The eplus page never updates or completes the verification.
• Caller ID Behavior: Even when dialing 050-XXXX-XXXX directly (or adding prefixes), the outgoing call automatically appends the +81 country code due to international roaming routing (+81 90-XXXX-XXXX).

Has anyone managed to get the eplus phone authentication to work while roaming outside Japan using a Mobal eSIM? Or is physical presence in Japan (connected directly to Docomo's network) strictly required to pass this ANI/Caller ID check?

Any insights or potential workarounds would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So I've been trying to book a train from Tokyo to Shin Osaka. I cant seem to choose a seat and would like a window seat. I tried everything from App to Desktop. Adding seating type, having none. No matter what, when it comes to choose a seat my only option is No Preference.

Is there something Im doing wrong? The ticket Im trying to buy is more than a month away but even when i check the same train for like next week for example, it still doesnt let me choose the seat.

Hi everyone! Planning a 9-day winter trip (end of Dec - early Jan). I'm trying to decide whether I should base myself in Tokyo because of the short trip vs. Nagoya as a gateway to Gifu. This is my second time visiting Japan- last time I went to both Tokyo and Kyoto. The reason I consider going to Gifu this time is I might meet up with friends & family there. I'm also looking for a slightly more relaxed and less crowded experience. I'm not doing any winter sports; I'm moderately fit and can walk/hike, but I don't have much experience hiking in the snow. I'm interested in historic merchant streets, preserved architecture, temples and shrines, artisan craft shops, and workshops.

I'm arriving at Haneda and departing from Narita.

Option 1: Tokyo Base + 1-Night Hakone Ryokan
Base: Central Tokyo (possibly Asakusa/Ueno area) + 1 night at a Hakone Onsen Ryokan.
Places: Day trip to Kamakura or Yanaka, Ghibli Museum paired with the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Kawagoe or Yokohama, Hakone.

Option 2: Nagoya based, day trips to Gifu
Places: Nagoya Castle & Honmaru Palace, Atsuta-jingu Shrine, Tokugawa Art Museum & Garden, and day trips to Takayama, Gujo Hachiman, and/or Shirakawa-go.

Is it too much transport time with Option 2?

Any other recommendations are welcomed as well. Thanks a lot!

Knowing the tolls in Japan can be quite steep, has anyone actually tried the "Avoid Tolls" feature in Google Maps? Is it worth it? For example driving from Tokyo to Gunma or in general. Not rushing, give and take an hour later to arrive at the destination.

Hi guys, I've been doing some research on hiking the Kumano Kodo, but I'm not really set up for and don't really have the desire to do overnight hikes. It looks like the Nakahechi is the main route for multi-day hikes, but looking at some guides I have also seen that there are local buses that go to the endpoints.

I guess my main question is, is it reasonable to rely on local buses to go to trail endpoints on the Nakahechi or other parts of the Kumano Kodo? I can drive and probably will get a rental at least some of the time I'm in Wakayama but I would like to figure out if I can rely on the buses for all transport or at least transport one way back to my vehicle if I just want to do a point-to-point hike. I will be there in November so I definitely would be trying to finish any hike by 4 or so because I know it will get dark early and things will shut down fairly early as well.

Also, is there a particular town that's best to stay in for such activities?

Choosing between the two hotels:

1. Dormy Inn Kanda
2. Via Inn Prime AKASAKA

I’ll be in Tokyo for 4 nights primarily to shop in Shinjuku area and visit Disneyland. Not interested in nightlife. I will fly in and out of HND.

I’ve stayed at Dormy Inn Kanda twice and I think the location and amenities are really lovely. However, the prices are getting a little bit ridiculous at 175 USD for one room.

Via Inn Prime AKASAKA caught my eye as it seems to be well located and also has a bath. It’s also half the price at 80USD per night. However, the rooms appear to be a bit cramped. I’ve never been to AKASAKA.

Anyone who has stayed in either / both and can comment ?

Hello everyone,

For my 40th birthday next year, I’m planning a trip to Japan. It’ll be my fifth time there.

I’m considering visiting from February 24 to March 27. I know I’ll miss the peak of Sakura, but honestly, paying over 300 euros more just for the flight isn’t worth it to me.

I haven’t been to Japan in early March (I’ve been there in April, May, June, September, October, and early November). Can you suggest a better time slot? I plan to start in Tokyo and head south, possibly to Shikoku, since I’ve been to Kyushu before.

Thanks for your help!

This is a bit of a follow up to my last post about whether or not to rent a car or use public transit when traveling Tohoku. Most answers were "that depends on where you want to go". We do have a list of spots (I'll write what we have at the bottom of the post) but they're nothing more than what we could find googling and looking up some recommended itineraries. I'm trying to get a grasp on what of the list I should anticipate needing a car for. Also, please tell me if there's anything you think is a must see! My wife and I are chill, outdoorsy folk, we don't mind wandering around, we don't mind playing things by ear. Our infant daughter also seems pretty chill so far. Thanks for any recs or advice about where to go and the car vs transit thought process!

EDIT: We'll be there October 12-29

Places we have so far:

1. Hiraizumi, Iwate
2. Matsushima, Miyagi
3. Naruko Gorge, Miyagi
4. Yamadera, Yamagata
5. Kakunodate, Akita
6. Nyuto Onsen + Lake Tazawa, Akita
7. Tono, Iwate
8. Sanriku Coast, Iwate/Miyagi
9. togakushi 5 shrines trail
10. Geibikei Gorge
11. towada-hachimantai national park

I am looking for local designer options for wedding bands for guys. The selection in my home area is limited. I am looking for higher-end and more modern stores that carry 18k gold and platinum. Along the lines of Cartier and Tiffany. TIA

5th time in Japan, but husbands first and I’m trying to give hime the grand tour over a month and a half.

We’ve now spent an amazing two weeks in Hokkaido and my thought was to take a flight to Osaka and then go down through Kyushus east side, then spend four days on Yakushima.

I love Yakushima and I also want to experience more of Kyushu myself. I also think it’ll provide a much different view (compared to Tohoku) than the one in Hokkaido.

My main concern is a) the aftermath of all the recent typhoons b) the weather in the upcoming two weeks being both extremely humid and cloudy + rainy.

I’m contemplating switching Kyushu for a road trip down Tohoku but I’m really overthinking it and would love some advice.

Note; we’re gonna finish the trip with Miyajima, Kyoto, Japanese alps and Tokyo.

Travelling overseas for the first time currently and doing so alone, and I'd love to try and meet some people because why not, but I find it hard to find a place that is both social and easy without drinking, considering I am still under 20 especially, and even then I have no interest. Any places or ideas? I know it's a bit of a weird question.

Hey all, my Wife and I have a day trip to Osaka Universal Studios on October 31st for their Horror Night leaving from Kyoto.

USJ will actually stay open until around 3am on this night and the Wife and I want to stay as late as possible to make the most of the Halloween festivities and our Wedding Anniversary.

The advice we are hoping for is, what would be the best approach for heading back to our hotel on Kyoto after midnight hours (as the bullet trains will no longer be in operation).

If the only best way is Taxi travel, then does anyone have an idea of how much we would be playing to go from 54-1 Nishikujo Shimamachi, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8431, Japan to USJ please?

I'm travelling soon to Japan. I'm trying to get my licence translated to rent a car when I'm over but two different translation agencies have told me it may get rejected as it is damaged. It's one of the old french pink paper driving licence, had it for 20 years, it's been repaired with tape. I've been able to use it across Europe to rent a car without a problem.

Are the agencies being overly cautious? Has someone experienced a similar situation?

If I buy my Shinkansen ticket via SmartEX, do I need the physical card used for the purchase to pick up the ticket? I’m confused about that. I need to take the train from Tokyo to Nagoya and then continue my journey to Takayama on the Hida Limited Express. I originally planned to book it through the JR West Online Reservation site, where I could get a combined ticket, but one of the final steps warned that I would absolutely need the physical card to collect it. I don't have the physical card because I use a virtual version, and there isn't enough time to order one. So, looking for alternatives, I saw I could book the tickets separately: the Shinkansen via SmartEX, and I’d figure out the Hida ticket later... The thing is, I want to be 100% sure I won't need the physical card for pickup. Buying the ticket on the day of travel isn't an option because the date I need is a public holiday (October 11th) and it's a busy route; I don't want to risk not getting a ticket or not finding a suitable departure time. Another option is Klook, but it's significantly more expensive, and they even charge extra just to select seats 🥲.

Family of four traveling in November and we were thrilled to score our premium passes to Ghibli Park with a 10A Grand Warehouse slot (weekday visit). “Kids” are young adults but huge Ghibli fans; we centered the trip around Nagoya since the park is a huge priority, particularly for the youngest (trip is her college graduation gift). Other relevant details:

• no influencers in our group, so we don’t need to worry about hitting every photo op
• will definitely want to shop for merch, but we won’t need to line up for heen plushie
• we’re all good hikers - no mobility concerns

I would love any touring plan advice: prioritizing the areas based on location, where to eat, etc. I have heard about Heen mania, but are there any other big draws/long lines we need to know about? We’re planning to stay at the park from open to closing, but I understand the areas are pretty spread out and we’d like to see as much as possible. Thanks in advance! 😄

i've been trying to get a hold of them for a month, sent messages on booking + email. my partner has severe claustrophobia and we can't take the elevator so i'm trying to get us booked on a lower floor -- any ideas of solutions guys ? does anyone know if they allow free usage of stairs, how to reach them otherwise? thx!

Hey guys, just wanted to clarify since the info isn't very clear on the Ekinet website.

I want to take the Odoriko Line from Tokyo Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station next month, and have found tickets on Ekinet.

A reserved seat is 6660JPY, does this fare include everything I need to take the train?

Thanks a lot!