Japan travel hacks!
We love Japan! :D
Like, considering-moving-over-coz-we-visit-nearly-every-year love.
It's getting to the point where we've taught native Japanese friends things! Equal parts ridic but awesome.
Anyway, we want to share the love so here are our top tips for visiting Japan.
1. The JR Rail Pass
For Aussies, this pass will allow you unlimited travel on all JR lines for a certain period of time (7 Days, 14 Days and 21 Days). Get this before you jet off though - it is only available outside of Japan.
Trains are super on-time in Tokyo, and the best way to get around. They even apologise profusely if they are 30 seconds late. The green Yamanote (Ya-ma-no-teh) line is like Sydney's city circle line, except not delayed. Hah.
If you exchange your pass when you land, you'll be able to use it on the Narita Express (NEX) which is the express train that will take you from the airport to the city.
Also, use the JR pass for all the long distance trips you plan to do to get your moneys worth. Like going to Osaka from Tokyo! (It's a 2.5 hour trip on the bullet train)
Have your camera at the ready about halfway through the trip, you'll see Mt Fujii on the way. It'll be on your right side: 😊
Merv snapped this going 320km/h otw to Osaka.
Once your pass expires, get a Suica card. See next point. :)
2. Suica
The direct translation of the word "suica" is watermelon - but I'm not talking about the fruit here. For fellow Sydney-siders the Suica card is like an Opal card - but on steroids. Not only do you use it for travel, it's a debit card as well! You can use it to purchase almost anything - including pretty much every-item-under-the-sun that you can get from a vendo! (That's cool people speak for vending machine) See the other outlets you can buy from with your Suica card here.
3. Under the sea 🎵 💦
Another reason to take the train - every station has it's own jingle. We were on the way to Odiba (which for the boys in your life, is where the giant 18 metre Gundam is - or was, depending on when you are reading this!) when we heard this familiar Caribbean rhythm! It went by so fast that we didn't get the name, but we think it was at Shinagawa Seaside Station.
Since we've been back though they've extended their repertoire - they're playing a whole suite of Disney tunes, from Frozen to Star Wars!
4. Harajuku
Harajuku is known around the world for it's fashion, but it's worth going just to marvel. When you are there though, make sure you get hot Calbee chips from the Calbee store. But leave it to cool for a few mins before eating, then it becomes warm but squishy. So much more epic. You can only get these at Calbee Plus stores and there is one at Harajuku.
5. Perfect Whip
One for the ladies. The Japanese have perfected the art of high-end skincare (think Chanel level) but for Priceline prices. I know, awesome right? My favourite is Perfect Whip. Made by Shisedo, it feels like a cloud is washing your face. Needless to say, I came home with 10+ bottles. There is such a wide array of products at any drugstore, but perhaps bring a Japanese friend with you to translate. I come home with a few items which were not what I thought from looking at the picture!
5. Stay at a Toyoko Inn
Toyoko Inn is a business hotel. This means their clientele arn't tourists, but people who regularly travel for work instead. There's not much to a room - a bed, a shower and a TV, (oh and a bidet - but I won't get into that :P) but it's cheap and they include a traditional Japanese breakfast every morning for free.
Breakfast at Toyoko Inn, the best way to start the day.
By Mervin Uy
6. A Museum doesn't always mean Museum.
Like the below takoyaki museum didn't have any takoyaki on display. Let me explain. It wasn't a gallery or a place to show the history of takoyaki. It was a food court that just served just takoyaki. Same goes for the Ramen Museum. There are many types of these food court/museums, like the Cup Noodles Museum.
7. Right Vs Left
Japan is a country that's full of customs and traditions. But a little known one for travellers - there is an escalator etiquette. Yes you read right - there is a right and a wrong when using escalators. In Tokyo - you stand on the left, but in Osaka, it's the opposite, and you stand on the right. There is quite an in-depth explanation here but best not to annoy those trying to get to work.
8. Get Romantic.
We haven't been on this yet, but hubby says it's epic. If you have a chance to go to Hakone on the romance car, do it!
So why is it called the "romance car?" You know in the movies where you can get the "couple seat" - the one you can snuggle with your significant other and not have the annoying arm rest stabbing you in the back? It's the same here - every seat is a two-person seat without the armrests, and hence it's "romantic" 😍😍😍
But, this isn't covered by the JR rail pass so best to go when your pass expires.
9. Lastly, you'll see some pretty weird but awesome stuff.
Like these meerkats we saw at Ueno Park (which I'm sure are illegal but whatevs :P
Keep an eye out for plenty of photo opportunities, like my awesome impersonation of this bike safety ad.
and really clever and yummy food, like the "Handburger" at Tokyo Disney.
Japan is just awesome.
If you want to see more photos from our trip, Hubby took a few photos (all 715) here.