Comments by "vangrails" (@vangrails) on "A Guide to Your First Hour in Tokyo, Japan" video.

  1. I like that because that makes Japan so safe, terrorists can't hide bombs in trash cans.
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  2. It is not that bad. Focus first on the Yamanote line, most sights that tourists want to see are near a Yamanote line train station.
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  3. You can very well go to a country without knowing the native language basics. It is of course very nice the know the language basics but it is not necessary. There are so many British and American expats who live in The Netherlands for years but can't speak a single word of Dutch. Whatever you think or don't think of these people....they show that it is possible.
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  4. Your carrier will of course not have towers in that foreign country. However carriers have cooperation agreements but still using your phone will still probably be extremely expensive, therefore only for emergencies or really important stuff. I sent my brother one sms text per day when I am on holiday if I can't use wifi.
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  5. MaaikeInJapan is a nice YouTube channel, Maaike shows Japan, she doesn't analyze Japan, she shows it.
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  6. My advice is not to worry too much. Just smile from time to time and you will be fine.
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  7. Yes, the JR pass is for JR lines. JR lines can be long distance or local (for example the Yamanote line in Tokyo). You can't use the JR pass for metro (subway) lines and most local train lines in Tokyo but the Yamanote line in Tokyo is a JR line. The IC card is just a way to make travelling more convenient, it doesn't make travelling cheaper, it saves you from the hassle of having to buy tickets for every ride that you want to make.
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  8. Really? I find that hard to believe. It is normally the voucher that is sent directly to you, you have to exchange that into the JR Railpass at the JR office at the airport.
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  9. Some Lawson stores do have international ATMs but other Lawson stores don't, it is a bit a hit or miss. 711 has always worked for me.
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  10. They haven't become one but you can pay them all with pasmo and suica cards which makes the system indeed much easier to use. The lines are however still operated by different companies.
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  11. But what do you want to know about checking into hotels? Most hotel employees usually speak passable English and it is a very self explaining process imho.
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  12. The Japanese are very helpful and there is plenty of English signage. It is not that hard.
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  13. And you can buy an Icoca card for public transport at the airport, it is basically the same as Suica and Pasmo.
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  14. Tokyo is crowded but the people are very disciplined.
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  15. I always use a debit card instead of a credit card when I use the 711 ATMs, that saves on the fees that my bank charges me.
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  16. About what are you confused?
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  17. Most streets in Japan don't have names, only the bigger streets have names. Yes, that is different.
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  18. Most have a bath. This bath is often small.
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  19. I always use the 711 ATMs.
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  20. I always have 200 euro in notes for emergencies like that. I don't want to fully rely on ATMs.
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  21. Kansai Osaka airport isn't that confusing. I use hyperdia.com to know which train I have to take. Sure the airport is on an island but there is a bridge for cars, busses and trains. Taking a taxi is expensive but not needed.
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  22. Some onsen allow people with tattoos. If your tattoos are small then maybe you can cover them with patches? Some ryokans or hotels offer private onsen, these private onsen however are expensive in general.
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  23. Indeed, you can't.
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  24. If you travel as a couple (and sleep in the same bed) then hotels (the so called business hotels) can be cheaper than hostels or cubicle hotels.
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  25. Sometimes there are, sometimes there aren't, but just don't pack too much stuff.
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  26. Yes, you pay a high fee when you opt for dynamic currency conversion (paying in your own currency), it is more or less a scam.
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  27. When there are a lot of local people inside, then it is good.
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  28. The Cathedral of Tokyo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Cathedral,_Tokyo , looks like a fascinating building.
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  29. I use sites like booking.com, hostelword.com and Rakuten.
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  30. 6:11 not 6:31
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  31. Maybe You can fly from Narita Airport to Hirsoshima? Two airlines offer direct flights between Narita and Hiroshima. Anyway, don't be scared.
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  32. According to this site there are two airlines that fly from Narita to Hiroshima. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Airport . Did you check both? Hiroshima Airport has no train station but you can take the bus to Hiroshima city afaik. If you travel by train and you want to use a JR rail pass then you probably will need to transfer at Tokyo Train Station or Shinagawa train station and Shin-Kobe or Shin-Osaka station. So that is two transfers. Anyway try to travel light.
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  33. Narita Airport has shower facilities: https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/service/svc_37 . You will have to change in ShinOsaka station, not Osaka station.
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  34. Japan is not that hard, there is English signage almost everywhere, it is all figureoutable and the Japanese are very willing to help.
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  35. What kind of cafe reservation do you have in Osaka? To me Osaka is not that interesting (well Osaka is interesting but your mother has only a few days in Japan). I would skip Osaka unless that cafe reservation (I really don't know what that is) is something really interesting. If you like cycling then you can do that in Arashiyama, you can cycle to the Kinkakuji for example. You really visit a lot of places in a small number of days, I hope you are both very energetic because you will really need it. I also hope that you will not suffer from jetlag because you don't have time for that.
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  36. You can also visit the Fushimi Inari when you travel from Nara to Kyoto if you take the JR train, this shrine is open 24/7. This shrine has lockers for big luggage. There are two different train station of two different rail companies and different rail lines near the Fushima Inari. Your mother will probably have to take a long rest to recover from her holiday once she returned home.
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  37. I use hyperdia.com for the train time tables and prices.
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  38. The most important etiquette is the 'what are you walking on' etiquette. Study the floor you are walking on. Is it wood then you have to walk on slippers or socks. Is it tatami then you have to walk on your socks. But Japanese people know that you don't know, they are very tolerant towards our mistakes. Oh and don't talk loudly when sitting in the train.
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  39. They are very welcoming and polite but a bit formal. They will not frown at you.
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  40. More and more Muslims visit Japan for a holiday, there are certainly options for halal food in Japan. http://muslimguide.jnto.go.jp/eng/
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  41. There are plenty of basic restaurants that offer cheap and yummy food, there is no need to limit yourself to the 711s, especially when it comes to dinners.
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  42. April is a great time for visiting Japan.
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  43. There are free bathrooms everywhere, also in the trains.
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