Solo Japan Trip (April 2018)
I can proudly say I’ve survived this trip - first time in four years. I went to Japan from March 26-April 1, 2018 (Holy Week) and really loved the place.
I wanted to share my personal tips to anyone who wants to travel to Japan. Please note that the trip was DIY - Do It Yourself and admit that I wasn’t able to go to other sites - but that’s the beauty - you look forward to go back and explore the areas you’ve missed.
If you are traveling solo or have a companion (take note – not fussy and does not complain a lot), here are tips to make your Japan travel easy or in some cases, bearable.
Use comfortable shoes and I mean a good pair of rubber shoes that can keep up with the rigors of Japan travel. I used my Adidas Energy Boost throughout my stay A lot of time will be devoted to walking - A LOT, most especially if you are not part of a tour group where they’re being shuttled from one site to another.
Be prepared for the massive crowds going to the same venue you want to see. According to the blogs I’ve read prior to leaving, this is minor compared to Golden Week. Not just us foreigners but local tourists visiting popular sites all over the country.
Bring cash. Japan is a cash based society. While it is true that some establishment accepts credit cards, some smaller mom-and-pop prefer cash over credit cards. The amount will depend on how many days you'll stay. Reserve Japanese Yen at least one (1) week before leaving Japan at your local bank or Foreign Exchange companies such as Czarina.
Want to exchange Pesos or USD without going to the bank? Look for ATM Currency Exchange machines. I found one in Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT). You can also use your regular ATM cards to withdraw at banks with service fees. My suggestion is to use the 7-11 & Japan Post ATM. But make sure that you inform your local banks beforehand.
If you are going to use your credit cards, inform them in advance to avoid problems in using them.
Buy tickets, IC cards, rent Wi-Fi or arrange tours via Klook in advance because of discounts. I bought an ICOCA card, KIX to OCAT tickets and Tokyo 48 subway card before leaving.
Since I wasn’t able to rent a Wi-Fi at Klook (read: procrastinated), I am recommending Big Sky (located at Makati). Cheapest at 2,700 (for seven days) + 2,000 down payment (refundable of course). There were some limits (i.e. 500 mbps - cannot use YouTube but who needs it when you’re travelling and the views are lovely?) but I can say that price and deposit was reasonable compared to Flytpack or HIS. An employee from Flytpack recommended me this company when I was rushing to secure one.
In case that you failed to secure Wi-Fi unit before leaving despite putting some effort? There are lots inside Kansai (or Haneda/Narita). There’s also free Wi-Fi inside Narita/KIX/Haneda while securing one for you. But at the end of the trip, you will definitely have to mail it; they will provide an envelope.
Book your hotel, ryokan, capsule hotel and hostel - pay them immediately via credit card. The prices increased since I pencil booked them, case in point Hotel WBF Namba Inari - from Php 14,000+ to Php 16,000+. It was the uncertainty of being approved or rejected for the visa that stopped me to pay in advance.
You can buy Shinkansen tickets via counters at Shin Osaka Station and choose where you want to sit - Reserved/Non-reserved/Green & Smoking/Non-smoking or departure time. You can also buy this in the Ticket Machine. Unfortunately the window seats were already filled out (insert sad face here) by the time I bought one. It’s up to you if you want to be in the Reserved Area or not, but I heard that at peak of the travelling season - the non-reserve coach can be full of people. Nozomi is so far the fastest shinkansen in the Kanto/Kansai Region.
If you want to reserved tickets in advance, try Shinkansentickets.com. It can be delivered to your hotel. A bit pricey because of the service fees involved in securing and delivery of the said ticket at the hotel.
Speaking of Shin Osaka Station, you can buy lunch and drink prior to departure and eat it along the way. They have shops located all throughout the station up to the boarding platform. The Shinkansen has food via food cart sold but a bit expensive compare to getting it in the station.
If you have sensitive stomach, bring medicine (think Diarrhea or in Japanese - Geri). Not kidding here - restrooms are hard to find here (unless you’re inside the mall or station) and if you do, you have to fall in line. Learned this the hard way and it limited my food choices (read: I have a sensitive stomach - there’s nothing wrong with their food folks).
McDonalds Japan and other burger chains offers salad as a healthy side dish alternative to your typical French Fries. Also take advantage of their limited or seasonal items.
To save money, eat a heavy breakfast at the hotel prior to wandering off to sites. Snacking or (my bad) skipped lunch because you’re too busy travelling or looking for tourist spots. Except for Nara, where I ate Omurice at the Nara Government Building.
Their restroom or lavatory is one of the best - bar none. Heated, private (you want flushing sounds whilst dumping in public restrooms? Yup there is a button for that) and it automatically open its lid every time the door is open and I pass by.
Shopping in Japan is Tax-free for tourists - provided that your minimum purchase is at Y5000+ and brought your passport. Since I am not that of a shopaholic, I never took advantage of that privilege - more of a traveler rather than a shopper. Heck, I’ve seen Pinoy tourist lugging around big shopping bags at Donki (Don Quijote Mega Shop) at Dotonbori.
Looking for Anello bags? Go to the other side of Ebisu Shinbaishi (not on the HM side please). The cheapest I saw was pegged at Y3,750.00. The so-called sidewalk vendor is near a drugstore. Actually I saw their flagship store in Osaka whilst looking for a cheap one in that area.
Do not hesitate to ask questions (think “Wag mahiyang magtanong” Rite Med theme) - they can go out of their way to help you. Learn bits of Japanese phrases such as “Sumimasen”, “Dozo”, “Arigato” and "Eigo" (use "sumimasen, English please"). They can even assist you by bringing you to the area you want to go. I experienced being personally assisted by a security staff going to the station where I can get a train to Shin Osaka station and the train master sperading out a map and explaining in Japanese me to Yayoi Gate of the University of Tokyo to get to Hatchi and Dr. Ueno statue using a detailed map. Listen intently (ignore that language barrier).
Buy JR Pass (Kansai Wide/Area, 14 days pass) at Friendship Tours or any travel agencies authorized to sell these tickets, preferably cash - avoid using credit cards because of added service cost. This was a big help to me during my stay in the Kansai Region.
Use ICOCA card (or PASMO / SUICA if you are in Tokyo) - for stations that will not honor your pass (whether Kansai Wide or Tokyo Subway Tickets). You can also use this in selected stores and shops. I used this to buy food at Starbucks on my way to Tokyo. Unfortunately, my ICOCA was accidentally dented when I accidentally sat on the card (ehehehe) at University of Tokyo out of sheer exhaustion looking for Hatchi.
Do not surrender your ICOCA/Pasmo/Suica card if you intend to go back, this is valid for 10 years
Learn how to read maps - whether Google maps or the subway directions. Remember color codes/numbers when you are inside the subway & JR Lines.
I love their combinis - whether 7-11, Family Mart or Lawson - everything is there! From food, toiletries, shirts (7-11 partnered with Muji) and snacks!
Cheap souvenirs? Go to Daiso or 3 Coins (read Y300 per item with some exceptions). Personally, Donki is overrated.
Since I have plantar fasciitis - I use heating pads to alleviate the pain before I go to sleep or upon waking up in the morning. This is not supposed to be directly applied to the skin (you stick it to your inner garment) but I placed it to my feet for a few minutes to alleviate the soreness (it worked!).
Want to meet Hatchi without getting annoyed or overwhelmed by the massive crowds in Shibuya? Go to University of Tokyo. Added bonus, Dr. Ueno. Use the green subway line (Todae-mae Station) - unless you want to walk THAT long.
Buy a one day pass when in Kyoto and Nara. You can present this to the bus driver every time you board one instead of paying in cash. Didn’t buy one in Kyoto since I have an ICOCA card but bought one in Nara.
You can use Google translate to scan letters or look for words that would describe your condition or situation. I used this at 7-11 Namba to help me find medicine for Diarrhea (he referred me to the pharmacy instead because they ran out of medicines).
In preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are now English translators/guides in Tokyo. I found one in Asakusa and helped me map out directions going to UTokyo.
Want a better view of the scramble at Shibuya Crossing? Go to the JR Shibuya station; it’s much better than the one located at Starbucks.
The only advise I can offer is that spend time in one region. If you are only staying for 7 days, don't rush and make it an amazing race type of travel. Learned this the hard way although I have not regretted it. Plans may change depending on how far is the tourist spot you want to see, time travel and transport, your overall tolerance towards long distance walking and any unforeseen events or situation this may throw at you.
My advise: prepare your itinerary, set aside money for your travel, research and prepare to travel alone if needed. Japan is a lovely and safe country. If you missed some spots, the next time you knew it, you'll come back.