Japan

Robi · Monday at 09:44

Raymond Lin said:
If you like high end shopping, then you have to go to Ginza.

IF you like kitchenware then you MUST go to Kappabashi.

Ginza is on our itinerary, most likely the day before we leave.

We'll be hitting Kappabashi on the 31st after a morning at Sensō-ji. Knives are high up on the list. Perfect timing really with @Reuben klang posting afterwards.

@Reuben klang how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking?

I've seen Kamata come up a lot on recommendations, but will check out Jikko.

Raymond Lin · Monday at 09:49

Robi said:
Ginza is on our itinerary, most likely the day before we leave.

We'll be hitting Kappabashi on the 31st after a morning at Sensō-ji. Knives are high up on the list. Perfect timing really with @Reuben klang posting afterwards.

@Reuben klang how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking?

I've seen Kamata come up a lot on recommendations, but will check out Jikko.

Remember your allowance for tax/duty free to bring it back is £390 per person TOTAL. So if you buy a knife worth £200, you have £190 for everything else. Whether you get unlucky on the way back is another question however.

To get tax free shopping you either get a QR Code from https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001 fill it in so you don't need to fill out a little form before you land. or they scan your passport.

Scuzi · Monday at 10:01

Raymond Lin said:
Remember your allowance for tax/duty free to bring it back is £390 per person TOTAL. So if you buy a knife worth £200, you have £190 for everything else. Whether you get unlucky on the way back is another question however.

To get tax free shopping you either get a QR Code from https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001 fill it in so you don't need to fill out a little form before you land. or they scan your passport.

I don't remember seeing anything about a £390 limit. I spent a lot more than that on tax free purchases!

Raymond Lin · Monday at 10:05

Scuzi said:
I don't remember seeing anything about a £390 limit. I spent a lot more than that on tax free purchases!

UK customs information: England, Scotland and Wales (accessible version)

www.gov.uk

Scuzi · Monday at 10:08

Oh yeah, I forgot I declared all those things on the way back in....

Raymond Lin · Monday at 10:11

Scuzi said:
Oh yeah, I forgot I declared all those things on the way back in....

It happens to 99.999999% of people ! lol

But, yes, that is the law...technically speaking. Whether they check or even if someone is there at all on staff is another question.

Reuben klang · Monday at 10:59

Robi said:
Ginza is on our itinerary, most likely the day before we leave.

We'll be hitting Kappabashi on the 31st after a morning at Sensō-ji. Knives are high up on the list. Perfect timing really with @Reuben klang posting afterwards.

@Reuben klang how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking?

I've seen Kamata come up a lot on recommendations, but will check out Jikko.

I went into kamata as well. They do knife sharpening classes too. I basically spent a day there in knife shops. Also nipped into the ones in more touristy areas just to have a look.

It was ¥60000 so £300ish

There loads of stuff on Reddit fwiw

Reuben klang · Monday at 11:09

JIKKO Kappa Damascus Santoku (Multi-purpose) SG2 Starinless steel

A fusion of tradition and innovation. The Kappa Damascus Santoku Knife combines traditional aesthetics with modern performance. Its 165mm SG2 stainless steel blade features a striking Damascus pattern, offering both beauty and exceptional sharpness. Designed for versatility, it's perfect for...

jikkocutlery.com

Cheaper in the shop.

Gazanimal · Thursday at 23:28

Out of interest is there anything specific I need in regards entry into Japan. I’m 99% certain there’s no visa requirement but I wanted to make sure there’s nothing else I need to do as I believe passport control/immigration can take a while to get through and I want to make it go as smooth as possible.

Raymond Lin · Friday at 00:43

Gazanimal said:
Out of interest is there anything specific I need in regards entry into Japan. I’m 99% certain there’s no visa requirement but I wanted to make sure there’s nothing else I need to do as I believe passport control/immigration can take a while to get through and I want to make it go as smooth as possible.

This is the government website for entry.

https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001

You can fill it in to save time when you land. It used to ask all kinds of stuff about Covid, not anymore. Now it's about whether you want a QR Code for VAT free shopping. If you don't have the QR code then you show your passport (they will scan it and then staple a receipt to it). If you don't do this page, you have more paperwork at immigration when you land that's all.

fish · Friday at 01:26

Don’t think this has been mentioned but we got a journey Japan eSIM and it’s been great as it’s unlimited data and basically I haven’t found anywhere without lte. Even called home via WhatsApp to check in. Other esims are available I’m sure.

Travel eSIM for Japan | Journey Japan eSIM

Stay connected in Japan with 4G/5G internet on Docomo’s reliable network. 99% coverage, instant activation & no SIM swap! Get 30-day Japan eSIM plan today!

jjesim.com

On our way back to Tokyo currently having visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Ena, Magome and Tsumago.

Basically relied on google maps to sort out public transport and it been very accurate even telling us platforms etc.

Also chuck google translate on your phone as it’s handy

In Tokyo on a clear day you can go up the government buildings in shinjuku to the 45th floor there is a cafe and a clear view to Fuji and all of Tokyo. It’s about 15 mins walk from the station.

Gazanimal · Friday at 11:15

fish said:
Don’t think this has been mentioned but we got a journey Japan eSIM and it’s been great as it’s unlimited data and basically I haven’t found anywhere without lte. Even called home via WhatsApp to check in. Other esims are available I’m sure.

Travel eSIM for Japan | Journey Japan eSIM

Stay connected in Japan with 4G/5G internet on Docomo’s reliable network. 99% coverage, instant activation & no SIM swap! Get 30-day Japan eSIM plan today!

jjesim.com

On our way back to Tokyo currently having visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Ena, Magome and Tsumago.

Basically relied on google maps to sort out public transport and it been very accurate even telling us platforms etc.

Also chuck google translate on your phone as it’s handy

In Tokyo on a clear day you can go up the government buildings in shinjuku to the 45th floor there is a cafe and a clear view to Fuji and all of Tokyo. It’s about 15 mins walk from the station.

Yeah I'll probably be using Airalo who I used for when I visited the US a couple of years ago as they were a little cheaper and worked flawlessly. Hopefully the same in Japan.

I think 10GB will suffice for the 9 days I'm there as I'll be using hotel wi-fi too and have a a colleague who lives in Tokyo so he knows his way around

Robi · Friday at 11:32

Any particular reason why you went for an eSIM over a pocket WiFi like Japan Wireless? The only reason I can see is connivence as you don't have to carry a device around.

Ubigi eSIM 25Gb for 30 days coming in at £27, whereas a Japan Wireless unlimited pocket WiFi for the duration of the trip is £64. Total cost of the eSIM is £54 when you factor in 2 people.

Only asking as I was on the verge of buying a pocket WiFi for collection at the airport for our trip next month!

Raymond Lin · Friday at 12:08

I’ve tried them all, eSIM ever time now.

1 - no charging of device.
2 - no carrying extra device
3 - no collecting and return of device
4 - it crashed on mye once and no reboot button I had to wait for battery to go flat for it to reboot

I have tried esims now in Italy, Croatia, Morocco, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, it’s all good and easy.

Gazanimal · Friday at 14:36

Yeah same reason for me using an eSim. Convenience of it being on my phone rather than relying on another piece of tech to carry around.
It might not be the best in terms of cost, (£12 for 20GB is the best I've found) but the overall convenience is better suited to my needs.

Raymond Lin · Friday at 16:02

Gazanimal said:
Yeah same reason for me using an eSim. Convenience of it being on my phone rather than relying on another piece of tech to carry around.
It might not be the best in terms of cost, (£12 for 20GB is the best I've found) but the overall convenience is better suited to my needs.

One CRITICAL thing is that the final, very last post box to return the Pocket Wifi is at the airport BEFORE you go through immigration. So basically it's the first thing you do as you arrive, meaning you go to airport wifi until the flight. Not a huge deal but something to think about.

And if you forget....you are going to have to pay for postage to send it back from the UK.....

Reuben klang · Friday at 17:20

Raymond Lin said:
I’ve tried them all, eSIM ever time now.

1 - no charging of device.
2 - no carrying extra device
3 - no collecting and return of device
4 - it crashed on mye once and no reboot button I had to wait for battery to go flat for it to reboot

I have tried esims now in Italy, Croatia, Morocco, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, it’s all good and easy.

Exact same for me.

Gazanimal · 2025-09-21T20:31:02+0100

Raymond Lin said:
This is the government website for entry.

https://www.vjw.digital.go.jp/main/#/vjwplo001

You can fill it in to save time when you land. It used to ask all kinds of stuff about Covid, not anymore. Now it's about whether you want a QR Code for VAT free shopping. If you don't have the QR code then you show your passport (they will scan it and then staple a receipt to it). If you don't do this page, you have more paperwork at immigration when you land that's all.

Got all my details logged in and to create the Tax Free QR code I need the Landing Permission seal which I presume is attached once I get through immigration in Tokyo.

Reuben klang · 2025-09-21T20:50:00+0100

I done the QR code, you scan it after you pick up your bags but never used it again after that. As most shops just use your passport. It’s a bit of a mare in other places if you have to do it yourself - i.e mont bell and theres an app.

In some shopping malls you have to take your receipts up to the tax office and they refund it onto your card. That’s not too bad but they always just ask for your passport.

Raymond Lin · 2025-09-21T21:04:49+0100

Gazanimal said:
Got all my details logged in and to create the Tax Free QR code I need the Landing Permission seal which I presume is attached once I get through immigration in Tokyo.

Truth be told, I have never done the QR code, it is a recent introduction and last time I went I didn't bother. In the past I just use my Passport and it's fine and it's only for above 5,000 yen purchases really so not everything and not every place does it. I remember spending over £100 ta the Ghibli store and never saw an offer of tax free there?