What to do in Japan for 2 weeks?

Raymond Lin said:
I am making a list of things to eat at the moment, starting with Osaka, only there for 24 hours but I want to eat Takoyako, Kushikatsu, Yakiniku and Okonomiyaki. I am going to be soon full !

What do you think are must eats, not found anywhere else in each of the places?
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Fukuoka, as has been said Tonkotsu ramen and Hiroshima okonomiyaki (also as mentioned previously)

In Osaka I normally get Takoyaki from the first place mentioned in this article having got a bottle of tea from the Family Mart first. then sit on one of the walls in the "park" and people watch. The head down into Dotonbori/Namba (maybe a 10min walk via the Mandarake shop) and see what other interesting things you can find there food wise. Osaka is one of those place you should wander and graze.

Kyoto can be a bit overpriced at times although I've had some quite good roast pork curry udon in one of the little places in Nishiki market.

Not sure where the best place to have it but I'd definitely try to have grilled eel over rice at some point (I had it on miyajima). Pity you are not going to Nagoya as Miso Katsu Don there is very nice.

In Tokyo it depends on what you want and what you want to spend. I always have a sashimi don from one of the restaurants in the UDX building in Akihabara at some point (which can get busy at lunch time with office workers). A friend of mine who has been a few times with his daughter says that the Tower Records cafe in Harajuku is worth a visit. There's a nice little restaurant on the corner by shinjuku-west post office which does quite good simple meals (and has an English menu).

I want to try monjayaki but haven't got around to it ... Doesn't look very appetising but supposed to be good.

If I was going I would also be aiming for basic curry and beer one evening by going to watch Kamen Joshi live at Parma in Akihabara :)
 
Begbie said:
http://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/

I also visited this place, albiet a little weird at first. It was worth it.

I'm sure there are plenty of others though.
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Eh....so you bathe and ???

Interesting concept but not sure atm, and it's not far from the Hilton, where I almost booked...would have if for the fact that it's a little too far out and they don't have wifi unless you are a member!
 
Raymond Lin said:
Eh....so you bathe and ???

Interesting concept but not sure atm, and it's not far from the Hilton, where I almost booked...would have if for the fact that it's a little too far out and they don't have wifi unless you are a member!
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Yeah you just bathe, they sell food and beer to though. The one I linked to had throwing stars etc. Different baths, an outside area. It was just pretty chilling. It removed my hangover, which was nice.

Quite near there they have a huge indoor game area with some wacky skateboarding game. This thing is huge! I've no idea how it worked but theres four in a row and two of you compete with the other GIANT skateboards. I mean it's worth a wander in if your in the area, but probably best at night for the rainbow bridge. Also the life sized gundam down there too :)
 
Hi Raymond, I remember you helped me plan my HK trip, funnily enough I went to Japan earlier this year for 3 weeks, here's a list of places I visited in the major cities:

Tokyo:

Kabuchiko:
Robot Restaurant (need to book online in advance or at ticket booth in the morning which is right opposite the restaurant)

http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/

Kabukchiko is pretty much the red light district of Tokyo and you'll see Yakuza members here who don't cause trouble but are there to keep the peace. There'll be guys who approach you asking if you want a good time with the local ladies, but they don't seem to bother you after you say no thanks the first time.

Akhihabara
- check out the main strip and Yodobashi (7 storey electronics store) which is behind Akihabara station
- Maid cafe is a must experience -best one is @home maid cafe which is on the main strip of Akihabara - http://www.cafe-athome.com/en/

Asakusa:
Sensoji Temple (This temple is more lively in the evening from 5pm onwards, but don't go too late else all the market stalls on the main strip leading up to the temple will be closed)

Shibuya:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

Harajuku:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html

Meiji Shrine (next to Harajuku Station)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html

Mt Fuji:

Worth staying one night at Kozantei Ubuya Ryokan which is opposite Mt Fuji. Best way to get there is to buy a bus ticket from Shinjuku Station, takes about 1.5 hours by bus and when you reach Kawaguchi station (last stop) head over to the tourist information counter to let them know you are going to Kozantei Ubuya. They'll let you know when the next shuttle bus is coming, the ryokan offer a free shuttle from the station to the ryokan every 45 minutes or so. Alternatively you could just walk it from the station to the ryokan which takes about 30 minutes or so.

There are other ryokans across the lake but Kozantei gives you the best views and the best rated one.

https://www.489pro.com/asp/489/menu.asp?id=19000027&ty=ser&lan=ENG

This is the official website where you'll have to book and pay by credit card in advance.

We went for the Japanese Style Superior Room as there was no availability for the same room with private hot tub.


Accomodation:

NUI Hostel:
https://backpackersjapan.co.jp/nuihostel/english.html

We stayed at an airbnb in Taito area for 2 nights:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Taitō--Tokyo--Japan/homes?allow_override[]=&s_tag=20sJcJyX

Any of these will be top notch, if you want to stay in this area I'll dig out the exact airbnb we stayed at but you can't go wrong with any in this area.

We stayed in Ginza Bay Capsule Hotel for one night. To be honest we would have stayed another night or two here with no issues, cheap and cheerful:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/to...e0c65a1a2e642dX1;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl



Osaka:
Dotonbori (Minami)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

Umeda Sky Building
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html


Mt Koyasan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html

We stayed here for one night at Rengejo-in (need to book these online in advance too (https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Rengejo-in)
Worth doing and spending the next morning exploring the rest of the mountain (especially okunoin temple).



Accomodation:
Centurion Hotel Ikebukuro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ce...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f

Kyoto:

Kinkakuji (Golden Temple)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html


Mt Arashiyama:
- Bamboo Forest - this is more towards the base of the mountain but about a 10 minute walk from the monkey park.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park - A bit of a hike to get to the top but worth it! (took about 45 minutes to hike up there)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

Nijo Castle
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

Fushimi Inari Shrine
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Gion
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html



Hiroshima:

All the main spots are pretty much within 5-10 minutes walking distance of one another in Hiroshima and can be done in one day easily. We went to Miyajima in the evening from Hiroshima at about 4pm as a side trip (about a 15 minute boat ride covered by JR Pass)

Hiroshima Peace Park
Atomic A-Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Memorial Musuem
- We went inside the musuem and was definitely worth the admission to see historic monuments from the bombings)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3401.html

Accomodation:

Our hotel was 15-20 minutes walking distance to the main spots:

APA Hotel Hiroshima-Ekimae Ohashi

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ap...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f


Kagoshima & Yakushima:

Kagoshima is the furthest south of Japan, and we only went there as a stopover point for the night because the ferry port is based there. We spent few days in Yakushima trekking up some mountains., I'd probably skip the Kagoshima/Yakushima as you won't get much time in 2 weeks and can go further up north instead with Hiroshima being the furthest away from Tokyo back up north. If you do want to go let me know and i'll send through more info.



Few tips/pointers:

There is a Japanese language pack in the Google Translate app which if you download offline let's you translate text through the camera live on the spot, this came in very handy when trying to read signs and what food actually was, especially outside of Tokyo where english is uncommon.
Get a MiFi device on a 2 week plan from the airport, they are dirt cheap! You usually get a return envelope with them which you can drop off at any post box, we just dropped it back off at the airport on the way back.

Take a powerbank if you have one to keep the MiFi and other devices charged on the go.

We exchanged about £100 each from here because we landed at 1am and everything was pretty much closed by then, we got our JR pass exchanged at the JR station the next morning, and also purchased a PASMO card and topped it up for inner city journeys in Tokyo.

Taxi's are fairly cheap outside of Tokyo. You can pay for most things by card in Tokyo but anywhere else cash is king.
Hopefully that helps, any more questions give me a shout!

Hope it helps somewhat, enjoy!
 
SpartaK said:
Hi Raymond, I remember you helped me plan my HK trip, funnily enough I went to Japan earlier this year for 3 weeks, here's a list of places I visited in the major cities:

Tokyo:

Kabuchiko:
Robot Restaurant (need to book online in advance or at ticket booth in the morning which is right opposite the restaurant)

http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/

Kabukchiko is pretty much the red light district of Tokyo and you'll see Yakuza members here who don't cause trouble but are there to keep the peace. There'll be guys who approach you asking if you want a good time with the local ladies, but they don't seem to bother you after you say no thanks the first time.

Akhihabara
- check out the main strip and Yodobashi (7 storey electronics store) which is behind Akihabara station
- Maid cafe is a must experience -best one is @home maid cafe which is on the main strip of Akihabara - http://www.cafe-athome.com/en/

Asakusa:
Sensoji Temple (This temple is more lively in the evening from 5pm onwards, but don't go too late else all the market stalls on the main strip leading up to the temple will be closed)

Shibuya:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

Harajuku:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html

Meiji Shrine (next to Harajuku Station)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html

Mt Fuji:

Worth staying one night at Kozantei Ubuya Ryokan which is opposite Mt Fuji. Best way to get there is to buy a bus ticket from Shinjuku Station, takes about 1.5 hours by bus and when you reach Kawaguchi station (last stop) head over to the tourist information counter to let them know you are going to Kozantei Ubuya. They'll let you know when the next shuttle bus is coming, the ryokan offer a free shuttle from the station to the ryokan every 45 minutes or so. Alternatively you could just walk it from the station to the ryokan which takes about 30 minutes or so.

There are other ryokans across the lake but Kozantei gives you the best views and the best rated one.

https://www.489pro.com/asp/489/menu.asp?id=19000027&ty=ser&lan=ENG

This is the official website where you'll have to book and pay by credit card in advance.

We went for the Japanese Style Superior Room as there was no availability for the same room with private hot tub.


Accomodation:

NUI Hostel:
https://backpackersjapan.co.jp/nuihostel/english.html

We stayed at an airbnb in Taito area for 2 nights:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Taitō--Tokyo--Japan/homes?allow_override[]=&s_tag=20sJcJyX

Any of these will be top notch, if you want to stay in this area I'll dig out the exact airbnb we stayed at but you can't go wrong with any in this area.

We stayed in Ginza Bay Capsule Hotel for one night. To be honest we would have stayed another night or two here with no issues, cheap and cheerful:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/tokyo-ginza-bay-hotel.en-gb.html?aid=356930;label=metagha-link-localuniversalGB-hotel-1393934_dev-desktop_los-1_bw-22_dow-Monday_defdate-1_room-0_lang-en_curr-GBP;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f;all_sr_blocks=139393404_93622778_0_0_0,139393404_93622778_0_0_0;checkin=2017-06-05;checkout=2017-06-06;dest_id=-246227;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;highlighted_blocks=139393404_93622778_0_0_0;hpos=1;room1=A,A;sb_price_type=total;srfid=b5d7952ca689d55809ee2348d4e0c65a1a2e642dX1;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl



Osaka:
Dotonbori (Minami)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

Umeda Sky Building
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4002.html


Mt Koyasan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html

We stayed here for one night at Rengejo-in (need to book these online in advance too (https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Rengejo-in)
Worth doing and spending the next morning exploring the rest of the mountain (especially okunoin temple).



Accomodation:
Centurion Hotel Ikebukuro
https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ce...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f

Kyoto:

Kinkakuji (Golden Temple)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html


Mt Arashiyama:
- Bamboo Forest - this is more towards the base of the mountain but about a 10 minute walk from the monkey park.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park - A bit of a hike to get to the top but worth it! (took about 45 minutes to hike up there)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

Nijo Castle
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

Fushimi Inari Shrine
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Gion
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html



Hiroshima:

All the main spots are pretty much within 5-10 minutes walking distance of one another in Hiroshima and can be done in one day easily. We went to Miyajima in the evening from Hiroshima at about 4pm as a side trip (about a 15 minute boat ride covered by JR Pass)

Hiroshima Peace Park
Atomic A-Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Memorial Musuem
- We went inside the musuem and was definitely worth the admission to see historic monuments from the bombings)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3401.html

Accomodation:

Our hotel was 15-20 minutes walking distance to the main spots:

APA Hotel Hiroshima-Ekimae Ohashi

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/ap...d=964694;sid=ad91e9edce2d84976bfb1d4db1cd207f


Kagoshima & Yakushima:

Kagoshima is the furthest south of Japan, and we only went there as a stopover point for the night because the ferry port is based there. We spent few days in Yakushima trekking up some mountains., I'd probably skip the Kagoshima/Yakushima as you won't get much time in 2 weeks and can go further up north instead with Hiroshima being the furthest away from Tokyo back up north. If you do want to go let me know and i'll send through more info.



Few tips/pointers:

There is a Japanese language pack in the Google Translate app which if you download offline let's you translate text through the camera live on the spot, this came in very handy when trying to read signs and what food actually was, especially outside of Tokyo where english is uncommon.
Get a MiFi device on a 2 week plan from the airport, they are dirt cheap! You usually get a return envelope with them which you can drop off at any post box, we just dropped it back off at the airport on the way back.

Take a powerbank if you have one to keep the MiFi and other devices charged on the go.

We exchanged about £100 each from here because we landed at 1am and everything was pretty much closed by then, we got our JR pass exchanged at the JR station the next morning, and also purchased a PASMO card and topped it up for inner city journeys in Tokyo.

Taxi's are fairly cheap outside of Tokyo. You can pay for most things by card in Tokyo but anywhere else cash is king.
Hopefully that helps, any more questions give me a shout!

Hope it helps somewhat, enjoy!
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Thanks for that, much much appreciated. However I have booked all my accommodation now, although some of them I don't pay until 24 hours before check in with free cancellations (so I can still rebook somewhere else should I find somewhere better until then) but I am staying in some nicer places than I expect due to the time of year and the rooms are cheaper than i budget for and also because I booked an internal flight via Expedia, after that I was getting all kind of special discount on hotels that isn't shown on other search engines.

Dunno if its interesting but they are

Fukuoka

https://www.rph-the.co.jp/fukuoka/en/

Hiroshima

https://www.rihga.co.jp/hiroshima

Osaka

http://www.hotel-lut.com/en/

Kyoto

http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/

Hakone

http://www.hakone-tenyu.com

Tokyo

http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com

Will download the Japanese pack now, I can actually read a little bit of Kanji being it is basically Chinese characters, not much but a little.
 
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Raymond Lin said:
Thanks for that, much much appreciated. However I have booked all my accommodation now, although some of them I don't pay until 24 hours before check in with free cancellations (so I can still rebook somewhere else should I find somewhere better until then) but I am staying in some nicer places than I expect due to the time of year and the rooms are cheaper than i budget for and also because I booked an internal flight via Expedia, after that I was getting all kind of special discount on hotels that isn't shown on other search engines.

Dunno if its interesting but they are

Fukuoka

https://www.rph-the.co.jp/fukuoka/en/

Hiroshima

https://www.rihga.co.jp/hiroshima

Osaka

http://www.hotel-lut.com/en/

Kyoto

http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/

Hakone

http://www.hakone-tenyu.com

Tokyo

http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com

Will download the Japanese pack now, I can actually read a little bit of Kanji being it is basically Chinese characters, not much but a little.
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No worries looks good mate, when are you flying out? Hopefully some of that came in handy (please do go to @home maid cafe you will regret it if you don't :D)

The most memorable part for me was probably Hiroshima, truly a special place and such a sad history, definitely take a tour of the memorial museum, you can get all the top spots covered in a day for Hiroshima as they are all within the same proximity.

Oh and just a heads up, cash is king in most places. Tokyo you won't have much problem using plastic, but the further out you go from there, the more cash becomes key, but I'm sure you've researched this already, I'll stop rambling on!

Enjoy and looking forward to pics :D
 
SpartaK said:
No worries looks good mate, when are you flying out? Hopefully some of that came in handy (please do go to @home maid cafe you will regret it if you don't :D)

The most memorable part for me was probably Hiroshima, truly a special place and such a sad history, definitely take a tour of the memorial museum, you can get all the top spots covered in a day for Hiroshima as they are all within the same proximity.

Oh and just a heads up, cash is king in most places. Tokyo you won't have much problem using plastic, but the further out you go from there, the more cash becomes key, but I'm sure you've researched this already, I'll stop rambling on!

Enjoy and looking forward to pics :D
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November :)

I am staying close to the museum so it should be easy to see everything before I head to Osaka. I actually was planning to avoid Hiroshima altogether, originally I never plan to go that far south, perhaps just Tokyo and Kyoto, may be Osaka as it is close by then a couple of people told me Hiroshima is a must see and then I thought, if i am going that far down, I might as well go further and then work my way up, hence how I ended up with my itinerary.

mkilYM5.png

Yup, I know about Japan being a cash society, probably due to a lot of places are family run but I do think its weird that the ticket machines at the train station such as the ones you buy the Pasmo card from only take cash.

So, picked up my first batch of travel money today.

gmVXUyh.jpg
 
Raymond Lin said:
November :)

I am staying close to the museum so it should be easy to see everything before I head to Osaka. I actually was planning to avoid Hiroshima altogether, originally I never plan to go that far south, perhaps just Tokyo and Kyoto, may be Osaka as it is close by then a couple of people told me Hiroshima is a must see and then I thought, if i am going that far down, I might as well go further and then work my way up, hence how I ended up with my itinerary.

mkilYM5.png

Yup, I know about Japan being a cash society, probably due to a lot of places are family run but I do think its weird that the ticket machines at the train station such as the ones you buy the Pasmo card from only take cash.

So, picked up my first batch of travel money today.

gmVXUyh.jpg
Click to expand...

Hiroshima is not really mentioned much when you hear of Japan, but it's truly a gem, you'll enjoy it I'm sure of it! Your hotel is so close to the main attractions, perfect!

Yep the cash ticket machines are strange! We got the 21 day JR pass, it saved us a lot of money. For the inner city trains in Tokyo we just topped up a Pasmo card and that saved time and effort in buying a ticket every time.

Used my Revolut for additional cash withdrawals, that card was a saviour! Bought a few things from Uniqlo but paid with clarity card. Remember to have your passport on you at all times especially if you are shopping as most retailers have the facilities in place to give you tax free prices as long as you have your passport on you (at the airport you just have to show your passport and all attached receipts to the tax officer just after security and it's all sorted). I also got an additional 5% discount for using my clarity card in Uniqlo (on top of the 8% tax free saving).

I'm presuming you are planning to hit up Yodobashi in Akihabara?

Also the 7/11 chain stores are going to be your best friend lol, just like in HK!
 
SpartaK said:
Hiroshima is not really mentioned much when you hear of Japan, but it's truly a gem, you'll enjoy it I'm sure of it! Your hotel is so close to the main attractions, perfect!

Yep the cash ticket machines are strange! We got the 21 day JR pass, it saved us a lot of money. For the inner city trains in Tokyo we just topped up a Pasmo card and that saved time and effort in buying a ticket every time.

Used my Revolut for additional cash withdrawals, that card was a saviour! Bought a few things from Uniqlo but paid with clarity card. Remember to have your passport on you at all times especially if you are shopping as most retailers have the facilities in place to give you tax free prices as long as you have your passport on you (at the airport you just have to show your passport and all attached receipts to the tax officer just after security and it's all sorted). I also got an additional 5% discount for using my clarity card in Uniqlo (on top of the 8% tax free saving).

I'm presuming you are planning to hit up Yodobashi in Akihabara?

Also the 7/11 chain stores are going to be your best friend lol, just like in HK!
Click to expand...

I hear there are 2 Yodobashi, one in Akihabara, another in Shinjuku, but that one is split up into 10 different stores….also read that weirdly, the camera section of the Shinjuku is bigger than the one in Akinhabara. But yup, I plan to hit it up, probably spend an afternoon in the area.

Another thing I found, that ATM machines (except 7-11) closes at 8pm or something? Banks don't opens on the weekend either.

I will have my Clarity card on me (MasterCard), a Barclaycard (VISA) and my Amex so I should be good!

Heard about the double discount too with the Passport for the 8% tax rebate but the discount by using MasterCard is weird and strange. Thanks for the tip regarding the receipts, will keep those together :)
 
Problem with Japan is there just too many places to visit. I would recommend trying to visit Miyajima, it might be a bit of hassle and to be honest it's better staying on the Island to avoid the mass influx of day tourists but even if you manage a day visit then you'll get a sense of how lovely the place is.
 
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Earth[Tera].bin said:
Problem with Japan is there just too many places to visit. I would recommend trying to visit Miyajima, it might be a bit of hassle and to be honest it's better staying on the Island to avoid the mass influx of day tourists but even if you manage a day visit then you'll get a sense of how lovely the place is.
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Already planned to go there, I have found out that on the day Sunset and High Tide matches almost to the minute so the Tora gate will be submerged in water. Being in November the sun sets around 5pm and that evening I don't plan to do anything else in Hiroshima so will stay until dark in Miyajima for a bit, last ferry back is at 10:22pm….but that is cutting it fine, will probably leave at the 7:30pm ferry, get back for dinner with some Okonomiyaki, which i've been told, Okonomimura is the place to go. You are the 2nd person actually recommended me to stay on the island overnight, but unfortunately the hotel is already booked in Hiroshima and next morning I planned to start early with the museums in the day.

aEb2et2.png

Honestly, I have never researched a place so much in my life….normally I wing it 99% of the time!

I think i will have to go back already because there are just so much to see and do.
 
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Always get jealous seeing someone plan a trip to Japan, such an interesting place.

Maybe Koyasan in Wakayama prefecture will be of interest for the second visit. Highlights of my first trip , Shinto shrines and mausoleums of famous Samurai/Daimyos.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I hear there are 2 Yodobashi, one in Akihabara, another in Shinjuku, but that one is split up into 10 different stores….also read that weirdly, the camera section of the Shinjuku is bigger than the one in Akinhabara. But yup, I plan to hit it up, probably spend an afternoon in the area.

Another thing I found, that ATM machines (except 7-11) closes at 8pm or something? Banks don't opens on the weekend either.

I will have my Clarity card on me (MasterCard), a Barclaycard (VISA) and my Amex so I should be good!

Heard about the double discount too with the Passport for the 8% tax rebate but the discount by using MasterCard is weird and strange. Thanks for the tip regarding the receipts, will keep those together :)
Click to expand...

No problem.

Yep ATM machines close at 8pm, so you'll have to use the 7/11 ATM's.

I'd still get a Revolut if I were you though to avoid paying any cash withdrawal fees on your Barclaycard/Clarity :P

I took my Halifax Clarity, AMEX & Revolut. The Revolut is also very handy if you are in a group of travellers and need to split taxi fares or other costs on the spot as you can split the cost of fares within the app and request money from other users. Came in handy for me as there were 4 of us and we'd just split taxi fares right away. Also you get £200 a month to withdraw from the ATM with no fees, after that it's about 2.5% I think (still cheaper than the other bank cards?)

And yes Miyajima is a must, it's easy to get to from Hiroshima, only takes about 10-15 minutes to cross on the boat.

There are two companies that operate ferries from Hiroshima to Miyajima, go for the JR express and your JR pass gives you a free ticket :p

When you are on the island, try their poop ice cream, it's amazing :)
 
SpartaK said:
No problem.

Yep ATM machines close at 8pm, so you'll have to use the 7/11 ATM's.

I'd still get a Revolut if I were you though to avoid paying any cash withdrawal fees on your Barclaycard/Clarity :p

I took my Halifax Clarity, AMEX & Revolut. The Revolut is also very handy if you are in a group of travellers and need to split taxi fares or other costs on the spot as you can split the cost of fares within the app and request money from other users. Came in handy for me as there were 4 of us and we'd just split taxi fares right away. Also you get £200 a month to withdraw from the ATM with no fees, after that it's about 2.5% I think (still cheaper than the other bank cards?)

And yes Miyajima is a must, it's easy to get to from Hiroshima, only takes about 10-15 minutes to cross on the boat.

There are two companies that operate ferries from Hiroshima to Miyajima, go for the JR express and your JR pass gives you a free ticket :p

When you are on the island, try their poop ice cream, it's amazing :)
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Thanks again for the tip, I have signed up to Revolut now, did you get a physical card? You must have as you said you withdrawn money from it. How does it work? like a top up card through your current account and then withdraw it from your Revolut?

Thanks for the tip too regarding the Ferry. I think I will just buy a 7 day JR pass, my travels is basically Monday (Leave Fukuoka) to Sunday (arrive in Tokyo).

p.s. poo ice cream, actually, don't tell me....would make a surprise...but what is the store I get it from?
 
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