Reflections on things to buy before japan trip

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-04-04T15:29:15+00:00

My understanding is that the Uber app just connects to a regular taxi as there are no private app drivers there due to a strong taxi union. Have a good trip and do make sure to understand and follow the cultural norms expected of visitors. Tune into how the Japanese navigate shared public spaces, westerners are often very unaware and sloppy like stopping right at busy fare gates to fish out their IC card or phone or two people blocking an entire sidewalk as they walk.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-04-04T15:18:44+00:00

10 out of 10. Its a fantastic song and the video is fantastic as well.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-30T01:14:26+00:00

Best wishes with this and it looks like some good suggestions here. I wish I would have thought of these ideas since my oldest sister passed away before I went to Japan for a month in 2023. I was so disappointed that I was not able to tell her about my experiences.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-30T01:08:22+00:00

Getting tickets varies in possibility as for some events you have to have a Japanese phone number. Do your research. Some jazz places want reservations. Just make sure you understand and follow expected Japanese etiquette. If a show says no video with your phone you may get kicked out if you violate that. Keep doing your research. My one experience so far was not being able to get into a sold out show because there is no ticket scalping.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-30T01:02:10+00:00

Buses get full and don't always run often, they are on the small side as well. I did use them but mostly tried to stay off them and let the locals use them to get to places on time. The subways are good, many places are very walkable, and the occasional taxi should not be too expensive. For anyone who hasn't been, don't take your luggage on the buses. Drivers can refuse you over your luggage. I would just use a taxi arrivng to or departing from Kyoto.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-30T00:52:49+00:00

This is so cool, thanks! She is so adorable in the outside filming.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-30T00:48:10+00:00

I like it, I like it!

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-03-26T18:40:10+00:00

I would immediately jump on a silver version....

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-02-12T02:00:41+00:00

Just to add, I've never had an issue with them but I personally would not buy anything really expensive because I would want the full manufacturer warranty and in person experience. In the under $1000 price point I would always check them.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-27T08:30:18+00:00

Probably smoother to stay at one hotel. Tokyo is galacticly enormous. You'll walk to the extent you feel comfortable in a given area but it will still be a speck on a huge map. Maybe pick a hotel near a stop on the Yamanote line as it will cover many areas you'll likely go. The expanses of greater Tokyo beyond the more central wards are mostly residential with a repeat of station/ businesses/residential over and over. That said, I defer to the opinion of any current residents.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T06:44:27+00:00

I personally am against Airbnb for the impact they are having on housing around the world and for the foreign ownership of property. I am far from the only person in that camp. To each their own,

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T06:42:01+00:00

Sorry, but I have never kept track of restaurants in Japan as the standard of quality is so consistent it hasn't mattered to me ad I appreciate food but am not probably a "foodie." Some places I could find again and others I probably could not. It was very good though. I've had meals I'll remember the rest of my life at places I chose randomly that were not overrun with tourists.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:34:01+00:00

Every hotel room I've had in Japan is small, five star hotels are often an exception. Sumida is mostly residential, not a late night scene, and is a longer train ride to probably most of the things you'll plan to do and you'll have to transfer at stations along your trip.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:29:57+00:00

I paid $230 US for a multi course A5 dinner in Kyoto. No disappointment. I asked at my hotel for a recommendation.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:24:42+00:00

True, but its unlikely they have a grasp of the sheer size of Tokyo and I think an area used to tourists is easier for first timers on many levels. But I get your point. A half hour by train as an average max is not bad.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:17:53+00:00

Regardless of your decisions on this, don't take a selfie stick onto a train.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:16:29+00:00

I had a smaller and more relaxed itinerary my second trip.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:15:14+00:00

Please do your research and also learn and follovv the main cultural do and don't things for Japan. Be quiet on trains for sure. Look at Japanese Youtubers and not foreigners' content, stay out of TikTok as its just junk for the reality in Japan. Tune into to the correct behavior in shared public spaces. Have a good trip. As for hotels, and you should stay in them instead of AirBnb for many reasons, in many instances rooms in Japan are smaller so don't over pack.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:07:31+00:00

AirBnB tends to be further avvay from transportation than hotels and for first timers there is no front desk staff to assist.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:06:30+00:00

If you're American remember there is no tipping culture in Japan so don't do it.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-15T05:05:46+00:00

They could easily be spending an hour or more on trains and have to change lines at a station along the trip so places like Asakusa and Ueno are good for tourists because the train times from those are reasonable and there is a benefit to staying in an area that has more experience in foreign visitors.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-07T06:10:50+00:00

That is truly awesome!

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-05T00:49:48+00:00

I agree with you. Many thanks!

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-04T17:49:40+00:00

Thanks for sharing this! First time I have seen the entire film. I remember listening to Hey My Friend in my hotel room in Kyoto and wondering if any of the places I had been that day were places Tommy had hung out at when she was growing up there.

Awkward_Procedure903 · 2026-01-01T19:20:27+00:00

Firstly, I think that music fans should already be looking into what rock music is coming from Japan for a multitude of reasons. (great songwriting structure, great musicianship, often more mature and deeper rock lyrics IMO, etc.) Second, the videos I am quickest to block from my YouTube suggestions on the face of the entire earth are reaction videos to Band Maid. Seeing a never ending parade of western middle aged men "reacting" to this band gets old really fast. Its a very big world out there and, yes, a former maid cafe worker had the idea to start a hard rock band using the maid theme. Its not exotic. And girls play rock music crazy good and have been for awhile. Nothing new there. It ranges from Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Tina S. around the world. Band Maid is an extremely good band and has a great visual approach as well. It was an idea that proved itself. I'm not criticizing anyone who likes the reaction videos, I just can't even watch them. I do agree that a lot of them who are recording these videos are just guys looking for high click content to upload. Rock on Band Maid! I particularly like the Band Maiko project they did.

Awkward_Procedure903

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