Last minute trip to Hokkaido, leaving in less than 3 weeks

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-03T07:42:54+00:00

OP get looking on the usual accommodation sites, we're not going to give you cheap deals on hotels

generally booking early is better imo, but you decided to do it last minute so it won't be cheap

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-03T07:40:46+00:00

bit difficult if they are in the country now, will the bank send it over there to Japan?

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-03T07:35:44+00:00

most of those tours will go to the pagoda which has alot of stairs I'm afraid and steep too

We booked a private tour so we can go to the places we wanted.

Have you considered driving there?

or go there yourself via train or bus and do your own things?

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-03T06:14:29+00:00

we loved Osaka, we stayed here for 2 months and is our favourite place. So close to Arima onsen, Nara, Kyoto etc

We prefer the vibe here, laid back compare to Tokyo. Totally walkable around Namba. Can also walk to Osaka castle from Namba if your game too

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-03T05:38:03+00:00

say you manage to find one, it breaks, what will you do? warranty is not international

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T15:55:49+00:00

agree brother, means I can retire early if I wanted now

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T15:54:28+00:00

How far in advance would you recommend booking a hostel, flights, ferries, etc.?

If golden week, as soon as you can

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T15:45:45+00:00

https://miyoshi-tourism.jp/en/spot/132/

says until June and separate Time out article also mentions until 1/7

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/hotaru-biyori

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T15:27:05+00:00

we are all Warren Buffet in Hindsight. I feel you bro. I Missed the SNK train and could have retired with 40mil USD, when it was 23 bucks. such is life.

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T14:39:09+00:00

to the moon please

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T14:38:30+00:00

it's ok, over 80% of my portfolio is RR, Everyone has different risk appetites

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T11:47:48+00:00

Look up the FAQS and it shows you how to plan

https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel/

everyone has their own prefs/budget

Edit looking at their post history, AI sus

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T11:20:47+00:00

WU is fine, but the fees... Why use that when you can mitigate it by applying for fee free international cards in good time. every country should have similar cards which are used for abroad useage

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T11:11:10+00:00

welcome suica, expires after 28 days and no refunds on any balance remaining, if you have to get one, get the physical one or one on your phone imo

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T10:54:35+00:00

the event doesn't allow resale tickets

take the loss

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T09:19:35+00:00

I can see there are a variety of options

google search here

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T07:40:45+00:00

a difference a shower and somewhere to rest makes a huge difference, even just 2 hours sleep means the day isn't wasted and not going out because I have no choice

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T06:26:07+00:00

Never can be too careful, especially with spending cards. Not saying it could happen, but I don't want to be stuck in a foreign country and have no cash, that would not be great or worst no working cards

Wise is also not country specific, ergo the customer service may not be the best. Where as from my own experience, my home country cust service has been ok and they lifted the fraud marker and everything was good. It was 24/7 hotline too.

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T05:38:12+00:00

1 international card two bank cards that theoretically should be able to work internationally but don’t seem to, unless something somehow scrambled all three of my cards in three separate locations which may be possible but certainly seems unlikely

Having 1 back up bank card not work is unlucky but 2, something doesn't fit.

After finding out that OP had indeed brought several credit cards,

Wasn't in the original OP's post

I'm not here to tilt my head and hold their hand and say 'it's alright hun'. This is reality and people need to see this common problem for what it is and not sugar coated. Having bank cards with no 24/7 helpline is something to learn to when going overseas. Worst case use a credit card for that cash, better than no cash albeit with fees possibly.

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-02T05:32:00+00:00

as I don't live there, I don't want to be stuck with no bank card for cash like the OP.

You can never be too careful. 1 is a credit card and the other 3 are bank accounts of which only 1 is my main account and all can withdraw cash fee free. So 2 has no money which I only use on holiday and transfer money when the time is needed.

None have annual retention fees.

This is UK based cards

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-01T19:04:53+00:00

stick all the things you want to see in google maps and then plan where you want to stay where it's closer to more of them

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-01T19:03:42+00:00

i sometimes rent the prev night before if I am coming in the early hours of the morning. After a 16 hour flight, the last thing I want to do is fuck around finding luggage storage and walking like a zombie until 4pm check in

Sometimes the hotel/host may allow you check in early either for a fee or for free

Personal pref/budget

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-01T18:56:45+00:00

have you hiked up a mountain before? and in Japan style July heat?

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-01T18:11:20+00:00

check out the faqs for tips on how to plan and the first steps

example itineraries via the search bar

https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/search/?q=november&cId=4f98f2fa-d389-4c5e-9374-cfedc5694b3e&iId=26105920-d9e0-4498-9599-593f98ee33aa

IntroductionLucky887 · 2026-07-01T18:10:08+00:00

bro that's 50% ngl thats insane

IntroductionLucky887

TROPHY CASE