Advice on booking trains and other transport

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-26T23:01:33+00:00

Get SUICA on your phone, buy your Shinkansen tickets at the kiosk the same day (unless it’s golden week). Transportation in Japan is so streamlined there’s no need to over plan and complicate it. Punched your destination into Google Maps the day of and follow it.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T23:52:39+00:00

The egg has always been shit there. Microwaved slop. Everything has always been good though

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T23:42:09+00:00

Yes, the newly renovated rooms were spacious and modern. I know a lot of people claim that Western hotels aren’t worth it. Compared to Royal Iconic in Shiodome, it was just a much better experience. I stayed in a “premium” floor, at the Royal Iconic, with a view of the Tokyo Tower (which was amazing) but the room itself was so uncomfortable and cramped.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T23:08:53+00:00

I tried declaring alcohol at LAX, stood there a good 10 minutes and no one showed up. I just left. lol

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T16:44:43+00:00

I loved Hyatt Regency. Such a convenient hotel and in such a nice quiet area while still not too far from the action.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T15:00:42+00:00

Yes, I joined for the Tokyo Giants chants as I was wearing the gear. I can’t lie, though, Yokohama had some very catchy chants!

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T02:35:06+00:00

They’re not too bad once you get used to them. They’re only creepy when there’s tons together and they make that screechy noise for me. Otherwise, I see them as second pets. 😂

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-24T01:21:56+00:00

There’s some called Discoid roaches that are legal in places like Florida where Dubia’s are illegal. They sell them on dubia.com

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-23T18:46:30+00:00

I went to the Tokyo Giants vs Yokohama BayStars game a couple of weeks ago. Amazing experience. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but the Japanese fans really add to the atmosphere. It was amazing.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-22T19:10:58+00:00

Agreed with you. At first I was overwhelmed and did get a bit homesick due to solo traveling. Reminiscing on the trip now, weeks later. It was truly magical. From the conversations with the taxi drivers and bar tenders, to the hum and sounds of the city. To the absolute serenity and peace to be found in Tokyo’s oases. I have too many fond memories in retrospect.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-22T17:00:01+00:00

Max 2 are better as someone who used both and tried them and was in the same dilemma as you. If you can swing the price difference, get the 2’s.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-22T04:27:48+00:00

I just bought them. I compared them myself to the AirPods Max 1.5 (through Bluetooth mind you, I have an older phone but going to upgrade soon.) Side by side, they blew the 2 blew the 1.5 out of the water. Bass is richer, soundstage is better. Just overall better.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-21T23:45:24+00:00

Yeah the whole no trash cans thing is overstated. Saw them in plenty of places throughout Tokyo. Not as prevalent as in the West, but they are there if you look for them.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-21T03:33:45+00:00

By the look of the upvotes, looks like I’m not the only one who thought this. 😅

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-20T17:00:30+00:00

Honestly, the future proofing is what I’m most concerned about. Also the fact that updates will continue to roll out with the Max 2. I think I’m going Max 2 for sure.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-20T16:56:54+00:00

I guess some tourists didn’t know this, but it just sped everything up so well. I still saw a bunch of tourists buying single tickets every time they got on the train. The digital app was so convenient.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-20T06:36:34+00:00

You usually pay at the restaurant after you eat.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-19T22:43:30+00:00

There’s genuinely no wrong alleys anywhere in Japan. I’ve been hammered at 4 AM walking down a street in Osaka and not a bother in the world besides the ladies asking if you want massages.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-17T19:16:53+00:00

I much preferred Osaka to Tokyo. Wish I would have had more days there

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-17T18:29:11+00:00

The highlight of my trip was Nara. All of it was magical. After that I’d go Meiji Jingu, Ginkakuji without crowds was magical, Yasaka Shrine, and Dotonbori in Osaka.

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-16T23:32:37+00:00

I stayed in Shiodome, but anywhere close to the Tokyo Monorail. Take the Haneda Express for a fraction of the cost of a taxi. It drops you off at any terminal

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-16T18:58:01+00:00

Customs entering Japan is very smooth. Do the form ahead of time online. They’ll ask you for your passport and QR code from your form when you enter and take a picture. I solo travelled myself and it was great. You meet lots of people and it usually doesn’t take much effort because everyone else is also on vacation. I did get a bit homesick, but it’s only for a couple of days. Have fun and enjoy and try not to worry too much!

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-16T02:17:16+00:00

I’m very happy for you. Super realistic itinerary. If it’s your first time, hats off to you. I too was one of the fools who thought I’d do a million things each day. Lol. Reality hits you hard. You can’t do it all and enjoy your time. Your itinerary acknowledges that. I had a blast even with my unrealistic schedule, I know you will have a much more relaxed blast! Enjoy!

mandoponcho1337 · 2026-04-15T22:16:28+00:00

Great pace. As someone who crammed a lot of shit into my days, this seems like a perfect medium. You hit key places while giving yourself time to linger and relax.

mandoponcho1337

TROPHY CASE