Ask me any questions - Part 2

[Witch King]

Google map? Or muse be offline?

In my opinion google map may not be reliable that’s why I am looking for alternative. I would prefer it to be offline so that navigation will not be affected at those rural locations.

 

[twosix]

In my opinion google map may not be reliable that’s why I am looking for alternative. I would prefer it to be offline so that navigation will not be affected at those rural locations.

i'd be using google maps for hokkaido driving. google maps can save maps for offline use too. also, the car should come with navigation built in.

 

[szeli]

first time doing self drive I Kyushu next month

Apart from the onboard GPS device, I am looking for alternate navigation app.

is Navitime sufficient or offline map like map.me?

google maps is always my backup but note that it likes to route people onto those side/small roads that are sometimes hard to drive on

 

[rrr2015]

In my opinion google map may not be reliable that’s why I am looking for alternative. I would prefer it to be offline so that navigation will not be affected at those rural locations.

google map good enough, u can download offline map. navitime as a map for driving not detailed enough though sufficient for major roads

 

[tjkb230]

Can I query what is the rough estimated time to go through immigration after arriving at Narita Airport around 8.30 am on a Friday morning?

Now that people have 2 choices to choose - VJW and paper arrival card.

 

[s7460597]

Can I query what is the rough estimated time to go through immigration after arriving at Narita Airport around 8.30 am on a Friday morning?

Now that people have 2 choices to choose - VJW and paper arrival card

Used the vjw was quite fast through immigration on Thursday (31 Oct).

 

[Witch King]

For those who had driven in japan. How do you make a U turn? I know driver is prohibit to u turn where there is a cross and a u turn sign.
Can I make a u turn at any junction?

 

[ixora2007]

Used the vjw was quite fast through immigration on Thursday (31 Oct).

If i have my parents QR code in my VJW account, do all 3 of us clear immigration together?
They do not have a hp to show the QR code.

 

[twosix]

For those who had driven in japan. How do you make a U turn? I know driver is prohibit to u turn where there is a cross and a u turn sign.
Can I make a u turn at any junction?

https://english.jaf.or.jp/driving-in-japan/traffic-rules

 

[s7460597]

If i have my parents QR code in my VJW account, do all 3 of us clear immigration together?
They do not have a hp to show the QR code.

QR code is generated for each person. 3 persons - 3 QR.

Can inform immigration officer that you want to clear together.

Alternative screenshot the QR code and send to your parents phone. Did that last week at Narita.

Customs can do together.

 

[joeson]

how's air japan? am thinking about booking a flight for next year's cny to Tokyo, and saw that it is on sale now, <$500.

 

[twosix]

how's air japan? am thinking about booking a flight for next year's cny to Tokyo, and saw that it is on sale now, <$500.

Budget airlines. Can buy.

 

[guni_man]

May I know whats the latest on tax exemption/tax rebate for Apple products?
Understand direct purhcase from Apple STore in Japan does not grant tax free purchases but BIC or Yodabashi still does?
Appears to have mixed feedback on Reddit and TripAdvisor.

 

[twosix]

May I know whats the latest on tax exemption/tax rebate for Apple products?
Understand direct purhcase from Apple STore in Japan does not grant tax free purchases but BIC or Yodabashi still does?
Appears to have mixed feedback on Reddit and TripAdvisor.

my understanding is to buy from 3rd party stores like bic, Yodobashi etc for tax rebates.

 

[70niner]

May I know whats the latest on tax exemption/tax rebate for Apple products?
Understand direct purhcase from Apple STore in Japan does not grant tax free purchases but BIC or Yodabashi still does?
Appears to have mixed feedback on Reddit and TripAdvisor.

Official Apple Store no tax refund procedures. Go to Bic Camera stores etc

 

[firsttimebuyer]

Ask me any questions

Hi all,

Feel free to ask me any questions regarding to Japan.
Japan Trip Adviser here.
Been to Japan 46 times already.
I'll try my best to answer. (^_^)

Here are the places i have been to.

More than 20 prefectures:
Hokkaido, Aomori, Niigata, Tokyo, Yokohama, Shizuoka, Gotemba,
Nagoya, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Tokushima, Takayama, Shirakawago, Okinawa, Nikko、Koyasan/Wakayama, Yamanashi, Saitama, Ehime, Kagawa

Rules:
1) Pls quote your original message when replying so that everybody knows what's going on.

Now a full time teacher. =)

FAQs
1) What's the weather in Japan like during ~?
See here

If you need help with planning/buying tickets, can pm me, i can get the travel agency that i collaborate with to help out.

Old thread is here

Best regards,
Can

Is there any particular brand of SIM cards that you recommend to buy at the airport?

I am also worried over how crowded tokyo trains would be. My hotel is at Ginza.

 

[twosix]

Is there any particular brand of SIM cards that you recommend to buy at the airport?

I am also worried over how crowded tokyo trains would be. My hotel is at Ginza.

Buy at klook. The ones at airport ar expensive and has limited data.

 

[shichuanhua]

Hi all

My trip will start @ 2 May during the golden week period, so I'll spend some days in Nagoya first which should be less crowded. My flight will land and Nagoya & fly off @ Osaka.

Here's my plan

D1: Nagoya Castle , Science Museum, Shopping district , Oasis 21

D2: Ghibli Park

D3: Check out hotel --> Takayama

D4: Matsumoto

D5: Tateyama day trip --> Stay in toyama

D6: Day trip in toyama --> Stay in Kanazawa

D7: Day trip in Kanazawa

D8: Day trip shirakawa --> Stay in Kanazawa

D9: Half day trip in Kanzawa --> Train to Kyoto

D10-11 Kyoto

D12: Osaka

D13: Nara day trip, stay in Osaka

D14 Osaka & home

Wonder how i can improve this as the train from Takayama to Matsumoto will take 3hrs +

 

[s7460597]

Hi all

My trip will start @ 2 May during the golden week period, so I'll spend some days in Nagoya first which should be less crowded. My flight will land and Nagoya & fly off @ Osaka.

Here's my plan

D1: Nagoya Castle , Science Museum, Shopping district , Oasis 21

D2: Ghibli Park

D3: Check out hotel --> Takayama

D4: Matsumoto

D5: Tateyama day trip --> Stay in toyama

D6: Day trip in toyama --> Stay in Kanazawa

D7: Day trip in Kanazawa

D8: Day trip shirakawa --> Stay in Kanazawa

D9: Half day trip in Kanzawa --> Train to Kyoto

D10-11 Kyoto

D12: Osaka

D13: Nara day trip, stay in Osaka

D14 Osaka & home

Wonder how i can improve this as the train from Takayama to Matsumoto will take 3hrs +

Don't need to stay in Kanazawa. Can go shirakawago from Toyama. Toyama to Kanazawa by shinkansen doesn't take long.

Try to minimize checking in and out of hotels. Waste a lot of time.

Bear in mind that time is also Chinese golden week.

Traveling on trains with luggage can be tough. Hokuriku shinkansen doesn't require reservation for oversized luggage. There is luggage rack at one end of each carriage but it isn't that big.

Matsumoto is near Nagano. A bit out of the way relative to your other attractions. Suggest replacing with Kurobe gorge or Alpine route. Can access from Toyama.

 

[saffronsatire]

Hi all

My trip will start @ 2 May during the golden week period, so I'll spend some days in Nagoya first which should be less crowded. My flight will land and Nagoya & fly off @ Osaka.

Here's my plan

D1: Nagoya Castle , Science Museum, Shopping district , Oasis 21

D2: Ghibli Park

D3: Check out hotel --> Takayama

D4: Matsumoto

D5: Tateyama day trip --> Stay in toyama

D6: Day trip in toyama --> Stay in Kanazawa

D7: Day trip in Kanazawa

D8: Day trip shirakawa --> Stay in Kanazawa

D9: Half day trip in Kanzawa --> Train to Kyoto

D10-11 Kyoto

D12: Osaka

D13: Nara day trip, stay in Osaka

D14 Osaka & home

Wonder how i can improve this as the train from Takayama to Matsumoto will take 3hrs +

Try to do your the trip in a "circle"

E.g. nagoya, Matsumoto, tateyama, toyama, Kanazawa/ takayama, before heading to Kyoto/osaka