Going Japan this Oct-Dec?

[idiot444]

In Japan got a lot of domestic tourists right now because their gahmen gave them money for spending. This morning joined a tour bus full of jipun they wear really thick outer and inner wear. I was wearing t-shirt because I sweat like pig, speaking of pig got one inchiran in Osaka no pork one

Oh damn, which one, I don't wish to end up eating no pork one

 

[concreteman]

i recall my last trip in december 2019 it can be quite cold at night

recommend bring gloves and beanie as it can be quite chilly

 

[sevensomerset]

i recall my last trip in december 2019 it can be quite cold at night

recommend bring gloves and beanie as it can be quite chilly

2019 mid Nov already very cold, was in hakone, kawaguchi ko, nikko that kind of place, is chilling and dry, my face start peeling, lips also, skin around fingernails also cracking.

 

[Adam80]

Oh damn, which one, I don't wish to end up eating no pork one

Ichiran green logo

by the way there’s better stall to waste your calories on

 

[Ruriel]

2019 mid Nov already very cold, was in hakone, kawaguchi ko, nikko that kind of place, is chilling and dry, my face start peeling, lips also, skin around fingernails also cracking.

In JP, air is always dry, including in summer.

If go during winter, I will highly recommend to go their pharmacy buy big bottle of body lotion to use together with family. Buy chapstick for lips and small tube of hand cream for hands, both which you can bring along in your day bag. Body lotion literally must apply at least twice a day - before you head out and before you sleep (after shower). Hand cream just slather everytime after you wash your hands.

My bro in law kenna eczema-like dryness and symptoms on his skin after he came back from Japan winter trip because he didn't want to follow my advice... He felt he's a guy, don't see the need to apply body lotion hand lotion chapstick. Took him like 2 years for his skin to get back to normal. Heng my sis listened and got the 2 kids to moisturize their skin everyday while they were there...

I'm not saying everyone will kenna this kind of post-effects, but as a precaution, just keep the moisturizers close to you and apply whenever possible when you go JP during winter since it's really dry there.

 

[sKeLeToN]

Just to share my experience.

To buy the wakuwari (20% discount) main entry tickets, you can only do so through USJ's japanese website.
Like what idiot444 has mentioned, you could consider buying just the main entry through the japanese website (with signing up a Club USJ membership with Japanese inputs for name, address and etc) and then the express pass through the USJ's english website.

However, there are some issues with that.
1. USJ's japanese website is unable to process overseas credit card. I've tried my Revolut and various banks' CC and can't complete the transaction.

2. USJ's english website does not have all the variety of Express Passes that its japanese site offers. Good if what you want is available on english website. I suspect that the timed entry combinations are limited too on the english website. just guessing.

From my online search, it seems like there are foreign travellers (on reddit) who were able to complete their purchases with Apple Pay. However, when I attempted to try it, I found out that Apple Pay option is only available on USJ's english website, and not on the japanese website. Based on the reddit comments and what I've experienced, it leads to my conclusion that likely even USJ's english website may not be able to process overseas credit card. (I stopped at the payment page. Did not follow through the USJ english website with Apple Pay)

Also, just to highlight, in my google search results with the error codes from the failed process, some travellers (on some japanese page; likely domestic travellers) called their bank to "loosen" the security. I tried to contact Revolut to see if there is anything they could do, which I was told there is nothing for them to do, as there is not even a transaction rejection or attempt to Revolut. With this, I conclude that the comments in this case does not apply to international buyers.

Conclusion
The optimum priced and flexible tickets option is on USJ japanese website and you are unable to buy it online without a japanese credit card.

With all that, I still managed to buy my USJ tickets with Express Passes, through the USJ japanese website (coz I'm desperate for the 20% wakuwari discount and the flex in Express Passes choices).

What I did was at the japanese payment page, I selected the convenience store payment and managed to get help from a friend who was travelling in Japan, to make the payment at the convenience store in-person (7-11 specifically, as only this konbini allows credit card payment) within 2 days of the tickets purchase (deadline is given and will be stated after completing the purchase on USJ japanese website).

The QR codes for the tickets will be released to you after payment is made.

Sorry but the solution presented may not be ideal but I could not find any better alternatives to the best outcome.

Maybe if any bros in HWZ who are already there in Japan now, can help the bros here? lol

Alternatives
Another alternative is Klook. Their main entry tickets are more expensive (no wakuwari discount option; even normal pass tickets are more expensive than what was sold on USJ website). Their express passes surprisingly is slightly cheaper (few dollars) than what was sold on USJ japanese website, however, it is limited in variety options and you are unable to choose your desired timed entry combinations (supposedly randomly allocated as indicated in their T&Cs).

Wow thanks for the detailed explanation bro!

Yes, i was so frustrated when i could not pay last night with neither of my CCs. I should have come in to read this first...

In the end i decided to forgo the vax discount and just ordered from Klook out of convenience.

The fast pass timing was timing is off though:-

- 16:00～ Harry Potter™ Area Entry Hours
- 16:20-16:50 Forbidden Journey™
- 19:40～ Super Nintendo World™ Area
- 20:00-20:30 Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge

 

[twosix]

Oh damn, which one, I don't wish to end up eating no pork one

I believe is the one next to the dotonbori river, the one opposite donki and further away from glico man.

 

[runforyourlife]

Ichiran green logo

by the way there’s better stall to waste your calories on

I didn’t eat ichiran at all in my last 5 day Tokyo trip right upon opening!

 

[twosix]

if this is not thick, i do not know what is lor... haha.

 

[idiot444]

Ichiran green logo

by the way there’s better stall to waste your calories on

Please share it, if itinerary permits, will try it.
Ichiran is good for non-japanese speaking like me who just order by ticking the form

 

[idiot444]

I believe is the one next to the dotonbori river, the one opposite donki and further away from glico man.

Wow, Big big indication there. Confirm not entering, haha

 

[twosix]

Wow, Big big indication there. Confirm not entering, haha

The signboard says "100% tonkotsu no use" literally translated. haha.

 

[flowerpalms]

i recall my last trip in december 2019 it can be quite cold at night

recommend bring gloves and beanie as it can be quite chilly

Yes I know. I feel happy every night shower with water heater at hotel. Is jus too cold

 

[galliano]

Its been years since i had Inchiran. Truth be said, its lost its appeal.
There are plentiful ramen to try, and much much better ones. The feeling of discovering a "hidden" gem is amazing.

In fact, I think Inchiran is mainly operated by PRCs, they all speak mandarin well. And rightfully so, cos its the Chinese that frequent their joints often.

 

[chengwei]

Wow thanks for the detailed explanation bro!

Yes, i was so frustrated when i could not pay last night with neither of my CCs. I should have come in to read this first...

In the end i decided to forgo the vax discount and just ordered from Klook out of convenience.

The fast pass timing was timing is off though:-

- 16:00～ Harry Potter™ Area Entry Hours
- 16:20-16:50 Forbidden Journey™
- 19:40～ Super Nintendo World™ Area
- 20:00-20:30 Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge

Oh man, this timed entry combi sucks.

Well, you could still try to get timed entry tickets early in the day when you are there. Good if u get a good one, if not, the express pass's timed entry would be your backup.

 

[chengwei]

In JP, air is always dry, including in summer.

If go during winter, I will highly recommend to go their pharmacy buy big bottle of body lotion to use together with family. Buy chapstick for lips and small tube of hand cream for hands, both which you can bring along in your day bag. Body lotion literally must apply at least twice a day - before you head out and before you sleep (after shower). Hand cream just slather everytime after you wash your hands.

My bro in law kenna eczema-like dryness and symptoms on his skin after he came back from Japan winter trip because he didn't want to follow my advice... He felt he's a guy, don't see the need to apply body lotion hand lotion chapstick. Took him like 2 years for his skin to get back to normal. Heng my sis listened and got the 2 kids to moisturize their skin everyday while they were there...

I'm not saying everyone will kenna this kind of post-effects, but as a precaution, just keep the moisturizers close to you and apply whenever possible when you go JP during winter since it's really dry there.

Yeah, chapstick (lip balm) is a must have!!!

 

[sevensomerset]

besides jacket, glove also a must, imo.

 

[neutralph]

In JP, air is always dry, including in summer.

If go during winter, I will highly recommend to go their pharmacy buy big bottle of body lotion to use together with family. Buy chapstick for lips and small tube of hand cream for hands, both which you can bring along in your day bag. Body lotion literally must apply at least twice a day - before you head out and before you sleep (after shower). Hand cream just slather everytime after you wash your hands.

My bro in law kenna eczema-like dryness and symptoms on his skin after he came back from Japan winter trip because he didn't want to follow my advice... He felt he's a guy, don't see the need to apply body lotion hand lotion chapstick. Took him like 2 years for his skin to get back to normal. Heng my sis listened and got the 2 kids to moisturize their skin everyday while they were there...

I'm not saying everyone will kenna this kind of post-effects, but as a precaution, just keep the moisturizers close to you and apply whenever possible when you go JP during winter since it's really dry there.

No need winter, autumn i kena lip crack already. Lucky other parts is ok. Maybe "bless" by having a bbfa built huh...

 

[castafarian]

I looked high and low for Tokyo Banana.
Can't find it anywhere.
Thought would have at the airport.
It was sold out!
I suppose when tourists were not allowed freely in the past 2 years, the locals don't buy that banana, so they don't produce much!

why go bananas over banana?

 

[flowerpalms]

No need winter, autumn i kena lip crack already. Lucky other parts is ok. Maybe "bless" by having a bbfa built huh...

Autumn time my legs also dried skin