auipajoOpposites attract in Japan—ancient traditions fuse with advanced technology while minimalism meets kitsch
Japan
Japan
Thought I'd impart a few things I learned/observed/think I'd tip about from this trip. I am not a big traveler but I know someday someone would make use of this. 😉 - Be at the airport at least 3 hours. The news weren't kidding when they said Immigration now takes 3-4 hours. We queued for an hour! - Help fellow travelers the best way you can--especially elderlies. Assist filling out dis/embarkation cards, show which lanes to queue or train to take. - Nevermind roaming, rent a pocket wifi! Ours is super sulit! I rented one via Klook.com for P290/day, very cheap, user-friendly and reliable! - Leave your bad manners at home. Japan is truly a reputable nation, people here are very polite, friendly, warm, helpful, decent, courteous, tidy and generous. They care about the tourists so it's proper to pay it back by respecting the country and the people living in it. - Wear comfortable, light weight shoes. Walking around Japan is breezy but make sure your shoes will keep up and protect your heels from all-day activities. - Try all the food that you want! The only thing that must hold you back are your allergies! (Pero hindi rin cos all you need is Claritin, hello.) Go! - If you don't know, ask. - Use Google Maps app to navigate around. Super-duper helpful and useful. - Never go without chargers/powerbanks/cables. Your phone will get you places here. - It's always nice to have a travel buddy. Have someone who can be your photographer/navigator, etc. Vince and I have assigned responsibilities for the duration of this trip. I take care of budgeting--buying transportation tickets, meals, etc. I am also in charge of itineraries, securing passes, etc. Vince is in charge of the map and navigation and of course, being an Instagram husband. IKR. 😂 - Do not be madamot with information. If you have an itinerary or travel tips that you think is sound enough that could help others learn from your mistakes, save a few money or time, etc., share away. Sharing is a good feeling. Try it. Tama na self-entitlement, mga ate. - Don't bring toiletries anymore to save luggage space. Your hotel will take care of it. Oyasumi nasai! 😊
Updated 3 years ago
5
I am a little picky with accommodations when traveling and spacepods are something I am kind of unwilling to try. What’s great about Nine Hours is that it’s in Japan where it’s generally safe and clean. 😬
- +81 3 5291 7337
Shinjuku-North Building, 1-4-15 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
〒169-0073 東京都新宿区百人町1-4-15 ナインアワーズ北新宿ビル3-8F- http://ninehours.co.jp/en
18
Rain or shine, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth!
- +81 45 330 5211
1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan
- https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/
5
Bibliophiles unite! This spacepod is for you! There literally are tiny compact beds tucked behind these shelves! So cute! Book and Bed has branches in Ikebukuro, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka.
- +81 3 6233 9511
Japan, 〒160-0021 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku City, Kabukichō, 1-chōme−27−５ APMビル 8F
5
First Cabin is an aircraft-themed capsule hotel located in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Aichi. It has premium private baths, desks and duvets. Very posh for a short stay.
- +81 3 5159 4126
2-chōme-7-8 Kyōbashi, Chuo City, Tōkyō-to 104-0031, Japan
10
Hhhmmmm.. Looking back from our honeymoon 3 years ago.. 💙 *** I was so ALIGAGA that Japan will run out of USJ tickets cos the week we booked was apparently the dreaded Golden Week. An officemate suggested I buy tickets from Lawson a day before our USJ day but I was more anxious we won't get any than excited so I purchased in advance from Klook which was good cos it came with a few coupons. One of which was a VIP Wristband that's supposed to let us go in the park before its official opening time. Thought it was perfect so we could have time to spare for a photo op and queue first to the Harry Potter attractions. For some reason, both VIP wristband holders and regular pass holders were let in at the same time, it turned out the band was useless. Total waste of money! - Be there EARLY. Our VIP wristbands instructed for an 8am call time. We would have gone out by 6am but girl problems, you know. So we were out at 6.30ish, got lost so we took a cab. Poor time management cost us Y3,000. 😭 - Wear mega comfortable clothes (and an ultra anti-perspirant) when going to USJ. There's a lot of running going around, it's CUUUURAZZZZAAAAAYYYYY! 😂 - If you have extra cash to spare, BUY THAT EXPRESS PASS! Do not hesitate! Yung 45-60 minutes pila for one ride is just not worth it. - Once you get in the park, go for the Harry Potter park before anything else. It's spectacular! - Avoid the Golden Week (April 29 - May 5). Shame our travel agent forgot to FYI beforehand. You know it really pays to have a go-to travel agent. Not only you get the best deals but useful tips and guidelines on which country you're flying to. - Be kind to help people take their photos for them so in return you can also ask if they can take yours. - Get a lot of rest the day before your USJ trip. A whole day in the park was seriously exhausting. Bye. 😜
- +81 570 200 606
2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
- https://www.usj.co.jp/e/
10
Go gaga over deers that graze your behind (buy deer cookies for a few bucks and feed Bambi!) and street food! I mean I have never liked Takoyaki ever but authentic Takoyaki is legiterally 🤤.
- +81 742 27 8028
469 Zoshicho, Nara Prefecture, Japan
- http://www.nara-park.com/en/
9
The Harukas 300 gets you the views of Wakayama, Kainsai International Airports, Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Kyoto from it’s observatory deck and seriously has the most insane, longest elevator ride ever!
- +81 6 6621 0300
1-chōme-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-0052, Japan
8
A must in Kyoto! Th shrine takes about 2 hours to climb so it’s best to make this a first on your itinerary. 😊
- +81 75 641 7331
68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 612-0882, Japan
8
You haven’t been to Kyoto if you have not been to this scenic beauty especially magnified during Autumn.
Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0000, Japan
5
Dotonbori is one of Osaka’s most famous shopping and street food destinations. Strike a pose with Glico Man behind you, hoard all the weird KitKat flavors and cosmetics you can find, go on a river cruise along the Dotonbori aisle, try the Asian tart flavors in Pablo, you will never run out of things to do, actually. 💙
Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
- https://www.osaka-info.jp/en/page/dotonbori
5
Osaka Castle goes as far as 1583, can you believe that?! It has survived all catastrophes one can think of—wars, lightning fire, typhoon. Its beauty masks its scars like they never happened. When Vince and I visited the castle, a Taiko group served the tourists a spine-tingling performance that left me crying quiet and overwhelmed tears. Man, it was so soul-shaking, it was beautiful! I must book a class for a whole day just training Taiko when I go back to Japan!
- +81 6 6941 3044
1-1, Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Japan
大阪府大阪市中央区大阪城 1-1- https://www.osakacastle.net/english/
9
Because it is the ONLY DisneySea in Asia, it is a must! And be sure you dedicate 1 full day here and 1 full day in Disneyland. And if you have time, go back again another day. 😬
- +81 570 008 632
1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
千葉県浦安市舞浜1-13- https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/
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