Going to Japan, need tips (using epass, internets, all that stuff)

[tehHinjew]

So first things first, can I use epass? and what about withdrawing money, do they have ATM's like in North America?

Also, I need a cell phone, and one with a data plan so I can tether. What do you suggest?

Whats the top 5 places to go eat, top 5 places to get laid, and top 5 places to see in tokyo, osaka, and other surroundings?

Im leaving this saturday, cant wait!

[Barefootsies]

You may wanna ask StickyZingers Ryan. He may know if no one else does.

[pstation]

i wouldn't count on epass working there. it took me a long time before i could find an atm that would take my card. they have their own atm/bank networks, and only a few are compatible with the networks we use. credit card usage isnt really common there either

forget about getting a cell phone you can tether. foreigners can only buy the overpriced phones/sim cards they sell at the airport that charge an exorbitant rate for data use.


just about everything there is to know can be found here though: http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo

[tehHinjew]

ah really need the internets

thanks

[stickyfingerz]

Wifi abounds over there. Lots of open places to get online. Make sure to get a hotel that has wifi, otherwise there are the internet cafes etc. Atms are wonky. Find an atm that your card works and get out cash as much as you can. Be careful of the exchange rate might kick you in the ass. DO NOT depend on it to work over there however, bring as much cash initially as you can just incase you have issues. Get ready for racism if you haven't experienced it before, not so much near Tokyo, Yokohama etc, but in the out laying urban areas you'll notice it. If you want any paid Japan Nooky be prepared to see Yakuza guys in black suits throw up crossed arms and say "Japanese Only". Not sure about your goals while there, but if you want some tips and suggestions be glad to chat, there are also a few gfy'ers in Tokyo. Get ready to blow a ton of money as well on the train ride from the airport. If you have the green and want to give it a try get a ticket on the bullet train from Narita to Tokyo (I am assuming that is your initial destination.) Its worth having a ride on for sure.

If you are not at all fluent you may want to find someone from the area you know to help you get used to things. Its a very different world than you are used to. This July will be I believe my 9th trip over. Personally I would rather spend a few weeks in Costa Rica or someplace tropical, but it is something to be experienced.

Oh and on the cell thing, as was mentioned above ..good luck.

[scubadiver626]

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo was one of the most amazing hotels we've ever stayed. Views and rooms 2nd to none. We wouldn't stay anywhere else.

Grab a seat next to the Shibuya subway station and just people watch. You'll see the craziest stuff, dudes all over trying to pickup girls, costumes and people that could only fit... in Japan. Serious entertainment.

The best bars are not really foreigner friendly. Find a hip local contact, have money, and you're golden.

It's def. my 2nd fav. place.

[stickyfingerz]

Originally Posted by scubadiver626

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo was one of the most amazing hotels we've ever stayed. Views and rooms 2nd to none. We wouldn't stay anywhere else.

Grab a seat next to the Shibuya subway station and just people watch. You'll see the craziest stuff, dudes all over trying to pickup girls, costumes and people that could only fit... in Japan. Serious entertainment.

The best bars are not really foreigner friendly. Find a hip local contact, have money, and you're golden.

It's def. my 2nd fav. place.

Trying to think of the Hotel I usually stayed in Kyoto... runs to google.. Its the one that overlooks the Kyoto Towers.... Hotel Granis thats it ;) expensive as shit though.. but great hotel, but breakfast foods there BLOW don't waste a dime on room service.

[hershie]

Was there last summer for a few weeks. Before you go, buy a Japan Rail Pass. You can't buy one inside Japan and it will save you a significant amount if you intend to travel between cities a lot. In addition to Tokyo, I went to and recommend checking out Kyoto and Osaka and Kobe which are all nearby each other.

[tehHinjew]

yikes, im starting to worrry that 2.2k for 11 days wont be enought LOL, puting 200 a day for everything, inlcluding hotel, split with 2 other guys

this is what we wont to do with the internet

After Google-ing for telecommunication companies in Japan (top 3 are Softbank, NTT Docomo and eMobile) we have decided what to do for our mobile data-craving needs. We’re going to purchase a Softbank C01LC USB stick and plug it into a CradlePoint CTR500 (199$ USD) mobile wireless broadband router. The router allows us to split the mobile data connection among our wifi devices (laptops, phones, cameras, etc). Softbank has a booth at Narita airport, so we can pick the stick up while we leave the airport after landing.

The data plan itself is going to cost us roughly 50 to 75$ CDN. Financially, it makes sense to go with a prepaid unlimited data plan, even though we’re going to be in Japan for only 11 days. Paying for wifi access in hotel rooms is most likely going to cost us 20$ per day. Having a mobile data connection will also allow us to make cheap phone calls back home using Skype. People can also contact us easily since we’re going to be forwarding our 514 number to our Skype number.

[tehHinjew]

Originally Posted by scubadiver626

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo was one of the most amazing hotels we've ever stayed. Views and rooms 2nd to none. We wouldn't stay anywhere else.

Grab a seat next to the Shibuya subway station and just people watch. You'll see the craziest stuff, dudes all over trying to pickup girls, costumes and people that could only fit... in Japan. Serious entertainment.

The best bars are not really foreigner friendly. Find a hip local contact, have money, and you're golden.

It's def. my 2nd fav. place.

I was told to try to make friends with tokyo business men, and get drunk with them lol

[stickyfingerz]

Originally Posted by hershie

Was there last summer for a few weeks. Before you go, buy a Japan Rail Pass. You can't buy one inside Japan and it will save you a significant amount if you intend to travel between cities a lot. In addition to Tokyo, I went to and recommend checking out Kyoto and Osaka and Kobe which are all nearby each other.

You can buy one in Japan at the airport, or any subway actually. You can also get refillable railcards too.

[hershie]

Originally Posted by stickyfingerz

You can buy one in Japan at the airport, or any subway actually. You can also get refillable railcards too.

You are mistaken and must be thinking of something else. See here for details that clearly state it must be purchased outside Japan: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en002.html

It really saves you several hundreds of dollars if you plan on visiting more than one other city from Tokyo. But only activate the pass when you intend to start travelling as it is only good for consecutive days and so don't waste it while still in Tokyo kinda thing.

[stickyfingerz]

Originally Posted by tehHinjew

yikes, im starting to worrry that 2.2k for 11 days wont be enought LOL, puting 200 a day for everything, inlcluding hotel, split with 2 other guys

this is what we wont to do with the internet

After Google-ing for telecommunication companies in Japan (top 3 are Softbank, NTT Docomo and eMobile) we have decided what to do for our mobile data-craving needs. We?re going to purchase a Softbank C01LC USB stick and plug it into a CradlePoint CTR500 (199$ USD) mobile wireless broadband router. The router allows us to split the mobile data connection among our wifi devices (laptops, phones, cameras, etc). Softbank has a booth at Narita airport, so we can pick the stick up while we leave the airport after landing.

The data plan itself is going to cost us roughly 50 to 75$ CDN. Financially, it makes sense to go with a prepaid unlimited data plan, even though we?re going to be in Japan for only 11 days. Paying for wifi access in hotel rooms is most likely going to cost us 20$ per day. Having a mobile data connection will also allow us to make cheap phone calls back home using Skype. People can also contact us easily since we?re going to be forwarding our 514 number to our Skype number.

Do you have anyone that can read Japanese with you? Because 90% chance none of the software will be in English, nor will the manuals for those things. Just be prepared for that chance.

[fatfoo]

Japan is a country in East Asia. I have heard that Japan has advanced management methods and structures with a hierachy that is more flat than the North American one (meaning less levels of management). Japan is an archipelago (chain or cluster of islands) of 6,852 islands.

The Greater Tokyo Area is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. Japan is also the only Asian country in the G8 and is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Japan has the highest life expectancy of any country in the world and the third lowest infant mortality rate.

Some photos of Tokyo:





Tokyo Tower:

[tehHinjew]

Originally Posted by stickyfingerz

Do you have anyone that can read Japanese with you? Because 90% chance none of the software will be in English, nor will the manuals for those things. Just be prepared for that chance.

most of the hardware is from Canada

I kept hearing about the Japanese hating foreigners... but shit, everyone keeps mentioning it

[Chosen]

fatfoo, have you been there?

[CYF]

that's a really cool photo

[Sly]

Whenever somebody tells me about Russia they always say "I can't even explain what it's like, you wouldn't understand." Japan sounds the same way, LOL.

[scubadiver626]

Very little English! Once you leave the airport, unless you're in a very touristy area, beyond hello and thank you, good luck.

Plan it out is def. the best route. There is no cluture shock quite like Japan, have fun!!

teh, http://tubeclicks.com/ looks down. I wanted to check it out.

[NinjaSteve]

All I can say is... get ready to have a boner 24/7!

[fuzebox]

On my top list of places to visit for sure... The language barrier terrifies me however

[LoveSandra]

awesome pics

[Roby]

really great Japan !

[seeandsee]

Originally Posted by fatfoo

Japan is a country in East Asia. I have heard that Japan has advanced management methods and structures with a hierachy that is more flat than the North American one (meaning less levels of management). Japan is an archipelago (chain or cluster of islands) of 6,852 islands.

The Greater Tokyo Area is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents. Japan is also the only Asian country in the G8 and is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Japan has the highest life expectancy of any country in the world and the third lowest infant mortality rate.

Some photos of Tokyo:





Tokyo Tower:

Japan is interesting country i plan to visit when i get some cash for that

[MrDaniel]

Originally Posted by tehHinjew

So first things first, can I use epass? and what about withdrawing money, do they have ATM's like in North America?

I had no problem using epass in ATMs in Tokyo, just look for the Visa logo, my friend that lives over there said that not all ATMs were Visa enabled, i think that the ones at 7-Eleven do support Visa, otherwise the major banks in the center of Tokyo does.

Its a realy great place to be in, so enjoy!

[Jay_StandAhead]

epass works fine in Japan, find a post office ATM (they close at 7pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekend) or find a Citibank or almost any 7-11

the Softbank USB stick should work fine and there are some softbank locations that have English speaking staff.