I have one last day here and was looking for some ideas on what to do.

I've been ro Disney, Akihabara, Meiji Jingu, Edo Park, Harajuku and Shibuya

I haven't been to any of the towers and planned to go up the government building a couple days ago, but it rained liked hell so we gave up.

Any cool ideas and budget friendly days are appreciated!

Thank you

My hubby is turning 50 this spring l (not bad for being a cystic fibrosis patient!) and we've decided that we're off to Japan. Little does hubby know that good friends are meeting up with us in Tokyo, and we want to give him a quirky or unhinged experience.

Do you have any recommendations when it comes to quirky/unhinged activities that will be something he'll remember for life? Keeping my fingers crossed for awesome recs 🙏🙏🙏

Edit: Some good recs already, thank you! I'm not looking for trips to the common touristy areas since we've already done such things on previous trips.

Coming back from a 10 day trip with my father, who is in his 70s and has a bad hip (he’s getting a hip replacement soon) and a cane. Some tips for traveling with a companion with mobility issues:

-consider your companion’s pace, not your pace. I initially planned on doing more attractions but after 2-3 my dad would slow down significantly and need to rest. We ended up having a good time and the slower speed was perfectly fine.

-consider travel logistics. We spent time in two cities (Kyoto and Osaka) and took trains. We also utilized the GO taxis, which worked well. The limited express from KIX to Kyoto was great, but don’t forget to scan your QR code/ticket at entry and exit. I didn’t realize that we needed to scan the QR code to leave the station and the WiFi was really bad for reloading the QR codes (screenshots don’t work).

-consider location. We stayed near Kyoto station and Minamimorimachi station, which was great because they were near subways with elevators.

-prepare yourself to walk single file and apologize a lot. My dad was slower than the average person but by walking right ahead of him people were able to get around us easier.

-people are often nice enough to give up their subway seat for your companion-thank the person profusely and be prepared to give up your own seat for another person.

-consider stairs! There are many stairs in Japan, especially in the shops and some museums. Some have railings, some don’t. Be very careful because they can be very steep (my dad tripped and nearly slipped down some in a cafe).

-the staff at some stores will sometimes pull out a chair for your companion, but it might not work (one store had a chair but it was only suitable for a child’s weight). Thank them for the thought anyway.

-bring a packable raincoat. My dad was struggling with his cane and umbrella, but luckily he had a raincoat for the one day it rained a lot.

-be prepared to carry your companion’s stuff. I carried my dad’s backpack when we went on the train so he wouldn’t have to worry about it and his cane. I also carried our bags up some stairs at Osaka station. Would probably do a baggage transfer next time.

All in all it was a very pleasant experience and we both really enjoyed our time together.

Since there were a few comments regarding Japanese listening comprehension in my recent post, I’ve put together a quick summary of common questions and answers you’ll hear at convenience stores and restaurants!

Convenience Stores
Although payment instructions are now displayed on a screen—reducing the need for verbal interaction—staff still ask whether you need a bag or chopsticks, and if you would like your items heated up.

• 「Fukuro irimasu ka? "Do you need a bag?"」: Say "Daijoubu desu" if you don't need one, and "Onegai shimasu" if you do.
  • “Daijoubu desu” = “No, thanks” (lit. “I’m fine”)
• 「Atatamemasu ka? "Would you like it heated?"」 (for bento boxes): Say "Onegai shimasu" or "Daijoubu desu".
• 「Ohashi otsuke shimasu ka? "Would you like chopsticks?"」: Say "Onegai shimasu" if you want them. Say "Daijoubu desu" if you don't need them.
• 「Pointo Kaado wa omochi desu ka? "Do you have a point card?"」: Show it if you have one; otherwise, simply say "Nai desu" or "Daijoubu desu".

Restaurants, Cafés, and Ramen Shops

• 「Nanmeisama desu ka? "How many people in your party?"」: Reply with the number (e.g., "Futari desu") and indicate it by holding up your fingers.
• 「Tennai de omeshiagari desu ka? "Will you be dining in?"」: Choose between "Tennai de" and "Mochikaeri de".
• 「Okaikei wa goissho de yoroshii desu ka? "Will you be paying together?"」: Choose between "Issho de" and "Betsubetsu de."
• 「Rasuto oodaa desu "Last order"」: This signals the final opportunity to place an order; you will often be asked if you would like to add anything else.
• 「Men no katasa wa? "How would you like your noodles?"」: At some ramen shops, you may be asked about your noodle preference: 「Yawarakame "soft"」「Futsuu "regular"」「Katame "firm"」.
  • You might also be asked about the "amount of oil" (richness) or the "intensity of the flavor" (saltiness/strength of the soup base).

You don’t need to catch every single word; if you just listen for key terms like「Fukuro」「Atatame」「Pointo」「Tennai」「Katasa」 you’ll know how to respond.
Have you ever found yourself thinking, "Wait, what did they just ask me?" Which questions have left you feeling stumped? Please share your experiences. It would be very helpful!

Hi, going to USJ on the 10th with friends and some family! We've passed on the express pass, so we're doing it like the universe intended,,, on hard mode. We just have a few clarifications!

1. The last I went there, there was no timed entry tickets. Just to be absolutely sure, these are just windows where you can enter the area? You can stay as long as you like?
2. If I were to visit SNW or HP in the morning, can I try for timed entry tickets again for either of them in the evening? We were hoping to catch the light show in the hogwarts castle, but we also wanted to try out their rides in the morning. We can push back the rides if re-entry is not possible.
3. For food, is it strict in bringing things in? We have a toddler and a baby.
4. On the topic of food, any recommendations that won't break the bank?
5. Timed entry tickets are released every hour? Like on the dot 9:00am/10:00am/etc? Or is it at another time? We wanted to be ready!

Thanks a lot!

Currently at Itoya Ginza, but they only have the ones with their logo in size L. Any clue where else can I find them?

I’m going to be in Japan for three weeks soon, and I know I’ll be doing a lot of walking. Unfortunately, my scoliosis causes back pain after a mile or two. I’ve heard that there are limited spots to sit and rest for a bit, and was considering whether to bring a small, light, foldable stool. It’s tiny and easy to carry (it will even fit into my carry-on). My plan is to sit out of the way for a bit and sketch a little. But I’m having second thoughts about bringing it. I’m going to Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama and Kyoto (and some day trips). Is it worth bringing?

My wife and I spent 14 nights traveling around Japan with our friends, Brian and Whitney, in fall 2025. Here are a few highlights and surprises from the trip.

Best hotel experience: Osaka Station Hotel for the unexpected hospitality and amenity upgrades. We managed to kill almost half a day just hanging out in the lounge, which had some of the best food and drinks we’ve ever had in any “executive lounge.” Immediate access to Osaka Station was crucial for our city-hopping.

Best meal: Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera Kyoto. We’ve eaten here several times, but Brian and Whitney absolutely loved the ease of ordering and being able to choose exactly what they wanted to try.

My thoughts on omakase: So many people search for the “best omakase experience.” But the reality is, you give up a lot of control - some bites may completely blow you away, while others might just be okay or straight up weird.

We enjoyed both kaiseki and omakase with our friends, but especially for first-time visitors to Japan, I actually think a slightly high-end conveyor-belt sushi restaurant may be a better introduction. You can order exactly what you want, learn what you enjoy, and avoid feeling pressured to eat unfamiliar dishes you may not love. It also makes it easier to recognize and order those same types of sushi later in the trip.

Biggest surprise traveling with our friends: They were absolutely crushed by jet lag. It was like watching your favorite athlete suddenly underperform and sputter out of energy - agonizing to witness from our normally bionic friends.

For a good time, they can push through almost anything. But multiple times, Whitney had to duck out early and miss bar-hopping - something normally unthinkable for her. And this was well into the trip, nearly six days in.

Biggest personal surprise: I was secretly against the idea of a matcha farm tour because I assumed it would be quite touristy and overpriced. It was a bit pricey, and I was the only Japanese person on the tour - but I ended up learning so much about sustainable farming, Japanese culture, and what it actually takes to start a matcha business.

Did D-Matcha have the best matcha we tried? Nope. But the tour sparked our obsession with matcha for the rest of the trip, and we tried it everywhere we went. Very thankful to Whitney for this one. Since returning home, drinking matcha has become the biggest daily ritual we’ve brought home from Japan, even replacing our daily espresso with matcha. (Brian still thinks matcha tastes like grass - well, it is a leaf, so he’s not totally wrong. At least he tried everything, right?)

Finally, our group’s favorite underrated city: Kurashiki, Okayama. We definitely want to stay longer next time. The city is a mixture of tradition and hipster - yes, an odd combo - but it makes for a very intriguing place to explore: jeans shopping, a beer garden with live music in Ivy Square, traditional food and drinks, strawberry matchas, beautiful glasswork, and age-old pottery known as Bizen-yaki.

I’d love to hear your thoughts too, especially to the last one - what’s your favorite underrated city in Japan?

Kawaguchiko and the Maple corridor seems like the most popular destination and from what I'm reading, the crowds are so crazy that it might not even be worth it to go there.

For those who went this year, and during autumn, is it really that bad? Where do the crowds start? I'm reading it starts at Kawaguchiko Station. Are all buses out bound of kawaguchiko station full or only the ones going to the popular sites like the Maple corridor (Kawaguchiko Loop)?

How bad are the crowds at the Maple Corridor. is it impossible to enjoy the place because of the number of tourists? Are the crowds limited to the corridor only or is everything around that area filled with tourists? If i just want to walk along the lake, is it just as touristy?

What are less crowded alternatives to kawaguchiko If i wanna go see Mt Fuji? I'm looking at Yamanakako but that place feels only slightly less touristy.

Hi all! I have 2 potential travel dates to Japan (choices based on flight prices):

1. Fukoka 4-11 May 2027

2. Nagoya 21-28 May 2027

I know that the Fukoka travel dates overlap slightly with Japan's Golden Week which can be very crowded, but I also heard that Nagoya can be quite boring.

I have previously travelled to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka already so I wanted to explore a different area of Japan. My main focus of the trip is really food (I love sashimi) and just exploring any sights and the vibes of Japan.

Do any of you have any experience travelling during Golden Week or to any of these cities. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks 😊

Hi all!

Going to Japan next week and want to try and bring something back for a close friend. He works in movies and is a huge fan of horror (both from the 30s - 70s and modern). I would love to bring something fun back for him that is ideally both horror and movie related but could also just be a cool movie OR horror related item. Biggest cities we're planning on stopping in are Tokyo and Kyoto.

Does anyone know of any cool shops with vintage items that might have something cool along these lines? Or any other stops for something special that might fit into this?

Hello everyone,

I have booked flights for late April and will be traveling with a 4YO toddler.

We have booked accommodation in Otsu, located within walking distance of the station.

Asper my understanding, visiting Kyoto will be quite straightforward but I am wondering if this is a suitable base for exploring Osaka..nothing too serious, just strolling around the city in the evening, enjoying the Dotonbori lights, and perhaps taking the boat ride.

We are staying 6 nights in Otsu and would prefer to avoid changing hotels multiple times with a toddler hence a single booking...appriciate your inputs...

Thank you very much.

Hello all I’m born and raised in Toronto and will be flying to Japan in December and I just had a question of how cold will it get? I’m not expecting like -20 or anything but like should I bring a winter jacket, bomber jacket or would a hockey Jersey itself be enough 😅? I plan on visiting the Simanami bike path, Kyoto,Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Chiba and will be staying with my friend in Kashiwa

I have a lot of tattoos and will be there November 11-13th. My budget is no more than $200 a night. I'm struggling to find anything online. Any recommendations?

Hi all!

I'm visiting Japan in January and want to buy 1-2 watches while I'm there. I'm new to watches (my small collection is Casio, Fossil, and Guess), and my main goal is to pick up a Seiko.

Budget: around ¥60,000 per watch, with a little flexibility for something special.

What I'd love advice on:
Good places to buy: Seiko boutiques, department stores, electronics chains like Bic Camera/Yodobashi, or reputable second-hand shops and flea markets

Which cities or neighborhoods are best for watch shopping?

I'm also open to recommendations beyond Seiko (Citizen, Orient, G-Shock, etc.) if you think something is a better buy.

Thanks a lot!

Where to go: Matsumoto/Nagano and nearby areas

Hi! Need suggestions on where to go and/or what to see/try in Matsumoto/Nagano.

**Some information:*\*
\- 7 days in February
\- We’ve plan to stay in either Matsumoto or Nagano
\- We’ve been to the usual Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya/Nara
\- We like to experience anything new and something unique if possible
\- We planned to see the Tateyama Alpine Route but it will be closed.
\- We are willing to travel as far as Toyama, Shizouka, Hakone

**So far on our list are:*\*
\- Narai-juku
\- Lake Suwa
\- Matsumoto area

Is it practical to stay in Matsumoto area? Or should we opt for Nagano?

Thank you!

Looking at sourcing vintage designer bags and accessories in Tokyo/Osaka, I understand prices have gone up a lot in the last few years due to online exposure.

Can anyone who has been recently share any tips on their recent travels? Stores, areas. I generally thrift when I'm around europe and usually find prada, fendi, LV under €150 :) I think people online post a lot of consignment and all the thrift videos are usually expensive or just clothes!

Thank you so much and wishing you all the best week, be kind 😄

I think about buying a second hand Mac mini or Studio. Where can I find good deals when I am there? I visit soon Tokio and Sendai.

How lenient are the park operators enforcing the time limit to enter the express pass lane?

I understand that wait times could still be up to 30 mins, which makes the time windows between rides very small. Im slightly worried on what would happen if I need to take a longer rest between activities and I arrive past that 30min window. Do they still let you in?

From ticket

<Attractions＞
○ 12:00-12:30 Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
○ 14:00-15:00 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
○ 14:00-14:30 Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge™
○ 14:30-15:00 Yoshi's Adventure™
○ 15:00-15:30 Mine Cart Madness™
○ 16:30-17:00 Flight of the Hippogriff™
○ Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
☆ 【CHOICE A】 JAWS
　or Jurassic Park - The Ride
☆ 【CHOICE B】 The Flying Dinosaur
　or Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem

Any recommendations about the best hiking route to the top. I see there are a few different options. Any guidance or tips would be greatly appreciated

Deciding between 2 route options currently:

1. Otsuki to Nagano, double back to Matsumoto for a day trip and then go to Takayama

2. Otsuki to Matsumoto to Nagano to Takayama

The only reason we're thinking about option 1 is because the yayoi art museum is closed on the day we would go if we did option 2 and we would like to see it if possible.

In about three weeks I will be traveling from Yokohama to Kyoto and back (same day).
Last time I went to Japan I purchased my Shinkansen tickets ahead of time as it was my first time and required assigned seating for my luggage. But this time I don’t need assigned seating, I will be traveling light and would prefer the cheapest option. Do I still need to purchase tickets ahead of time? Would a few days before be good enough? How about day of?

I’m currently staying in Osaka and looking for Hojicha paste. Does anyone know where I can buy some?
I’ll also be visiting Kyoto and Tokyo. Thanks!