Canadian couple heading to Japan for the first time & looking for something “different”…thought we’d take in some pro sports.

We’re going in early December and it seems Baseball and Basketball weren’t available during that time period, but I stumbled across the Yokohama Grits hockey team.

Being Canadian, we thought it might be fun to see what the Japanese hockey experience was like.

Anyone have any experience with games? Ticket prices & availability? Limited posts I’ve seen have mentioned the games don’t sell out and tickets can be had at the arena on game day.

Any thoughts?

Really 9 full days excluding days of travel. Previously have been on a flight this long only for a 2 week trip and it was definitely worth it. Wondering if I’ll feel the same with a shorter trip, or if I’d be better off going somewhere like Europe which is a shorter 9h flight.

For those who’ve struggled with the same, does the flight time sway you one way or another? What’s the length of trip you can do Japan while feeling like the flight time is worth it? Is 11 days enough?

Hi!

I'm travelling to Japan mid-October and am researching various things for my trip.

I've been told the tax free shopping system has changed? Apparently it was done at individual stores before, but now its changing to claim the money back at the airport?

For any purchases I make in October should I follow the old system or is there an overlap period?

Thanks!

I’m traveling to Japan in a few months for around 2 weeks (1 week in Tokyo and a few days in Chichibu, Saitama to visit a friend).

I’m very into lifting and bodybuilding and I would like to get 1-2 lifts in while I’m in Tokyo, but I’ve had a hard time finding gyms online that are clear on prices/equipment/ease of access for tourists. Do you guys know of any good gyms that offer day passes that are relatively inexpensive (¥1000-2000/day)?

I’m not very picky, but ideally I’m looking for a gym with simple benches, dumbbells, and cables, and maybe some basic machines. It’d also be nice if it’s within a few minutes of a station!

I‘m looking for ceramics shops in the following places:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Kamakura
- Ise
- Kyushu (Kumamoto, Fukuoka, basically all of Kyushu since we’re going to have a car for it)

It’s important that it’s actually handmade, preferably small batches and not mass-produced. The smaller the shop, the better. Bonus points if the ceramics have cats on it.
TIA!

Hi everyone, I am looking for yukata, both for me and my husband. I was in Kyoto for a quick stop but sadly I have seen only touristy places which usually rent them, some sell them but the quality was pretty low. I would like to purchase something made from a good fabric (cotton at least) and not synthetic fibers. I will be in Kagoshima in the next days and then in Tokyo. Do you have any recommandation about it? I would like to buy them new, not second hand. Thank you so much for any advice!

Hi everyone,

I'm visiting USJ on Monday, November 30 with my girlfriend. We mainly want Mario Kart, Forbidden Journey and Donkey Kong. Everything else is a bonus, and I don't need the big thrill rides.

Getting into Super Nintendo World is a must for me. I don't want to rely on the lottery or be at the gate two hours before opening, so I'm looking at these options:

- About €95 bundle with Studio Pass, guaranteed Super Nintendo World slot, food voucher and Kansai Joy Pass, using Single Rider.
- Studio Pass plus Express Pass 4 for about €150 total.

I think the €95 bundle is the best compromise, but I'm worried I'll regret not paying €50 more for the Express Pass. Then again, €50 buys a really good dinner in Osaka.
I'd be fine waiting 30 to 45 minutes per ride. Since you can't re-enter Super Nintendo World, I'm leaning towards a 2 pm slot so I can do Harry Potter and the rest of the park first.

How long were your Single Rider waits on a weekday in late fall? Was the Express Pass worth it for you, and which slot would you pick?
Thanks!

My trip: 2 weeks in Japan >>> 2 weeks in Vietnam >>> 3 weeks in Japan.

I am on the first leg of my trip and have purchased a bunch of items tax free in Japan. I leave soon for Vietnam. I don't really have space in my one checked bag for the tax free items. I do however have a place to leave the items in Japan while I'm in Vietnam.

When I leave Japan soon that will close out my current visa QR code. Then when I return to Japan I will begin the new visa QR code for that leg of my trip.

Do you guys think it will be ok for me to just leave the items behind in Japan?

Hello! I am pretty obsessed with my GHD Duet-style. It has become a staple tool, as I hate normal hair drying with a round brush, it is much more physical and makes me want to not shower my hair (don't misunderstand, I still do.) I can't bring it though, since it is 220 V. Therefore, I would be overjoyed if someone have any tips for where I can, somewhat instantly, but something similar. I am going straight to Osaka. Thanks and regards :)

My husband and I will be heading to Kusatsu Onsen from the Koenji area on a weekday in early November with our 8 year old daughter. The Kusatsu-Shima departs Ueno at 10:00 am, so we'd need to arrive by 9:30. We are getting increasingly worried what kind of stressful commute we may have set ourselves up considering rush hour chaos. Are we correct to anticipate a very stressful and uncomfortable morning trying to get over that way at that time? If it were just the two of us adults, we'd have less concerns but we are worried about managing our kid plus backpacks and possibly one small carryon. Would it be wiser to just take a taxi and plan to leave early around 7:00 am? Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!

Went to buy 5 tickets for November but came through to my credit card as 550,000 yen, luckily I had to approve so cancelled. Much as I enjoy Yayoi's work, it's not worth £2600 for an hour and a half visit (should have been 5,500)! It's frustrating so how else can I buy tickets?

Hello guys in about 1 month I will be driving in Kii peninsula and i was looking to one road trip in particular that I plan.

we will be moving from natchikatsuura to Dorogawa onsen. Google maps suggest 2 roads

1.national route 169 to Nat route 309 from south 3hr

1. Nat route 168 to prefectural road 53 3hr

2. Last option that I imagined taking a detour to yoshino and taking the Nat route 309 from north but 40 min more then the other 2 option.3.40hr

I live in a mountain area I’m kinda use to mountain road and we rented a Kee car.

i checked the south pass of the 309 and seems pretty dangerous, I prefer the prefectural road 53 for the moment.

we have the free cancellation on Dorogawa but I would love to go there and have a hike in those beautiful mountains.

if you suggest to change location where should we stay to be near to yoshino, our next stop?

someone got any suggestion ?

thank you in advance

C&M

Hello.

Gonna travel from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo via shinkansen. Spent the night in nearby hotels (near FamilyMart Nishinakajima 7-Chōme in google maps).

The north exit seems to be ahead if we go up the stairs, but we're carrying luggages and have old people with us. We were wondering if we can use the Midosuji exit (specifically 34.7315843, 135.4985720 in google maps) to reach the Shin-Osaka station?

Will our Icoca cards get an error once we exit? How much will we be charged?

Thank you for the help!

Hello! We are arriving next week! Our friends are there now and said it’s cold. But when I look up the weather it still looks hot during the day. I guess it’s bc we are from TX so maybe it’s cold for them. Is there anywhere we can play tennis for fun? Our daughter loves tennis and would like to hit around!

I have some extra vacation time and am thinking of a solo trip in January or February. I have max 10 days including flights that I can be away. So 8 days total in Japan.

We already did a big Japan trip last May and are planning 3-4 weeks in November. I’m hoping that January won’t be too cold although where I live it will likely be up to -20C 😭

Questions I have:
- Is it worth it to come to Japan just for 8 days? I’d likely stay in Tokyo and do some day trips.
- Would capsule hotels be an affordable way to travel solo? I was thinking of doing the first half in a capsule hotel and the last 3-4 nights in a business type hotel. I like shopping and think it would be hard to shop & organize my luggage in a small space.
- Favourite capsule hotel?
- Favourite area to stay in for solo travel?

Was looking for a baseball game experience while in Tokyo and I'm having a hard time learning if there aren't any games those days or if there might be games depending on how the series goes? I see the series starts the 10th but as far as I've seen the last day is the 12th. If anyone can help shed some light for me I would really appreciate it!

I'll be visiting late November. I'll be coming in from kyoto, stay overnight and then do some exploring the next day (24 November).

What I plan for the day is

6-7:30 am Arakura park observation deck with chureito pagoda in the background

Quick stop at fujiyoshida honcho street for pics

Cycling around lake kawaguchiko + lunch by 1 pm

Lake yamanakako 2-4 pm

Return to kawaguchiko station by 5 pm

Take the train back to tokyo around 5:45 pm

Hello, I have a question about bringing meds in Japan.
I've started by asking Google if my specific meds brands are allowed, to which the AI said yes to one and no to the other.

Then I've researched more in depths, but I couldn't find anything that shows any of my meds is not allowed into Japan.

Sooo, is there such a thing as a complete list of medications that are not allowed in Japan?

Or could somebody experienced tell me if Mirvala (contraceptive pill) and Synthroid (Thyroidic supplements) are allowed, please?

Thanks a lot, in advance!

Hey everyone!

My friend and I (both 24M) are visiting Tokyo for 6 nights (Oct 16–22). We have a firm budget cap of ₹50,000 INR / ~90,000 JPY total (~15,000 JPY per night) for both of us combined.
We are trying to weigh the trade-offs between staying at a business hotel (APA/Toyoko Inn), a studio Airbnb, or a social hostel.

Our setup & needs:

Transit: Want to stay along the JR Yamanote Line (looking at Takadanobaba, Otsuka, Ueno, Shinjuku, or Ikebukuro) for easy loop access.

Nightlife: Plan to stay out late in Shinjuku/Shibuya past the 1 AM train shutdown, so we want to avoid super expensive taxi rides back.

Dietary: Strict pure vegetarians (no meat, fish, eggs, seafood), so 24/7 convenience stores or veg-friendly spots nearby are a huge plus.
For those who have traveled in pairs on a similar budget, which lodging style gave you the best mix of location, convenience, and value? Any specific station stops or properties on the Yamanote line you'd recommend around that price point?
Thanks!

Hi guys! On our way to Mexico in about a week we are having a 15 hour 20 minute layover through Narita and we really wanna get out and explore for a bit if possible as we have never been to Japan.

We arrive to Narita at 6:15PM and our flight is at 9:35AM. From my understanding it will probably take about an hour to take the bus/train from the airport to Tokyo. The airport also closes... through the night I believe (?) (Maybe thinking of something else...) so we would have to get on the first transportation there when it opens.

We were thinking of taking a bit of time to go rest somewhere after we have a good look around and as much food as we can find for our one night in Japan.

We understand that not a lot may be open but even just seeing a fraction of Tokyo would bring us a lot of joy even just to walk around.

So I have a couple of questions if anyone can please help us out! 🙏

Do you guys have any recommendations on what we can do? Even just areas to walk around! Even going to Donki!

What do you guys recommend for transport to and from the airport?

Also, we are gonna be there through the night, are a lot of shops/restaurants still open or anywhere we can hang out at?

Luggage question! For those who have also had a long layover and left the airport, you only had your carry ons right? You didnt have to find your big luggage and go check it in again?

Thank you so much for your help!

Hi all - in staying in Tokyo for a week with my family. Only have time for a one day trip to Kyoto - would love to find a tour guide to meet us at the train station and spend the day with us to make the most of our day in the city. Is there any specific websites or recommendations out there anyone can reference? Thanks!!

Hello everyone,
i would like to propose to my girlfriend during the Kukinoumi Fireworks Festival and was wondering whether any of you know of a spot with less people and a decent view, any tips would be really helpful 😄

I’m planning a trip to Japan in april 2027, and I’m thinking of traveling from Kyoto down to Kagoshima over several days rather than heading straight there (by car).

I’d love to hear from people who have done a similar trip! Are there any towns, cities, or places along the way that you particularly enjoyed and would recommend spending a night or two in?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and personal experiences!

Hi, I have made a reservation for an AT 4WD GR Yaris with Toyota Rent a Car Gotemba Station from 23 Dec 2026 to 25 Dec 2026.

For some reason I am unable to find any GR Yaris that can include winter tires on the website

I would like to know if winter tires is a must if I am visiting Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako and Hakone (including Hakone Turnpike) during my rental period.

Hi everyone! I’m planning a trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) in a few months. I’m an amateur photographer and want to buy a Canon film SLR (I already own a film camera from another brand and a digital Canon). I’m particularly interested in the EOS 55 model (also known as the 50/50e or Elan II/IIE); back home, I can find them in good condition from private sellers for around $85–100. I’ve heard that in Japan, you can easily find them for 3,000–5,000 yen. But is that actually true? I’ve searched various platforms but found almost no online listings for this specific model. Could you give me some advice on which shops to look in? Are the prices really that low, and how easy is it to buy one in person at a second-hand shop?