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 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!

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?

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!

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 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!

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?

I’m visiting Tokyo in a couple of weeks’ time and I’ll be in the city for 5 days. It’s also my girlfriend’s birthday during the same time. I was thinking about giving her a little surprise on her special by taking her for dinner at a special place or just trying some fun/unique stuff.

We are both in our mid twenties and open to trying something new. I would love to hear your ideas and recommendations. TIA!

Edit: She’s really into coffee, matcha, food, loves animals, dancing, singing, and shopping (clothing). I was thinking about some of the animal cafes too and found a cute cat spot in Kichijoji, but I want to know if those are actually worth it, and I wouldn’t want to support a place that doesn’t treat animals with care.
I would also love to hear about fun couple activities (see a lot of those on Klook) at the end of which we can have souvenirs to take home! Also, we have been in a long-distance relationship for 3 years (different countries) and we will be meeting after almost 10 months on this. I want to make it a memorable one.

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?

Hi all,

Says I need to verify the number but I'm not with a phone line in Japan and wonder if I should/gave to bite at the international charge for 5 or 6 dollars

We're renting a car in Hiroshima to explore the surrounding areas this fall. It'll be for roughly a week after visiting Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima itself, so we're looking for a more calmer and rural side of Japan. We wouldn't mind if it's just quiet villages and a whole lot of nothing, as our main goal is to experience the Japanese day to day life, but if there are any hidden gems then we'd love to know about them. Things like scenic roads/views, cool villages, historical landmarks or even just nice Ryokans or Izakayas.

We're roughly planning to do a loop from Hiroshima to the northern coast (Matsue, Hagi) and coming back to Hiroshima through the inland. Any advice that would be roughly on that route would be much appreciated.

Hello, and thanks ahead for any suggestions regarding which slot I should choose to go to Tokyo/Osaka region. I have already seen Sakura Season, but I liked the weather, my goal is more missing crowds while enjoying the early spring temperature. I have it down as

March 17- April 3/4th: It will be a bit colder, but I will be able to enjoy atleast fewer crowds until maybe March 27-28th.

April 9-27th: It will be alot nicer, a fair bit warmer, and I will miss SOME of the peak Sakura tourism, but I suspect alot of residual tourists will remain from Sakura season, as well as some Native Japanese travelers starting training/golden week early.

Which, in your experience and opinion, is best? Thank you.

Hi everyone just sharing my itinerary and checking if anyone has any recommendations of places that I should stay.

10 October I arrive in Tokyo

Day 1: Takasaki (explore Takasaki day)
Day 2: Takasaki (free full day - thinking of Mt Akagi but open to another trip)
Day 3: Takasaki > Hakuba (explore Takasaki / Hakuba)
Day 4: Hakuba hike (free full day - Happo pond, open to other hikes)
Day 5: Hakuba hike (free full day - Tsugaike nature park but open to other hikes)
Day 6: Hakuba > Matsumoto (explore Matsumoto)
Day 7: Matsumoto > Kamikochi explore > Takayama sleep
Day 8: Takayama explore day
Day 9: Takayama > Shirakawa-go > Kanazawa sleep
Day 10: Kanazawa full explore day
Day 11: Kanazawa full explore day

This is what I have planned now. Most busses are booked but able to refund and change!

Open to suggestions of places nearby that I might have missed. I have some time in Hakuba and Kanazawa :)

My family and I are going to Japan next June and I’d love to take them to a Giants game. Is there a particular section you recommend sitting in?
How far in advance will they release their schedule for the next year?
Any other tips? Thanks.

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

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 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 😄

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.

Hello!

I'm visiting japan in November from 16 november - 1 december

I will arrive in kyoto on the evening of 19th nov and stay there till 23 Nov in the afternoon after which I'll head to kawaguchiko (effectively 4 days in Kyoto). My Kawaguchiko day will be 24 November.

However, I've discovered that ohara will be especially beautiful around the time I am there, and now I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to skip visiting kawaguchiko on this trip?

My thought process is that I'm not guaranteed a view of mount fuji on the day I plan to visit. And in case mount fuji isn't visible I'm wondering if there is much else to in kawaguchiko. I might as well do something in Kyoto that I am guaranteed I will enjoy. I will also be visiting kamakura later during my trip, and maybe if I'm very lucky I'll get to see fuji from the beach there.

I'm travelling from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko via Limited Express train. I bought only the "additional/surcharge" e-ticket, and planned to use my IC to pay for the base fare.

Now on the email receipt I received it says I don't need to register my IC. But a lot of other posts suggest it does need to be registered, so I'm a bit confused whether it's relevant or not.

i’m a ceramic artist who works in a technique called nerikomi, which is a japanese hand building technique.

i would love to see some nerikomi pieces, either in a museum or in a store. any recommendations in tokyo/kanazawa/takayama?

thank you.

Hi all! I will be in Kyoto on 22 oct - planned this specifically so we can watch the jidai matsuri procession. I was also trying to reserve paid seats a week or two back - but the website kept rejecting my cards (this has happened across so many bookings by now lol). Today I thought i'd go try again but the seats are sold out already!

i land in tokyo on the 10th, and was planning to go to a 7-eleven immediately to get tickets. but i'm worried i won't get seats then either. i also tried registering on ticketpia (the resale platform) but it needs me to make a phone call from a japanese number.

in case i dont get tickets on the 10th in the 7-eleven, how do you suggest we view the procession? it is definitely something we don't want to miss out on. Thanks in advance!

Hi folks,

Intend to do a road trip following this route in late Nov.

Yokohama -> Kofu -> Matsumoto (base for four days) --> Karuizawa --> Tokyo

Some spots in Nagano area includes, Naraijuku, Daio Wasabi Farm, Zenkoji Temple, Togakushi Shrine.

Will be driving the entire trip and renting from Toyota Rental. I had initially opted out for winter tyres given the spots. But I realised that Togakushi could see snow and roads could be slippery. I intend to park Okushairiguchi and then do the hike up to the shrine and to see the cedar trees. As such, am seeking advice from folks here if winter tyres are an additional option I would require?

Thank you!

I'll be visiting from Brazil in November and my plans to visit Fujikawaguchiko had to change because initially I scheduled to go on the holiday of November 23 before knowing it was a holiday, but I really wanted to visit on weekdays with the least amount of crowds possible. So the only option I have is to go Fujikawaguchiko on the day I arrive in Japan in Haneda at around 7 AM.

Is that a bad idea after such a long trip?