The fact of the matter, is that if you're coming to Japan, you'll probably be arriving at one of Tokyo's two international airports
Narita or Haneda and in 2015 Haneda had 13 million international passengers,
while Narita had 28 million. Now, even though Narita is the big one I'm dedicated to my craft so i went to both.
So you've arrived safely, and made it through customs
Welcome!
Isn't it exciting?
Actually, I find the arrival gates to be the most underwhelming part of either airport. But you know what is exciting?
Being on Japanese TV.
If you're so inclined, just talk with these fine folks.
I wasn't so inclined. Now the first thing you'll need to get sorted is cash because in Japan,
cash is king. From restaurants to ryokans to vending machines, you'll often need cash to get by.
And yes, I know this machine accepts IC cards, and I'll show you how to get one. But first, let's get that sweet, sweet yen.
Now this is an instance where I did much more research for you, dear viewer, than I've ever done for any of my family
who have visited, although I did act as their personal currency exchange bank so don't feel too
sad for them. So the simplest and safest suggestion I can
give you is to use an international ATM. Luckily, the airport has plenty of these and they're well marked.
Outside of the airport,
7-eleven has 24-hour atms that'll do the trick; since they're virtually everywhere in Japan, you should have
no issue. When using an atm, you'll probably get dinged two fees: One is the transaction charge, which is charged by
your bank, not the atm. For major canadian
banks, this is $5, but I know not everyone is from Canada so definitely double check with
your bank. Then, there's the exchange rate, which is generally 2.5
percent above mid market rates. Mid market rate is what you'll find if you google your currency letters like
CAD to JPY. So if I were to exchange $1000 canadian, I would expect to get charged $5 for the transaction fee
and lose $25 on the exchange for a total loss of 3%. "But Greg," you say,
"What about those currency exchange outlets?" Look, they're very hit and miss, and you can only easily find them at the airport.
How hit and miss? Look at the mid market rates on google for USD to JPY and look at
how much this outlet will give you. Okay, not bad- you only lose roughly 3%. But then check out this one!
Not so great. And that's with USD, which is the closest the world has to a global currency.
Look at these canadian rates. I-I don't even know what to say, these rates are just horrible.
You shouldn't be paying more than 3% above the
mid market rate at any exchange counter. If you are, use the atm with
your debit card if you can.
I looked into the credit card option for you, but if you use it at an atm and get a cash advance,
you'll be paying interest right away, even if you overpay your credit card and have credit on it. That being said,
using your credit card to buy stuff at stores will give you an okay exchange rate around that 2.5
percent mark. One thing to note about the atms, is that the 7-Eleven one says you can only get 100,000 yen at a
time, which is probably a daily limit. This is roughly equivalent to 1,000 u.s.
dollars. And to be clear you will get yen out of the atm, not your own currency. They do have english
menus so don't worry about having to know japanese in order to get your money.
Besides 7-11's, post offices have atms and are located all over the country. It's not going to be 24
hours like 7-eleven, so do keep that in mind. One last thing before you travel: It wouldn't be a bad idea to contact
your bank and let them know you're traveling overseas. Some have automatic fraud protection, which is usually a
good thing but not when it's activated when you're trying to withdraw
the cash you need. While you're in touch with them, you can also ask about any withdrawal limits or issues using an international atm.
When you first get off the plane, you can use the free airport wi-fi
which has always been solid for me; once you step out of the airport, you'll see free wi-fi signs all over the train
systems as well as around shops and other places. But don't rely on it; for example train systems that do provide free wi-fi
only do so at the station's themselves.
So if you're actively riding a train, the only chance you'll have to connect to the wi-fi
is at the stops. But the stops are so short that by the time you connect,
you'll be disconnected. If you're one of those people who are relying on your phone as a lifeline, then you'll want to rent
some mobile pocket wi-fi. Now like with the atms, I've gone and done you a favor and I put way
more research into this than I have for any of my visiting family. So far my
tried-and-true trusted source of mobile wi-fi is Global Advanced Communications. Catchy name right?
This is what my family and I have personally used for over five years without any issues. That being said,
some nice internet person has made a complete comparison site, which I've linked to in the description.
Actually, everything I'll talk about will be in the description, so make sure to check it out. Here's a few pointers:
Unlimited data is not really unlimited. Isn't that a shocker? Yeah right…
Depending on the plan you use, this could mean a generous max of five gigabytes a day or it could mean less.
Make sure to check; after that max you have data,
but the speeds are throttled and
throttled hard. So hard that even looking up directions in google maps can timeout, so it's fairly
unusable except for perhaps text messaging.
Even with a super premium wi-fi
Packages try, and save your video watching to when you're at non metered free wi-fi like at your accommodation if you're
going to really rural or mountainous areas, you may need to go with the plan
That has water coverage but for example i used the standard wi-fi package of global advanced communications
that has water coverage. But for example, I used the standard wi-fi package of global advanced communications, traveled for two weeks around Japan with
my little brother, even down to the little island of Amami Oshima and I didn't have any connection issues,my little brother, even down to the little island of Amami Oshima and I didn't have any connection issues,
Issues so it's probably only a problem if you're really going off the beaten path or maybe going to some northern
ski resorts. Last thing notice that i recommend mobile wi-fi,
and not the sim card? Mobile wi-fi is a virtually dummy proof way of doing things. There will be no compatibility
issues, but more importantly, you can share your data with travel companions. if you know what you're doing,
and want the phone sim card, then ignore what I just said.
Now, if you find yourself without wi-fi on the go, and you're absolutely in need, convenience stores are the best places to get free access.
So keep that as your backup plan. Close by to the wi-fi rental places kin the airport are also luggage services.
Expect to pay around 2,000 yen to get a suitcase shipped to your accommodation. This might be handy if you're trying to do
some sightseeing before checking in. Now that you have your cash and internet situation worked out, there's a good chance you'll have some basic
bodily functions to take care of. And no, I'm not going to explain how to use
squat toilets because for the most part most washrooms have at least one western-style toilet. No, what I wanted to say
was to enjoy the soap and dry hands, because it may be the last time you enjoy either until you return back to the airport.
Okay, I'm joking, but kind of not. At your hotel, a restaurant, or at
the mall, you'll be able to both clean and dry
your hands. But if you're out and about at a train station or some public
washrooms, I wouldn't count on it. That's why I recommend going to the convenience store to buy
some alcohol wipes or gel and a little hand towel.
Here's what it all looks like if you
an't locate them, and I was able to find them in all the convenience stores I went to. Just show
them these words and the staff will be able to help you.
Actually, in the description I'll put a link to where you can get a cheat sheet
that can help you through the situations I depicted in this video. And while you're at the convenience store, you can
also feel free to stock up on food. Even a relatively healthy dinner. Something I'd like to point out
is that Japan has a fantastic variety of drinks. Both hot and cold, sweet and unsweetened, ready to go. For basic
survival though, you can rely on the water in Tokyo
Which is excellent so don't hesitate for a second to fill up a water bottle if you have, one?
Haneda airport even offers hot water on tap what
Yeah, i was surprised but it was great for the winter time and as an avid park
Goer the water from fountains is up equally good quality so if you're out and about and love water feel
safe filling up on this free source of h2o
Alright now you're eager to get out of the airport and i don't blame you there's so much to see?
Did you get your japan rail
pass
the
Name says japan rail but it's the name of the company and as such it's not a path that will work on all rail lines
But if you're traveling out of the city it's almost, always worthwhile to get this the only catch
Is that you need to buy it before you enter the country
So, make sure to arrange for it before you land if you have
You'd go to this store to pick it up regardless of whether you have the japan rail
Pass or not you'll need to travel on some local lines for which i'd recommend using a pasmo or suika ic card
While suika and pasmo are public transit tap and pay cards for tokyo's transportation networks
They, actually work on most trains and buses all around the country, so don't fret if you're, leaving the mega city
There are some notable exceptions but that's, why
You, bring cash as a backup so getting the card is very easy all you do is go to the automated machine and follow
The english instructions
Luckily i found a rarely used one so here's the ultra exciting footage of me
pretending to order one and no i didn't buy
It i'm making youtube money what kind of budget do you think i have as you
may Have noticed the screen prompts you to pay a 500 yen deposit
But you can get it back plus whatever balance you have left, when you're leaving the country
So i wouldn't worry too much about trying to put the exact amount. You think you'll need on it
If you're, only going to ride the trains a few times you might think getting individual tickets is simpler but i say
You're, wrong do you, see this map, well every time you, want to go anywhere with tickets
You're, going to have to calculate the cost of the trip then enter the cash into a machine it's time-consuming and confusing, why
worry
When you can simply tap away you sometimes even get a small discount
Just to not freak you out if you enter the wrong amount on your ticket or?
Run out of funds on your ic card just, go to the ticket attendant, and they'll help. You sort it out
And that's a person you, also want to talk to when you're done your trip in japan
Remember that deposit, well you can get it back, by talking to this person to test out how
Much japanese you need to know are not to accomplish this i went up to the attendant and muttered return
blue-blue gate blue one blue one oh
Oops, wrong booth i was trying to return the pasmo card at
Junior, which issues suika cards not pass moe cards not a problem though because that nattie to airport
both lines are right next to each other so i popped on over to the case a side and
returned
hey, mom
It was that easy to get my, money back?
No, japanese required i would like to point out that i do at least know
Enough, japanese to fumble, my, way through but it really, was trying to test and see if someone with
No, japanese would have any trouble at least at the airport
Where i'm sure returning i see cards is very common you should have, no trouble whatsoever
Back to my, advise against, buying tickets, while i do recommend against it if you know
That you'll be doing a lot of travelling in a specific
Area, there are some special passes that could save you a lot for example when, we went to a?
Kona, we got the free, pass which?
Was not free but instead
Enabled you to freely enjoy all the various modes of transportation available in that area all right how
Do you get out of the airport and by
Which transportation method there are taxis buses special trains but i recommend catching normal old train
You can, use your, newly, acquired ic card to ride on them there are no special tickets required
But how, do you know
Which train to catch there are a lot of options and it can be quite confusing there are booths for transportation tickets
Everywhere, well i'll assume you're going on the local trains so if you're at haneda airport, go to the kq
Line if you're at narita go to b1 to find the kc or junior lines, which are right beside
Each other but even then, you'll still need to figure out
When your train comes and when to transfer this is where google maps is your friend it works really
Well is it 100% perfect? No but it's miles ahead of google translate, oh good at. This you wanna catch mass
i
Use it all the time and i've never had, a, major, issue so let's say, you're going to a
Super sento you copy, and paste the address in and let, it work its magic it'll tell you exactly, how
To, get there in general the challenge won't, be knowing the train lines to take but actually finding the line
Because tokyo is a massive city with an equally, massive rail network at
Some stations there can, be 20 plus lines and multiple operators sometimes you'll, also have a station that's run
By, tokyo, metro which is a block away from another station run, by jr.
So, make sure you're, not only getting the station, name right but, also the operator but, back to google maps
While the fairs and train times are quite accurate
And japan's trains are on time so don't be late google maps doesn't account for bumbling around like a tourist
So it may recommend connections that you can hit if you know
Exactly, where you're going, and what you're doing but if you, make the smallest mistake it's easy
to Miss a transfer to another train
Just keep that in mind even the japanese living in tokyo all their life get messed up when navigating the absolutely gigantic train network
Okay, so we're on the train finally, where do we go you're probably a bit wound up from all the travel
So i'd say let's relax a bit how
About going to my, favourite type of place in japan, own shenzhen centos hot springs and public baths
And my family, agrees i've had a few brothers visit?
Me when one of them visited i didn't take him to acento on his first date after he discovered the joy of them he
Was quite upset so when another brother came to visit that's, where he
Went a few hours after arrival and he said it was the perfect thing after a long flight so go to a
Super sento our own sense take a
Soaks, and grab a bite to eat if you're coming from narita i'll even recommend this one along the way?
And just because i'm committed to this video i not only physically, went to the onsen but i also bought the tickets
And went in just for you
Since this is japan you need to take off your shoes and put it in this locker
Securing it with your hundred, yen coin, that you will get back, what i quickly notice
Is that there is absolutely no english in this joint they have automated ticket machines, which i'll show. You how to get through
The first is asking, whether you're a member or not so while you usually
Want to say hi which is yes in japanese when mashing your way through things in this case hit the e button
It takes a, solid press don't judge me then you have to pick what service you
Want pick the one in dead-center which is entering a bath ticket and?
No, you're not done now
you need, to pick what kind of bay there you are i got the idol ticket and then i put the money in and
then i confirmed
I'll pop my ticket and change, oh?
no i forgot the tolls most places don't come with, them so then you go and get the towel and confirm and
Pick up the ticket
This is where you'd take the ticket to the staff at the counter and go in by the way if you have
Luggage the staff can hold it behind the counter for you they
Do have storage lockers in the changing room but it's only big enough for a regular-sized
backpack now
What do you do once in the change room that's for another video your hour is up
But if you search the youtubes there are a lot of people who will show
You the step-by-step everything i've presented so far you can kind of get by without any
Japanese if there is one word i'll teach you though it's sumimasen, or swim ascend it can
Mean this excuse me, sorry, and stank's depending on the context okay if you're wondering about how
to, survive the next 23 hours please let me know, what kind of things, you'd like, to try, and survive i have my
own ideas but i'm curious as to what your biggest concerns may be
Thanks for watching see you next time bye