dear all,

would like to ask where to stay in takayama for single occupancy?
Going there for 2 nights 12 to 14 April but seems limited rooms available and the rest very expensive.

Japan Highway Buses got toilet. Traffic Jam part. That depends on your luck

Starting tomorrow, 7 March 2023
Japan govt lift off all restriction on China tourist. Japan Economy & Tourist sector cannot survive without big spender.
Japan Govt urged all mall / shop / tourist spot management get ready for big flow of Chinese tourist coming soon.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Mar 5 2023, 06:12 PM

I guess their recent update are going backwards, previously I have no problem using my mastercard to buy tickets from JR. only Visa, occasionally have problem.

Last december they introduced loading shinkansen ticket into IC Card and can do it via their new updated machine. Unfortunately, this update rejects both my Visa n Mastercard. (Some foreigners encounter same problem). Had to purchase thru their counter and mastercard went thru.

No problem buying shinkansen via the smart ex app. Jr central is ok.

The jr im talking about is jr east. They seem to operate on a different system

Dumb question…. Which is better in terms of booking and seat reservation?

Will be going to both Shirakawago and Kamikochi, individual bus tickets from Takayama is just a fraction cheaper than the Alpico 4 day alps pass
https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/alps-wide-free-...official_global

And I can book Takayama-Shirakawago bus online but not the Takayama-Kamikochi, did I miss anything?

Just curious, have you tried calling your issuing bank to check what the decline reason was?

Planning to book the Fuji excursion also in the next 2 weeks as well

Because Kamikochi reopen at Mid April & normally reservation open at Kamikochi around Mid - End of March.

I'm touching down at Kansai Airport at 5:45am in May (after Golden Week ends) but I don't think I can exchange the Osaka Amazing Pass (pre-purchase in Malaysia) that early based on the counter operating hours stated.

I tried checking Youtube videos but these are mostly filmed during normal working hours. Are you guys able to get the OAP in KIX in the early mornings or have no choice but to exchange your passes at the train stations/tourist info counters once the offices open?

Yeah, it states 17/4 on their official website… I’ll monitor closely these few weeks, thanks bro

Touch Down 5:45, Taxi to Gate will be 6am. Once you depart out from Aicraft walk to Imigration Center + half way Toilet + Collect Luggage + Walk out from Japan Custom already 7am.

Kansai Airport Tourist Infomation Center opens at 7am which you can exchange your Kansai Amazing Pass.

Hi i did call the bank. Bank was online with me as I tried to book and gave me all sort of reasons like its a saturday, maybe jp system offline maybe they upgrading
Then bank said not their side issue and ask me to try again the next day

Useless..i dont think is bank problem...is jp side.

Anyone used Wise card in Japan yet? Do most F&Bs there accept card?

I'm thinking to park in my JPY in Wise instead of converting at money changer in cash.

Tried in Tokyo - majority of F&B and shops accept Wise as long as they take Master/Visa. But you need cash for those smaller shops or family run biz.

Definitely risky to not hold any cash even though all accept Wise?

Cash is king in Japan society.
Cash over card

Got it. Btw, by any chance you also tried Japan atm withdrawal with the card too?

Because authorisation is immediate, it’s either the issuer bank receives the transaction or not, if they get the transaction the decline reason is obvious, unless they didn’t receive at all then can’t check anything

Anyway, I’ll know when I try it next week

I contacted Wise and they said as long as the ATM accepts Visa card, withdrawal is possible

When you going bro? Mine is next month, I’ll let you know if can withdraw

Still long way to go actually, in November. But exchange rate seems not bad at the moment which is why I figured I park in some money in Wise first.

Thanks do share your field report for the atm withdrawal

Went to rinku to buy gshock. Surveyed shinshaibushi . Rinku cheaper little bit.

My mistake is i use c.card. got additional charges more than 10% percent after minus tax. Should've use cash. Now my cash use to purchase souvenir/choc only haihz