Better calculate and plan b4 purchasing the unlimited usage pass. For example the Tokyo metro 1/2/3 day pass, if use a lot of the subway throughout the trip then definitely worth it. Another example is I used to stay near the Tokyo metro, from to and back to my place ard the prices of 1 day pass if I used suica instead of the pass. In this case of course it’s a no brainer for me to purchase the pass. But if you stay near jr station, then you will have no choice but to use suica. Jr and Tokyo metro are 2 different thing, Tokyo metro day pass cannot be used on JR and vice versa.

The city you are visiting definitely can use IC card to purchase things, but ultimately Japan is still a very based cash society. Cash is king over there, some places and vending machine still don’t accept suica. Suica is exactly like tng. But if you plan to reload suica on your iPhone, for some reason they only accept Mastercard, all Visa card will get declined. Cc Mastercard can be reload to suica on iPhone but the rate is quite high. Iirc I used my brother maybank to reload 1000 yen almost rm 40+.

What I did was just reload 1000 yen on my phone to activate the card, and when I reach there I only top up more at the 7/11 atm.

Ah so in the end I still best bring more cash lah even for all the vending machines ah.

It’s easier to do in web, fill up everything and just show the qr code to the immigration and customs officer.

Can do manual white card also, but it is encouraged to use the qr code to expedite the process while going through immi and custom.

does the children have to fill up too or there is a category for family application?

Ah so in the end I still best bring more cash lah even for all the vending machines ah.

99% Japan vending machine can pay with Suica / Pasmo / ICACO.  Best way to get rid of coin was  on vending macine , subway ticket machine.

Hey guys, wanna check with you.

I am planning to travel Osaka - Kyoto - Tokyo.

Not getting the JRail pass.

But on the region itself, let's say Osaka - should i get those day pass for an unlimited usage of public transports? Also, I don't plan to take so much cash on me. for the SUICA card, is it very convenient to reload? It's a prepaid card right? Can MY CC be used to reload credit into the SUICA card? SUICA is also usable for public transport like our TnG? Or use to purchase tickets?

Thanks! This is my first time, appreciate if anyone can offer some valuable insights and tips! Thanks!

Want to ask if anyone bought Hybrid Down Coat or Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut) from Uniqlo to Hokkaido with snow and temperature less than 0?

Does it help to prevent cold in the country? The link as per below.

Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut)

Hybrid Down Coat

Hybrid Down Coat 100% useless in Hokkaido Winter
Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut)  I would say 60% useless in Hokkaido Winter.  Neck area just too loose wide open , even fully zip up plus neck area cloth material are thin.

You need something like this, once it fully zip up, it fully cover your neck, feel like it choking it. might get uncomfortable by starting, by once get use to it, it most working in Hokkaido harsh Winter.
0 temperature won't kill you, what kill you is the wind.

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...621-p-2289.html

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...562-p-2698.html

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...105-p-3535.html

Hybrid Down Coat 100% useless in Hokkaido Winter
Seamless Down Parka (3D Cut)  I would say 60% useless in Hokkaido Winter.  Neck area just too loose wide open , even fully zip up plus neck area cloth material are thin.

You need something like this, once it fully zip up, it fully cover your neck, feel like it choking it. might get uncomfortable by starting, by once get use to it, it most working in Hokkaido harsh Winter.
0 temperature won't kill you, what kill you is the wind.

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...621-p-2289.html

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...562-p-2698.html

https://www.columbiaimalaysia.com/products/...105-p-3535.html

Suica/pasmo reload machines are available in all stations, problem is it only accepts cash. If you want to reload via credit card you need to add the Suica card into iPhone e-wallet. All public transport and combinis accepts Suica

It’s only special trains/bus you need to purchase tickets, e.g Fuji express/Snow monkey park/Kamikochi

what I did was withdraw money using Wise from ATM

then reload to Suica periodically

Any recommendations on hotels in Tokyo & Osaka?
Osaka - preferably near the shinkansen & of course safe!
Tokyo - safe, decent and affordable.

I am looking at the APA chain hotels. Wanted to try capsule hotels but sometimes I might want to go back to the room to recuperate alone and i don't feel like staying in youth hostels/capsule hotels.

Please recommend! Thanks!

Any recommendations on hotels in Tokyo & Osaka?
Osaka - preferably near the shinkansen & of course safe!
Tokyo - safe, decent and affordable.

I am looking at the APA chain hotels. Wanted to try capsule hotels but sometimes I might want to go back to the room to recuperate alone and i don't feel like staying in youth hostels/capsule hotels.

Please recommend! Thanks!

Any recommendations on hotels in Tokyo & Osaka?
Osaka - preferably near the shinkansen & of course safe!
Tokyo - safe, decent and affordable.

I am looking at the APA chain hotels. Wanted to try capsule hotels but sometimes I might want to go back to the room to recuperate alone and i don't feel like staying in youth hostels/capsule hotels.

Please recommend! Thanks!

Any recommendations on hotels in Tokyo & Osaka?
Osaka - preferably near the shinkansen & of course safe!
Tokyo - safe, decent and affordable.

I am looking at the APA chain hotels. Wanted to try capsule hotels but sometimes I might want to go back to the room to recuperate alone and i don't feel like staying in youth hostels/capsule hotels.

Please recommend! Thanks!

will be heading back to Japan after 7 years, Osaka - Sapporo - Tokyo next week

can anyone enlighten me about the luggage reservation on trains?

Im planning to buy the haruka train ticket to tennoji, do I need luggage reservation for this train?