Hi Sifu

I am going to Osaka but will take a train to Kyoto first. Any tips on what kind of JR pass I should get?

To answer your 1st question, no such thing in japan for places i have been to (central japan, kyoto, osaka, tokyo). Everything charged as per price written be it cash or card. I only use it at restuarant and department store la.

If you are using wise, no extra charges whatsoever, from spending at BIC camera to small individual vendors. Been using it here for the past two weeks. Unless you are retrieving cash here using ATM then there will be a 7% charges.

Something like this.
https://voyapon.com/japan-atm-withdraw-cash/

All ATM machine in convenience store (7-11/Lawson/Family Mart) are accept international card.

Their answer are correct.

Any ATM in Japan that supports credit card (VISA) withdrawal, you can withdraw using WISE card. Just look for VISA logo at the ATM. Domestic ATM that just support local bank card do not have VISA/Cirrus logo on their ATM

Yup. Retrieved at one of family mart outlet and it’s straightforward. Any of lawson or 7-11 will do the job as well and they are literally everywhere. Do remember to bring enough cash here though if you are visiting more kampung places.

In Eye of Edokko, all outside of Tokyo consider as Kampung.
As other capital cities, Okinawa are Kampung.
In eyes of Okinawa people, a placed don't have convenience store consider as Kampung.
So, Shirakawago, Kamikochi are consider as Kampung.  Takayama 10 years ago are Kampung, When I first visit Takayama, it is classified as Kampung. 

As foreigners, all spot outside of capital cities of Prefectures are consider as Kampung.  Example, Nagoya are capital of Aichi Prefectures.

Anyone brought their family to Japan recently?
Does kids below 12 require 3rd vaccination to enter?

According to Visit Japan Web, if the kid doesn't have 3rd jab, He is not able to allow to upload the vaccination cert (although have 2 jab)
Does that mean he has to do PCR test 72 hours b4 flight?

Hi all.
Want to ask about JR pass

1. Since I need to do return trip Tokyo osaka
I guess it's cheaper to buy JR pass right?

2. The hotel I'm staying doesn't have people manning the lobby. Can I order online and pick up from JR station instead?

3. How much more expensive if buying physical at Japan compare to online?

Japan Golden Week reservation will not open for foreigners. All reservation reserved for Japanese local. If you travel to Japan within Golden week. Then just stay inside Tokyo. Forget about Hakone, Lake Kawaguchiko, Nikko, Aomori, anything......Just only Tokyo.

Your itenary won't work. No way you can return to Tokyo from Tohoku because already hit Golden Week. Tohoku Shinkansen need Reserve seat.  You need back to Tokyo by 27 April.

Japan highway traffic jam in golden week start min 4 hours above. Highest ever record was 7 hrs jam. Specially leaving Tokyo heading to Shizuoka part. Nagoya to Osaka another 2-4 hrs Jam
Tokyo to heading North East will be jam at Fukushima, Sendai

Flight & Train will be fully booked out. Japanese people work 365 days only rest in Golden Holiday & 1st of Jan.
They don't care any Remembrance Day.....This is only holiday I can rest in entire year. 

All famous restraurant will be packed with people, famous item in menu will be sold out fast. I give you a example.
My favourite ramen in Kyoto 麺屋 猪一.  Dinner open at 17:30, All ramen already sold out at 18:00, People even start line up Q at 16:00 

Golden Week for me, even you survive the transport part...you won't get a chances to taste all famous restraurant. My Golden week in Japan, 90% of my Dinner are Family Mart , Lawson & Seicomart (Hokkaido) & my favorite working day survival food restaurant chain which I will post soon on my coming Birthday. 

Today was my Birthday. It also mean Tips of the Year. 

As you guys know I work & stay at Japan many many years. This list will be my weekdays lunch & dinner when I was working at Japan. 80% Japanese weekdays meal also. Price from 700 - 1800 Yen. All food in list are taste normal, don't expect any WOW factor....This is Japanese everday meal. Don't later come back write in forum saying Regent Cid recomemded CB taste shop.

Sukiya & Yoshinoya as most of people already knew it, so it won't be inside the list.
Most of the restraurant in list can be found around Japan / Tokyo but I mostly lepak at Ikebukuro.

Ootoya 大戸屋
https://www.ootoya.com/menu/
Recomemded Seat Meal
My Favorite are 国産牛のすき鍋定食
Taste not the greatest, but compare to 100 years old Sukiyaki restraurant minimum starting at 4000 - 16000 Yen. This Ootoya Sukiyaki just 1490 Yen + unlimited refill of rice.

Matsuya 松屋
https://www.matsuyafoods.co.jp/matsuya/menu/
Set Meal & Beef Don are delicious.
My Favorite are ブラウンソースエッグハンバーグ定食 (Hamburger Meat Set Meal) 

Nikusushi 肉寿司
https://nikusushi.ne.jp/menu/
My Favorite are 炙り肉寿司盛り合わせ + 200-300Yen Beef Sushi
2000 Yen can be very full.

いづも 池袋
https://r.gnavi.co.jp/hkck36me0000/menu2/
My Favorite are Yakitori & Eel Rice Bowl うな丼 並
Eel Rice Bowl taste good but not the greatest...wow factor none...But Tokyo any 100 years old Eel Specialty restraurant starting price are 4500 - 8000 Yen
This shop just 1/4 price and portion are 1/2 size bigger.

Cafe Gusto ガスト
https://www.skylark.co.jp/en/gusto/paper_me...tern/index.html
My Favorite are Hamburger Steak Meal 

Bikkuri Donkey びっくりドンキー
https://www.bikkuri-donkey.com/prefecture/tokyo/
My favorite are Hamburger Steak with Pineapple + Extra Cheese + Vanilla Icecream

Hanamaru udon はなまるうどん
https://www.hanamaruudon.com/menu/
This Malaysia also got but in Japan, this is the cheapest Udon which Japanese worker No.1 choice
Not necessary go Japan to try since Malaysia also got but Udon lover....Good selection 

Suage Hokkaido Soup Curry 北海道スープカレーSuage  - Shibuya Branch 
https://suage.info/stores/shibuya/
Most of Japanese curry are thick & sweet side. This is soup base curry!!  This is the way!
My favorite are パリパリ知床鶏と7種の野菜カレ + Rice 350g (100 Yen)

Eggbomb 男のオムライス EGG BOMB
https://www.dd-holdings.jp/brands/eggbomb/
Japanese Omelette Rice + Fried chicken
Taste very normal actually....but the portion really big.... Price & portion ratio...very worth

Yayoi やよい軒
https://www.yayoiken.com/menu_list/index/13
My favorite are ハンバーグとエビフライとから揚げの人気トリオ定食  Popular Trio Set [Chicken + beef + Shrimp]  /// 【牛豚鶏】倍盛・焼肉ざんまい定食  [Beef + Chicken + Pork]
My Favorite restraurant in the whole list

Yakiniku Like 焼肉ライク
https://yakiniku-like.com/menu.html
My favorite are No.1 4 meat choice (Beef) 1750 Yen + Highball + Beer........Life cannot be more better !! 
My Favorite bbq meat restraurant. All DIY.
Each person got it own small stove to BBQ the meat, Best BBQ store for foreveralone people 

Tendon Tenya 天丼てんや
https://www.tenya.co.jp/menu/
I prefer Cold Soba + Tempura set more.
Taste ok.....but cheap way to eat Soba + tempura set meal under 1000 Yen.  Cannot ask for more.

Obihiro Butaichi  豚丼一番ぶたいち  Inside Ikebukuro Sunshire City Building 3F
http://www.obihiro-butaichi.com/menu/butadon/
Whole shop only sell one item ......Grill XL Pork Cutlet Don
This shop either you eat at Obihiro (Hokkaido) or Ikebukuro (Tokyo)
Hokkaido Grill Pork are Perfection but sauce might abit more on sweeter side

Katsuya かつや
https://www.arclandservice.co.jp/katsuya/menu/
My favorite are 海老ヒレメンチカツ定食 
The pork soup included in set meal are damm delicious ...better than other only serving Miso soup.
Hope you guys like the List.

hi everyone,
I am trying to buy train ticket of jr east tokyo to kawaguchiko

but whenever i go to payment, it says card not verified. OR verify already I ask to send OTP i never received it. I try so many times

can anyone advise me how to purchase the tickets pls thanks

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

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.

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

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