Hi everyone, first time visiting Japan and hope to get some guidance -

Arrive Tokyo Narita - Jun 28 7:05 AM
Depart Tokyo Narita - July 2 11:15 AM

Do you recon it will have enough time for Osaka ? - it only took 2 hours 30m to travel between Tokyo and Osaka with Tokaido- Sanyo Shinkansen - seems like US is more fun compare to Disney

Do you think it worth scarifying 2 days on Osaka just for Universal Studio ( I know that is subjective - but just taking other view before considering my option)

thanks

JAL ABC - storage facilities in Narita Airport
https://www.jalabc.com/en/

anyone have experience with them and how reliable the services are ?
Thinking of having them deliver my luggage to hotel on day 1 and collect my luggage at day3 (and collect it at day4 am)

Correct me if wrong, according to the website, Yamato only have counter at Tokyo station but not in Narita terminal.
I'm hoping either to keep my extra luggage at Narita on arrival except for 1-2 and to have those move to the airport 1 day prior to my departure

Found this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRHupDS-kAk

This post has been edited by kienhuia: Oct 4 2023, 04:15 PM

Thanks for all the input Time to plan and will come back shortly for more advise

In your view - is the coin locker around train station reliable and easy to get help - as if the locker is inaccessible - worried if we are unable to withdraw our shopping

https://karaksahotels.com/en/tokyostation/facility/

Seems like a good option
close to tokyo station - look like there is shopping mall and lot of food option too

any idea why tokyo are called tokyo-to ?

Will be flying from Narita at 11:30am - most likely with train

I know karaksa hotel is close to Tokyo station so seem ideal for us to checkout and catch the train around 7am reaching 8ish with 3hours to check in

Any idea if I can safely do so with the below accommodation ? will be travelling with a 8years old. Unsure on timing and travel time to transit at tokyo station

Hotel Nihonbashi Saibo
Century Southern Tower Hotel
Hundred Stay Tokyo

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pdf/press_20220304_nex_e.pdf

found the schedule and it seem 7-9am is peak time for the station

some question for the wise one

Wise card -
You have 2 free withdrawals each month - does operate base on calendar date -(ie reset every 1st of the month) - presume the normal standard is to convert to yen and withdraw at ATM in Yen when arriving Japan at appox 30k yen per transaction (given anything over that will be charge additional 1.75%)

question - onward to third transaction, there will fees associate with the withdrawal, will each yen be charge at 1.75% on top of the fees ?

Since I will be travelling between 28 and 2 of the month, presume I will be able to withdraw 120k yen. will that be sufficient cash for the stay of 4 days ?

Presume we can use wise card as debit visa for other payment in yen when available (understand that will be the best option to avoid cr card transaction fees)

Wondering if it is possible to convert extra yen on card to other currency after the trip?

is Keisei Skyliner Train reliable ?

Seems like the train depart more frequent from Ueno and shorter journey to Narita too.

Maybe staying near ueno keisei station will work better for my departure ? any idea on the surrounding area ?

any suggestion what to buy as souvenir ?
Tokyo banana - read it is avail at ISetan ... any other suggestion ?

also any particular store to buy cosmetic ? @Cosme ?

This post has been edited by kienhuia: Nov 6 2023, 01:12 PM

Can anyone provide guidance regarding the Wise Card?

I recently placed an order for my Wise Card and made the payment using a credit card. I am aware of the fees associated with the credit card advance, as they were clearly specified during the card ordering process. (no issue here)

I am attempting to add Japanese Yen (JPY) to the card using another credit card for payment. The transaction details mention both credit card fees and our (Wise) fees. In this scenario, will I incur additional charges for cash advance?

If I make a transaction in Japan, when the payment system detect it as a foreign currency payment, will the payment console prompt me to choose between paying in Japanese Yen (JPY) or my residential currency? (assuming it will be the as when withdraw from ATM) - do we need to configure anything for this to happen ?

Assuming when there is insufficient JPY on the card, the regular credit card process will take place - ie forex conversion + fees associate to it


Many Thanks

Additional question -

Is there any tips to secure a booking for cafe such as pokemon cafe or other popular cafe ?

Did try booking for pokemon cafe when the tix released but traffic is so congested and when it work again all seat is gone (within min)

Simply trying to avoid using bank account for security reason and credit card limit can be manageable
The question thou, will it incur cash advance fees ? - it was not mentioned in the transaction (besides when order the card)
Additional to that, I do have allowance on account to remove/reduce the fees (like 900k Yen without any fees at all)

Additionally, since the transaction include cr card fees, I assume it will be similar to retail transaction where they charge 1-3% to cover their bank charges hence it shouldnt be consider as cash advance (just unsure if my theory is true)

*wrong card option but debit and credit card option charges the same if I recall

This post has been edited by kienhuia: Jan 7 2024, 06:05 AM


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My worried is about loading money to the card with Cr Card - replied from wise as below



When you set up a transfer and choose a payment method - credit card, on the review you will see the total fee we are going to charge you.

However, the bank that issued your card might charged an extra fee — often called a ‘cash advance’.



Some banks charge an extra fee when you use your card for a transfer. It works like this:

When you pay for your transfer, Wise assigns a number called a Merchant Category Code (MCC) to your payment. MCCs help financial institutions categorise the kind of payment they’re processing.

Wise passes this MCC on to your bank — it’s always 4829 or 6012, which indicates that your payment is a ‘wire’ or ‘money order’.

Once the MCC we’ve assigned reaches your bank, they can choose how to charge for it. Some banks charge a fee for certain MCCs.



For instance, banks sometimes charge your transfer as a ‘cash advance’ or ‘cash withdrawal’. And this could come with an extra charge.

Wise doesn’t support this practice. But unfortunately, we have no control over it. It’s totally at the discretion of the bank that issued your card.

To check, whether this applies to you please call your bank and check how they charge for the MCC assigned to your payment.

If they’ve charged it as a cash advance or cash withdrawal, ask them why — and explain that the payment was not cash-related. They may be able to help.

waiting for bank to confirm but seem like an odd question but really curious to figure that out

On google -

MCC 6012 is used for Financial Institutions – Merchandise and Services and other similar services.

Merchant category code 4829 for Money Orders – Wire Transfer

Given Wise is charging in local currency, both shouldnt incur additional charges for conversion services

I did local money transfer to MYR years ago and I'm sure the bank did not charge me base on cash advance

I am yet to get confirmation from my local bank but to clarify

1) there are two charges from wise - Wise fees and credit card fees
2) what I am seeking for clarification if there is any additional fees from local bank when I "add money" into the card with Cr Card

Reason, trying not to expose my bank account and I do have credit to offset item 1

Is @COSME the best place to buy J cosmetic stuff ? or overprice even after tax rebate ? any other recommendation beside Don Quijote

Hey, quick update on the issue above - credit card payment with Wise
1) as we know and displayed in Wise transaction - there is Wise fees and Credit card fees (that not the question)
2) spoke with NZ bank (but might apply to MY too) - those code provided by Wise are useless to them and after digging further the back office believe those transaction are consider as "Cosy Cash Advance" and as such there wont be charges to it but have to wait for end of month statement to confirm
3) the bank description is as such that cosy cash advance is not physical cash out hence dont fall into the category
4) statement out and no extra fees incur

Hi, need suggestion to help plan my trip

I'm planning a trip with arrival and departure times from Narita Airport as follows:

June 28, 7 am: Arrival
July 2, 11 am: Departure
December 15, 7 am: Arrival
December 19, 11 am: Departure

Wondering if it's feasible to tour regions outside of Tokyo, specifically Hokkaido or Osaka on one of the trip or I should be concerned about potential weather-related service interruptions if heading to Hokkaido in December? - or perhaps I should just spend those time in Tokyo

Also, interested in understanding the current state of over tourism in Japan. Wondering if public transportation, like trains, is typically overcrowded.

I'm seeking advice on accommodation for 3 adults and 1 child. We've already booked with Karaksa Hotel Colours Tokyo, which is about 600 meters away from Tokyo Station. Although it's a bit pricey, our main goal is to ensure we catch the Narita Express (NEX) by 7 am at Tokyo Station (from earlier research other station might not have access to NEX prior that and trasitting with luggage can be challenging), as our flight departs at 11 am. However, since we may have multiple luggage pieces, navigating might still be challenging. We're considering airport transport services (book via klook) for both directions but are unsure about the reliability and potential charges if we exceed the free waiting time due to customs delays or which might be a better option to stay at if we were to opt with airport transport

Thanks