All links mentioned in this video on one free PDF: drive.google.com/file/d/1jisLU_Xcj8POcishY46twjkJEIZnpPLG/view?usp=share_link including hotels, transport info, eSim, when to go, language tips and more. Any other topics or questions that might be good for a future video, let me know! Thanks for watching as ever. :)
@jefrykeren4 ай бұрын
I think to note is the availability of ic transport card. Either u get the digital card (assuming you have iphone and apple pay) or get the manual card. It is still available if u land in kansai(icoca)..but in tokyo is different thing. Very hard to get the permanent ic card.atm passno passport or welcome suica at haneda.
@carolinaa.44074 ай бұрын
The little details you add (like which side of the train to sit to see Mount Fuji) are what makes you such a great travel guide 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@Pitman334 ай бұрын
The humour and informative value is what keeps me coming back. I'm actually landing in Tokyo on April 29, Golden week. I'll be in Japan for 7 weeks this time, staying in Okubo, Ginza and Asakusa. It's my favourite city in the world. Thanks again!
@ic21334 ай бұрын
Same I’m landing April 27 🤦♀️ hotels weren’t crazy expensive but damn I wish I knew. Was the only time I could get off from work :(
@redfish3374 ай бұрын
@@ic2133 GW is fine. Just don't plan to do stuff with lines (eg Disneyland, etc) if you can at all help it. Some things will be busy. On the other hand, it is often a lot more lively and fun.
@Super_Mario2044 ай бұрын
May 2nd myself, first time in Japan and can't wait to get lost in anime shops ^^
@gailcrockett98834 ай бұрын
Arriving end of September for 2 months in Morioka - northeast Pacific seacoast region. Day trip planned to Tokyo and Sendai. Been to Japan twice before. First time vidited during Golden Week and second time in fall.
@neverbeaten3 ай бұрын
How is the golden week so far? I avoided it to escape some crowds. Will be there on 12th may hopefully.
@stephenjohnson55894 ай бұрын
I’ve been to Japan. I never felt so safe in cities. Language wasn’t a problem.
@jeremyrogers51034 ай бұрын
Brilliant video - as always! I lived in Tokyo as a kid (1960-4) and as a result of your video (will check the others) am now stimulated to plan a trip in 2025!
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Oh wow. That’s going to be quite the change!!!
@chami56094 ай бұрын
Thank you! Will watch. Did our first trip last year thanks to your previous videos. Next time - want to venture further afield - from the usual Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and the Onsens. Would really love to see some material on other places in Japan.
@petrareslova42754 ай бұрын
I have to say that I am always impressed by the level of detail and practical tips you include in your videos! Hands down the most useful vlogs I have found on KZbin. Thanks a lot! 😊
@rachelfloyd58654 ай бұрын
I love your videos! Always so informative and entertaining! Thank you!!!
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@costasworldofmusicmemories57924 ай бұрын
You have hit all the right notes in this wonderful guide for the first time visitor. Harriet and I have been many times. Every time you visit , you discover new places. I don't think you can see it all in a lifetime. A great starting point with this video. Well Done Mate!👍 Sending you and Chiaki (got her name right haha) much love❤ from Jim and Harriet
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks both! Yeah I feel like I’m still scratching the surface!
@kathleenenglish30754 ай бұрын
I greatly appreciate how you convey important information without being condescending.
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thank you. That’s about as good of a compliment as I can get.
@user-ds8rj2vc4v4 ай бұрын
Fantastic video. I look forward to more from your Japan visit.
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks. It’ll be sprinkled over the next 6 months I reckon!
@deeparajagopan4 ай бұрын
Thank you for another great video on Japan, just returned from a trip. Whatever you have mentioned in the video is perfect , relevant information. We had an amazing time as a family , we used only public transport and it wasn’t hard at all using Google maps. We started planning with your old videos in Japan. Waiting for your next videos and plan another trip . Thank you for doing this
@nirvanaramdin98112 ай бұрын
Your videos inspire me as I love learning about the different countries and have visited a few. Thank you for all your videos. Amazing
@SuitcaseMonkey2 ай бұрын
Thank you. Much appreciated
@MsCanadianpie4 ай бұрын
Great video for first timers. Also you can withdraw cash from ATM's inside the post office. I find the pictures on the menu quite helpful so I never really had a problem ordering. As for etiquette, dont be loud. This applies especially inside public transportation. And Okinawa is a great place to visit. Great people, cheap seafood. And also i can recommend visiting Nagoya. Most people's perception of Japan is Tokyo but if you go outside of that, you will discover it isn't all skyscrapers. Enjoy the countryside and other cities. And food isn't expensive unless of course you go to a higher end restaurants. I find eating out cheaper there than in Toronto plus i don't have to tip at all 😂.
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the extra thoughts much appreciated
@FalcomScott3124 ай бұрын
I always find these travel vlogs very helpful for new people who want to travel to beautiful countries like Japan and thanks for sharing Paul!
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Cheers
@FalcomScott3124 ай бұрын
@@SuitcaseMonkey Keep up the great work!
@flowersflowers4734 ай бұрын
Really great video - thank you so much! I hope that the Japan tourism Org uses this video to their benefit!
@aussieanne68124 ай бұрын
Another great video - thanks. Excellent tips for my next visit to Japan.
@cindymarasligiller21154 ай бұрын
I have been to Japan 4 times. You are spot on. ❤️ Okinawa
@robertbl75004 ай бұрын
Hi 👋, Thank you so much for helping me, myself and I for other informative and entertaining video!!! 👏✌️
@karenshaw87244 ай бұрын
Really helpful video - we’re off to Japan in September. On an organised tour, but your tips will still be a great help to us. Thank you! 😊X
@robertward5768Ай бұрын
Hello from California. Love these inspiring Japan videos! Looking forward to the Hiroshima/Okinawa vlog.
@barbaraheck56384 ай бұрын
Super helpful video! Along with alleviating logistical travel questions, the part I appreciated most was the itinerary tips.
@YaroslavKutukov4 ай бұрын
Great video and lots of useful info, thank you very much!
@craigcarlson40224 ай бұрын
I lived there briefly nearly 40 years ago, loved it, and have been wanting to get back there again. Thanks for doing this video, it is a great nudge! Ahhhh, your video of the food options! Love it. ;-)
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
GET IT BOOKED!
@KillerTacos544 ай бұрын
This is such a great video idea, thank you!
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the questions!
@michaels3003Ай бұрын
This was a real pleasure to watch and very informative.
@SuitcaseMonkeyАй бұрын
You’re welcome
@rbfndz4 ай бұрын
That egg sandwich, is the reason I always reserve my breakfast solely for that for all 7days of my 1week trip in japan
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Haha soooo good
@karenalvarez75454 ай бұрын
Egg sandwich from where?
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
They’re everywhere. All as good as each other
@drewcorry50564 ай бұрын
I absolutely have no worries
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
😎
@nadiabarrett51954 ай бұрын
this kind of concerns-address video is very helpful! maybe a good idea for other locations, too
@ericl55124 ай бұрын
Thank you for the thorough information this is so helpful!
@sk-lation75834 ай бұрын
Great Video! Informative and entertaining als always. Loved the "stupid way" to ask for an english menu 😂❤
@jenniferalbert9104 ай бұрын
Stunning and so informative!
@SocialChannelStudios4 ай бұрын
Your travel guide and tips are really helpful and informative! Keep up the fantastic work!
@DCSWCCkingpin13 ай бұрын
HUGE thumbs up. Excellent information and excellent presentation.
@SeanONeill-wx4re2 ай бұрын
This is EXCELLENT. I`ve lived in Tokyo for 7 Years and will send this onto friends when they next visit Japan. (PS: I got hold of your channel when watching your Porto - 4 days? - video. Will comment there as well).
@SuitcaseMonkey2 ай бұрын
Thank you. And welcome to the channel
@SPISheste3 ай бұрын
I can vouch on #1, before my trip last year I taught myself basic Japanese and my friend knew none, but we had an awesome trip with language being an issue only once 🤗
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the plus one!
@ReiwaMagi3 ай бұрын
For the Public Transportation part, most of the major cities have quite decent ways to get around. Its only once you get into inaka like prefectures such as Shimane, Yamaguchi, and Saga Prefecture is where you need to consider driving which requires an International Drivers Permit.
@Creativecatalystpodcast4 ай бұрын
Great info on this one dude!
@the_canadian_dust_maker78523 ай бұрын
Awesome, thank you very much for the video, very useful.
@athenamitchell7903 ай бұрын
I’m so surprised at your “Don’t go to Disneyland” comments! I went to both parks at the beginning of April and I thought it was so laid back and chill😂 I cannot believe how lucky I was to avoid those crowds!
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Haha. Check out my Disney video for what it was like for me in February (which is in theory quieter than April). But, just to clarify, my point isn’t to say don’t go to Disneyland. I was responding to people whose specific concern was about Japan being too crowded. So, my advice to those people is, don’t go to Disneyland. 😝
@yannitdexteridis58254 ай бұрын
good video
@agatha81742 ай бұрын
I love your videos, you are so funny as usual!
@kevlarcardhouse2524 ай бұрын
Great video! Returning to Japan for another trip this Fall. I agree with a lot of your points. At the risk of sounding like the decrepit Gen-Xer that I am, I think social media has done a disservice to warping minds of people who haven't been able to travel much before. 1) Everyone hears the stories of Kobe steakhouses, extremely fancy sushi spots or square watermelons that cost insane amounts of money and think that is the norm. The reality is any morning that my hotel doesn't offer breakfast, I just grab a hot milk tea or coffee and an onigiri at a nearby Family Mart using my spare change. 2) The country is chock full of temples and shrines, so if you hate crowds you can stumble across some even in central Kyoto and Tokyo that are very quiet. Likewise, walk down one or two streets from the main "tourist" blocks and you will still be in a similar environment and also be completely to yourself. 3) I agree on the etiquette thing, which actually applies to nearly any country. People feel like they are bound to cause a national incident by mistake. In reality, maybe the wait staff will be annoyed you didn't follow proper protocol the first few times but most other locals don't care. Just be nice and willing to learn and not some jerk defacing a bamboo tree and you'll be fine.
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Thanks. Great points, especially that Japan is super busy in pockets and it’s so easy to just wander off and find an empty area.
@ExploreEstate4 ай бұрын
Nice tips. Number one is very important as Japanese take cleanliness very serious.
@user-pr8ri1hf1lАй бұрын
Thanks!
@SuitcaseMonkeyАй бұрын
Much appreciated
@leehunt73204 ай бұрын
This was wonderful 🎉
@psprog3 ай бұрын
Yeah - I was amazed how cheap Japan is. Returned from my 2nd trip last month and heading over again in July. It's so cheap out there! Myself and 2 friends ate at a KuRa (conveyor sushi) in Shibuya we had loads , beers, cakes etc the whole thing came to less than £30 total.
@autumncarolynnphotography3 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for this!! So informative! 🙂
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Welcome to the channel
@urban97872 ай бұрын
Great episode and valuable information; as Google Maps requires an internet connection, I have the METRO app on my phone: hundreds of cities/areas worldwide can be accessed. Once a specific location is downloaded the information is available offline. The directions aren‘t as precise as Google, but as a backup or for full-time offline use I find it perfect. So far I always made it home after a day out in the jungle that is Tokyo!
@SuitcaseMonkey2 ай бұрын
Hey thank. I always download the google map area when travelling there as it helps with data. I also always just purchase an e sim so have data in the country I’m in as it makes transport and finding food so much easier once I’m there
@mahmoodali884 ай бұрын
Thank you for this fantastic video!
@gilliandrysdale53064 ай бұрын
thanks for that ❤
@susandoeberl80773 ай бұрын
Love this video. Thank you.
@ElijahNetzel4 ай бұрын
Thanks for the great info on the trains! Definitely going to be my biggest challenge. Thank the gods I already have a sucia card, so hopefully it won't be to bad lol
@JeremyDHoward4 ай бұрын
your videos are amazing ill be in Japan may1-8 this is helping a lot
@MauriceReed-gh4uj2 ай бұрын
nice video
@Onelesstraveledby3 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing, excellent!
@josephmoore-hazelett15594 ай бұрын
Found you from your email to The Fix with Todd Martin!
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Oh hey welcome to the channel! Thanks for checking us out!
@Destinavigator3 ай бұрын
👋🏼 Small struggling Travel Channel here. I love your content, thanks for this great video! You inspire me to keep grinding my channel, maby one day I’ll grow as big as you 🥲
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Thank you. We are all struggling in one way or the other so I have empathy with your situation. It’s tough. The best advise I have is to keep going as long as it’s good for your mental health and you’re still enjoying it mostly, and be true to yourself. All the best.
@Destinavigator3 ай бұрын
@@SuitcaseMonkey thank you for that 😊
@qhadj53874 ай бұрын
Train in japan is fairly expensive compared to Europe. Same with metro bus etc.
@CharlesXavier2 ай бұрын
If you haven't already, I hope you guys can visit Hong Kong, Macau or China one day. They can't be missed!
@SuitcaseMonkey2 ай бұрын
Hey. Closest we have is a Taipei video from late last year, if you haven’t seen that.
@CharlesXavier2 ай бұрын
@@SuitcaseMonkey That's cool. Taiwan's awesome. Though still, there's so much more to see in China when it comes to food and culture.
@SuitcaseMonkey2 ай бұрын
@CharlesXavier I’ve been to HK and along the coast of china from Laos to HK. Just before my filming days
@CharlesXavier2 ай бұрын
@@SuitcaseMonkey Nice. Sure hope China's on your list of travels then. 😉 I'd recommend Beijing and Shanghai, plus some of the rural places too.
@samajier25664 ай бұрын
I like traveling
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
I like turtles
@Mickeytravel2 ай бұрын
👍👍👍
@samajier25663 ай бұрын
Hello my frend,,,
@HanHsu9103 ай бұрын
I don’t agree with this. May is the best time to travel. Travel the day after golden week ended and it is not busy at all at Disney and all the attractions. I always go the day after golden week. My 4th time going in a couple days.
@psprog3 ай бұрын
After my 3rd trip in July I plan to go in May next year. I went late May last year, though had 3 complete write off continuous rainy days but that's the luck of the weather draw...
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Good to know thanks for adding!
@markjones27814 ай бұрын
Monkey my darling, I'm in the early stages of planning a tip to Japan in the fall of 2025. My current notion is to arrive in Osaka for a few nights and maybe explore Nara. I might avoid Kyoto. My view of over tourism is that it is best dealt with by just not going there. Next, I thought of four nights at Takamastu exploring the art and islands of the Sotouchi 2025 arts festival. In contrast, I thought I would then spend a week or so on the Nakasendo Trail. Walking from village to village is my kind of thing, and the self-guided tour packages look look like a fun option. After this I thought I would avoid Tokyo. Again, over tourism is over tourism, but also the place seems totally youth orientated. Rather than head to Tokyo, I thought Kanazawa might be fun for a few nights. Mini Kyoto with gardens and all that. Perhaps then back to Osaka for a quick getaway. What do you think? M🙂
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Hey. Sounds amazing. My only thought is to maybe have a think about Tokyo. Since so many people live there I don’t find it touristy at all. Especially if you don’t go to tourist places if you like to see the other side. But since you’re going to Osaka yeah this could work great for you and give you a really unique time. Enjoy!
@redfish3374 ай бұрын
In my experience of Kyoto and Japanese tourism in general (admittedly only the pre-covid levels of tourism- but the quite high levels immediately before), 95% of tourists are in < 5% of the city. You're already thinking stuff that's off the beaten path- avoiding tourists is easy. Kinkakuji is the famous example of terrible crowds... the problem with Kinkakuji is it's tiny. It can't support being on all the tourist lists. You want to do certain cultural stuff which is great. You should do stuff to your interest. Just understand that if you do certain cultural things in Tokyo or Kyoto it will literally be you and a room/hall full of Japanese people. If it's not in some tourist booklet it's like it doesn't exist to them.
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Great point
@Sylviatini4 ай бұрын
Do you realize that tourist spot in kyoto like fushimi inary, kiyomizudera, bamboo forest arashiyama have cemetary inside ?
@scottsworld4 ай бұрын
Hay fever?! I hear hay fever/pollen is bad all year (thanks to USA planting a million non-native trees, post-War). Any tips? Thinking of a February holiday
@FluffyBunny90024 ай бұрын
I'm mostly worried about my phone not working. I have a prepaid phone from StraightTalk, and they couldn't give me a consistent answer on whether it will work or not with an eSim or Japanese SIM at the airport. I'll find out the hard way.
@Lyces4 ай бұрын
Can you cover up your tattoo if it's fairly small with some skin coloured tape or patch and use the public onsens without bothering anyone?
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Hey. Sorry I don’t know the specifics as it isn’t something I’ve needed to look into as I don’t have tattoos. I’m sure if you do a google or KZbin search someone will have said their experience.
@ryashrahealingtarot17763 ай бұрын
Hi I just found your videos, my daughter and I are going to Japan in August, and funnyly I was thinking of not really spending much time in Oaska and Kyoto, (I am landing there), but only stay for two days then go to Oita and hir a car, exploring that island for 6 days stopping at a different booked place each night till we get to the opposite side of the island, stay for two or so nights then fly to toyko to Disneyland, have to go, I am from Australia and we don't have one:))))). Since I am leaving from Oaska, I don't know if we should go to kawanza etc, for a few days or go and do Nara and adventure world etc. we are staying for 18 days does it sound like we are going to be rushing too much, anyhow, just wondering:))), thank you
@SuitcaseMonkey3 ай бұрын
Hi there. Sounds like a great trip. It’s always hard for me to advise on someone else’s travels as it’s whatever works for you. I’m not sure if you’ve had similar travels before but have a think how much you enjoy seeing lots of places vs having some rest days. Personally I enjoy taking things a little slower and not getting tired by all the travel and being able to take things in. Haven’t been to Kanazawa but Nara is really lovely so would definitely check that out. I’m releasing a universal studios video on my second channel Carry On Monkey this weekend (it’s more a guide to visiting Nintendo world) but if you like theme parks that could be something else in Osaka. Enjoy
@user-ox9ki8jv3c4 ай бұрын
Is the middle of May a good time to visit? ☺️
@margsangster89944 ай бұрын
Love your videos thank you! Just wondering, when you went in January, was it snowing anywhere then, cos I love cooler weather and less crowds, but like to avoid snow as it complicates getting around sometimes? So going in January sounds appealing, but what about snow then please? Cheers from Australia
@redfish3374 ай бұрын
Their winter is dry season, relatively (there will still be rainy days somewhat often). So snowfall tends to be relatively minimal. And by this I mean the relatively west-east line of major cities. Fukuoka - Hiroshima - Kobe/Kyoto/Osaka / Nagoya - Tokyo. When you go north from Tokyo there is exponentially greater snow, though the coastline remains relatively clear all the way up through Sendai. Also, it's a very mountainous country with the main population centers naturally built around lowland plains. Increasing altitude will also lead to a lot more snow. In short, with the exception of Sapporo far to the north which is known for snow, the major population centers are where the snow isn't. Some snowfall is still possible, but it's rare for very much to last long into the day.
@margsangster89944 ай бұрын
@@redfish337 Oh okay, good to know, thanks so much, Cheers
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Yes what the other commenter said thanks for that! I’d say double check the area you’re booking online for snow but for most of the usual places, you should be fine. We actually got snowed in (see our 14 More days in Japan vlog) which we were unprepared for but this was countryside so up in the mountains.
@margsangster89944 ай бұрын
GREAT, THANKS SO MUCH!@@SuitcaseMonkey
@praptigoel56593 ай бұрын
Hello there I am going in end of May-Early June how would be the weather any idea pls
@BanglaTigers1003 ай бұрын
Japanese Oh My God Sir You Me She From Now Very Nice 😯?
@stephenjohnson55894 ай бұрын
I went pre iPhone existence
@BarryIII4 ай бұрын
The Fix has increased your views by one view 😂
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
Haha. I think you may be the only ☝️ welcome though! 😀
@qhadj53874 ай бұрын
Is July still rainy?
@ReiwaMagi3 ай бұрын
July is still pretty much the rainy season, yes.
@prereed4 ай бұрын
What is it like to find public toilet in the cities?
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
They are EVERYWHERE
@Sylviatini4 ай бұрын
Asking them 'TOIRE DOKO DESKA ? '
@MsCanadianpie4 ай бұрын
And public toilets are clean!
@manchesterisblue10233 ай бұрын
you look like sam lake
@joseph40ninjas884 ай бұрын
Are you supposed to wear undergarments when wearing a kimono [asking for a friend]?
@SuitcaseMonkey4 ай бұрын
I’d assume?!
@Blazjul4 ай бұрын
“ asking for a friend” 😂😂
@neverbeaten3 ай бұрын
Lol anywhere in the world is SUNNIER than England 🤣🤣