Japan: My First Time Experience | Q&A with Jen Lefforge

Today I am answering your questions about my very first trip to Japan! We were there in April of 2023. As this was my first time, I am not an expert but I did utilize quite a few experts here on youtube!
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[@JenLefforge]

To watch the first video in this series, head here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmO6YXmniclsoqc

[@pei-ling4805]

Japan is such a safe place-my mother has forgotten her suitcase many times on the Tokyo train and not once had anyone even touched it😂 My dad left his iPad at a bus stop and it was still there when he returned to it. Japan is very family-friendly. All shopping malls have an area where you can feed baby and buy diapers and baby food-some shopping malls have grocery stores in the basement. Students in Japan study English for 6 years. They may be shy to speak, but most Japanese can understand basic English. Another country in Asia you may want to visit is Taiwan-it’s where my parents are from and it is beautiful and the people are very friendly.

[@elizabethw9622]

We loved visiting Japan! We were in Osaka and Kyoto, and I echo everything you said about safety. Our Japanese friends all told us, as a point of pride, that women could walk solo all over the cities at night and be very safe. It was amazing to see Kindergartners riding bikes and walking to school in a city larger than NYC all by themselves, completely safe and unbothered! It would probably be a wonderful study abroad experience for college students. Since it was a partial business trip for my husband, we were with people from all over the world. We all adored it- the nourishing food, the polite and welcoming people, literally everything. I cried when we left. Thanks for sharing your trip! It brings back great memories.

[@JenLefforge]

Your experience sounds a lot like mine in the way it just touched my soul! I’ve been missing it since we got home and I was not expecting that at all. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@HD-ol1mc]

So useful! Our family of four (two kids aged 17 and 20) are going for almost three weeks in December, and so excited! We've never been able to afford a big overseas holiday before this 😊. We've booked a really cute Airbnb in Shinjuku for 6 days of the trip. Love your Japan vlogs and glad that your videos popped up on my feed, even though I've never been to a Disney thing or on a cruise in my life 😄.

[@pjacksreads536]

Hey my son and his friends are going in June. I’m tagging along. Please let me know how the Airbnb turns out. That might be a great option for everyone.

[@nancygreenstreet5956]

Google translate was my best friend when I went to Japan. Scanned the signs to translate them, just like you said for the menus! :-).

[@dawnturpin]

From what I'm seeing so far, Japan is absolutely lovely and I'd love to visit some day

[@JenLefforge]

Yes to all of this and I’m thrilled that came across!❤️

[@joelyisdoingherbest]

Leaving one week from today for Japan!! 🎉🎉🎉 Other great KZbin channels for people wanting to visit Japan are: Abroad in Japan and Allison in Tokyo 😊. Thanks for this great video!

[@LMiraculous]

I’ll be going to Japan solo in December I want to move there actually I love Nihon I been speaking Japanese

[@sarahcooley104]

What a great trip for you! As a "grown up" child I love traveling with my mom.

[@ru8323]

Hello! I'm a Japanese living in America. I'm really glad to see you enjoyed your trip to Japan. Thank you. By the way, did you know there's a mobile app for the Suica card? With the app, there's no initial issuance fee, and you can easily charge it with a credit card directly within the app. Plus, even if your iPhone's battery runs out, the Suica app still works! The physical Suica card couldn't be charged with a credit card at the station ticket machines (at least as of my last trip home in 2022). I was unaware of this, and when I tried to charge it with my credit card, the station attendant told me I could only charge it with cash. But I wouldn't recommend charging at the 'Midori no Madoguchi' (Green Ticket Window) due to the long wait times. To make things easier and avoid the hassle of digging your phone out of your bag, I highly recommend using an iPhone case with a strap when you're in Japan. It's incredibly convenient! If you plan to visit Japan again, I hope this information might be useful!

[@pjacksreads536]

Very helpful. If u have any other suggestions please share

[@jennyvanburen8496]

Watching this on the train from Paris to London and the travel bug is real. Japan is on our list! Thanks for sharing all the info.

[@JenLefforge]

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

[@heatherrubin746]

Jenn I was so inspired by your Japan series that I have booked myself and my husband and two kids (12 and 10) for a trip to Tokyo in 2024 :). Thank you!

[@JenLefforge]

I am so excited for you all!!! I hope you have an amazing trip!

[@user-xo9bh8bh1b]

I came to your You tube by coincidence but as a Japanese who lived in the US 10 years and a Disney nerd I think all your videos are on the spot. Luv you Japan vlogs ! Hope you will come back soon ❤

[@JenLefforge]

What a kind comment - thank you! I hope to be back again as I had such a lovely time!

[@suzannebell51]

Very helpful and informative- thanks 🙏 I am very keen to visit Japan and now feel more confident to travel solo there after hearing your experience

[@stephencoutu2674]

We stayed at the Sheraton Grand Tokyo Bay Resort located on the Disney monorail line and loved it! It had spacous rooms, great American and Japanese restaurants and a 5 minute walk to the monorail station and was very affordable.

[@MidwaytoMainStreet]

Thanks for this video Jen! My wife and I are headed to Japan in September so this was super helpful and perfect timing!

[@JenLefforge]

Oh I hope you have an amazing time!

[@cameronmccarty2867]

I have been trying to convince my wife to go to Japan forever. I’m going to send her this video and hope it helps my cause.

[@JenLefforge]

Love it! Good luck!

[@AnxMa]

I was so close to visiting Japan at one point. I was creating my Motion Capture portfolio and in late 2015 I was in contact with Capcom about the facial likeness role of Leon for the Resident Evil 2 Remake. I failed to mention I also have a voice acting background, in the end I lost the part and I can't forgive myself for wasting such an opportunity. That would've been a real dream come true to visit South Eastern Asia.

[@rachelspollett3930]

Thanks for this video!!! I love the series “Old Enough!” I think it really shows exactly what you’re talking about when you discuss safety, and specifically the Japanese inclusion of children in all areas of society. It is my favorite “pick me up” show!

[@JenLefforge]

I will look it up!

[@marleneschick4768]

My husband and I LOVE 'Old Enough!"

[@asiamommi]

Thank you for your Japan series. Heading there with my adult daughter on Monday and hitting many of the sports you did. Much appreciated!

[@lauracampbell7589]

Love your dress! Japan is on my bucket list. ❤️

[@JenLefforge]

Thank you! And YES it was on mine too and I am so glad I went!

[@zoeunleashed]

This was a great informative video Jen, thanks so much for all you do. You've made me want to go to Japan even more.

[@JenLefforge]

I love to hear it!! It’s truly a wonderful country.

[@jcarey1357]

This has been so amazing to watch! Thank you for taking us with you and keeping us informed

[@JenLefforge]

I’m so glad you like it, John!

[@lindarichards9913]

Not sure I'll ever get to Japan but I'm enjoying your videos so much! Thanks for sharing!❤

[@JenLefforge]

Oh I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series!!

[@nicolef9456]

I took Japanese in high school so I very much feel in my bones thank the Phoenicians for my 26 little friends common alphabet.

[@cappaman73]

Great video series. I can tell you fell in love with Japan as I did on my first trip there. Really hope you get to Kyoto on your next visit....it is amazing 😊

[@JenLefforge]

That's the hope!

[@Buzpud]

We went for 3 weeks and went to lots of places but barely scratched the surface of places I wanted to visit. Now planning a month long trip and it’s sooo hard to choose the itinerary. Such a lot to see in Japan.

[@seleana3929]

Thank you for these videos. I look forward to all of your videos

[@JenLefforge]

I'm so glad!

[@stephencoutu2674]

I totally agree with everything that you are saying Jen, for me it was the Japanese people, their joy of life is wonderful! Being in Tokyo Disneyland reminded me of how the Magic Kingdom at WDW was in the 1970s, clean with happy Cast Members and no stroller parking! LOL

[@chevonnewallace8370]

I have been loving these Japan vlogs!

[@majorhollingshead5906]

Very informative video. I’m loving all the Japan content. Also you look great and I love that dress. 😘❤️

[@JenLefforge]

Thank you, Major!!

[@rottenunicorn2646]

I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip to Japan with your son! Please come again😊 Watching videos about other countries make me want to travel so bad and feel miserable, so I’m watching travel videos of my own country instead to see people’s reactions😂 And to study English. Google translate is useful, but I come across funny and ridiculously wrong translation really often when I’m reading restaurant reviews etc., so I hope it doesn’t cause serious misunderstanding😅 QR code payments like PayPay have also been popular in recent years and easier than cash, but I’m not sure if they’re readily available to foreign visitors…

[@eileeng2492]

Great information Jen. You look great too!

[@peiginthecity]

Great overview! We are doing transatlantic DCL for our honeymoon in September but Japan had originally been top of our list. We’ll get there in time…as usual I’m so glad you went ahead of me Jen to research and do the leg work 😉 We ruled Japan out as it worked out 40% above budget for what we wanted to do BUT also my mom has such misconceptions about Japan and safety there I knew she’d worry the entire time. My brother worked a v little there in a corporate role and found the corporate culture very bizarre and jarring (trying to keep the comment family friendly but for example his assistant expected he would want her to order him a female friend for the evening, having brochures to hand). I’ve told my mom that we’d all dislike every culture and country - including our own - if we spent 10 minutes with those entitled corporate types. Anyhow, thank you for your insights and practical information. If I start working on her now with this solid knowledge, we might be able to celebrate our 10th anniversary in Japan without her worrying unduly 😂

[@pjacksreads536]

Thank you so much. I’m traveling with my son and his group of friends in June. The information you shared was very helpful. I want to spend time alone and not in his way. we’re definitely going to Disney. I want to do a lot of fabric shopping in the fashion district. I want to spend time looking and then shopping. He isn’t interested in that. I’m also a foodie. I love good delicious food so I’m looking forward to our trip next year.

[@JenLefforge]

Have an amazing trip! I can't wait to get back there.

[@doctorgamer011]

Had a great time watching your Japan vlogs! Especially Tokyo Disneyland and The Ghibli Museum! Did you see a lot of Nintendo stuff while you were there?

[@sc2coupeify]

Great info, thanks for doing this. Going on a cruise around japan next year.

[@lisagriffith7157]

I felt this was your best vlog! Very interesting!

[@JenLefforge]

Oh wow thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@alyssasargent6802]

Jen, this maybe off topic, but I love your dress! Where did you get it? You look gorgeous! We have been loving the Japan vlog series, thanks so much!

[@JenLefforge]

It's Karen Kane and I got it at Nordstrom. I'll link it in the description but here it is bit.ly/3WfJD3Z (affiliate)

[@HD-ol1mc]

I agree, it's a great dress!

[@ginnythurler2616]

Great information! Thank you!!

[@marcussaintly-ox8ue]

Loving the Japan videos!!

[@JenLefforge]

Oh I'm so glad!

[@alicef.9708]

I am very much enjoying your Japan videos, Jen. I’m getting so much great info and tips to use on our future trip there. You had mentioned you flew nonstop. I thought you had mentioned in a previous video that you were stopping in San Francisco (?) . If you did fly nonstop I’m curious how many hours that flight was from Atlanta. Thanks and I look forward to more about your trip!

[@JenLefforge]

I wondered who would catch that! We went through LAX i have no idea why I got that wrong!😂😎🤣❤️

[@alicef.9708]

I only caught it because we are considering a 17 hour nonstop from Houston which my son has done but not sure I’m up for that! So you just had a layover in LAX or did you stay the night and continue the next day?

[@JenLefforge]

Yes

[@herupurwanto7637]

Thanks for all the information on the channel about Japan, Jen looks beautiful 👍😘 always success 🙏

[@mariapepe2429]

Thank you for a comprehensive q and a. Just discovered your channel and subscribed for sure.

[@takashisuzuki9668]

Good morning Jen I really appreciate your comments. Please visit to Japan again 😂 I will suggest to go downtown of Tokyo. Sure you will have more experiences. From Tokyo

[@JenLefforge]

I will absolutely be back!

[@musicman85]

Loved this! Your trip sounded so amazing and am loving the trip vlogs! Always interested to hear how to travel to foreign countries and your insights. Thanks for sharing :)

[@ducsue751]

There is also a baby sit in the men's restroom.

[@user-ej3bn8jd1d]

You are always welcome to Japan.

[@JenLefforge]

Thank you!

[@TheDoe53]

Enjoy all you do! Thanks for sharing!

[@jbowerdel]

Had similar sense of language confusion when visited Czech Republic years ago! Then the signs were in Czech only-a few had Russian!- but English was rare. I speak French and English and could figure out signs in Spain and Italy based on similarities, but couldn’t even begin to figure out Czech even tho is same alphabet! Soo many consonants! Google translate not available then but had traveled with friend originally from there and she would translate. Had to rely on her heavily and was such an odd feeling to feel so disconnected

[@kathleenwang]

I can tell you want to visit japan again very soon!! this is one place on earth I can visit every year, of course husband stops me lol

[@stefanie9016]

I choose Japan for my first solo trip - can’t wait for October ❤

[@JenLefforge]

PERFECT choice. I actually had the thought multiple times that it's a great place for solo travel and I saw quite a few women traveling alone. Enjoy every minute!

[@pjacksreads536]

@@stefanie9016 I’m going with son and his friends but I will be spending time alone. Please share some places you enjoyed also hotel recommendation. Thanks

[@DodgerBlue189]

If you decide to go back to Japan, I suggest not going during the hot humid summers. Fall and Spring are probably the best seasons to go.

[@JenLefforge]

We actually went the third week of April and the weather was perfect!

[@granniebee8530]

Great questions and answers! My husband and I will be in Japan this coming fall. I booked hotels in April of this year and glad I did because the rooms were selling out fast. I did have a HUGE question that you didn't hit on and thought maybe you could shed some light on....BATHROOMS! ....public bathrooms. How hard is it when out exploring is it to find a public restroom? I know in, for instance, Paris it was difficult to find the facilities, unless you ordered and stayed at a cafe or restaurant. I know there are restrooms in train stations etc....but just walking around the streets and nature calls, what is available?? Thank you for all your videos, I am feeling a lot easier in my mind about visiting Japan. I was feeling really out of my comfort zone and as you said, it is a LONG way from home.

[@JenLefforge]

There were public restrooms everywhere and they were all very clean. The only thing to know (and you've probably already heard) is they don't typically have paper towels or hand dryers so we carried a small hand towel to dry our hands on the go! Have a fabulous time.

[@JenLefforge]

(oh and as you mentioned of course all the train stations have them as well and there are MANY train stations!)

[@granniebee8530]

@@JenLefforge Thank you Jen! I was a little worried...ok a lot worried. Nice to know there are many public restrooms available.

[@heleng.2317]

Western-style washrooms are becoming more and more common too, as they are easier to use for the aging population of Japan. In some historic places you may find only squat toilets. They are very clean to use as you don't touch anything, but there is a definite learning curve on how to use them! That said, most large shops and all the shopping centres that I have visited have a mixture of both. You might want to bring paper soap (thin sheets of soap that you buy) as some public washrooms don't supply soap. Jen is bang on with her comment about bringing a small towel for drying your hands...many places turned off their hand dryers during Covid and haven't always reactivated them. Usually, Bullet Trains and most express trains have clean washrooms, local trains probably don't have toilets.

[@Indygt3]

i'm japanese living in tokyo. you can find rest rooms at almost all covenience stores (7-11, Lawson, Family Mart: 3 top tier convini chains) and department stores, too.

[@jenniferrundle6870]

Thanks!

[@JenLefforge]

Oh my goodness THANK YOU so much!

[@lyneung5081]

I like your outfit. It’s so beautiful.❤

[@JenLefforge]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lisasproul8027]

Very interesting.

[@nakanomargaret9795]

ジェン、日本に来てくれてありがとう。あなたを安全に旅させて安全にあなたの国に帰してあげることができてよかったです。ただ最近残念なことに外国人の荷物を狙った犯罪が起きているというニュースを見ました。それはわざわざ犯罪をしに来る外国人の犯行でしたが、日本人でもそのような人がいないとは限りません。素晴らしいジェンの動画を見て日本に来てくれるのはとても嬉しいですがくれぐれも気をつけてくださいね🙏。日本の子供達は学校で遠足に行く時に必ず言われる言葉があります。「家に帰り着くまでが遠足だよ」。どうか楽しんで、そして安全にあなたのおうちに辿り着いてあなたの家族に笑顔と思い出を見せてあげてください。

[@coolauntiejoyce]

Hi Jen! Did I miss you saying how long was your trip? Do you think that 2 weeks would be enough time to explore Japan thoroughly? Thanks!

[@JenLefforge]

We were there 10 days and I think two weeks is just about perfect. I hope to do that next time!

[@laurentscholtes8770]

Very inspiring and helpful ❤ thanks Jen 😊 do you think combining the 3 Disney destinations in Asia (Tokyo, Hongkong and Shanghai) could be a good idea?

[@JenLefforge]

Not for me as that sounds completely exhausting but if you're into that kind of thing, sure!

[@sade66119]

I read somewhere that Tokyo Disneyland isn't allowing vlogers to film in their parks anymore, did you have any trouble?

[@JenLefforge]

Nope!

[@malloryconnor4550]

Great series Jen. I should not have giggled so hard about go pee with twins but it is still true.

[@txteach]

I had a solo trip to S Korea planned during Covid which had to be canceled, sadly. Still planning to go, but now I may go ahead and add Japan too, since I will be so close. But have no qualms about the safety of either country.

[@kurushimizero]

Hi, How is Japan?

[@daltonquick5458]

I realize this is way off-base from the video BUT, I'm curious... thoughts on "Memoirs of a Geisha"??? LOL

[@JenLefforge]

I’m confused why that’s funny? It’s an excellent read!

[@daltonquick5458]

@@JenLefforge I just felt like a dork asking something that had nothing to do with the points in the video 🫢… glad you enjoyed it, though!

[@katyhand4428]

We went to Seoul last year to visit my daughter who was studying there at the time and I felt the same as you did about safety in Japan. I think it was the safest place I’ve ever been to. It’s just not in the Korean’s nature to be dishonest - who leaves their laptop and purse on a table to go and order food on the floor below or to go to the toilets and trust no one will steal them in western countries?! Love your blogs Jen, thank you.

[@pansypresents2103]

i always think it's funny when americans talk about safety in other countries as if people don't get shot there for going to school.

[@JenLefforge]

This.