What NOT to do in JAPAN | avoid these mistakes!

[@hitomitomtom]

“Thank you” really means a lot to Japanese people; or anyone in general. I have Japanese friends that would come home from work and complain how “A lot of costumers didn’t say thank you, that really upsets me. All they have to say is THANK YOU.” It really is enough to get someone through their day.

[@davidk9844]

Here's the thing about the JR Pass - if you're only going to say Osaka/Kyoto or Tokyo it's just not worth it. But, if you want to range the country pretty much without limit, it becomes super useful. I like to use it to plan trips where I spend 3-5 days in a hub city like Hakata/Fukuoka, Osaka, Tokyo, etc and jump out to other smaller towns and cities nearby to explore before moving on to the next. Next trip I'll probably start up north in Sapporo and go south. A few other things to remember: - It's good for all the JR Commuter Lines within/around cities as well. So, you can also use it to run around Tokyo and Osaka while you're there pretty readily. That lets you do things like plan a day where you hit the places it's easier to get to by subway (not included) on a subway day pass and other days where you go everywhere else on your JR pass. - If you land at Narita (and probably some other airports), the JR Express into Tokyo is also included. When you turn in the form for your pass at the airport, they'll likely offer to set you up with a ticket right away. No need to jump on a bus, taxi, or pay your way into town.

[@kimdao]

Oh yeah it’s definitely useful if you plan your trip properly. I’ve just met a lot of people who only used it to go to Tokyo/Osaka and some even pay for the 2 week pass which is like $700 which is definitely not worth it

[@51941028]

Great tips! The JR Pass is NOT valid on all shinkansen so read up on the exceptions. The pass can be used on some subway lines and buses but again, there are exceptions. I definitely recommend getting an IC card. It will make your stay in Japan so much easier. If Im not mistaken if you need to reload the card with more money, you will need to use cash, not a credit card. Before you leave Japan you can get your unused money back less a small charge. For tax-free purchases, there is a minimum you must spend.

[@tobi6891]

One correction: You can't use the Japan Rail Pass in any underground line as they are not part of the JR group, even though some JR trains run along underground lines. They however count as part of a line of the company of the underground line, so you won't be able to use the pass.

[@51941028]

@@tobi6891 I was under the impression that JR Pass holders can use the Yamanote line.

[@redfish337]

@@51941028 Yamanote isn't a subway. It's a raised platform. JR Pass can use Yamanote (and associated Saikyo and Shonan-Shinjuku) and Chuo/Sobu lines. It's passable in Tokyo if you have extra days on your pass, but not ideal. Everyone should get an IC card no matter what. If it's PASMO, there is no return fee (at least pre-covid).

[@51941028]

@@redfish337 Oops, I stand corrected😊.

[@hayleabean]

The taxi door tip was really good, I hadn’t heard that one before!

[@1000PlacesNYC]

I’m living in Japan and they are not allowing anyone (including students ) in at the moment and I don’t see it changing by the end of the year. If you can get in regardless of vaccination you have to quarantine for 10 days Can’t wait to see you back in Japan and traveling around!

[@dunksy4598]

It was 8 years ago today that I visited Japan, I cannot wait to go back again.

[@CesDayrit]

I’m now living here! Thanks for the tips! It will help me alot 😍

[@kimdao]

I’m glad they helped!

[@simon5130]

I tip every time. They are mostly (not always) not used to it, but u can force them to take it in a charming way ;).

[@izzadoraa3892]

Your videos were one of the things that gave me courage to move to Japan almost 2 years ago. Hopefully you can visit soon 💖🤞🤞🤞

[@IshikawaLuv]

Everytime I went to Japan I watched your videos and did literally all the things and went to all of the places you recommended ❤️ my Japanese husband is always surprised as to why I know all these places😆

[@GraceMia44]

Missed these kinds of videos from you! Hopefully we can all get to Japan when Australia opens up, can't wait to go on my trip I had planned for Christmas 2020....fingers crossed it can be a Christmas 2022 trip instead.

[@kimdao]

Hopefully! I thin by then it will be ok!

[@jadecummings8093]

Hi there welcome back , good to see you today and I hope you're staying safe out there!

[@kimdao]

Thank you! ❤️ hope you are safe too!

[@Noname-qk6qp]

If the police stops you and you don’t have your passport on you, you will be fined a huge sum of money. So it is super important to carry it on you at all times. For residents they have to carry an alien registration card instead. I am not sure if normal ID issued outside of Japan will be enough, so please make sure to always have your passport when traveling around in Japan!

[@jasse3360]

What I heard from my teachers you need to have the Japanese ID card or the passport when you go out. Or they will fine you just like you said. So no, your countries ID card is not enough.

[@r-evolutiontv7351]

I've been following your channel since Gabriel Bulgakov mentioned you in his video, thanks for the tips ♡

[@saneill17]

So excited for travel again! Finally locked in my move to Japan date fo April! Cannot wait!

[@leannezzers]

It's so nice to see a video from you again! I think it's great and very conscientious of you to curate your JP videos because you don't want to encourage travel :) These are great tips and videos like this are super useful! Hope you get to go back safely and soon ^^

[@geestang2662]

It's nice to see you again welcome back 🤙🤙❤

[@edwardfletcher7790]

The taxi door thing is a problem because it's VERY VERY expensive to fix if someone pushes it and breaks the gearing and the driver can't work until it's fixed !!

[@blueroseknight1]

LMAO the bit about the tipping...I was having dinner with my boyfriend who was visiting from the states (I'm Canadian) and he gave me shit about giving such a "small tip". It didn't occur to me until later that our minimum wage is better here compared to the US so the tipping culture is much different lol. He thought I was crazy, I thought he was crazy.

[@kimdao]

Hahaha yeah Australia is the same! When I worked as a waitress I didn’t rely on tips since what I was earning was already decent enough without it haha

[@airellecarol5043]

So rediclous, but most waiting staff in America actually make less than min wage. If your a waitress or waiter of any kind in America chances are your whole salary is tips. So please tip well in America! Never less than 15%!

[@kimdao]

Oh yes! When I was in the states I was tipping around 30% since I didn’t know and didn’t want to tip too little haha. I heard people make like $2-4 an hour there which is insane! In Australia I was making $20 an hour as a waitress

[@BuckFush711]

@@kimdao That's pretty ignorant. Not sure about other states, but in California the minimum hourly wage is currently $14.

[@kimdao]

How is it ignorant? Not everything is about California. I’m not even American and know some states the minimum wage for restaurant workers is around $2-3.

[@shinigamid3ss]

This was so informative! I'd love to see more Japan related videos ❤️

[@aquaarietta]

Hi Kim! I'd love your thoughts on Air BnB vs other accommodation in Japan. My fiancé and I are hoping to go to Japan next fall or the following spring for our honeymoon. We're interested in doing more Air BnB where possible, but I'm sure there are times when it's better to just go with a hotel.

[@kimdao]

Sometimes Airbnb is good! But you are right, a hotel can be better sometimes. I find in Tokyo I do prefer a hotel if I’m by myself or 1 other person. Airbnb is good if you have a bigger group of people. I find that Airbnb in Japan can be pricey and a business hotel can be much cheaper

[@redfish337]

Frankly, it mostly depends on where you go and for how long. Overall, I recommend NOT doing regular hotels though. Business hotels are fine. Regular hotels are not. Even for a honeymoon. The price just skyrockets and you really don't get much out of it. If you want it to be really nice, just get it in your mind to splurge on something else and just deal with a small spartan room. The $300-500 true hotel room is just going to be a little bigger, with graceful simplicity and probably no more actual amenities. Stop off in a resort country or something beforehand, or spend part of the money saved on some really good food or whatever. The hotels just seem like a waste unless you're such a high-roller the amount is basically meaningless. Airbnb is generally nicer than a business hotel, but it's a lot more restrictive. What I mean is stuff like dropping off luggage ahead of time or leaving it after checkout until you're actually ready to leave the city for the day can't usually be done. So if you're doing a lot of moving around it can be more hassle. And of course there's often a decent front-loaded cost in airbnb since there's a charge just to use it that isn't repeated. If you stay in a city for at least 3-4 days, and especially 7+, the airbnb is usually preferable. Business hotels and hostels tend to be closer to the stations, particularly the important stations. Don't underestimate how important that is. Often times you don't even get to know the exact location of an airbnb until you accept. One time it said something like 10 minutes from so and so station and I was sure it'd be really far to walk because the places I wanted to go in "walking distance" was actually on the far side of the station. But it was actually in the direction I wanted it and so it was extremely good location. But, you don't know until you confirm. That said, they cover some areas that aren't very well covered by other things. Some unpopular areas with super easy access... but this is going to be beyond your ability to know when you're shopping for places.

[@gstword]

I never heard of the passport tip, thanks.

[@kimdao]

You’re welcome! It saves a lot of money!

[@alvinleong269]

Glad you are still Vlogging in Japan... your Japanese must be fluent by now🔥

[@aninkafu]

When I'll go to Japan 🗾 These may help, thanks.

[@Selfpowered]

Thanks Kim, I'd love an updated how to plan your first trip to Japan style video. I've heard that Haneda is a better airport to arrive in vs Narita e.t.c.

[@sunshinecindy570]

Teach us the common phrases for Japan! 👍🏼♥️👍🏼♥️👍🏼♥️

[@HoneyButterBiscuits]

🗣 LISTEN TO KIM 😄. I heeded your warnings about not getting a JR pass and spent WAYYY less without it. It was actually cheaper and faster to fly ANA rt between Tokyo & Osaka. Also, using Google Maps in Japan as you recommended was perfect. Never got lost or missed connecting buses or trains.

[@kimdao]

It is cheaper to fly! I have done that a few times. I do prefer bullet train cos it’s more convenient, but it costs a lot more. But if you want to save, I find flying is one of the cheaper options!

[@peterjackson7937]

Hi Kim , a very informative and interesting video as always , I'm hoping to travel to Japan this year, staying in Tokyo for about 7 days and Okinawa for 3 days ,is it best arranging a flight from Tokyo to Okinawa from UK ,or better to book when I'm in Japan?. I will definitely get a JR pass as I want to travel to Kyoto ,Osaka and another prefecture before traveling to Okinawa , i hope you are well, take care and stay safe .

[@pennystringer9231]

Can't wait to go with my family when we can!

[@JustTheTwoWanderers]

We are going all around Japan. We have a week in Tokyo is there a day ticket for the metro in Tokyo? Or a weekly pass?

[@buttermakeseverythingbette4100]

damn, Kim's channel is so underrated although her videos are so interesting and informative by the way I am new to the channel and I am in love with it :)

[@pet_tularhodes3687]

We have never bought JR pass as family 5 would cost us over $2000 qe just used passmo and suica

[@mzcookies134]

Hi Kim, We can travel from Nov 1, anywhere we want. No quarantine upon return for fully vaccinated (I am from Sydney, Australia). I am going in late November to be united with my partner after a brutal 18 months apart due to Australian border closures. I was sadly denied exemptions to leave by the Aus government, being with a loved one was not seen as a compelling reason so I had to wait it out and will now leave ASAP, very exciting! Hopefully you can go to Japan soon but I understand waiting things out a bit more as rules can change, but at the moment, those are the updated rules. Hope this helps :)

[@kimdao]

Borders are closed for Japan for tourists so we have to wait a bit longer to travel there unfortunately, but I think if flights are already scheduled for Dec then it should open, but I still want to wait just incase. I would like to go back to Perth to see family end of this year but I have a feeling we can go overseas before we can go back to perth haha. I’m glad you’re able to be reunited with your partner! The border closures were so strict here!

[@Marty_Mouse]

Great information, but don't get a SIM card, get pocket wifi. Temporary SIM card data speeds are throttled whereas pocket wifi are current full speed. I tested this on one trip where I had both and the data speeds weren't even close.

[@valenciabarrientos2297]

Do you get a new sim card every time or just once? Also does travel insurance cover other things like if your belongings get lost/stolen? (sorry, I've never looked into or used travel insurance before lol)

[@kimdao]

It depends! I used to have a simcard I used every time in Japan but I’m pretty sure it’s deactivated now haha. But getting one at the airport is super easy now. For travel insurance it depends on which one you get, some do cover them so it’s helpful to have! Make sure you read the terms and conditions

[@jorgesaki7849]

Enjoy a lot this video!!! Wating for your travel to Japan again. Regards

[@MrBabujani1]

Should have said, when train service resumes. They should not get mad if a foregeiner closes the taxi door they should get use to it. Our Kaiser insurance covers worldwide. More are recommending JR. Now it is confusing. We are planning yo visit in 2022.🤔

[@kimdao]

Closing a door could potentially damage them. If someone broke something that was mine I’d be mad too. We need to be more understanding and respectful if you are visiting another country.

[@worthigirl2946]

I am literally DYING top go to Japan!!💗💗

[@zanegamingtv2252]

Kim, I love everything you do here. :))

[@christiechung9039]

I ignored the click bait and came here for the sakuraco november box content.

[@offense53]

Can't wait!

[@tanner.idkkkk]

Welcome back!! Hope you get to travel again, there tips are great as always! 🙂

[@kimdao]

I hope so!! Maybe in a few months!

[@noelsworldtraveldiscovery]

Im watching. 🇯🇵❤️

[@andrewbristoe1833]

Yep got the taxi door trap I never tipping so tricky australia japan no tipping usa Malaysia ect percentage tipping? !the biggest personal tip dont just to t and o get out in the regions in particular Kyushu Kagoshima amami mt fuji cash yes unless changed

[@kitamura50]

是非また日本へお越しください。😀　世界的なコロナ収束を祈っています。

[@MelissaLearns]

I am going to be so happy (but also beyond jealous) that you may be able to go to Japan sooner than I will :P Australia takes things so seriously even if it annoys people and it's truly paid off for you. In Canada our cases are low compared to most of the pandemic but I sadly doubt Japan will still let us in. Thankfully I managed to get Pfizer which is one of the vaccines they recognize so MAYBE I will be allowed next year? *fingers crossed* Been waiting 15 years for this trip!

[@ambsrossy01]

sounds a good tip.

[@ahmadfasli126]

I can sepeak japanese im from bali island😅

[@karimch8641]

Anybody focusing on her left curlier hanging hair? Just me?..Lol. Nice info Kim!

[@arjunbhandari3556]

Please makeup products with price please 🙂🙂🙂🙂😸🙂

[@GlassSuperstar]

Were you raised in a barn?, DON'T SHUT THE DOOR! ha the irony in some of our cultures. More you know :D

[@antonyjackson2324]

Get a Japan SIM - now for me that was not the best solution. I used a portable Wi-Fi device instead as I needed to be able to receive / respond to old fashioned SMS text messages from my bank, credit card company about possibly “suspect” transaction that appeared from Japan - so if I got a Japan SIM then that would give me a new mobile number and would not get these SMS messages. The portable Wi-Fi gave me data for Google Maps, iMessages, WhatsApp etc .

[@taliateah]

Omg get travel insurance, I was a travel agent and the horror stories I have from customers who declined it and then had issues, you don't ever want to get into that situation whilst on a holiday.

[@kimdao]

Definitely! It’s just not the risk. I know people who had to spend thousands in hospital and they didn’t have insurance

[@RenAnime]

Thanks for the tips! 😊 I'm hoping to travel to Japan whenever everything opens up more and these are super helpful! I'm from the US and when I went to Korea it felt soooo strange not tipping lol like I knew it was considered rude to do so and that I wasn't supposed to, but i felt so guilty every time I went out to eat because I couldn't leave one 😭 because in the US it is DEFINITELY required haha

[@kimdao]

Haha yeah I heard! We don’t really tip in Australia since you get paid at least a decent wage when you work. I remember going to the US a few years ago and taking a taxi, they would wait for you to tell them how much you’re tipping, I definitely wasn’t used to that haha

[@trav2SS]

Ready for covid to end Im ready to visit Japan

[@kimdao]

I don’t think it will end, I guess we just have to learn to live with it. I’m with you though, definitely ready to visit again haha

[@ghufranrajput9147]

Japan vais informtion plaece my dream

[@mintykiss8251]

can you do a native language video? hhh have a good day!

[@Nella_roxy14]

❤️❤️

[@TuanPham-bb9sp]

Hello

[@ms.alhajri4068]

Thanks for the tips , and the ticket from Kuwait to Japan it cost more than 400 kd about 1301 us dollars so expensive 😅 , and the hospital cost alot as well OMG , I think I can't travel to Japan unfortunate 😂🥲💔

[@svallone7725]

Are not on purpose accidents like bumping into someone, knocking something over, conversations, adding money, or breaking something- shamed or forgiving??? Again not on purpose and a accident type… From a brand new digital expat…/Steve

[@hwd7]

I hope Dictator Dan takes a one way trip to his red master never to return.

[@monikarajput4766]

Hiii how are you 😁😁😁

[@kimdao]

I’m doing good!

[@monikarajput4766]

@@kimdao that's good saregeo 💜

[@augustooliveira7799]

Hi Kmdao congratulation tour Channel beautiful I love Japan more places i like Tokyo i subscribe your Channel.

[@alexandrealexandre3724]

😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@gameimpro926]

are you my mother

[@bornacabrijan]

You are so beautiful girl stay safe ✌

[@kjgee8216]

무례하게 보일 수도 있지만 안 갑니다.

[@PheonixStarsx]

I’m Arab and most of the ettiequte stuff isn’t strange at all for me so if I travel to Japan il have no problems lol

[@chiudfdnso]

結婚しちゃったのかな？（・＿・；

[@jamesgaldal8994]

Australias accent is really starting to rub off on you

[@ace2travel737]

❤️❤️❤️