Updated FIRST HOURS IN JAPAN | Do this before you arrive in Japan | 2024

Getting ready for your Japan trip? This UPDATED Japan Guide will help you sort out important things BEFORE you arrive and make sure you are ready for what you need to do once you land in 2024!
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00:00 Are you ready for Japan?
00:26 The basics (Passport etc)
02:21 Planning tips
03:05 Arriving in Tokyo
03:27 Narita
03:50 Haneda
04:31 What to do on arrival
04:51 Passport control
05:22 Customs
06:29 How to get an IC Card (Suica etc) in 2024
07:57 Digital IC cards Setup
08:35 Japan essentials whilst traveling
10:25 The JR pass conundrum
10:55 Things people forget about
12:07 More info
#japan #japantravel #japanguide

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Thumbs up the Video!! Help the channel! :)

[@mitchellk1269]

I don’t think there’s anything in Tokyo I’m interested in. My interests are in culture, art, history & food. Places like Uji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okunoin Cemetery, Mount Fuji & Osaka interest me a million times more than Disney, Manga & Pokemon. Pretty much most of what is west of Tokyo. I don’t drink or enjoy touristy nightlife or shopping. Guess I’m not your typical tourist.

[@LetsExplore307]

As someone who is visiting Japan in just 5 months (can't believe it) this is so helpful actually all your videos are.

[@fertonani]

Thanks 😊

[@Tonyis138]

Thanks for the new upload bro!

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

you are welcome!

[@henriquefelix]

Awesome videos as usual. Thanks for the tips.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Thank you

[@jimross7648]

I tried to watch on early release but it was four in the morning and needed some sleep 😴. As always, all the info one needs to know. Well done. 👍

[@etherdog]

Very good video, Nathan! You covered the basics well.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I appreciate that!

[@toshgreenfunko]

Going back to Japan This Fall Season. Cant wait.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

fall is a great time... anytime is a great time hehe

[@ediaz100]

Excellent video, Nathan! I’m heading back to Japan in a few months along with 3 first timers. I just shared this video with them as I’ve done with some of your others! Arigato!🇯🇵⛩️🤙🏻

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@OnlyOneNights]

Good stuff, dude!

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Hey, thanks!

[@goober_]

perfect!

[@fmtikitakamaster]

Thank you very much for your info always accurate and helpful❤. I am going back to Italy on July 10 th after nearly two months spent in Japan where your advices were very helpful for me even if I lived here before to study Japanese and travelled here 4 times before COVID-19. Japan changed a lot after covid but it is still the only place in the world I feel I belong to and where I want to live. Pity that most of jobs available for Italian people here require you to have a Japanese resident card already and to be already subscribed to AIRE ( Italian association of people living abroad) that means as everything in Italy that you need some important connections unless it’s impossible to find a good job here. I envy native English speakers especially Americans because in America if you have some talent you can have a good career and you will not be left behind people who aren’t good at anything but they have important connections.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Thank you for your kind words. Italy is a beautiful country but I am also a firm believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to! Good luck

[@just7shosho]

Thank you so much. Could you please do a video about Kansai International Airport? I will arrive there and I can't find information about it

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Ive only flown into Kansai international Airport a few but as there really is only one airport and very straight forward as taking the JR Haruka Airport Express to travel between Osaka, Kyoto and Kansai International Airport take around 75-80 minutes and is direct

[@nobodynothing00000]

going back to Japan for 2 weeks next april to catch the start of nippon baseball league. I haven't decided if I'm going to take a 3 or 4 day side trip to South Korea during that time. Anyway I plan to stay in Hiroshima most of the time, go Carp!

[@mishainwonderland8970]

I can't go to Japan until next year 😢. Please do live sometimes when you are in Japan so i can feel in Japan too

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I will be live most days from happy gaijin channel and will try to continue doing a stream on Sundays on ninja monkey!

[@alex8426]

Thank you for the updates. Do you have any recommendation for a small group tour guide? I think you'll be a perfect candidate :) I'm planning to go to Japan next spring.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I can recommend a friend for Osaka/ Nara

[@momckids]

Can you do a short video of using the “japantravel” app to navigate the train platforms… seems self explanatory but in practice, it might be confusing for first timers! I’m practicing “riding the routes” in theory but I’m NOT confident at all!! Coming there in 2 weeks 😂😂 TY

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I have a very comprehensive video on navigation around Tokyo / Japan Conquer The world's Craziest Train system: TOKYO kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZewc5abi8t6oq8

[@psprog]

Good refresher - I head over again next week! You can get normal Suica cards at the airport - my friends who flew out for the first time in April and who I met with said there was a stand at Narita where they got the full fat Suica. Nice - I was expecting them to brandish the Visitor ones... Interesting about the passport - I never ever carry it out and about (unless tax free shopping). I'll take a chance and leave it in the hotel as usual next week ;)

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

interestingly I was only there a few weeks ago and investigated and didnt see this but its good to know!

[@rommelflores2618]

Been there done that. I have a very enjoyable trip to Tokyo Japan last April with family. The only thing is language barrier when going to the JR stations that we enjoyed some hassles along the way missing the station or going to the wrong way haha. The Japan effect still lingers as I'm hooked collecting anime figures as my joy just need to manage the budget!

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

The Japan effect got you! welcome to the club

[@rommelflores2618]

@@NinjaMonkeyguy oh no 😬

[@TheRedValue]

Kamakura Buddha right at the start. I like 😁

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

that Buddha is popular!

[@85timng]

Question, if I purchase a welcome suica card, can I choose how much credit to add to the card and can I pay by card? Also, if I need to top my suica card, can I top up with card or is it cash only? Thanks!

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Once you purchase the welcome suica card you need to top it up and this can only be done with cash. These cards usually come preloaded with either 1000 or 2000 yen. If you have an iphone I highly suggest you setup and use a digital suica instead

[@axios101]

A question about filling (online or physically) the custom/immigration forms: the "how many days" information is to be considered in "full days" or just by a portion of day? I mean: I will land in Japan around <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="620">10:20</a> (local time) the second day of the month in the morning and I will depart the 29th of the same month, around <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="800">13:20</a> (local time) so I will be there for... 28 days, correct (even if I will not spend the full last day in the Country)?

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

if you are there for part of the day consider it a day

[@axios101]

@@NinjaMonkeyguy Thanks so much!

[@axios101]

I will arrive without Yen, but with the Revolut account "quite" full and a few credit cards of different circuits... and a Suica...😁

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I recommend you have some yen even if it’s a little bit in your wallet

[@saikagyaru]

This is so helpful to make sure we don't forget something. You're very thoughtful. ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!!!🙏🏽🎉👏🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

you are welcome

[@series25a]

How does Visit Japan Web if you have a job overseas and moving there for work? The site is saying to give how long you’re gonna be there but its for a job so i dont know how long i will be there. I am curious because i go there in a few months for work but there is no timeframe of end work.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

My channel mainly focuses on tourism entry but if you enter for work then your work should provide a contract with the necessary information to fill in or entry procedures. You will also need a first address when entering Japan

[@revanshy498]

Is revolut your number 1 recommendation for travel card?

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Its a travel card that has worked for me with minor issues

[@revanshy498]

@@NinjaMonkeyguy what are some of the issues?

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

@@revanshy498 no different to other cards

[@mimistak]

What was your luggage tracker ?? Does it work ??

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

iphone: Airtag

[@user-gx4wd6sv8f]

is it ok take with me only back bag?

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

If it suits your style of travel then yes.

[@user-bx7tg1vy9r]

My passport expires in october. If i replace it in october it wont have a problem traveling novemberm

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

as long as its valid when you travel, either way always confirm with the embassy of the country you are traveling to

[@nickganiron2730]

🇯🇵

[@aa240sx]

So - why does noone every mention Hokuriku Arch Pass. Every YT video mentions JR pass is no longer a value, but noone ever offers the alternative. So if you're going to Kyoto or Osaka, get the 7 day Hokuriku Arch Pass. Just got back from a 14 day visit to Japan and this was pass is worth it. The route is relatively new now that the Kagayaki goes all the way to Tsuruga but you now save a little more time too! The only issue you may encounter is the lack of ekiben options if you do a round trip back to Tokyo as the Tsuruga station has only a 7-11.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I've mentioned the Hokuriku Arch Pass many times on this channel in many other videos and guides, and in this video I do mention checking out Regional Passess as a good alternative to the JR pass. The Hokuriku Arch pass since its price increase earlier this year, although still more affordable is no longer the clear cut winner that it used to be. A lot of people would rather pay the little difference to travel directly to to Kyoto / Osaka from Tokyo (A big mistake in my opinion)

[@SA-1976]

Book a flight which departs your country in the evening if you are from europe or the americas so you can sleep while travelling

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

That’s what I always try to do!

[@axios101]

And... forgive my "fixation" 😅, BUT... If will go to the specific JR EAST office (not just the simple Ticket Office or "Midori no Madoguchi") to buy a physical SUICA, would I be able to ask for a "MY SUICA" (the one with the name printed on it) version???

[@mr.jellyfish5544]

Nope, but you might be able get your name on it by inserting in the machines once you get the card, and have it registered through there.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

No the MY suica is not available right now

[@axios101]

@@mr.jellyfish5544 Thanks, I will try doing this or asking (it seems it should be enough to ask to a "Midori no Madoguchi" desk staff)

[@axios101]

I will try "converting" it using machines...😁

[@towada1066]

hmmm,... sometimes I wonder how many farmers lost their land to create Narita Airport ... even one shrine had to be moved to enlarge Haneda. These things make me sad when I have to go back to Japan. Anyway, I think SUICA is best ... um ... for Voltage, all Japan is 100 V but frequency is different between East and West ...

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Suica ❤️

[@towada1066]

@@NinjaMonkeyguy though,... SUICA does not work when I need to go to Taga (Shiga Prefecture) ... station attendants checking the paper ticket seem like old days ! (^_^) ... I feel like I should be wearing tonbi cloak and straw hat !

[@rank1839]

🤓

[@MrMagigreen]

pasmo passport has been discontinued

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

this is why I say either a pasmo passport or welcome suica, these things are always changing

[@HacksignKT]

howdy

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Howdy!

[@gamer4ever838]

i will be arriveing 5 pm. its rush hour. i am 1 person and i have 1 big suitcase with me. i will travel from haneda to asakusa area. will there be too many people? should i take taxi instead? i have never taken train during rush hour in tokyo before

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I wouldnt worry too much, afternoon rush hour is nothing compared to the morning and also as most of your leg is from the airport you'll likely be able to get a seat or space .. Use the Keikyu line to get there!

[@polodhtip6061]

i don't know everything, but starting with the monorail might be a good idea

[@Lun3aa]

you'll be fine...there's basically a direct train from haneda to asakusa without changes - keikyuu airport line...and as haneda is the first stop just get on and find a corner with your bag...if it gets busy later you'll be insulated....maybe consider losing the massive case though ;)

[@mr.jellyfish5544]

@@polodhtip6061nope, the Keikyu train will take them directly to Asakusa. The monorail will throw their commute out of whack.

[@mr.jellyfish5544]

To OP: Up until Shinagawa, you are traveling in reverse peak direction and the train will likely be empty. From Shinagawa to Asakusa you will encounter some crowding, as now you are going in the peak direction from Shinagawa, but still nothing compared to AM rush hour.