Hey Explorers,
I am Gayathri and I am a travel blogger sharing this FREE guide with you. If any questions, shoot me a DM in Instagram handle @heyexplorers.
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🇯🇵 Japan is quite different from the rest of the world. The following tips will save a lot of time and money while visiting this beautiful country. At the end of this blog, I have a bonus list for you. Read along. Happy exploring! ❤️
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1️⃣ Don’t Buy Japan Rail (JR) pass without checking this calculator.
- “JR pass” is not for local transportation but for city to city transits.
- To know if its worth buying or not check this calculator at this website
https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
- Enter all your destinations, decide whether its worth buying JR pass for your trip
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2️⃣ Install “Suica” app for local public transportation even before flying to Japan
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Suica app is a Japanese transportation app available in Apple and Google store.
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This app will help you navigate in Japan in bus and train.
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The app is completely in “Japanese” so use two phones - one to translate and other to create an account.
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I recommend using “Suica anonymous” option to create your profile and link Mastercard to load money. Visa credit cards did not work for me.
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At first, minimum amount to load to 1000 yen. After that you can load in increments.
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You can pay using “Suica” in any convenience stores, vending machines or even in some street shops.
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“Pasmo” is another alternative card.
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Once Installed, you can add it on “Apple wallet” to just tap your phone as you board train. Super convenient.
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3️⃣ Book your bullet train ticket in Shinkansen official website and avoid huge convenience fees.
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4️⃣ Carry your Passports when you shop for tax refunds
- Unlike other countries, tax refunds are processed in the store you visit and you need to carry your passport whenever you shop.
- Strictly they are not processed on airports so do remember to carry your passport when you visit stores.
- Minimum shopping amount is 5000 yen.
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5️⃣ Install “Google Translate” and download “Japanese” dictionary for offline mode access.
- To navigate in train stations and in conversing to locals in streets or shops, learn few words of greeting and use google translate in offline mode.
- Clock on “Download” icon to download the entire “Japanese” library for translation.
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6️⃣ Get cash for shopping in streets and in temples so you can avoid ATM cash withdrawal fees.
- If you plan on eating street food and also donating in temples, then highly recommend carrying cash.
- Carry around 40-50$ USD of cash for emergency purpose.
- Visit your local bank or forex to get before your fly, it will avoid you to withdraw cash in Japan ATMs and also avoid hefty ATM fees.
- Don’t use your cash for recharging “suica” app and only do at emergency scenario when you cannot link a Mastercard to your suica app. Use your credit card or suica app to get maximize credit card points for travel and save cash for emergency purpose.
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Thanks for reading all this along. Hope this helps you ease your trip to Japan. As a thank you, I share my fav experiences list below ⤵️. Enjoy!
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❤️ As a BONUS, I highly recommend these top experiences that you don’t want to miss in Japan
- [ ] Book **here Team lab Planets** immersive experience
- [ ] Book **here Umeda Sky sunset** experience
- [ ] Book here Mt Fuji day tour experience as Mt. Fuji takes 3-5 trains to get there from Tokyo and its very exhausting. So book this one for a comfortable experience.
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<img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/8be6f740-7f45-43e9-9558-aa0ce7995edb/6b576a3f-97eb-4ea1-a15d-81787827c967/me.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/8be6f740-7f45-43e9-9558-aa0ce7995edb/6b576a3f-97eb-4ea1-a15d-81787827c967/me.png" width="40px" /> *My dear Explorers,
About me!
I am Gayathri from Puducherry, India* 🇮🇳 and currently live in California, United States 🇺🇸*. ****I love exploring this vibrant earth while pursuing my 9-5 job. Travel planning can be a daunting experience for many. For me, I loose track of time when I plan my travels. My mission is to help your travel planning effortless in any way I can. I love finding unique adventures and hidden gems. I travel with my Indian passport and I share the journey to ease your visa process as well. So keep following along the journey to explore this beautiful world we live in.
*Happy exploring! ❤️
— with gratitude and love
Gayathri
Creator of HeyExplorers**
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