Hints for first time visitors to Japan
Jul 9, 2018, 2:16 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,703
Yes it is recommended. Japan hospital are paid cash and usually before treatment, the costs are high.
You could use your regular travel insurance or with this company Sompo Japan Nipponkoa
You could use your regular travel insurance or with this company Sompo Japan Nipponkoa
Jul 9, 2018, 4:21 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baltimore, MD (BWI/IAD)
Programs: United Mileage Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 347
Also, the US Embassy maintains a list of medical facilities and practitioners in Japan, pointing out where you can find people who speak English. (Being on the list doesn't constitute an endorsement.)
Jul 9, 2018, 4:24 pm
#95
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baltimore, MD (BWI/IAD)
Programs: United Mileage Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 347
Thank you...came to this thread to ask the exact same question and (as always), FT'rs are way ahead of me..THANK YOU to all for the helpful tips and especially the one above.
One question - does each person need their OWN Suica card or can I pay for my daughter's trains, snacks etc with mine?
One question - does each person need their OWN Suica card or can I pay for my daughter's trains, snacks etc with mine?
Jul 9, 2018, 11:01 pm
#96
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,703
Jul 10, 2018, 12:25 am
#97
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
Jul 10, 2018, 11:06 am
#98
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baltimore, MD (BWI/IAD)
Programs: United Mileage Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 347
I’m not sure I understand the last part of your comment - everybody needs a separate card to get through the fare gates but when it comes to using the cards at vending machines, in restaurants, convenience stores etc., it doesn’t matter which card you use. The only ‘issue’ becomes that (assuming you’re traveling together) all the cards will be charged the same train/bus/subway fares but whichever card (or cards) is used for other purchases will obviously have a lower balance than the others and will need to be re-charged sooner. In our experience, the convenience store etc. receipts show the card number and the balance remaining after the current transaction (and the fare gates usually also show the remaining balance) so you can keep an eye on the diminishing balance. We usually try to ‘rotate’ our two cards for non-fare transactions so as as to keep the balances in sync as much as possible.... and then top them both up at the same time, varying the top-up amounts as needed so as to get the balances back in sync as much as possible.
Jul 10, 2018, 10:54 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Kyushu
Programs: NH
Posts: 44
<div style="text-align:left;">I’m not sure I understand the last part of your comment - everybody needs a separate card to get through the fare gates but when it comes to using the cards at vending machines, in restaurants, convenience stores etc., it doesn’t matter which card you use. The only ‘issue’ becomes that (assuming you’re traveling together) all the cards will be charged the same train/bus/subway fares but whichever card (or cards) is used for other purchases will obviously have a lower balance than the others and will need to be re-charged sooner. In our experience, the convenience store etc. receipts show the card number and the balance remaining after the current transaction (and the fare gates usually also show the remaining balance) so you can keep an eye on the diminishing balance. We usually try to ‘rotate’ our two cards for non-fare transactions so as as to keep the balances in sync as much as possible.... and then top them both up at the same time, varying the top-up amounts as needed so as to get the balances back in sync as much as possible.<br /><br /></div>
Aug 8, 2018, 1:51 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 104
I have read most of this thread, but haven't noticed much about buying a local sim card-
is this an option for travellers ?
i would rather do that then renting a wifi router, as i am aware of the danger of having electric magnetic fields constantly at such a close distance.
thank you all.
is this an option for travellers ?
i would rather do that then renting a wifi router, as i am aware of the danger of having electric magnetic fields constantly at such a close distance.
thank you all.
Aug 8, 2018, 2:38 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Kyushu
Programs: NH
Posts: 44
Well it is possible to have a data simcard. You can buy it at some airports or go to Big Camera/Yodobashi camera.
As far as i tried, you just cannot have a dial sim card as a non resident... (i mean one with a phone nr)
As far as i tried, you just cannot have a dial sim card as a non resident... (i mean one with a phone nr)
Aug 9, 2018, 10:12 pm
#103
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
google maps and which floor
Google maps can be very helpful with directions for the subway (and walking, etc) BUT
It almost always (phone not maps) loses gps in subway therefore sometimes will not notify you when to get on/off train, but if you take the train it shows the arrival time WILL be exactly right so you'll know when to get off
For using in large stations (and probably other places) maps is often wrong or doesn't give info on the LEVEL eg I was directed to take level 1 and given directions to my hotel from the train station, but actually needed to go to level 3!!
It almost always (phone not maps) loses gps in subway therefore sometimes will not notify you when to get on/off train, but if you take the train it shows the arrival time WILL be exactly right so you'll know when to get off
For using in large stations (and probably other places) maps is often wrong or doesn't give info on the LEVEL eg I was directed to take level 1 and given directions to my hotel from the train station, but actually needed to go to level 3!!
Aug 14, 2018, 7:11 pm
#104
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska MVP Gold.
Posts: 1,962
It's not too hard to take the subway without Google Maps: most cars now have displays that show info on where you are, where you are heading and what the next stop /current stop is in Japanese and English.
But google maps does indicate the number of stops so you can count! (well, unless there is a local vs express issue)