Two things I learned in Japan today
Jun 25, 23, 7:43 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
Two things I learned in Japan today
Today was my first time buying a ticket at a JR station. In the past, I've always used a JR Rail pass. The JR station at KIX doesn't accept mobile payment like Apple Pay. They do accept credit cards, but I had to use a physical card.
I can't remember what my experience using my cellphone in the Shinkansen was like in the past, but wow, the connection isn't very good. It's a bit slow and spotty. I'm taking the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo at the moment and the guy next to see is watching YouTube on his 16" MacBook Pro. It's constantly buffering and stuttering. I expected better from a country like Japan.
I can't remember what my experience using my cellphone in the Shinkansen was like in the past, but wow, the connection isn't very good. It's a bit slow and spotty. I'm taking the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo at the moment and the guy next to see is watching YouTube on his 16" MacBook Pro. It's constantly buffering and stuttering. I expected better from a country like Japan.
Last edited by lsquare; Jun 25, 23 at 8:01 am
Jun 25, 23, 8:00 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL GM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing
Posts: 9,290
Today was my first time buying a ticket at a JR station. In the past, I've always used a JR Rail pass. The JR station at KIX doesn't accept mobile payment like Apple Pay. They do accept credit cards, but I had to use a physical card.
I can't remember what my experience using my cellphone in the Shinkansen was like, but wow, the connection isn't very good. It's a bit slow and spotty. I'm taking the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo at the moment and the guy next to see is watching YouTube on his 16" MacBook Pro. It's constantly buffering and stuttering. I expected better from a country like Japan.
I can't remember what my experience using my cellphone in the Shinkansen was like, but wow, the connection isn't very good. It's a bit slow and spotty. I'm taking the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo at the moment and the guy next to see is watching YouTube on his 16" MacBook Pro. It's constantly buffering and stuttering. I expected better from a country like Japan.
Jun 25, 23, 8:04 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
Jun 25, 23, 9:35 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,041
I've found the free WiFi on the Shinkansen to be pretty lame. Drops often, slow, balky. I guess you get what you pay for.
Jun 25, 23, 9:41 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
Jun 25, 23, 9:46 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AAdvantage, Southwest, HHonors, National
Posts: 518
Jun 25, 23, 9:56 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
Jun 25, 23, 10:16 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SIN, SFO, LON
Programs: SQ:TPPS, Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 403
I think even JR taking credit card is only a recent phenomenon (last 5-10 year). It was only cash before that. Not sure about Apple Pay, but you cannot use your usual visa or Mastercard paywave (or any other foreign contactless payment methods) in Japan also. They use a different frequency which only works with Japan issued credit cards.
Last edited by williamluk; Jun 25, 23 at 10:26 am
Jun 25, 23, 10:25 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
I think even JR taking credit card is only a recent phenomenon (last 5-10 year). It was only cash before that. Not sure about Apple Pay, but you cannot use your usual visa paywave (or any other contactless credit cards) in Japan also. They use a different frequency which only works with Japan-issued credit cards.
Jun 25, 23, 10:34 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SIN, SFO, LON
Programs: SQ:TPPS, Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 403
Japan CC contactless payment sign
Jun 25, 23, 10:35 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
Jun 25, 23, 10:49 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SIN, SFO, LON
Programs: SQ:TPPS, Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 403
Jun 25, 23, 10:54 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 18,572
