I recommend ensuring you have cash on hand in Japan. Over here in Canada, you can get away with just a debit card or credit card these days - I've used cash only once or twice since COVID set in. But for its high technology, Japan is still surprisingly cash-based. There may be some places that only accept cash or "high-end" credit cards.
Argh dang, I remembered this tip WELL after I finished filming but you’re very right, cash is a MUST in most places in Japan. Stayed at a business hotel that only accepted cash just yesterday! 😂
When I traveled through Japan I used the suica card allot. Which was accepted at most places (Vending machines(Outside the big city mostly coins)/Convenience stores/Trains). The time I needed cash was when using the coin lockers at the train stations where I left my main travelbag for the day. And like Takashi said always keep cash on hand :). Always handy when visiting smaller cities or shops. Before I forget, great video Hannah! Sums up everything when first visiting Japan!
Don't sleep on Japanese grocery stores for cheap eats. Fully prepared meals are available and go on discount in the evenings. The only thing that is truly expensive is fruit, but the quality is so high you should treat yourself. 😋
I second this 100%! Some of the most delicious food I’ve eaten is from the grocery store haha. They come in all serving sizes and have meatless options too 😍
@@CurrentlyHannah My friends and I had our very first overseas trip together last year during March 2020 and there were 5 of us. On our first day in Tokyo Japan, there was a convenience store right outside of the Train Station and along the way to our Airbnb. Not sure if I should be proud to say this but... we spent a thousand dollars (at least in our currency) or 80,000 Yen on our first night there in one store. Needless to say we had full baskets of meals/food etc and I'm sure the cashiers working that night wouldn't want to see us enter the store ever again. SPOILER ALERT: We went back almost every night to the point that we were asking ourselves, "What are we doing???" "The cash register must be broken... are we seeing that amount right?" "Did we seriously spent a thousand dollars??? In a convenience store???"
As a fellow Australian, I really enjoyed travelling Japan during the winter, driving through the mountains with all the snowfall, waking up and having a hot nikkuman was a great experience, but choosing a season to travel in is definitely a preference thing.
Totally agree. I visited in Jan 2020 just before covid really started taking off. It was beautiful in winter! We stayed in a kyokan in Shima Onsen. We had access to private onsens, it was magical with the snow. Also saw snow monkeys! Things like Onsen, ramen etc are so nice when it's cold. I hate summer and I'm from Melbourne, so not even as hot as in QLD.
I went to Japan in January 2020 (covid was just starting to break out). I was there for only 2 weeks but it was absolutely amazing!! I really miss it and can’t wait to return. I hope to be able to spend more time there and visit the many places I didn’t get the chance to when I was there almost 2 years ago. Its an absolutely amazing country! I actually watched a lot of your videos before I went and it helped me so much.
Other than the weather, visitors should take note of the sunset time. We've been to Japan (mostly Osaka to Hiroshima) a couple of times prior to our 3rd-week-of-November trip to Tokyo, Hakone, and Fuji. We went there hoping to catch the autumn colors. We're not early risers to begin with, so we tend to leave our accommodations close to lunch time. We've got our itinerary printed and ready to go for an almost-full day of walking and photography - only to find out that by 3:30PM, it's already too dark for any nature photography. By 4PM, it already feels like 7PM-ish darkness. Went to Osaka on November 2019 to catch the autumn colors there. We were pretty confident that we got our itineraries down pat by limiting what we would be doing, given the lesson we got back in Tokyo the year before. Lo and behold, the sunset time was 5:30PM instead of 3:30PM. We just winged it at that point and appreciated the extra daylight that we can get.
Me watching this video the entire way through, knowing that I won't visit Japan in the next 1/2 years at least and will probably forget about most of this, but still enjoying it
Thanks for the thoughtful advice. When I've traveled there, everyone is so incredibly polite and humble. It seems that any language barrier can be overcome with charades and empathy!
Great breakdown Hannah! There is also the lesser-known Silver Week which only happens something like every 5-6 years in September and is essentially the same as Golden Week. Not knowing it was coming up while traveling in Kyoto without a hotel reservation meant I had to spend two nights at a Karaoke parlor and a very uncomfortable McDonald's seat lol
"I've only experienced worst humidity in Singapore" Me, A singaporean @ the humidity: I hate this. Why do you make me hate my life, humidity. I'm with you Hannah.
I thought that the Philippines, my country, is already the hottest and most humid place I would ever be in until I went to Singapore. The humidity is unlike any other. Great country, though. So modern, open, and cosmopolitan. Also love the food!
we used JR pass travel Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, totally worth it and easy. Just have to keep in mind which line takes the JR pass in Tokyo. Don't have to worry about how much you ride.
3 trips to Japan so far but I've mostly stayed in the larger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. Watching your hiking videos and other countryside videos makes me want to return and venture out but of course I am a bit nervous because I'm not sure about driving in Japan and then of course the difficulties with the language barrier. But I hope the next time I'm able to Japan that I can visit outside of major cities and I'll be re-watching your videos for tips and things like that.
The not eating garlic and drinking alcohol thing is because most vegetarians/vegans tend to be Buddhist. It's that way in Taiwan and it gets a bit cumbersome explaining what I can/can't eat haha
I vacationed in Japan in 2017 and found food can be very reasonable. Ate many meals in the restaurants located in the train station malls. Had some quick food found at convenience stores(7-eleven, Lawson, etc.). Also bought food in department store food courts. Hotels can can be what ever your needs are- stayed in Tokyo(Keio Plaza Hotel) for about $250/ nite, but in Hiroshima and Osaka I paid between $125-$150.
I have been lucky enough to visit Japan twice and would love to go back, but both of the first two times were kind of travel with training wheels. The first time my family was visiting my brother during the time he lived there, and he had already been there a year when we came, so he could speak Japanese conversationally, had a car, knew some fun places to go, etc. The second time was during college on a school trip, so I had a host family and teachers and all my fellow traveling students and never had to try to get anywhere on my own. I'm a little bit intimidated to actually plan a trip there by myself, but I will do my best to make it happen someday. It's a wonderful country, and I would love to see more of it.
Saving this to come back to later! Had plans to visit Japan on a short tip last year, but we all know how that turned out for everybody. Now I'm hoping to go next fall or spring 2023 as a honeymoon trip!
Hi Hannah, after binge watching a lot of your videos, I just wanted to let you know how entertaining, informative and well presented they are. My partner Susie and I (pensioner Brits living in France) plan on visiting Japan in October/November next year (Covid permitting). We are already learning Japanese so. 'domo arigato'....
Thanks Hannah, great video. We found getting a data SIM was essential and meant we could search for accommodation and food (as a non meat eater) as we went. Also found the Passimo pass was great not just in Tokyo or big cities. The JR pass was sooo good. Not just Shinkansen but local trains and even the ferry over to Miyajima! The dashi thing was definitely the thing I had to work around!
I went to Tokyo in 2017 and only a few people spoke English and again in 2018 and I was so impressed with how many more Japanese ppl spoke English just a year later. everyone in the restaurants, transportation and retail places spoke enough English to communicate in 2018. Great video!
Thanks for the video. We went during end of winter (off-season). You're right about the lack of leafy vibrant scenery but the good thing is I didn't need to deal with the tourist and packed streets for most of my trip. That alone made it a very enjoyable experience so for those who don't mind a little cold, I would definitely encourage you to go during winter.
Great video Hannah! As far as the best time goes we've mostly gone in Winter. We love Japan in the Winter - onsen season 😍. However the last time we visited it was during Sakura season. Sakura time was amazing but I've never seen Kyoto so busy. I've been editing my Kyoto video and it is essentially us visiting all the sites with a million other people. That's why we want to go back before travel takes off again. Next time we want to go in the Autumn though. Yep, rent a car. Shinkansen is a must do but for sheer convenience rent a car for the rest of the time. Japanese road trips are the best. 😀
Well I can promise you that there’s wayyyy less people in other areas of Japan (Tokyo not included) 😂 But good call on autumn. It’s stunning and the temperature is way better.
@@CurrentlyHannah After the chaos of Kyoto, Shikoku was a crowd free paradise. But as you said you need a car. There really are some hidden gems all over Japan. 😍
Thanks Hannah, very nice video 😍. Last time we went to Japan is Feb 2020 when COVID started to hit and we almost canceled it. I’m glad that we went and had a really good time. We couldn’t wait to go back next April🤞stay healthy & hopeful everyone 🙏🏻
This is awesome Hannah banana. So glad to see all your hard work and traveling growing into something even bigger. It would be a DRREEEEEEAM to come to japan one day. 🤞🏻
I am planning to come to Japan for work as a software developer I am learning Japanese really hard to make my life easier and watching your videos is really helpful to understand japan from a foreigner point of view. thank you
My favourite time to visit is winter. What it lacks in greenery it makes up for in beautiful snowy scenery. Plus, because a lot of people don't travel there during the winter you have a lot of places almost to yourself. YMMV though and if you don't cope with the cold very well then it's definitely the season to avoid.
Really great to see little clips from your previous adventures. I vote (not that you asked) for some 'best bits' videos. Also... Looked like Star Wars on the screen. 👍❤️👍
Japan is reopening to business travellers and international students this month! So that’s a step closer! I’m coming as a student in April! Can’t wait!
I have ticked off nearly all the don'ts on your 'when not to travel' list. 😅 The first time I traveled there was in golden week (unknowingly), I did a short study trip over summer and I went there during new years eve (which also ticks the winter box). It's Japan, so even though I agree that they aren't the best times, every trip was still amazing. 😁
I'm leaning toward driving in Japan, to explore Shikoku and mountain areas up toward Gifu. Bonus that a lot of major road signs include English, and they drive on the 'strayan side of the road. Cycling around, I found I could stop once I knew roughly where I would end up that day and search for a nearby business hotel. Basic. Clean. Usually a breakfast included (mmm Natto). Language - Google Translate is a life saver. Know enough simple phrases to be polite and start a conversation and you will find people apologising for their English (which was always so so much better than my Japanese.
Re helpful research that can save waste of time, e.g. opening hours, very short at some temples and museums, as well as odd closing days, while some onsen stay open even over night for staying guests.
GREAT VIDEO!! I've only ever rented a camper van in Japan, to travel throughout Nagano during ski season and it was amazing! So much freedom. Though the van was hard to navigate on tiny Japanese streets and a bit scary to drive on the snowy streets in Nozawaonsen (HUGE gutters that could eat a car wheel).
totally agree about the car rental when travelling outside of big cities. We visited Hokkaido twice a few years back and both times we rented cars. Having a car means we can be very flexible with our schedule, and we can stop just about anywhere to experience the beautiful scenery. Also, roads are very well maintained, and road users are mostly very well mannered. Also, combinis are everywhere in big cities, but not so much outside of them. so whenever you see one, take the opportunity to re-stock on supplies (food/drinks/snacks). We learned this the hard way when we went to Aminohashidate.
Loved this video, like 100qs I've had answered without the anxiety of asking something stupid. Glad you feel more comfortable being open about how you live and eat as a flexitarian. If someone with thier own place and with a good understanding of the language and culture found veganism restrictive or hard in Japan then I think it's less upsetting when tourists try thier best and have to compromise, take a pack up or skip a meal etc. Doesn't mean we will all arrive and order wagu beef at the airport but does mean we can make informed decisions and enjoy our trips so thank you for your openness.
Im glad you found it useful! And yes absolutely. I used to be scared about showing my true views about being flexitarian because I was scared of what people would think but I’ve come to a level of acceptance now. A lot of my “vegan” friends that I had in the past in Japan thought they were eating a vegan diet but that’s just because they couldn’t read the labels 😂 The more you know the harder it is I think. But anyways, I don’t think people should feel guilty about it. Just do your best whenever you can 😌
I can totally vouch for the flexitarian thing. I'm a raised vegetarian and accepted that there will be some fish products in almost everything. Trust me, it makes your trip much more enjoyable. The Coco Curry is the bomb for us vegetarians due to its options and combination you can do to your meal. There are some options for vegetarians in combini meals like edamame bag, dip soba noodle, delicious egg sandwich, hanjuku eggs, etc. The fruits are a bit pricey though. So, be prepared to pay for those.
If your going to travel from one city to another on the bullet train consider having you bags delivered. It can cost about $20 and can take a day but you won't have to mess about with your bags at all. I do it from the airport as well it's so much easier
Hannah chan, you are amazing on puttiwmg all the information together!! I'ljaj recommend my foreigner friends to watch this for planning to travel in Japan!🥰✨👏👏👏
Accuweather is my best friend for 7 years I like its hourly predictions. Its very useful for me I can snag a bit of sunlight on a beach before it begins to rain again.
I visit twice. Both time I visit during new year. Its true that many things can be close. But that just planning thing. Still we love new year. Just book small house base accomodations and visit shinto temple. People are extra friendly during holidays. So you must do more effort, but it can find more. Winter is nice too, but we are from Finland and very just to winter.
Railpass is not only great for going between large cities, it can also be used to get to and from the airport, and on some subway lines. I basically didn't pay for any other transportation during 2,5 weeks. Best value ever for a tourist!
About the JR railcard: when we were planing our trip back in `19 we found a website (or somewhere in the official JR website or in some governement operate one) where we found out that there was a moneycounter. There were empty fields about your upcoming travels and when you filled them out (i.e. 1st Tokyo to Osaka, then Osaka to Nara, then Nara to Hiroshima and so on...) the counter gives you the cost of the planned travel one by one and all together as well. When the whole cost hits the prize of the JR cards prize, then its worth to buy that, if not, then worth to pay for the travels one by one. Easy to find , i never checked longer than the first three results. About the food: any, literally any convenience store gives you cheap and very nice food and drink. Hot or cold, doesnt matter. Im an 85 kg active person and i was able to buy enough food for myself for $4 tops any time.
In US you can get your International Drivers Permit from AAA for under $30 (at least that was price when I got mine); they translate your info into Japanese and put a raised seal on it. Good for 2 years. I think it took me a week? I'll have to get another since I had to cancel my trip back in Nov 😔 but hopefully will be able to in spring 🤞 (oh and I found people's faces lit up when I pulled out my translation device and they saw they wouldn't have to worry about my English, especially in Hokkaido countryside- best purchase award)
Winter travel to Hokkaido and back, remember if you planning on flying the snow fall might cause your flight to be cancelled, bullet trains very rarely get cancelled because of the snow
Bonus: Bullet trains don't require security checks and all the wait time that airports entail. Also, if you are going long distances you can offset the price by getting JR Rail passes which are available nationally or regionally and can now be purchased in Japan. Research using Hyperdia will tell you whether it will be cost effective for you.
I just can't wait to go to Japan once they open up for the U.S. because it hurt my soul once this panoramic decided to shut down the world. I will start crying when they announce the opening date 😭😭😭
Looking forward to come back to Japan! One mistake that we did when we visit was we carried like 4 luggages (we were in Seoul before coming to Japan) and it was hard to carry stuffs because some train stations has no escalator/elevator 🙃
Less luggage more washing machines makes like easier, remember you can only wear a set of clothes at anyone time But hey everyone travels differently, happy travels
In my experience, staying in countryside is way more expensive than in the city. Cities have a lot of cheap accommodation options to choose from (hostels!) and tons of cheap dining options, while some villages out there don't even have a conbini (I used to live in a village like that) and the one ryokan wants 100 bucks a night from you. And I don't like driving (especially because I am not from one of the 5 places in the world, that have decided to drive on the weird side;)), so I've only rented a car once when I was living in Okinawa because the public transport in Oki is barely existent and even then it's a mess...but the rest of Japan is super well connected and it's easy to do solely on public transportation (and cheaply!). But that's also coming from me, who is not limited by time as tourists are. Ad food...are you gluten intolerant/celiac (like me)?...now that is the real hell to be in Japan.
You might be right there on accomodation prices. It really does depend where you’re going, like I said for example, touristy countryside places (Kamikochi for example) can be quite expensive, but I’ve seen some dirt cheap places out in non-touristy countryside. And yeah, having an intolerance is objectively a lot harder than not eating meat.
To get rid of the flickering in your tree, you'll need to use a slower shutter speed + VND filter. You prob know this but just wanted to suggest. Great video as always!
Golden week doesn't change by year, it's always from April 29th Showa Emperor's birthday to May 5 Children's day. To be exact, national holidays are April 29th, May 3rd (Constitution memorial day), May 4th (Green day) and May 5th. Well, you are probably referring the Sundays and additional holidays by the calendar magic 祝日法. ※ If national holiday happens on Sunday, the following first weekday will become an alternative holiday. (Normally Monday becomes, if Monday is already holiday, then Tuesday) In general, the domestic companies find the inefficiency of holidays happen every other day or two, then they leave an entire week or two. But public services follow as is (transportation, school and etc). You may go to city hall or library. On the contrary, December 29 to January 3rd are all holidays for public service except Police and Fire station. I have one more season that would be no fun is the rainy season around the end of June to mid-July. My friend from Texas, he told me he could bear with the crazy humid in Summer (I must get heatstroke), just like where he lives. I don't want to travel in the rainy season, temperature is excellent but getting so wet everywhere I go. Good work Hannah, I am a rude guy, if you feel obnoxious in some way, that's normal. But I thank you for you service.
Just remember to cosplay your topic and open the video with a hearty "So!" to complete the Currently Nicholson conversion. Or cold open with a semi-deep-dive on something seemingly unrelated to the topic at hand that turns out to actually be pertinent to go for the Currently Ellis approach.
Visited friends in November 2018 and had a blast! Had a trip booked for spring 2020 and, well, you know. Hope to get back there next year so I can explore and my mountaineering husband can climb fuji!
Thanks for the tips! Japan will be my first international trip ever and for a month too! lol. I've been saving for 2 years now and at this point I'm just waiting for the gates to open. Shooting for March. 30th Birthday and all that. lol
A simple suggestion: Japanese commonly study English for six years in school. As such, they can read manageably but very poor in general at spoken language. Hence, you can get away with writing notes and passing to or showing them. Works even in rural areas.
I recommend ensuring you have cash on hand in Japan. Over here in Canada, you can get away with just a debit card or credit card these days - I've used cash only once or twice since COVID set in. But for its high technology, Japan is still surprisingly cash-based. There may be some places that only accept cash or "high-end" credit cards.
Definitely true. Many ryokan still only take cash - and for some ryokan that is a LOT of cash 😂. But cards are more accepted now than ever before.
Argh dang, I remembered this tip WELL after I finished filming but you’re very right, cash is a MUST in most places in Japan. Stayed at a business hotel that only accepted cash just yesterday! 😂
YES!! And ATMs in Japan can close on weekends and holidays -- especially in rural areas
When I traveled through Japan I used the suica card allot. Which was accepted at most places (Vending machines(Outside the big city mostly coins)/Convenience stores/Trains). The time I needed cash was when using the coin lockers at the train stations where I left my main travelbag for the day. And like Takashi said always keep cash on hand :). Always handy when visiting smaller cities or shops. Before I forget, great video Hannah! Sums up everything when first visiting Japan!
And remember to have your bank increase your daily withdrawal amount before leaving your home country.
Don't sleep on Japanese grocery stores for cheap eats. Fully prepared meals are available and go on discount in the evenings. The only thing that is truly expensive is fruit, but the quality is so high you should treat yourself. 😋
I second this 100%! Some of the most delicious food I’ve eaten is from the grocery store haha. They come in all serving sizes and have meatless options too 😍
True. And also end of day sales at markets and food halls.
ITS ALL THE HORSE MEAT THEY SELL. VERY EXPENSIVE IN JAPAN!
Totally agree on the fruit. Japanese strawberries are about the best I've ever had 🍓🍓🍓
@@CurrentlyHannah My friends and I had our very first overseas trip together last year during March 2020 and there were 5 of us. On our first day in Tokyo Japan, there was a convenience store right outside of the Train Station and along the way to our Airbnb. Not sure if I should be proud to say this but... we spent a thousand dollars (at least in our currency) or 80,000 Yen on our first night there in one store. Needless to say we had full baskets of meals/food etc and I'm sure the cashiers working that night wouldn't want to see us enter the store ever again.
SPOILER ALERT: We went back almost every night to the point that we were asking ourselves, "What are we doing???" "The cash register must be broken... are we seeing that amount right?" "Did we seriously spent a thousand dollars??? In a convenience store???"
As a fellow Australian, I really enjoyed travelling Japan during the winter, driving through the mountains with all the snowfall, waking up and having a hot nikkuman was a great experience, but choosing a season to travel in is definitely a preference thing.
Totally agree. I visited in Jan 2020 just before covid really started taking off. It was beautiful in winter! We stayed in a kyokan in Shima Onsen. We had access to private onsens, it was magical with the snow. Also saw snow monkeys! Things like Onsen, ramen etc are so nice when it's cold. I hate summer and I'm from Melbourne, so not even as hot as in QLD.
Where did you go? I'm curious what might be cool in the winter
I went to Japan in January 2020 (covid was just starting to break out). I was there for only 2 weeks but it was absolutely amazing!! I really miss it and can’t wait to return. I hope to be able to spend more time there and visit the many places I didn’t get the chance to when I was there almost 2 years ago. Its an absolutely amazing country! I actually watched a lot of your videos before I went and it helped me so much.
Other than the weather, visitors should take note of the sunset time. We've been to Japan (mostly Osaka to Hiroshima) a couple of times prior to our 3rd-week-of-November trip to Tokyo, Hakone, and Fuji. We went there hoping to catch the autumn colors. We're not early risers to begin with, so we tend to leave our accommodations close to lunch time. We've got our itinerary printed and ready to go for an almost-full day of walking and photography - only to find out that by 3:30PM, it's already too dark for any nature photography. By 4PM, it already feels like 7PM-ish darkness.
Went to Osaka on November 2019 to catch the autumn colors there. We were pretty confident that we got our itineraries down pat by limiting what we would be doing, given the lesson we got back in Tokyo the year before. Lo and behold, the sunset time was 5:30PM instead of 3:30PM. We just winged it at that point and appreciated the extra daylight that we can get.
Me watching this video the entire way through, knowing that I won't visit Japan in the next 1/2 years at least and will probably forget about most of this, but still enjoying it
Thanks for the thoughtful advice. When I've traveled there, everyone is so incredibly polite and humble. It seems that any language barrier can be overcome with charades and empathy!
Awesome! I'm Japanese living in Tokyo (yes, I am) but this video was really interesting and I agree with her advices.
Great to hear :) thank you!
The Tatooine backgrounds are beautiful! Lots of great tips too! Thanks for that!
I appreciate the info, and the Tatooine background!
I traveled to Japan in Winter in 2020 from Australia and I absolutely loved it!
Great breakdown Hannah! There is also the lesser-known Silver Week which only happens something like every 5-6 years in September and is essentially the same as Golden Week. Not knowing it was coming up while traveling in Kyoto without a hotel reservation meant I had to spend two nights at a Karaoke parlor and a very uncomfortable McDonald's seat lol
Oh really? I’ve actually never heard of that before 😅 that could definitely catch you offguard!
@@CurrentlyHannah Next one is in 2026 so still some time left to prepare!
"I've only experienced worst humidity in Singapore"
Me, A singaporean @ the humidity: I hate this. Why do you make me hate my life, humidity.
I'm with you Hannah.
I thought that the Philippines, my country, is already the hottest and most humid place I would ever be in until I went to Singapore. The humidity is unlike any other. Great country, though. So modern, open, and cosmopolitan. Also love the food!
we used JR pass travel Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, totally worth it and easy. Just have to keep in mind which line takes the JR pass in Tokyo. Don't have to worry about how much you ride.
3 trips to Japan so far but I've mostly stayed in the larger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. Watching your hiking videos and other countryside videos makes me want to return and venture out but of course I am a bit nervous because I'm not sure about driving in Japan and then of course the difficulties with the language barrier. But I hope the next time I'm able to Japan that I can visit outside of major cities and I'll be re-watching your videos for tips and things like that.
The not eating garlic and drinking alcohol thing is because most vegetarians/vegans tend to be Buddhist. It's that way in Taiwan and it gets a bit cumbersome explaining what I can/can't eat haha
I vacationed in Japan in 2017 and found food can be very reasonable. Ate many meals in the restaurants located in the train station malls. Had some quick food found at convenience stores(7-eleven, Lawson, etc.). Also bought food in department store food courts. Hotels can can be what ever your needs are- stayed in Tokyo(Keio Plaza Hotel) for about $250/ nite, but in Hiroshima and Osaka I paid between $125-$150.
I have been lucky enough to visit Japan twice and would love to go back, but both of the first two times were kind of travel with training wheels. The first time my family was visiting my brother during the time he lived there, and he had already been there a year when we came, so he could speak Japanese conversationally, had a car, knew some fun places to go, etc. The second time was during college on a school trip, so I had a host family and teachers and all my fellow traveling students and never had to try to get anywhere on my own. I'm a little bit intimidated to actually plan a trip there by myself, but I will do my best to make it happen someday. It's a wonderful country, and I would love to see more of it.
Hannah uploads i click, now let's watch!!
Saving this to come back to later! Had plans to visit Japan on a short tip last year, but we all know how that turned out for everybody. Now I'm hoping to go next fall or spring 2023 as a honeymoon trip!
thank you Hannah for making this! Was actually secretly planning a Japan trip if the country opens. Perfect timing!
10 points - That's where she buried the light saber.
Hi Hannah, after binge watching a lot of your videos, I just wanted to let you know how entertaining, informative and well presented they are. My partner Susie and I (pensioner Brits living in France) plan on visiting Japan in October/November next year (Covid permitting). We are already learning Japanese so. 'domo arigato'....
Thanks Hannah, great video. We found getting a data SIM was essential and meant we could search for accommodation and food (as a non meat eater) as we went. Also found the Passimo pass was great not just in Tokyo or big cities. The JR pass was sooo good. Not just Shinkansen but local trains and even the ferry over to Miyajima! The dashi thing was definitely the thing I had to work around!
I went to Tokyo in 2017 and only a few people spoke English and again in 2018 and I was so impressed with how many more Japanese ppl spoke English just a year later. everyone in the restaurants, transportation and retail places spoke enough English to communicate in 2018. Great video!
Thanks for the video. We went during end of winter (off-season). You're right about the lack of leafy vibrant scenery but the good thing is I didn't need to deal with the tourist and packed streets for most of my trip. That alone made it a very enjoyable experience so for those who don't mind a little cold, I would definitely encourage you to go during winter.
I was glad to read this comment. I'm going this winter and was a bit disheartened hearing it was not recommended
Great video Hannah! As far as the best time goes we've mostly gone in Winter. We love Japan in the Winter - onsen season 😍. However the last time we visited it was during Sakura season. Sakura time was amazing but I've never seen Kyoto so busy. I've been editing my Kyoto video and it is essentially us visiting all the sites with a million other people. That's why we want to go back before travel takes off again. Next time we want to go in the Autumn though.
Yep, rent a car. Shinkansen is a must do but for sheer convenience rent a car for the rest of the time. Japanese road trips are the best. 😀
Well I can promise you that there’s wayyyy less people in other areas of Japan (Tokyo not included) 😂 But good call on autumn. It’s stunning and the temperature is way better.
@@CurrentlyHannah After the chaos of Kyoto, Shikoku was a crowd free paradise. But as you said you need a car. There really are some hidden gems all over Japan. 😍
So the fall then? I think that would be nice, less people, still great weather
@@D0land0_94 It would be very nice. I'd love to see it in the autumn.
Thanks Hannah, very nice video 😍. Last time we went to Japan is Feb 2020 when COVID started to hit and we almost canceled it. I’m glad that we went and had a really good time. We couldn’t wait to go back next April🤞stay healthy & hopeful everyone 🙏🏻
This is awesome Hannah banana. So glad to see all your hard work and traveling growing into something even bigger. It would be a DRREEEEEEAM to come to japan one day. 🤞🏻
Thank you so much! It’s so nice to find a purpose for all this old footage!
Vegetarianism in Buddhism/Hinduism/Jainism typically also means no garlic, no onions, no eggs, no alcohol.
Thank you for this video! I'm putting this in my back pocket for whenever I'm actually able to travel there.
Thank you so much!! I will come backpacking in Japan for 9 weeks from march on, your video made me even more excited😍
I am planning to come to Japan for work as a software developer I am learning Japanese really hard to make my life easier and watching your videos is really helpful to understand japan from a foreigner point of view. thank you
I noticed that the one monitor was Tatooine we really that remined me of how much we were all Star Wars fanatics growing up.
My favourite time to visit is winter. What it lacks in greenery it makes up for in beautiful snowy scenery. Plus, because a lot of people don't travel there during the winter you have a lot of places almost to yourself. YMMV though and if you don't cope with the cold very well then it's definitely the season to avoid.
Very insightful, thank you so much for sharing! ❤️🌸
Really great to see little clips from your previous adventures. I vote (not that you asked) for some 'best bits' videos. Also... Looked like Star Wars on the screen. 👍❤️👍
Japan is reopening to business travellers and international students this month! So that’s a step closer! I’m coming as a student in April! Can’t wait!
I went to the Iya Valley in Tokushima last week after seeing your video on it. Such a beautiful place!! Thanks!!
Oh you did! I’m so glad you got to experience it’s beauty!
I have ticked off nearly all the don'ts on your 'when not to travel' list. 😅
The first time I traveled there was in golden week (unknowingly), I did a short study trip over summer and I went there during new years eve (which also ticks the winter box). It's Japan, so even though I agree that they aren't the best times, every trip was still amazing. 😁
February is the best month to visit Hokkaido for red-crowned crane viewing.
The bamboo light cluster at 2:53 is beautiful. I'm going to copy that idea and build something like that for my garden.
So helpful, so concise, and so charming! This was super helpful.
I'm leaning toward driving in Japan, to explore Shikoku and mountain areas up toward Gifu. Bonus that a lot of major road signs include English, and they drive on the 'strayan side of the road. Cycling around, I found I could stop once I knew roughly where I would end up that day and search for a nearby business hotel. Basic. Clean. Usually a breakfast included (mmm Natto).
Language - Google Translate is a life saver. Know enough simple phrases to be polite and start a conversation and you will find people apologising for their English (which was always so so much better than my Japanese.
You're the BEST!! Great video!!
Re helpful research that can save waste of time, e.g. opening hours, very short at some temples and museums, as well as odd closing days, while some onsen stay open even over night for staying guests.
GREAT VIDEO!! I've only ever rented a camper van in Japan, to travel throughout Nagano during ski season and it was amazing! So much freedom. Though the van was hard to navigate on tiny Japanese streets and a bit scary to drive on the snowy streets in Nozawaonsen (HUGE gutters that could eat a car wheel).
Re: Golden Week .. it's actually a GREAT time to visit Tokyo, because everyone leaves the city, accommodation is REALLY easy to get and cheap.
Finally someone who talks about the logistics, thank you kind lady!
totally agree about the car rental when travelling outside of big cities. We visited Hokkaido twice a few years back and both times we rented cars. Having a car means we can be very flexible with our schedule, and we can stop just about anywhere to experience the beautiful scenery. Also, roads are very well maintained, and road users are mostly very well mannered.
Also, combinis are everywhere in big cities, but not so much outside of them. so whenever you see one, take the opportunity to re-stock on supplies (food/drinks/snacks). We learned this the hard way when we went to Aminohashidate.
Loved this video, like 100qs I've had answered without the anxiety of asking something stupid. Glad you feel more comfortable being open about how you live and eat as a flexitarian. If someone with thier own place and with a good understanding of the language and culture found veganism restrictive or hard in Japan then I think it's less upsetting when tourists try thier best and have to compromise, take a pack up or skip a meal etc. Doesn't mean we will all arrive and order wagu beef at the airport but does mean we can make informed decisions and enjoy our trips so thank you for your openness.
Im glad you found it useful! And yes absolutely. I used to be scared about showing my true views about being flexitarian because I was scared of what people would think but I’ve come to a level of acceptance now. A lot of my “vegan” friends that I had in the past in Japan thought they were eating a vegan diet but that’s just because they couldn’t read the labels 😂 The more you know the harder it is I think. But anyways, I don’t think people should feel guilty about it. Just do your best whenever you can 😌
@@CurrentlyHannah or in my case do your best until you have a bad day then get a chocolate bar from the local convenience store 😅
I can totally vouch for the flexitarian thing. I'm a raised vegetarian and accepted that there will be some fish products in almost everything. Trust me, it makes your trip much more enjoyable. The Coco Curry is the bomb for us vegetarians due to its options and combination you can do to your meal. There are some options for vegetarians in combini meals like edamame bag, dip soba noodle, delicious egg sandwich, hanjuku eggs, etc.
The fruits are a bit pricey though. So, be prepared to pay for those.
If your going to travel from one city to another on the bullet train consider having you bags delivered. It can cost about $20 and can take a day but you won't have to mess about with your bags at all. I do it from the airport as well it's so much easier
Used to live in Japan and visited several times. Never rented a car but definitely considering it for a more comprehensive trip around Kyushu. 😁
Can't sleep.. check UA-cam.. Yay new vid from Hannah!! :)
As an Alaskan who misses the winter, I’ve always wanted to go to Hokkaido in the winter.
Addicted to your travel videos .Superb work Hannah
Thanks for making this video Hannah! It's awesome!!!
Hannah chan, you are amazing on puttiwmg all the information together!! I'ljaj recommend my foreigner friends to watch this for planning to travel in Japan!🥰✨👏👏👏
I go Japan every year since 2013 to 2020 just before travel ban... love that place hope to visit 2022
Accuweather is my best friend for 7 years I like its hourly predictions. Its very useful for me I can snag a bit of sunlight on a beach before it begins to rain again.
I visit twice. Both time I visit during new year. Its true that many things can be close. But that just planning thing.
Still we love new year. Just book small house base accomodations and visit shinto temple. People are extra friendly during holidays.
So you must do more effort, but it can find more.
Winter is nice too, but we are from Finland and very just to winter.
Can't wait to visit Tatooine
Same 😍
Thanks for the great info Hannah. Can't wait to go back soon !
I hope and pray I can go back back to Japan next year! Thanks for the video Hannah!
Railpass is not only great for going between large cities, it can also be used to get to and from the airport, and on some subway lines. I basically didn't pay for any other transportation during 2,5 weeks. Best value ever for a tourist!
That’s a great point! The smaller trips can add up quite quickly!
such great tips!! thanks Hannah
Important and invaluable information ! Hopefully , you'll provide a scaled down version for each place you share with us.
So good! Can't wait to get back to Japan!
GREAT video, Hannah!
About the JR railcard:
when we were planing our trip back in `19 we found a website (or somewhere in the official JR website or in some governement operate one) where we found out that there was a moneycounter. There were empty fields about your upcoming travels and when you filled them out (i.e. 1st Tokyo to Osaka, then Osaka to Nara, then Nara to Hiroshima and so on...) the counter gives you the cost of the planned travel one by one and all together as well. When the whole cost hits the prize of the JR cards prize, then its worth to buy that, if not, then worth to pay for the travels one by one. Easy to find , i never checked longer than the first three results.
About the food:
any, literally any convenience store gives you cheap and very nice food and drink. Hot or cold, doesnt matter. Im an 85 kg active person and i was able to buy enough food for myself for $4 tops any time.
In US you can get your International Drivers Permit from AAA for under $30 (at least that was price when I got mine); they translate your info into Japanese and put a raised seal on it. Good for 2 years. I think it took me a week? I'll have to get another since I had to cancel my trip back in Nov 😔 but hopefully will be able to in spring 🤞 (oh and I found people's faces lit up when I pulled out my translation device and they saw they wouldn't have to worry about my English, especially in Hokkaido countryside- best purchase award)
Winter travel to Hokkaido and back, remember if you planning on flying the snow fall might cause your flight to be cancelled, bullet trains very rarely get cancelled because of the snow
Bonus: Bullet trains don't require security checks and all the wait time that airports entail. Also, if you are going long distances you can offset the price by getting JR Rail passes which are available nationally or regionally and can now be purchased in Japan. Research using Hyperdia will tell you whether it will be cost effective for you.
I just can't wait to go to Japan once they open up for the U.S. because it hurt my soul once this panoramic decided to shut down the world. I will start crying when they announce the opening date 😭😭😭
Looking forward to come back to Japan! One mistake that we did when we visit was we carried like 4 luggages (we were in Seoul before coming to Japan) and it was hard to carry stuffs because some train stations has no escalator/elevator 🙃
This is so true
Less luggage more washing machines makes like easier, remember you can only wear a set of clothes at anyone time
But hey everyone travels differently, happy travels
I would recommend Japan during winter and especially New Years, I guess we have different outlooks on it.
Woowww awesome upload ❤️ thank you for sharing with us…loved from Romania 🇷🇴
Thank you so much for sharing this helpful informations! I hope I can visit japan next year
In my experience, staying in countryside is way more expensive than in the city. Cities have a lot of cheap accommodation options to choose from (hostels!) and tons of cheap dining options, while some villages out there don't even have a conbini (I used to live in a village like that) and the one ryokan wants 100 bucks a night from you.
And I don't like driving (especially because I am not from one of the 5 places in the world, that have decided to drive on the weird side;)), so I've only rented a car once when I was living in Okinawa because the public transport in Oki is barely existent and even then it's a mess...but the rest of Japan is super well connected and it's easy to do solely on public transportation (and cheaply!). But that's also coming from me, who is not limited by time as tourists are.
Ad food...are you gluten intolerant/celiac (like me)?...now that is the real hell to be in Japan.
You might be right there on accomodation prices. It really does depend where you’re going, like I said for example, touristy countryside places (Kamikochi for example) can be quite expensive, but I’ve seen some dirt cheap places out in non-touristy countryside.
And yeah, having an intolerance is objectively a lot harder than not eating meat.
Thank you for a very helpful video! Could you maybe do a video on the equipment you use to film? 🙏🥹
To get rid of the flickering in your tree, you'll need to use a slower shutter speed + VND filter. You prob know this but just wanted to suggest.
Great video as always!
Thanks for this, i cant wait to go back Japan!
Good tips, Hannah. Thanks!
Golden week doesn't change by year, it's always from April 29th Showa Emperor's birthday to May 5 Children's day.
To be exact, national holidays are April 29th, May 3rd (Constitution memorial day), May 4th (Green day) and May 5th.
Well, you are probably referring the Sundays and additional holidays by the calendar magic 祝日法.
※ If national holiday happens on Sunday, the following first weekday will become an alternative holiday. (Normally Monday becomes, if Monday is already holiday, then Tuesday)
In general, the domestic companies find the inefficiency of holidays happen every other day or two, then they leave an entire week or two.
But public services follow as is (transportation, school and etc). You may go to city hall or library.
On the contrary, December 29 to January 3rd are all holidays for public service except Police and Fire station.
I have one more season that would be no fun is the rainy season around the end of June to mid-July.
My friend from Texas, he told me he could bear with the crazy humid in Summer (I must get heatstroke), just like where he lives.
I don't want to travel in the rainy season, temperature is excellent but getting so wet everywhere I go.
Good work Hannah, I am a rude guy, if you feel obnoxious in some way, that's normal.
But I thank you for you service.
Also would not mind a desk setup your or equipment tour again with the new tech just wanna know how your workflow has changed nowadays
solo hiking rule while recording: 1 set the camera then walk forward/back, 2 pretend first time go thru new path, 3 play back the video carefully.
Just remember to cosplay your topic and open the video with a hearty "So!" to complete the Currently Nicholson conversion.
Or cold open with a semi-deep-dive on something seemingly unrelated to the topic at hand that turns out to actually be pertinent to go for the Currently Ellis approach.
Thank you girl ❤
Visited friends in November 2018 and had a blast! Had a trip booked for spring 2020 and, well, you know. Hope to get back there next year so I can explore and my mountaineering husband can climb fuji!
Awesome video/info! Thank you!
Every video I watch makes me want to migrate to Japan!
Thanks for the tips! Japan will be my first international trip ever and for a month too! lol. I've been saving for 2 years now and at this point I'm just waiting for the gates to open. Shooting for March. 30th Birthday and all that. lol
It is Tatooine in the back!
Very Informative!! Thank Youeee 😍
I live here but enjoyed the video just the same lol also is that Star Wars in the background?!:o
Thanks Hannah! this is great
When I read, '"don't waste you time" I thought you meant don't bother travelling to Japan 😂
A simple suggestion: Japanese commonly study English for six years in school. As such, they can read manageably but very poor in general at spoken language. Hence, you can get away with writing notes and passing to or showing them. Works even in rural areas.
omg those places I see on the video, are just so beautiful, would you mind telling me some of the best places and pretty views in Japan
AAA in the USA can get you an international driver's license for Japan for under $30 and you need it for Mario Karts in Tokyo lol