Listen to me, you all need to get the amazing Osaka pass. It’s a ton of great attractions and the train for like $20 a person. Loved these after hours!
Mitch and I are on the same wave length. My wife and I are already planning to spend the majority of our retirement with Manila as our home base. Just love the respect and kindness we experienced in Asia.
3 nights at PH Kyoto was heaven! People go to Kyoto to see temples and shrines, but this PH is a temple of design and hospitality. Every angle, hallway, surface, room…beauty everywhere. An amazing Tony Chi hotel. But that Hyatt Place is very impressive in its own way. I was impressed with their custom-designed popsicles. 😁
Love this episode and you had me laughing as well with the banter! I can relate to Mitch...giving up and moving to Asia! I'm curious if PH Kyoto is worth it if you don't have Globalist perks.
Absolutely worth it for the location and the service. The globalist breakfast is not anything you will miss. The possible upgrade is a nice pagoda view but you can get that from the upstairs bar.
Also the Hyatt Place Kyoto’s laundry room can become crowded when you want to do laundry and it can be a long wait… like “a few hours later” kinda wait…. If you go to the Bar at the Park Hyatt ( if you visit for a sunset view of “The Pagoda” ), you’ll have to make a reservation and wear Business casual attire I think ( if you’re not staying at the Park Hyatt and you want to buy a cocktail. I was too tired and canceled my booking but maybe my next trip I’ll get to stay at the Park Hyatt). If you do a bike tour ( Viator), go for the electric bikes to see Kyoto and the sights, I didn’t but the tour was 8hrs of amazing. Ask concierge at Hyatt to help with reservations at least 21-30days out because many restaurants need reservations
Great reminder to utilize the concierge! Thats what they are there for! We hope to go back and try out the e-bike tour! The PH bar is a great idea but note to everyone reading, no kids allowed. Adults only.
Nicole, I'm so excited that you are taking a family trip to Japan. We go to Japan almost every year for vacation. I've personally been there almost 20 times over the decades. • I'm not really a fan of Osaka. You are better off spending more time in Kyoto instead. But Kyoto is old and does not have the extensive public transportation system like Osaka or Tokyo. Highly recommend renting bikes to see the temples and go through the bamboo forest. • There is so much to do in Japan, I don't like spending lots of time in the hotel, so my vote is for Hyatt House Kyoto. Don't eat the breakfast in the hotel... there is so much good food to have outside. • You mentioned teamLab, but do you know there are 2 of them in Tokyo? The original one Planets, be sure to go when you'll finish after sunset so you can visit the Moss Garden with the glowing eggs outside. The vegan ramen (and the space you eat it in) is awesome too. I haven't been to the new one in the MORI building, but I plan to go next year. • With the 70% price increase of the Japan Rail Pass last year, it is difficult to make it worth the expense. If you are flying in and out of KIX and need a round trip to Tokyo within a 7-day period, it is worth it. If you are flying into KIX and out of Tokyo, you should buy individual Shinkansen tickets. • I don't like Disney either, but Tokyo Disney Sea is AMAZING. The Disney theme parks are licensed from but not owned by Disney. Disney Sea exists no where else is the world. It's fun and not overly Disney-fied. We won the free lottery and got to see a live stage performance Big Band Beat (no Disney music). I also made dinner reservations at the Japanese restaurant and we had full dinner service for 2 with a bottle of sake for about $35 TOTAL. • Get a Suica, Pasmo or other type of IC card on your phones, including your kids. You can no longer get the physical cards in Japan. You can fill a maximum of ¥20,000 on it and use it for most public transportation, at conveniences stores and many other shops. I need to stop writing, this is becoming an essay. If you need any help planning, suggestions of what to do, or have any questions, I'll DM you on your Insta.
Since you aren't going until December, here's a hot tip for you and all the fans planning to go to Japan soon. Get your Suica, Pasmo or other IC card on your phones now and fill to the maximum ¥20,000 (about $130) using a credit card. The yen has peaked and is down from ¥160 to ¥153 per $; the US economy is softening with interest rates potentially lowering soon so you'd get a better exchange rate now. I believe it can only go down further. Second hot tip: exchange rates at Japan airports are decent unlike most airports around the world. We always exchange cash there. We don't use too much cash as my number one payment choice is IC Card followed by credit card. Those are accepted at most (but not all) places. Cash is always a last resort.
Thank you, Sky! Great tips to take advantage of current FX rates! We also know sometimes credit cards don’t work like Nicole’s precious Chase cards. Using a Suica/Pasmo is a great alternative.
Mitch, I made it to Monk! Good meal, nice show sitting at the counter, and really nice neighborhood with temples and shrines.🍕I had to stay up really late to book it, right when the date opened up. It’s hard to get in! Even the PH concierge was impressed I got in.
Why are people going to Japan if they have no prior interest in the culture? And have they ever heard of do-your-research? Social media travel is causing more problems for locals than benefits. Posting to your social media is not travel. Japan is driven by its culture and everything unfolds from that. Ignoring that cuts about 75% out of the experience. Learn and respect the culture and way of life. There are closer and far less structured societies to visit otherwise. Japan is not the west. This video is really cringy.
@@LetsGetToThePoints Hi All, if the panel members have a knowledge of and respect for operating within the culture as visitors I applaud you. My concerns about the video are, to start, the very heavy mention of Instagram and social media places and activities. People going to Japan to follow the Instagram trail and contributing to shallow over tourism is a hotly debated topic and rightfully so. You mention Gion without mentioning the challenges of mass tourism for Kyoto residents and to remind people to respect the photography restrictions now in place in Gion due to tourists stalking geisha and walking into private residences etc. . Nara does not have a "deer park." Deer in Nara have been considered sacred for over a thousand years and roam at will. There are countless opportunities to interact with the culture ranging from tea ceremonies to samurai workshops to a personal guide. Your video comes across as a very western lens talking about social media and multinational hotels. I think there is vastly more to know and to say. I posted nothing on social media, learned and followed the culture, enjoyed speaking with elderly Japanese, and patronized local business as much as possible. There is a lot of benefit to getting beyond social media.
Listen to me, you all need to get the amazing Osaka pass. It’s a ton of great attractions and the train for like $20 a person. Loved these after hours!
That sounds like a great deal! If anyone knows how to see the world and save a dolla, it’s our friend Chew! Thank you, Chew!
Love this Format. Keep it Up!
Thanks! Will do!
I love this episode . Thanks for all the great tips! Just came back from Tokyo and already planning to go back
We each want to go back as well!
Thank you. I’d to visit Japan in the future.
Thank you for watching! You will enjoy it when you do visit!
Mitch and I are on the same wave length. My wife and I are already planning to spend the majority of our retirement with Manila as our home base. Just love the respect and kindness we experienced in Asia.
That sounds like a great plan! Retirement in Asia will be so rewarding.
This is very timely as we are planning to go to Japan. Love this Bonus episode!!! 😍
We're glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and have a fantastic trip to Japan!
Japan in on the short list. Thanks for the ideas. Love the bonus segment!
You bet! Let us know your tips when you go to Japan!
Love the bonus segment
We’re glad you enjoy it!
@@LetsGetToThePoints I would say, ya'll got to the point lol!
We like to get to the points!
This video makes me so excited for our Japan trip in a few months. Was able to use SUA x 2 for HC Ginza.
Congrats on your HC Ginza booking. We hear it’s very nice there, especially their suites!
3 nights at PH Kyoto was heaven! People go to Kyoto to see temples and shrines, but this PH is a temple of design and hospitality. Every angle, hallway, surface, room…beauty everywhere. An amazing Tony Chi hotel.
But that Hyatt Place is very impressive in its own way. I was impressed with their custom-designed popsicles. 😁
We're glad you agree with us on Park Hyatt Kyoto! Any "hot dog water" for you at Hyatt Place Kyoto? 😂
Osaka Castle, Osaka kaiyukan, Shinsaibashi, day trip to Himeji, day trip to Kyoto. Get the Osaka Amazing Pass. Osaka is a fine homebase for the area.
Fantastic recommendations! Thank you!
Thank you for covering this topic!! We are currently planning a 2 week trip for next summer
Glad it was helpful!
Love this episode and you had me laughing as well with the banter! I can relate to Mitch...giving up and moving to Asia! I'm curious if PH Kyoto is worth it if you don't have Globalist perks.
Absolutely worth it for the location and the service. The globalist breakfast is not anything you will miss. The possible upgrade is a nice pagoda view but you can get that from the upstairs bar.
Love this! Need more destination tips please! I'm going to Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo in Oct. After having 4 days in Bangkok. So this was good timing!
I'm staying at the Hyatt Place 😅. 4 nights for the price of 1.
Have fun in Japan! Oct will be a great time of year.
How timely.....was just thinking about Japan for summer '25. But I was considering Osaka.
FUN! Let us know what you plan!
Also the Hyatt Place Kyoto’s laundry room can become crowded when you want to do laundry and it can be a long wait… like “a few hours later” kinda wait…. If you go to the Bar at the Park Hyatt ( if you visit for a sunset view of “The Pagoda” ), you’ll have to make a reservation and wear Business casual attire I think ( if you’re not staying at the Park Hyatt and you want to buy a cocktail. I was too tired and canceled my booking but maybe my next trip I’ll get to stay at the Park Hyatt). If you do a bike tour ( Viator), go for the electric bikes to see Kyoto and the sights, I didn’t but the tour was 8hrs of amazing. Ask concierge at Hyatt to help with reservations at least 21-30days out because many restaurants need reservations
Great reminder to utilize the concierge! Thats what they are there for! We hope to go back and try out the e-bike tour!
The PH bar is a great idea but note to everyone reading, no kids allowed. Adults only.
Nicole, I'm so excited that you are taking a family trip to Japan. We go to Japan almost every year for vacation. I've personally been there almost 20 times over the decades.
• I'm not really a fan of Osaka. You are better off spending more time in Kyoto instead. But Kyoto is old and does not have the extensive public transportation system like Osaka or Tokyo. Highly recommend renting bikes to see the temples and go through the bamboo forest.
• There is so much to do in Japan, I don't like spending lots of time in the hotel, so my vote is for Hyatt House Kyoto. Don't eat the breakfast in the hotel... there is so much good food to have outside.
• You mentioned teamLab, but do you know there are 2 of them in Tokyo? The original one Planets, be sure to go when you'll finish after sunset so you can visit the Moss Garden with the glowing eggs outside. The vegan ramen (and the space you eat it in) is awesome too. I haven't been to the new one in the MORI building, but I plan to go next year.
• With the 70% price increase of the Japan Rail Pass last year, it is difficult to make it worth the expense. If you are flying in and out of KIX and need a round trip to Tokyo within a 7-day period, it is worth it. If you are flying into KIX and out of Tokyo, you should buy individual Shinkansen tickets.
• I don't like Disney either, but Tokyo Disney Sea is AMAZING. The Disney theme parks are licensed from but not owned by Disney. Disney Sea exists no where else is the world. It's fun and not overly Disney-fied. We won the free lottery and got to see a live stage performance Big Band Beat (no Disney music). I also made dinner reservations at the Japanese restaurant and we had full dinner service for 2 with a bottle of sake for about $35 TOTAL.
• Get a Suica, Pasmo or other type of IC card on your phones, including your kids. You can no longer get the physical cards in Japan. You can fill a maximum of ¥20,000 on it and use it for most public transportation, at conveniences stores and many other shops.
I need to stop writing, this is becoming an essay. If you need any help planning, suggestions of what to do, or have any questions, I'll DM you on your Insta.
Thank you, Sky, for all of your tips. This will be helpful for all of our other viewers as well!
Since you aren't going until December, here's a hot tip for you and all the fans planning to go to Japan soon. Get your Suica, Pasmo or other IC card on your phones now and fill to the maximum ¥20,000 (about $130) using a credit card. The yen has peaked and is down from ¥160 to ¥153 per $; the US economy is softening with interest rates potentially lowering soon so you'd get a better exchange rate now. I believe it can only go down further.
Second hot tip: exchange rates at Japan airports are decent unlike most airports around the world. We always exchange cash there. We don't use too much cash as my number one payment choice is IC Card followed by credit card. Those are accepted at most (but not all) places. Cash is always a last resort.
Thank you, Sky! Great tips to take advantage of current FX rates! We also know sometimes credit cards don’t work like Nicole’s precious Chase cards. Using a Suica/Pasmo is a great alternative.
Serena, planning my Japan too… how many days did you stay in Kyoto? Planning Kyoto to be main base this time 🤞🏽
Hi Rhea! Serena did 4 nights in Kyoto. Two nights at Hyatt Regency 👎and two nights at Park Hyatt 😍.
Mitch, I made it to Monk! Good meal, nice show sitting at the counter, and really nice neighborhood with temples and shrines.🍕I had to stay up really late to book it, right when the date opened up. It’s hard to get in! Even the PH concierge was impressed I got in.
Glad you enjoyed it! Did you eat your pizza with a fork and knife as well?
@@LetsGetToThePoints Haha nope
Why are people going to Japan if they have no prior interest in the culture? And have they ever heard of do-your-research? Social media travel is causing more problems for locals than benefits. Posting to your social media is not travel. Japan is driven by its culture and everything unfolds from that. Ignoring that cuts about 75% out of the experience. Learn and respect the culture and way of life. There are closer and far less structured societies to visit otherwise. Japan is not the west. This video is really cringy.
Hello! Please let us know which part of our show gave you the impression we are not culturally aware or respectful of Japanese culture.
@@LetsGetToThePoints Hi All, if the panel members have a knowledge of and respect for operating within the culture as visitors I applaud you. My concerns about the video are, to start, the very heavy mention of Instagram and social media places and activities. People going to Japan to follow the Instagram trail and contributing to shallow over tourism is a hotly debated topic and rightfully so. You mention Gion without mentioning the challenges of mass tourism for Kyoto residents and to remind people to respect the photography restrictions now in place in Gion due to tourists stalking geisha and walking into private residences etc. . Nara does not have a "deer park." Deer in Nara have been considered sacred for over a thousand years and roam at will. There are countless opportunities to interact with the culture ranging from tea ceremonies to samurai workshops to a personal guide. Your video comes across as a very western lens talking about social media and multinational hotels. I think there is vastly more to know and to say. I posted nothing on social media, learned and followed the culture, enjoyed speaking with elderly Japanese, and patronized local business as much as possible. There is a lot of benefit to getting beyond social media.