12 Japan Travel MISTAKES TO AVOID in 2024, Must-Watch Before Visiting!
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- We’ve made mistakes while visiting Japan many times over the past 20 years. On our most recent trip, I made a HUGE mistake! It could have cost me $7,000. We hope to help you avoid these mistakes, so that you have an amazing time in Japan. Let us know in the comments when you’re headed to Japan and if you have any questions. Subscribe for more travel tips and inspiration / kenshoquest
#japantravelguide #mistakestoavoid #japantraveltips #kenshoquest
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TIME STAMPS
00:00 Mistake 1 Leaving items on train
02:19 Mistake 2 Allowing phone battery to drain
03:22 Welcome to Kensho Quest
03:37 Mistake 3 Losing Internet
04:31 Mistake 4 Packing too much
05:06 Mistake 5 Packing jeans for summer
05:44 Mistake 6 Not planning for souvenirs
06:45 Mistake 7 Not looking up holidays
07:32 Mistake 8 Not ordering JR Pass before Japan
08:22 Mistake 9 Not pre-booking
08:58 Mistake 10 Selecting home currency
09:57 Mistake 11 Underestimating travel times
10:42 Mistake 12 Not prepared for emergencies
11:32 Have a wonderful time in Japan!
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🌺 ABOUT US
Aloha! We are a worldschooling family with three young kids. Our home base is the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. We've been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past 15 years. We hope to inspire you to begin your own quest!
We hope you avoid these mistakes and have a wonderful time in Japan! When do you plan to visit Japan?
Hi. We love how informative your videos are. My husband and I (we’re retired) are traveling to Japan for the first time in March, 2025. We’ll be going to Aomori and Sendai. Do you have any “what to pack” for those places in March ? We do plan to do any skiing. Sightseeing mostly. Thanks for making these videos.
On my first trip to Japan, I left my bag with my traveler's cheques, money, camera, and passport on the train at Kyoto station. As I walked along the platform I heard someone yelling and running after me, holding my bag. It was a train worker who found it and saw that it matched my other bag, I will always remember him for that, It was my second day in Japan and it could have ruined my whole trip.
I love happy endings :)
I've been watching Japan travel videos for 5 years now (and will be making my 6th trip in April), and this is one of the best ever
Thanks so much!
Hands down I think your channel is the best I have seen for safe and enjoyable travel in Japan. I have left luggage behind, had a battery on my phone die, and a few other mishaps. Lessons learned.
I would add to your excellent list the following:
1. For health reasons, it is important to be up to date on all vaccinations. I know this can be contentious for some but there are particular medical hazards in Japan and it is best to see your doctor to make sure you are covered.
2. For your return trip where you may have more to bring back than you can accommodate, stores like Tokyo Hands offer expandable bags that pack down into a small pouch but can easily accommodate a lot of stuff. I have even checked one of these bags by packing just softer things like clothes and transferring fragile items to my luggage.
3. Probably covered ad infinitum, ad nauseum but it is essential to wear good shoes that are broken in before going to Japan.
Thank you so much for the kind words!
And thanks for sharing your knowledge and the super tip about getting expandable bags at Tokyu Hands!
As always one step ahead!!! Thanks a lot for your priceless tips!!!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much for this amazing vlog!!! ❤
You're welcome!
Thank you again. I am so nervous about my upcoming September trip to the Morioka region travelling from Narita via JR East. Haven't been in Japan in 9 years.
These reminders have been added to my Check list on my Android phone. Than you!! And Namaste.
I love your channel. My friend shared it to us when we are planning for our trip to Japan. Your channel is Very concise and informative. I watched your videos before we travelled to Japan and found it very helpful during our travels. I also shared your channel to my friend who will be travelling to Japan this year. Thank you for all the videos. 💕
Thanks for watching and for sharing our channel! What was your favorite thing in Japan?
Super helpful 😊 Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
You guys are awesome! Heading in July for our family of 4's first trip. Thanks to your tips and channel our trip will be easier!
Have a wonderful time in Japan!
Been traveling in Japan last 10 days, at a couple of “sticky points” your voices popped in my head w what to do!! Thanks for all the tips!
Thanks for letting us know! Glad to know our tips are helping.
Thanks for sharing! The photos of you guys from 20 years ago are awesome.
I ended up bringing a collapsible duffel bag for souvenirs and it worked great!
Glad you appreciated the old photos. 😅 It took us a while to dig those up.
Thank you, again!
👍 Thanks for these fantastic updates! I had a great trip to Roppongi in April. Used your advice to get both pocket WiFi and an e-sim. Both were flawless, cheap insurance, too. Suica digital on my iPhone was amazing! So, last week I used your vid to link JR smartEX to reserve a green car to Osaka for my next visit in July. This should be a huge timesaver for a first time Shinkansen rider, can’t wait! 🙌😅
Hi, thanks for letting us know that everything worked out :) Always great to know! You will love the shinkansen 🚅!
I love seeing y'all's pictures from 20 years ago! Y'all are too cute! 🩵 My brother and I have been watching your videos for the past year to help plan our trip this summer! We love all the info! Keep it up!
I just got back from my first solo three week trip to an amazing Japan I could not have anticipated. I watched your videos beforehand and were very helpful. Thanks very much!
Thanks for letting us know! We're glad you had an amazing time in Japan.
1:21 I’ve left stuff on Japanese trains. Always been handed back. Love Japan.
I just found your channel. I enjoyed this video and will check out some more on your channel! Ive been watching japan travel videos for a while for my fall trip to Japan, first international trip and super excited. Im taking limited clothes and a collapsible duffle. Gotta bring back all the goodies 😊
Awesome! Thank you! Let us know if you have any specific questions :)
Nice tips.
I find that it's much easier to bring a mid-size suitcase and putting one of our teens' small suitcase into that one to be the best solution. Expandable bags are a hassle especially during winter when you have to juggle winter jackets, a backpack, a luggage and a floppy bag. We only use expandable bags for dirty clothes and snacks.
We have filled up that medium size suitcase to the brim during our recent Japan and Taiwan (separate) trips because there were so many things to buy! This is for a 2-weeks itinerary.
Coming back, it's important to take note of the weight of the extra luggage but for the 4 of us, the airlines are usually not fussy about 1 overweight luggage spread amongst 4 other luggage as long as they are not overweight combined. This is important for winter travel due to winter gears being heavy.
Thanks for sharing your packing strategy and tips!
I added an extra layer of security by placing an AirTag in my travel backpack and suitcases, just in case something happens. Murphy’s law.
Great tip! Ironically, George's backpack was the only one of our bags that didn't contain an AirTag, since we ran out.
Great tips! Our biggest challenge has been the amount of omiyage (gifts) for family on both sides of the Pacific. Our check-ins are usually dedicated for just this.
What's your favorite omiyage to bring back? Last time I stocked up on ROYCE' chocolate.
Good informative video,, Thanks. May I know based on your experience for 12 days require how much data for eSIM ?
Hi, the amount of data depends on how you plan to use it. If just one user with minimal usage - maps, navigation, checking email and posting a few photos on social, you need a minimum of 1GB/day. If you will be using extensive maps/navigation and also watching videos then plan 2-3 GB/day. Good thing is prices get cheaper with larger allotments. I hope this helps!
If you need recommendations:
My current favorite is Japan Wireless you can save 15% with my link: www.japan-wireless.com/esim?coupon=ESIMKENSHO&via=kensho
and this video: ua-cam.com/video/H2ZQ6c_jA9U/v-deo.html
I've personally left those cheap umbrellas many times: on the subway, at my hotel, at a shop, etc. My last trip to Japan, I lost them twice. Granted, they weren't expensive to replace. But as mentioned, I never EVER EVER leave items on the overhead rack on local subway trips. On the shinkansen? That's fine because as I prepare to get off the train, I don't check once, I don't check twice, I check THRICE. And then sometimes I checked a fourth time. You can NEVER be too sure. This is also why I usually never leave anything on the plane as well. When we wait to deplane, I constantly check if I have everything.
One time flying to Osaka, I left my duffle bag at the airport because I was in a rush to make the train from Kansai to Umeda station. Only when I checked into my hotel did I remember I had LEFT my bag at the airport. I had a friend call the airport and they had determined they had my duffle bag and will be ready to pick up. I went to the airport the next day and had to page a storage fee or 1000 yen, AND I had to go through customs again because the bag was technically still out of the country. The agent obviously looked at me with a side eye because he knew I had left the bag at the airport and did a physical inspection. He then let me go. Never again!
Umbrellas are so easy to lose!
Thank you very much for your Japanese travel tips.
I managed to leave my backpack on a bullet train heading to Kagoshima a few years ago. Thanks to the lovely staff at the JR offices, it was found and I was able to collect it at my destination. Helpful tips.
1. Have a photo of the baggage that you are travelling with to help staff recognise it.
2. Make a note of the car and seat number that you were sitting in.
Thanks for sharing your experience and tips. We're glad that you also got your backpack back!
Hello again! I am curious if you do the “stamp” books? I have not seen any videos about them from you. I have recently heard a lot about people doing this and would love to do a stamp book for memory. Any recommendations where to purchase the books? I read that I should get 2. 1 for temples and one for trains/entertainments parks.
Thank you so much for all your very informative videos!! I can’t wait to go and visit my family there too! ❤
Yes, we do. We got nice stamp books at Himeji Castle and also a small shop in Kawagoe. We have also used regular blank books from Muji. I showed our books briefly in my Summer Packing List video. My book is for collecting red seals from Buddhist temples, and our kid’s books are for collecting stamps at train stations and attractions. ua-cam.com/video/fUOg3ap_Qis/v-deo.htmlsi=LNkbF63_cyVzczM9
Thanks! any tips for rainy days?
Yes. Have some options for indoor activities such as Teamlab in Tokyo or Sanrio Puroland. Bring or buy an umbrella. I like the kind that is also a parasol for sunny days. Also wearing waterproof or water repellent shoes. Here’s my summer packing list video:
ua-cam.com/video/fUOg3ap_Qis/v-deo.htmlsi=8d1_kT--3P4-U3F2
Great tips !!! Will keep all in mind when travel to Japan . Can you share how to install esim on the phone + pocket wifi info (where best to get?)
Here's our video on the best Pocket WiFi options for Japan: ua-cam.com/video/EiqJ21l94LU/v-deo.html
And here's our video on how to activate an eSIM on iPhone: ua-cam.com/video/Q6tPx8fluR0/v-deo.html
Thank you for your informative vid. I will be travelling to Japan in mid October and am still a little confused about the type of weather I may encounter. Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated.
Great time of year to go! Generally good, mild weather and less crowded than summer and sakura season.
We agree. Weather is usually very pleasant. It can still get hot especially the last couple of years we had temperatures into the lower 30 celsius ( low 90s ). It can cool down as well so definitely bring sweaters.
The souvenirs one (like the rest) is a great tip I might just use. I'll be going to Japan sometime next year, but don't fancy lugging around a full sized suitcase & a carry on suitcase. But your tip has given me the idea of just taking my carry-on with my duffel bag folded away. Thanks. Now I have to get my head around a 3wk trip with just a carry-on case for my clothes. 😅
It's doable to pack for a 3 week trip in a carry-on, if you wash laundry along the way!
Book a hotel with washer inside your hotel room
#6, I often pack a carry-on in large size luggage when going to japan and return with 2 check-in for flight. While travelling in the country (ie JR bullet daily rides) I'd travel with my carry on while storing my large one with items I don't need at hotel or storage service in a city I'll return to
I've been doing that for years, and I was able to pack a carry-on up to 23kg one time as I shopped too much... it was heavier than my large size one in the end...
Great advice, thanks for sharing!
07:45 I am revisiting Japan in Jan 2025, so thanks for the timely reminder.
Hi, I’m a first time I looking at your video. I see that you’ve given a very good tip on holiday season. I am a first time visiting Japan and yes unfortunately I’ll be traveling around 29 December to 6 January. My first stop will be at. New chitose airport and traveling to the hotel at Otaru Askari classe hotel I did look at a video showing the train going to Otaru city but it wasn’t clear how to catch it from the airport or the train station. I’m just wondering, can you help me with that and which train to catch thank you Sirinda
Hi, you will take the Rapid Airport directly from the airport as it is connected and many signs will guide you. If you have any questions please visit the information desk. The Rapid airport will take you directly to Minami Otaru Station and Otaru Station. This train will be crowded because it first stops in Sapporo. But there are several throughout the day so you will get on one. Once you pass Sapporo the train is usually less crowded.
I'll be travelling to Japan after the Silver Week holidays. I only found out about it after booking my flight, so I definitely dodged a bullet there 😅
Traveling with a whole family changes the circumstances and dynamics. Never had any of these issues when traveling solo or with a friend.
There's definitely a lot more to keep track of as a family!
Having been stationed in Okinawa, and only ever wear jeans I feel like the jeans part is more of the wearers opinion. It definitely gets very hot in the summer in japan but again I feel it's dealers choice and preference for the jeans.
There are stories about how 90+% of lost and found items are returned. Even small items like an umbrella. No one touches things that are not theirs. I got my dad a new Nikon camera. On a trip to Japan he left it on a bench that he sat on. Hours later he went back and there was his camera!
Aloha! this is so true. And particularly about Japan, like your Nikon camera about your dad, we learned that when we find things just sitting there, leave it. Either the person will return for it or if it gets late the police will pick it up. Similarly in my case, the train staff found it.
There was an odd case where my son found a set of keys in the snow at a ski resort, in that case we collected them and brought them to the office.
And a tangent but related, it's common for school children to leave their toys at playgrounds. They come back the next day or next week to play with their toys again! Yes, other kids may play with then but they are always there when they return.
It was too late when I realized my trip falls within the Obon holiday in Japan.😢😢😢 I wish I watched your video earlier and chose a different date.
Just book as many things in advance as you can!
Aloha, we're headed to Japan (Hokkaido, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Tokyo) in October for 16 days. I have a question about cell service in Japan, we are considering signing up for AT&T's international plan ($12 per day, up to 10 days, and anything after that is no charge). With only this plan, will we be able to get service in train and subway stations (for Google maps), or will it cut out.
Mahalo from Hawaii
Aloha, regardless of service provide ATT, T-Mobile or international plans that we recommend, they will all lose connection at some point in the subway stations as you go underground. However, it will return quickly as you surface to the ground level. On trains service is usually not an issue. I hope this helps!
Good grief a lesson well learnt, Malaysia misses you
Hi, we will have new Malaysia content soon but on a different channel. Stay tuned and thanks for watching :)
You guys have been hitting it out of the park recently. Simply the best travel tips for Japan on youtube. Thanks so much!
Wow! Thank you so much! Do let us know if there is something we haven't covered.
@@KenshoQuest This may sound silly, but one thing I noticed people being confused about (and probably inadvertently causing a lot of problems for Japanese people) is the issue of trash! Where to find trash, how to sort it, what is "burnable" and not, etc.
do you have an itenerary for flying into narita...we cannot seem to get a decent flight to hanada.....we will go to kyoto, osaka, hakone and tokyo....unless you have other suggestions....12 days or so...thanks for your great lessons
HI, your itinerary is great, though it will also be very crowded since those are all super popular places. If you want a less crowds and more beauty we recommend exploring the hokuriku region and Matsumoto. We have videos on both with more coming :)
@@KenshoQuest thanks ...we will be going in late october early november, hopefully will not be crowded....last year your videos truly helped us make the trip great
Thanks for these awesome tips. For solo travel, is it okay to just bring one carry-on for a two-week trip during Japan's autumn? No checked luggage. Are laundry machines common in Japanese hotels? Thanks again. 😊
Yes, that's fine! For our winter trip we packed one carry-on with clothes for mom and daughter and one carry-on with clothes for dad plus two sons. For autumn you will probably want to wear/carry a jacket. When booking hotels you can check whether they have a laundry room. Many do. There are also "Coin Laundry" laundromats in Japan. I'm working on a video about the various ways to wash clothes while traveling in Japan. 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience. Your content and tips have given me more clarity on my upcoming trip to Japan. This is getting me more and more excited. 😊🇯🇵
To add my experience, most hotels have a couple laundry machines but they may be busy if there are a lot of people. We ended up staying up until 1AM one night because when we tried during the day, the machines were occupied. Some of the hotel machines are 2 in 1 - meaning they wash and then dry your items without you taking things out. If you can, I suggest packing clothing items that don't require special care instructions. Also be prepared to hang dry some of your laundry, since the dryers were usually weak and not worth paying another few dollars to run them again. Hope that helps, enjoy your trip! :D
What do you do for work George? Generally not specifically (self employed?).
Hi, yes, self employed. Are you still in Japan or planning your next trip?
@@KenshoQuest We were there in May and heading back in October for a month. Will be working remotely though.
I forget a Pokemon Gift bag in a ramen shop. While paying a woman brings me the bag. Thanks again
Why would you leave a backpack with expensive equipment and money on an overhead rack? My backpack never leaves my body, no matter how heavy. It is always either in front of my chest or back of my back.
It’s explained in video
For Mistake 1 luckily it happened in Japan. If that happened say in the US or Europe then no chance you can get the bag back.
For sure!
I'd say a mistake to make is to actually buy the JR pass...
It depends upon the itinerary. We have a separate video on how to calculate whether the JR Pass is worth it for a particular itinerary: ua-cam.com/video/hsrZpVYH-ls/v-deo.html
@@KenshoQuest It does depend on the itinerary, but you'd have to be travelling on the shinkansen a LOT to make it worth it. Like every 2nd day a lot. Which is just a bad itinerary in the first place. The JR pass is not worth it anymore.
Air tag ur valuable bags
rule 3 is literally a global rule. i dont go places where there isnt internet
You were in Japan, us or europe or anywhere else. I'd bet you wouldn't get it back....as far as souvenirs. Send them through the mail..
You are probably correct. Sending by mail is a good idea, it's efficient and economical, at least in our experience. Thanks for sharing.
Hello, I have booked a hotel at Gion kyoto. But I heard that government banned tourist from that area. Do you know anything ?
Hi, only parts of Gion have been closed. We have not been back in the area since the closure so we don't know which streets and areas are closed. But it is now supposed to be clearly marked. There should still plenty to see and do in the area. Even just by crossing over the river bridge. The whole area is very walkable.
If i can chose to lose anything valuable, i will chose Japan to lose it in. Because whatever it is, it will always be found and retrievable.
You can rest assured if you lose anything valuable in any other country or like in America, you never see it again. It has traveled into the abyss.
Uniqulo’s AIRism
Why do you say Sa'poro when you know it is pronounced Sapo'ro?
Stress over po ,not over Sa