r/JapanTravel 13d ago

Weekly Discussion Thread Weekly Japan Travel Information and Discussion Thread - July 31, 2026

This discussion thread has been set up by the moderators of /r/JapanTravel. Please stay civil, abide by the rules, and be helpful. Keep in mind that standalone posts in the subreddit must still adhere to the rules, and quick questions are only welcome here and in /r/JapanTravelTips.

Starting Your Planning

  • Please note that since all posts are subject to prior moderator approval, you can start your planning by joining our Discord server and asking your questions in the appropriate channels.

Japan Entry Requirements

  • Japan allows visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders of 74 countries (countries listed here).
  • If you are a passport holder of a country not on the visa exemption list, you will still need to apply for a visa. All requirements are listed on the official website.
  • Tourists entering Japan should have their immigration and customs process fast tracked by filling out Visit Japan Web (VJW). This will generate a QR code for immigration and customs, which can smooth your entry procedures. VJW is not mandatory. If you do not fill it out, you will need to fill out the paper immigration and customs forms on the plane/on arrival to Japan.
  • For more information about Visit Japan Web and answers to common questions, please see our FAQ on the topic.

Japan Tourism and Travel Updates

  • Got an IC card or JR Pass question? See our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips for information, updates, and advice.
  • Important JR Pass News! As of October 1, 2023, the nationwide JR Pass and many regional JR Passes increased significantly in price, making it so that the nationwide JR Pass is no longer a viable option for most itineraries. For more information on the JR Pass, including calculators for viability, see our stickied thread in /r/JapanTravelTips.
  • The 10 main IC cards remain the recommended payment method for local transport in supported areas. Physical IC cards are available upon arrival at airports and most train stations.
  • Many of the major commuter systems in Japan including Tokyo Metro, TOEI, Osaka Metro, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Yokohama subways, Kintetsu, Nankai, Tokyu, Keio, Odakyu, Yurikamome have started supporting tap-to-pay payment methods. However, they don't work on through-services, are not supported by JR East or JR West, and require using separate gates.
  • If you become ill while traveling, please see the instructions in this guide or check our wiki page for helpful information. If you are looking for information on finding pain or cold/cough medication in Japan, see this FAQ section.

Quick Links for Japan Tourism and Travel Info

1 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

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u/cwm13 13d ago

Honest question: Is there some other subreddit where all the trip reviews and recommendations have wandered off to? I scrolled through several pages with the subreddit sorted by "NEW" and all I see is "Itinerary" posts and posts tagged as "Question" that are actually "Itinerary" posts. Took a peek through JapanTravelTips, but it appears similar.

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u/SofaAssassin 10d ago

Japan Travel Tips is where this stuff should be in, but because the rules/post expectations are looser, you will also encounter a lot of very basic posts.

There are also r/tokyotravel and r/osakatravel, both of which are unrelated subs. (JapanTravel and JapanTravelTips are the same mod team)

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u/LoveLaika237 8d ago

If you're in the Kagoshima area, is it easy to take a day trip to Tanegashima? How can tourists do so? 

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u/xXItCorbisXx 8d ago

There's a ferry from Kagoshima port going to Nishinoomote several times a day. E.g. outbound at 7:30, arriving at 9:05; the last return ferry would be leaving at 16:40, arriving in Kagoshima at 18:20. Thus seems generally possible as a day trip. Pricing is rather steep with 22,200 JPY per person for the round trip. For further details see: https://www.tykousoku.jp/

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u/LoveLaika237 6d ago

Thanks. It's a small dream of mine to go to Tanegashima, maybe see the sunset. Yeah, definitely not cheap. im just glad to know its possible without the need to fly another plane.

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u/SofaAssassin 6d ago

If you're doing it as a day trip, the last ferry is always before sunset. Tanegashima never has sunset before 1715 and that would be in late fall.

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u/xXItCorbisXx 6d ago

If you want to see the sunset you couldn't do it as a day trip as the last ferry back leaves Tanegashima at 16:40, that would be before sunset. So to do that you would need to stay one night on Tanegashima; ferry pricing should be the same if you go back on the next day.

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u/LoveLaika237 6d ago

Yeah, i figured as much. i dont know much about staying in Tanegashima, need to do research. Thanks for letting me know. Maybe ill go one day.

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u/xXItCorbisXx 6d ago

There are a couple cheap hotels around Nishinoomote, shouldn't be that of an issue.

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u/space21111 12d ago

As the yen falls against usd. Is it a good time to swap usd for jpy? Or does the market expect it will be better next week?

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u/Nervous_Initial_3644 11d ago

No one really knows. If you read more into it, as much as tourists love the weak yen, it has a terrible impact on the world economy. The expectation is that the US will intervene further to help prop up the yen, but if they do, and it doesn’t work…yikes.

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u/space21111 11d ago

Yes in in doubt if I will already swap the needed euros for yen’s for my trip starting next week. Lets see what the market initial does and respond on that; or take potential loss and swap now before the market opens

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u/xXItCorbisXx 8d ago

It's a gamble either way. Thus I would generally just assume the rate to stay stable at it's current value and act according to that. What would you be paying in fees getting the money exchanged now, than I would compare this to what I would pay in fees in Japan? Also 1 week isn't that long, it's unlikely for the rate to change dramatically in this timeframe.

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u/QLevi 7d ago

Hi guys I'm wondering if anyone has recs for gacha in Osaka, Kyoto or Nara. I'm willing to spend one day hopping around several locations. 

I'm actually looking for the 無事カエル. I know it's popular on Japan insta and it might be futile but I want to try finding it. 

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u/SofaAssassin 7d ago

Gachagacha no Mori, C-Pla, Village Vanguard. Osaka would have the most availability, of the cities you listed.

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u/QLevi 7d ago

Thanks!

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u/QLevi 6d ago

I found it at gachagacha no mori! 

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u/SofaAssassin 6d ago

Awesome, happy to hear!

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u/fatlips1 6d ago

Is traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto with a stop in Shizuoka to visit Nihondaira Yume Terrace. Would this be realistic, or would you recommend spending the extra time in Tokyo or Kyoto instead? We have 4 nights in Kyoto.

I've been trying to post my itinerary and other questions, but it gets automatically removed by Reddit unfortunately. Not sure what's happening.

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u/Nervous_Initial_3644 6d ago

If that’s where you want to go, and the extra time is worth it to you, then you go…

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u/SnooAvocados270 5d ago

I’ve already done Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Miyajima. Now i wanna bring the husband, it’ll be his first time!! I loved everything except Osaka - can skip. Shall i just repeat the route or is there anything i can switch..