00:00:00 John Daub: Hello everybody. In this episode of Only in Japan Go, I thought I would use this time to help you plan your trip. Summer's coming up and a lot of people have been emailing me that they want advice, ideas, and help. My qualifications as a travel doctor: 20 years living in Japan, traveled to all 47 prefectures twice, hitchhiked the entire country twice. That's about it—actually, that might be enough. In the next 45 minutes or so, I'm going to answer your travel questions. Let me fix this lens—I've got a wide-angle lens on now so you can see more. Hopefully we can all learn a couple things about Japan and what people are interested in.

00:01:00 John Daub: This episode is brought to you by Patreon—thank you to those supporting; we now have almost 500 patrons, making this a full-time job for me. I love you guys. I also have a postcard club: every month I send a new postcard to supporters at a certain level, like this month's wedding photo. Postcards are on the way. Info to support is in the description, along with all the questions. Check the chapters to index where questions are answered—this becomes a useful resource for anyone coming to Japan. That's exactly why I'm doing this. I'm doing these Japan trip planning Q&As once a month for Only in Japan Go, with more intimate ones on Patreon after.

00:02:45 John Daub: If you have questions about your summer or fall trip to Japan, message them now—I'll answer over the next 45 minutes. Let's get started. Blink TV 909 asks: Is Tokyo a city or a prefecture? Amazing question. Tokyo is a prefecture—we call it Tokyo To (Tokyo Metropolis). There's the central city like Manhattan, with 23 wards. Then there are cities within the prefecture, which is massive—if you watch my Ogasawara video, you see how big Tokyo Prefecture is. Prefectures are called ken, like Aomori-ken or Kagoshima-ken. Tokyo To has a governor like them, but it's different. Osaka is Osaka-fu; Kyoto is both a city and prefecture.

00:05:07 John Daub: Bloody Bricks asks: What should I do in Tokyo and Osaka for fun? What you do is up to you—everybody's different. In Osaka, skip touristy Dotonbori; try Shinsaibashi or Shinsekai for authentic, cheap retro restaurants and shotengai (covered shopping arcades). I did an episode on Kyobashi shotengai coming soon. In Tokyo, Kabukicho at night is interesting; I love Ameyoko market between Ueno and Okachimachi stations—very personality-filled, Shitamachi (old-town) vibe from the Showa era. Go off the beaten path beyond Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Akihabara—Ueno has museums, markets, cheap prices.

00:07:13 John Daub: William L. asks: Why do Japanese sit for hours in pachinko parlors? Is it worth going? It's gambling, despite being called amusement. You can try amusement pachinko at Sega World or game centers, but real parlors? People sit hours because they're addicted—some win, some lose big. I don't know if you should go. Japan is cash-based, more than credit—great question from Smart Food. In 1998, people carried wads of cash like 10,000 yen notes; no checks. Safest: bring a debit/ATM card for best rates. Now more IC cards, credit, digital money, but cash is still king—many places cash-only. Point cards give 1% back; worth it if staying long.

00:11:24 John Daub: Richard Woodard: Day trip from Tokyo—Nikko, Kamakura, or Enoshima? Do both Enoshima and Kamakura—they're seaside, amazing. Enoshima has an island spa with Mount Fuji views (wear bathing suit, no nudity). Kamakura is mini-Nara with nature walks. Nikko is awesome but better overnight in a ryokan—day trip possible but exhausting. Tokyo has a hotel crunch; book 3 months ahead, prices high. Airbnb restricted now—new law limits to 6 months/year, must register, hotel lobby pushed it. Day trips tire you out—go early, enjoy cafes with views for that Zen nature feeling you seek.

00:15:07 John Daub: Bloody Bricks: How much money for one month's stay? You can live like a king on $10,000 or reasonably on $500. Manga kissa (manga cafes) or internet cafes are $15/night—chairs recline like airplane first class, plus spa/bath access. That's ~$450/month lodging + food = $1,000 total, but harsh. Better: get a job, pay rent. Departure tax next year? Still discussing; if imposed, it's a cash grab from booming tourism amid declining population—no real need, taxes high already. Couchsurfing exists via expat community—cheap if you're in the group.

00:19:11 John Daub: Only in Antarctica: Are public washrooms free downtown? Yes, 99.9999% free—even parks have clean ones. People care for the next user, leaving public toilets cleaner than your home one. As tourists, clean up: remove toilet paper from seats, wipe, use alcohol spray. Most have washlets (bidets)—wipe before/after to avoid splatter. Extra tip from my wife.

00:22:24 John Daub: Mount Fuji or Mount Takao? Takao is an easy day hike from Tokyo—go early to avoid crowds. Fuji (3,776m) risks altitude sickness; don't do as day trip—climb slow overnight from 5th Station ~9pm to summit by 4am sunrise. July-Aug climbing season is Disney-like lines, crowded, expensive food/toilets, no trees—just volcanic moonscape. Boring after an hour; only if you must say you did it.

00:25:37 John Daub: Shandytown: Limobus or train 4:30pm Thursday Narita to Hilton Tokyo? With luggage, limobus is most comfortable—bags go underneath, relaxing ride direct to hotel (taxi last leg if needed). Trains suck with bags: wheels roll, crowded racks, families split up. Taxi/Uber better for $20-50 vs. flight cost. Traffic not bad; buses reliable. Trekaris: Preferred SIMs? Expensive but work great (e.g., 2GB/week $60). Some unlimited Facebook/Line/Skype. Pocket Wi-Fi better for families/groups ($8/day unlimited)—charges via external battery.

00:33:03 John Daub: Use Amazon.co.jp—order to hotel, arrives next day (Prime often 12-48hrs). Great for forgotten items/gifts—no shopping needed. Eddie from Tijuana: Welcome with husband in December—monthly meetups starting soon; I'd greet you all if possible. Brown Dog: Wife's good, might live stream news together. Kahana Ohana: Herb Garden Kobe? Nice ~3yrs ago, but check rainy season weather—hilly, clouds fast.

00:37:43 John Daub: Only in Antarctica: Dust masks? Everywhere—100-yen shops (Daiso), Matsumoto Kiyoshi (drugstores). Japan is Mask Kingdom. Mount Fuji hike from 5th Station: Start ~9pm after dinner, slow to summit by 4am sunrise (earlier at altitude). Hydrate; down by 1pm, crash early—hard day. Ka-ha-na Oh-ha-na: Ily Translator? Cool offline, but Google Translate app (free, online) works if simple English—dumb down sentences. Use camera for menus/allergies—say arerugī (allergy) to save your life.

00:43:38 John Daub: Professor: Tokyo, Seki City (Kudauri/Hamono Matsuri—check my video), Kyoto, Osaka for first 10-day trip? Fine—not too many. Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Himeji) more diverse; Tokyo couple days. Gifu loaded—10 days easy. Kyoto: 2 nights ryokan (don't get ryokan-tired after >2). Roland: Avoid Airbnb? Mixed—great for families sometimes, but check reviews; new law strictens it. Sakura House/Oak House for short-term shares—community but cultural clashes possible (cleanliness, noise).

00:52:12 John Daub: Photo Look Hawaii: Japan events site? Tokyocheapo.com—events tab updated, great articles (I wrote some). Boarding houses: Oak House (cleaner), Sakura House (backpackers, shared). Ken Tan: Learn Japanese? Katakana/hiragana in days via flashcards—read menus/signs, enhances trip hugely. Habib Azia/Kamomegirl: Accessibility? Tokyo improving fast for 2020—elevators/ramp/multipurpose toilets everywhere; staff assists wheelchairs (call ahead).

01:00:56 John Daub: Japan in December? No bad time—trade-offs everywhere (e.g., cherry blossoms crowded/pricey). December: cheaper hotels, less crowds, kotatsu/onsen bliss, ski resorts, autumn foods (mushrooms, kuri/chestnuts). Experience all seasons. Truly Japanese culture? Skip touristy Kyoto—countryside/homestays (Tohoku like Kamaishi, Hokkaido, Tottori's Mount Daisen). iPhone maps bad—use Google. Baseball tickets (Toyo Carp sold out): Buy advance via team sites/7-Eleven machines; easier for weaker teams.

01:17:23 John Daub: Drones? DJI map shows no-fly red/pink over Tokyo (airports, density)—$5k fine + detention ruins trip. Fly rural (30m from people/buildings/vehicles, <150m high, private land OK). Risks high—police track signals. Helicopter tours cheaper/safer for aerials. Faye: Learn hiragana/katakana. Anjin-san: Sado Island (Niigata) great—sake, taiko festival; cold till June. Shorts? Yes, but Japanese wear pants— you'll look touristy.

01:27:48 John Daub: Tokyo Dome City? Worth it—easy exit if crowded, roller coaster through hotel/spa, family-friendly, near Giants stadium/Baseball Hall of Fame. Live music: Shinjuku jazz, Blue Note Aoyama, Billboard Live Roppongi, Shimokitazawa indie. Thanks for questions/support—monthly Q&As continue (Patreon exclusive after). Patreon makes this possible—link in description. See you next time!