So You Want to Travel to Japan ASK me ANYTHING
So You Want to Travel to Japan ASK me ANYTHING
Overview
In this special Q&A live stream recorded shortly after Japan officially reopened to tourists on October 11, 2022, John Daub fields questions from viewers eager to plan their trips. With borders opening after a long pandemic closure, John addresses the immediate concerns facing travelers: entry procedures, the MySOS fast-track app, mask etiquette, and the reality of airfare and hotel costs in the new landscape.
John provides practical advice on itineraries, suggesting classic routes for first-timers while highlighting off-the-beaten-path destinations like Kanazawa and Kyushu. He dives deep into the logistics of traveling within Japan, covering Shinkansen luggage rules, the necessity of cash versus cards, and how to book authentic ryokan experiences. The session also touches on student visas, winter travel in Hokkaido, and the best neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo for an authentic feel.
This video serves as a comprehensive snapshot of the travel climate in late 2022, balancing optimism about reopening with realistic warnings about bureaucracy and costs. John emphasizes relying on official government sources for entry requirements while sharing his personal insights on how to experience the real Japan beyond the tourist hotspots.
Highlights
- 00:00:00 Japan Reopens: John announces the official reopening on October 11, 2022, and notes the trickle of tourists returning.
- 00:01:30 Mask Etiquette: Clarifies mask rules on trains, taxis, and crowded spaces despite no official mandate.
- 00:02:00 Cost Reality: Discusses high airfare and hotel prices despite the weak yen making daily spending cheaper.
- 00:06:01 MySOS App: Explains the fast-track immigration app and whether it is required versus optional.
- 00:13:16 First-Timer Itinerary: Suggests Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Miyajima for a classic 10-day trip.
- 00:16:08 Ryokan Experience: Recommends booking traditional inns with onsen and kaiseki meals 3-6 months in advance.
- 00:21:58 Student Visas: Advice on language schools and financial documentation for long-term stays.
- 00:45:20 Shinkansen Luggage: Details the rules for oversized luggage and where to store standard suitcases.
- 00:54:15 Hokkaido Winter: Tips for Niseko snowboarding and nearby onsen stays at Lake Toya.
- 01:03:18 Cash vs. Card: Notes that while IC cards are rising, cash is still king in many places.
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00:00 Introduction: Japan Reopening Context
- 00:01:30 Mask Rules and Social Etiquette
- 00:02:00 Airfare and Hotel Costs
- 00:05:01 Official Entry Sources (MOFA/MHLW)
- 00:06:01 MySOS App and Fast-Track
- 00:12:42 Caller: 25-Day Itinerary Advice
- 00:20:29 Caller: Student Visa Procedures
- 00:27:10 Caller: Physical Documents and Budget Travel
- 00:33:01 Caller: Tokyo Dome Event Accommodations
- 00:38:54 Caller: Hokkaido and Tohoku Winter Route
- 00:44:27 Caller: Shinkansen Luggage Rules
- 00:53:40 Caller: Niseko Snowboarding and Onsen
- 00:55:38 Caller: Meeting Up in Asakusa
- 00:58:07 Caller: Maximizing Tokyo in 2 Weeks
- 01:03:18 Payment Methods: Cash vs. IC Cards
- 01:05:14 Caller: Fukushima Food and Transport
- 01:07:40 Closing and Official Resources
Japan Travel Tips
- Entry Requirements: Check MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) websites weekly for updates. Do not rely solely on YouTubers.
- MySOS App: Use the MySOS app for fast-track immigration verification, but bring physical copies of vaccination certs just in case.
- Masks: No legal mandate, but wear them on public transport, in taxis, and crowded indoor spaces to respect local norms.
- Airfare & Hotels: Expect high airfare and hotel costs compared to 2019. The weak yen helps daily spending but not flights.
- Luggage: On the Shinkansen, standard suitcases fit overhead or behind rear seats. Oversized luggage (>160cm) requires a reservation.
- Cash: Carry cash. While IC cards and touch payments are growing, many places still prefer yen, especially under 10,000 yen transactions.
- Ryokan Booking: Book traditional inns 3-6 months in advance. Expect 14,000-26,000 yen per night with meals.
- Itinerary: For first-timers, 3 days per major city is adequate. Leave time for countryside experiences like Kanazawa or Kyushu.
- Transport: Use taxis within cities rather than dragging large luggage on trains during rush hour.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- MySOS: A digital quarantine/fast-track app used to verify vaccination or test status before arrival.
- Omotenashi: Japanese hospitality, particularly strong in ryokan settings.
- Kaiseki ryōri: Traditional multi-course cuisine often served at ryokans.
- Shotengai: Covered shopping arcades found in many neighborhoods, great for local food.
- Yukata: Casual cotton kimono provided at ryokans for wearing inside the inn and to the onsen.
- Bureaucracy: Japan moves slowly regarding rule changes compared to Western countries; patience is required.
- Mask Culture: Wearing masks is a social courtesy to protect others, especially in enclosed spaces like taxis.
Food & Drink Guide
- Sushi: John advises against microwaving sushi; it should be fresh fish on rice.
- Kobe Beef: Recommended stop when traveling between Osaka and Hiroshima.
- Kaiseki ryōri (multi-course cuisine): Highlighted as a must-try experience when staying at a ryokan.
- Gyoza (dumplings): Fukushima is noted as a top destination for gyoza, alongside Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu.
- Ramen: Fukushima is also underrated for ramen.
People
- John Daub: Host and creator of Only in Japan Go. Provides expert advice based on 30+ years of living in Japan.
- Callers (Discord Users): Various viewers including Maminima, Yamato8125, Patrick, Dark Ice, Lime Lamb, Rami, Valley Pally, Mark, Matt Soblack, and Nagi A. They ask questions ranging from itineraries to visa logistics.
- Moderators: Unnamed helpers managing the Discord audio chat and links.
Key Takeaways
- Official Sources Are Critical: Entry rules change; always verify with MOFA, MHLW, or JNTO rather than social media.
- Budget for Flights: The weak yen makes shopping and dining cheaper, but airfare and hotels have surged.
- Plan Ahead for Ryokans: Popular traditional inns book up months in advance, especially for winter.
- Luggage Matters: Shinkansen has strict oversized luggage rules; pack light or reserve space.
- Tokyo is Massive: You cannot see all of Tokyo in one trip; focus on specific interests and neighborhoods.
Notable Quotes
- 00:00:57 "Locals—people living in Japan—are slightly worried because opening up suddenly is new. Things usually move slowly here, but there's uncertainty."
- 00:02:00 "Biggest factor keeping people away is airfare—prices doubled or tripled, despite the weak yen making Japan 40% cheaper."
- 00:05:01 "You can ask me all day, but get info from sources, not YouTubers—dates matter."
- 00:09:26 "Japan moves slowly bureaucratically—Shinkansen fast, but rules change slow."
- 00:12:17 "Can I get my sushi microwaved? No, then it's fish on rice."
- 00:58:38 "20+ years, not done. First trip: list interests, 3 days (72 hours) per city adequate—then countryside."
Related Topics
- Japan Reopening 2022
- MySOS App Tutorial
- Ryokan Etiquette
- Shinkansen Luggage Rules
- Tokyo Neighborhood Guide
- Hokkaido Winter Travel
- Student Visa Japan
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #tokyo #travel-guide #japan-reopening #mysos #visa #shinkansen #onsen #ryokan #hokkaido #kyoto #osaka #budget-travel #luggage-rules #mask-etiquette #gyoza #ramen #student-visa #cash-vs-card #japan-tips
Full Transcript
00:00:00 John Daub: Thank you. Today I'm doing a Q&A—ask me anything. Since Japan opened up, so many questions, people reaching out for answers. Sometimes I don't have them all, so in this live stream I'll take questions live and refer everyone to it. Japan opened officially on October 11, 2022, which is very exciting.
00:00:30 John Daub: We've noticed just a trickle of tourists. There are more people around now compared to before, when it was visa holders or package tours. Visitors are everywhere, and people say hello wherever I go—one or two at a time. That's exciting and optimistic around town.
00:00:57 John Daub: Locals—people living in Japan—are slightly worried because opening up suddenly is new. Things usually move slowly here, but there's uncertainty. TV news showed business owners asking foreign tourists to wear masks in restaurants or handing them masks. No problems yet, but concern.
00:01:30 John Daub: It'll balance out in a couple months. Mask wearing is a big question. No mandate, but it's a known rule on public transportation, when talking loudly in crowded outdoor areas, or crowded indoor spaces—especially trains. In taxis, wear one because drivers don't know you; taxis were used for COVID patients before. Things will balance out.
00:02:00 John Daub: Biggest factor keeping people away is airfare—prices doubled or tripled, despite the weak yen making Japan 40% cheaper. You can buy more, upgrade hotels, but plane tickets eat it up. Hotels are more expensive than 2019 due to demand; Japan has a tourist hotel shortage. Good China (70% of tourists pre-pandemic) isn't back yet.
00:03:00 John Daub: Looking at questions. Maruan Dono asks: Do we need a vaccination pass? If vaccinated three times, fast pass to enter. If not, regular procedures—no visa for 68 countries (number changes), but maybe quarantine depending on origin. Check Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) sites—they're up-to-date sources.
00:05:01 John Daub: You can ask me all day, but get info from sources, not YouTubers—dates matter. I'll link them; bookmark and check weekly. It won't get worse, only better. Also check JNTO and airlines.
00:06:01 John Daub: Do you need the MySOS app? No, not required—it's a fast-track like Disney, for verifying documents to speed immigration. Upload docs, get verified (green), show it. Use app or browser; I deleted mine after turning off tracking. Airlines check too—they're responsible if you're unprepared. Bring docs if no app; PCR test 72 hours before if unvaccinated, and on arrival.
00:09:26 John Daub: Japan moves slowly bureaucratically—Shinkansen fast, but rules change slow. Don't compare to Western G7 countries; Japan does things differently—that's an attraction.
00:11:03 John Daub: Going into Discord audio chat—discord.gg/onlyinjapan. Raise hand to join stage and ask. Moderators will link it.
00:12:17 John Daub: Happy to answer. Can I get my sushi microwaved? No, then it's fish on rice.
00:12:42 Caller (Maminima): Me and my boyfriend traveling to Tokyo January 3rd, staying 25 days. Good places to go?
00:13:16 John Daub: Hard to give itineraries—everyone's different. First-timers do Tokyo, Shinkansen to Osaka/Kyoto, Himeji Castle, Kobe beef, Hiroshima Peace Museum/Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima (beautiful island, cute deer—better than Nara's aggressive ones; keep cash zipped). With time, spend 2-3 nights countryside off beaten path—Kanazawa like mini-Kyoto: history, temples, shrines, geisha in Higashichaya district (friendlier Maiko).
00:16:08 John Daub: Okinawa/Hokkaido in winter? First trip, do standard 10 days, then off-path like Kyushu (Kagoshima/Miyazaki great food). Hokkaido cold/snowy; Okinawa warmer/shorts weather (Kagoshima too). Book ryokan (traditional inn) 2-3 nights: yukata, onsen (hot spring), kaiseki ryōri (multi-course cuisine). Strong omotenashi (hospitality). 14,000-26,000 yen/night with meals; book 3-6 months ahead. Try Takayama (Gifu), Takaragawa/Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma), Arima Onsen (near Osaka/Kobe/Hiroshima).
00:20:21 John Daub: Tohoku good for culture but cold December.
00:20:29 Caller (Yamato8125): Procedures for student visa to learn Japanese one year? Financial docs hard? Need guarantor?
00:21:58 John Daub: Show bank funds to prove no welfare need. Pick accredited school—avoid scams. Shinjuku Nihongo Gakko in Takadanobaba great (near Waseda, young vibe). Visas bottlenecked post-opening; process improving. Immersion in Japan faster than abroad. Discord has school-goers for tips; I'll research and maybe episode.
00:27:10 Caller (Patrick): Need physical docs before Japan? I lose them, prefer digital. Also saving to visit every prefecture in 3 months (90-day passport).
00:29:20 John Daub: Bring physical vaccination cert/photocopies—safer. MySOS verifies digital (photo OK, notarized-like). For meds, doctor's note/business card. Visiting all prefectures: budget-dependent; I hitchhiked 45 days for $150. Use Jalan.net (English) for more hotels than Booking.com. Some rural spots pricier.
00:33:01 Caller (Dark Ice): Planning February Tokyo trip for Tokyo Dome event. Good access, not touristy—see real Japan?
00:33:55 John Daub: Tokyo Dome Hotel direct but pricey. Jimbocho/Ogawamachi/Akihabara: 10-20 min walk, Apo Hotel ~5,500 yen (max 8,000). Overall: Asakusa (Sensoji area, Gate Hotel, towards Skytree/Oshiage cheaper, near Yamanote). Monzen-Nakacho (Showa-era feel), Shibamata (Tora-san movies, traditional, Edogawa ward), Yanaka (north, old Tokyo). Jinbocho/Ogawamachi publishing hub (Shueisha/One Piece).
00:38:54 Caller (Lime Lamb): February, booked most trip: week Hokkaido start, end Lake Toya. 3 days between: Aomori/Hakodate/Sendai? Then Ginza Onsen.
00:39:35 John Daub: Hakodate over Sendai (city hub, castle ruins, drinking street). Aomori summer better; winter ski but Hokkaido superior. Ferry Aomori-Hakodate scenic (tatami rooms). Hakodate compact, tourist-friendly, history. Hirosaki nearby but winter sparse trains—rent car.
00:43:05 John Daub: Shoutout: MySOS might end November—start now, upload certs, but check changes.
00:43:54 John Daub: John Michael: Live in Japan in 2 years? Get visa/job first. Message Patreon.
00:44:27 Caller (Rami): Arriving Friday Tokyo, same-day Shinkansen to Osaka. Luggage reserve needed?
00:45:20 John Daub: How big? Regular suitcase OK overhead or behind rear-facing seats (enter back, first in line). Tokaido has space/legroom. New oversized rule (>160cm) needs reserve—massive size. Pack light/smaller; hub big bag at hotel. Taxi cities, not trains—rude/hassle. No escalators everywhere.
00:52:07 John Daub: Policy mid-2020 for oversized. Medium suitcase fine; wash clothes, buy underwear.
00:53:40 Caller (Valley Pally): Niseko snowboarding Christmas—onsen/ryokan nearby? 3 days.
00:54:15 John Daub: Niseko mostly Western hotels. Lake Toya (~40 min) has ryokans/onsens. Rent car (Toyota) helps Hokkaido. Check Discord travel.
00:55:38 Caller (Mark): Odds run into you October 30 Asakusa? Live stream planning?
00:56:01 John Daub: Low, but hints on Discord/Patreon/Instagram. Used Facebook meetups pre-pandemic. Schedule erratic—ideas hit, I go. Live streams 30-60 min notice. Asakusa/Akihabara/Tokyo Station/Ginza common. Carry "You Found Me" cards.
00:58:07 Caller (Matt Soblack): First time January 1.5-2 weeks—maximize Tokyo, how long till "done"?
00:58:38 John Daub: 20+ years, not done. First trip: list interests, 3 days (72 hours) per city adequate—then countryside. Tokyo massive like Berlin/London; jet lag hits (sleepy 5pm, up 4am—wander empty streets). Repeat visits common.
01:01:15 John Daub: Eric: Yunoshima Shimakon ryokan Gero Onsen—book direct for options. Kokeshi dolls there.
01:01:50 John Daub: MySOS issues reported—I'll update next week via JNTO/MHLW. Still listed; use for fast-track now.
01:03:18 John Daub: Japan cash-based but cards/IC/touch rising (under 10,000 yen no PIN). Cash still king.
01:05:14 Caller (Nagi A): Fukushima Station till onsen bus? Booked 2 onsens.
01:05:37 John Daub: Gyoza/ramen—Fukushima underrated (top 5: Utsunomiya, Hamamatsu, Fukushima). Shotengai (covered shopping arcade) nearby. City transfer spot.
01:07:40 John Daub: Thanks for questions, Discord joins, super chats, postcard club. Q&As differ from travel vids. Check MOFA/MHLW/JNTO official English sites. See you tomorrow—midnight snack run, edited vids coming.