Hi everybody.

I'm going to Japan in a couple of weeks (just writing that makes me excited) until march next year. Since there are people here who are or have been in Japan, and everybody here is so helpful, I thought it would be a good idea to look for advice here. I'll be in Saitama, and wonder whether any of you could share any advice or info that could be of use for my stay there. For example, problems or situations to avoid, places to visit, activities, ways of saving money, good places to get books both in and about Japanese, dishes I shouldn't miss the opportunity to taste, transportation, things that people going there should know, anything. Accommodation is already covered, so that's not a problem.

Something I would like to know is whether there are good places to buy cheap electronic devices. I've been looking for something like the Samsung Galaxy Player in my country, but the best I've seen are USD150/190 tablets. I would use it basically for internet browsing, reading and studying with Anki, so I don't need anything too fancy and expensive. When I say cheap I mean like in second-hand cheap, if that is possible.

Other point is about money exchange. I've been told that in Japan you exchange your money at the bank. Are there big differences in the exchange rate in different places?

Wow, I can't believe it's less than 2 weeks before I take that flight. I want to make the best use of my time there.

The idea that Japan has cheap electronics tends to be a big misconception. If anything, they overcharge their own people (thanks to the high tarrifs on imports) so that they can undercut the competition overseas. Add to that the recent boom in the yen's exchange rate, and I'd say your likelihood on finding a deal is close to 0, unless you live in South Africa or something.

I know that. My hope is the possibility that there is a kind of "Book Off" for electronic devices.

Yeah, I know I'm asking too much, but I don't lose anything by asking.

Thanks for your reply.

Indeed, even used expect to pay far above what you would in your home country (for used). There is a Hard Off that sells stuff, but it's not exactly a bargain for something like a tablet.

I don't think it's some master plan to offset low overseas prices by gouging the home market, but just that luxuries are expensive in Japan in general.

Actually a lot of the bigger Book offs do sell household electronics, musical instruments, and consoles etc, not only media. Not really sure how good the savings are though.

Considering the exchange rate between YEN and USD you'd definitely be better off buying electronics in the US. Also, having lived in Europe, US and Japan I can say that the US has by far the lowest prices on electronics.

Have you been to Japan before for travelling? If not it may good if you get some kind of tourist guide (Lonely Planet, etc) so you can learn about places to go to.

Ways of saving money: Cooking for yourself, Yoshinoya and Half-price bentos

Transporation: Get a Suica card at the airport. It was more than 4 years ago and it may have changed in the meantime but I vaguely remember that they had some kind of package including a Suica card and Train ticket from NRT -> Tokyo for a discount price, somewhere at the airport. Again, it may not exist anymore so you gotta look into that. Anyway, get a Suica card once you arrive.

Money Exchange: Yes, there are differences but unless you exchange a large sum of money I doubt it is worth the trouble going to different banks/places. How much money are you planning to bring, and how? Also, there's Citibank in Japan so if you happen to have a Citibank account you can use it here (there will most likely be a foreign usage fee for withdrawing money though).

What kind of visa are you coming on? If it's not a tourist visa get your Foreigner registration card (外国人登録書 ) as soon as possible. You'll need it for almost everything (Bank accounts, contracts, id).

I agree with the above regarding buying electronics. The last time I went to the States I bought a new laptop, both because there are better deals overall at bestbuy and the like, but also because of the devastatingly strong yen.

Regarding the money exchange, I always do it at the airport. The official ones near the boarding and unboarding areas are a better deal than the chain store money exchangers you find in the areas where you board the trains.

From what I've been told, the airport currency exchanges will rip you off, and if you can, exchanging the money at the post office will get you a better rate. Note that only large central PO branches will exchange money, not the smaller branches.

Exchange the money at your own bank before you come. Any business that exists to exchange money will always give you a worse rate.

Do not bring traveler's cheques as crime is virtually non-existent and pretty much nowhere will accept them (you can cash them in at a local bank though).

i use a schwab bank card, which changes your money automatically at the ATM with no fees and at the regular rate! it's awesome!

but you want at least some money before you leave. i was almost stranded at hiroshima airports because i had no money... luckily i was able to use my credit card to pay for a bus ticket to hiroshima station, then i walked a few blocks to use the 7 eleven ATM.

the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

kainzero Wrote:the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

Seppuku is the only way to make up for such a loss of face.

On the topic of ATMs, you can withdraw money using a card from an overseas bank at Japanese Post ATMs. I had a Debit Mastercard and had no troubles, another friend who was living there used a Visa Debit.

JimmySeal Wrote:The idea that Japan has cheap electronics tends to be a big misconception. If anything, they overcharge their own people (thanks to the high tarrifs on imports) so that they can undercut the competition overseas. Add to that the recent boom in the yen's exchange rate, and I'd say your likelihood on finding a deal is close to 0, unless you live in South Africa or something.

I found this too and I live in Australia (so that is saying something). I found the prices in Yodobashi, Bic Camera etc. to actually be more expensive than what I would pay here once I added the exchange rate in. I noticed that nearly every brand that they sold was Japanese (which makes sense from what JimmySeal said about imports) whereas in Australia we have the usual Japanese, Korean, Chinese and European brands = greater competition.

kainzero Wrote:the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

I did that the first time I went to uniqlo too. The guy looked at me with a semi cringe and just said "Kutsu...." I swear he was about to have kittens.

Compared to Europe Japan seems to have comparable prices on electronics but sometimes you can find a good deal. I was tempted by Sony A55 that was half the price I'd have to pay in Poland but actually went with Nikon D5100 that cost me a bit more. PS3 also seems to be a bit cheaper here but these are exceptions and generally everything costs the same or more because of the exchange rates.

One thing I'd like to recommend is taking only electronics that have batteries, don't ask me why or how but everything I bought that has a battery works like a charm using a simple converter but my non-battery electric shaver just won't cooperate even though it should

Suica+NEX still works and for one way ticket to Tokyo its 3500yen (you don't need a return ticket since its only limited to 2 weeks after you use the first one), you'll also get a 1500yen on your Suica so you're all set for good start in Tokyo. As a bonus this package Suica looks better than the regular one (a few people I've met pointed that out), so its a nice collectors item I don't know how useful Suica is outside Tokyo though.

From foods almost everything I've tried was good so feel free to experiment. Though I wouldn't recommend すき焼　chain (I'm not 100% about the name), had their 牛丼 recently and there was very little 牛 in my 丼 and the meat was really horrible (worse Kebab of my life had better quality than this).

Are you sure you don't mean すき家? The one time I ate there, the food was barely edible.

JimmySeal Wrote:Are you sure you don't mean すき家? The one time I ate there, the food was barely edible.

Could be, I don't remember the kanji well. For me this was also my last time there so that seems to be it

Jarvik7 Wrote:

kainzero Wrote:the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

Seppuku is the only way to make up for such a loss of face.

i apparently made up for it by writing my name in katakana

they seemed impressed and not in the お上手ですね fashion but they were whispering amongst themselves and didn't say anything to me



... unless they were blacklisting me

I have a question relevant to the currency conversation discussion. So I should do half here and half in Japan? I'll order my ticket soon, but I'm pretty sure I'm going. I want to stay for a month, but how/when should I convert my money? I'm thinking of using about $1500-2000 of yen.

TheVinster Wrote:I have a question relevant to the currency conversation discussion. So I should do half here and half in Japan? I'll order my ticket soon, but I'm pretty sure I'm going. I want to stay for a month, but how/when should I convert my money? I'm thinking of using about $1500-2000 of yen.

I think its a wrong strategy. You're worried about having to pay pennies more for exchange rate and in return risk thousands of dollars in cash. Sounds a bit stupid for me.

Take some money with you (I took around 400$ and it was too much in my opinion, lasted me for 2 weeks or more) and just take a few debit cards + one/two credit cards. Distribute money and cards evenly among yourself, hand luggage and a suitcase. This way even if something happens you'll always have backup. Do the same thing every time you leave your hotel (don't take everything with you) and you're safe.

I found my cellphone to be the weakest link since I couldn't get a backup SIM and I need it for making wire transfers between accounts.