NewGuy2005 53 #1 May 19, 2015 I've always gotten very good travel advice here, so here I go again: One of my daughters is going to be going to Niigata, Japan for a language course this summer. Any pointers for a first time traveler to Japan? She will have 3 weekends free, plus a week at the end of the class. Is there a rail pass she can buy that will allow unlimited travel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #2 May 19, 2015 NewGuy2005I've always gotten very good travel advice here, so here I go again: One of my daughters is going to be going to Niigata, Japan for a language course this summer. Any pointers for a first time traveler to Japan? She will have 3 weekends free, plus a week at the end of the class. Is there a rail pass she can buy that will allow unlimited travel?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-OWfS2Vy4 [url]http://jciv.iidj.net/map/I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #3 May 19, 2015 Wow. That's good to know. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #4 May 19, 2015 It's been a long time since I've been there, but from what I can recall you will at some point encounter something that claims to be a toilet which will make you go "What... the... hell?" Should you find yourself in this situation, it is best to simply back away slowly and do not under any circumstances make eye contact.I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #5 May 19, 2015 LOL. Sounds like it will be a character building experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimjumper 25 #6 May 19, 2015 It will certainly be a leg muscle and flexibility building experience! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #7 May 19, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-OWfS2Vy4I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #8 May 20, 2015 NewGuy2005 I've always gotten very good travel advice here, so here I go again: One of my daughters is going to be going to Niigata, Japan for a language course this summer. Any pointers for a first time traveler to Japan? She will have 3 weekends free, plus a week at the end of the class. Is there a rail pass she can buy that will allow unlimited travel? Make sure she has a LOT of money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #9 May 20, 2015 No kidding!! That place ain't cheap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackwallace 3 #10 May 20, 2015 Yes there is a rail pass. Tell her to take the trains every where. A bike if its short enough distance. Buses and taxis get stuck in the horrible traffic. Osaka is a great week end place. If she eats at the noodle shops its not expensive and the menus are pictures. The Duncan Donuts there make their stuff in laird. Its great. Take lots of pictures.U only make 2 jumps: the first one for some weird reason and the last one that you lived through. The rest are just filler. scr 316 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stumpy 284 #11 May 22, 2015 Go to Osaka. Spectacular.Never try to eat more than you can lift Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #12 May 22, 2015 StumpyGo to Osaka. Spectacular. Isn't that where the longest suspension bridge in the world is? Connecting islands?"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #13 May 22, 2015 Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. Question: Will she have any trouble using her old fashioned American Visa card that only has the magnetic strip and no RFID chip? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackwallace 3 #14 May 22, 2015 Oh yeah and if the train in Japan is scheduled for 3:16 don't get on the one at 3:14. The trains there run EXACTLY on time. Don't eat japanese gum, not good. But take american stuff to give people as presents. They use to be big on business cards in Japan. Might get some printed up to hand out.U only make 2 jumps: the first one for some weird reason and the last one that you lived through. The rest are just filler. scr 316 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amstalder 0 #15 June 4, 2015 NewGuy2005 Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. Question: Will she have any trouble using her old fashioned American Visa card that only has the magnetic strip and no RFID chip? I realize this thread is a couple weeks old, but it's been awhile since I've been on... So it's new to me! If she can find a place that takes card, a plain old magnetic strip is fine. Remarkably, credit card use is pretty limited. Also, she'll likely only be able to get money out at the post office (double topped capital T on a red sign); they give a good rate. Tell her not to be frustrated if the lawson's ATMs don't work. Also, the yen is down currently compared to USD, so it's not AS expensive as everyone makes it out to be, thankfully. I hope she has a great time! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #16 June 4, 2015 Sounds good. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #17 June 4, 2015 I've always respected the advice of Clark Howard for international travel. If you don't see what you want, you go always go to one of his boards. It's kind of like DZ.com, but with money nerds. (They never talk about wing loading. Ever.)Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #18 June 4, 2015 What about GoPros? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites