Why Winter Is The Perfect Time To Visit Japan

Above, following a snowstorm in Chiba Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I've been in Japan during winter only once. That was in February 2014 and at the same time I was there, the country was hit by two big snowstorms. The first one arrived when I did.

Above, Nakamise Street shops. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That didn't stop me from enjoying the trip. It made it more interesting, especially when I was stuck aboard a commuter train between Narita Airport and Tokyo for several hours due to snow. 

Above, Kurihama's Godzilla slide with a dusting of snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to an article in National Geographic, there are some advantages of traveling to Japan during winter.

They begin with:

There’s no question Japan is one of the most popular destinations on the planet right now and with good reason. From its deeply distinctive culture to great food to fascinating historic sites, it has so much of what travelers love, and that also means it’s often crowded, even overtouristed. This is why I recommend it for a winter trip when many people are seeking sun and sand. Last winter I put together a 12-day getaway for myself and my husband that included Tokyo, Kyoto, and a drive across the region known as the Japanese Alps. It was perfect and gave us a taste of what makes Japan so great without intense crowds or logistical hassles.  

Above, my hotel in Ueno following the second snowstorm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Rising Credit Card Usage Giving Headaches To Japan's Merchants

Above, Shibuya Crossing in Shibuya's shopping district. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is generally known as a cash-only country. Credit cards have historically been rarely used.

However, since there is now a tourism boom of foreigners to Japan, credit card usage has been rising. Along with that, they come with a few headaches for merchants.

During my eight trips to Japan, I have never used a credit card. I strictly used cash obtained from the foreign exchange window at Narita Airport.

Nikkei Asia reported:

TOKYO -- As international visitors flock to Japan, their shopping and dining have put such a strain on credit card companies here that some are considering charging higher fees for foreign-issued cards.

When a foreign-issued credit card is used in Japan, the Japanese card company that processes transactions for the merchant must pay fees to both the overseas issuer and the international brand holder, such as Visa or MasterCard.

These payments can outweigh the merchant fees they collect in Japan, leaving losses that are expected to top 30 billion yen ($205 million) this year, about 50% more than in 2023.

Seven out of eight major Japanese credit card companies surveyed by Nikkei say their losses have grown from last year. Of these, six said they were considering or already had begun applying different fees to overseas cards.

To read more, go here. 

Almighty Dollar Is Mightier In Japan

Above, the currency exchange window at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now is a great time to pack up your bags and head off to Japan.

Thanks to the extremely favorable foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, a trip there is much more affordable. Americans now can get more bang for their bucks.

According to the Japan Times, the almighty dollar is even mightier these days.

They start off with:

Now that Japan has opened its doors to vaccinated tourists as of Oct. 11, many travelers are going to find great bargains.

The yen has lost about 20% of its value against the dollar this year, making hotels, meals and attractions very affordable for visitors from the United States. At the same time, inflation has been kept mostly under control, although the country is starting to see price increases for the first time in a generation.

After keeping Japan’s border mostly closed to tourists since the start of the pandemic, the island nation is eager for an economic boost, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying he wants these inbound visitors to spend 5 trillion yen ($34.5 billion) annually.

All prices below are converted at the current exchange rate of 144.80 yen a dollar. Travelers may get a worse deal from their bank or credit card provider, in addition to other fees. Prices include sales tax but exclude tips. Tipping isn’t expected anywhere in Japan.

Whenever I travel to Japan, I exchange my dollars for yen at the airport. That would solve the aforementioned "worse deal".

To read more, go here. 

Japan: Surge In Tourists Unlikely With Visa

Above, Narita Airport departure counter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If the Japanese government thought that their latest actions on foreign tourism would be a big boost to tourism, they were sadly mistaken.

The Asahi Shimbun reported (some snippets):

Entry restrictions on foreign tourists were further relaxed on Sept. 7, but a sudden surge in such visitors is not expected because some unpopular border rules still apply.

The government now allows small groups of tourists to arrive in Japan without a guide, but individuals must arrange their visits through a travel agency.

Moreover, all tourists still must obtain visas before entering Japan.

Restrictions abroad have also reduced the number of tourists to Japan.

But a source at another travel agency said a surge in trips to Japan will come only after the visa requirement is lifted.

The limited number of direct flights to and from Japan has led to one-way tickets costing about 300,000 yen ($2,080). But Wang said many inquiries were still being made about possible trips to Japan.

The rule banning individual tourists from arranging their own trips also remains a huge barrier.

To read the full article, go here. 

How To Catch The Keisei Line At Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Line Ticket Counter at Narita Airport's Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've traveled to Japan, my arrivals and departures have always been at Narita Airport.

Depending on where I am staying in Tokyo, I'll either use the JR Narita Express or the the Keisei Line.

The last time I used the Keisei Line didn't work out too well. But it wasn't the line's fault. An unusually heavy snowstorm hit Japan the same day as I arrived. It was the biggest snowstorm in years and I ended up being stuck in a Keisei Line train car for about 22 hours at a Chiba Prefecture train station as snow prevented the train from proceeding to Tokyo.

Above, Keisei Line trains snowed in at a station in Chiba Prefecture in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on how to catch the Keisei Line from Narita Airport.

They begin with:

If you’re going to be taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo, you might want to give this walk-through a read first. To make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a guide on getting from Point A (the Arrivals hall) to Point B (your destination). Let’s go! 

What a lot of travelers to Tokyo don’t realize is that Narita Airport is actually in Chiba—that’s the next prefecture over. Getting from the airport, which is out in the sticks, to the big city can take a little longer and be a bit more complex than expected. Luckily, both the Keisei Line and Japan Railways run trains throughout the day, including dedicated airport expresses. If you’re happy to pay for speed, Keisei’s fastest option, the Skyliner, can get you to downtown Tokyo in as little as 41 minutes. There are also a number of other ways to get from Narita to Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Shopping At Narita Airport

Above, Tokyo Banana cakes, a popular item for Japanese and foreigners alike. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So you're ready to head home after your vacation to Japan and are at Narita Airport waiting for your flight to board.

However, there are a few people that you hadn't purchased a souvenir for(or for yourself).

Live Japan has the top 5 souvenir stores (many of them are duty free) at Narita Airport for some last-minute souvenir shopping.

They begin with:

Narita International Airport, the gateway to Tokyo. The duty free shop inside is the perfect spot for souvenirs with items that can only be purchased before a flight. 

This time we had the duty free staff carefully select and recommend souvenirs as well as interviewed foreigners about their purchases and products they like. This is a must-read for those who don’t know what souvenirs to bring to their friends after a trip to Japan!

Above, one of the Fa-So-La SHOPS at Narita Airport's departure terminal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Trains and Buses Compete For Passengers On Tokyo-Narita Route

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's nothing like good, old fashioned competition for your travel dollars, or rather, yen.

Tourism to Japan has been on the rise for the past several years and with the 2020 Olympics coming to Tokyo next year, various transportation companies are in competition for the tourist's business. This includes trains and buses to and from Narita Airport and Tokyo.

Japan Today has an article on this and they begin it with:

TOKYO - In the run-up to next year's anticipated rise in international travel demand, last month, the curfew on landings at Narita Airport was extended to midnight. 

Weekly Playboy (Nov 25) also noted that the Keisei Railway Co introduced a new schedule from Oct 26, in which the number of Skyliner special expresses running between the Narita airport terminals and Keisei Ueno Station would be increased 1.4-fold, effectively shortening waiting time between train departures from 40 minutes to 20. 

This new development has not escaped notice of JR East, operator of the Narita Express trains,  which service the capital at 30-minute intervals. 

A writer who covers rail transport tells the magazine that Keisei clearly has the upper hand. 

"Connections by the Skyliner from Keisei Ueno to Narita Terminal 1 take 43 minutes, at a cost of 2,520 yen," he points out. "In contrast, a ticket from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport takes 53 minutes and costs 3,070 yen. Keisei has always been faster, but now with increased frequency, they've become the train of choice." 

The newly introduced aerodynamic 3100-type Skyliner cars boast a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, making them the fastest non-Shinkansen trains in Japan.

Above, a Narita Express car at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have used both the Keisei Lines and the Narita Express several times over the years. I really depends upon where in Tokyo I am staying at when I choose which train line. If I stay in the Ueno/Asakusa area, I'll use the Keisei trains. If I am staying elsewhere in Tokyo, I'll use the Narita Express.

To read more, go here. 

Cheap Flights To Seoul From Tokyo

Above, ANA offers air service between Tokyo and Seoul, but is
more expensive than low cost carriers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my trips to Japan over the years, I've often toyed with the idea of taking a little side trip to Seoul, South Korea but have never done so.

I had no idea about how cheap it is to fly from Tokyo to Seoul until I saw an article posted by Tokyo Cheapo. I may just take the plunge and go.

They begin with:

Whether you are staying in Tokyo for a while and want to take a side trip, or you plan to continue your travels onward to/from South Korea—Tokyo and Seoul are separated by about 2.5 hours on a plane, and flights are often dirt cheap. Here’s how to find the best air deals between the two cities. 

A number of (mainly Korean) low-cost carriers (LCCs) operate between Tokyo and Seoul, and prices are super reasonable in both directions. Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, also has a large international airport, and LCC flights to Seoul leave daily—however, not quite as frequently as between Tokyo and Seoul.

To read more, go here.

Narita Airport Entry & Departure Made Easier

Above, Narita Airport's arrival lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looming a year away and to make arriving and departing from Narita Airport much easier, the aiport now has new procedures to accomplish that.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

Simplified entry and departure procedures are in place for foreign visitors at Narita Airport under a government policy of making Japan a more attractive tourist destination. 

The airport, located about 60 kilometers [roughly 37 miles] east of the capital in neighboring Chiba Prefecture, is the main hub for the greater Tokyo area. 

Previously, only Japanese citizens could use the facial recognition gates and electronic customs declaration service to leave and enter the country. The eased procedures were extended to overseas visitors on Aug. 27 to reduce stress after long haul flights. 

Passengers using the facial recognition system need passports with electronic chips, which are scanned by dedicated devices at the gates to automatically match the photo in the travel document with one taken of the holder at the gate. 

The mechanism was introduced in June last year at Narita Airport to smooth entry procedures for Japanese. The program was expanded to cover Japanese passengers leaving the country in October that year as well. 

The service was recently further improved to enable foreign visitors staying in Japan for up to 90 days for sightseeing and other purposes to easily depart from the country.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport Gets Midnight Trains To Tokyo

Above, a Keisei Skyliner train at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have a late arrival at Narita Airport will soon be able to take a midnight train into Tokyo. Bus lines will also have later departures.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- Train and bus operators announced on Thursday plans to run more nighttime trips between Narita Airport and nearby Tokyo and Chiba to accommodate travelers taking advantage of the hub's service extension this fall. 

Narita, which now lets aircraft take off and land until 11 p.m., will push this back to midnight in late October. Both travelers and staff will need ways to get to and from the airport at that hour. 

Keisei Electric Railway's Skyliner express train to downtown Tokyo will add an 11:20 p.m. departure from Narita. A new timetable going into effect Oct. 26 will boost the number of daily trips by 40% to 41 in each direction, with about 20 minutes between each. 

The company will expand service on its regular line as well. Trains that had terminated at Keisei Narita Station will continue on to Narita Airport, meaning that the last train to the airport will be almost half an hour later than under the current schedule.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Tokyo From Narita Airport

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something useful for newbies as well as for experienced visitors to Japan.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on how to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport and what each mode of transportation costs.

Generally, I use the Narita Express (N'EX) or, depending upon where I'm staying in Tokyo, the Keisei Line or Keisei Skyliner.

They begin their article with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport (NRT)—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, this Tokyo airport is so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. In more practical terms, you’re looking at a distance of about 80 km from Narita Airport to Shibuya Crossing. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best for getting from Narita to your accommodation. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options. You’ll find more general route information below, including bus and train prices.

To read more, go here. 

Cold Snap Disrupts Tokyo Air Travel

Above, the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka after a snowstorm in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like Tokyo dodged a weather bullet as a cold snap didn't dump as much snow as originally forecast. It still caused the cancellation of flights to and from Tokyo.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - A cold snap hit Tokyo and vicinity Saturday, causing cancellations of more than 100 flights to and from the Japanese capital despite lower-than-expected snow totals. 

One centimeter of snow was observed as of noon in downtown Tokyo where temperatures fell below zero due to a cold air mass. The weather agency initially forecast an up to 5-cm snowfall but later said heavy snow was not expected in Tokyo and its adjacent prefectures of Kanagawa and Saitama. 

But the Japan Meteorological Agency still warned about icy road conditions as low temperatures will continue at least through Sunday morning. 

Japan Airlines Co and All Nippon Airways Co canceled more than 100 flights as of noon Saturday into and out of Haneda and Narita airports servicing Tokyo.

To read more, go here. 

Heavy Snow Forecast For Tokyo Region

Above, Keisei Line trains stuck at a train station in Chiba Prefecture due to snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In February 2014, a big snowstorm and I arrived in the Kanto region at the same time.

Flights out of Narita were canceled and transit lines going to and from Narita International Airport where shut down. I should know, I spent about 22 hours in a train car in Chiba Prefecture (midway between Tokyo and Narita Airport) at a train station due to heavy snow. A second big snowstorm hit later that week. These were the heaviest snowstorms to hit the area in years.

This all may happen again this weekend.

News On Japan reported:

Weather forecasters in Japan are warning of possible heavy snowfall on Saturday in the Kanto region comprising Tokyo and surrounding prefectures. 

The Meteorological Agency says a strong cold air mass and passing low-pressure system are likely to bring snow to wide areas from morning to night. 

Snowfall through late Saturday afternoon may reach up to 10 centimeters in southern Kanto; eight centimeters in northern Kanto; and five centimeters in Tokyo's 23 wards. 

Forecasters say more snow may fall in the evening. They're urging people to watch out for icy roads and disruption to transportation services. Drivers are advised to use winter tires or snow chains. 

Airline companies have cancelled some flights for Saturday.

So, if you are heading into Tokyo this weekend, beware!

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport To Extend Operating Hours

Above, a China Airlines jet at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the exception of two local municipalities near Narita International Airport, an agreement has been reached to extend the airport's operating hours.

The two municipalities object to the noise from planes from late night arrivals and departures.

NHK World reported:

Narita Airport, near Tokyo, is expected to extend its operating hours until midnight, starting in October. 

The transport ministry and the airport's operator had asked nine neighboring municipalities to allow the extension for one of the two runways until 12 midnight, one hour longer than now. 

The extension is aimed at receiving more visitors ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Shinjuku From Narita International Airport

Above, Shinjuku's "goodwill ambassador" peers over a building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are several ways of getting from Narita International Airport to Tokyo, but how about getting to Shinjuku specifically?

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article on the best ways to travel from Narita International Airport to Shinjuku.

A reminder: Shinjuku is the home of the giant Godzilla that peers over a building near the Hotel Gracery.

They begin with:

Shinjuku is a non-stop shopping and entertainment district in central Tokyo that also happens to be a jumping-off point to many other parts of the prefecture. There are lots of ways to get from Narita to Shinjuku, but these are our top picks.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Tokyo Disneyland From Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Skyliner is one way to get to Tokyo Disneyland from Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some visitors, believe it or not, plan to head directly from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Disneyland (or DisneySea), but haven't a clue on how to accomplish this.

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article on the different options to get the the Tokyo Disney attractions from Narita.

They begin with:

There’s no denying that Disneyland (together with Tokyo DisneySea) is a super-popular destination for visitors to Tokyo. There’s also no denying that getting from Narita to Disney, if you are planning on heading there directly after landing at the airport, can be a bit of a mission. The last limousine bus bound for Tokyo Disneyland leaves the airport at 18:10—what are you supposed to do if you arrive after that? Disneyland is in Maihama, which is Japanese for “the sticks.” 

Here’s a quick guide to the most practical transport solutions from Narita to Disney. Maihama is in Chiba Prefecture, by the way. And no, it doesn’t literally mean the sticks.

To read more, go here. 

Do You Really Save Shopping In Duty Free Shops?

Above, a duty free shop at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, Japan has expanded the number of duty free stores in cities and at airport terminals.

But are travelers really saving money shopping in duty free shops?

Travel + Leisure has an article that takes a look at whether or not people are actually saving money shopping in duty free shops.

The article reads in part:

If you’re the type of traveler who loves to browse duty free at the airport, you’ve probably wondered if buying duty free is actually saving you money. Is it worth it to pick up a few extra duty-free souvenirs or would you have been better off shopping before you set foot in the airport? And what about purchasing alcohol, are the deals really as good as you’ve heard they are? 

Let’s explore what the concept of duty free actually is, and then figure out whether it’s really helping us as consumers.

The only times I shopped in duty free stores at Narita International Airport were when I bought a couple of cartons of Marlboro Lights (during the days when I used to smoke cigarettes) and when I bought some boxes of Tokyo Banana cakes. Cigarettes in Japan are cheaper (or at least they were, the last time I checked) than in the U.S.

To read more, go here. 

ANA Adds PayPal As Payment Method

Above, an ANA jet at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those traveling to and from Japan, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has PayPal as a method of buying tickets.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - All Nippon Airways (ANA) is expanding options for online booking by adding PayPal as a new payment method. The move comes as ANA aims to even further enhance its service which will allow the company to capture new customers. 

Customers can select PayPal as their preferred payment method on ANA's website and app for international flights (and Japan domestic trips when booked at the same time as international flights.) This payment method is available in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, Cambodia, Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland.

To read more, go here. 

Getting From Narita Airport To Tokyo, The Cheapest

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most people who travel to Japan from the U.S. generally fly into Narita International Airport. But, Haneda Airport in Tokyo is increasing its international service.

Narita International Airport is about an hour outside of Tokyo in "the sticks" of Chiba Prefecture. After landing, going through Immigration and Customs, one has to find a way into Tokyo.

Fortunately, there are many ways to do so and Tokyo Cheapo has an article on each one and which is the cheapest. Personally, I use either the Narita Express or the Keisei Line trains.

They begin with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, it’s so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options: 

• Narita to Shibuya
• Narita to Shinjuku
• Narita to Roppongi
• Narita to Ikebukuro
• Narita to Ueno
• Narita to Asakusa
• Narita to Disney

To read more, go here. 

New App Guides Visitors Through Narita Airport's Terminals

Above, Narita Airport Terminal One Arrival Lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's main gateway into the country is Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

TRBusiness reported that the airport has a new smartphone app that will guide visitors "seamlessly" through the airport's terminals.

They wrote:

Toyko’s Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) has released a new mobile app to guide passengers seamlessly through its terminals. 

NAA claims the airport is the first in Japan to utilise ‘precise indoor navigation from any location to a boarding gate or other destination’. 

NariNavi enables travellers to track their current location using a smartphone to lead them efficiently to the boarding gate, restaurants or shops.

To read more, go here.