kbmartin
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2014
- Messages
- 796
Our trip is getting a lot closer, and I'm starting to have some questions that I hope others may be able to answer! I apologize in advance if any of these are "dumb questions!" (I hope they aren't!!!)
1. I read that rush hour in Japan is typically 7-9 am and 5-7 pm. After watching a video of people literally being pushed onto trains, I am now 100% terrified of rush hour and will avoid it at all costs. I can't imagine that these insane crowds completely vanish by 9 am, for example, though... During which hours could I expect a "normal" or optimal train situation? For reference, we're staying in Shinjuku, which I know probably won't make things easy!
2. Can anyone recommend a pocket Wi-fi service (NOT a Sim card)? It's just my DH and I going on this trip. We will not separate at all and aren't crazy wi-fi users but don't want the wi-fi battery to run out while we're out and about. I would estimate that we would typically leave our hotel between 9-10 am each day and wouldn't be out later than 9 pm for the most part. I only know some Japanese words and phrases and will need lots of translating help, directions, etc. every day.
3. Can anyone recommend a good travel insurance company/policy?
4. My credit card/debit card should be accepted around Japan, but for ATMS... I feel like I read at some point that you actually use your credit card to pull money from ATMs with a special pin. Did anyone straight up use their debit card with their normal pin to pull money from an ATM? I am quite confused on this matter... I am so sorry if this is a "dumb" question but I am scared of getting there and finding out I can't get money.
5. My DH is considering getting a credit card that can be used internationally just so we have a back-up. Can anyone recommend one that has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees?
6. If we are just hanging at Disney and then Tokyo (we aren't going anywhere else) for about 10 days, how much should I load on a Suica card? Can you use Suica for the monorail at Disney?
7. Ghibli Museum - I read that everything there is only in Japanese - there are no English translations for any exhibits. Does that really damper one's enjoyment? For reference, I am a huge Ghibli fan and at one time loved drawing so much that I considered animation as a career.
8. What are the most important apps to have on your phone for a trip to Tokyo? Again, I don't know very much Japanese (lots of random words but not enough to put together a conversation).
Thank you for any information you can provide!
1. I read that rush hour in Japan is typically 7-9 am and 5-7 pm. After watching a video of people literally being pushed onto trains, I am now 100% terrified of rush hour and will avoid it at all costs. I can't imagine that these insane crowds completely vanish by 9 am, for example, though... During which hours could I expect a "normal" or optimal train situation? For reference, we're staying in Shinjuku, which I know probably won't make things easy!
2. Can anyone recommend a pocket Wi-fi service (NOT a Sim card)? It's just my DH and I going on this trip. We will not separate at all and aren't crazy wi-fi users but don't want the wi-fi battery to run out while we're out and about. I would estimate that we would typically leave our hotel between 9-10 am each day and wouldn't be out later than 9 pm for the most part. I only know some Japanese words and phrases and will need lots of translating help, directions, etc. every day.
3. Can anyone recommend a good travel insurance company/policy?
4. My credit card/debit card should be accepted around Japan, but for ATMS... I feel like I read at some point that you actually use your credit card to pull money from ATMs with a special pin. Did anyone straight up use their debit card with their normal pin to pull money from an ATM? I am quite confused on this matter... I am so sorry if this is a "dumb" question but I am scared of getting there and finding out I can't get money.
5. My DH is considering getting a credit card that can be used internationally just so we have a back-up. Can anyone recommend one that has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees?
6. If we are just hanging at Disney and then Tokyo (we aren't going anywhere else) for about 10 days, how much should I load on a Suica card? Can you use Suica for the monorail at Disney?
7. Ghibli Museum - I read that everything there is only in Japanese - there are no English translations for any exhibits. Does that really damper one's enjoyment? For reference, I am a huge Ghibli fan and at one time loved drawing so much that I considered animation as a career.
8. What are the most important apps to have on your phone for a trip to Tokyo? Again, I don't know very much Japanese (lots of random words but not enough to put together a conversation).
Thank you for any information you can provide!