starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2088632\" time=\"1668241155\" user_id=\"14025:

Do you mean free wifi is available at major train stations? Our hp would auto detect?

Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2088629\" time=\"1668240241\" user_id=\"135989:

Telco. But I realized what free wifi is quite common.

Imp75\" post_id=\"2088621\" time=\"1668236624\" user_id=\"2358:

Did you buy SIM card there or use wireless router or use telco auto roam?

Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2088612\" time=\"1668231207\" user_id=\"135989:

I was in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Travelled by shinkansen - loved it You can buy your tickets at the station itself or if you prefer to do so beforehand and online, you can do so at https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php (but I think that this is only for the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu line which isn't for all of Japan).

Getting around the cities wasn't difficult. Google is freakin' awesome. Not only does it tell you the exact times the trains will depart (and you know how precise Japan is), it even tells you which carriage you should be sitting in for the fastest exit!

Payments-wise, credit cards are very widely accepted albeit physical cards are mostly used. I have a Revolut virtual card on my phone which uses the contactless tap concept (like Paywave) but oddly, it wasn't available at many merchants incl. Starbucks, Takashimaya etc. so I had to resort to using an actual card. Tourists get tax-free benefits in quite a few places but you need to bring your actual passport. Note that tax-free benefits isn't for all items, e.g. books, but you do save when you shop for electronics at Yodobashi or BIC Camera (drool!!) or shoes at Onitsuka Tiger

Within the cities itself, getting around is easy. I used my ICOCA (bought in Osaka) from years ago and it still works. Even though the ICOCA card is generally intended for the Kansai region (not Tokyo), it can be used in Tokyo. You can also top up the card in Tokyo like you would any of their local transport cards. If all else fails, Uber it

Food is still as amazing as before. Nothing much to add here other than to say that I've missed Japan heaps. It's such a beautiful country with so much to see and do. It's good to know that the borders are opening and I'm looking forward to getting back there in the near future

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2088609\" time=\"1668228501\" user_id=\"14025:

May I ask what are the places you visited, pls?
Is credit card payment widely accepted?
Thank you.

Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2088604\" time=\"1668226156\" user_id=\"135989:

Just got back from Japan and loved it. The crowds are there and building up, but it's still relatively comfortable to travel around. Make sure you wear a mask at all times irrespective of what the govt. protocols are. People treat you more kindly if you have a mask on. Food, shopping, sights etc. are still as gorgeous as they were pre-COVID (perhaps even more gorgeous now with less people). Things are beginning to get expensive but the FOREX favours the SGD for now

ngl2010\" post_id=\"2077335\" time=\"1659631208\" user_id=\"40978:

We were always doing F&E but now I don't have time to arrange our trips as I am working full time. Any tour agency is good for packaged tour to Southern Europe?

Funz\" post_id=\"2067238\" time=\"1652324648\" user_id=\"6230:

For me, Japan and Switzerland. But not this year. Hopefully next year. And likely without DD and DS cos I don't want to go during winter anymore. I want to see these countries in Spring or Fall instead of always winter or summer cos gotta consider kiddo's school terms.

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2067243\" time=\"1652326304\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2067243 time=1652326304 user_id=195250]
Can consider to go Japan by the end of March for the cherry blossom season. 🌸[/quote]

Funz\" post_id=\"2067238\" time=\"1652324648\" user_id=\"6230:

For me, Japan and Switzerland. But not this year. Hopefully next year. And likely without DD and DS cos I don't want to go during winter anymore. I want to see these countries in Spring or Fall instead of always winter or summer cos gotta consider kiddo's school terms.

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2067191\" time=\"1652280874\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2067191 time=1652280874 user_id=195250]
Don't know why no one mentioned China, maybe due to the quarantine requirement and the zero cases policy. [/quote]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2067197\" time=\"1652284111\" user_id=\"43981:

Dd says want to go to the places visited by us before she was born..luckily just a few.

phtthp\" post_id=\"2067217\" time=\"1652311280\" user_id=\"35251:

\" no one mentioned China\",
...

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2067191\" time=\"1652280874\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2067191 time=1652280874 user_id=195250]
Don't know why no one mentioned China, maybe due to the quarantine requirement and the zero cases policy. I miss a place called XiangShan Park (香山公园) in the western part of Beijing. I have been there more than 30 years ago and the view from the top of the hill was very nice. Hope can climb the Great Wall for a second time. 不到长城非好汉.[/quote]