Tony - Japan 2024 Planning - Take 2

[Kingmeow]

@Tony Galiani (or anyone else) I just went to Japan Web and added my trip next month.  Since I used this last September, all my passport info, etc. are there.  It even has my last trip's info.

 

But I'm confused and don't quite remember from last time (🤣🤣🤣) at what point does the app generate the QR codes?  Is it after you land, you log in and tell the app "Hey, I'm here in Japan!"????

 

And how does my wife get a QR code or one QR code for the family (I added her as a family member)?  She doesn't have an account on Japan Web.

 

Aging sucks on memory!!!  🤣

[Tony Galiani]

@Kingmeow - I think your wife will have to do her own entry form.  When we entered Japan this past February, I did the process and had the QR code and thought it included my wife as I had put her as a family member.  But when we were in the entry line, we were told we needed individual codes.  Fortunately, they had all the forms right there and we just did one for her to use.  Only took a few minutes but I was disappointed that I had not caught that.

I thought I got the code pretty quickly after I did the form.  I brought it up on my phone before we left the USA.  That way I had it ready and did not have to worry about a connection in the airport.

Ciao,

Tony

 

[chadbag]

Tony: If you do miss flight to KIX and have to go to NRT, make sure they route you to a connecting flight to KIX, ITM (Itami), or UTB (Kbe Airport).  Since your flight is to Osaka they should route you there even if you fly through NRT.  It shouldn't be up to you to pay to get yourself where you're planning on being and paid to get.

 

Also, ITM is cool to fly into.  Much smaller and easier to manage.  And depending on where you're staying in the Osaka region, maybe a little more convenient.  Our last trip to Japan was purposefully to ITM (Not a result of missing a connection and being rerouted) because it was the least expensive to the OSA region (OSA is the airline destination code for all Osaka area airports).  And since we were heading to Kobe it was also pretty convenient compare to KIX, and being a small airport, much easier to manage.  (Now that my MIL passed a few years ago, we base out of Kobe instead of Amagasaki/Osaka as my SisIL is in Kobe).

 

[Tony Galiani]

@chadbag - good info.  Thanks.  Having been through this before I have prepared a list of alternate flights to both KIX and ITM - things go much smoother when you can tell the airline rep which options you prefer in these situations.  I did individual searches for ITM and KIX but planned to double check again before we leave.  Wasn't aware of the OSA code so that is good to know and I will use that for my next check for flights.

ANA is a United partner and from what I can see they only fly to KIX.  Had been thinking ITM would be a good alternate but doesn't look like a good option for a through booking.  

ANA is considered one of the best airlines in the world so, while I really want to avoid a reroute, it would not be the worst thing.  On our first trip to Japan we missed our connection on Delta and got rerouted via Korea with a flight ICN - NRT.  I was really impressed with Korean airlines - such a difference.  The Asian carriers seem such a level above the legacy airlines no matter which class of service you are in.

The beauty of the flight to KIX is that you arrive relatively early - mid-afternoon - so plenty of time to get to our hotel and then down to Dotombori for the obligatory picture in front of the Glico running man!  And, of course, there is Joshin Super Kids - will I be able to resist temptation?

 

Tony

[kuro68000]

14 hours ago, Kingmeow said:

@Tony Galiani (or anyone else) I just went to Japan Web and added my trip next month.  Since I used this last September, all my passport info, etc. are there.  It even has my last trip's info.

 

But I'm confused and don't quite remember from last time (🤣🤣🤣) at what point does the app generate the QR codes?  Is it after you land, you log in and tell the app "Hey, I'm here in Japan!"????

 

And how does my wife get a QR code or one QR code for the family (I added her as a family member)?  She doesn't have an account on Japan Web.

 

Aging sucks on memory!!!  🤣

 

I use their website, and if you log in and go to the trip you created it has a button at the bottom that says "generate QR code" when all the information has been entered.

[Kingmeow]

2 hours ago, Tony Galiani said:

ANA is a United partner and from what I can see they only fly to KIX.  Had been thinking ITM would be a good alternate but doesn't look like a good option for a through booking.

 

I may not be following the entire conversation so ignore if the following is irrelevant.  When we went last September, we flew home from Osaka ITM back to Newark.  It was an ANA flight out of ITM to connect at NRT.  It was booked as a United flight both ways, arrive at NRT and leave from ITM.

Edited September 27 by Kingmeow

[Tony Galiani]

@Kingmeow - thanks for the info.  When I checked initially, I did not see any ANA flights to Tokyo out of Itami but, on the other hand, my search skills, or lack thereof, are a factor.  I tried just using Google Flights so may not have looked deep enough.  I will go on to ANA's web site and search there.

I am hoping that by preparing every possible alternative for a missed connection, I will not have to use any of them and will have a smooth connection in SFO!

Tony

[chadbag]

1 hour ago, Tony Galiani said:

@Kingmeow - thanks for the info.  When I checked initially, I did not see any ANA flights to Tokyo out of Itami but, on the other hand, my search skills, or lack thereof, are a factor.  I tried just using Google Flights so may not have looked deep enough.  I will go on to ANA's web site and search there.

I am hoping that by preparing every possible alternative for a missed connection, I will not have to use any of them and will have a smooth connection in SFO!

Tony

 

I'm pretty sure I saw flights at ITM that said ANA on them 🙂

 

4 hours ago, Tony Galiani said:

 On our first trip to Japan we missed our connection on Delta and got rerouted via Korea with a flight ICN - NRT.  I was really impressed with Korean airlines - such a difference.  The Asian carriers seem such a level above the legacy airlines no matter which class of service you are in.

 

Our first several trips to Japan were all aboard Delta to whatever gateway city we were using and then through Korea on Korean Air to ICN and then KIX.  We were using Delta Skymiles from my personal and business platinum AMEX at the time so always had to go that way and at the time Delta didn't fly to Japan directly (they stopped after 9/11 for a while).  So you always used a partner an Korean Air was it.  They were always nice flights.   The only problem was we usually had a layover from 6-10 hours :(.  Can't complain when you're getting free flights.

 

One time, after Delta started to fly to Japan again, we were booked through Korea again but missed the flight from SLC to LAX on Delta because we got there to the airport a bit later than planned.  We weren't late but had to wait in the international check-in line forever -- was really slow that day -- and by the time it was our turn there was like 5 or 10 minutes until the 30 min before flight when they closed the flight (at the time) to LAX.  The guy worked feverishly to get all our passport info in and everything so we could beat the 30 min before deadline but he didn't quite make it.  The Delta gate agent then spent the next 45 minutes figuring out how to re-route us and got us re-routed through Hawaii and straight to KIX from Honolulu and we didn't have to pay any fees or anything.  The guy went above and beyond.  The good thing was there was one less flight as we went straight to Hawaii and then KIX, so not SLC -- LAX -- ICN -- KIX, and we left a couple hours later than originally booked and got to KIX about 20-30 minutes before the Korean flight arrived.

 

[Tony Galiani]

Still prepping for our trip and currently adding to my list of things to do.  I watched the recent Japan Railway Journal show on the Kintetsu Railway which prompted me to check out their web site which is very well organized for tourism.  The English language pages are excellent and offer lots of ideas.  Thinking a day trip to Mie might be a good option for us but we shall see.  We are spoiled for choice with so many things to do in a limited amount of time.

Ciao,

Tony

[Tony Galiani]

And just purchased tickets to fly from Takamatsu to Tokyo on ANA.  The last major in-advance purchase for the trip.  I always find these trip purchases frustrating due to multiple fare categories on each flight or multiple room category options for each hotel or whatever - but at least that is taken care of.  (I prefer my favorite hotel in Greece - one room type and hence one price type - easy peasy!)

ANA was a bit more expensive up front but no extra charges to navigate for seats or baggage so there's that.  And they have several later flights which is reassuring.

Now back to more trip prep of my perferred kind:  where to buy trains, what to see, where to eat, where to find donuts, etc.

Ciao,

Tony

[cteno4]

10 minutes ago, Tony Galiani said:

Now back to more trip prep of my perferred kind:  where to buy trains, what to see, where to eat, where to find donuts, etc.

Easy peasy, buy em all, see it all, eat it all, and donuts are everywhere…

 

jeff

[Kingmeow]

Maybe I'll bump into you at the airports Tony.  😃  (Or the hobby stores!  🤣)

[Gunzel]

The Iga Railway is fun too, reachable from Kintetsu.
 

Probably not what you want but if you have a few days the Kintetsu 5 day pass is a bargain for Y4500. 

[Tony Galiani]

Well, just over three weeks out from my trip and my wife are now very worried about our travel with regards to flights and connections.  We just got back from a quick trip up to Canada to visit her mom and everything went super smooth.  Our flights were on time or early, upgraded twice and our baggage (which we normally don't check but had to due to some of the items we were carrying) made the connections as well.  Our Mrs. Dunster's Donuts arrived safe and sound!  At Newark, last night, there was an earlier flight to RDU so we asked to be put on standby for it and ended up getting the last two seats so got home a couple of hours earlier than expected.  And, even with the sudden flight change, our bags made that flight as well.  Now I am wondering if we have used up our good travel Karma!  I guess we will find out in a few weeks.

 

My research (ie, hanging out and watching videos from NHK) has give me even more travel ideas.  Clearly the trip is going to be too short.  One of these years we have to plan something a lot longer.

 

Ciao,

Tony

[kuro68000]

How do you get to and from the airport, Tony?

 

I took a taxi the last couple of times, but the bus is a lot cheaper and takes about the same time. There is one direct from near where I live. I was wondering how it would work if my flight was early or late, but I think as long as you have a ticket they aren't too bothered which bus you get on exactly.

 

The other worry is cases. I try to pack them well, and while baggage handling at Heathrow is extremely slow, they do at least not usually cause any major damage. Not sure about the bus though, from what I've seen they just have a large cargo area that they lob cases in so they can bounce around.

 

Unfortunately the train, which is also near my house, doesn't go direct, adding another hour to the journey and making you chance twice in London. Not very appealing.

 

The saving using the bus is about 30,000¥, so pretty significant.

[Tony Galiani]

@kuro68000 - I use a few different means to get to the airport.  At home, I usually get a ride from friends - we take turns helping each other out.  There is no mass transit in my area and parking and taxis can be really expensive.

 

When traveling, we use different options - train, bus or taxi.  I like the trains but multiple changes with bags can be work.  In Europe, having been hassled a few times in the subways (France and Greece) we take a taxi.  In Japan, I normally do the train though on this coming trip, I am likely to use the bus as it will be a bit easier for my wife.  She is not quite the train/monorail fan that I am.  And our hotels are located close to the bus stops.

 

I don't worry too much about the bags on the bus.  We pack them well so that they survive US airport baggage handlers and, at least in Japan, from my very limited bus experience, I think they are loaded with more care than anywhere else.

 

BTW - when we reserve a taxi for pick up, I use an established service and they monitor the flight so early/late flight arrivals have not been a problem for us.

 

Cheers,

Tony

[kuro68000]

Ah yes, the infamous US baggage handlers.

 

I do the same with taxis, they monitor the flight. Maybe if I can find a discount one. I looked into parking my car too, but it was very expensive. I'd worry that the battery would die after standing for so long. It's 15 years old.

[Tony Galiani]

@kuro68000 - the car battery, and modern car electronics, can be a concern.  I have friends traveling in Europe for two months and they left their car keys with me.  Once a week, I go over there and take the cars for a drive so that the batteries stay charged.  A bit of a pain but having the batteries die can be an issue - too long without battery power and the car will have to be reprogrammed.  Boy - I am getting old - I can remember when this was not an issue.

Don't know if they have this in the UK but in Canada, you can get a trickle charger installed so you can plug the car in overnight to keep the oil and engine warm enough to start up after a freezing night.  Not sure if that would help the battery life but maybe?

Tony

[kuro68000]

I do have a solar trickle charger that should keep it alive for long term parking. I forgot about that, thanks for reminding me. Last time I did it I had an EV, so no issues with the 12V battery as it just topped itself up periodically from the massive traction battery. Man, I miss that car.

[Tony Galiani]

Okay - hoping for some QR code guidance!

 

I have completed the information for my upcoming trip.  Most of it was in there from last time but I had to update the info for our arrival which I did and Visit Japan Web generated a QR code.  My questions since my memory of our last entry is a bit hazy ...

 

Last trip, I logged in before I left to bring up the QR code and had that on my phone when I arrived.  I am assuming it is safe for me to do the same this trip?  Just log in before I leave the US and have it on my phone when I arrive?

That the QR code will not disappear between in the two weeks before we travel?

 

I had entered my wife when I did the forms but when we arrived I was told that she needed to do her own forms.  Which she did on paper at the entry desk.  Should she have the QR code that I received on her phone or do we need to do something else?

 

Any info appreciated.  Thanks.

Tony

[Kingmeow]

5 minutes ago, Tony Galiani said:

Last trip, I logged in before I left to bring up the QR code and had that on my phone when I arrived.  I am assuming it is safe for me to do the same this trip?  Just log in before I leave the US and have it on my phone when I arrive?

That the QR code will not disappear between in the two weeks before we travel?

 

I don't think that's necessary.  Certainly you can "pre-display" the QR code so it's on your phone when you arrive.  There's free WiFi at the airport and the website suggested that you can use that to get the QR code.  They realize that not everyone will have an international plan on their phone and thus have no connection until after all the paperwork to get an eSim or Pocket Wifi outside of Customs & Immigration

 

5 minutes ago, Tony Galiani said:

I had entered my wife when I did the forms but when we arrived I was told that she needed to do her own forms.  Which she did on paper at the entry desk.  Should she have the QR code that I received on her phone or do we need to do something else?

 

I was thinking the same just last week and that's what we did last year September.  But upon thinking about it, we decided to have my wife get her own account and generate her own QR code on her own phone.

 

Why have efficiency (your QR code) only to bring the process back to the old fashion way with one member in your party going back to paper?  🙂  If your wife is going to do the paper forms, then both of you might as well because your QR then doesn't really speed up the process.

 

The only thing we didn't do on the website is generate the Duty Free QR code as that requires uploading a picture of yourself.  Too much work.  🙂  We'll just get the Duty Free sticker in our passport.  I rather hand over a passport when I buy a ton of trains at Super Kids Land then my phone.  Passports don't time out and blank the screen and the guy behind the counter have to hand it back to you to re-enter your password.  Then he has to hurry up as to not have the display time out again.  🤣

[Tony Galiani]

@Kingmeow - Makes sense.  Thanks.  Of course, asking the Princess of Procrastination to get her own QR code is a challenge.  I expect she will be frantically entering her info a few minutes before we head to the airport!

 

BTW - please leave a few items for me at Super Kids.  Hoping not to walk in there and find everything sold out to Forum members!

 

Tony

[chadbag]

I don't know if it has changed since Dec 22 but I dd the QR code thing and thought the whole family was included since I had to enter them all in.  But when we got there, they needed to have their own or do it on paper.  They did it on paper, which took no longer than trying to get the connection working and my QR code coming up.  (For some reason the WiFi was not working very well or the website and it took several minuets for me to get my code to come back up).  Then I also learned you needed a different QR code for customs -- we had to go to a manual line after I tried to scan my entry QR code though it was wicked fast anyway.

 

Things may have changed since Dec 22 and I also may have memory failures on exactly how it went down as we were all tired.  But the gist is correct -- other family members did the paper thing and we ended up in a manual customs line.

 

[kuro68000]

On most Android devices you press the volume down and power button together to take a screenshot. That's what I do, take the screenshots with me just in case.

 

But as Kingmeow said, they have WiFi...

[cteno4]

1 hour ago, kuro68000 said:

On most Android devices you press the volume down and power button together to take a screenshot. That's what I do, take the screenshots with me just in case.

I’ve found this handy as more check ins for things using QR codes and just as you get there the app times out on the code or something and you have to try to get it relogged in at the last minute while folks are waiting. A couple of years ago I thought heck why not a screen shot! Voila a simpler life. Ironically I was in a united check in line and something was going screwie with their app as every other person using their phone had to stop and click a few things and then grumbling “I just had the QR code open!”.

 

jeff