Japan Master Thread

[Yehoshua]

It's just so easy not to communicate with a human 

I can tell you what my LOR said, but it's pointless to trust some random dude online.

[shwarmabob]

Does sake require a hechsher, and if so, what brands in Japan are (if any)?

https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/is-sake-kosher/
unflavored sake should be fine, but as almost always ALOR, the L stands for Japan in this case.

[EMF]

For those who brought meat products into the country, did you declare it at the airport? Did you have any issues? Their guidelines suggest that they'll only allow you to bring in meat form the US (raw or cooked) with an inspection certificate from the Department of Agriculture.

[Dan]

For those who brought meat products into the country, did you declare it at the airport? Did you have any issues? Their guidelines suggest that they'll only allow you to bring in meat form the US (raw or cooked) with an inspection certificate from the Department of Agriculture.

I've brought in a couple of times, never had an issue.

[Dan]

https://oukosher.org/blog/consumer-kosher/is-sake-kosher/
unflavored sake should be fine, but as almost always ALOR, the L stands for Japan in this case.

2015, all sake is fine: http://web.archive.org/web/20150911162827/http://star-k.org/cons-faqs-BLW.htm
2016, sake requires certification: http://www.star-k.org/faq#rice

[EMF]

I've brought in a couple of times, never had an issue.

Thanks. Did you declare it and they said it was fine? Or you didn't declare and they didn't search your bags?

[Dan]

Didn't declare, they took a peak and didn't care.
Wasn't an Aussie or Mexico like experience.

[shwarmabob]

2015, all sake is fine: http://web.archive.org/web/20150911162827/http://star-k.org/cons-faqs-BLW.htm
2016, sake requires certification: http://www.star-k.org/faq#rice

I am glad I was there in 2015  we had a few L'Chaims in shul

[Yuey]

I'll be Tokyo for 2 nights and a day, staying at the PH, and wanted to see as much of Tokyo as I can. Does anyone recommend any full day tours or is not necessary. These are the ones that I gathered from the concierge and tripadvisor:
 

1 )Sky Bus (Double Decker Bus, hop on/off buss)  http://skybus.jp/error.php?lang=en&no=&bno=

2) Gray Line – (recommended by Park Hyatt concierge)
http://www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/

3) Tokyo by Bike - The Great Cycling Tour (tripadvisor) https://youtu.be/EISPGwrSihM
http://www.tokyocycling.jp/route_a.html

[Yehoshua]

I'll be Tokyo for 2 nights and a day, staying at the PH, and wanted to see as much of Tokyo as I can. Does anyone recommend any full day tours or is not necessary. These are the ones that I gathered from the concierge and tripadvisor:
 

1 )Sky Bus (Double Decker Bus, hop on/off buss)  http://skybus.jp/error.php?lang=en&no=&bno=

2) Gray Line – (recommended by Park Hyatt concierge)
http://www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/

3) Tokyo by Bike - The Great Cycling Tour (tripadvisor) https://youtu.be/EISPGwrSihM
http://www.tokyocycling.jp/route_a.html

I looked into the last option you listed, but they their times didn't work out for me. I did a bike tour in BsAs, and it was awesome!

[Dan]

Why not just pick a few sights you want to see based on TA and take the subway there?

[Yehoshua]

Why not just pick a few sights you want to see based on TA and take the subway there?

Believe it or not, some people actually like tours. 

[Yuey]

Why not just pick a few sights you want to see based on TA and take the subway there?

I'm just nervous with the complete language barrier and the subway system. You scared me with your "Cost-O-Co" story...

[Dan]

You scared me with your "Cost-O-Co" story...

That was before smartphones existed.

[Dan]

Believe it or not, some sheeple actually like tours. 

ftfy

[Yehoshua]

I'm just nervous with the complete language barrier and the subway system. You scared me with your "Cost-O-Co" story...

There's plenty of English and English-speaking employees in the Metro system.

[Yuey]

Thanks!

[Yuey]

PH recommended the Gray Line tour. They have an all day tour that picks you up and drops you off at the hotel. They take you to all the hot spots and even a river cruise at night. The main drawback is that you're stuck on a coach bus the entire day and are on their schedule.

[Aerial Dag]

PH recommended the Gray Line tour. They have an all day tour that picks you up and drops you off at the hotel. They take you to all the hot spots and even a river cruise at night. The main drawback is that you're stuck on a coach bus the entire day and are on their schedule.

Every station that I can remember had an attendant at the turnstile and many spoke enough English to help you out. That, with your cell phone (get the hyperdia app when you arrive in Japan), will be totally fine to get around. No need to waste your time stuck on a bus. You're only here for a few days, get out there!

[Feivish]

Anyone here been to Kyoto and can tell me what are the highlights not to miss?