Design Summit/Mitaka/Travel Tips
For some general Japan travel tips and more summit FAQ, please see https://www.openstack.org/summit/tokyo-2015/faq/#Category-5
Contents
Sim Cards
If you're used to picking up a cheap local sim card when you travel, Japan might be a new experience.
As a non-resident, you're basically not allowed to have a voice service. Data-only sim cards are available, but expect to pay USD30-40. However, the speeds are enjoyably fast :)
http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Japan has all the details you'll ever need.
Options:
- The simplest way TF has found is the "Japan Travel SIM (by Iijmio)". 1GB/30 days or 2GB/90 days validity options. https://t.iijmio.jp/en/index.html . You can purchase this from the Tokyo Tourist Information centre where they also speak English and Chinese and can give helpful travel advice for your stay in Japan. Just take the JR Yamanote line from Shinagawa Station near the venue to Tokyo Station ( http://www.tictokyo.jp/en/03_access/index.html).
- http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/english/index.html is also available and can be sent to you at your hotel or the airport post office if preordered.
Taxis
Taxis in Tokyo are very expensive. Especially do not try and take a taxi from Narita Airport to the city, which will cost around USD 200.
Airport transit
If you don't plan on taking a train from the airport, https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/ seems to drop off at some of the hotels in the area of the conference centre.
Large Electrics Stores
Akihabara has so many electrics shops, but there are large stores on/near major stations.
- Bic Camera (ビックカメラ)
- Yamada Denki (ヤマダ電機)
- Yodobashi Camera (ヨドバシカメラ) (No English page)
| Station | Bic Camera | Yamada Denki | Yodobashi Camera |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinbashi (新橋) | yes | ||
| Yurakucho (有楽町) | yes | ||
| Akihabara (秋葉原) | yes | yes | |
| Ueno (上野) | yes | ||
| Ikebukuro (池袋) | yes | yes | |
| Shinjuku (新宿) | yes | yes | yes |
| Shibuya (渋谷) | yes | yes | |
| Ohi Machi (大井町) | yes | ||
| Tsurumi (鶴見) | yes * | ||
| Kawasaki (川崎) | yes | yes * | yes |
| Yokohama (横浜) | yes | yes |
"yes * " = Far from station
Clothes
A japanese weather forecast says that the temperature will be 10-17 degree Celsius (50-62.6 degree Fahrenheit) on the last weekdays of October in Tokyo. So, most people needs a jacket or an overcoat. But don't worry even without suitable ones. There are many clothes stores in/on/near major stations and UNIQLO is in JR Shinagawa Station.
Food Shopping
Keikyu Shopping Plaza Wing Takanawa East is located on JR/Keikyu Shinagawa Station and it has Keikyu Store (京急ストア) at the B1 floor. It's good to buy various foods, meals, vegitables, drinks, liquors and so on.
Pharmacy
Shinagawa Prince Hotel has a pharmacy named Tomod's. It has many foreign visitors, so some stuff may be able to talk in English.
Useful medicine words in Japanese:
| English | Japanese pronounce | Japanese writing |
|---|---|---|
| Cold medication | Kaze-gusuri | 風邪薬, かぜ薬、カゼ薬 |
| Medication for hay fever | Kafun-sho (yaku) | 花粉症(薬) |
| allergic rhinitis (coryza) | Arerugi (yaku) | アレルギー(薬) |
| Headache medication | Zutuu-yaku | 頭痛薬 |
| Medication for diarrhea | Geri-dome | 下痢止め |
| Laxative | Benpi-yaku | 便秘薬 |
| Medication for stomach aches | Fukutu-yaku / Hara-ita | 腹痛薬 / 腹痛 |
| Anti-itch medication | Kayumi-dome | かゆみ止め |
| Medication for insect sting | Mushi-sasare | 虫さされ |
| Eye drops | Me-gusuri | 目薬 |
Transport
Smart cards for transportation are useful in/around Tokyo, so I recommend you to buy one when you arrived at stations at Haneda Airport or Narita Airport. There are 2 type cards in/around Tokyo: SUICA is by JR EAST and PASMO is by the other trains and buses in Tokyo. But both can be used all trains and buses in/around Tokyo, so you can buy either one.
And... I have to tell you about an important thing.
It's a terrible experience to take a train or a bus in weekday mornings in Tokyo.
Most trains in Tokyo has lots of passengers at 7:30am-8:50am and JR Shinagawa Station is one of the biggest stations in Tokyo. So, I strongly recommend below:
- Arrive at Shinagawa Station before 7:30am.
- Defence your bag in a crowded train/bus, otherwise your laptop in the bug may be broken.
- Say "o-ri-ma-su" when it's hard to get off a train or a bus. It means "I'm going to get off!"
Noodles
There are 3 major types of noodles in Japan.
Ramen is one of most popular foods in Japan now. Also, ramen is getting fans in US or European contries. If you like ramen, you should go to:
- Shinatatsu Ramen (品達ラーメン) .. 3 minutes from JR Shinagawa Station (Takanawa Exit)
- Tokyo Ramen Street (東京ラーメンストリート) ... 3 minutes from JR Tokyo Station (Yaesu Minami Exit)
Soba and Udon are Japanese traditional noodles. Try them when you have an opportunity.
