Jennie comments

@rakuraku

haha thanks for the clarification, though I’m a bit offended as a flutist…

@garypen

kurisupisu

*Still see the sararimen waltzing around in just their whistle and flutes looking tuff though…*

Is that non-US English slang for "suit and tie", or something similar? I've never heard it before.

I second your question, Whistle and flutes..? Or is that walking and smoking…?

@grc

Exactly what I thought was missing from the article, apparently it’s a Brazilian nun who’s 117.

I think he enjoys his name appearing in media from time to time, since I have no faith in their trajectory or its accuracy, I do fear by mistake it’ll hit “something” by mistake.

There’s no Christmas in Japan.

@El rata

here’s to hoping that was cynicism….

Four years?!? This thing’s been up in the air for like a decade!! With this approval and that pending etc, but finally. Asiana had major issues with its infrastructure for a long time but overall a good airline, only makes sense Korean air took over. Asiana has better meals though…

@speed

That’s incredible. I’m not a professional climber myself or anything but I took a bus up to the highest point once. It was probably five or so years ago, and on the bus there were only three of us. The most beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji was up on the plane.. but I’d love to know the other mountains of your choice to climb so I can visit! (Any skiing areas..?)

Great, and keep them coming, yes tourists will pay as they pay ¥1200 for a skewer at Tsukiji. Unfortunately this is the Japanese way of telling them to stop trashing the roadways, public restrooms, and they don’t give a sh** about your money anymore. They’re just avoiding to say get the hell out of here.

Start fining and charging everything, starting with visas. Japan really has to step up, I can’t stand all these dumb fat tourists ( oh and those about to lecture about the money they bring, I’ll pay them to get the hell out of my way).

Omg we’re still talking about this??? Let the deal pass and stop with the cute politics and trumptards whining. Business is business and numbers talk.

Good for them, I wish I were one :)

I dress in layers with coat and gloves standing next to a guy in a T shirt with a sandal.

@Iron man

I apologize if my comment was too general and not informative enough. Upon browsing through not only yours but others’ situations I understand the confusion and complexity this may bring to many. I hope more detailed information will be followed up to clear up the questions and concerns.

Jay,

People, wake up! Today, it's our health insurance. Tomorrow, it's our bank account, our employment. **Do not trade liberty for the illusion of convenience. ***This is the road to authoritarianism, paved with good intentions and digital IDs. Resist it now, or forever hold your peace while Big Brother watches your every move.

Probably stop using Google first.

@iron man

I don’t see any, my number is like the social security number you punch it in and you can retrieve all the information pertaining to its owner. Since introduced here it didn’t play any major roles and I think they’re starting to put more emphasis in its use. Those entitled to residency and national health insurance should have no issue just presenting the my number card. Also insurance cards are accepted as a form of ID, so I’m guessing my number card will replace that as well? It has a picture on it so maybe it’s a better form of an identification.

Oh wow I don’t understand what the big fuss is about, never had issue with my number card, I just had to update the address when I moved, does it expire? I knew of them combining and in between there’s another card that was issued. It’ll be better to just carry one, but even that doesn’t make a big difference because I already have to carry all medical cards and pharmacy cards and point cards….etc.

@Soros

I couldn’t agree with you more. Though I’m still in central tokyo my lifestyle has changed drastically. I used to love giving directions and even letting people avoid lines into places and all that has gone away. I no longer share my favorite venues either. To those who feel like bringing in dollars and trashing streets and disrespecting one’s country and culture, people here that I see ride bikes with kids and have Bentleys parked in their mansions.

@Fighto

I agree with your comments, seems as though most people underestimate the beauty and capacity of areas other than those listed on tourism websites. With all the people confused with tourism bringing loads of money and uplifting economy in Japan, those visiting here nowadays are the lowest of the bottom since yen crashed historically and this is their time to actually visit and take advantage of the market and get the pricing of the third world country staying at airbnbs with really nice people and clean amenities.

Oh and Japan doesn’t rely on tourism for their GDP.

I never drink tap water, even while traveling I’d rather order bottled or canned drinks. Quality of water can seriously deter your digestive system and it varies drastically depending on the locations.

Calling this a rally is the testament of how desperately plunged yen is valued at.

@divinda

Thank you for taking the time to explain your side of the story. I was never in Japan when consumption tax was at 5%, and the earliest I could date back would be +14 yrs ago. So prior to 2010 it was at 5% ? Not sure but ok.

I always got my refund at the stores in cash and yes they stamp the receipt to prove that refund has been processed, not much else at the airport they check the slips in the passport and take them back. The only time you have to present the item physically at the customs counter is if it’s a special tax refund (this has already been discontinued as of 2022) .

I was just curious if Japan ever refunded tax literally at the airport that’s all. In which case it makes no sense that they reverted back to this chaos of tax refunds at stores.

@ divinda

I’m genuinely curious to know exactly when Japan issued tax refunds at the airport with receipts, any further information or reference will be appreciated.

@divinda

I was here ten years ago and back then I qualified to get tax refunds and I got them directly from department stores not at the airport.

@sakurasuki

It’s a global tax refunds system. If Japan comes up with a completely separate system of their own, you have a case in point. I didn’t mean to generalize, I was just sharing the information of what’s already in place that’s been in use globally.

@sakurasaki

Everything’s done at kiosks to verify the receipts of purchases, yes they’ll have to wait in line to receive the refund but no worries about language barrier, you get what’s calculated and printed and people are usually very cooperative when it comes down to getting their money. It’s a system that’s already in place elsewhere just not in Japan.

@gokai

It’s near Mita station…

@finally rich,

was there a few days back, not driving but walking and saw a bunch of tourists seriously laying down and jumping up and down in front of ginko trees taking pictures. Why are they lying down on the ground..?

Apology not accepted, go to hell.

Not a fitting title, K-dramas are surely binge-worthy but I wouldn’t approve majority of them for mental health improvement. Squid game?? Seriously?? That dystopian movie disrupted my mental health for a while….

Korea leads OECD in suicidal rates, many dramas directly depicts its societal issues that though packaged and written well and witty as hell, are more satirical than psychologically healing.

@Mr Kipling

It really does..! I love dorayaki, hopefully I’ll be able to find one soon :D