Japan/S. Korea- Cruise/Port - general questions

1) I'm interested in getting this pocket-wifi to use on my ipad/iphone where I won't have internet during my 2 weeks in Japan. Has anyone used it?

Would you recommend it? Did you pre purchase it or can you purchase it when you arrive in Japan? Where?

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/services/pocket-wifi

2) Where are public toilets located in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagasaki, Niigata, Aomori, Sendai; and also Busan, Korea?

3) Is there a number to call for a medical emergency, like we have 911 at home?

4) Are taxis easy to get in town to get back to the ship, if needed? Do you call a taxi or are they lined up in certain parts of town in the ports I mentioned?

Thanks,

dog:)

#3

you can call 119 for medical emergency, 112 for police in south korea. no idea of Japan.

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#2 you might easily find and use public toilet anywhere in public space like department store, port ,subway station and almost every building in korea. you might have to bring your toilet tissue.

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The best place to look for clean restrooms would be inside the malls or shopping centers when visiting Asia countries. Also whenever you are at a restaurant.

Make sure you have the port agent's information with you when you are in port. They usually printed that on the ship's daily program or in the case of HAL, in the shore information booklet. Either take a photo of it using your cell phone or camera or take the actual copy of the program with you. Contact the port agent if anything happens to you while in port.

Police emergency number to dial is 110 in Japan and in China. Fire is 119 and Ambulance is 120.

Police emergency number to dial in Hong Kong in 999 (also, for fire and ambulance - the operator will transfer the call as necessary)

Police emergency for Taiwan is 110, for both Fire & Ambulance - dial 119.

This is a detailed guide for Japan -https://www.npa.go.jp/kouhousi/police-50th/languages/english.html

please note that operator have access to trained translators if the language is other than Japanese, as English is often spoken by visitors - stay on the line, speak "English" slowly and wait as you might not understood what the operator will be saying while getting the call "patched" into a 3-way conversation.

All these calls are free - and, advanced GPS location services are typically used to pinpoint the location of the caller to fast track the dispatch of the nearest available first responders.

It's similar to the commonly used AT&T Language Line services for police & hospital emergency rooms here in the U.S.A. - it can take a minute or 2 to connect, often less - finding someone who can speak French in South Korea for a 110 or 119 call would, obviously, take a little longer.

If you are arriving at these countries on a cruise ship, the daily guide usually (if not always) provide the information to its passengers. If not, ask as soon as you are inside the terminal and before leaving for your tour or explore on your own ... and, highly recommend that you take along a "compact" first aid kit and a LED flashlight, always handy.

I really appreciate the information you have all provided. Very good idea to take this along, as well as a digital copy of our passports.

I will be on a land trip for a week prior to the cruise and am familiar with the info the cruiseline puts out for each port, so I'll remember to take that with me on excursions I do on my own.

Do you need to have change for toilet use in public toilets, like you do in Europe? Already bought the travel toilet paper!:o

dog:)

Do you need to have change for toilet use in public toilets, like you do in Europe? Already bought the travel toilet paper!:o

dog:)

TP - always carry some while traveling in China and Vietnam, as it's not always provided and/or sold at vending machines or around the corner (outside by "vendors")

Japan & South Korea - not really. Changes are needed to use the facilities either, unlike Europe. If on an escorted land tour, the guide generally will take everyone to a "suitable" one and alert the group of what to expect, etc. We stayed at a Novotel property in Seoul and the state-of-art toilet does not need TP (but supplied,) as it flush, warm wash, clean & air dry, etc. at the push of a button ... very common at upscale hotels. Almost needed to attend an orientation class to learn how to best use it, LOL :p ;)

Here's one guide to JP - http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-using-a-toilet-in-Japan

Mainland China, there are "upscale" deluxe paid public toilets, relatively "odor-free" and clean smelling in major tourist area - and staffed - sofa to sit & relax, refreshing makeup & lotion, etc. - well worth it.

Those at highway rest stops - aimed at busloads of travelers and truckers - however, aren't as nice ... those >>>> bring your own OP, hand sanitizers and whatever. It's apparently another excuse for folks to smoke while doing, especially #2, to mask the smell as those from the countryside aren't accustomed to closing the door ... privacy not a matter of concern to them.

TP - always carry some while traveling in China and Vietnam, as it's not always provided and/or sold at vending machines or around the corner (outside by "vendors")

 

Japan & South Korea - not really. Changes are needed to use the facilities either, unlike Europe. If on an escorted land tour, the guide generally will take everyone to a "suitable" one and alert the group of what to expect, etc. We stayed at a Novotel property in Seoul and the state-of-art toilet does not need TP (but supplied,) as it flush, warm wash, clean & air dry, etc. at the push of a button ... very common at upscale hotels. Almost needed to attend an orientation class to learn how to best use it, LOL :p ;)

 

Here's one guide to JP - http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-using-a-toilet-in-Japan

 

Mainland China, there are "upscale" deluxe paid public toilets, relatively "odor-free" and clean smelling in major tourist area - and staffed - sofa to sit & relax, refreshing makeup & lotion, etc. - well worth it.

Those at highway rest stops - aimed at busloads of travelers and truckers - however, aren't as nice ... those >>>> bring your own OP, hand sanitizers and whatever. It's apparently another excuse for folks to smoke while doing, especially #2, to mask the smell as those from the countryside aren't accustomed to closing the door ... privacy not a matter of concern to them.

Very good to know! I will take the hand sanitizer and toilet paper!:D

1) I'm interested in getting this pocket-wifi to use on my ipad/iphone where I won't have internet during my 2 weeks in Japan. Has anyone used it?

Would you recommend it? Did you pre purchase it or can you purchase it when you arrive in Japan? Where?

2) Limo bus from Narita to Tokyo hotel---do you have to pre book it or can you buy your ticket when you arrive at Narita? Where's the list of hotels in Tokyo that this bus stops at?

1) I'm interested in getting this pocket-wifi to use on my ipad/iphone where I won't have internet during my 2 weeks in Japan. Has anyone used it?

Would you recommend it? Did you pre purchase it or can you purchase it when you arrive in Japan? Where?

I used the pocket wifi for a 10 day trip in Japan, reserved it before getting to Japan. Had it delivered to our first hotel. Was there at check-in and used it in all of our cities, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Toyota City, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka, and Kyoto. It was awesome! The last day we returned it via the mailbox in a prepaid envelope that was provided by the company.

2) Limo bus from Narita to Tokyo hotel---do you have to pre book it or can you buy your ticket when you arrive at Narita? Where's the list of hotels in Tokyo that this bus stops at?

You do not have to prebook, when arriving at Narita Airport, just walk up to their counter (orange signs), and book your trip from the airport to your hotel. Ours was to the Hilton Shinjuku in Tokyo. The buses are very clean and it was a smooth ride to the hotel. Excellent mode of transportation. Any other questions, just ask....

Do you need to bring toilet paper for Hong Kong or Tokyo? All our other ports in China and Japan will be by shore excursion

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"Do you need to bring toilet paper for Hong Kong or Tokyo? All our other ports in China and Japan will be by shore excursion"

 

It's always a good idea to take a little travel roo with you.

 

Another question:

 

Do japanese hotel rooms supply facecloths/washcloths?

If your smartphone is unlocked, you should look into buying a SIM card for data for the time you are there. If you're the only one using it, a SIM card makes more sense; if you're a group all wanting WiFi, the pocket router is probably the better way to go. I will be doing a pre-cruise stay in Tokyo in a few months, and I will purchase a SIM card for my unlocked iPhone - there are several common sellers and they are (I understand) easy to get. IlJmio, b-mobile, and u-mobile are common sellers - they have English websites on line to check your phone's compatibility, and English instructions (so I've been assured - I haven't bought one myself yet).

Tips. Toilets plentifully free. Some did not have soap or anything to dry your hands. Some wash you, flush themselves. All I used were very clean and well maintained in public areas. Cafe toilets for customers only in Kyoto.

I took hand wipes that are plentiful when you order any food n Japan. Carry Kleenex.

Pocket wifi worked quite well on land and quite a bit inboard ship when we were close to shore in Japan or docked. We had to reset it after our stop in S. Korea and. Yokohama. Instructions with it.

In Japan nearly everyone carries a face towel or big handkerchief with them to dry their hands in public toilets. TP is provided but not towels for your hands.

Japanese toilets are beautiful, those in China are not! Expect a hole in the ground with footprints!

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In Japan nearly everyone carries a face towel or big handkerchief with them to dry their hands in public toilets. TP is provided but not towels for your hands.

Japanese toilets are beautiful, those in China are not! Expect a hole in the ground with footprints!

 

 

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If you have a guide in China and they suggest a restroom stop, take their advice. They know where the clean Western style toilets are. Some of the hole in the ground type do not have doors and are quite gross.

Japanese toilets are interesting. We had one in a hotel that had a remote control! I never saw one that was not immaculate and DH said the same about the mens' rooms.

Pocket wifi came with a return envelope. All we did was pot device in. Took it to post office counter at T 1. Center of terminal and gave it to worker. She gave me a tracking receipt. No cost to me.

Problem was only figuring out we had to reset it. Might have touched the reset button by mistake but it had instructions. So we figured it out. At first everything worked well and high speed. Slower after Korea. I could still post photos on FB. But one post then had to log in again. Same. As in hotels. All my posts on here since April 22-30 th were using pocket wifi.

Most ports I saw free wifi areas at terminals or tents set up where we docked. No seats. All train stations, Narita and hotels we stayed at gave me free wifi in room.

I highly recommend.

Tokyo Station Hotel

Kyoto Westin hotel

Yokohama intercontinental Gran Hotel ( club)

Narita hilton (free shuttle)

My trip/ plans were as close to perfect as you could get, thanks to the wonderful cruise critic people who were so willing to share on this Asia Ports of Call forum. Thanks.

Dog:)