Covid-related cancellations and refunding

[Marilyn & Irvin]

My husband and I were supposed to be in Kyoto for our honeymoon but had to cancel due to COVID 19.

Terrible reflection on Japan's tourist industry and hope all Canadians remember this when or if they go to the Olympics next year or visit at all in Kyoto.
What's even adds more to our financial misery Japan Rail (monopoly) is giving us the run around on our Japanese Rail Passes. Be careful visitors!!!

Yeah Room Gion Shijo

Address: Shimogyo-ku Inari-cho 335 宝源ビル3F, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, Japan 600-8022

We booked through Agoda booking and they couldn't get our $$ back, They are also not helping us.

 

[Davey]

I'm sorry to hear that but what is the purpose of this thread?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

You are not alone or being treated unfairly. Even people with good trip insurance lost money. This world wide disaster is something no one has had to deal with before. Think about it from the other end. A company or office that may of had 50 workers , now has just twenty trying to work from home. It wouldn't matter if you were going to the US , Africa , Europe , the same thing could have happen to you. Keep you records and maybe you can declare it as a tax loss next year. Blaming and crying over your problem on a website filled with members who love Japan won't get you a lot of sympathy here. Check and see if any Canadian officials or private companies can help you out. I think this is one of those times you get screwed over by unforeseen events and as the American saying goes "S#&T HAPPENS" .

 

[thomas]

I have changed the title of this thread, as this has nothing to do with "hotels in Japan".

Unfortunately, the OP hasn't provided any information that sheds light on why Agoda (which isn't a Japanese company) refuses to reimburse them or why JR give them the "run-around" for their Japan Rail Passes. If I am not mistaken, rail pass refunds need to be taken up with the issuing travel agency, not with JR.

 

[Marilyn & Irvin]

You are not alone or being treated unfairly. Even people with good trip insurance lost money. This world wide disaster is something no one has had to deal with before. Think about it from the other end. A company or office that may of had 50 workers , now has just twenty trying to work from home. It wouldn't matter if you were going to the US , Africa , Europe , the same thing could have happen to you. Keep you records and maybe you can declare it as a tax loss next year. Blaming and crying over your problem on a website filled with members who love Japan won't get you a lot of sympathy here. Check and see if any Canadian officials or private companies can help you out. I think this is one of those times you get screwed over by unforeseen events and as the American saying goes "S#&T HAPPENS" .

I have changed the title of this thread, as this has nothing to do with "hotels in Japan".

Unfortunately, the OP hasn't provided any information that sheds light on why Agoda (which isn't a Japanese company) refuses to reimburse them or why JR give them the "run-around" for their Japan Rail Passes. If I am not mistaken, rail pass refunds need to be taken up with the issuing travel agency, not with JR.

Taking such liberties as changing the heading, yes I can see why the neutering happened, perhaps to the benefit of women around the world, lol.. Yes I have been reimbursed by Canadian companies due to the COVID and did not have to jump through hoops or whine or cry (how disparaging your comments are). Yes I have taken it up with the appropriate agencies representing these monopolies and companies representing the Japanese hotel and or Bed and Breakfasts, many were understanding and didn't charge for a trip not taken. We don't generalize but take each cancellation as a separate request. Just wanted to share who did refund and who didn't. It is a freedom to share this info, irrespective of hurt feeling, I am sure there is some modicum of authentic diplomacy in Japan.
that is what social media is known for along with its trolls.

 

[mdchachi]

Terrible reflection on Japan's tourist industry

So a travel site based in Singapore and one hotel not reimbursing you is a terrible reflection on Japan's tourist industry?

Yes I have been reimbursed by Canadian companies due to the COVID and did not have to jump through hoops or whine or cry

Japan tends to have more hoops and less flexibility to rules in general. One time I asked for more ketchup packets at McDonalds and they said no I had already reached the limit. Can you believe that? I mean what the frick.

Yes I have taken it up with the appropriate agencies representing these monopolies and companies representing the Japanese hotel and or Bed and Breakfasts, many were understanding and didn't charge for a trip not taken.

Hmmm this sounds like quite a good reflection on Japan's tourist industry then.

We don't generalize but take each cancellation as a separate request. Just wanted to share who did refund and who didn't. It is a freedom to share this info, irrespective of hurt feeling, I am sure there is some modicum of authentic diplomacy in Japan.
that is what social media is known for along with its trolls.

But you are in fact generalizing. You have one problem hotel (plus the rail pass) and using that to generalize to the whole tourist industry and warn Canadians about Japan. And you only mention in passing that actually "many" service providers were understanding and didn't in fact charge you.
Anyway thanks for the warning about Agoda and Yeah Room Gion Shijo.
I assume you've already found it but it seems there is a covid19 cancellation policy for the JR Rail Pass here:

Japan Rail Pass by Japan Experience | Japan Rail Pass

#1 Worldwide Official Distributor - Japan Experience is a travel agency specializing in Japan founded 40 years ago. Based accros the world, we aim to be the leading specialist in travel in Japan.

www.japan-rail-pass.com

Anyway best of luck on getting your money back and congratulations on your wedding.
If/when you do make plans to visit Japan come back here and we'll gladly help you plan a great trip.

 

[musicisgood]

I too know about the ketchup deals at McDonalds. Crazy I tell ya.

 

[Petaris]

I too know about the ketchup deals at McDonalds. Crazy I tell ya.

On one of my earliest trips to Japan I was surprised to find no ketchup at McDonalds. They also seemed to use some other type of oil to fry the french fries in, it resulted in the fries just tasting wrong. In recent years ketchup has always been available though and the frying oil seems to be the same as in the US. Who knows, it could have just been that one McDonalds I went to at the time that was different.

 

[nice gaijin]

The best is when you forget to ask for sauce, but out of shame you just sit and eat your dry fries like a savage. Blessed are the First Kitchens!

@Marilyn & Irvin I'm very sorry to hear about the unfortunate way this year is unfolding. Please don't let this anomaly ruin your impression, and I hope you are able to enjoy some travel in the near future.

 

[Grampus]

My husband and I were supposed to be in Kyoto for our honeymoon but had to cancel due to COVID 19.

Terrible reflection on Japan's tourist industry and hope all Canadians remember this when or if they go to the Olympics next year or visit at all in Kyoto.
What's even adds more to our financial misery Japan Rail (monopoly) is giving us the run around on our Japanese Rail Passes. Be careful visitors!!!

Yeah Room Gion Shijo

Address: Shimogyo-ku Inari-cho 335 宝源ビル3F, Kawaramachi, Kyoto, Japan 600-8022

We booked through Agoda booking and they couldn't get our $$ back, They are also not helping us.

"Terrible reflection on Japan's tourism industry." I'm afraid your attitude is a terrible reflection on Canadian tourists, and as a Canadian, I find it embarrassing.

"What's [sic] even adds more to our financial misery Japan Rail (monopoly)" Actually, JR is a lot less of a monopoly than rail systems in a lot of countries, and as a Canadian you should certainly know that. There's not really a lot of choice for passenger rail service in Canada. You purchased your rail passes through a travel agency, and that's where you should be going for your refund.

I had rail tickets (with two railways), hotel, transport to and from a stadium and tickets to a game at the Rugby World Cup in Kamaishi, and I had no problem getting refunds. Try getting refunds or any kind of service at all from Via.

As for people complaining about ketchup at McDonald's, I hope this is tongue in cheek. Why go to a McDonald's in Japan (or anywhere in my opinion, but that's just me) unless you live here. Try some local food if you've come this far.

 

[tomoni]

To the OP

"Terrible reflection on Japan's tourism industry."

As many have pointed out, I think this is not a reflection of the Japanese tourism industry more than your travel agent and Agoda. Agoda is quite clear offering easy cancel.

I am sorry that things have not worked out for you and sadly I could tell you many stories about people from Japan be stranded and losing money because of lack of refunds and cancellations- This is a global health and economic crisis.

I will reiterate that I do not think it is a reflection on Japan's tourism industry.

I'm afraid your attitude is a terrible reflection on Canadian tourists, and as a Canadian, I find it embarrassing.

And sticking to the same standard, I do not think that one person's post is a terrible reflection on Canadian tourists…

As for people complaining about ketchup at McDonald's, I hope this is tongue in cheek. Why go to a McDonald's in Japan (or anywhere in my opinion, but that's just me) unless you live here. Try some local food if you've come this far.

My guess is that it is a comment from long term residents who were a bit astounded by McDonald's in Japan for not providing ketchup to customers. Many people like ketchup with their fries and McDonald's is well known for their standardized service. So about 25 years ago (??? around then??), McDonald's Japan did not provide ketchup and since Japanese consumers at that time tended "to accept that was normal", McDonald's in Japan did not serve ketchup. However, if you went to McDonald's for a taste of "home" (not many choices in many parts of Japan 25 years ago) and did not ketchup, it was a bit disappointing. You might imagine a Japanese person going to a Japanese restaurant in Toronto, Canada and finding out "normal condiments were not available - such as Soy sauce" (I think that in North America Ketchup comes close to soy sauce as a standard condiment).

I am not a big fan on McDonald's but at the time there were only Japanese local restaurants (which I like) 2 McDonald'sand KFCs in a city of 400,000. There was NO other westernized food- literally.

So this is likely an"OLD Japan hand story, rather than being tongue in cheek.

Why go to a McDonald's in Japan (or anywhere in my opinion, but that's just me) unless you live here. Try some local food if you've come this far.

Well, we do not always know about people's needs. Standardized fast food joints can be a safe harbor for people with food allergies (and NO knowledge of the local language). There are many possible reasons that someone might want to go to McDonald's as a tourist.

I have no idea, and I am not going to judge what others like to do on vacation.

cheers

 

[Seiko]

When it comes to your Japan Rail Pass, contact the travel company in Canada or the website you bought the JR Pass from. Make sure you have all your JR Pass paper work with you when you call them. Japan Rail in Japan wont be able to help you that much because they didn't sell JR Pass to people directly.

I'm a heavy user of Agoda. hahaha. I used their apps first for hotels before going to other hotels apps like booking or Hotels. Please remember, Agoda is the middle man and their refund policy goes by what the that hotel post on their apps too. If Agoda not helping you, try contacting the hotel.

I learn after my first trip to Japan, I wait for the last minute to book my hotel or the next day when i'm 110% sure I want to stay there

Wish I can be more of a help.