Top tips for Visiting Japan
How to get the best out of your visit to Japan
Top tips for visiting Japan?
These are my top tips that perhaps you haven’t thought of collated from people lucky enough to visit Japan.
Images courtesy of Inside Japan and Disneyland Tokyo
Top tips for visiting Japan
Food
Food is often a key part of experiencing the culture of a new country when we travel. However, each country has its own views and takes on manners and etiquette, especially regarding food. Whether it is trying different tastes or experiencing food in different ways, these cultural differences can make or break the holiday experience and leave you feeling full of fuel or running low.
“Watch a YouTube video on how to order food from a restaurant with an electric ordering kiosk!”
“Get the Google Translate app so you can put your camera over words and translate them”
“Restaurants don’t do a fast turnover of tables. If they say they are full then they will not accept you even if they look empty. It’s a different eating culture. They have a reservation system that you can sometimes use, but often it is fully in Japanese and difficult to navigate. If you want restaurant food then go at open, like 5 pm. You can also always eat a 7/11 and it’s pretty good”
“If you take a long train, buy a bento box at the train station before boarding and eat it on the train. These should be clearly labelled with what is in them, meat, fish etc”
Travel
Once you are in a country travelling around it can vary a lot depending on location. Whilst on some holidays you may just thorough explore one area such as a city sometimes you want to get more of a feel for a whole country by visiting several areas. Often when visiting Japan people enjoy a tour style holiday taking in many of the main cities. Some of these can be accessed by train including fast, bullet trains. Other areas are still a little remote for public transport access.
“Be aware that the train ticket prices online have increased. There used to be a ticket you could buy to ride a ton of long-distance trains for cheap but they’ve raised the price so now its actually not much, if any, cost savings”
“The public transport system is pretty easy but Shinjuku station is giant and so easy to get lost walking around in”
What to do
What activities appeal to you as a holidaymaker may vary but there is a lot to see and do in Japan.
“Watch a video on Japanese Onsens so you understand the particular ways of doing them”
“Going during Cherry Blossom season is very busy and a little more expensive”
“I recommend walking around the gorgeous gardens!”
“Wear a pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in”
Culture
There can be a bit of a culture shock when visiting another country, especially one as far as Japan. Often seen and felt more in the more rural areas it is still important to consider another country’s laws, etiquette and manners when visiting.
These are some of the key top tips for visiting Japan to make sure your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.
“Check the list of allowed and not allowed medication before flying, you’ll be surprised at what isn’t allowed!”
“There’s lots of people online saying what to wear or not wear, but in my experience, it really wasn’t a big deal what you wore. And in Tokyo you get everything”
“Bring postcards to share as tips. Tipping in cash is frowned upon”
“Try and learn at least hello (all times of day) and goodbye (all times of day)”
How to book a trip to Japan?
If you are looking to book a trip to Japan from the UK then you need no Visas currently as long as you are planning to stay less than 90 days and have onward travel. Be aware of strict medication rules before visiting though.
For help booking a wonderful trip be sure to fill out my travel form. As a travel agent, I can help you book the perfect trip. You’ll soon be doing everything there is to do in Japan.
If you want to book a trip to Japan where your full itinerary is covered and curated I can help you book through the amazing InsideJapan and together we can create a magical once in a lifetime experience.
Destination Factfile
Download my fact file for mainland Japan for the lowdown.
More on Japan
How to spend 14 days in Japan-Example Itineraries
What to do in Japan-Activity Ideas
Take a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea-Experience a unique take on Disney Parks
Alex
I love to travel and pick up a tshirt from every magic location I visit! Suffering from a chronic illness travel isn't always too accessible but when I travel I always look for travel with extra magic!
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