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Japan

Getting Started & Practical Information

When to Visit

Japan is a very seasonally and regionally diverse country as it stretches north to south and contains every landscape from mountains to near tropical islands. Summers in the south and southern islands are tropical in nature with high humidity, with possible typhoons hitting in late summer. Meanwhile, the most northerly islands and mountains are cool, while Tokyo falls in the middle with average highs of about 85°F (30°C). Winters are just as diverse as the south gets cooler, but still remains in the 70s°F (21-26°C), while most of the northern islands and mountains are covered with snow and temperatures rarely get above freezing. Again, Tokyo falls in the middle, but the ocean keeps the city somewhat warm as the average temperature only tends to fall to around the 40s°F (4-9°C). The fall experiences falling temperatures and the spring experiences increasing tourists. More than temperature, spring offers blossoming cherry blossoms and both locals and foreigners alike flock to see this event. However the time they blossom slightly alters each year so planning a trip specifically around this event can be made difficult to predict.

Although the cherry blossoms are an incredible sight, the tourists do tend to mean higher prices across the country during this time so this event may be a motivation or detriment to travel at this point. Likewise, before planning your travel consider other local holidays. Holidays can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options. In addition to the cherry blossoms, New Year's is a time for local travel so prices rise and transportation options may fill early. Two other local holidays experience similar price hikes and difficulties: Golden Week in early May and Obon in mid-August. Here is a list of Japan's Holiday Schedule.

Weather

Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information for international weather forecasts.

Tours & Cruises

If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.

Celebrity Cruises: High end cruise line catered to adults who enjoy the luxury treatment celebrities enjoy.

Gap Adventures: Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture, but can also be challenging for those seeking luxury.

Gecko's Adventures: Active in "responsible" tourism, Gecko's Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food in small group settings.

Holland America Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

JTB Sunrise Tours: A subsidiary of the Japan Travel Bureau, Sunrise offers day tours and full package offerings.

Intrepid Travel: Boasts more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.

Kensington Tours: Only offers personal tours for you and your family/friends, which allows greater flexibility, but also means slightly higher prices.

Oceania Cruises: Oceania boasts "intimate and luxurious ships" with an emphasis on service and luxury.

Princess Cruise Lines: Cruises for all ages and families.

Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.

Royal Caribbean: Cruises for all ages and families.

Samurai Tours: US-based company that works with locals and local transportation to offer an insight into both the sights and the culture.

Guidebooks

If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar with Japan, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's Mini Guide to Japan! However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there are a number of great country-wide, region-wide, and city-wide guidebooks available for travel in Japan.

Eyewitness Guides: Incredible pictures and detailed maps of popular tourist sites including museums. Those living abroad can't put these books down.

Frommer's: Incredible number of lists, which divide travel into various categories based upon your interests. Travelers looking to spend most of their time in a single location or on organized tours enjoy these books.

Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks.

National Geographic Traveler: Almost more of an information book about Germany, than a guidebook; offers great pictures, maps, history, and culture. Popular with armchair travelers and history buffs on organized tours.

Visas

Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter Japan, however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the Official Website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your nearest Japanese Embassy.

Health & Insurance

Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including Japan. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the time of writing, Japan didn't have any health immunizations that are required prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.

Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical insurance.

Transportation

Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start your planning, first by finding a flight to Japan, then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's prices during your trip.

Largest International Airlines: Air France, American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines; Delta; Emirates; KLM; LAN; Lufthansa; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; United Airlines.

Largest Japanese Airlines: ANA All Nippon Airways & JAL Japan Airlines

Largest Rental Car Agencies in Japan: Europcar & Hertz.

Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com; Farecast.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Housing

Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.

Popular International Hotel Conglomerates: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price range); Marriott Family (various price ranges); Starwood Hotels (high-end); Wyndham Hotels (low- to mid-price range).

Hotel Search Sites: Expedia.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most popular and reputable include hostels.com, hostelworld.com, & hostelbookers.com.

Camping: Camping is still a foreign concept in Japan. Although there are movements to change this, currently there are few organized and official options.

Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping

Japan is on a similar time schedule as much of northern Europe, but tends to work longer hours. Shops tend to open at about 8:00-9:00 am and close between 5:00-8:00 pm. This later work day leads to later dinners, which usually occur at 7:00 pm or later. Most places close on weekends, which are Saturdays and Sundays in Japan, although most restaurants and tourist sights are open seven days a week, some of which have extended hours during the weekend.

Japan is a very expensive country, even compared to European standards. There are some cheaper options in housing and food, but transportation can quickly add up. An inexpensive hostel will cost at least 1,500 yen ($20), whereas hotels are much more expensive. Most hotels in Tokyo's business and tourist areas are about 20,000 yen ($275) a night, while in other parts of Tokyo and the country nice hotels can be found for 10,000 yen ($130). Food can range from as little as 500-1,000 yen ($6-12) for foods like noodles, while most local restaurants cost 1,000-3,000 yen ($12-40). High end restaurants have no upper limit on food costs, especially in Tokyo. Local city transportation costs are fairly reasonable, but taxis and cross country transportation is very expensive and is a difficult area to save money. A train trip from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost about 8,000 yen ($100) and flight costs are similar, if not more expensive.

There is no tipping in Japan and offering a tip is actual an insult. This however doesn't make service poor; the Japanese give incredible service.

Crime & Safety

Japan is a relatively safe place to visit, however has its share of crime, particularly petty theft in busy tourist areas and on public transportation. These crimes are less common than in most countries however. The greatest danger in Japan is transportation safety and the hazards of the roads, which are again safer than in many countries.

This page was last updated: December, 2011