Ultimate Japan Travel Guide

General Information about Japan

Japan is an island country with Kyushu, Okinawa, Honshu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku as its five major islands. It is situated in East Asia and attracts millions of tourists every year with its beauty, culture, and history, all of which hold enormous significance. In 2018 alone, this beautiful country managed to attract and mesmerize a staggering 31.19 million tourists.

Japan is also the country that is home to twenty-one UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of those sites are:

• Nikko
• Yakushima
• Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Nara
• Shirakawa
• Mount Omine
• Tomioka Silk Mill
• Zakimi Castle.

Top 3 world-famous tourist attraction sites in Japan are Mount Fuji, Hiroshima, and Tokyo. Moreover, the popular ski resorts to stay in and take in the panoramic views include Hukaba, Yuzawa, Shiga Highlands, and Niseko. Japan is considered an ideal country from the point of view of business travel, health and hygiene, cultural resources, and safety and security.

Rich Japanese Culture

Beginning from the Jomon Period to present-day modern Japan, the culture of this country has changed drastically over the course of a thousand years. The native culture of Japan has its origins coming from the Yayoi people that later mixed with the Jomon culture. The culture we see today resulted from the influences coming from the Western civilizations, Chinese ancestry, and Asian countries. That gave rise to a culture that is unique to Japan and is also among the most prominent cultures throughout the world.

Art

The Japanese calligraphy is considered a traditional form of art and a source of delivering information. The Japanese paintings are a world-famous art form with animals, figures, and landscapes as a common subject. The woodblock prints also famously known as Ukiyo-e demonstrate the features of Pre-Meiji Japanese art. Ikebana or flower arrangement, expressing the seasons, is also a popular Japanese art form that has gained immense popularity throughout the world over the years.

Traditional Clothing

Kimono is the traditional Japanese clothing item that people wear on special occasions. Tomesode is the kimono that is meant for the married women and furisode is the kimono that is meant for the unmarried women. The floral or abstract patterns that adorn the traditional clothes of Japanese women look sensational. The performing arts, architecture, and cuisine of Japan also have distinct patterns that set them apart from any other cultures of the world.

Planning Japan Trip

When planning a trip to Japan, there are a few things that you need to keep into account if you don’t want to face any inconvenience:

• The first step is to learn basic Japanese phrases and words as this can help you a lot when traveling through Japan.
• Before coming to Japan, know if you need a visa or not.
• Before traveling to Japan, it is suggested that you take out some time to go through Japan travel guide books so that you have a little know-how on the matters related to Japan tourism.
• It would be good to know Airbnb rules that are established in Japan Before booking your Airbnb.
• In this world of technology, everyone likes updating everything on their social media accounts and more importantly, contacting people has also been made easy with the invention of cellular devices. However, when traveling to Japan, you won’t find free Wi-Fi access all the time. So, you need to have a pocket Wi-Fi. You can also buy a 4G SIM card to stay connected with your loved ones.
• Getting travel insurance should be a must.
• Traveling through Japan with a local tour guide can prove to be very beneficial as you get to explore those corners of Japan that many people can’t get access to.
• Knowing the do’s and don’ts is also an essential step while you are visiting Japan.
• When traveling to Japan, keeping in mind the season is very important.
• All tourists don’t necessarily need a rail pass however, if you are planning on moving fast from one place to another then, it can definitely help you save money.
• The popular tourist sites tend to fill up quickly, so you should book your tickets in advance to avoid any issues when you finally get there.

Travel Budgeting and Transportation

Foods

Japan is considered as one of those countries in the world that are very expensive to travel to, however; if you want to have “cheap thrills” in Japan, stick to bus travel, couch-surfing, free tourist sites, and cheap food that can cost you around 5000 to 6000 JPY. It is important to plan your food budget as no one can live without food. A low food budget in Japan can be from 350 to 550 yens, a medium food budget can be from around 700 to 1400 yens and if you are a food lover with no money problems then, your high food budget can be over 1400 yens per meal.

Accommodation

The accommodation cost can vary from city to city. For instance, In Tokyo, you can have to spend 3500 yen per night in capsule hotels and in Yudanaka, you can have to spend 7000 per night. Cherry blossom season and June and July are high in price while November is considered the least expensive month if you are planning a visit to Japan.

Transportation

Train travel and taxis can be expensive but fast, while bus travel can be cheap but slow. The transportation cost can vary depending on the distance so, you should plan your trip accordingly.

From Narita to Tokyo

If you want to get to Tokyo from Narita International Airport, you would have to take the JR Narita Express from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. It takes almost an hour and transfer to the JR Keihin-Tohoku or Yamanote Line to get to Kanda Station that takes about two minutes. From Kanda station, you need to take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to Asakusa that takes about ten minutes. This journey can cost you about 3200 yen and almost ninety minutes. If you have a JR Rail Pass, you can ride the Narita Express (N’EX) for free which is great considering the original fare of the train. If you don’t want to take the train, you can get a private shared taxi that can cost a few extra dollars. Lastly, by taxi from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Station, It can cost you over two hundred USD.

Things to Do in Japan

Here are the popular travel destinations to visit in Japan:

• Tokyo with its Meiji shrines, museums, and Imperial Palace
• Osaka with its modern architecture, sensational nightlife, and Osaka Castle
• Kyoto that is located on the island of Honshu and is popular for its exotic Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, geisha, and Nijo Castle
• Nara with its art and craft dating back to the 8^th century, Todai-ji temple
• Okinawa with its traditional cuisine
• Fukuoka with its Hakata dolls that are made from clay
• Hokkaido with its fresh and high-quality seafood

Best Things to Do in Tokyo

If you are in Tokyo, you can pay

• A visit to Senso-ji temple in Asakusa district
• Go shopping at a 100 yen shop for great deals
• Walk the Asukayama Park Monorail to relax
• Visit Tokyo Disneyland
• Tour the Imperial Palace and learn about its fascinating history
• Try the Robot Tour
• Go to the Sumo Museum
• Visit the Yasukuni shrine for the cherry blossom festival
• Stroll through the Tokyo Skytree
• Buy your favorite seafood at Tsukiji Market
• Take in the scenic beauty of the city at Tokyo Tower
• Enjoy the beautiful Meguro river
• Tour fascinating Edo-Tokyo Museum
• And last but not least, try the world-famous sushi

For more detail information about things to do in Tokyo, click here.

Top 12 Things to Do in Osaka

Osaka has a lot of things to offer to its visitors. While you are in Osaka, you can

• Watch a show at the National Bunraku Theatre
• Show your skills at Maishima Pottery Museum by making a pot,
• Visit the Tower of the Sun
• Explore the oldest Shinto shrine named Sumiyoshi shrine
• Tour the Osaka Castle
• Ride the iconic Tempozan Ferris Wheel
• Stroll through the open-air Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
• Enjoy at Spa World
• Tour the Osaka Aquarium to watch sensational marine life
• Learn about various culture at the National Museum of Ethnology
• Shop in the Shinsaibashi district
• Find out more about traditional Japanese sport at a Sumo Spring Grand Tournament

More information about must-visit Attractions in Osaka can be found here.

The List of Things to Do in Kyoto

Staying at Kyoto can tell you a lot about the culture of Japan as it is known as the cultural hub of the country. Here, you can

• Take in the scenic beauty of the city at the observatory deck of Kyoto Tower
• Visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum to learn more about Japanese pop culture
• Stroll through the sensational Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine
• Visit Mount Kurama to have a hot spring bath
• Tour the Monkey Park Iwatayama to watch monkeys playing
• Shop at the Nishiki Market for some retail therapy
• Stroll alongside the Philosopher’s Path
• Pay a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple
• Enjoy the entertainment hub of the Gion district.

Click here, for details.

Traditional Japanese Food

Japan is so vast in beauty, culture, and history that one can spend a whole day going from place to place and still not feel satisfied. However, if not anything else, traditional Japanese food can satisfy your hunger in an instant. Why don’t you try some of them below?

• World-famous Sushi
• Delicious Soba noodle dish
• Kaiseki offering seasonally themed dishes
• Tempura with fried and battered seafood or vegetables
• Tsukemono Pickles
• Grilled chicken called Yakitori
• Udon noodles
• Thinly sliced raw food in Sashimi
• Sukiyaki with its beef, vegetables, tofu, and sweet soy sauce broth, and Miso Soup that is a combination of dashi stock with miso bean paste.

All of these Japanese foods are utterly mouthwatering and full of flavors. Easily the local cuisines can be found on street stalls at lower rates as compared to those served in restaurants and cafes. Also, the art of serving food has massive importance in Japan. So, when you order your meal, you are presented with food that not only tastes delicious but looks wonderful too.

Japanese Street Foods

Japanese street food also holds massive importance and is enjoyed by people coming to Japan from all over the world. If you are a food lover, your search for delicious food should halt at you finding food street where you can get all the Japanese street food you had dreamed of treating your taste buds too.

Here, check some of the famous Japanese street foods.

• Takoyaki that are grilled balls with a filling of tempura, green onions, pickled ginger, and octopus
• Cone-shaped dessert of sweet or savory fillings called Crepes
• Salty baked fish called Shioyaki
• Rice dumplings on a stick called Dango
• Fish-shaped cakes called Taiyaki
• And Ikayaki that is a grilled squid on a stick for all the adventurous foodies out there.

Traditional Japanese Liquor

Traditional Japanese liquor can range from being fizzy cocktails to fermented alcoholic drinks. If you want to try the traditional Japanese liquor, you should go for either

• Muqi Shochu
• Umeshu
• Lemon Sour
• Atsukan
• Oolong Hai
• Red Eye Cocktail
• Awamori
• Whiskey Highball
• Yuzushu.

Various drinks fit various occasions, or you can play rebellious and drink whatever you want, however; being careful is important.

Must-Buy Items in Japan

If you are a shopaholic, Japan can be your favorite shopping destination with a number of amazing items to buy. Here are some of the must-buy items in Japan :

• Wagashi candies made out of sticky rice and bean paste
• High-class Japanese makeup, hair products, and skincare items
• Kendama toys for all the kids at home
• Sensu folding hand fans
• Anime and manga
• Japanese cookware
• Traditional tea sets
• Japanese name stamp called Hanko
• Traditional alcoholic drink called Sake
• Randoseru backpacks
• Kimonos for kids to make a style statement
• Japanese charms, and artistic chopsticks.

Before leaving Japan behind, be sure that you have all these must-buy items for yourself and your loved ones.

The rich culture and history of Japan never fail to attract millions of people. Apart from the traditional and cultural side that Japan has, modern Japan is also a world in itself. You can spend weeks here and not get tired of its beauty and the wonders it holds in every nook and cranny. If you are planning on spending your holidays, let it be Japan this time because you won’t be disappointed.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thank you!

Written by Dy & Jay