Traveling in Japan

Traveling anywhere can at times be a daunting undertaking. When traveling close to home, you might take for granted simple everyday tasks. But when traveling overseas to Japan, you might want to pay attention to a couple of things...

Old World?:
Thoughts of Japan usually include old world images - samurai, geisha, wooden houses. If you have never been to Japan, you might be surprised at how modern it's cities truly are. Tokyo is a bustling, very VERY large city, in most ways like any other world city you might visit. If you want to see old Japan, you'll need to find your way out to the countryside or mountain areas. You can take in geisha and kabuki performances as well as sumo matches, but please check ahead to see when these performances are taking place as they are seasonal. (My next article will list my favorite must-see areas to visit).

Vending, vending, vending:
One oddity to first time visitors would be the amount of vending machines, and their contents. Everything from beer and sake, to pantyhose is available from the abundant machines.

Expenses:
Most of the questions I've received have been about the expense in traveling to Japan. But if travelers make an effort to eat at places that are not geared toward tourists, they can save alot of money. I eat at noodle houses and mom-and-pop kind of establishments. That's where you'll find some of the best local food at very, very reasonable prices. You'll also find cheap eats in the basements of department stores and at some of the large subway tunnels. Save your money for a fancy night out or shopping instead of paying huge sums for daily meals. Luckily for those who don't speak Japanese is the visual menus you'll find outside of most establishments. Food for sale is shown in a window on the front of the restaurant by a plastic display of what you will get. This is a great way to help decide, and helps in ordering as well.

Getting There:
Make sure to check with a Japanese travel agency for your airfare...I've found I always save money this way. Here's the number for an agency in Washington, DC but there are many others: Japan Associates Travel, (202) 939-8853

Getting Around:
Taxis are very expensive, the best way to get around is to take the trains. The train system in Japan is superb, and runs very predictably -- almost always exactly on-time. Before traveling to Japan, anyone residing outside of the country can obtain rail passes for one or two week trips. Once you've gotten to the airport, you trade in your rail pass receipt for an actual rail pass. Make sure you have the start and end dates set for your rail pass when turning in your receipt as the rail pass expires in 7 or 14 days from the first time it is used. This will save you alot of money and the train really is the best way to travel around Japan. Smoking and non-smoking cars are available. Rail passes are also good on some subway lines and bus routes. If you can afford it, I would recommend buying the 'green car' rail pass -- that's the equivalent of first class. It sure makes life easier when traveling. There is more room, less crowding (none really) and unlike the more crowded traincars, you can make reservations. Even without reservations you are almost always guaranteed a seat in the green cars. There are some Shinkansen (bullet trains) at some times where I've had to stand for long trips - definitely not fun. And definitely not fun with luggage in tow.

Emergencies:
Read (and print out) info from the Japan National Tour Organization's website on how to get help in an emergency: JNTO. Lots of other helpful info available there too!

Tours:
One tour agency in Japan that I've used and had a good experience with is Sunrise Tours. Pick up from most hotels (Tokyo) available:

Pack a Snack for Long Rides:
There are lots of goodies available at train stations prior to boarding, why not buy a box of treats and sample local favorites! Ice cream, beer, coffee and sandwiches are available for purchase on board the shinkansen as well.

Where to Stay:
As for hotel stays, you can save money by avoiding the large, well-known chain hotels and try some of the local inns, called "Ryokan." Japanese rooms where you'll sleep on tatami are available, and my favorite way to travel while in Japan...you know, "when in Rome..." A very nice inn in Kyoto, one of my favorites, is Nishiyama. The owner is wonderful and rooms are always clean. Check the room details for Ryokan though as some have curfews. And most Japanese hotels or Inns will ask for the room key before you leave the hotel.

Make sure you keep the hotel business card or book of matches with you from your hotel. This will help you ask for directions back in case you get lost.

Traveling in Summer?
One important thing to note if traveling in the summer months, air conditioning in Japan is the term used for heating a room...not cooling. So, if you want to cool off your room and plan on cranking up the a/c, you'll feel like you are sitting in a sauna in no time.

Last Notes:
*You'll want to keep tissue and a small towel or handkerchief available as some public toilets have no paper.

*Wear socks with shoes that slip on and off easily as many places (historical) will require you to take off your shoes to enter.

*Please don't rely on using your credit cards everywhere you go. Best to keep cash on hand as many places do not take credit cards.

*Don't bother bringing your cell phone as the majority of cell phones (probably none at all) work in Japan except those in the Japanese cell phone network.
You are better off renting one while in Japan, but you can always double check with your service provider. You also can purchase phone cards, some are really cute -- anime, cute pets, etc. This info might have changed since this article was first written, please check with your phone service for details.

With these tips in mind, your travels should be a little easier. I hope you get an opportunity to visit Japan, as I am sure you will find it an amazing, beautiful place!

 

 

Content copyright © 2006-2010 by Melanie Shintaku. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Melanie Shintaku. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission.

 

For more information on Japan's history:

Tokugawa Lineage
Kublai Khan and Japan
Samurai Archives