Japan Land of the Rising Sun or Nippon to the locals. This stunning island nation will spirit you away to a place where modernity and history come together. A travel destination truly fit for an emperor. And for the indecisive traveler, the ones who want to see it all, and do it all, Japan is paradise.
Stay with us as tall radars ultimate travel guide reveals everything you need to see eat and do to ensure your time in Japan is both inspiring and things. are you ready? welcome to Japan. let’s start with the basics.
Japan is three hundred and seventy seven thousand nine hundred and seventy two square kilometers big, that’s smaller than California but larger than Germany and the country is made up of six thousand eight hundred and fifty-two islands, sixty-six percent of which are covered by trees that provide shade to the nearly 130 million people who call Japan their home.
Apart from shade, the Japanese also enjoy having the highest life expectancy in the world at eighty three point seven years. the country boasts the second lowest homicide rate after Iceland, that is listed in the Global Peace Index is top ten safest countries to call home.
It’s not unusual to see bikes left unlocked and lost wallets returned. however you should always remember to take the same precautions you would at home. and the Japanese speak well Japanese of course, we suggest learning some basic phrases since English is not widely spoken throughout the country.
Of course you can always rely on the Japanese for their exceptionally accommodating and victoriously polite demeanors to get you from point A to point B. after all the Japanese have three different ways of saying I love you and twenty different ways of expressing that they’re sorry.
During your visit, you’ll be paying for things in Japanese yen. Keep in mind that it’s fairly uncommon to pay for things using debit or credit cards. you may also be surprised to learn that access to public Wi-Fi is rare, so remember to bring an international SIM card or rental pocket Wi-Fi device.
For travel within Japan’s capital, the Tokyo Metro will be your main choice of transportation, welcoming more than six million passengers every day. however travel throughout Japan can be very expensive if you don’t plan ahead.
The easiest and cheapest way to get around the country is by using the Japan Rail Pass. this pass allows you unlimited access to most major railways around the country for one lump sum. and of course you’ll absolutely want to explore the country because well there’s something for everyone.
Fashion lovers have Tokyo’s had a juku bridge near Meiji Jingu shrine we’re on Sunday after business travelers can spoke Japanese youth dressed to the nines in impressively complex and extravagant clothing, not to be confused with cosplay.
Looking for a little live entertainment then witness the art of Kabuki the traditional Japanese theatre performance which combines dance, drama and elaborate makeup. or maybe you wish to take the stage. in that case stop by a karaoke bar in Tokyo’s roppongi neighborhood and enjoy your moment in the spotlight.
Big fan of sports then watching a game of baseball at the Tokyo Dome or big egg as the locals call it is a can’t-miss event. or maybe you’re the one seeking some adrenaline pumping activities, to cross off that bucket list.
Don’t worry Japan has you covered. forget Aspen and Whistler, the Japanese outs of a new place to ski. the snow is world renowned and the slopes come with unbeatable views. check out the hundreds of resort on the north island of Hokkaido and the main island of Honshu.
The most popular resort Niseko is a popular first choice for foreigners as it’s fairly English friendly. hiking is one of Japan’s national pastimes, so you absolutely must partake while visiting. You can start with shorter less intimidating trails in Kamakura which are only about three kilometers in length, and then work your way up to Japan’s highest mountain at three thousand seven hundred and seventy-six meters Mount Fuji.
This active volcano welcomes most of its climbers from July to October. the rest of the year the mountain is fairly treacherous for inexperienced climbers due to heavy snowfall. not a fan of the cold, then take some well-deserved me time and rejuvenate at an onsen.
Anson’s are Japanese Hot Springs whose steaming waters are naturally warmed by the country’s many volcanoes. the temperatures are hotter than a standard jacuzzi and combined indoor and outdoor bathing facilities for a truly unique experience.
Once your body is at ease you must visit Japan’s shrines and temples, each with their own impressive history. while these sacred buildings can be found just about anywhere, Kyoto is the ideal place to see them as this Prefecture alone is home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines.
At the top of your list should be fushimi inari and toji temple. many temples even allow you to do a temple stay, where you will be immersed into the lifestyle of the Buddhist monk. other uniquely Japanese experiences include a visit to a cat cafe.
Ad a petting deer in nara and evening playing games of club sigue arcade in tokyo, studying the Geisha way of life in Gion and more. thanks to the country’s incredible length, there’s never a bad time to visit. you can go skiing during spring if you’re in the north, and then head down south to take a dip in the sea.
Spring runs March through May. it is often the most popular time to travel to Japan because of special festivities like Golden Week at the cherry blossom festival. locals will be on vacation throughout April and May, so booked accommodations and transportation in advance to avoid missing out.
Summer runs from June to August, but June and July are considered Japan’s rainy season in nearly every region aside from Hokkaido. you can expect oppressively humid temperatures nearly everywhere you travel, so be sure to pack breathable clothing.
Fall begins in September when the weather can be both unpredictable or typhoon ridden. October is a decent time to visit because the crowds will taper off and the humidity begins to disappear and the leaves begin to change. Winter begins in December and is a great time to travel to Japan, if you’re a fan of winter activities. New Year celebrations and small crowds.
The Japanese Alps the northern island of Hokkaido and the Japanese coast all get a lot of snow. so be sure to pack a winter jacket, sunglasses and the sort. you can expect to get little to no snow if you’re staying in Tokyo where average seasonal temperatures sit around five degrees Celsius.
No matter the time of year you’re always less than 500 meters from a great meal. but beware dining in Japan can be very different from what you’re used to. when you first enter a restaurant you can typically expect to be greeted with “irrashaimase” which means “welcome, please come in” in Japan
It’s not common for restaurants to have guests seat themselves, so wait to be guided. most restaurants in Japan offer western-style dining experiences, meaning tables and chairs. but many also have zashiki style dining settings which include low tables where guests sit on pillows on the floor and remove their shoes upon entry.
You will dine with a set of chopsticks and keep in mind that tipping is neither expected nor encouraged. Japan boasts plenty of gourmet restaurants for the connoisseurs among us. we’re a dinner out can cost more than 20,000 yen. to put that into perspective meals at an average restaurant cost between 1,000 and 3,000 yen. during lunch you can usually purchase set menus for about 1000 yen.
And they’ll leave you and your bank account just as contented. and what should you be sure to try during your visit, start with a serving of okonomiyaki pan-fried batter and cabbage topped with everything from seafood to cheese and sliced meat.
Next sample crunchy tempura made of deep-fried pieces of seafood and vegetables that have been cooked in canola and sesame seed oil. you will also have a variety of noodles to choose from ranging from ramen noodles to soba and Odin as well each varying in flavor and thickness.
And of course you couldn’t talk about Japanese cuisine without mentioning sushi, small rolls of vinegar flavoured cold cooked rice served with a garnish of raw fish, vegetables or egg. when it comes to drinks a beer in Tokyo will run you around 600 yen.
We recommend the classic three, Kirin, Sapporo or Asahi. the Japanese are also expert whiskey distillers, so don’t shy away from a sip of the good stuff. and there’s always sucky, Japanese rice wine served either hot or cold.
To nurse your impending hangover enjoy a cup of green tea or an iced coffee drink. once your first is quenched at your stomach full, you can get back to discovering everything this impressive country has to offer. A place truly frozen in time yet constantly evolving Japan will leave you breathless inspired and astounded.
We hope these tips ensure that your time in the Land of the Rising Sun is tanoshii. If you still can’t get enough then checkout days to come for more inspiration and travel tips. if you’re ready to experience the country visit travelbooking.today. As they say in Japan farewell, sayonara and mata ne!