It is the cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone succeeds in fulfilling it because of the high cost of this trip. The Land of the Rising Sun is considered one of the most expensive in the world, and Tokyo has been one of the five most expensive cities for tourists for several years. But still, nothing can stop those who want to see Fujiyama and the blooming spring sakura with their own eyes. Our article is just for such travelers, here we collect the most important information that will allow you to spend an inexpensive and interesting vacation in the original Japan.
A little about the country
If you are planning a trip to Japan, then prepare to be surprised. You will have to do this constantly, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot be compared with the rest of the Asian states. There is nothing from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling in Japan, you seem to penetrate into the very heart of Asia and hear it beating on every street of noisy metropolitan areas.
Tourists are attracted here by the incredible combination of modern technology with ancient traditions, which are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, you can see a colorful holiday dedicated to, for example, kokeshi Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms at sunrise or sunset. And in metropolitan areas you will be met by numerous cafes, shops and shopping centers. Here you can buy something, dine, and in some even stay overnight. All in all, traveling to Japan will be the biggest and most significant adventure in your life. And, which is doubly pleasant, you will never regret the money spent on it.
Japan: solo or group trip?
First of all, before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to decide on the budget and travel options. And there are not many of them - a group trip to Japan or an independent one. What to choose? It directly depends on your budget and capabilities.
Traveling to Japan on your own is quite possible, but it will require very careful preparation. You will have to think through absolutely everything:
- flight to Japan;
- hotel booking;
- route of movement around the country;
- food points and excursion program;
- money exchange options;
- types of communication with the local population.
All of these aspects of a good travel will take you a very long time and also require some experience in independent travel. In addition, on the road you will encounter certain difficulties, which can only be overcome by non-spoiled and sociable tourists. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few of the local population know English. Therefore, you will not be able to simply ask for directions from a passer-by. Perhaps, after a while, a young Japanese man who knows the basics of the English language will come across, but there is a high probability that this will not happen. In addition, the inscriptions in the country are not duplicated, they are all written in hieroglyphs. This fact significantly complicates the rest in Japan.
If the above difficulties scare you, then it is better to buy a travel package. It, of course, is not cheap, but you will be free from all worries, including visa.
Travel cost
If you are planning a flight from Moscow, then two weeks in Japan will cost you one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes flights, travel around the country, accommodation and several excursions. Meals are served according to the breakfast system; the tourist must pay for the remaining meals on his own. Traveling to Japan from Vladivostok is much cheaper. Our compatriots can choose a ferry tour, which on average costs about sixty thousand rubles. From Vladivostok, you can get to the Land of the Rising Sun in different ways and having various travel packages on hand. This is the most popular tourist destination among locals.
Reviews of independent travel in Japan allow you to plan your trip perfectly and save a lot. On average, courageous tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than buying a tour. This money will be very useful for you on vacation, because you can bring home quite a lot of useful gizmos from the Land of the Rising Sun. We'll tell you a little later how to plan a budget trip to Japan on your own. Now let's try to find out the most important aspects of preparing for the trip.
When to go to Japan?
A big trip to Japan can be planned at any time of the year, but traditionally tourists try to visit the country in spring or autumn. In these seasons, the Land of the Rising Sun appears in a particularly beautiful form. In the spring, she is dressed in the pink foam of sakura flowers, and in the fall, she just cuts her eyes from the red maple leaves. They seem to be everywhere here, and the Japanese have even come up with some special rituals to observe this beauty.
In winter, it is possible to ski in Japan, and several main resorts are characterized by high comfort and equipped with the latest technology. But for those who are not attracted to skis, it will be rather uncomfortable to see Japanese sights in winter and enjoy the trip. In addition, in the winter season, the country is very windy, which is quite unusual for most of our compatriots.
In summer, the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioning is ubiquitous in cities, and tourists suffer from temperature fluctuations. Many take their sweaters or jackets with them to wear in restaurants or shopping malls. But if you prefer a beach holiday, then go to Okinawa. Here you will receive an incredible level of service and enjoy swimming in the hot sun.
Where to go to Japan?
If you take the trouble to read reviews of self-travel in Japan, then it's easy to create your own travel itinerary. For the first time, a week will be enough for you to get acquainted with the Land of the Rising Sun. The following cities are suitable for this:
- Tokyo.
- Nara.
- Kyoto.
Moving between settlements on high-speed trains, in seven days you will explore beautiful parks, swim in hot springs, visit the most famous temples and, of course, taste the bustling and noisy life of megacities.
If you are already a little familiar with travel, you can choose a little different, and the time of stay in this country can be increased to two weeks. During this period, tourists will be able to see Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe and other extraordinary places. In general, you can plan to visit one city per day. In this case, the trip program will be very eventful.
Visa processing: nuances and features
Any trip to Japan begins with the most difficult thing - obtaining a visa. Not every even a very experienced tourist can do this. The thing is that in order to apply for a visa, Russians need a special letter on an official letterhead. In addition to it, you will need to confirm the hotel reservation (and this is quite problematic for independent trips) and send a package of documents using a special mail (the cost of postage will be at least seventy dollars).
Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel agencies and pay for their visa. This usually takes two weeks and saves a lot of time.
Where are the best places to stay in Japan?
To remember your trip to Japan for a long time, a photo must be taken almost everywhere. Hotels and small hotels deserve special attention. It should be noted that in the Land of the Rising Sun there is a fairly large selection of places to stay. But, if you want to save a little, then they will all be very unusual and entertaining.
Many tourists stay overnight at spas. Don't be surprised, this is quite common in Japan. For about thirty-five dollars, you get a small room with a bathtub and sun lounger. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. Various treatments and massages will be available.
This is exotic for Russians. They are quite inexpensive and have a very high level of comfort. There are even double capsules for couples traveling. This pleasure will cost approximately thirty-five dollars a night.
Hotels for love seem to be a very unusual place to spend the night. These structures are intended for love dates and provide the possibility of renting from one hour to several days. The design of these hotels is quite exotic, but equipped in the highest class. In addition, they are much cheaper than regular rooms. A night in such a hotel will cost from eighty to one hundred and fifty dollars.
Meals while traveling
Of course, you can eat in restaurants every day, but budget vacations do not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty here. No hamburgers or fries, only seaweed, sushi and seafood. Such pleasure will cost approximately 5-6 dollars.
If the choice of dishes in a cafe confuses you a little with a large number of incomprehensible names, then buy a ready-made lunch in a supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through the transparent film you will always see the contents of the package.
Gourmet trip
Experienced tourists choose a special type of vacation - a culinary trip to Japan. It's worth noting that this is something incredible. Of course, there are still few Russians willing to spend on such a tour, but every year their number is increasing. What attracts gourmets so much in the Land of the Rising Sun? Michelin-starred restaurants, of course.
The fact is that as soon as Tokyo was included in the Michelin Guide, restaurants with stars appeared in it. And tourists who want to experience gastronomic delight rushed to them. Every year the number of gourmet restaurants is increasing and Tokyo has already significantly surpassed the recognized gastronomic center - Paris in terms of these characteristics.
For example, in the oldest quarter of Tokyo, Ginza, there are sushi restaurants with three Michelin stars. In one of them, the cook Jiro works, about whom feature films were even filmed. His work seems to be a real art, and the price of the dishes prepared by him exceeds several thousand dollars.
Each city in Japan has its own culinary traditions, so gourmets in search of a special taste can travel the whole country. One of the most popular Japanese foods is noodles. There are just a lot of options for its preparation - boil, fry, steam and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. We can say that a culinary tour allows tourists to discover new facets of an already familiar country.
Money exchange
Many inexperienced tourists often have problems with exchanging money. Keep in mind that buying yen is best at home. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a very unpleasant situation, because in many ATMs and terminals the card of the European payment system may not be accepted. This is due to the fact that Japanese terminals operate on their own system. Only a few ATMs in large shopping centers accept absolutely all bank cards.
It will not always be possible to exchange money at a bank, because tourists can get into on holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. Therefore, experienced travelers advise to carry the main amount of money in cash, and leave funds on a bank card to pay for restaurants and purchases.
Going to the Land of the Rising Sun, tourists need to know a few simple rules of stay in Japan that will make their trip easier. We have collected the most important recommendations:
- Don't try to tip in Japan, you shouldn't. There is no tipping system throughout the country.
- In Japanese bars, in honor of a friendly location, it is customary to pour alcoholic drinks from your bottle, so if you are honored with such an honor, be sure to return a gesture of respect.
- Never point your finger at objects and people - this is extremely impolite, but you can point at yourself.
- In a restaurant, it is enough to wave your palm in front of your nose, and the waiter will remove the dirty dishes.
- In the Land of the Rising Sun, it is customary to take off your shoes in many rooms. You may be asked to take off your shoes in some areas of a restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, and so on. It is considered especially indecent to step on the mat with a booted foot, it is perceived as an insult.
- When heading to the hot springs, keep in mind that those with tattoos on their bodies are escorted to separate baths. They are not allowed to be in the common room with other guests.
- When you receive an invitation, be sure to bring a gift with you. This is considered an act of courtesy and respect.
Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling in the Land of the Rising Sun, because a lot is learned only after an independent trip.
Japan, travel: reviews
Not a single tourist had an angry comment about Japan, in any case, we did not meet such. This means only one thing - you can and should go to this country. It will open up a lot of interesting things even for those who are very poorly informed about the culture and traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Seasoned tourists prefer Japan to all other Asian countries. Ask them why. We think the explanation will take several hours. After all, it is simply impossible to describe this amazing country and its people in two words. Travelers are delighted with the historical monuments of Japan, its cities, cuisine and distinctive traditions. Tourists say that you can come here many times, and each time you find something extraordinarily exciting for yourself.
What do you need to decide on a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, quite a bit - desire, spirit of adventurism and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what an incredible journey through Japan you had.
Planning to go on vacation to Japan in 2020? Great choice! In this review, we will tell you all about the seasons, the weather and where is the best to go and what to see in a given month. We will also find out where the best beach vacation is and what advice tourists give.
Japan is a world of sophisticated exoticism. Jewelry blend of tradition and modernity. A place of harmony of spirit and body. You can pick up many more epithets, but you can understand their meaning only by visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.
Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using search engines and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions,. The cost of tickets is approximately the following: to fly there and back to Tokyo or Osaka from Moscow and St. Petersburg can be from 25-30 thousand rubles, from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk - from 15-20 thousand. For a list of Russian cities for which the cheapest tickets to Japan are found, see.
When is the best time to go on vacation to Japan?
Spring
First of all it is hanami, the Japanese national tradition of flower viewing. Nature begins its performance with the flowering of the Japanese ume plum from late December to late March. However, the main event of the hanami is the sakura blossom. Thanks to the climate, this magical sight can last more than three months (from late February to late May). There are times when, for example, on the island of Okinawa, sakura begins to bloom in January. A wave of Japanese cherry blossoms sweeps across the country from the southernmost island of Kyushu and ends in northern Tohoku.
Flowering lasts only 8-10 days, so there are two options: either follow the "wave" across the country, or catch the moment. In addition, other beautiful flowers begin to bloom from May: azalea, shiba-zakura and wisteria.
Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see the khans. However, the real excitement in the country is from April 29 to May 6. At this time, a series of official holidays take place: Sowing Day, Constitution Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. The period of the celebrations is collectively referred to as "Golden Week". It entails traffic jams and queues, as well as difficulties with hotel reservations. In addition, the prices for vacations in Japan at this time rise sharply. We advise you to take this into account when planning your trip.
It is also worth mentioning that traditional festivals begin in mid-May, including Kanda Matsuri and Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo, as well as Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto.
(Photo © SteFou! / Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 License)
Summer
The beginning of summer is not the best time for a vacation in Japan. The so-called tsuyu (rainy season) and lasts until mid-July. Summer in the country is very hot, the air temperature is between + 34 ... + 38 ° С, and the humidity can exceed 90%.
Nevertheless, only in summer you can conquer one of the main attractions of Japan - Mount Fujiyama, located on the island of Honshu. Officially climbing Mount Fuji is allowed only from July 1 to August 27. With the end of the season, you will not find the accompanying professionals and rescue services to ensure safety in the summer.
Summer in Japan is the season of holidays and grand fireworks. If you want to see one of the festivals, then we recommend planning the route in accordance with the country's holiday calendar. Check out the festival calendar for the main tourist cities. There is also another calendar. Both sites are in English.
In mid-August, the Japanese celebrate smell... It is believed that at this time the souls of the dead descend to earth. Locals visit the graves of their ancestors and pay tribute to the memory. People disperse to their homes to see their relatives. Moreover, in August, children have school holidays, so there may be problems with booking hotels and buying tickets.
Autumn
Based on the weather, September is not the best vacation option in Japan in 2020. The heat has not subsided yet, the humidity has not subsided yet. In addition, at this time, the country is especially prone to typhoons, which are characterized by strong gusts of wind and heavy rains.
By the end of September, the weather conditions soften, the number of tourists decreases and, in our opinion, the most favorable time to travel to Japan begins.
October and November is the time of the traditional momiji, it is also called the season of red maples. As sakura once covered Japan from south to north, so now in the opposite direction (from north to south) red-yellow waves of autumn leaves paint the country. The best place to observe Momiji is in Kyoto. Travelers are also advised to enjoy Japanese autumn in Tokyo, Okayama and Hiroshima.
In reviews of their vacation in Japan, tourists celebrate the October festivals. One of the most representative holidays - jidai matsuri, a festival of eras dedicated to the history of the country. You can visit it on October 22 in Kyoto.
(Photo © Freedom II Andres / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 License)
Winter
Going on vacation to Japan in winter is perhaps the most interesting from mid-December, when the country is immersed in the New Year's atmosphere. However, it should be borne in mind that the Japanese themselves at this time are constantly on the road to their hometowns and travel. We advise you to book accommodation in advance and plan your itineraries as carefully as possible, as prices for holidays in Japan increase during this period.
Japanese landscapes get boring in January and February, so to see the snowy beauty, we advise you to stick to the northern regions. Feel all the delights of the famous Japanese hot springs onsen advise near Mount Fuji. The combination of a natural hot bath, Japanese winter and views of the snowy peaks of the legendary volcano is perhaps the best atmosphere in which to appreciate an onsen.
When traveling Japan in winter, be sure to visit the world famous Snow festival in Sapporo, which is held annually in early February and lasts 7 days.
Where to stay in Japan? Living in the country is not cheap. We advise you to search for hotels on the Roomguru search engine, it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. For example, in Tokyo, a night in a hostel with excellent reviews costs from $ 26, but rooms in decent hotels in Tokyo are much more expensive - for example, the price for a double room in a hotel starts from $ 95.
Beach holidays in Japan
The Japanese themselves are not the biggest fans of seaside recreation, since the traditional fashion for pale skin in the Land of the Rising Sun has survived to this day. However, there are beach resorts on almost every island in the country, and tourists can sunbathe on the coast while touring the country.
Choosing a beach destination in Japan depends on your needs and hobbies. For fans of surfing, the Kamakura resort is more suitable. However, the archipelago is the most popular among fans of outdoor activities on the water. Ryukyu and its largest island is Okinawa. The sea is always warm here, and the minimum water temperature here is + 20 ° C. The colorful coral reefs attract divers from all over the world. Also on the islands Keramalocated near Okinawa, tourists can take advantage of the exceptional opportunity to watch whales.
In reviews of a beach vacation in Japan with children, tourists advise the city Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. In addition to luxurious beaches, there is the famous Ocean Dome water park, which can accommodate more than 10 thousand people.
A truly unique place to relax in Japan by the sea is the city Shirahamathat on the island of Honshu. Snow-white quartz sand was brought to its coast from Australia. The resort's well-maintained beaches, hot springs and modern hotels attract both tourists and locals.
The name of the city of Ibusuki (Kyushu Island) translates as "a city on the hot earth." Thermal waters here come so close to the surface of the earth that the temperature of the sea water can reach + 40 ° C. Not surprisingly, the city is called Japanese Hawaii.
There is a saying: "A sick person is bitter and honey." So that the rest is not spoiled by ailments, we advise you to collect the right one.
(Photo © Shinichi Higashi / flickr.com / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 License)
When planning a vacation in Japan in 2020, you should understand that the concept of low season in the country practically does not exist. Each season is unique here. In addition, domestic tourism in the country is developed no worse than external. Local residents move around the country en masse during national holidays, so this period is characterized by difficulties with booking accommodation, problems with buying transport tickets and widespread long lines. Also during the holidays there is an increase in prices for vacations in Japan.
Japan is a very law abiding country and the crime rate is extremely low. Nevertheless, one should not forget about elementary precautions, and even more so to become a source of violation of law and order (as sometimes our compatriots like to do it at popular resorts). Not everyone is fluent in English in Japan, so it is best to seek help from the police if something happens. In addition, for the convenience of foreigners, metro inscriptions and road signs are duplicated in Latin letters.
It is important for tourists going on vacation to Japan to know a couple more things that are considered the norm in some countries (even an unspoken obligation), but here they will be perceived as an insult:
- In Japan, it is not customary to leave a tip, the usual 5-15% incentive is already included in the price of a product or service.
- In the country, they are not traded either in shops or in markets.
- In addition, I would like to give a little advice on shaking hands. The Japanese pay great attention to issues of personal space and restraint of behavior. Do not be the first to reach out for a handshake, as this type of European greeting may not correspond to the values \u200b\u200bof every local.
Those who like to bring something "from overseas, ocean" should take into account that souvenirs and delicacies can be produced exclusively in one or another region of the country. For this reason, we advise you not to postpone the purchase of what you like. In reviews about their vacation in Japan, tourists are advised to buy jewelry and costume jewelry. Although their prices do not differ from European ones, the quality and design are at the highest level. If Japan can attract girls with natural cosmetics based on pearls and algae, then men will certainly not be left indifferent by ultramodern and computer games.
(Photo © Moyan Brenn / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 License)
Introductory Image Source: © risaikeda / flickr.com / CC BY-NC 2.0 License
Japan is a country with unique nature, rich cultural traditions, ancient history and modern high-tech cities. It invariably attracts many tourists.
Holidays in Japan are presented in a variety of directions. For lovers of active movement, ski resorts, whole islands of entertainment, yacht and diving centers have been created. Connoisseurs of a calm, wellness holiday will be happy to visit geothermal springs, ancient temples, amazing landscape structures and parks.
Today the women's online magazine Korolevnam.ru will tell you about the most popular resorts of this amazing country.
Japanese seaside resorts: medical, family, luxury
Okinawa
For snorkeling enthusiasts, the wonderful places of Okinawa are suitable. Picturesque coral reefs and the diversity of the aquatic world will impress neither children nor adults.
They are also offered water parks, dolphinariums, leisure centers.
Kamakura
An hour's drive from the Japanese capital is the resort town of Kamakura. This ancient city is replete with Buddhist and Shinto temples, statues that are of great interest to tourists. The city's convenient location, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the Pacific Bay, has made it a famous resort. There are always a lot of tourists here, especially young people: on sandy beaches, surfing, yachts.
Kamakura hosts many festivals during the beach season.
The Japanese love children. Therefore, in all resort areas you can find a lot of entertainment for family tourists.
Miyazaki
A wonderful vacation with the younger generation will turn out in Miyazaki.
A visit to the famous Ocean Dome water park will leave the best memories for all family members.
Ibusuki
At Ibusuki Resort, plain beach sand has a powerful healing effect.
This is due to the fact that thermal hot waters and underground steam are close to the surface of the earth and heat up the quartz.
Ryukyu Islands
The Ryukyu Islands are home to divers and whale watching naturalists.
Shirahama
The dazzling sands of Shirahama amaze with their whiteness and smoothness. They were brought in specially from Australia.
This thermal seaside resort is distinguished by a combination of improved amenities, mild climate, developed tourist infrastructure, and beautiful rocky landscape.
Features of resort holidays in Japan: climate, prices
In terms of climatic parameters, a beach vacation in Japan is similar to the southern Russian one: it begins at the end of May, reaches its peak by mid-July, and ends in October. The optimum temperature ratio of air (+26? C) and water (+24? C) is reached in early October.
At this time, torrential summer rains no longer come and the intense heat subsides.
Japanese resorts stand out for their high level of service, luxury, technology, scale.
It is quite natural to ask how much a vacation in Japan will cost. The price of such a tour is quite high. On average, a 10-day trip costs $ 2,000.
You can reduce the cost of your vacation by purchasing a hot tour or by lowering the level of service at the hotel.
Many domestic tourists are surprised by the fact that there is a beach holiday in Japan. Everyone knows this wonderful country from the other side - as mysterious and inaccessible.
But the ever-increasing number of beach vacationers on the volcanic islands points to the growing popularity of the Land of the Rising Sun as a tourist destination among Russians.
Safety
Crime rate inlaw-abiding Japan is extremely low, butforget about elementary precautions allnot worth it.
Meet at the street of an english-speaking passerby- a very rare piece of luck. It is also a common misconception that all employees in hotels and restaurants in Japan speak English. The language of communication in Japan is Japanese ... and either a guide or gestures will help a foreigner ...
Transport
Taxis are quite expensive in the country.Tariff starts with640-770 JPY in Tokyo and 500-580 JPY in other cities. Further- 80-90 JPY per a certain distance, forevery minute of downtime is charged an additional 45-50 JPY. From 23:00 to 6:00 the tariff is 30% higher.
Have the opposite is true for Japanese taxi drivers: a green "light" on the windshield means that the car is busy, red- free, yellow onempty car - driving on phone call.
Forgotten in taxis, things can be returned with a high degree of probability by calling the United Lost and Found office of taxi companies.
Telephone communications
There are two cell phone standards in Japan -CDMA and 3G ... In this regard, tourists oftenquestions arise whether their phone will work in Japan, and if not, how to provide themselves with cellular communication.
There are several options:
Rent a Japanese phone and insert your ownSIM card. You will have your old number. Everyone who calls you will dial your regular phone number and will not even suspect that you are in Japan. To make calls to Russia, you must dial the international code for communication with Russia and the desired phone number.
You can only rent a phone at Narita Airport and in the business centers of large hotels (Imperial Hotel, New Otani, Hyatt, Four Seasons ). The rental price is approximately $ 10 per day (including insurance in case of loss or theft). Additionally, outgoing calls are paid at the rate of your operator.
Phone rental requires a passport and a valid credit card in Japan.Don't forget your SIM pin code. You will need to enter it to connect the SIM card to the phone.
Rent a phone with a Japanese number. You will have a Japanese phone number.Anyone calling you must dial the international Japan dialing code and the rented telephone number.You should do the same when calling Russia.
You can rent such a phone only at Narita Airport and in the business centers of large hotels (Imperial Hotel, New Otani, Hyatt, Four Seasons). The cost of such a lease is $ 10. per day (including insurance against loss or theft).Additionally, outgoing calls are charged at the rate of a Japanese telecom operator.
Renting a phone requires your passport and a Japanese credit card.
Buy a dedicated local phone. Softbank sells special phones for tourists. You buy a special prepaid phone card for the phone and enter its number into the phone. The phone starts working like a regular Japanese phone with a regular Japanese number. When the limit on the card is exhausted, you need to buy a new one. The cards are sold in all convenience stores throughout Japan. The phone costs $ 80.
When you leave Japan, you can throw your phone away or take it with you as a souvenir.Phones are sold at the airport at the Softbank store and at any Softbank store throughout Japan.
All you need to buy a phone is your passport.Payment by credit card or cash.
Multi-system telephone. The latest Nokia models are available with simultaneous support for several cellular standards - 3G and GSM. If you have such a phone, and you paid for roaming with your operator, then upon arrival in Japan you can call home directly from the plane ramp.
You can also call from the hotel.The cost of the international call will be charged to your account. You can buy a regular phone card and call from a gray phone booth in Japan.
Money
Banks work with9:00 to 15: 00-17: 00 on weekdays and from 9:00 to 12:00 on the first and last Saturday of the month, Sunday- day off.
IN at Narita International Airport (Tokyo), exchange offices work around the clock. INon holidays all banks are closed.
It is best to exchange large amounts inairport of arrival, as inhotels do not changemore than 300-500 USD per person per day, and in banks, the exchange procedure is complicated by bureaucratic formalities.
Currency exchange offices in shops are extremely rare, and atthe streets are not there at all.
All sales and services are subject to a non-refundable consumption tax of 5%. To refund this tax in stores and departments of the system "
tax - free "you must show your passport.In expensive hotels and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is often added to the bill.
You can pay with common credit cards, but
it should be remembered that ina number of credit card restaurants do notaccept.Credit cards
There are times when a tourist's credit card does not work. Moreover, there is no system in failures: in one store the same credit card is accepted, but in another it is not. To avoid an unexpected situation, before traveling to Japan, contact the bank that issued you the card and ask to check if the block on using your credit card abroad, and especially in Japan, has been lifted.
You will definitely need a card when renting a cell phone.
In Japan, credit cards are accepted in all major restaurants, shops, hotels and even taxis. Although the Japanese themselves still prefer to pay in cash. It is best to have cash with you at all times.
Appliances
The voltage in Japan is 110 volts. For the plugs of electrical appliances, adapters are needed thatcan be purchased at the airport for 400-500 yen. A 4 * hotel cannot always providetourists with adapters.
Medicine, insurance
Japanese medicines are not always suitable for people of other nations, and therefore it is better not to rely on local miracle medicines, to bring your usual medicines with you.
Cosmetics - especially expensive lines - are different in Japan than in Europe and the United States. There are no European lines, but there are their own, which differ in biochemical composition. Therefore, it is better to take the minimum necessary cosmetics with you.
Tourists usually buy health insurance in their home country before leaving. Therefore, their hopes that in the event of an insured event everything will be free are in vain. In case of illness, the first thing to do is call your insurance company and find out which hospital in Tokyo or another city you can go to for help. At the hospital, you will have to pay in cash, take a check, and then return the money back to your home country. In a simple case, an appointment with a doctor and medicine will "pull" at least about 30,000 yen.
The insurance does not apply to appointments with a dentist, gynecologist, most of surgical operations, with the exception of an injury in an accident.
To see a doctor, you will most likely need an interpreter, for whose services you also need to provide funds in the travel budget.
About using health insurance abroad - we recommend reading:
Arguments and Facts
http://www.aif.ru/travel/article/43978
clothing
The sizes of clothes and especially shoes in Japan are small, gravel paths lead to the temples, so you need to take comfortable hiking shoes, a light windproof jacket, and sun glasses. It is not easy to buy anything in Japan at your size ....
Tip
Tipping is not customary in Japan. But the Japanese do a lot themselves, do not rely on the help of the service personnel. Nobody expects that the bus driver will carry and load his things into the trunk of the bus. If the driver does so, he usually counts on a 100-200 yen tip from each passenger. If you want the guide to book a table for dinner, write the name of the store for the taxi driver in Japanese, advise and mark pharmacies and shops on the map after work, provide other assistance, then it would be right to offer the guide a tip of about 1-2 thousand yen.
If you have been provided with an additional or personal service in a restaurant or hotel, then no one will consider it offensive to receive a tip, with the help of which the client expresses his gratitude.
If you pay with a credit card everywhere and always, you should make sure that there are small bills in your wallet, with which you can thank the person for a service well done to you.
Not accepted
There are no prohibitions in everyday life in Japan, but there are some rules that are recommended for guests of the country.
It is not accepted to smoke in public places, in offices, at stations and railway platforms, as well as in houses and cars without the permission of the owner.
It is not customary to step on tatami straw mats in shoes - this is regarded as sacrilege.
It is not customary to go into a private toilet in shoes or barefoot - it is customary to change shoes into special slippers, which are usually in the toilet or in front of the entrance to it.
Lost things
Losses on the street are handled by the police, losses in the hotel are handled by the client himself, since the hotel is not responsible for the safety of things. At the same time, things left at the hotel usually go to the Lost and Found office of the hotel and are not lost.
The transport company sends the things left on the bus by mail to the hotel at the expense of the client.
With an earthquake
Japan is located in a zone of high seismic activity. The country's authorities are paying serious attention to preparing the population for possible emergencies that may arise as a result of strong earthquakes, providing assistance to victims, including foreigners who are temporarily in the country. The country has a system of preliminary or warning notification (from several minutes to several days) about a possible earthquake. Most of the time, however, earthquakes happen unexpectedly.
In such cases, you should remain calm and try to follow these recommendations:
while in the room, slightly open the entrance doors so that they are not blocked;
turn off heating devices and open sources of fire (gas stoves);
stand in the doorway under the supporting structures, covering your head from possible falling objects, or hide under a sturdy table;
in the event of a fire or the impossibility of staying in the room for other reasons, leave it, taking with you at least documents and drinking water;
do not use the elevator, and if you are in the elevator during the earthquake, then stop it on the nearest floor and get out of it;
for shelter in the city, use underground passages, open areas, keep your distance from glass windows and walls of high-rise buildings, beware of falling objects;
while in a train carriage, stay in it until the end of the earthquake or until the permission of the employees of the metro or railway is obtained.
After the earthquake, the city disaster prevention headquarters informs (in Japanese and English) the population about the situation, takes measures to eliminate the consequences, and provides assistance to the population. Therefore, use your radio or TV for the latest information as soon as possible.
Inquiries and emergency communication
Help - Japan Help Line (around the clock, English): 0120-461-997
Emergency communication:
Fire brigade, ambulance -119
Police -110
Called for free. When calling from a street phone, press the red button before dialing the number.
Russian Embassy in Japan:
