Plan your visit several months ahead of time to receive the finest flights and lodgings. Japan's cherry blossom season, which takes place in the spring, draws tourists and residents alike. Expect to deal with crowds as well as competitive hotel rates at this time of year. You avoid paying high fees, make sure to reserve your accommodation, airfare, and even train in advance.
Learn some fundamental Japanese phrases like "hi," "thank you," and "excuse me." This will demonstrate respect towards the people and enhance the enjoyment of your vacation. Hi is konichiwa. Thank you is arigato, and excuse me is su-mi-ma-sen.
When entering someone's house or a traditional inn, remove your shoes (ryokan). A big indicator of disrespect is wearing shoes in someone else's home. As in many other regions of Asia, it is important to take off your shoes before entering a residence. This is typical for many restaurants as well, so be careful to ask if you should take your shoes off or not. Oh, and most changing rooms require you to remove your shoes before entering.
Many small establishments in Japan only accept cash, so try to avoid using credit cards.
In Japan, there is no custom of leaving a tip at restaurants, taxis, and everywhere else. In fact, there's a good probability that your server may chase you down to return the cash you unintentionally left behind if you do. So don't feel bad—waiters in Japan are paid a livable salary. This regulation applies to any service personnel you deal with while traveling, including hotel employees.
Don't be hesitant to experiment with new foods. Japan is famous for its delectable and distinctive food, such as sushi, ramen, and tempura. I recommend trying melon bread at convenience stores. Another recommendation is curry bread.
Learn about Japanese etiquette and customs, such as the significance of bowing and the use of chopsticks.
The majority of restaurants in Japan allow smoking, however, there are designated areas outside where you may do so. Although it is considerably more typical at izakayas, almost every restaurant in Japan includes a smoking area. Some even let smoking throughout the building. When you take into account the fact that there are multiple approved smoking areas outdoors as well, smoking is still a thing.
If you wish to express your gratitude to someone for their assistance or service, you can still do so in Japan even if you are not permitted to tip. This may take the shape of a memento, like a keychain or a keepsake from your hometown. Whatever you hand over, make sure to bow and say "thank you" before you hand it to the recipient. Don't make a huge production out of it, though, or they could feel bad about having nothing to give you in return.
You don't need to impatiently signal your waiter while you're in Japan. A little black box with a black button is frequently found on restaurant tables so that patrons can call for the waiter without drawing attention to themselves or making a fuss. Even better, some places don't even have wait staff. Instead, customers place their orders on a screen in their booth, and food is delivered via a small slot.
What if I told you there was a method to get huge discounts on beverages in Japan? Now, the word is nomihodai, the popular all-you-can-drink deal in Japan, which you must try at least once while there. You may drink for one or two hours in New York City for the cost of one or two beers. The izakayas where this offer is frequently available may also offer an all-you-can-eat bargain that is linked to food. However, there are a few guidelines. It's customary to charge an admission fee in addition to having to complete your first drink before ordering another. You'll be forced to stop drinking all the beverages you haven't finished when the timer expires.
In Japan, it's considered rude to point at objects or people with your finger, say "hello" to complete strangers on the street, eat or drink in public, and take photographs of individuals without their consent. Be mindful of how you react to circumstances that don't go according to plan because it's also unpleasant to yell or lose your cool in Japan.
The charming movies of the cat, owl and other animal cafés that can be found all across Japan have been seen by everyone. These locations, however, are barely more than petting zoos for creatures that might otherwise go unnoticed. If you must attend, make sure the location is animal-friendly by doing some research ahead.
Use public transit, which is both efficient and convenient. Remember to get a Suica card, which may be used on trains, buses, and even vending machines and convenience stores.
Respect the train and bus ethos of silence and order. Keep your phone in quiet mode and avoid loud discussions. Also, silence is king in elevators too.
Be prepared to see individuals wearing surgical masks in public. To avoid the transmission of sickness, this is a typical practice in Japan. The Japanese may wear a mask for other reasons such as women who didn’t put on makeup need to cover up, or everyone else is wearing a mask so individuals choose to wear one as well.
Pack light because many Japanese lodgings have little storage space. There are storage lockers near train stations that you can pay to use for the day to store your bags and luggage.
Avoid travel during peak tourist seasons, such as cherry blossom season, Golden Week and Silver Week to avoid increased rates and congestion.
Use the free Wi-Fi hotspots that are accessible at many cafés, restaurants, and railway stations. Although Japan is one of the safest countries, do keep your safety as a priority.
Japan's cities are packed, not just covered, with structures. It's simple to become fixated on gazing above, yet doing so would prevent you from seeing all the activity going on below. Japan has made use of its subterranean area by constructing enormous retail malls that are stuffed with shops and eateries, much like South Korea.
Purchase travel insurance ahead of time to protect yourself in the event of an unforeseen incident.
In Japan, it's crucial to be aware of both your voice volume and the topic of your discussion. Everyone in Japan is conscious that they are sharing space with others, thus it is always appreciated to keep talks to a minimum and voice volumes down when out in public.
Bring a portable charger for your electrical gadgets because outlets may be difficult to find. Recently, cafes and restaurants have outlets for charging such as McDonald’s and Tully’s coffee shops.
At least once during your journey, try to stay at a traditional Japanese inn. Tatami mat flooring, futon beds, and community showers are common features of these inns.
Consider obtaining a Japan Rail Pass, which entitles you to unlimited travel on most trains, including the high-speed shinkansen.
During your travels, try to stop by a shrine or temple. In Japan, these are significant cultural and spiritual landmarks and each shrine usually has a deity or protector associated with it. Shrines, their gods, and the good luck charms they sell are believed to have the power to provide good fortune in subjects and help people find love, succeed in business, pass an exam, stay healthy, and avoid traffic accidents.
To stay connected throughout your journey, either a local SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi device.
Wear comfy shoes because you will be walking a lot.
Learn about the many forms of Japanese lodging, including ryokan, minshuku, and business hotels.
To learn about Japanese cuisine and culture, consider taking a cooking class teaching you to cook Japanese dishes.
Don't be scared to seek assistance or advice from locals. Many Japanese people are kind and willing to help travelers. In big cities, Japanese people likely understand some English and are happy to point you towards the right way.
Visit a traditional market, such as Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market or Osaka's Kuromon Ichiba Market to try the most amazing sushi and fish. Note, an area called Toyosu has become the new site of the fish market. However, much of the tradition and culture in Tsukiji still remain.
For quick and simple meals and snacks, visit the "konbini" (convenience shops). I especially like and recommend the rice balls called Onigiri, the salmon rice ball is the best.
Wear comfy shoes because you will be walking a lot. Sneakers are great for walking.
Discover Japanese holidays and festivals including New Year's Day, Golden Week, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Consider taking part in a cultural activity like a tea ceremony or a calligraphy session.
For cheap souvenirs and travel necessities, go to "100 yen" shops such as Daiso.
Remember to pack sunscreen because the sun may be harsh in Japan.
During your journey, try to visit a hot spring. In Japan, these natural hot springs are a famous tourist destination.
Consider going to a theme park like Disneyland in Tokyo or Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
Experience a distinct side of Japan by taking a tour, such as a sake brewery visit or a samurai village trip for a one of a kind experience.
To travel about, get a local map, which are sometimes available at train stations, or utilize a navigation app. There are also maps in and near train stations.
At restaurants and cafés, look for "service" signs, which indicate that the establishment offers an English menu or English-speaking employees. They are not everywhere but more common these days.
Take advantage of the international travelers' "tax-free" purchasing scheme. Shops in tourist-heavy areas like Akihabara Electric town have these shops.
To sell or swap in your used electronic gadgets, use the "kaitori" service at electronic retailers. One great chain of shops is called Janpara.
Explore the local nightlife, which includes pubs, clubs, and live music venues. Roppongi area is famous for local nightclubs. That said, do beware of your safety. There are those who target foreigners, get them drunk, and copy their credit cards to use later for nefarious charges. I recommend you stay close to your group as the former has happened to a friend.
Even in gleaming, well-maintained Tokyo, the lack of a 24-hour rail system may seem astonishing in a nation with so many comforts, yet it is the case. You should plan for a frenzied run to the final train while going out. You will need to enter the building between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., depending on your location. You may have to rely on an expensive cab if you miss the train, which may be expensive. There have been nights where I have had to pay close to $100 USD to get home after missing the last train. Do be careful to have your hotel or destination address printed or written in clear detail before leaving. And, there is another option which is to go to a late-night karaoke bar and sing till the wee hours of the morning. Often, it is less expensive than a cab.
Although you may view your tattoos as a creative means of self-expression, in Japan, they are frequently linked to criminals, particularly Yakuza gang members. If you want to experience a traditional Japanese onsen, this is something you should pay great attention to. Before they let you in, they'll probably inquire if you have any tattoos. Additionally, avoid lying because most onsens require bathers to be undressed.
It might surprise you given some of the troubled past with Japan and the United States that Japanese folks are fascinated by Americans and American culture. In addition to the fact that they enjoy speaking with Americans, you can discover many Japanese replicas of American products, particularly cuisine, as well as a few pubs with American themes. A word of caution: They don't always follow the recipe exactly, so it's not unusual to encounter pizza with mayonnaise and sweet brown sauce or shell-on clams or sandwiches with cheese, strawberries, and whipped cream. Although, one of my favorite derivatives is seafood pizza! I do love some squid on my pizza.
And for those who enjoy dining at showy Japanese establishments where chefs juggle knives, cook in front of you, and light stacks of onions on fire, I have some bad news. Westerners invented hibachi restaurants. There isn't a chef slicing and dicing for you here; the closest thing is a teppanyaki restaurant. You'll be preparing your own meal at the table in Japan, which is truly half the enjoyment for us.
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