Step By Step For Planning A Journey To Japan

Have you ever been ready to journey to Japan and you’ll’t wait to get your Japan itinerary going? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the data on-line and feeling a bit uncertain about the place to begin?

Planning a visit to Japan may be worrying and that is very true in terms of going to a rustic so totally different from the remainder of the world, by way of tradition, language, practices and traditions. 

Don’t fear, right here we’re going to allow you to plan your journey to Japan within the easiest and simplest way potential. Simply observe the step-by-step right here and also you received’t need to stress about your trip! 

Planning a visit to Japan

Step 1: Why go to Japan

First, let’s work out why you wish to go to Japan. Japan has so many alternative elements and sights and it may be fairly overwhelming. Determining why you wish to go to Japan will help decide the time for the 12 months in addition to the actions that you simply wish to embrace throughout your keep in Japan. Listed here are a number of the important the reason why individuals wish to go to Japan!

Purpose: Japanese Meals and drinks

Let’s begin off with meals and drinks. Everybody is aware of the basic sushi and ramen of Japan and nihonshu, which is extensively generally known as “sake”, however let’s transcend the plain. A meal isn’t only a meal right here; it’s an expertise.

There are numerous sorts of Japanese meals. From candy to savoury, from noodles to rice, from conventional to fusion, Japanese meals can shock you at each flip. Every area in Japan has its personal signature dish, fruit and/or greens.

Moreover nihonshu, there may be shochu, umeshu, and extra. Moreover, there are breweries and distilleries all around the nation and the identical alcohol might style totally different, area to area.

Purpose: Japan Nightlife

Plenty of leisure amenities, eating places and even outlets are open until the wee hours of the day and typically even 24 hours. Nightlife in Tokyo is oftentimes spontaneous and thrilling, the place you may be ingesting in a bar one second, then bowling or singing karaoke with new buddies the following, after which maybe ingesting in Yoyogi Park (open in any respect hours) when the solar is rising.

You may spend your nights in Japan getting some drinks in your native bar, going clubbing, singing away in karaoke joints, procuring in comfort shops or Don Quijote, there’s something for everybody.

Purpose: Japanese traditions and tradition

Japanese traditions and tradition are totally different from the remainder of the world. From the Japanese temples and shrines to the cultural actions reminiscent of tea ceremonies and Ikebana, there are lots so that you can uncover. Whenever you’re in Japan, you may expertise the Japanese traditions by means of totally different temples, shrines, palaces and castles; you may go to the Japanese gardens to get in contact with the character; you may go to one of many many museums to grasp extra in regards to the Japanese tradition and historical past; you may be a part of a cultural expertise to find out about totally different elements of Japanese tradition like sumo wrestlers, geisha, ninja, samurai and much more

Purpose: Pop Tradition

The principle motive why you may wish to go to Japan is likely to be to expertise the Japanese popular culture. Anime and manga, video video games, arcades, Japanese idols, kawaii tradition, there may be a lot to discover. You may spend days or perhaps weeks trying out all of the totally different areas which have a lot attention-grabbing popular culture to supply. Even when it isn’t one thing you have been initially keen about, it might nonetheless be an attention-grabbing and distinctive expertise for you

Purpose: Purchasing

Should you love procuring, then you’ll discover Japan to have countless procuring choices for you. Not simply the Harajuku trend or the over-the-top trend traits, you could find trend manufacturers and boutiques from all around the world. Since a lot of the outlets supply tax-free procuring, you’ll discover nice offers throughout your time procuring right here. There are additionally a considerable amount of thrift shops, procuring malls and outlet malls throughout Japan. Should you want some particular locations on the place to buy, take a look at our weblog right here! (hyperlink to procuring weblog

Moreover searching for garments, individuals additionally love coming to Japan to buy magnificence merchandise. Japanese magnificence merchandise are identified for being prime quality at an inexpensive value. Many individuals even come to Japanese pharmacies and bulk purchase magnificence merchandise to re-sell again dwelling.

Purpose: Bizarre issues

If in case you have seen memes, gifs, movies and clickbait articles about Japan, you’d in all probability have come throughout bizarre and unusual issues about Japan. To not give an excessive amount of away, it is possible for you to to seek out bizarre commercials on the trains and within the streets and you could find extremely amusing TV applications taking place particularly within the evenings. There may be numerous leisure you’ll come throughout simply by scrolling round city

Step 2. When to go to Japan

Deciding when to go to is essential to begin planning your journey. You may need restrictions as to when you may go to reminiscent of college holidays and public holidays, however you can be comfortable to know that Japan has one thing to supply all all year long. Japan has distinct and delightful seasons and there are seasonal occasions and actions so that you can take part.

Typically, individuals like exploring Japan throughout Spring for the cherry blossom season however there are beauties in visiting through the different seasons as effectively.

Throughout Spring, the climate is cool, you may benefit from the cherry blossoms and all of the seasonal pink issues you should buy. In Summer time, there are matsuri, Japanese festivals, taking place almost day by day together with nice seashores and summer season actions. Throughout Autumn, you may benefit from the breezy climate and expertise the purple leaves and seasonal fruit choosing. Throughout winter, you may go snowboarding and snowboarding, benefit from the powder snow and seasonal festivals.

March, April and Might are nice months to go to to expertise spring in Japan. June is the wet season so most individuals keep away from it however the value of lodging and flight are often additionally decrease. July to September is summer season in Japan and it tends to get scorching and humid. Finish of September to the start of October is hurricane season and when November hits, that’s when the snow season begins and folks often go to the ski resorts between November to March.

Step 3. How lengthy do you’ve got

Subsequent factor you should contemplate is how lengthy you’ve got in your time in Japan. Relying on the place you’re flying in from, your journey time would change drastically. Make certain to take into consideration the hours that you can be flying and the additional time required to get to and from the airport.

In case you are solely visiting Japan in your trip, possibly you may afford to spend extra time exploring however in case you are planning to hit up different international locations as effectively, you won’t have as a lot time.

Throughout a visit to solely Tokyo, you may spend as little as a few days right here, to get a good suggestion of town. Nonetheless,exploring the neighbouring cities and even different cities within the nation may have at the least per week.

If in case you have numerous time and wish to dive deep into Japan, you need to know that you simply don’t have to fret about not having sufficient issues to do. There are numerous totally different areas in Japan with wonderful native issues to do.

Step 4. What’s your funds?

Figuring out your funds will allow you to determine the place you need to keep, your transportation, how a lot you may spend and much more.

Many individuals have the impression that Japan is dear. With probably the most Michelin Stars on the planet, spectacular skyscrapers, top-notch providers, it’s straightforward to suppose that Japan journey goes to be pricey.

Nonetheless, you need to be glad to know that there are numerous pricey methods to journey in Japan, however there are additionally numerous inexpensive methods. From the place to eat, the place to drink, transportation, lodging and procuring, there are such a lot of methods to save cash. Yow will discover out extra about it right here.

Work out the funds that you simply suppose you’ll need for this journey and permit your self a bit additional simply in case. You should utilize totally different apps like TravelSpend that can assist you together with your budgeting throughout your journey.

Step 5. Which areas do you wish to go to

Deciding what cities you wish to go to in Japan is the following step so that you can work out your journey to Japan.

Basically, most individuals fly into Tokyo, both Narita or Haneda airport. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and there are numerous issues so that you can do right here. Tokyo’s neighbouring areas reminiscent of Yokohama, Izu, Chiba areas are fashionable day journey spots.

Moreover Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Hiroshima are fashionable locations for individuals to go to. Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima are nice for those that wish to discover the Japanese tradition and historical past in addition to nature. Osaka is one other metropolitan metropolis and has numerous leisure and nightlife.

Different fashionable areas in Japan which might be fashionable for vacationers to go to embrace Hakuba, Hokkaido, Fukuoka and Okinawa.

Hakuba is a well-liked snowboarding vacation spot, particularly for foreigners. You may benefit from the winter sports activities through the day and nightlife at evening.

Hokkaido is the northern prefecture of Japan. They’ve unimaginable ski resorts and snow festivals in winter and through summer season, they’ve beautiful flower fields and seasonal fruit choosing actions.

Fukuoka is well-known for his or her avenue meals, the booming nightlife and scorching springs. Okinawa is understood for his or her beautiful seashores and nature, in addition to the water sports activities and actions.

Step 6. Reserving flights and lodging

Let’s get to the enjoyable half, reserving your flights and lodging!

By now, you need to have found out what days you might be planning to fly into Japan and which areas you’re visiting. If you wish to save in your flights and don’t thoughts doubtlessly having a layover, you may take a look at the totally different low-budget flights. Try our favorite flights reserving platform right here to get one of the best offers for you!

For lodging, I like to recommend you utilize reserving.com or agoda. They’ve an enormous variety of properties in Japan on the lowest costs. In case you are uncertain the place to remain, you may take a look at our favorite lodging spots right here:

In case you are planning to journey round Japan, I’d extremely suggest getting the JR Cross. The JR go is mainly a rail go and for a one time price you may experience a lot of the JR trains for limitless instances through the chosen time period. Even in case you are solely travelling to 1 different metropolis moreover Tokyo, it could prevent a lot time and money! Discover out extra about it right here.

Step 7. Reservations and Bookings

Now that you’ve got your flights, lodging and plan in your journey in Japan, it’s time to make your reservations and bookings.

Many fashionable sights require bookings upfront and a few fashionable eating places and bars additionally require reservations. Though some locations mean you can purchase your tickets on the day, reserving upfront can prevent time and typically even cash.

Some fashionable sights you should or ought to make reservations for embrace Disneyland and Disneysea, TeamLab Borderless, Ghibli Museum, Yayoi Kusama Museum and SkyTree observatory.

Make certain to rearrange your reservations and bookings effectively upfront so that you don’t have to fret about lacking these experiences whenever you’re travelling in Japan.

Extra journey add-ons

In the case of travelling to Japan, there are a number of apps and instruments that may allow you to together with your journey, together with transportation card and sim card. We have now a particular FLIP Japan Starter Pack that has every thing you want so that you don’t have to fret about spending hours researching and arranging. The very best half? You will get every thing whenever you arrive on the airport! You may test it out right here.

There are different stuff you may wish to contemplate, from journey insurance coverage, baggage switch service, pickup providers, journey gear, VPN and much more. Though they aren’t required, they’ll make your journey lots much less stress-free.

Try a few of these of our favorite instruments and see in the event that they will help you together with your travels!

Welcome Pickups is a baggage switch caring for you each step of the way in which. They go above and past to ship a holistic, in-destination journey expertise from the second you arrive in a brand new vacation spot till you come dwelling.

TransferWise is our go-to on-line cash switch service. It’s nice to make use of them for simple cash transfers, not like conventional foreign money transfers the place there are purchase and promote charges.

Allianz Journey is a journey insurance coverage that’s right here to insure you while you’re travelling overseas, defending you, your loved ones, your belongings and far, way more throughout your journey.

World Nomads is a journey insurance coverage for travellers and households, protecting all of your journey necessities, even if you happen to run out of journey insurance coverage or go away with out it.

NordVPN permits is a VPN service that ensures nice safety for all of your units out of your pc, telephone and even TV.

Step 8. Excursions and experiences

There isn’t a higher strategy to discover Japan than with native guides. There are numerous variety of excursions and experiences you may take part Japan. Yow will discover cultural experiences reminiscent of tea ceremony, Japanese cooking courses, kimono expertise, geisha expertise and sumo wrestler expertise.

It’s also possible to take pleasure in strolling excursions, meals excursions, bar hopping excursions and ramen experiences. Yow will discover numerous them on viator.

We provide a bar hopping expertise that takes you to 4 underground spots in numerous areas in Tokyo, with free photographs and discounted drinks. Should you’re , you could find extra about it right here!

Step 9. Itinerary

Now that you’ve got scheduled all of your main travels, reservations and experiences, it’s time to fill within the gaps and work out the place to go throughout your journey in Japan.

Some individuals desire to have detailed itineraries itemizing every thing, whereas some individuals desire to flow. Whichever sort you might be, now we have compiled the principle sights in the principle cities together with Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Hokkaido and Fukuoka so that you can take a look at.

Planning your journey to Japan is a enjoyable course of nevertheless it can be a time-consuming course of. That can assist you plan so that you don’t need to stress or fear, and simply spend all of your power having fun with your time, right here is our itinerary that can assist you take advantage of out of your time in Japan.

A fast disclaimer. Folks all have totally different pursuits and tempo in terms of exploring. This itinerary information is a basic guideline that can assist you perceive the issues to do and issues to see in Japan and a few of our advisable neighbourhoods and sights. We have now included numerous choices so that you can select from so you may at all times combine and match!

Step 10. Arriving to Japan

Should you’re travelling to Japan, particularly if that is your first time visiting the nation, you then’d in all probability fly into Haneda airport or Narita airport.

For each airports, you may hop on a bus. No lugging round heavy baggage whereas navigating Tokyo’s many practice traces. Taking the airport limousine bus runs the whole day and makes stops at inns throughout Tokyo. A ticket prices round 2,900 yen (USD$27).

Should you’re searching for a extra inexpensive various, and also you don’t have a lot baggage, common trains are a great possibility.

Starting of your journey: Get to know Tokyo

Now that you’re effectively rested, it’s time to discover Tokyo! There’s no higher strategy to begin your journey off than seeing all the foremost sights in Tokyo. We advise doing a giant one-day journey to dive proper into the tradition and discover the locations you is likely to be occupied with coming again later throughout your journey.

We advise you begin your day visiting Skytree and Sensoji temple within the Asakusa space. Then heading to Akihabara for the anime and manga tradition in addition to the electronics within the space. May not sound like everybody’s cup of tea however there are tons extra to see in that space. Then you may head to Harajuku for Takeshita Avenue, check out a number of the scrumptious avenue meals and kawaii tradition and take a look at Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park. In case you are feeling as much as it, you may take a look at the well-known Shibuya for his or her Shibuya crossing, totally different procuring malls and viewpoints. Head to Shinjuku to finish your evening visiting the small bar streets, the purple gentle district Kabukicho and their many meals choices.

You may take a look at the element in the future journey itinerary right here. If you wish to take your time, you may cut up these actions into two days.

Attending to know Tokyo even higher

Now that you’ve got had time to go to the foremost sights of Tokyo, is there a spot you wish to return and go to? Relying on if you wish to check out some Japanese meals, buy groceries, visiting museums or trying out some nature spots, there are numerous issues to do in Tokyo.

If in case you have been to Tokyo earlier than or need one thing extra underground and distinctive, you may take a look at a few of Tokyo’s native areas and these day journey concepts from Tokyo.

Visiting different cities

Nara is known for Nara Park, the place you could find wild deers hanging out in every single place. Contained in the Nara Park, you’ll discover many temples and museums, together with Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji.

Osaka is an thrilling metropolis, the place you could find numerous eating places, outlets and avenue meals in Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Namba is shut to those areas and it has an unimaginable nightlife. Try Common Studios right here if you happen to’re occupied with amusement parks. Abeno Harukas, Tsutenkaku and Umeda Sky Constructing are fashionable skyscrapers with viewpoints.

Kyoto has numerous temples and shrines and you’ll actually expertise the cultural aspect of Japan. Try the well-known Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Taisha, which you may need seen photographs of. Go to the Gion space and take a look at another well-known spots together with Shōren-in Monzeki, Chion-in and Yasaka Shrine inside Maruyama Park.

Hiroshima is a historic website and you’ll study extra in regards to the historical past on this space with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Nationwide Peace Memorial Corridor, Hiroshima Fort and Hiroshima Prefectural Museum.

Fukuoka is a metropolis in Kyushu and moreover town centre, there are numerous neighbouring cities and cities with lovely nature. Inside Fukuoka, you’ll discover numerous avenue meals and scrumptious Fukuoka delicacies. Moreover meals, take a look at Hakozaki Shrine, Waka Hachimangu Shrine, Chikuzen Sumiyoshi, Maizuru Park and Tochoji Temple.

Folks take pleasure in visiting Hokkaido, the northern prefecture of Japan, particularly in winter for the final word powder snow. Go to the capital Sapporo, the close by cities Otaru and Hakodate, the well-known ski resort Niseko and there are numerous different beautiful nature websites so that you can take a look at.

Okinawa
For those who love summer season and scorching climate, take a look at Okinawa. It’s the southern prefecture of Japan. Naha is the capital of Okinawa with numerous native meals and historic buildings. Try the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Artwork Museum to deep dive into the Okinawan tradition. Okinawa has numerous islands and all of them have one thing particular to supply, excellent if you happen to’re hoping to immerse in nature and chill out.

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Final however not least, discover, expertise and revel in Japan! Japan has lots to supply and there’s something for everybody. Be open to new issues and new experiences as a result of there’ll in all probability be many sudden and spontaneous issues that can occur throughout your journey. If in case you have any questions or wish to get in contact, be happy to DM us on Instagram or message us on Fb Messenger! We’d love to speak with you!