Japan - Travel Guide - Tripmasters Travel

Japan – Travel Guide

Japan, a land of contrasts, invites visitors to explore its vibrant cities, ancient temples, and serene landscapes. Tokyo, the capital, dazzles with its futuristic skyscrapers, bustling streets, and traditional neighborhoods like Asakusa. Kyoto, a cultural treasure trove, boasts historic temples, serene gardens, and the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. The natural beauty of Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms in spring, and hot springs like Hakone offer immersive experiences. Japan`s culinary delights, from sushi to ramen, and its unique blend of modernity and tradition make it a captivating destination for travelers.

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All about Japan

Japan FAQ

What is Japan known for?

Japan is a fascinating country known for its traditional arts and crafts including tea ceremonies held at charming tea houses. Beautiful traditional Japanese Gardens can be found all over Japan including Kenroku-en in Kanazawa boasting well-manicured lawns, zen gardens, rock gardens, and koi ponds. The country is the host of a variety of vibrant festivals including Kyoto`s famous, traditional summer festival Gion Matsuri. The country is known for producing and consuming the highest quality of Sushi in the world, drinking sake, and spending evenings in traditional izakayas.

Visiting magnificent temples and shrines can be a pass time in Japan with hundreds of them dotted around the country, some of the most mesmerizing include Kyoto`s iconic Kinkaku-Ji and Tokyo`s Senso-Ji, a famed Buddhist temple. Castles are another recurring site in the country dating back over centuries, many still in their original form, Himeji-jo is one of the greatest castles in the country.

Getting around the country can be done speedily and easily onboard the stunning, state of the art Shinkansen bullet trains that travel across the country at lightning speeds. Some of the fascinating train journeys that can be taken in Japan include the Kurobe Gorge Railway along suspension bridges over the deep gorge and the Sunrise Seto/Izumo sleeper trains which are the last in the country transporting passengers from Tokyo to Takamatsu and Izumo.

What are the best places to visit in Japan?

Tokyo known as `The Land of the Rising Sun` the energetic capital city with a fascinating fusion of old-world and ultramodern. The skyline boasts soaring skyscrapers, the shopping streets are filled with electronics and anime, charming castles and ancient temples can be seen decorated in blooming cherry blossoms. The Tokyo Skytree is the world`s tallest tower and Ginza is the largest fashion district in the world. The majestic Japanese Alps are the towering magnificent mountains ranges and home to several locations boasting natural beauty including Hida and the Kiso Valley where an abundance of outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding, hiking and biking, traditional onsen hot springs and ryokans can be enjoyed amidst magnificent scenic surroundings. Hiroshima is a beautiful, modern, cosmopolitan city donning a devastating past after the world`s first atomic bomb wiped out the entire city. Boasting a coastal location the city features breathtaking scenery including mountains, rivers, valleys, and the Seto Inland Sea. Excellent cuisine, a world-class museum, and the floating vermilion torii gate on a sacred island is a major landmark. Osaka known as the `food capital of the world` is one of the best places to eat in the entire country. The third-largest city in Japan celebrated for its modern architecture and the iconic 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by some of the largest cherry and plum blossoms blooms in the country.

How many days should I spend in Japan?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

What is the best way to get around Japan?

By Train: Trains, trains, and more trains! Japan is one of the most extensive transport systems in the world when it comes to train travel. Japan`s excellent train services and infamous Shinkansen bullet trains connect travelers all over the country, the bullet trains travel at 200 miles per hour making it a fast and convenient way to travel. Efficient train travel in Japan boasts some of the country`s most scenic views of the countryside, mountains, gorges, stunning cityscapes, and more. The most popular train company in Japan is run by the JR Group (Japan Railways) with six companies such as JR Kyushu, and JR East. JR Rail passes can be purchased offering great discounts for visitors.

By Bus: There are long-distance buses in Japan to connect passengers to the remote areas where trains do not travel, like Shirakawa-go in the Japanese Alps, Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kyushu. Long-distance buses are known as `chokyori` and cheap, they operate between major cities in the country, some of these buses travel at night with reclining seats and toilets. These buses depart from Tokyo Station and travel to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

By Car: Driving in Japan is not recommended for visitors unless traveling in remote regions like Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa. In the larger cities driving can be difficult due to heavy traffic in most of the major cities, expensive gas, high tolls, and very few signs in English making driving around difficult and costly. Trains can reach locations in half the time it takes to drive.

By Ferry: Ferries are a popular way to travel around Japan and connect to the different offshore islands.

What is the currency of Japan?

The currency in Japan is the Yen symbolized by ¥. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand and be prepared to exchange your dollars to yen upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and bank locations throughout the city, ATM`s are widespread. ATM`s are located at Post office`s all over the city, look for a symbol that indicates `International ATM Service` or `Authorized Foreign Exchange` (a green clover) and stickers indicating which cards are accepted. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Japan.

Do people speak English in Japan?

Japanese is the language spoken in Japan, but English is widely spoken throughout the country with announcements on public transportation frequently made in Japanese and English, most signs include roman characters or an English explanation. Most Japanese people study English in junior high and high school so you are best seeking out younger people who may be able to help and translate for you.

It is best to have your destinations written down in Japanese so you are able to show this to your taxi driver or people on the street. People are always willing to help whether they can speak English or not.

We recommend you get a good English – Japanese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, and numbers 1 – 10.

Best time to visit Japan

Japan experiences four distinct seasons including spring, summer, autumn and winter. March through May and September through November are some of the best times to visit the country with little rainfall and mild temperatures.

Some of the most amazing sights in Japan are the cherry blossom blooms and the autumn leaves which are both exciting times to see the country decorated with these vibrant trees.

The Japanese place a large emphasis on the different seasons with different dishes being more popular at certain times of the year and plates that change with the season. Eel is a popular dish that is served mostly in the summer months and fugu (blowfish) is a specialty in the winter months. Many festivals begin at the beginning of the spring when the `Sakura` cherry blossom season is in full bloom.

Japan covers a large area which stretches from the cold north island of Hokkaido all the way to the subtropical islands of Okinawa, meaning Hokkaido experience longer winters than the rest of the country and Okinawa features longer summers with warm subtropical temperatures year round. The rest of the country experiences variations in climate throughout the four seasons.

March – May

Springtime in Japan is a wonderful time of year to visit the country and see the famous cherry blossoms in full bloom. These simply stunning blooms make their debut in late March to early April when the annual Cherry Blossom Festival takes place. This time of year is very busy with large crowds and higher prices, it is recommended to book accommodations well in advance. Tokyo and Kyoto are two of the best cities to see these stunning blooms, which are generally best viewed the last week of March and the first week of April. The colder northern city of Sapporo don`t see blooms until it gets warmer which is around early May. Springtime in Japan kicks off festival season when the locals celebrate the rebirth of nature.

The weather during springtime is cooler during the morning and evening times, with low`s in the 40`s and 50`s. In April the average temperatures reach up to 64F, May brings the warmer weather with temperatures in the 70`s. Depending on where you visit in Japan the temperatures can vary with the northern regions seeing snow and much colder temperatures in early spring.

`Golden week` is considered to be the busiest travel weeks in Japan, it takes place at the end of April through the beginning of May. Locals take their vacations this time of year and it is peak season for tourists, making the cities an extremely crowded with visitors and tourists. This time of year brings higher crowds and some of the highest prices of the year.

Events and Festivals

– Spring Equinox Day (March)

– Golden Week (April/May)

– Takayama Matsuri (April)

– Showa Day (April)

– Constitution Memorial Day (May)

– Greenery Day (May)

June – September

The summer months begin in June and lasts through September, summertime brings the rainy season from around mid-June to the middle of July with sporadic heavy downpours. The summer months also bring high heat and humidity with July and August typically being the hottest months, average temperatures ranging from 70F into the high 90`s. This time of year is also typhoon season which runs from May through October and peaks in late summer bringing thunderstorms. The areas of southwestern Japan and Okinawa are the most vulnerable areas for typhoons.

Events and Festivals

– Ocean Day (July)

– Kyoto`s Gion Matsuri (July)

– Osaka`s Tenjin Matsuri (July)

– Hanabi Taikai (July)

– Mountain Day (August)

– Obon Festival (August)

– Autumn Equinox Day (September)

October – November

Autumn is a pleasant time of year to visit Japan with average temperatures ranging from 50 – 70F, which brings clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and the famous `Koyo` fall foliage. November is the peak time to capture the vibrant beauty of the fall foliage with spectacular hues of the Ginkgo trees with their yellow, orange and scarlet leaves. The weather is slightly cooler this time of year and September is a great month to visit offering fewer crowds and lower prices.

December – February

Winter is a quieter time of year to travel to Japan with most of the countries temperatures dropping which brings fewer crowds and lower costs. Temperatures average between 30 – 45 degrees this time of year with rain and snow in some areas such as Hokkaido Tohoku and the Japan Alps which are both popular destinations for skiing and snowboarding. Hot springs in Japan are a great place to visit in the winter time. During the holiday season around Christmas and New Years, many establishments including many restaurants, shops, and museums close from December 29th through January 3rd to celebrate `Shogatsu` which is the Japanese New Year.

Events and Festivals

– Emperor`s Birthday (December 23rd)

– New Years Day (January 1st)

– Coming of Age Day (second Monday in January)

– National Foundation Day (February)

Tipping in Japan

Tipping is not a common practice in Japan; tips can cause confusion and may be politely refused. Japanese service is some of the best in the world and taking out a bill directly from your pocket and handing it directly to someone can be considered rude.

The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars?

The currency in Japan is the yen symbolized with a `Y` with `=` crossing the bottom. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand and be prepared to exchange your dollars to yen upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and bank locations throughout the city, ATM`s are widespread. ATM`s are located at Post office`s all over the city, look for a symbol that indicates `International ATM Service` or `Authorized Foreign Exchange` (a green clover) and stickers indicating which cards are accepted.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?

A tip is not expected at a restaurant in Japan and wait staff will not expect you to tip. Service in Japan is some of the best in the world and the outlook is you are paying for good service, so why pay extra. If you do leave a tip the wait staff may be confused and chase you down to return the money.

Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?

In a hotel especially an extremely high class Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) you can leave a small tip (5,000 yen $45 for 1 – 2 nights) but make sure to put it in an envelope do not give cash directly to the staff.

Most hotel staff will not expect a tip and it may still be refused, most staff is trained to say `no thank you` if they are offered a tip.

Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?

You do not need to tip taxi drivers in Japan but you can round to the nearest yen for a short ride.

Tour Guides: Is a tip required?

It is not mandatory or expected to tip a tour guide; you can tip between 2,500 – 5000 yen which is around $22 – $45.

Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?

You don’t need to tip at a spa in Japan.