Itinerary in Japan

Planning a trip to Japan ?

Japan, the country where anything can happen ! 

Country of pink flowered cherry trees, Japan is a dream destination to any manga or sushi lover. But don’t worry if you don’t really like any of these, Japan has so much more for you to discover ! 

From the traditional Japanese culture to new discoveries, go explore the many UNESCO-listed buddhist temples. 

On your way, get to meet a true Samurai and learn about the way bonsai trees are grown. 

If we are sure of one thing, it’s that you will get back home relaxed and feeling zen. 

Ready to go ? Come on ! 

What to see in Japan ?

What to do in Japan ?

Live Japanese experiences

• Explore the many buddhist temples accrocs the country, le the Sensoji Temple. 
• Go discover Mount Fuji.
• Eat some authentic sushi.
• Visit Kasuga Taisha, a sanctuary with hundreds of lanterns.
• Get some thrills at the Osaka Universal Studios.
• Admire the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima.

But wait for it, Japan also know how to celebrate !

There are many national holidays and festivals all year long :

• Experience New Year’s the Japanese way, and start the year off with good vibes !
• Celebrate the Setsubun Matsuri during the first few days of February by throwing grilled beans to make evil spirits go away.
• Take part in the Yuki Matsuri in February and discover an amazing ice and snow sculpture contest. 
• In April, get to see the cherry trees blossoming, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto.
• During the third weekend of May, go to the most important celebration in Tokyo : Sanja Matsuri.
• Wait until July and its mild weather to go up Mount Fuji in the best conditions. 
• At the end of the month of July, head to the most famous music festival in the country : the Fuji Rock Festival.
• Get your best costume on and head to the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya.
• On the 6th of August, experience the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima.
• Want some authenticity ? Attend Kurama-no-hi Matsuri, held on the 2nd of October in Kurama.

Languages in Japan

We speak Japanese ! 

Of course the official language is Japanese … I’m guessing you don’t speak Japanese so don’t worry, english is widely spoken across the country. 

Japanese 101 : 

• Good morning : Ohayou Gozaimasu
• Good afternoon :Konichiha 
• Goodbye : Sayonara 
• Good evening : Konbanha
• Please : Kudasai 
• Thank you : Arigatou
• Sorry : Sumimasen
• Yes : Hai 
• No : Iie 

Official currency in Japan

Money, money, money

The official currency is the yen (JP¥).

Credit and debit cards are rarely used in Japan, people prefer using cash. You will basically only need your credit/debit card to withdraw money. And don’t worry, you will find ATMs very easily.
Just be sure to warn your bank that you are traveling so that they won’t block your card for suspect abroad transactions.

Traveling in Japan

Is the steering wheel on the left or right ?

Traveling in Japan is best by plane or train, you’ll get from one place to the other very quickly. Yes, even by train ! Japan has some of the fastest trains in the world (the Bullet train or Shinkansen in Japanese). But a car could be useful in some parts of the country. 

And about the steering wheel, well it’s on the right side of the car and Scots drive on the right side of the road … So most of us will need a little adjustment. 

Overall cost of a trip to Japan

Thanks for all the information but how much will this actually cost ?

Transportation 

• Flights : All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines both have domestic flights but to get affordable tickets you should probably go with low-cost airlines like Air Do ou Jetstar. 
• Trains : getting a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass, 7, 14 or 21 days) will make you save a lot off money.
• Busses : if you are traveling on a tight budget, travel on night busses. They are cheap and very confortable.
• Car rentals : they start around 5550 JP¥ a day. And gas is about 130 JP¥ a liter. 

Accommodation 

• If you are the backpacker type, youth hostel are a good option. They will be around 4590 JP¥ / person / night.
• For a night in a hotel in a big city, expect at least 9830 JP¥ / person / night. 
• You could also check Airbnb for great deals on houses and apartments. 
• For a unique night in a buddhist temple, expect around 9830 JP¥. 

Eating

• You can get your 3 daily meals for about 2620 JP¥ / day. 

Useful contact information in Japan

If you need to join / go to you embassy while in Japan, go to this website for the address, phone number, email address  and website :  https://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/japan

In case of emergency, call : 119.

Book your trip to Japan

Here are different platforms to book your trip from.

Flights

• https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/?type=e
• http://www.jal.co.jp/en/
• https://www.airdo.jp
• https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home

Trains

• https://www.jrpass.com

Busses

• http://www.japanrailpass.net/

Find other travelers’ experiences and get inspired from them on ShareYourTrip :

• https://www.shareyourtrip.fr/s?q=Japon&cid=&latitude=36.204824&longitude=138.252924&areaLevel1=&areaLevel2=&city=&country=Japon&distance=1999.9555039440695&types=country%2Cpolitical&placeId=ChIJLxl_1w9OZzQRRFJmfNR1QvU&placeName=Japon&page=1

Practical information in Japan

Tips to travelers

• No tips in Japan, it is always included in the price.
• Do not stick your chopsticks in your bowl of rice, it’s inappropriate.