Traveling to Japan is a cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone succeeds in fulfilling it because of the high cost of this trip. The country of the rising sun is considered one of the most expensive in the world, and Tokyo for several years kept in the five most expensive cities for tourists. But still, nothing can stop someone who wants to see Fujiyama and spring blooming sakura with their own eyes. Our article is for such travelers, the most important information has been collected here, which will allow you to spend a cheap and interesting vacation in original Japan.
A little bit about the country
If you are planning a trip to Japan, then get ready to be surprised. You will have to do this all the time, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot be compared with other Asian states. There is nothing from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling in Japan, you seem to penetrate into the heart of Asia and hear its beating on every street of noisy megacities.
Tourists are attracted here by the incredible combination of modern technology with ancient traditions that are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, then you can see a colorful holiday dedicated, for example, to kokeshi (Japanese nesting doll). Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of sakura blossoms at sunrise or sunset. And in megacities you will be met by numerous cafes, shops and shopping centers. Here you can buy something, have lunch, and in some even stay overnight. In general, a trip to Japan will become the biggest and most significant adventure in your life. And, which is doubly nice, you will never regret the money spent on it.
Japan: Single or Group Travel?
First of all, before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to determine the budget and travel options. And there are few of them - a group trip to Japan or independent. What to choose? It directly depends on your budget and capabilities.
Traveling to Japan on your own is quite possible, but will require very careful preparation. You have to think over absolutely everything:
- flight to Japan;
- hotel reservation;
- route of movement around the country;
- food points and excursion program;
- money exchange options;
- types of communication with the local population.
All these aspects of a good trip will take you a lot of time, and also require some experience in independent trips. In addition, on the road you will encounter certain difficulties that only uninhabited and sociable tourists can overcome. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few of the local population speak English. Therefore, you simply won’t succeed in simply asking the passerby for directions. Perhaps, after some time, a young Japanese who speaks the basics of the English language will come across, but it is likely 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. Of course, it is not cheap, but then you will be free from all worries, including visa.
Travel cost
If you plan to fly from Moscow, then two weeks in Japan will cost you one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes flight, movement around the country, accommodation and several excursions. Meals are carried out 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. Among locals this is the most popular tourist destination.
Reviews of independent travels in Japan allow you to plan your trip well and save a lot. On average, brave tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than when buying a tour. This money will be very useful for you on vacation, because you can bring a lot of useful gizmos from the Land of the Rising Sun. How to plan a budget trip to Japan on your own, we will tell you a little later. Now let's try to find out the most important aspects of preparing for the trip.
When to go to Japan?
You can plan a long trip to Japan 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 spring, she is dressed in pink foam of sakura flowers, and in autumn she simply cuts her eyes from red maple leaves. It seems that they are everywhere, and the Japanese even came up with some special rituals to observe this beauty.
In winter, you can ski in Japan, several major resorts are characterized by high comfort and equipped with the latest technology. But those who are not attracted to skiing will find it rather uncomfortable to visit Japanese sights in winter and enjoy the ride. In addition, in the winter season in the country it is very windy, which is quite unusual for most of our compatriots.
In the summer, the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioners everywhere operate in cities, and tourists suffer from temperature changes. Many take sweaters or jackets with them to wear in restaurants or malls. But if you prefer a beach holiday, then go to Okinawa. Here you will get an incredible level of service and enjoy swimming in the hot sun.
Where to go to Japan?
If you bother to study reviews about independent travel in Japan, then easily create your own travel itinerary. For the first time, weeks will be enough for you to get acquainted with the Land of the Rising Sun. The following cities are suitable for this:
Moving between settlements on high-speed trains, in seven days you will explore the most beautiful parks, bathe in hot springs, visit the most famous temples and, of course, enjoy the bustling and noisy life of megalopolises.
If you already know Japan a little , travel cities can be chosen a little different, and the time spent in this country can be increased to two weeks. During this period, tourists will be able to see Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe and other unusual places. In general, you can schedule an inspection of one city per day. In this case, the travel program will be very eventful.
Visa Processing: Nuances and Features
Any trip to Japan begins with the most difficult thing - getting a visa. This is by no means even for every very experienced tourist. The thing is that for a visa, Russians need a special letter on the official form. In addition to it, you will need to confirm the hotel reservation (which is quite problematic for independent trips) and send a package of documents using special mail (the cost of delivery will be at least seventy dollars).
Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel agencies and pay them for a visa. This usually takes two weeks and significantly saves time.
Living in Japan: where is the best place to stay?
To remember your trip to Japan for a long time, you need to take a photo almost everywhere. Hotels and guest houses deserve special attention. It is worth noting 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 all of them will be very unusual and entertaining.
Many tourists stay overnight at spa centers. Do not be surprised, in Japan this is quite common. For about thirty-five dollars you get a small room with a bathtub and sunbed. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. A variety of treatments and massages are available.
Capsule hotels are exotic for Russians. They are quite inexpensive and have a very high level of comfort. For traveling couples, there are even double capsules. This pleasure will cost about thirty-five dollars a night.
Hotels for love seem like a very unusual place to spend the night. These facilities are intended for love dates and provide the possibility of renting from one hour to several days. These hotels are decorated quite exotic, but equipped with 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 every day in restaurants, but a budget holiday does not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty here. No burgers and fries, only seaweed, sushi and seafood. Such pleasure will cost about 5-6 dollars.
If the choice of dishes in a cafe is a little confusing for you with a lot of obscure names, then buy a prepared lunch in a supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through a transparent film you will always see the contents of the package.
Gourmet Ride
Experienced tourists choose a special type of relaxation - a culinary trip to Japan. It is worth noting that this is something incredible. Of course, there are still few Russians willing to invest in such a tour, but their number is increasing every year. What so attracts gourmets in the Land of the Rising Sun? Of course, restaurants with Michelin stars.
The fact is that as soon as Tokyo was included in the Michelin Guide, restaurants with stars appeared in it. And tourists rushed to them, wishing to experience gastronomic delight. 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. One of them has a cook, Jiro, about whom feature films have even been shot. His work seems to be real art, and the price of dishes prepared by him exceeds several thousand dollars.
Each city of Japan has its own culinary traditions, so gourmets in search of a special taste can travel all over the country. One of the most popular Japanese dishes is noodles. There are just a ton of cooking options - boil, fry, steam and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. We can say that the culinary tour allows tourists to discover new facets of an already familiar country.
Money exchange
Many inexperienced tourists often have problems 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 quietly accept absolutely all bank cards.
It will not always be possible to exchange money at the bank, because tourists can get on holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. Therefore, experienced travelers are advised to carry the bulk of the money in cash, and leave funds on the bank card to pay for restaurants and purchases.
Travel to Japan: Travel Tips
Going to the Land of the Rising Sun, tourists need to know a few simple rules for staying in Japan, which will facilitate the trip. We have compiled the most important recommendations:
- Do not try to tip in Japan, this is not worth it. There is no tip system throughout the country.
- In Japanese bars, in honor of a friendly disposition, it is customary to pour alcohol from your bottle, so if you have been awarded this honor, be sure to make a reciprocal gesture of respect.
- Never point at objects and people with your finger - this is extremely impolite, but you can point to yourself.
- In the restaurant, it is enough to wave a hand in front of the nose as the waiter removes the dirty dishes.
- In the Land of the Rising Sun, it is customary to take off shoes in many rooms. You may be asked to take off your shoes in some areas of the restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, and so on. It is considered especially indecent to step on the mat with a shod leg, this is perceived as an insult.
- When going to hot springs, keep in mind that those who have tattoos on their bodies are escorted to separate baths. They are not allowed to be in the common room with other vacationers.
- Having received an invitation to a Japanese house, be sure to bring a gift with you. This is considered courtesy and respect.
Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling around 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 reveal a lot of interesting things even to those who are very poorly informed about the culture and traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Experienced tourists prefer Japan to all other Asian countries. Ask them why. We think the explanation will take several hours. After all, to describe this amazing country and its people in a nutshell is simply impossible. Travelers are delighted with the historical monuments of Japan, its cities, cuisine and original traditions. Tourists say that you can come here many times, and each time you find something unusually exciting for yourself.
What do you need to decide on a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, quite a bit - desire, the spirit of adventure and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what an incredible trip to Japan you had.