Briefly about the upcoming trip to Japan: how it happened, about fears and mediocre knowledge of Japanese culture and history. Questions are accepted.
Life is an amazing thing. At the end of last year I realized that I missed . By its night lighting, screeching sirens and the faint smell of chocolate. I should go back - I decided, but that was not the case! CThe series of events led me to exactly the opposite result. On the first day, I fly with great company to the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Japan is waiting for us!
About concerns
I have never been to Asia, but here I have to visit two countries at once. On the way back we will have 12 free hours in Beijing during the connection. I'll be honest, I'm worried about unfamiliar hieroglyphs, my mediocre English and possible problems with logistics. We have compiled a busy route: Moscow - Beijing - Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Tokyo - Osaka - Beijing - Moscow. I wouldn't want to get stuck halfway. Especially at Beijing airport during the first hour and a half layover.
About the cultural code
In addition to the incomprehensible squiggles instead of letters, here’s another thing that’s confusing. We know a lot about Europe thanks to history at school. We also know about the USA. Thanks to Hollywood movies. But our ideas about Japan are close to zero. In class, of course, they study the Battle of Tsushima, Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima, even briefly mentioning the Meiji Restoration, the period of isolationism and the post-war economic miracle, but the rest of Japanese history is shrouded in the fog of war. So it turns out that for most people, including me, the image of Japan is a mess of works, names and traditions that have gained worldwide fame.
Beautiful Fuji. Huge tsunami. Sushi and rolls. Karate, sumo and judo. Hachiko waiting for his owner to the song Big in Japan. Samurai, geisha and ninja watching anime and reading haiku under sake in the shade of sakura near the rock garden. Pokemon, Godzilla and Sailor Moon. This is the yellow-haired lady who was remembered with the phrase: “Moon prism, give me strength!” What else is there? Japanese policeman, tea ceremony and origami.
I suspect that such a vinaigrette can be considered an adequate representation of Japan with the same degree of convention with which vodka, matryoshka and ballet describe the entire depth of the Russian soul. Unfortunately, in a couple of weeks it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to understand what Japan is really like, but you can get a first impression. That’s what I’ll try to do, and then present it here.
We're back and here are the important texts:
And more on the topic (dry and to the point):
I'll tell you how much my trip to Japan cost me. I collected all the expenses in one place so that you can estimate how much it costs to travel to Japan on your own.
While we were preparing for our trip to Japan, we could hear lamentations from everywhere that this was a very expensive country. Go broke, my friends told me. So far, it feels like the entire cost of the country depends on the flight. Perhaps this opinion will turn out to be wrong. In this post I will collect all my expenses for the trip. Let's see how much it costs to travel to Japan on your own.
Travel dates: 2 - 14.
Number of days in Japan: 12 + 1 day in China.
Prices in rubles.
- : 33,292 ₽.
- : 10,753 ₽.
- : 5,977 ₽.
- : For free.
- : 1,072 ₽.
- Lonely Planet guide: RUB 1,400.
- : 16,345 ₽.
- Purchase of water and coffee: 2,865 ₽.
- Electric trains from Osaka to Nara and Kyoto: 3,875 ₽.
- in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo: 3,445 ₽.
- Entrance to temples, zoo and aquarium: 2,150 ₽.
- and a ride on the monorail at the zoo: 375 ₽.
- Luggage storage: 400 ₽.
- Shopping and souvenirs: 13,458 ₽.
Total: 95,500 ₽.
Important Note: We felt completely at ease on the trip. We bought food for the most part in supermarkets and did not deny ourselves anything. If you want sushi with red caviar for breakfast, we take it. I liked the ready-made lunch with meat and pasta - no problem.
How could you save money?
- Flights - 6,000 ₽.
I bought tickets for a specific flight, so I had to spend more. We were on other dates for 27 thousand rubles with a transfer in Singapore, not Beijing. - Housing - 0 ₽.
We found housing very successfully. It turned out cheap because we were traveling big company and rented entire apartments. - Intercity buses - 0 ₽.
Tickets were taken much in advance and at minimum prices. It was even cheaper to travel with only hand luggage. No luggage. - Visa - 0 ₽.
- Insurance - 0 ₽.
Perhaps if you searched more carefully, you could find cheaper offers. They took the best deal at that time. - Guide - 1,400 ₽.
From experience, knowledge from the Internet was enough. A guidebook is a useful, but optional thing when traveling around Japan, if you prepare well for the trip. - Meals - 5,000 ₽.
Most often we bought ready-made meals in supermarkets. They rarely sat in cafes and markets. I think that we could save about five thousand if we cooked at home, fortunately there were kitchens everywhere. - Water and coffee - 1500 ₽.
There was an excellent coffee shop near my house in Osaka that made very tasty coffee. True, it was also very expensive. Plus, in Japan there are soda fountains everywhere. It’s convenient to put small change there, which is what we did. - Electric trains - 1,875 ₽.
I bought some tickets for two people, so you can save about this amount to get an idea of what you would spend on one person. - Metro - 1,445 ₽.
The savings figure is hypothetical. It's difficult to calculate accurately. We could have bought special metro passes, but we didn’t, and they are really cheaper than single trips. - Entrance to temples, zoo and aquarium - 0 ₽.
Tourists can see the sights a little cheaper, but they need an international card. - Food for deer and a ride on the monorail at the zoo - 0 ₽.
It would be possible not to spend money on this item at all, but 375 rubles are worth these emotions. - Luggage storage - 0 ₽.
- Shopping and souvenirs - 13,458 ₽.
If you want to fly to Japan cheaper, you will have to give up souvenirs and purchases. This is the most obvious way to save money. I could not get!
It feels quite possible to save about 30 thousand rubles. In this case, a trip to Japan for 2 weeks will cost about 65-70 thousand rubles.
It is the cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone is able to complete it due to the high cost of this trip. The Land of the Rising Sun is considered one of the most expensive in the world, and Tokyo has been in the top five most expensive cities for tourists for several years. But still, nothing can stop someone who wants to see Fuji and the cherry blossoms in spring with their own eyes. Our article is specifically for such travelers; here we collect the most important information, which will allow you to spend an inexpensive and interesting vacation in original Japan.
A little about the country
If you're planning a trip to Japan, prepare to be amazed. You will have to do this constantly, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot compare with other Asian countries. There is nothing here from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling through Japan, you seem to penetrate into the very heart of Asia and hear its beating on every street of noisy metropolises.
Tourists are attracted here by an incredible combination modern technologies with ancient traditions that are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, you will be able to see a colorful festival dedicated to, for example, kokeshi. Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms at dawn or sunset. And in big cities you will be greeted 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 be the biggest and most significant adventure of your life. And what’s doubly nice is that you will never regret the money spent on it.
Japan: solo or group trip?
First of all, before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to decide on your budget and travel options. And there are not many of them - a group trip to Japan or an independent one. What to choose? This directly depends on your budget and capabilities.
Traveling to Japan on your own is quite possible, but will require very careful preparation. You will have to think through absolutely everything:
- flight to Japan;
- hotel reservation;
- travel route around the country;
- food outlets 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 will also require some experience in independent trips. In addition, on the road you will encounter certain difficulties that only unspoiled and sociable tourists can overcome. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few of the local population speak English. Therefore, you won’t be able to simply ask directions from a passerby. Perhaps after some time you will come across a young Japanese who knows the basics in English, but there is a high probability 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 holidays in Japan.
If the above difficulties scare you, then it is better to buy a travel package. Of course, it is not cheap, but you will be free from all worries, including visa issues.
Travel cost
If you are planning a flight from Moscow, then two weeks in Japan will cost you one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes flights, travel around the country, accommodation and several excursions. Meals are served according to the breakfast system; the remaining meals must be paid for by the tourist himself. 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 with various travel packages on hand. U local residents it is the most popular tourist destination.
Reviews of independent travel in Japan allow you to plan your trip perfectly and save a lot. On average, brave tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than when purchasing a tour. This money will be very useful to you on vacation, because you can bring quite a lot of useful things home from the Land of the Rising Sun. How to plan budget travel to Japan on our 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?
A big trip to Japan can be planned for any time of the year, but traditionally tourists try to visit the country in spring or autumn. During these seasons, the Land of the Rising Sun appears in a special beautiful view. In the spring she is dressed in pink foam of sakura flowers, and in the fall the red maple leaves simply hurt the eyes. It seems that they are everywhere here, and the Japanese have even come up with several special rituals for observing this beauty.
You can go skiing in Japan in winter; several major resorts offer high comfort and equipment. last word technology. But for those who are not attracted to skiing, it will be quite uncomfortable to explore Japanese sights and enjoy the trip in winter. In addition, during the winter season the country can be very windy, which is quite unusual for most of our compatriots.
In summer the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioning is everywhere in cities, and tourists suffer from temperature changes. Many people take sweaters or jackets with them to wear in restaurants or shopping centers. But if you prefer beach holiday, then go to Okinawa. Here you will receive an incredible level of service and enjoy swimming under the hot sun.
Where to go in Japan?
If you take the trouble to study reviews of independent travel in Japan, you can easily create your own travel itinerary. For the first time, a week will be enough for you to get acquainted with the Land of the Rising Sun. The following cities are suitable for this:
- Tokyo.
- Nara.
- Kyoto.
Moving between settlements on high-speed trains, you will explore in seven days beautiful parks, swim in hot springs, visit the most famous temples and, of course, taste the bustling and noisy life of big cities.
If you are already a little familiar with travel, you can choose slightly different ones, and increase your stay in this country to two weeks. During this period, tourists will be able to see Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe and other extraordinary places. In general, you can plan to explore one city per day. In this case, the trip program will be very eventful.
Visa application: nuances and features
Any trip to Japan begins with the most difficult thing - obtaining a visa. Not everyone, even a very experienced tourist, can do this. The thing is that to obtain a visa, Russians need a special letter on official letterhead. In addition to this, you will need to confirm your hotel reservation (and this is quite problematic when traveling on your own) and send a package of documents using special mail (postage cost will be at least seventy dollars).
Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel companies and pay them for visas. This usually takes two weeks and saves a lot of time.
Accommodation in Japan: where is the best place to stay?
To remember your trip to Japan for a long time, you need to take photos almost everywhere. Hotels and small inns deserve special attention. It is worth noting that the Land of the Rising Sun has quite a large selection of places to stay. But, if you want to save a little money, then they will all be very unusual and entertaining.
Many tourists stay overnight at spa centers. Don't be surprised, this is quite common in Japan. For about thirty-five dollars you will get a small room with a bath and a lounger. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. Guests will have access to various procedures and massage.
This is exotic for Russians. They are quite inexpensive and have very high level comfort. There are even double capsules for traveling couples. This pleasure will cost approximately thirty-five dollars per night.
Hotels for love seem very unusual place in order to spend the night. These buildings are intended for love dates and provide the possibility of renting from one hour to several days. These hotels are decorated quite exotically, but equipped to 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 in restaurants every day, but budget holiday does not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty. No hamburgers or fries, just seaweed, sushi and seafood. This pleasure will cost approximately 5-6 dollars.
If the choice of dishes in a cafe confuses you a little with a large number of incomprehensible names, then buy a ready-made lunch at the supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through the transparent film you will always see the contents of the package.
Gourmet trip
Experienced tourists choose a special type of vacation - a culinary trip to Japan. It is worth noting that this is something incredible. Of course, there are still few Russians willing to spend money on such a tour, but their number is increasing every year. What attracts gourmets so much to 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 flocked to them, wanting to experience gastronomic delight. The number of gourmet restaurants increases every year, and Tokyo has already significantly surpassed the recognized gastronomic center of Paris in terms of these characteristics.
For example, in the oldest quarter of Tokyo, Ginza, there are sushi restaurants with three Michelin stars. Chef Jiro works in one of them, about whom feature films have even been made. His work seems like real art, and the price of the dishes he prepares exceeds several thousand dollars.
Every city in Japan has its own culinary traditions, so gourmets can travel all over the country in search of a special taste. One of the most popular Japanese foods is noodles. There are simply a lot of options for preparing it - boiling, frying, steaming and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. We can say that a 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 the best place to buy yen is at home. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a very unpleasant situation, because many ATMs and terminals may not accept a European payment system card. This is due to the fact that Japanese terminals operate on their own system. Only a few ATMs in large shopping centers easily accept absolutely all bank cards.
It will not always be possible to exchange money at a bank, because tourists can get caught holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. Therefore, experienced travelers advise bringing the main amount of money in cash, and bank card leave funds to pay for restaurants and purchases.
When going to the Land of the Rising Sun, tourists need to know a few simple rules stays in Japan that will make your travel easier. We have collected the most important recommendations:
- Don't try to tip in Japan, it's not worth it. There is no tipping system throughout the country.
- In Japanese bars, in honor of friendship, it is customary to pour alcoholic drinks from your own bottle, so if you are awarded such an honor, be sure to return the gesture of respect.
- Never point your finger at objects or people - this is extremely impolite, but you can point at yourself.
- In a restaurant, all you have to do is wave your palm in front of your nose and the waiter will remove the dirty plates.
- In the Land of the Rising Sun, it is customary to take off your shoes in many rooms. You may be asked to take off your shoes in certain areas of a restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, etc. It is considered especially indecent to step on a mat with a shod foot; this is perceived as an insult.
- When going to the hot springs, keep in mind that those with tattoos on their bodies are escorted to separate baths. They are not allowed to be in a common area with other vacationers.
- When you receive an invitation, be sure to bring a gift with you. This is considered a sign of politeness and respect.
Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling in the Land of the Rising Sun, because a lot can be learned only after an independent trip.
Japan, travel: reviews
Not a single tourist had an angry comment about Japan, at least we didn’t encounter any. 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, it is simply impossible to describe this amazing country and its people in a few words. 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 find something unusually exciting for yourself.
What do you need to decide to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, quite a bit - desire, spirit of adventurism and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what incredible journey in Japan you had.
There is an opinion that Japan It’s an expensive country and only well-off citizens can afford a tour to Japan. Let's try to dispel this myth and turn to facts from the world of prices.
Food in Japan
A cup of coffee in a Japanese cafeteria will cost you 60 rubles (180 yen), a sandwich for this coffee (McDonald's hamburger) will cost you 30 rubles (80 yen). If your preferences lie in the area of strong drinks, then a can of beer will cost your wallet 93 rubles (280 yen), and a bottle of whiskey 350 rubles (1050 yen). Dinner for one person in an inexpensive Japanese restaurant of the “conveyor” type will cost 236 rubles (710 yen). If you prefer more expensive cuisine in the national traditions of Japan, then dinner at the Izakaya snack bar will cost your wallet 700 rubles (2,000 yen).
Transport Japan
If your trip to Japan involves travel and excursions to various cultural centers Japan, then you can make them either by rail (a 7-day JR PASS travel ticket costs 12,000 rubles) or by road (travelling by bus from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost 1,080 rubles (5,000 yen)), or by taking advantage of a domestic flight Japan airlines (the flight will cost about 3,600 rubles (11,000 yen) for one leg of the route).
Hotels in Japan
If you are not embarrassed by the proximity to young people, then hotel accommodation for students will cost 1000 rubles/day (3000 yen). A Japanese-style hotel “Ryokan” will cost 1,670 rubles/day (5,000 yen).
Tipping in Japan
Tipping is not accepted in Japan. Even if you persistently offer money as a tip, no one in Japan will take it - not a hotel servant, not even a taxi driver. They will refuse you as politely as possible, proudly declaring that he (she) receives an appropriate and quite decent salary for his work. So put all your worries about tipping aside. Pay the bill. This will already be enough for your wallet to lose a lot of weight. But on the other hand, any of your even reasonable desires will be satisfied by representatives of the Japanese service without unnecessary wrangling. In hotels and restaurants, the so-called Service charge (5-10%) will be automatically added to the bill.
As can be seen from this short excursion in the price range of Japan, the land of the rising sun is not so inaccessible. At the same time, a tour to Japan will certainly be remembered for the rest of your life and will be remembered as one of the best trips outside our boundless Motherland.
Visa to Japan
Tourist visa for citizens Russian Federation allows you to stay in Japan for up to 15 days. A prerequisite for obtaining a Japanese tourist visa is to book a hotel for the entire duration of your stay. The visa processing time at the embassy ranges from 4 days to a month. A Japanese transit visa allows Russian citizens to stay in Tokyo and the surrounding area for up to 72 hours. Obtaining a Japanese transit visa is only possible if a tourist flies through Japan to a third country where there is no direct non-stop flight from Moscow. For example, Australia, New Zealand, numerous countries and islands in Pacific Ocean(including Malaysia, Indonesia, Tahiti, Northern Mariana Islands, Fiji, etc.). Required condition To obtain a transit visa, you must have an air ticket with a fixed departure date from Tokyo and a visa for the third country. In this case, connecting flights should be as close to each other in time as possible. The visa processing time at the embassy is 4 days. A visa can also be issued upon arrival at Narita airport.
Opening hours of institutions, shops and museums in Japan
Huge department stores, 10-15 floors, are open every day from 10.00 to 21.00 or 22:00. Private shops, as well as hotel shops, operate according to their own schedule. There is also a chain of convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day but offer a limited selection of goods. Most museums are open to visitors from 9am to 5pm daily, except on national holidays. The post office is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The bank's services can be used on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Electricity in Japan
Electrical voltage is 100 volts/60 Hz.
Phone in Japan
Japan has a different cellular communication standard, 3 G. In order for your phone to work in Japan, you need a device that supports 3 G format, most telephones produced in Japan Lately This function is provided.
Relationships and etiquette in Japan
Etiquette is especially important in Japan and serves as a social lubricant in this overpopulated country. In recent decades, these rules have partially lost their strictness, but even a Japanese person imbued with the spirit will not violate some of them. Norms of behavior are often determined by the situation and position of the interlocutors. A foreigner will be forgiven for any mistake, but good manners will allow you to earn respect. It is best to monitor the situation carefully, avoid loud or forceful statements, and follow the example of those around you.
