I want what I need to go to Japan. Three ways to get to Japan

Today I will tell you about how to pick up and go to Japan. This is a wonderful country, about which I have already written a lot in my blog. And now I offer you a simple guide with which you can organize your own trip. If you like to plan your own trips, but are more used to traveling around Europe, this post is for you - here I will explain what is worth seeing on your first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

And if you have already been to Japan, also scroll through this text to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Or vice versa, give me advice!

There are many links here to other posts that describe in more detail certain aspects of a trip to Japan. But I tried to build this post as simply as possible to give general concept how to ride for the first time. If you have friends who are going to Japan, feel free to send them to read this post, and if you yourself are not ready yet, but would like to go in the future, it is better to bookmark it for the future!

My friends often ask me: “I’m going to Japan for the first time. Where to go? What to see? How about security? Internet? English?” I also compiled this post so that in the future I could simply give them a link! (Yes, friends, this is for you!)

When is the best time to go to Japan?

I have visited Japan in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and I am happy to say that any season is... good time in order to visit this country. It’s hot here at the end of July and August; if heat is not your thing, then it’s probably better to choose some other time.

The main tourist seasons are (usually early April) and (late November). These are approximate numbers for Tokyo and Kyoto. Japan is incredibly beautiful during these two periods, but because of this there will be a lot of tourists everywhere and many hotels will be booked in advance.

Summer is a great time to go if you are walking (I did it at the very end of June, a few days before the official season opened). And winter will give you the opportunity, this is also a very beautiful sight.

If it doesn’t work out for so long, then in general it’s not a problem either; any time spent in Japan will make you feel that you need to come here for longer.

Where to go in Japan?

You will most likely arrive at one of the airports, as this is where most international flights arrive. In addition to the capital of the country, you should definitely visit, this is the city that has preserved the old Japanese culture the best.

If you don’t have too much time, try to spend at least 2-3 days in Kyoto, and then you’ll see how Tokyo turns out. If you have more time, then it’s worth traveling around the country, and maybe even going to one of the islands besides the main Honshu (there are four main islands in Japan).

How to get around the country?

Here you can give a definite answer. You will ride trains. Japan has the most developed rail transport network in the world. There are numerous subways and trains running in and around the cities, and for long journeys there are trains that can cover 450 km between Tokyo and Kyoto in two and a half hours!

Trains run strictly on schedule and can take you wherever you need to go - the Japanese love of rail transport shows itself on a national scale.

True, shinkansen are an expensive pleasure. A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs about $100! To save money on these moves, you should order yourself in advance JR-Pass, a pass that allows you to use most trains for 7, 14 or 21 days. A seven-day pass costs about $250 (depending on the yen exchange rate), and generally pays for itself if you go to Kyoto and do some shorter driving. Please note that it can only be ordered before arriving in Japan! ()

If you come to Japan for 10 days, then it is better to spend the first two in Tokyo, and then, having activated the seven-day JR-Pass, go to Kyoto and further. Then return back to the capital in the evening of the seventh day, when the pass expires.

And for those moments when the JR-Pass is not activated, or for private metro lines where it is not accepted, I advise you to purchase a card Suica. Suika costs 500 yen, which you can get back if you return it before leaving. Then cash is put on it, and the card is used to pay for trains, and a bunch of other things. Suika accepts more and more points of sale, it is convenient to pay with them throughout the country.

Unlike the JR Pass, the Suika can be purchased upon arrival in Japan at any train ticket office. Don't forget to put money on it and it will make your trip a lot easier.

Is it safe there? Will I get lost?

Safely. You won't get lost. All train stations have excellent navigation and signs to the main attractions. And in cities where tourists often come, there are information departments right at the railway stations, where they will give you a map of the area and explain in English what you can see in the area.

Plus, Google Maps knows everything about Japanese streets and trains. You can point at a point on the map, and Google will tell you the best way to get there by public transport, when the next train is, and how much it will cost! ( .)

In addition to this, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Nothing bad will happen to you.

Tell us about Tokyo!

Tokyo is a huge, bustling metropolis. What's the best way to watch it? You won't be able to live in its center, because Tokyo has at least five different centers! Ask any resident of the city, and he will tell you that even a week is not enough to study it properly! But for the first time you will have enough three days. I wrote a post that talks about how to watch them in two days!

“So for two, or for three?!” you ask. "Yes!" I will answer you.

The whole secret is that upon arrival in Tokyo you need to rent a hotel in the area Ueno- It’s convenient to get here by express from Narita Airport. Ueno is a relatively inexpensive and relatively quiet area. On your first day in Tokyo (let's say it's Friday) you can watch it eastern part, moving from Ueno to the south, or going down to Ginza, and rising north. Your JR-Pass won't be valid yet, so you'll have to use Suika to get around.

And on the second day (Saturday), you will go to Kamakura- one of the ancient capitals of the Japanese Empire. This lovely place is an hour's drive from central Tokyo, here Coast, ancient temples and the Big Buddha statue. Here you can spend most of the day, and even go for a ride.

Well, on Sunday your JR-Pass will begin to operate, you will board the Shinkansen and head towards . It is important to take seats by the window on right! You don't want to miss this view:

You will return back to the capital by the evening of the seventh day (Saturday), when the railway pass comes to an end. And this time you will live in the west of Tokyo, in an area called Shibuya.

If you've ever seen a picture of Japan where crowds are running through a huge pedestrian crossing, then this is exactly what Shibuya is. There is a crazy drive here, and there seems to be an endless number of people, but spend an evening here and you will be drawn into this crazy zen. .

The next morning - it's time to go explore the western part of the city - this is the second half of my guide. We'll see the fashion district Harajuku, the shrine of Emperor Meiji, and located next to it Yoyogi Park. Oh, did you notice that we ended up here on Sunday? This is not easy! It is on Sundays that they pass in front of the entrance to the park!

Well, by evening you can get to Shinjuku, the area where it is located! After an evening spent here, you will not mind flying home.

What about Kyoto?

For a thousand years, Kyoto was the capital of the Japanese Empire. Built on the model of the Chinese capital (), it has a rectangular structure uncharacteristic for Japan. The city is located in a beautiful valley between two mountain ranges, and has preserved many aspects of the cultural heritage of feudal Japan.

But besides the temples, you should just stroll along the old streets of the city. Here you will meet Japanese people in beautiful traditional clothes (most likely they are tourists, like you), you will be able to taste the old local cuisine, and.

I advise you to settle in the area Sanjo Ohashi Bridge and spend about four days in Kyoto. No, you won't be walking around temples all this time. There is a lot to see in Kyoto and beyond. Here are just a few of the nearby attractions (you can spend half a day or a whole day on each):

• with a huge wooden temple and tame deer
• - red gate sanctuary
• Arashiyama- a mountain in the north-west of the city, where the famous bamboo grove is located
• Philosopher's Path in the northeast, cherry blossoms bloom especially beautifully along it, and there are many ancient temples.

About other places.

You can usually squeeze one or two places from this section into a 10-day trip. Choose! There are two directions here...

If you have a few extra days of the JR Pass and want to see some more unique places, feel free to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto and head further southwest!

And between Osaka and Himeji there is also Kobe, the city that .

As you can see, there is enough choice to fill out a seven-day, 14-day, or even a 21-day JR-Pass. And what’s great: all these places are easily accessible by train!

What's with the money?

Perhaps it’s worth saying a few words about money. Japanese currency is yen. The exchange rate is constantly changing, but you can estimate that one hundred yen is somewhere around a dollar (in fact, in Lately yen is cheaper).

You can often hear that Japan is expensive. Compared to the rest of Asia, no doubt. But if we compare, for example, with Europe, then in Japan only housing and trains are expensive, and even then they are not much more expensive than European ones. We have already saved on trains with the help of the JR-Pass, but you will have to pay for housing if you want to live in the center of everything (I recommended exactly these places). But if you want, you can save money here too. Yes, in Japan there are a lot of high-quality expensive things - restaurants, clothes, etc., but if you want, you can make your way here on a modest budget.

One problem is that credit cards are not accepted everywhere (especially away from cities). Cash will help us out, but there are few exchangers, and some ATMs refuse to understand Western cards. Fortunately, ATMs at 7-Eleven are ready to dispense money to tourists from Europe and America. And there are plenty of these 7-Elevens in Japan. (Not everyone has ATMs, but many have them.) They also say there are friendly ATMs in post offices.

Hotels? Ryokans? Apartments?

As I said, housing in Japan is not cheap. But some are more expensive than others. Let's look in order:

Ryokan: These are classic Japanese bunkhouses, in a traditional style. It is because of this that staying in them is the most expensive option. But this is very cool: you can sleep on straw mats tatami(don't worry, they will lay out a mattress for you) and dress in. Many ryokan have traditional hot baths - onsens, and the opportunity to dine the way the Japanese ate back in feudal times. In short, a ryokan is full immersion. But they also cost starting from $100 per person per night! One room in a ryokan can accommodate up to 4-5 people, although the price for each person will not drop much, since payment is made based on the number of people.

The best ryokan stay in Kyoto. But I advise you to book them in advance, since places in those that are relatively affordable may become occupied several months in advance.

Next we have rented apartments on sites like AirBnB. (and sometimes -!) but the price may be lower than comparable hotels. An apartment can be a good option for Tokyo, especially if you are traveling in a group of 3-4 people, it will be cheaper than taking several hotel rooms.

Regular Western-style hotels in Japanese cities are quite expensive. Personally, I try to avoid these. But I love filming. They're relatively inexpensive, and I love how well thought out everything is to squeeze all the amenities into a small space. It is profitable to rent such hotels in small towns, where a room for two can cost $60-80, or in Tokyo, where they will cost $80-120.

In Japanese hostels I've never stopped, but I know they are there. Although if you really decide to save money, I would recommend it to you. They cost $20-$30 a night, many have great onsens, and overall it's a wonderful experience of Japanese culture. The only thing is that they are usually either only male or only female (there are fewer of the latter).

Every kind of everyday life - food, internet, English.

Well, let's talk about a few more things that are not included in other departments:

Sockets: Japanese sockets are similar to North American sockets, with two flat prongs. Most plugs from the USA, Canada or China can be plugged in without adapters (the exception is plugs where one of the pins is wider than the other). But Russians and other Europeans will definitely need adapters.

Here you go. I hope it’s now somewhat clear to you how to go to Japan and what to see there. If you have any questions or comments, I will be glad to hear them in the comments. I will also update this post as needed.

How to organize an independent trip to Japan? Useful information for travelers. Prices for tickets, visa, transport, hotels, food and attractions in 2019.

Exchange rate: 100 yen (JPY) ≈ 55 RUB.

Flights to Japan

When going on an independent trip to Japan, be especially careful when purchasing tickets. The country is considered one of the most expensive holiday destinations, but if you keep an eye on the airlines, you can find very attractive offers.

The cost of traveling to Japan will initially be lower for residents of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk, since prices for tickets departing from these cities are the lowest in the country - from 15 thousand rubles.

A flight to Japan from Moscow costs from 25 thousand rubles, from St. Petersburg - from 26-27 thousand rubles. You can also fly relatively inexpensively from Novosibirsk (from 26 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (from 16 thousand rubles).

Visa to Japan in 2019

Obtaining a Japanese visa is a very time-consuming process. Its type is determined by two main factors: the length of stay in the country and the purpose of the visit. Long-term visas are issued for study and work. Short-term - for tourist trips, business visits, visits to friends or relatives, as well as transit trips. In addition, there are certain nuances with documents when applying for a child visa.

In addition to a voluminous list of documents, you should have the so-called guarantee in the country itself, ensuring both stay in Japan and timely departure. The guarantor can be either a resident of the country with permanent status ( individual), or a tour operator ( entity). In both cases, the inviting party is required to provide a package of various papers.

With lists necessary documents can be found on the embassy website.

When organizing an independent trip to Japan in 2019, we recommend turning to intermediary companies for help. They will solve all bureaucratic issues for you and become your guarantor, charging a fee of about 10 thousand rubles.

(Photo © rurinoshima / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Transport in Japan

Buses

Both buses and trams are not the best solution for tourists in Japan. On these types of transport you will not always find route names in English. However, if you can read hieroglyphs, the risk of going the wrong way is minimized. The cost of the trip is approximately ¥220-420.

In addition, if you study the routes well and do not limit yourself to trips to one city, there are the right way save money: the cheapest way to travel from one city to another is by night buses.

Metro

The most convenient form of transport for moving around the city is the metro. The names of all stations are duplicated in English. Trains run at five-minute intervals from 5:00 to 23:30. The fare depends on the city and distance. In Tokyo, for example, the price of a trip is approximately ¥120-320. A one-day pass will cost ¥1000. Tickets can be purchased from special ticket machines in the metro.

Railway transport

Trains in Japan are considered high-speed transport for travel between major cities and commuter transportation. They are divided into four main types: local trains Local, express trains Rapid, trains long distance and high-speed shinkansens. Tickets can also be purchased from special machines. The fare depends on the distance and class of train: from 1500¥ to 44000¥.

Japan Rail Pass

When planning an independent trip to Japan, it is quite natural to want to save money, including on transportation costs. A travel card can help with this Japan Rail Pass. It is created exclusively for tourists by Japan Rail (JR), which is the country's main railway company. The travel pass is issued in advance before traveling to Japan, usually when obtaining a visa. It applies to all JR transport: shinkansen, some subway lines and many commuter trains. There are three types of Japan Rail Pass: for 7 days - 28300¥, for 14 days - 45100¥, for 21 days - 57700¥.

Taxi

This type of transport in Japan is considered one of the most expensive. In addition, from 23:00 to 6:00 taxis provide services at a night rate, which means an additional 30% to the cost of the trip. The price is formed as follows:

• landing 580-720¥;
• for every 280 meters - 80¥;
• for every 135 seconds of downtime - 90¥.

The cost of traveling to Japan in general is a considerable amount even with savings. Nevertheless, using a taxi service a couple of times is not a bad idea. Tired from the flight, with luggage in hand, it is more convenient to get from the airport to the hotel by a pre-booked taxi. You can order a transfer online using the service.

Do you want to know minimum cost of travel to Japan taking into account all cost items? We have calculated the main costs: flights, hotel accommodation, food, public transport, and visits to the main attractions of the country. Read about what we came to in ours.

(Photo © Loïc Lagarde / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Hotels in Japan

Accommodation for tourists in Japan comes in three main types: capsule hotels, international hotels and traditional Japanese ryokans.

Capsule hotels

They are considered the most budget-friendly housing option in Japan. The capsules are small sleeping cells that are located next to each other in two tiers. There is enough space to watch TV, read or just sleep. As a rule, in capsules you can adjust the temperature and the desired brightness of light. Hotels of this type provide shared toilets, showers, and individual luggage lockers. The cost of a cell is from $20 per day. At this price, for example, you can stay at the capsule hotel Capsule and Sauna New Century or Capsule and Sauna New Japan EX.

International hotels

This type of hotel, familiar to tourists, is the most popular among those who travel independently in Japan. According to the level of comfort, they are divided into the following types:

• Delux (DX) - expensive hotels with the highest level of service (approximately 5*+);
• Superior (SP) - housing with DX elements, but at a lower price (approximately 5*);
• First (F) - living conditions are above average (approximately 4*);
• Standart (S) - standard class hotels with a basic set of amenities (approximately 3*);
• Economy (E) - a budget option placement.

Ryokans

An ideal option for those who, during an independent trip to Japan, want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of national traditions. The floors in such hotels are covered with straw mats (tatami), and the doors and some windows are sliding partitions made of translucent paper in a wooden frame (shoji). It is customary here to sleep on the floor and wash in the common bathhouse ofuro, however, given the shyness of many tourists, rooms with private bathrooms are created. Ryokan can be rented from $90 per night for two, for example, at Sakura Ryokan Hotel Tokyo.

Food in Japan. Prices in 2019

Japanese cuisine uses fresh and natural products that undergo minimal heat treatment. This is done to save natural look and, most importantly, pristine taste. In addition, mixing a large number of ingredients is alien to traditional culinary works. Aesthetic minimalism, clarity of detail and bright colors are the basis of Japanese dishes.

The main components here are fresh vegetables, seafood, rice and noodles. Sushi, which is well known to us, is considered far from the main Japanese dish, as the vast majority of tourists believe. We have highlighted several popular national dishes that are worth trying in Japan.

Ramen- This is a broth with wheat noodles. There are four bases for this dish: soy sauce, tankotsu (pork bone broth), miso (bean paste) and salted broth. Ingredients can also be: pickled mushrooms, eggs, bamboo shoots and spinach.

Onigiri- rice balls with fish filling, wrapped in seaweed. You can try this common Japanese snack for just ¥100.

Yakitor- These are pieces of chicken on skewers, grilled over charcoal. These skewers are usually served with tare sauce, which is made from mirin, soy sauce and sugar.

Fugu- poisonous fish, which is considered a real delicacy. To neutralize it, certified masters, like surgeons, remove internal organs containing poison, and only then begin the cooking process.

Shabu-shabu is a dish that gets its name from the sound that occurs during cooking. Moreover, the cook here is the customer himself. In restaurants that offer this dish, small stoves are built into the tables, on which a bowl of boiling broth is placed. Thin slices of beef or pork are dipped into the bubbling liquid using chopsticks, and after that the marbled meat is ready for tasting.

When calculating the cost of traveling to Japan, we found it useful to provide information on how much food costs in cafes and restaurants in Japan.

Prices in Japanese cafes:

• breakfast - 650¥;
• lunch - 850¥;
• dinner - ¥1200.

Prices in Japanese restaurants:

• breakfast - 800¥;
• lunch - ¥1200;
• dinner - 2000¥.

(Photo © k_t / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Attractions in Japan

Every prefecture, city and village has the richest cultural heritage. Here you can endlessly admire both historical monuments and achievements in the field modern technologies. We have highlighted several of the most popular attractions for those planning an independent trip to Japan.

It is believed that at least once in his life, a real Japanese must conquer the sacred volcano on the island of Honshu. Climbing to the top of Mount Fuji is officially allowed only from July 1 to August 27, when the snow melts. In turn, in winter the mountain is especially beautiful: you can contemplate the snowy peaks of the legendary volcano while lying in a hot spring (onsen).

Ancient castles

More than a hundred ancient castles have survived in Japan. Here are the most famous residences in which the history of the great state began:

1. Nagoya Castle- located in Aichi Prefecture. Built in 1612, it was once the main residence of the Tokugawa branch of the shogun family.
2. Inuyama Castle- located on the border of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Built in 1440, the castle is listed as a national treasure of Japan.
3. Coty Castle- was founded in Kochi Prefecture in 1601 after the Battle of Sekigahara. Listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
4. Kumamoto Castle- erected in 1601, bears the second name “Crow Castle”, and is also included in the list of national treasures of Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland

This is the first Disney park outside the United States. On 465 thousand m² there are 47 attractions of the famous cartoon brand. You can visit the park by purchasing a ticket, which is called a passport here due to the age categories of the guests:

• from 18 years old - ¥6200;
• from 12 to 17 years old - ¥5300;
• from 4 to 11 years - 4100¥.

Ancient temples

There are two main religions practiced in Japan: Shintoism and Buddhism. The first is based on the ancient animistic beliefs of the Japanese, and the second was brought by Chinese monks. The most famous Japanese temples are located in Kyoto, including: Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion, a Buddhist sanctuary Tongasan Kesan-ji and the temple of the resting dragon Rean-ji.

(Photo © Travelbusy.com / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY 2.0)

Introductory image source: © zoonyzoozoodazoo / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-SA 2.0

We will, of course, talk about organizing the trip yourself. When I had to do this, I did not find any generalized information, and collected everything in parts. A lot of time was spent.

And although Japan is not the most popular destination, I decided not to be lazy and write something like instructions based on my own experience. All the information below is designed for a tourist who is going to visit the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time, in order to get a general impression. I very much welcome additions and amendments to my description - the material collected in this way will become very valuable)

When to plan your trip?

The worst months are August (heat and humidity) and June (rain).

The most popular month is April, cherry blossoms. Accompanied by crowds of tourists.

From May 1 to May 7, the Japanese have something like their own “set” of May holidays, so the Japanese themselves travel around the country en masse.

The Japanese don’t particularly celebrate New Year, and even on the first day all the shops, etc., are closed.

In general, flowering is a very Japanese theme. One fades, the other blooms, and so on almost all year round. In Japan, the temperature practically never drops below zero, so you can come in winter.

On beach holiday Don’t count on it too much, it’s somehow not accepted among the Japanese, which is not surprising.

Tickets

Any journey begins with tickets. I usually open the ticket search engine and search for the desired destination without a date. I'm looking at tickets both ways. Based on the price, I choose travel dates. The difference in price depending on the date can be very significant. When the dates are agreed upon with the family, I check the refund conditions and book the tickets.

Travel dates

If you are not very limited in time, I would recommend starting from the period for which the visa is issued. The shortest visa is 15 days. Our trip lasted 10 days, and we only managed to briefly see three cities: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Accommodation

The simplest option, but also the most expensive in terms of effort, time and money, is to stay, for example, in Tokyo for the entire duration of the trip, and then travel from there. But this way you will be limited by your travel range. For example, a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by high-speed train (shinkansen) takes about 3 hours one way. Distance - 540 km.

It’s not a budget option at all to pay two prices for the same night in different cities, i.e. stop in Tokyo and go to Kyoto for two days with an overnight stay.

I am writing all this because 90% of tourists traveling to Japan for the first time “want” Tokyo and Kyoto. And they even go to Kyoto for one day, which is not entirely practical.

So, to choose a hotel, you will have to draw up a program in advance.

If you are creating a program yourself, the following order is convenient:

1. Read materials on Japan, the Internet and guidebooks to help. In order to briefly understand what’s what, you can browse the websites of travel agencies and look at their program. Believe me, even a minimal set of destinations is enough.
2. When the main cities you want to visit are identified, pay attention to the structure of these cities. For example, Tokyo is made up of several very different districts. Each area, among other things, has different opening hours for shops, restaurants, etc. Decide what you are most interested in seeing and where to take a walk in the evening. Based on this, it makes sense to choose a hotel. In any case, you can't go wrong, because with Japanese public transport you can get anywhere in the city very quickly.

I won’t name specific places, I can only recommend taking a closer look at the hotels located right at major stations. It's very convenient, we stayed in one of these in Kyoto. Another type of accommodation is staying at a ryokan. It's kind of like a hotel and a colorful local home two in one. We didn’t decide on this option, it was too exotic for the first time. The most budget option is a capsule hotel. But there, apart from a bed in a capsule, a shared shower and a storage room, they won’t offer you anything.

By the way, luggage storage rooms are located at all major stations, so when moving between cities, you don’t have to carry all your luggage with you, but leave some in the luggage storage room (of course, if you plan to return)).

Visa

This is the most sensitive and unreasonably expensive issue when organizing a trip to Japan. Unfortunately, if you don’t have friends in Japan - and not just acquaintances, but also those who are ready to start collecting papers - you won’t be able to get a visa yourself. I saw a set of documents that gets to the embassy: these are 5 or 6 A4 sheets, covered with rows of hieroglyphs)

The main condition for obtaining a Japanese visa is the presence of a so-called “guarantor” in the Land of the Rising Sun, who ensures the organization of your stay in the country, as well as timely departure home.

As a rule, the guarantor is a travel agent, but it can also be a private person. Russian travel agencies cooperate with travel agents, which are practically mandatory must sell you a tour - book tickets and hotels, create an excursion program.

Fortunately, there are also companies that are ready to assist with self-booking. But you must provide them with hotel and flight reservations (or they will make you temporary reservations themselves). The company will draw up a program based on your reservations, you will fill out a form, after which the documents will be sent to the embassy.

This service is very expensive, because few people agree to apply for a visa separately, since it is not entirely legal. They mainly sell package tours. A Japanese single-entry visa for 15 days (this is the minimum) will cost about $250. If you happen to have a guarantor, they will submit the documents for you for $100. The visa is issued in 5-7 working days, there are few refusals. There is a guarantor - consider it a visa)

Movement

Car rent

Traveling around major cities You shouldn't think about renting a car. We saw almost no traffic jams, but in addition to such a pleasant detail as right-hand drive cars and left-hand traffic, there is also a problem with parking. Parking is scarce and very expensive.

Taxi

Taxis are also very expensive. When landing, the meter immediately displays from 580 (in Kyoto) to 710 (in Tokyo) yen, which is approximately 200 rubles. At the same time, the bill for a trip of about 20 minutes can usually be 1000-2000 yen (400-600 rubles). It seems that this is not a lot, but it is unlikely that you will travel only two ways in a day)

A taxi from Narita Airport to Tokyo costs 24,000 yen (7,400 rubles).

There is also a shuttle bus from the airport that will take you to a certain area of ​​Tokyo. These areas are indicated on the electronic board at the bus stop. After arriving in the area, you will have to take the metro to the hotel.

In addition, you can get there by fast train (Shinkansen), but for this you need to solve the issue of a travel card (if you took care of this in advance, more on that below) right at the airport. I’ll make a reservation that this option was not suitable for us, because we planned to apply for the JR Pass later, and it didn’t occur to us to pay for a one-way shinkansen after the night flight.

Public transport

The most popular way to travel within the city is by public transport, metro and bus. In Tokyo, a subway ticket costs 1,000 yen (about 300 rubles) per day per person. For this money you can move around the city unlimitedly.

Shinkansen and intercity trains

If you are planning trips between cities, it is most convenient to take care of this in advance. For non-residents of Japan, the Japan Rail Pass is available, for which the Exchange Order is exchanged directly in Japan. In Russian this is called “Exchange order for receiving JR Pass”. It can be purchased from several authorized agencies in Russia. Their list is on the official JR website. An exchange order is issued one day in advance. Validity period - 7, 14 and 21 days.

When you arrive in Japan, you need to apply for the pass itself (this requires a warrant and a passport).

In Tokyo, activation can be done at Narita Airport, at JR Tokio Station (I think the office is near the north entrance). The validity period of the pass is counted from the day of the first passage. For the Shinkansen, you must purchase your ticket in advance if you want to reserve seats. On regular trains between nearby ones settlements no need to issue a ticket, you just need to show it reverse side JR Pass to the controller at the turnstiles.

Again, if you are traveling for 10 days, it makes sense to purchase a JR Pass for a week, but plan your trips so that movements between cities are within these 7 days (for example, we activated the Pass on the third day, so it was valid until the end of the trip) .

The JR Pass is only valid on JR lines; it is not valid on the metro and some other lines.

Currency

The currency in Japan is the Japanese yen.

Another surprise that awaits you in Japan is the meager number of currency exchange offices. You can change money at the airport and at major stations. This can also be done at the hotel and some souvenir shops, but the rate there is usually not very favorable.

A characteristic Japanese feature is a special relationship with Chinese banks and cards. I won’t say exactly what’s going on there, but I couldn’t get cash) Bottom line: the easiest way is to have money on a card and withdraw directly from an ATM, as well as pay bills with a card. Carrying cash Euros or dollars with you, except as a “reserve”, makes almost no sense.

Smoking

There is very little information on this topic on the Internet. However, smokers also want to relax for their own pleasure, so I will write a few words about allowing/prohibiting smoking. In this, Japan decided to turn its back on the rest of the world, and there it is the other way around. Smoking is prohibited on the streets. At the same time, there is a special smoking areas right on the streets. In 80% of restaurants it is allowed. In those restaurants where it is prohibited, there must be a good smoking room. There are also restaurants where outwardly it seems that it is not possible, but if you ask, it is possible. There are also restaurants where you can eat after 17.00. IN shopping centers There are also smoking rooms. And at the stations there are also smoking rooms - both in the station premises and directly on the platform. The greatest joy of a smoker is a smoking car in a shinkansen. They also serve coffee there, and the seats rotate around an axis. My husband agreed to ride there the entire trip) In addition to the smoking carriage, the shinkansen has non-smoking carriages with separate smoking rooms.

I highly recommend reading the Afisha guide to Japan. Especially the first few pages, where country-specific concepts and their interpretation are described. Well, the guide himself interesting places, of course, useful too. This will make it a little easier to navigate.

If I remember anything else, I will add to this post.

I hope this information will be useful to someone when preparing for Japan)

I understand that some things seem very complicated, but that’s what Japan is for)) And if you have mastered my cheat sheet, which will satisfy your information hunger by about 20%, then everything will definitely be fine. You'll figure everything out quickly on the spot!

Until this day, only articles that came out from under my crooked pen were published on the blog. But for the sake of an article from my classmate Rimma_in_Israel, which I love to read back when I was taking school notes, it’s really worth making an exception. Moreover, this article will be about a country that I have been dreaming about for a very long time - Japan. After a two-week trip to Japanese cities and everyone, Rimma dispelled some of her and our common stereotypes, and wrote minimal instructions for use (the maximum will be published in several volumes). I hope that by the end of the article, the dream of going to Japan will become much more realistic for all of us.

Preparing for a trip to Japan

What do we think about when we imagine Japan? Sumo, sushi, sake,... Why does everything start with “s”? Okay, there are also kimonos, Fuji, Hiroshima, chopsticks, ninjas, Totoro and scary and terrible hieroglyphs.

Japan has been my secret dream for a long time and was as far away as possible until I heard that my husband was planning an orchestra tour. While talking about the trip, I realized how many people really want to go there and, just like me, put off the idea because it is far, expensive, strange and scary. I hope that the experience of our trip will serve as an impetus, a base or a good adviser for those who want, but are afraid to afford a trip to this exotic country.

Lyrical digression: The author of this opus has never been interested in Japan, doesn’t speak Japanese, doesn’t watch Japanese films except those with Jackie Chan, loves rolls most of all from Japanese food, can’t stand rice and, on top of everything else, is not a Buddhist or a Shintoist. That is, if I misspelled some word or incorrectly interpreted some event, it was not out of harm, but because of my short time getting to know the country. If this material is not enough for you, I will be happy to share with you links (in English) to bloggers who have visited or lived in Japan. And, of course, there is also a wonderful Vinsky forum, where there are a lot of useful information in Russian.

Visa to Japan

Any preparation for a trip begins with visa requirements checks. Israelis do not require a visa for entry up to 90 days.

In 2017, visa conditions for Russians were relaxed. Now you can submit documents to the consulate yourself and receive a visa within a week.

However, if you are short of time, want to be sure of the result and certainly fulfill your Japanese dream, contact the Visa Application Center.

Starting this year, you do not need an invitation from the Japanese side, and obtaining a visa has become free. List of required documents:

（1）Visa application form 2 copies. (printed on two sheets and filled out in English on a computer or manually, with pasted photographs)

（2）Photos 2 pcs. 4.5 by 4.5 cm color or black and white without corners on a light background

（3）Foreign passport

（4）Copy of internal passport

（5）Documents confirming the ability to pay for the trip (certificate from the employer about the amount of salary/certificate from the bank)

（6）Stay program (completed in English)

（7）Ticket reservation confirmation

（8）Power of attorney, if you are not submitting documents in person

Documents must be submitted in person or with the help of an authorized representative.

Flights to Japan

The next point is to search for air tickets. We looked for tickets five months before departure, and the cheapest option from Israel was Aeroflot for $700 (from Moscow to Tokyo about 10 hours of flight time). There are also flights from us via France, Finland and Hong Kong, these flights cost approximately $1,500 and are longer.

Tourist season in Japan

Second important point is choice of travel time. Japan has 2 seasons, especially popular with tourists (and local residents):

• cherry blossoms in April - May (the so-called “Golden Week” at the beginning of May falls there, when the Japanese themselves take the weekend and also travel around the country)
• October–November with colorful leaves.

By chance, we ended up in the off-season, and still all the tourist places were full. One more detail - in winter it gets dark early (Captain Obvious, hello), so after five in the evening a) it will be much more difficult to photograph, b) tourist places will be closed.

Choosing a hotel in Japan

I think everyone looks for hotels according to their preferences, I’ll tell you about ours. Tokyo, Kyoto and other big cities that we visited (Osaka, Hiroshima) cannot be covered by moving only on our own two feet. Therefore, the criteria were as follows:

1. Distance to bus stop (Kyoto) or subway stop (Tokyo). It would be great if it was the intersection of several metro lines. We were lucky - in Tokyo we found ourselves next to a major transport hub: several lines of the city metro, a private line going to the airport, an intracity JR (Japan Railways) line.

2. The presence of significant attractions for you within walking distance or within a few stops

3. Price (what did you think?!)

4. Estimated quality for your money (bathroom and toilet in the room, presence/absence of breakfast, kettle, refrigerator, etc.).
One of interesting options To experience the culture of Japan can be a night in a hotel made in an authentic Japanese style. This hotel is called a ryokan. Usually these are rooms decorated with natural materials, a minimum of furniture and decor. We had a small square room, the whole room was covered with wooden panels, the furniture included a small table and a bedside table. At night, mattresses (tatami) and bedding were laid out.

What you need to understand about choosing a hotel in Japan: if we are talking about three stars and below, most often the room is very small. And, of course, if you like black tea more than green, buy it yourself, the hotel will either green tea, or coffee.

As for sanitary and hygiene products, hotels provide: facial gel, toothbrush, disposable razor, in large bottles (not disposable) - shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Even 3-star hotels provide bathrobes or pajamas. But they don't provide soap. And I really counted on him. Don't repeat my mistakes!

Transport system of Japan

This topic deserves a separate post, or even an entire reference book. Firstly, the transport system (once you understand how it works) is very convenient. Secondly, it is quite clear. I use the word “pretty” because it takes some skill and time to adapt. We had the opportunity to use airplanes, high-speed trains (Shinkansen), electric trains, highways, subways and buses within the city within Japan.

So let's start with the positive:

1. You can plan your trip in advance.

There is a website http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ where you can plan your trip according to the desired parameters, see options and prices. Website in English.

You can take the subway map in the subway itself in front of the turnstiles, it is dubbed in English and Japanese, which will help you a lot if you start asking the Japanese how to get to your destination. If you can't find it, ask the metro employee at the booth opposite the turnstiles.

You can get a bus map from your hotel. For example, Kyoto - bus city. An extensive bus network and decent distances between attractions contribute to the popularity of buses in front of the subway, which is underdeveloped in Kyoto.

2. You can buy tickets yourself (metro, trains, shinkansen) from the machine.

In the machine you can switch to English, select your destination and number of tickets, and pay in cash or by card. The main thing is to make sure that this particular machine serves this particular type of transport, otherwise you will not find your stop there. For example, pink-rimmed machines in Tokyo serve the JR intracity line, not the subway.

3. If you don’t understand something, you can ask a metro employee or other people.

Subway employees understand and can communicate in at least minimal English. This is where a subway map in Japanese comes in handy.

4. There are digital screens in the transport itself(usually) where you can see which station is now and which are next. The information is duplicated in English.

At worst, if there is no screen, the usual metro line diagram is located above the doors. Stations are announced.

5. There are signs at the stops, where you can track when a train, bus, or metro train will arrive.

6. About Tokyo Metro: Each station has a color, letter and number designation, they are indicated on the diagram. It is very useful to download an application for a smartphone, I downloaded the first one by searching “Tokyo metro” (blue train from Mapway on a white background).

How to navigate the Tokyo metro: choose a line by color, go through the turnstile, there are signs by color and the last metro stations (sometimes all the large stations in this direction are indicated, choose the last station in which direction you need to go. Get to the desired corridor\ escalator\stairs - the entire line is written at the top in the appropriate color from this station to the final one with names and letter-number designations. Finding a station is much faster than checking all the long names of stations. What is written above becomes very relevant if you enter a station. metro with the intersection of three lines and ten entrances. If you need to get out of such a metro, look for an indication of your street or landmark above one of the exits.

7. And lastly, if you are told that a certain line goes to a certain station, but this is not visible on the metro map, most likely I mean a private branch. Its name duplicates the name of a regular city metro line and adds a prefix. Tickets must be purchased from a separate machine; this metro has a separate entrance.

Here's a perfect example. We stayed at Shimbashi Station (Asakusa Pink Line). The station worker said that we could use our line to get to the airport. But on all subway maps the final stop is in the direction of Oshiyage Airport (not the airport). The airport website didn't list the metro train as an option, but the Narita Express did. In the end, I realized that we were not talking about the Asakusa branch, but about a private branch called Toei Asakusa, the entrance to which is located ten meters before the entrance to the “regular” Asakusa. That is, this private line has a separate entrance, a separate machine for buying tickets, higher ticket prices, different trains (albeit copying the route to Oshiyage station).

Not forget! Keep the ticket you punched at the entrance until the end of your trip - there are turnstiles at the end too!

Although this is not the topic of transport, if you are a “toilet duck” like me, at many stations near the turnstiles (but on the side of the station itself, not the street) there is a toilet, and a fairly decent one. By "decent" I mean you won't want to roll up your pant legs to your thighs before visiting and wash your hands up to your elbows after using the toilet.

Food in Japan (forget Philadelphia)

Food is an even larger topic than transport. And she deserves a separate post (I solemnly promise). Food in Japan is more than food (like in Israel, but in a different style).

Things to keep in mind: The food in Japan is very fresh - sushi, noodles, meat, street food and baked goods - everything. The only time we felt unwell after eating was at a restaurant in the tourist area of ​​Kyoto with a hint of European style. But perhaps it wasn't the freshness of the food that was to blame, but the fact that it was a combo meal.

Ask for specific cafes in Tokyo and Kyoto that I can recommend in the comments - according to the tradition introduced on this site, we will send address addresses by email.

The Japanese and what they eat them with

Naturally, it’s impossible to understand everything about everyone in 2 weeks, so I’ll tell you about two striking features that I noticed:

1. The Japanese are very friendly people. They always try to help you. Even if they don’t know the language or are going somewhere about their business.

2. The Japanese have rules. There are no deviations from the rules. It is impossible to beg, convince, or demand something that goes beyond the rules (regulations, restrictions). Like robots, they will repeat instructions. Any deviation of behavior from the required one causes them to boil, even if it is a tourist who is not familiar with the rules. Therefore, do not try, unless, of course, you are a fan of trolling others.

From the “Good to Know” series:

• In Japan, people smoke in designated areas.
• Don't eat on the street, or at least don't eat on the go
• Don't talk on the phone on public transport
• There are problems with trash cans on the streets (there are few of them)
• Perhaps one of the most important details is all sockets are of a different type (American). Buying adapters is not a problem - in any supermarket “7/11”, “Family mart”, which can be found every hundred meters.
• Also, keep in mind that in Japan prefer cash. Almost everywhere you can only pay in cash.

Japanese vs tourists

The Japanese don't know English from the word "at all", except: people in suits in Tokyo, sellers in major centers, subway employees (a little bit). Everyone else may not understand words such as: how much, where, how, price, train, bus, hotel (that is, very common words). If you have a map with duplicate words in Japanese, that's a big plus. Or the Internet, then you can use a translator and a map. I highly recommend connect the internet, it will solve many problems that we encountered during our trip.

I think this information is enough for initial acquaintance. But is it enough to make you want to book flights without looking?

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 now. 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 the incredible combination of modern technologies with ancient traditions, which 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 a passerby for directions. 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. This is the most popular tourist destination among locals.

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.

In winter, skiing is possible in Japan; several major resorts are characterized by high comfort and equipped with the latest technology. But for those who are not interested in 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 a 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 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 in many ATMs and terminals a European card 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 easily accept absolutely all bank cards.

It will not always be possible to exchange money at a bank, because tourists may come on holidays, and it is impossible to exist without money in Japan. 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, just a little - desire, spirit of adventure and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what an incredible trip you had in Japan.