The Kawai Japan is a dream destination. We are eagerly waiting for the international borders to reopen for the tourists. So that we can plan a trip to Japan, but for now, it’s still a waiting game. There are talks Japan may open by the summer of 2022. Here’s to hoping!
If it does open then say Konnichiwa to Japan. We predict the tourism will boost unlike never before. As most of the famous places in Japan like Kyoto and Nara are tourism based. The country will make your safety felt by taking various measures. As Japan, in general, is a clean country, viruses like the infamous Covid will be properly taken care of.
There are so many places to visit and things to do in Japan. To delve into the country’s culture you’ll need weeks to explore. From the religious hotspots to scenic nature and beautiful cities. If your Japanese language skills are good, then the locals will love you. The people will appreciate any interaction in their own language.
So, if you are planning for your future trip, here’s how you can plan a trip to Japan –
Know before your Japan trip
- Make sure to pre-book accommodation. Before arriving in Japan, choose the type of stay you wish and make payment. That way you will have proof of accommodation to show at the airport and reserve all cheaper hotels for you. You can contact Nixtour for your hotel booking in Japan. Ryokan (traditional inn) are ideal hostels to experience authentic Japan.
- If you plan to rent a car in Japan and explore the countryside, better get an international driving licence. By getting a licence, you not only get to rent cars but even drive go-karts on the Tokyo streets. Literally!
- Buy travel insurance before visiting Japan. This applies to every international trip. Health is very important and it is expensive in Japan. So make sure you are covered in case you catch the flu.
- While in Japan, get a JR Railway Pass. The pass is a convenient way to travel around Japan’s rail network. With the pass, there’s no need to get tickets in advance, just hop in, show your pass and you’re good to go. With the JR Pass, you can even experience the extravagance of the bullet train, Shinkansen. Get the tickets from JRailPass.com
Basic things to appreciate about Japan
- While entering any room, remove your shoes. It is a custom of Japan to remove shoes before entering someone’s room. This shows a sign of respect and cleanliness. Although removing shoes is not applicable in modern restaurants in the city, it is practised in rural areas the most.
- Experience the traditional tatami mats. Some hotels with traditional tatami mats are spread across the floor. These mats are very delicate but a good material since most traditional houses have futons as beds. Kyoto and Hiroshima are some of the cities that have several houses with traditional tatami mats.
- Make use of the vending machines in Japan. There are tons of vending machines installed everywhere. Even in places, you’d less expect. Talk about convenience! There are machines for everything, from food to clothes and even souvenirs. So while exploring Japan in 2022 and you crave something instantly, expect to find that in a nearby vending machine.
- In Japan, people bow to show respect. You will notice this everywhere, in cafes, shops etc. in response you can also bow as you enter or exit. Do not overdo it though, just a slight bow is enough. Just tilt your head whilst you exit the shop for example.
Onsen in Japan? Yes! This is a great experience to take a hot water sulphur bath. Soaking in onsens are a typical Japanese thing. It is widely practised across the country. It relaxes your body and soothes you from within. Of course, if you are not comfortable baring all, onsens may not be the right suit. Since onsens are shared by several people.
Top Japan places to visit
- Tokyo – The capital city of Japan is massive. There are many attractions in Tokyo. It’s a diverse mix of luxury and budget experiences, modern buildings with traditional houses.
- Kyoto – For an authentic Japanese appeal, Kyoto is a must-visit place. The former capital has tons of temples and torii (shrine gates).
- Nikko – Widely famous for their Nikko National Park and stunning temples in the middle of the forest. It is a fascinating place to visit for nature lovers. Conveniently enough, it is close to Tokyo.
- Hiroshima – Historically important place, related to the atomic bombing. Hiroshima has a moving peace memorial commemorating the atomic bombing that took place in 1945.
- Hakone – A great place to get an uninterrupted panoramic view of Mount Fuji. Not just that, it has several other things to do here. Experience the onsens, and ride on cable cars.
- Takayama – An idyllic alternative from other bustling tourist destinations in Japan. Takayama is a historic village where traditional wooden houses are well preserved.
- Kawaguchiko – This is another place to get a closer view of Mount Fuji along with Kawaguchiko Lake. Often people come here for picnics during the sakura season.
Best time to visit Japan
Japan experiences all four seasons. There is not a bad time to visit Japan, to be honest. While Tokyo may be humid during summers, Hokkaido will be blessed with calmer weather.
But if you wish to do tourist things in Japan then we recommend the following seasons for a Japan trip.
Winter – The lower cities of Japan like Fukuoka, Okayama, Osaka and Tokyo is best during the winters. The onsens are in demand during this season. You can also go skiing or snowboarding and witness snow-capped Fuji-San in all its glory.
Summer – The upper cities of Japan like Sendai, Akita, Aomori and Sapporo have a comfortable summer. These cities remain pleasant. Several festivals also take place during the summer months. Summer is also a good time to climb Mount Fuji.
The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March-April) and autumn (October – early December). You can witness gorgeous cherry blossoms during the spring and red autumn leaves during autumn.
To skip the crowds, the months of May to late September or early October is ideal.
To know more, you can contact Nixtour Holidays. We have a wide range of budget travel packages and irresistible cheap flight deals for Japan.
