Japan - A Beginners Guide
- aishacassiewilliam
- Jul 5, 2023
- 16 min read
Updated: Sep 6, 2023
There's an episode of the Simpsons where the family end up on a surprise holiday to Japan. As their flight is coming into land the pilot announces over the tannoy, "welcome to Japan folks, where the local time is...tomorrow". This joke really did crack me up when we visited Japan earlier on this year, because it is SO accurate.
Japan was a HUGE tick off the bucket list for us, Its the HOME of instant noodles?! It was our final stop on our year long trip and we had massively high expectations for our visit. It's probably the place that sparks the most interest when I tell people we managed to squeeze it onto our trip - and I have to say, rightly so! Japan exceeded every expectation we had, it quickly became our absolute favourite country and every day we fell more and more in love with this vibrant, quirky, hyper-organised, futuristic, beautiful country.
We planned a 12 day visit, hitting Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka and trying to squeeze in as much as we possibly could - the days were long, but every single one left us grinning from ear to ear as we tucked into bed each night.
I'll preface these blogs by saying that Japan isn't the budget backpackers dream destination like south east Asia/Eastern Europe - but that being said, I'm aiming to highlight all the ways to save money and visit Japan on a budget here, because it definitely can be done! I will highlight a few activities that are really popular, but may not fit into that budget category - just because there really is so much to do in Japan that I wouldn't be doing it justice by just covering the free/affordable things to do/see (even though there are LOADS).
Theres a LOT to cover here - so I’ll get started with a general travel guide followed by an individual guide for each place we visited. Hopefully if we do ever get the chance to explore more of Japan, I'll be able to add more detail and recommendations later on down the line!
So, without further ado, I present part one of my highly requested Japan blog series!
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Best Time To Visit
There is definitely no single answer to this one! We got chatting to some guys in a bar in Hiroshima who described Japan's seasons like this,
"You get two weeks of spring, Two weeks of autumn and then its either incredibly hot or incredibly cold"
That's pretty accurate really!
Probably the most popular time to visit Japan is the cherry blossom season, which generally runs from around the last week of march/first couple of weeks of April. The Sakura are in full bloom, the Hanami picnics (cherry blossom parties) are in full swing, and the whole country is buzzing with life. That being said, this time of year also happens to be the busiest and most expensive, so probably best avoided if you're hoping to travel Japan on a budget!
On the other end of the spectrum, autumn in Japan is supposed to be equally beautiful. Temperatures are starting to drop and the trees are changing, making for perfect weather to explore some stunning scenery. Autumn in Japan runs generally from late October - early December, but this can vary depending on the region.
Summer in Japan generally is similar to the UK, running between June and August. However, Japanese summers are pretty intense! Generally, the summer season kicks off with a very rainy June, which is followed by an exceptionally humid July and August. Temperatures aren't actually that high, averaging around 25°C - 27°C, but humidity hovers between the 75%-85% mark - making summers in Tokyo in particular pretty uncomfortable. Another thing, It's typhoon season throughout the summer! Beware of major storms that can hinder any outdoor plans! That being said, there are lots of lovely summer traditions and festivals throughout the country - but maybe not the most ideal time to visit otherwise!
Winters in Japan are proper winters. Temperatures drop, with most regions not experiencing many days above 10°C. That being said, the winter months are described as Japan's cosiest, and quietest! If you're a keen skier/snowboarder, you'll find some of the world's best slopes in the northern regions (e.g. Hokkaido and Nagano), where you can ski all day and warm up in a traditional Onsen afterwards. Winter generally falls between December - February.
In short, if you're looking to visit japan on a budget the best times to visit would be either in the springtime (avoiding the cherry blossom season) - so either early March (this is when we went, and it was perfect!) or late April - May. Alternatively head over during the autumn, between late September to early November, but bring a few extra layers!
Either way though, Japan is an absolute dream of a country, so no matter when you visit - you're in for an unreal time!
Getting Around
Japan is a fairly sizeable country, however it is unbelievably easy to get around. I would recommend allowing enough time to visit a few different cities/areas if you are making the trip - purely because each place has something so unique to offer! There are a range of different ways to get around to suit all budgets, just do whatever fits your timeframe and budget best!
Buses - Highway buses (or kōsoku bus) are your cheapest, though slowest option to get around Japan. There is a pretty extensive network of these highway buses throughout the country which will almost always be your cheapest way to get around. The network has both day time and overnight routes covering pretty huge distances! As most things in japan, I hear that they're super clean, efficient and comfortable so if you're looking to save some pennies then this could well be the option for you! You can reserve your seats online using either the willer express website, or japan bus online. The ticket price from Tokyo to Kyoto is between 3,900 - 5,900 yen (£22 - £32) and takes between 6-9 hours.
Flights - Most major cities around Japan have airports, so if you have a bigger budget and a restricted timeframe, this may be the way to go! Flights can work out to be cheaper than travelling by rail in some cases, but may well take you a little longer when factoring check in times and times to get from the airport to the city itself. Use Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights. (If you were to ask me though, I'd say that travelling by train is a far comfier, pleasant experience!)
Trains - Arguably the most famous, comfy and exciting way to travel around Japan is via the Shinkansen (more commonly known as Bullet trains!). For Brad and I, riding a bullet train was something we really wanted to do when we visited Japan - so this ended up being the main way we travelled around the country! Travelling by train is the easily the quickest way to travel around the country (perfect for those visiting on a shorter trip!) however, it's definitely not the most budget- friendly! That being said, there is one major way you can save big on Japanese rail travel - my absolute tippity top tip for travelling japan - buy a JR pass. (The JR pass was so monumentally helpful, she's getting a whole section written about her)
The JR pass
The JR pass is essentially an unlimited use train ticket which allows you to ride on any trains, ferries and buses run by the JR transport network - this includes the Shinkansen (bullet trains). You can purchase passes which last from 7, 14 or 21 days and allow you unlimited rides during this time period. The passes can only be purchased by 'temporary visitors' travelling with a "temporary visitor" stamp for between 15-90 days in their passport. I highly recommend purchasing a JR pass if you're planning to travel around japan when you visit - especially if you're planning on travelling by bullet train! The 7 day JR pass costs approximately the same as a single Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto, so it really is worth the money if you're planning on moving around!
Purchasing the pass
There are several websites online where you can purchase the pass, prices are generally the same across all websites - I'd recommend using either the JR pass website, or Klook. You can buy the pass from some JR offices in Japan, however prices are higher than purchasing online. Once you've placed your order, you'll be sent your exchange order in the post either to your home, or you can have it sent to your accommodation in Japan if you're not at a fixed address (just make sure to email your accommodation first to check it's OK to do this! It normally is, but worth checking!). You'll then take your exchange order to a JR office in Japan to collect and activate your ticket. Once you received your exchange order in the post you have 3 months to activate the ticket. Standard ticket prices (as of June 2023) are as follows:
7 days ¥29,650 (around £162.11)
14 days ¥47,250( around £258.34)
21 days ¥60,450 (around £330.51)
Make sure you allow enough time for your pass to be delivered before you want to use the pass (you need to have the exchange order to collect your ticket!) - I recommend purchasing the pass at least 2 weeks before your trip.
Super sad news though - As of October 2023, the JR pass will be seeing a massive price hike! All passes will be increasing in price, with the 7 day pass increasing to ¥50,000 (around £273.50!) That being said, if you're planning a trip from October - December, you can still purchase a ticket at the current rates until the 25th September 2023, and activate and use this ticket after the prices have increased (up to 3 months after receiving the exchange order). After this point, it may be worth checking whether the pass is still worth it - I'll probably write an update at the time!
Using the pass
Once you've received your exchange order, you need to collect and activate your pass at one of the JR pass offices - these are generally located at main train stations, but can be a little complicated to find! Also, I'm not sure if it was just the day that we went, but we did have to queue for quite a while to collect our passes, so definitely factor this in! You don't have to activate the ticket for the same day you collect it - just let the attendant know the date you want it to start (within 30 days)!
Once you've activated your pass, you're ready to go! You'll get a leaflet with your ticket explaining the trains you can/cannot use and some instructions on how the pass works and you're off! Your pass is valid on the majority of the Shinkansen lines (but not the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen bullet trains - but don't worry, this wont be any inconvenience to you!), all JR bus lines, JR ferry lines and JR rapid and local lines (within cities). The map below highlights the main JR lines!
All trains will have both unreserved and reserved seating. A seat reservation isn't mandatory, but I would recommend getting one just to give you some peace of mind and guaranteed comfort! Don't worry, Japan is super organised so it's really easy to find your carriage and seat! To reserve seats, you'll need to head to a JR Station Ticket Office or a green ticket-vending machine inside the train station. Here you'll need to plug in your passport number and scan the QR code on your ticket, you can then select the train and seats you want! You'll then be given another ticket which just denotes the seat and train details. It's completely free to reserve seats on trains if you have the JR pass.
Once you've reserved your seats/have an idea of the train you want to catch (you can check train times on the JR website), just find the correct platform (if you're catching a Shinkansen, there are dedicated Shinkansen tracks that are clearly signposted!), pop your JR pass ticket through the gate and catch your train!
You need to keep your ticket safe at all times you cannot get a replacement if you lose your pass!
Safety
Japan is mind - bogglingly safe! I obviously can't say you'll never get into any sort of trouble/experience any issues, however it is incredibly unlikely! People are polite, generally keep to themselves, and we didn't feel an ounce of discomfort no matter where we were, the time of day, even in busy areas. It's wild. Don't worry one bit!
Language, Culture and Traditions
I think Japan is probably one of the places we probably experienced the most culture shock! Not in a bad way at all - it's just incredibly unique and totally different to anywhere else we've ever been!
First up, the language! It's one of the few places we've visited where english really isn't widely spoken at all! It definitely takes a little getting used to, but just be aware that you may well encounter lots of places that don't have english menus, english signage, english speaking staff etc, so it can get a little confusing sometimes! Google translate will be your best friend here - make sure you have Japanese downloaded so you can use the photo translate function where you don't have data/wifi (you will use it!). I'd deffo recommend trying to learn a few words before you go, locals appreciate it and you'll feel more immersed in the culture - i'm currently rinsing Duo-lingo so I wont be as clueless the next time we go!
Top Tip! If you're looking for say, a sushi restaurant, on Google maps - just typing the word 'sushi' isn't going to return many results! Most restaurant names on google maps are written in Japanese, so by searching すし or 寿司 (sushi in Japanese), you're gonna get a lot more results! Just Google translate the food you're looking for, copy that into Google maps and you're set!
There are quite a few sort of 'social rules' that you'll come across when you visit Japan. There is a huge respect culture, so being aware of, and sticking to these social rules will just make sure that you're being a good, respectful tourist! I found myself really appreciating many of these sort of rules and traditions, they help make Japan the super efficient place that it is! Below are a few that you'll almost definitely encounter...
Be quiet on public transport - Don't listen to music out loud, avoid taking phone calls and don't have loud conversations
Don't litter - This should really be the norm everywhere! But Japan is incredibly clean - help keep it that way! Strangely there aren't huge amounts of bins around, but just keep your litter with you until you find one, don't just leave your mess anywhere!
Don't tip - This one feels particularly strange! But in some circumstances leaving a tip can be deemed insulting - it's just really not in the Japanese culture to leave a tip!
Take off your shoes - Many places will expect you to take off your shoes before you enter. It's not everywhere, and the places where it is expected it will be obvious - but maybe just make sure you're not wearing your holey, smelly socks out, just in case!
You cant smoke just anywhere! - You'll see designated smoking areas all around the city. Don't just light up in the street, go to a designated area. Weirdly you can actually smoke in many bars and izakayas.
Stand to one side on the elevators - Yep! just like london! but weirdly, this actually varies region to region! In the Kanto region (including Tokyo) you stand on the left, in the Kansai region (including Kyoto) you stand on the right! (don't worry, you'll pick it up pretty quickly!
Don't eat/drink whilst you're walking around - Just stop somewhere until you're done and carry on (I don't really understand this one but okay!)
Masks - This isn't just a covid thing in japan! Most people will be wearing the surgical style masks, this is for a variety of reasons - allergies, pollution or even just for protection from germs! We wore masks when we were on public transport, just because everyone else was - but you really don't have to! This one is more of a personal preference, just be aware that you'll likely be the only one without one on most trains etc!
Prices
I think one of the main reasons why so many people are put off visiting Japan is the prices. Now, this is definitely something we were a little apprehensive of, but we are SO grateful we didn't let it put us off travelling to Japan.
Honestly, I thought it was going to be significantly more expensive. It's by no means a budget place to travel, however you can absolutely visit japan and still have an incredible time on a smaller budget!
To be completely transparent, Brad and I budgeted £1,500 (¥27,4963) between the two of us to cover 12 days. For us, this was more than enough to cover all transport (excluding flights into/out of the country), all accommodation, activities and meals (eating out every day with convenience store snacks in between).
Accommodation
I think this is potentially one of the more expensive aspects to travelling Japan. But that being said, when booking our accommodation in advance, we didn't spend any more on hostels in Japan than we did in western Europe! We even stayed in a private room in a hostel in Osaka for just £11 a night (between us!). Worth a mention is also the quality of these hostels - they were amazing! Phenomenally clean, comfy and just overall the best hostels we've ever stayed in comfort wise! So they were absolutely worth the higher price-tag than what we experienced in southeast asia.
Travel
This is somewhere where you'll find prices are a little higher, however - again, not any more than western Europe standards! I've gone into detail above, but honestly, paying £160 for our JR pass and having all of our travel covered was a steal if you ask me!
Within the cities themselves, we found most places to be pretty walkable - however should we need to use public transport, we wouldn't pay more than ¥130 per journey (around £1). In most cities you can also buy unlimited travel cards to cover your public transport use which were great value for money! i'll go into detail with these on my individual city guides!
Food/drink
The prices of food and drink shocked me the most in japan! I was expecting extortionate prices and to come home completely bankrupt after spending every penny on the incredible Japanese food - how wrong I was! We had everything from vending machine ramen (around £6-7 per (huge) portion), conveyor belt sushi (£18 for ten plates, two sakes and unlimited matcha tea), wagyu beef teppanyaki (around £50 for an unholy amount of meat (wagyu included!), salad, soup, rice and unlimited alcohol for 90 minutes for two people!) and even Michellin guide okonomiyaki (for just £10 each including drinks!). We normally break up our meals by cooking for ourselves whilst travelling - but honestly, there wasn't much of a need in japan! If you're really in a pinch then 7/11 and Family mart will become your besties! You'll find super filling, convenient meals and snacks (both hot and cold) for affordable prices - convenience store lunches are a rite of passage if you're coming to Japan anyway!
If you like to drink too, Japan has a pretty crazy drinking culture! Firstly, it is perfectly legal to drink on the street, in parks, on trains, anywhere! So every 7/11 and Family mart automatically becomes a bar, selling beers for under a pound! Then again, I think the average cost of a pint in japan hovered around the £3.50 mark, and we even found cocktails in Shibuya (one of the busiest areas of Tokyo) for just £3 - so if drinking in a park isn't your scene, expect a pretty cheap night out exploring japan's famous Izakayas!
Of course, you can spend a lot more if you want to! Home to world famous restaurants, the highest quality meat and fish and super luxurious bars, it's pretty easy to really splash out. But, if you're savvy about it, then I promise, you can eat and drink incredibly well on a super small budget!
Activities
Its incredibly easy to fill your time when visiting Japan! Prices again vary massively but we found so many free/cheap things to do and we were honestly constantly on the go when we visited! I'll highlight specifics in my individual city blogs - but japan sometimes feels like one massive playground - there is so much to do and see, so theres always something to suit every budget!
Currency and ATMs
Just the basics when it comes to money
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY) approx 180¥≈£1, 155¥≈€1, 145¥≈1USD, 95¥≈1AUD.
Best ATMs: The best ATMs are 7/11 bank atms - you'll find them in most 7/11 stores! there was no withdrawal fees/ATM charges for these ATMs.
Cash Vs. Card: I was quite surprised by how frequently we needed to use cash in Japan! A lot of bars, shops and restaurants will accept card payments, however most street vendors, vending machine restaurants and public transport networks will require cash payments. Always carry cash with you just to be safe!
Our Route
There are so many different ways to travel Japan - each region, each city, each place offers something so unique and special, it's pretty difficult to go wrong! We were in japan for 12 days and wanted to cover the main cities, but spend enough time in each to really get a good taste for what they were about! We were super happy with our route and wouldn't have changed our visit at all! The map below details the route we took - I'll go into detail with each of the individual places we stayed in their own individual posts!
Day 1: Fly into Tokyo
Day 1 - 5: 4 night stay in Tokyo
Day 4: Activate JR pass - Day trip to Hakone to see Mt. Fuji via the Hakone Loop (using JR pass)
Day 5: Bullet train to Kyoto (using JR pass)
Day 5 - 8: 3 nights stay in Kyoto
Day 8: Bullet train to Hiroshima (using JR pass)
Day 8 - 9: 1 night stay in Hiroshima
Day 9: Bullet train to Osaka (Using JR pass)
Day 9 - 12: 3 nights stay in Osaka
Day 12: Fly home from Osaka
TLDR - what are your top tips?
Get a JR pass - If you're visiting Japan before the end of 2023 and want to travel around the country, get a JR pass for the cheapest, quickest and easiest way to travel
Best time to visit - Either in the springtime (avoiding the cherry blossom season) - so either early march or late April - May. Alternatively head over during the autumn, between late September to early November. This will be the cheapest time to go with the best weather
Download Google translate - And make sure you download Japanese! Or just learn Japanese - whatever's easiest!
Book your accommodation in advance! - Prices increase dramatically if you're waiting to book last minute!
Plan plan plan! If you're visiting japan for a shorter timeframe, you're gonna wanna plan your visit to make the most of your trip! You will need to book some activities/restaurants/accommodations in advance to make sure you don't miss out!
It's not as expensive as you think! The average price of a pint in Tokyo was around £3.50 - £4! And if you find the right places, you'll rarely pay more than a tenner per meal!
Brush up on your Japanese etiquette - There is a huge respect culture in japan - to ensure that you're being a respectful and responsible tourist make sure to read up on Japan's cultural/social rules before you go!
Carry cash! - Most places will accept card, however, surprisingly you will encounter lots of situations where you can only use cash! (i.e. some restaurants, bars, almost all public transport!)
Tipping isn't a thing! - Don't worry about leaving tips at bars and restaurants, it can actually be deemed offensive to leave a tip in some situations!
Google search in Japanese - If you're looking for a restaurant serving a specific type of food, translate the food type and search the translated text into Google maps. You'll return more results this way than if you were to search the food type in english. (i.e. search すし instead of Sushi!)
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