What should I know before leaving for a trip to Japan in 2021?

A trip to Japan soon and you still have questions about what you are going to do there or how your stay will be? Here are the basic elements to guide you in the best way in your preparations.

A trip to Japan is often a dream come true, that of going to this distant land which fascinates and intrigues so much and which may seem inaccessible. Moreover, when you start to think about your preparations, you quickly realize that there are many elements to take into account. This is why, during this article, I will offer you some elements that will guide you in your preparation.

Budget for a trip to Japan

Let’s start with the basics, the budget! This is the first question you are going to ask yourself and it is legitimate. So, know that there is no standard budget, that everyone spends since each stay in Japan is unique in its kind and that depending on your consumption patterns and what you are going to do there you will have a more or less budget. lower.

However, be aware that in general, foreign tourists (from Europe and America) go to Japan for an average of 15 days and that the overall budget for such a trip is € 2,500 to € 3,000. per person , including accommodation, plane tickets, meals, souvenirs, transport and site visits.

The exchange in Yen
To be able to pay for your trip, especially on site, you will need Yen, the Japanese currency. You will find plenty of offers to recover these currencies. Once there, you can go and change your Euros for Yen at a bank or a bureau de change, often at lower rates. Otherwise, you can also prefer to make withdrawals from ATMs in Japan (in Konbini 7/11 or in post offices). In this case, remember to tell your bank before departure and ask them to increase your withdrawal and payment limits.

What to do and what to visit
There is so much to see and experience in Japan that you won’t know where to turn. In general, for people coming to the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time, it is common to focus on what is called the Golden Route which starts from Kyoto and goes to Hiroshima , passing through Hakone and the Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Just between these cities you will have plenty of things to do to have a schedule of visits and Japanese experiences at will. Whether in Tokyo where you can visit the districts of Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara, Harajuku,…. In Kyoto where you can see the famous Kiyomizu Dera, the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, the golden temple Kinkaku-ji, walk along the path of philosophy, … or even Nara where you can admire the Buddha of Todai-ji after having fed the deer roaming free in the city,…. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to experiences.

Food
Japanese cuisine is listed by UNESCO and is not limited to sushi, far from it. Ramen, Okonomiyaki, Monjayaki, Takoyaki, Hitsumabushi, Ochazuke,… you are going to be spoiled for choice, whether you are a lover of fish, meat or vegetables you will certainly find flavors that you will love. Eating in a restaurant in Japan is often accessible for all types of wallets (depending on the brand chosen) and will allow you to savor some local dishes in an often atypical setting.

Language
The official language is Japanese. Speaking it will give you the opportunity to experience new things. But don’t worry, even if you don’t speak Japanese you will be able to get by without too much difficulty.
In large cities, road signs are more and more often in English and easily understood. And above all, the Japanese, in the vast majority of cases, are warm, welcoming and caring people who will make themselves available to help you.

Housing
You will be spoiled for choice, even if depending on the time of year you will need to book earlier or earlier. I recommend that you try the Ryokan (these Japanese hotels), the Capsule Hotel or even the Minshuku, these guest rooms that will give you another vision of accommodation when traveling. You could also book villas & apartments if you consider to stay for more days. Between Japanese service and a unique experience, you will be served.

Transportation
Comfortable, punctual,…. This is what we often remember about public transport in Japan. The country is well served by train and thus the traveler can mainly favor this mode of transport which will take him, often, to all the places he wants to visit.
Depending on the circuit you are going to adopt for your stay, you may decide to buy a JR Pass which will give you the possibility, over a period of 7, 14 or 21 days, to take the JR trains (which serve the whole country) in unlimited, which is not negligible when you know the price of train travel in Japan.

Healthcare in Japan
Often forgotten, care in Japan is not to be neglected. Regularly, travelers say, “Japan is a safe country, that’s fine.” This is a great mistake, because despite the level of security in the country, an accident quickly happened, a disease quickly caught and there, medical costs can quickly rise to astronomical amounts , if we are not covered by travel insurance .

If you ever had to face a need for medical care, you can turn to the website of the Embassy in Japan which offers a list of doctors and hospitals with services.
With these few basic elements, you have the first useful information to start planning your stay in Japan, which I hope will be as pleasant and memorable as possible.
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Author Bio

Name- Julien Chbib
Bio- Julien is the founder of Julius Homes His interest in hiking, skiing, and adventure holidays made him bring together the choicest accommodations around the globe to make holidays relaxing and comfortable.