HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO JAPAN - Trailfinders
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HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO JAPAN Trailfinders prides itself on the firsthand knowledge that we can pass on to our clients. We want you to benefit from our experience and have as carefree a holiday as possible so please take a few moments before you go to read through our ‘Holiday Essentials’. If you know what to expect in advance it will allow you to pack and plan accordingly thus ensuring you have an enjoyable trip. We suggest you take this guide with you in your hand luggage since it has useful contact numbers and information you might need. Japan is a fascinating mix of old and new, sure to delight and intrigue you. Treasured ancient traditions like the graceful geisha, sumo rituals and the art of the tea ceremony still hold their place in Japanese life alongside dazzling neon streets and the latest technological innovation. Explore imposing castles and elaborate temples or enjoy the peaceful serenity of a traditional garden. Away from the cities, a stunning landscape of mountains and hot springs is waiting to be discovered. Visa & Immunisations Please refer to the Essential Information on your booking confirmation for important details of visa requirements and immunisation recommendations. The Trailfinders Visa Service and Travel Clinic can provide further information and advice. Trailfinders Visa Service - in the UK please call 020 7368 1504 or visit trailfinders.com/visas and in Ireland call 01 8814949 or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Enjoy a discount off our service charge as a valued Trailfinders’ client. Trailfinders Travel Clinic - receive a 20% discount off immunisations when you book your travel with Trailfinders. Our clinic is based at 194 Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG and no appointment is required. In the UK please call 020 7938 3999 or visit trailfinders.com/services. Insurance At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel package. Please contact your travel consultant for a personalised quote. Regardless of whether or not you choose Trailfinders Travel Insurance, please ensure you are comprehensively covered for the duration of your holiday. Your Self Guided Tour On arrival in Japan, you will be met at the airport by one of our local representatives who will provide you with a final version of your detailed customised itinerary. They will also give you useful destination guides and all relevant tickets/vouchers for the rest of your journey along with an explanation of how they should be used. If applicable, they will also help you exchange your Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) and make any seat reservations. You will then be escorted to the shared shuttle bus or train for you to make your own way to your first hotel. Throughout your holiday in Japan you can call on our local representatives at any time using the 24 hour English speaking helpline for help, advice and suggestions. Our self guided tours offer the freedom of independent travel combined with the benefit of having all the important elements of your holiday booked in advance. Included in your itinerary are a few recommendations for your sightseeing in each destination but these are merely suggestions from a much wider range of possibilities available to you. Please note that the detailed customised itinerary provides plenty of practical information but is no substitute for a guidebook
(please also see the section on the SelfGuide app below) so you will need to take your own
choice of Japan guidebook with you.
SelfGuide app for smartphones & devices
If you have a smartphone or device (eg an iPad), we recommend that
you download our free SelfGuide app which has been developed by
our partners in Japan. The app is available to download from the
App Store & Google Play.
The app is designed to be used in conjunction with, rather than to replace, the detailed
customised itinerary that we send you before departure. However many of our clients do find the
SelfGuide app a really useful additional tool to use whilst touring around Japan.
Details of your unique login ID and password to access and download the app will be sent out
with your final documentation, approx. 7-10 days prior to your departure from the UK.
Key features of the app:
• Fully off-line travel guide, so you will not incur any data roaming charges - provided you
set your phone’s data roaming to OFF (usually in your settings menu) whilst using
the app in Japan. For more information on how the app works off-line & how to disable
roaming go to Guide/General Information/Questions & Answers/Section I. Important to
read on the SelfGuide app
• Currently covers 30 of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. Your version of the app
will feature these destinations if included as part of your tour
• Includes details of key attractions, shopping, restaurants, bars & nightlife for each of
these main destinations (including directions, maps, entrance fees, opening hours, phone
numbers etc.)
• Useful general information eg currency convertor, current weather in the main
destinations, useful phrases etc.
Additional features of the app:
• In each destination, you can click on the Around Me button and it will suggest
attractions/restaurants etc that are close by. This is particularly useful if you are
sightseeing and want to find a convenient place for lunch, or have a couple of spare
hours and want to check what other attractions are within easy walking distance etc.
• The app has several more advanced features eg the facility for you to create your own
‘journal’ so you can remember the places you liked and can share these on
Facebook/email. Full details of these functions can be found in Guide/General
Information/Questions & Answers/Section IV. Trip Journal and Sharing
• The app includes a full Tokyo subway map found in Tokyo/Map and then click on the
train icon at the top
Handy tips for the app:
• As with most apps, the SelfGuide app is fairly intuitive but we recommend you download
it prior to departure and have a ‘play’ to familiarise yourself with its features
• Once in Japan please activate location services/GPS on your phone (usually in your
settings menu) if not already done so – this is so the app knows your location and can
recommend places around you or pin point you on any maps you might be using
• Information in the app is constantly being updated, so we recommend that you update
the app’s content during your trip when you are connected to free wi-fi (you can find
instructions on how to do this in Guide/Update Content)
• The SelfGuide app is a useful tool, particularly when used as a mini interactive
guidebook whilst you are in Japan. However it has been designed to complement, notreplace, the printed documentation we give you and should not be considered a
substitute for a detailed guidebook.
Train Travel
Japan’s railways are amongst the best in the world with an excellent safety record, cutting edge
technology and incredible punctuality. A comprehensive network with fast, frequent and
comfortable services make train travel the ideal way to explore Japan.
The famous bullet trains (Shinkansen) reach speeds of up to 190 miles per hour. Linking most of
the major hubs across the main island of Honshu, as well as across to Hokkaido and Kyushu,
these services dramatically cut travel time. For example the 7 hour road journey from Tokyo to
Kyoto takes only 2½ hours by Shinkansen. Signs and announcements inside the trains are in
English as well as Japanese, as is information about upcoming stations. Most Shinkansen trains
are served by small food carts with a selection of snacks, drinks and boxed meals (bento) which
periodically pass along the aisle. Some trains also have vending machines with drinks and pay
phones. All are equipped with toilets, which are Western style except on some older trains.
Linking the rest of the rail network are Limited Express, Ordinary Express and stopping trains.
Green Car is the equivalent of travelling First Class on the UK’s train network. Green Car
carriages are available on most long distance trains. The seats are usually configured in a 2x2
formation (compared to 3x2 in Ordinary Class). The seats recline, are larger and offer plenty of
leg room. The uncrowded carriages are more peaceful and snacks are provided by the
dedicated crew.
A Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is included on many of our self guided tours and this allows unlimited
travel on virtually the entire network of trains across Japan (the Nozomi or Mizuho bullet train are
two notable exclusions). JR Passes can only be collected in Japan by the pass holder on
presentation of a non-Japanese passport. If a JR Pass is included in your tour, our airport
representative will escort you to the JR ticket office to help you exchange your JR Pass and make
any seat reservations. Please note that during busy periods, the airport JR ticket offices may only
be able to book seats two days in advance but if this is the case you will be given clear
instructions of how to reserve the rest of the seats yourself at a later date at another train station.
If you have a guided city tour during your first day or so, your guide will be happy to assist you
with this.
Alternatively if you are looking for a more flexible approach, and would rather decide on the day
which particular train to catch, you can choose to travel in unreserved carriages. We do not
recommend this during peak seasons.
Green Car JR passes are also available. If you have booked a Green Car JR pass, this will be
clearly detailed on your 'What's included in the price' document.
On selected tours and dates, point to point trains (with pre-booked seat reservations) rather than
a JR Pass may have been booked for you. This will be when booking point to point trains
represents a more cost effective option on your chosen route. Alternatively it may be because you
are travelling during peak seasons when seat availability is likely to be extremely limited and/or
seat reservations will not be possible upon activation of your pass. Your 'What's included in the
price' document will clearly detail whether you have a rail pass or point to point trains booked.
Bus Travel
Bus travel is slower than train travel but offers a comfortable, convenient alternative where train
services don’t operate. Some Intercity bus services (those operated by Japan Railways) are
included in the JR Pass, others (including local services) will require separate tickets which we will
have pre-booked for you if included on your tour. These tickets will be given to you by our local
representative on arrival at the airport.Air Travel There is a good network of flights linking Japan’s major cities but these are usually more expensive than using the JR Pass and in some cases the Shinkansen is actually faster. Internal flights are sometimes subject to short notice delays and cancellations which are beyond our control, however we will do all possible to minimise the inconvenience should delays occur. Taxis Taxis are common in Japan, even in smaller towns and can be hailed on the street, at a hotel, train station or at other tourist spots. They are a useful option, especially for short journeys (for longer journeys, public transport will always be significantly cheaper). Taxis are metered and charges are approximately ¥700 for the first 2km then around ¥100 for each 350m after that; there is also a time surcharge in traffic jams. It is advisable to have your destination written in Japanese script to avoid any communication problems. Your detailed customised itinerary and the SelfGuide app will provide these for your hotels and key attractions. Be aware drivers may not be as knowledgeable about your destination as we are used to in the UK so try to have as much information as possible about where you’re heading. Travelling with children It is generally accepted that children 5 years and under do not have a good concept of danger. Children must be supervised at all time, especially when near any type of pool, when on a boat or near water in general. Climate Japan has 4 distinct seasons in line with Europe. Generally the climate is fairly mild but as Japan covers 1,800 miles north to south there are extremes at either end of the country from sub-arctic to sub-tropical. In spring and autumn (March - May & September - November) the weather is mild with clear days and low rainfall. From about mid May to June there is a short rainy season; although it doesn’t rain every day, rains can be heavy and umbrellas are a must. June to August is typically hot and humid and rainfall is highest then. The northern island of Hokkaido and mountainous regions remain cooler during these months. Winters (December - February) are relatively mild with maximum temperatures of 5-10C and lows just above freezing. Snow is more common on the west coast while the Pacific coast is generally dry with clear skies. Hokkaido is much colder with abundant snowfall and popular ski resorts. Altitude The health conditions caused by the effects of altitude are known collectively as altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Mild symptoms may be experienced by some people above 2,800m. The symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability and difficulty sleeping. If you start to feel any of these symptoms, you should seek help immediately. Areas frequented by tourists above 2,800m include the climb of Mt Fuji. What to take with you You should pack lighter clothing if visiting in the summer (June - August) and warmer clothes in the winter (December - February), especially if you are in the Alpine regions. If you are travelling in spring (March - May) or autumn (September - November) then bring some warmer clothes as the temperature can drop at night. Casual dress is acceptable everywhere. The locals are always
meticulously dressed and you will be judged on how you dress so you may want to avoid bringing ripped or worn clothes. An overnight bag will also be useful if you want to take advantage of the luggage forwarding service for your main luggage. Accommodation Japan offers a range of accommodation to suit all travellers and most cities and resorts offer a choice of Western style hotels. More distinctive Japanese options like ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) are a great way to experience the culture. Ryokans (pronounced 'ryok KAN' - with an almost silent 'r' at the start) in Japan can range from a small, historic property with just a handful of rooms, offering a complete immersion in the Japanese experience for every part of your stay, to a large100+ room establishment set in a modern building with traditional elements only in some areas. As well as different styles, standards can range quite considerably, from 5* luxury ryokans to a simple and homely 3* option. All offer the option of a Japanese room with the traditional minimalist layout including tatami mat flooring, paper screen doors and futon mattresses that are laid out at night to sleep on. Most also offer onsen, the traditional Japanese hot spring baths. These may be indoor or outdoor and are usually for communal single sex bathing (more shy guests can sometimes rent out onsen for private use). Please refer to the 'Social Graces & Customs' section for restrictions on tattoos in onsen. A few ryokan do not have en suite facilities and only shared, communal baths are available. If this is the case, this will be specified in the 'Details of your Accommodation' section of your itinerary. Dining is often a highlight of a stay in a ryokan. Elaborate kaiseki (multi- course) Japanese meals may be served in the traditional way in your room in some ryokans, while at others it is served in a communal dining room. Unfortunately special dietary requirements cannot usually be guaranteed. Minshuku are the equivalent of a Japanese B&B and offer more modest and basic accommodation. They are typically found in more remote areas, often on hiking trail routes. They do provide a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the culture, traditions and everyday life of a Japanese family. Each Minshuku is totally unique. Guest rooms are typically Japanese style (the traditional minimalist layout including tatami mat flooring, sliding screen doors and futon mattresses that are rolled out at night to sleep on) with shared bathroom facilities. Japanese style meals, using delicious local produce, are usually served in a communal dining room. Whichever Minshuku you stay in, you will be warmly welcomed by your hosts, though be aware that many hosts will only have a limited understanding of English, so a Japanese phrase book will come in handy. Wherever you stay in Japan, if your accommodation option includes a pool - we strongly advise against diving and please keep safety in mind when enjoying the pool. It is common for hotels in Japan to charge guests to use their swimming pool, particularly in higher end properties. Food & Drink Japan is not just a land of sushi! Whilst fish, rice and noodles are staples, there is a huge variety to suit everyone from traditional dishes to familiar western cuisine and dining is a highlight of most trips. Each region has their local speciality or ‘meibutsu’ and for gourmets, Japan now has more 3 starred Michelin restaurants than France. Make sure you enjoy a cup of green tea prepared by a tea master during your time in Japan. The intricate tea ceremony has a long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism and each movement within the ceremony has a specific meaning. Local tap water is safe to drink. Please note, the legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Language
Japanese is the official language spoken throughout the country. All Japanese learn English at
school but many haven’t had a chance to speak it so you may find it difficult to communicate. It’s
a good idea to seek out younger people, especially university age students or businessmen as
they’re more likely to speak English. If you are still having trouble communicating, try writing
down your question as many Japanese understand written English better than spoken English. We
recommend taking the names of hotels and attractions in Japanese script to show taxi drivers etc.
Your detailed customised itinerary and the SelfGuide app will provide these for your hotels and
key attractions.
Money
The Japanese Yen (¥) is the currency in Japan, please check with your bank or ask your travel
consultant for an up to date exchange rate.
Japan remains a cash society and credit cards are not widely used. Although you may find they
will be accepted at some top end restaurants, shops and hotels, it is not advisable to rely on
credit cards as many places, especially outside urban areas will not accept them. Japan is a very
safe country so we recommend you carry cash with you. Be aware that many cash machines do
not accept cards issued outside Japan notably Mastercard, Maestro or Cirrus WITH an electronic
chip on the front. VISA & American Express cards issued outside of Japan are usually accepted in
Japan Post Bank (located in most post offices) and Seven Bank (located in most 7-Eleven
convenience stores) ATMs as well as those at the international airports.
Tipping
Whilst a 10-15% service charge may be added to bills at higher priced hotels and restaurants,
tipping is not practiced in Japan and attempts to leave a tip will lead to confusion and sometimes
cause offence. Giving someone a gift to show appreciation is generally acceptable but if you do
want to give a cash tip, we recommend you place the money in an envelope first.
Social Graces & Customs
Japanese society and culture is built on intricate social etiquette and customs. Two very important
points to remember are that you should always remove shoes before entering Japanese homes,
ryokan, temples or any room with tatami mats and also that you should never wash with soap in
an onsen.
Foreigners will probably be forgiven any other social blunders but the Japanese are very
appreciative and patient with visitors who take the time to learn about their country so we’ve
listed a few do’s and don’ts below. If you do make a mistake, apologise profusely and smile.
• It is polite to put ‘san’ after another person’s name (‘chan’ after a young girl’s name or
‘kun’ after a young boy's name) but never add these to your own name
• The main form of greeting is the bow rather than the handshake. The proper form is
bending from the waist; men keep their hands at the sides, women clasp them in their
lap. However if you’re a foreigner a simple nod of the head is usually enough.
• Never stick chopsticks into your food, especially rice bowls as this is done at funerals
• Never pass food directly from your set of chopsticks to another's as this is also linked to
funeral traditions
• Refrain from blowing your nose in front of other people; sniffing is okay!
• Avoid expressing your opinion too directly, especially if it contradicts someone else's
• It is impolite to eat or drink something while walking down the street (except ice cream)
• It is considered rude to speak on your mobile phone on trains and buses
• It's polite to initially refuse someone's offer of help. Japanese may also initially refuse
your offer even if they really want it. Traditionally an offer is made 3 times
• Tattoos in Japan are strongly associated with the' yakuza', the Japanese mafia. Catching
sight of a tattoo, even on a tourist, can cause considerable unease. It is recommendedthat tattoos are covered wherever possible to avoid offence. In particular, be aware that
unless you are able to cover up your tattoo with a plaster, it is unlikely you will be
permitted to enter a hotel's onsen.
Public Holidays & Festivals
Japan observes 16 national holidays. Government offices, banks and many businesses are closed
during these public holidays but most tourist sights, restaurants and stores will remain open. The
only exception is during New Year when most businesses will be shut 1-3 January. Golden
Week, which typically falls in late April or early May and the Obon Festival, one week in mid
August, are Japan's most popular domestic 'holiday seasons'. During this time, many people
often return to their hometown to celebrate with their families or take the time out to travel around
Japan themselves. With so many people on the move, this can result in public transport being
busy and very crowded. Hotels are also very busy during this period and prices increased.
Whilst not a national holiday, Cherry Blossom season or 'sakura' continues to be celebrated
throughout Japan, as it has done for centuries. As trees across the country burst into flower, the
nation indulges in one of their favourite pastimes of 'hanami' - enjoying often rowdy picnics
under the pretty pink blooms. Alongside the usual weather forecast, national television even
broadcasts a Cherry Blossom forecast during this period, plotting the advance of the blossom. As
this is a natural phenomenon, there are no fixed dates for Cherry Blossom season but it generally
starts in the southern archipelago of Okinawa in mid January, sweeps through Kyushu and the
main island of Honshu in late March and early April, before ending in the northern island of
Hokkaido in early May.
Shopping
Shopping in Japan offers a wealth of unexpected treasures, from traditional crafts to high-tech
gadgets. Photographic equipment is great value, as are electronics (but be aware that Japanese
models may operate on a different current). Traditional arts and crafts from lacquerware and
pottery to wood block prints and silk goods make great souvenirs.
Safety
Japan is a reasonably safe travel destination and crime against tourists is extremely rare.
However it’s sensible to take basic precautions as you would anywhere against petty crime such
as keeping a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags. Keep your money and documents close to
you, keep photocopies of your passport and travel documents elsewhere in your luggage, use the
hotel safes and don’t put all your money in one place.
Ocean waves and currents can be strong and the sea can often be unsuitable for swimming.
Take note of any red flags and seek local advice if unsure.
Time
Japan is 9 hours ahead of GMT.
Electricity
The electrical current is 100V AC. Sockets are the flat two pin variety, as used in North America
so don’t forget to take an adaptor. Due to the lower voltage however, some UK electrical items
won’t work unless designed to work with variable voltages.
Communication
Only 3G/4G enabled handsets work in Japan so you may not be able to use your own mobile if
it is an older version.When you meet our local representative at the airport they will offer you a complimentary ¥2,000 phone card that can be used in Japanese pay phones as well as with Japanese landlines and 3G/4G enabled mobile phones. However if you would prefer to rent a mobile phone instead (at own expense including all calls), our representative can guide you to a phone rental company at the airport. Alternatively it is worth investigating with your network provider before you leave the UK whether they offer any cost effective fixed rate roaming packages for Japan. Local Contact Details In the event of any problem or concern, or if you would like some advice or suggestions during your holiday when in Japan, please contact our representative on the office number below or on the 24 hour customer care contact line out of hours. Please note if calling from a landline within Japan or from a Japanese mobile phone number, please drop the country code 81 and replace with 0. EXO Travel Japan Open Monday - Friday 0930 - 1830: +81 3 4580 7452 24 hour customer care line: +81 80 4068 4251 If you are using the SelfGuide app, there is also a ‘Talk To Us’ function which can be found at the top of the app's home screen (click on the speech bubble icon). Once you are in Japan, you can use this to easily send our representatives a message if you have any questions about your trip. Please note you will need wi-fi to access this, so we recommend you wait until you are connected to free wi-fi before doing so. Usually messages are responded to within a few hours during the office opening times above. However please do NOT use this function for any urgent assistance. In these cases you should use the telephone numbers above. 731 11/02/2019
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