TOKYO travel TIPS , for first-timers ,you should know before going to Japan !!!

TOKYO travel TIPS , for first-timers ,you should know before going to Japan !!!

Hi I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan every year , visited 27 countries!

I’m a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter of English for 11 years.

For the people who are interested in and planning trip to Japan ,
I show you hidden local information which you have never seen and heard of through books and ordinary site!

You will find unexpected fun through my articles!

I summarize the things you should know before coming to Japan!!

The articles are for first-timers to Japan!!

Now you know how to prepare your travel to Japan!!!

What is Japan?

Japan is an island nation with a total length of 3500 km.

There are 14,125 islands, including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

It is a unique country that is both maritime and mountainous, with 75% of its land area covered by mountains.

Population

12,491,000 people

Ethnic groups　

Yamato, Ainu, Ryukyu, and other naturalized citizens.

Currency

Yen( 1 USD is around 150 yen)

Visas

No visa within 90 days stay( check your own country)

Visit Japan Web

Before landing Japan 6 hours, I recommend you fulfill Visit Japan Web.

It’s a immigration and customs form instead of paper.

It will shorten the clearance time.

Visit Japan Web how to write it

Mobile phone and wifi

You can use wifi most of the public places, cafes and restaurants.

If your phone is an international phone, you don’t do anything.

After you land in Japan, start data looming.

It will work as you are at home.

If you don’t have it, I recommend you get SIM card or pocket wifi for convenience during your stay.

Haneda, Narita both airports have many shops of them.

Culture

Himeji castle

Shinkansen

As an island nation far from the continent, it has been influenced by foreign countries since ancient times, but has always developed its own culture too.

We have an enterprising spirit and are interested in and accepting of new things.

But at the same time, we are willing to preserve what is good long time.

Religion

Statistics show that the largest number of Japanese have no religion.

We have strong secular and rational values.

But we follow many annual events, weddings, funerals, and ceremonies based on Shinto and Buddhist values and traditions.

Shinto

Ancient Japanese indigenous religion.

It has no founder and no scriptures.

It is considered nature worship and ancestor worship.

It’s the belief that one’s existence is due to one’s ancestors and the environment around one.

Therefore, we believe that God dwells in all things, and treat nature and everything around us with great care.

Parents teach their children ‘to be clean’, ‘not to lie’and ‘not to bother other people’.

Buddhism

A teaching that preaches liberation from life, aging, sickness, and death, founded by Buddha 2,500 years ago.

It was introduced to Japan in 538.

When Buddhism was first introduced, there was a severe conflict with Shintoism.

There was also an intense struggle , murders between the two powers.

Since our Japanese ancestors focused on the similarities between the Shinto belief that God resides in all things and the Buddhist belief that Buddha-hood resides in all things.

This is the friendship idea of Shintoism and Buddhism.

Since then, there has been no conflict , struggles and made a peaceful relations between the two .

They often build their buildings together on the same land.

Capital and Major Cities

The capital is Tokyo.( literally means east capital)

Tokyo

Osaka

Kyoto

The population is 40 million according to UN urban area data, making it the largest metropolitan area in the world.

Major cities are Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, Kobe, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kanazawa, and Sendai.

Climate

Honshu

Hokkaido

Okinawa

Most of the country is in the temperate zone, but some parts are subarctic in the north and tropical in the south.

There are four distinct seasons, with scenery differing greatly between spring, summer, fall, and winter.

So visitors can enjoy the scenery, food, festivals, and other pleasures of each season.

Foods

Japan is long from north to south

, and has a variety of landforms including oceans, rivers, mountains, and plains.

Each region is blessed with a different climate and a variety of foods.

No matter which region you visit, you can enjoy unique food that has developed in terms of natural flavors, preservation methods, and serving styles.

This way of eating that makes the most of nature’s bounty and integrates it into daily life has been registered as a World Cultural Heritage site as WASHOKU(Japanese food).

Seasonal Highlights　

Spring

In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom all over Japan, and cherry blossom viewing is a major event for Japanese people.

Recently, cherry blossoms have become very popular among foreign tourists.

Summer

In summer, fireworks displays are held at night all over Japan.

Kyoto’s Gion Festival is a representative summer festival with a history of over 1,100 years.

Summer is hot and humid, you should keep in mind that.

Autumn

Autumn is a time of beautiful foliage throughout Japan, which can be enjoyed during the month of November.

This is the most popular season for Japanese people, it lasts longer than cherry blossoms and is also very popular among foreign tourists recently.

winter

In winter, the climate differs greatly between the Sea of Japan side and the Pacific Ocean side.

On the Sea of Japan side, cold winds from Siberia hits hot current of Sea of Japan,brings world-class heavy snowfall.

There are 607 snow resorts these area.

That is why winter sports are popular here.

Recently, foreign tourists have been coming from abroad to enjoy the powdery snow.

On the other hand, on the Pacific Ocean side, winds from Siberia turns dry and brings chilly but sunny days.

Winter is the best time to see a panoramic view of beautiful Mt.Fuji.

SUICA, PASMO, ICOCA cards

SUICA, PASMO, ICICA are precharge cash cards available all trains, busses and payment for convenient stores and supermarkets.

It will make your travel in Japan easy one!!

How to get SUICA in Narita airport

How to get PASMO in Haneda airport

Guide books I recommend

Tokyo , Kyoto and Osaka walking maps

ICICA is at Kansai International Airport.

They show the several regions in one map, very helpful to get the idea how to walk and what to do.

Tokyo travel guide

Kyoto map

Osaka digital guide

Books

I always buy the guide books of my destination and read them on the airplane!

It’s a good way to prepare your travel!

These summarize Tokyo and Japan well!

Tokyo lonely planet

Japan lonely planet

Tips you should know before going to Japan

bring hand towel

You had better bring hand towel to wipe your hands.

You had better bring hand towel to wipe your hands.

We all Japanese have this towel, so most of the time there is no paper towel in the toilet.

Carry small trash bag with you

In Japan, there are almost no trash bins in the city .

You had better carry small plastic bag with you to hold your trash.

You can get it at the convenience stores.

If you buy something there, the shop people will ask you that you need bag or not.

If you say ‘ yes’ then you can get a bag by 3-5 yen.

Keep it.

I hope you have a good preparation for Japan!!

Hotel to stay

I recommend you stay at Tokyo terminal stations, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Imebukuro, Asakusa.

These are very convenient to move around in Tokyo and outside Tokyo!

Booking.com

Put in ‘ budget’’place’’hotel type’ then search them.

I’m Nobu , one heart enjoy together!!!

My email:
nobu11051991@gmail.com

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+81-80-8041-5597

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