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

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

Introduction

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

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

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

You will find unexpected fun in my articles!

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

The articles are for first-timer visitors to Japan!!

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

TOKYO travel TIPS Facebook group

Also, I’m an administrator of TOKYO travel TIPS Facebook group.

It’s a question-and-answer group about traveling to Tokyo and Japan.

If you have any questions, post them to this group.

Many group friends will try to answer your question!!

You can minimize your anxieties and maximize your joy through this group!

TOKYO travel TIPS

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 maritime and mountainous country, with 75% of its land area covered by the mountains.

Population

12,491,000 people

Ethnic groups　

Yamato, Ainu, Ryukyu, 97.3% and other naturalized citizens 2.7%.

Currency

Yen( 1 USD is around 140-160 yen)

Visas

No visa within 90 days of stay( click here and check your own country)

Visit Japan Web

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

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

It will shorten the clearance time.

Visit Japan Web ,

click above and check 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 need to 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 and vending machines 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 cultures 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.

Shintoism

Arakurayama Sengen shrine

Meiji shrine

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 and harmony.

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

These are basics for Japanese culture.

Buddhism

Meigetsuin temple in Kamakura

Sensoji temple in Asakusa Tokyo

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

It was introduced to Japan from India , China through Korea 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

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.

Osaka

The second population 9 million people live here.

It’s called kitchen of Japan, there are many reasonable and delicious restaurants.

The city has a very lively and friendly atmosphere.

Kyoto

Kyoto had been a capital of Japan from AD 794 to 1868.

It’s said there are 1500 temples and 500 shrines here!

And 17 of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You feel like you’re back in time!

Still 2.5 million people live here.

Climate

Temperature and rain.

Honshu and Mt.Fuji

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

Cherry blossoms in 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 too!

Summer fireworks festival

Gion festival in Summer Kyoto

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, so you should keep that in mind.

Autumn colorful leaves

Autumn leaves and Mt.Fuji

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 Gala Yozawa snow resort

Winter Maruten Snow Resort in Mt.Fuji

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 hit the hot current of the Sea of Japan, bringing world-class heavy snowfall.

There are 607 snow resorts in these areas.

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!!

How to get SUICA in Narita airport

How to get PASMO in Haneda airport

International drivers license

If you want to rent a car or rent a city kart in Japan, you need an international driver’s license.

You have to get it at home police or driver’s association before coming to Japan.

Nowadays you can get it through web.

Check your home police and driving license association as ‘ international driver’s license’.

It’s around 2500 yen( 17 USD) in Japan.

I think it’s a similar price.

Guide books I recommend

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka walking maps

ICICA is at Kansai International Airport.

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

Tokyo travel guide

Osaka digital guide

Kyoto map

Books

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

It’s a good way to get a general idea and prepare your travel!

These summarize Tokyo and Japan well!

Lonely Planet Tokyo

Lonely planet Japan

Japan lonely planet

Tips you should know before going to Japan

bring hand towel

You had better bring a 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 trash bags

In Japan, there are very few trash bins in the city.

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

But you can get it at the convenience stores.

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

If you say ‘ yes’ then you can get a bag for 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, Ikebukuro, and Asakusa.

( It’s not inside the circle line)

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

Booking.com

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

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

My email:
nobu11051991@gmail.com

My phone, Whatsapp, LINE
+81-80-8041-5597

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