What is it going to take to go to Japan?

Question

My boyfriend and I are thinking about going to Japan next summer. We are planning to take Japanese courses to learn the language. I know we need to get passports but are there any vaccines we need or any other paperwork? Also when would be a good time to start contacting travel agencies and actually reserving flights, hotels, and other accommodations? Also how much can we reasonably expect to spend on this trip?

Anyone who has gone to Japan, I want to know about your experiences and what you had to do to make sure everything was in order.

By the way, we are planning on going for a week, two at the most if that makes a difference in anything.

Answer 1

Learning their language would definitely be a bonus, as most Japanese aren't really fluent in English. But even if you don't learn the language, it isn't that big a problem as road signs, labels and station signs are posted in English as well as Japanese too.

Second, you might wanna take a flu vaccination before flying to Japan, and carry some vitamins supplements along with you so that you won't get sick easily.

Third, i only brought about 79,000 yen (about US$650) to Tokyo to spend for 8 days. It was just enough. Of course, my accommodations and airfares were already settled. It costs abt US$910 for JAL airlines and 8 days and 7 nights of accommodation. It would be good to start looking for accommodation and airfares 2-3 months before going.

Make sure that the hotel you are living at is near to train stations or near to shopping districts, if not, you have to spend quite a sum of money on transportation. And transportation isn't cheap in Japan.

If you are going for one week, i suggest that you stay in one city only, because you only have 1 week to explore the city. but if you're going for 2 weeks, then you'll have ample time to explore elsewhere.

Check out the websites below for more details.
I did my research through these websites and i find them useful.

Answer 2

There are no recommended vaccines when going to Japan. I don't know why someone would think that hep A or B are more prevalent here than anywhere else in the world though ...??! Even people living in Japan don't HAVE to have the Japanese encephalitis vaccination - in fact, when they sent the letter 'inviting' my daughter to have hers recently it had a health warning on it, saying that it often has very severe side-effects! How many people get themselves or their kids vaccinated with THAT on their minds I wonder!

If you're Americans you won't need visas, just the passports. If you're NOT Americans, check out this list to see if your country has a visa exemption arrangement with Japan;
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html#a
If you ARE from a country with a visa exemption agreement, then you don't need any other paperwork provided you're 'of age'. I assume that would mean 'of age' in your OWN country - because in Japan it's higher than many other countries!

Start looking around NOW - give yourselves a true idea of how much the flight and hotel will actually cost! Then, if you see a real bargain (from a reputable dealer) you will be able to take advantage!

I can't offer advice on any of your other points I'm afraid, because I've only come to Japan to either stay with someone, or to live! But I hope you both have a great time..!!

Answer 3

You'll need visas from the Japanese to go in your passports.

Here's what the CDC says about the vaccines:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm#vaccines

I would get the hep A and hep B vaccines, those diseases strike here all the time. The Japanese encephalitis vaccine is expensive, and not really needed in Japan these days.

Answer 4

The best time to get your tickets is generally early or last minute, right?

I'd avoid going around a national holiday as the fares might be more expensive. A list of holidays is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holidays_of_Japan

If you are going for a week, it is probably not necessary to take language classes. You will be able to get by. I've known people who have lived in Japan for years with marginal language skills and they get by just fine.

If you are going to travel a lot, you should get an JR Rail pass too. More info is here: http://www.japanrailpass.net/

Answer 5

You don't need any particular vaccine for Japan, though if you are going to rural areas and basically sticking your bare feet in mud where you are prone to infected mosquito larvae, you would want Japanese encephalitis B.

Answer 6

here is a good site to check out-
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html