Traveling to Japan?

Question

I plan on taking a trip to Japan, I'm not sure when but I'd like to get information ahead of time. I would like to stay there for 2-3 weeks, how much money should I bring? Also would it be wise to travel alone?

Answer 1

I spent 3 weeks traveling on my own in Japan this past October and found it one of the most enjoyable vacations I ever took. Japan is an extremely safe country to visit with a low reported crime rate, but you do have to show a little common sense. I had absolutely no problems going out even late at night, though I was careful not to get drunk or go wandering down dark alleys. Try to learn some basic Japanese before you go. While many people do speak at least some English, being able to communitate in Japanese will go a very long way in helping you along, even if it's only a few phrases.

Japan can be extremely expensive, but there are a lot of ways that any traveler, especially a single traveler, can get by without completely breaking the bank. There are a lot of ways to make traveling to Japan more affordable, but it will mean abandoning some of the Western comforts that most of us are accustomed to and doing things more as the Japanese do.

The Japanese Inn Group (http://www.jpinn.com) is an organization of small family owned hotels and traditional inns all over Japan that welcome foreign tourists and cost far less than any of the major hotels. All of them are clean, well run establishments with ammenities that range from positively spartan (which is great if you don't plan to spend any time in your room except sleeping) to borderline luxurious. Many are closely located to major tourist points.

One thing to remember is that when staying in traditional inns, there is a curfew (usually around 11pm) and prices are per person. But I found them an extremely economical place to stay while I was visiting. While some do offer western-style rooms, the fun is staying in a tatami room and sleeping on futons and wearing yukatas. Most of these inns have traditional baths so you might have to forgo a private bath, but there is something wonderful about soaking in a Japanese tub after a long day of sightseeing. Many do offer at least breakfast (for a small additional cost) and some offer dinner. If they do offer dinner, it's a nice splurge as many inns serve very high-caliber Japanese cusuine that would cost more than twice as much as a good resturant. Inexpensive hotel chains like Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn maintain hotels is most of Japan's major cities, and they are an inexpensive option if you feel that you would be more comfortable in a western-style room, though I found them not as convenient by location. I would recommend staying at a ryokan at least part of the time, to really get a taste of the culture.

Food can also get pretty expensive, but Japan has some fantastic food bargains. For breakfast, bypass the hotel breakfast buffets and find a local kissaten (coffee shop). Morning sets are a common breakfast in Japan, consisting of a cup of coffee, egg, salad and toast - average cost about 500 yen (less than $5.00 US). Noodle shops are always a good option, as are okonamiyaki restaurants (serving Japanese-style omelets, yakisoba and other grilled foods). Convenience stores sell good food (sandwiches, bento boxes, snacks, fried snacks) and are very inexpensive, which makes the occasional splurge much more bearable. Japan has fantastic food and it's definitely possible to eat extremely well without resorting to McDonalds (which are depressingly prevalent). Most resturants have no problem accomidating single diners, and some like Shabusen (Tokyo) go out of their way to accomodate them with special seating areas.

Many cities offer day passes for their busses and subways, which will cut down on your sightseeing costs (cabs are always expensive), and the entry fees for most museums, temples and shrines are usually 500 yen and less (many are free if you just want to walk around the grounds and only charge if you want to explore the buildings, something I suggest you should do). Be prepared to do a lot of walking!

If you are visiting several cities, get a Japan Rail Pass (voucher must be purchased before you leave for Japan and redeemed in Japan at a JR office). The pass will allow you to take most commuter trains, including the bullet trains for a flat fee. I figure that my rail pass alone saved me several hundred dollars on my vacation. The rail pass can be purchased for 7, 14 and 21 day periods, and for both the regular cars and Green cars (first class). They also cover the train lines to/from both Narita and Kansai international airports (trains usually run every 20 minutes).

You will, of course, want plenty of money for shopping and there are again good bargains that can be found. For example, buying a new kimono can run hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars, but I found a second-hand kimono that was in excellent condition for only around 2500 yen (less than $25). There are numerous small craft stores and markets in every city, and shops like the Oriental Bazaar in Tokyo (Harajuku) and the Kyoto Craft Center (in Kyoto) are great places to find some real treats but you need to sort through the touristy things first.

I ended up not spending nearly as much money as I'd originally thought that I would, and I wasn't trying to be especially careful with money. It will be very easy to work out a budget and be able to stick with it. The most expensive thing will be your airfare.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You should go for it! Tokyo is really safe. The worst that will happen is something will get stolen from you if you leave it somewhere. You won't get kidnapped and sold to the mafia or anything. It's a trip of a life time and a great experience to do while you are young. Just make sure you think of everything first. Food, passport/visa, transportation (to, from, and in Tokyo), place to stay, shower/ bathroom, expenses on clothes(souvenirs, ect), cell phone access/ internet access, and money conversion/credit cards/debit cards. Japan is very expensive though, that's the only downside. All of your plugs for American products will work in Japan so you don't even have to worry about getting adapters! Good luck convincing your parents but I think going to Japan before your 18 is a great idea. Do a little research and show your parents how safe Tokyo is compared to any city in US. Tokyo will definitely be safer than any city in US. Just remember, something WILL go wrong. Nothing ever goes perfectly so be prepared to problem solve!

Answer 3

Apart from reading the good advice here, I suggest you research the National Tourism of Japan website ( JNTO ) and also look at some of the accommodation options which you can sort by price, stars and location.

It's very safe - ultra safe - maybe the safest place in the World. But things are best done with a companion to share the fun if poss - or make friends along the way.

It should give you a good start.

Happy planning:

Answer 4

Traveling alone in Japan should be safe. Its relatively safe over there. Money for the trip would depend on how much you are willing to spend for a hotel. Just bring your credit card..

Answer 5

Traveling solo in Japan is very safe. It's also very easy, because the Shinkansen and other railways are very efficient, so you don't have to worry about car rentals and other hassles.

How much money you need depends on what city you are staying in, what kind of hotels you want or are willing to settle for, and what activities you plan to do when you are there.

You can see prices for popular hotels here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294232-Japan-Vacations.html

This site gives reviews of hotels by people who have stayed there. Also, you can choose the city (or cities) that you will be staying in and see hotels specifically in those cities:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Japan/TravelGuide-Japan.html

Answer 6

Here is safe.
Budget: Do you stay in backpackers' hostel or hotel?