Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Japan

Destination: Japan

Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Japan

Destination: Japan

What can I expect from Japan?

Japan is one of those places I could just re-visit over and over again. With a long history, vibrant culture and so much great food, it’s not hard to see why Japan is an amazing travel destination.

Japan consists of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu (from north to south); Honshu is the largest and referred to as the Japanese mainland. However, in total, the Japanese archipelago counts an impressive 6,852 islands.

Things to See and Do in Japan

Hike Mt. Fuji
Explore Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Wear Kimono at Osaka Castle

Experience Cherry Blossom Season
Visit Sensoji Temple
Feed Deer in Nara

Explore Himeji Castle
Have fun at Disneyland

Typical Costs When Traveling

Accommodation – Hotels in Japan are going to take up most of your budget. For a standard hotel room, you’ll easily going to have to pay $80 to $120 per night – depending on the location. Many budget travelers take advantage of Japan’s “capsule” hotels, also known as a pod hotel, that features a large number of small bed-sized rooms known as capsules. A night in a pod averages for around US$30 to $50 a night.

Food – Japan is worldwide known for its unique cuisine. However, there’s a lot more to try than sushi and ramen! Osaka is often referred to as Japan’s kitchen and a great destination for foodies. Some must-try dishes when in Japan include: tempura, okonomiyaki, yakitori, udon, soba and anything green tea/matcha flavored.

Transportation – Getting from one place to another will also cost you quite a lot in Japan compared to other Asian nations. Most subway systems in Japanese city are quite unique as the individual lines are owned by private companies. This means, you’ll often have to purchase several tickets when you transfer between subway lines. However, most cities also have city passes, allowing you to easily use their trains. Bullet trains are another popular mode of transport when traveling around Japan – but it’s expensive. You’re going to have to spend around $250 for transportation for a one-week trip in Japan (this does not include your airfare).

Suggested daily budget

88 EUR / around 100 USD

(Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation.

Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)

Money Saving Tips

Take highway and overnight buses. If you can, avoid taking expensive bullet trains and use highway or overnight buses instead.
Buy souvenirs from 100 yen stores. If you're on a budget, the 100 yen store will be your favorite place. You can buy literally anything at the Japanese equivalent of the 1 Dollar store.

Get city passes. A lot of cities in Japan have city passes, which include transportation and admission to several attractions in the city and vicinity.
Sleep in manga and internet cafes.Manga cafes in Japan are known to be 24-hour cafes that offer each guest an individual PC station inside a cubicle, with unlimited internet access and an extensive manga library. A night in one of these cubicle often only costs around 20 USD and some are often equipped with charging stations, showers, food vending machines and free-flow drinks.

TRAVEL IN JAPAN INSPIRATION

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia and will not disappoint. Due to Japan’s long history and vibrant culture, the amount of beautiful and interesting attractions is sheer endless.

Japan has something to offer for anyone. Whether it’s historic sites, cultural experiences or amazing food you will leave wanting to return.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR JAPAN

I’m always surprised how many people travel without travel insurance. For me, it’s as essential to travel as buying a plane ticket, backpack or accommodation, and I never go without it.

Although Japan is relatively safe, unexpected natural disasters can always happen and I’ve witnessed people getting laptops and phones pickpocketed first hand.

Adequate insurance not only provides you with medical coverage (if you get sick or break your leg), but also covers things like your camera full of epic shots getting damaged or stolen, your flights getting cancelled, or you getting caught up in a natural disaster.

In short, it’s an insurance against potential issues that arise when you’re traveling and can save your life (or at the very least, a lifetime of debt).

BOOK | I recommend booking World Nomads travel insurance

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

TEACHING ENGLISH IN JAPAN

Are you fascinated by the rich culture and history of Japan and want to stay a bit longer? Do you have a passion for teaching and want to make a positive impact on students' lives? Teaching English in Japan may be the perfect opportunity for you!

With a thriving economy and a strong demand for English language proficiency, Japan is an attractive destination for those seeking to teach English abroad. You'll not only immerse yourself in a unique and exciting culture, but you'll also gain valuable teaching experience and contribute to students' language development.

To begin your journey of teaching English in Japan, it's recommended to obtain a TEFL/TESOL certification. Various course options are available, including online and in-class formats.

Teaching English in Asia provided me with an enriching experience of discovering new cultures and personal growth. Japan offers competitive compensation packages and opportunities for career advancement.

For those seeking a reputable provider for TEFL/TESOL certification, consider ITTT for the following reasons:

Experience: ITTT has been offering high-quality TEFL training courses since 1998, making it a well-established provider.
Inclusive: ITTT courses welcome all fluent English speakers, regardless of nationality or previous teaching experience.
Transparent: ITTT offers transparent pricing with no hidden costs, covering all necessary materials and certification.
Support: ITTT provides round-the-clock customer care, lifetime job assistance to course graduates, and access to teaching materials and lesson plans.
Additional Resources: ITTT offers supplementary resources to support its graduates, such as teaching videos, an online blog, and collaborations with leading recruitment companies in the EFL industry.

Sign up via my link and receive a 20% discount off your TEFL course to start your journey of teaching English in Japan today!