Do you still remember your favourite anime when you were young? Like the undying Dragonballz, the Doraemon, Slamdunk, or how about the different Ultraman’s or the Voltes V – all of them have one common denominator, and that is they are all from Japan. Maybe the same with others, due to the popularity of these anime shows, you also once dreamed of visiting Japan, but because of being on a tight budget, maybe you think that these will be only a dream – a dream that will never happen. Here’s good news! You can visit Japan even if you are not that rich because there are now packages to help you visit Japan on a lesser budget.
Best time to visit
If you will visit Japan, the first thing to consider is the weather and the right time to travel there. It is better to visit there at the right timing so that you will really enjoy your vacation and sightseeing in Japan. In Japan, the weather varies in different parts, for instance, in most of Japan, they have four seasons – especially in Northern Japan where it is freezing with snow during winter, while on the south side like in Okinawa, they experience warm weather all year and in Tokyo, they have cold weather, but they don’t have snow. So, if you want to go to Japan, any month is a good time to go there based on the place where you want to visit.
In Japan, aside from the four seasons, they also have monsoon rain and too much humidity, which usually happens in the month of mid-June to mid-July. In August and September, the weather is drier, and they also have typhoons that usually occur from May to October. If you want to practice skiing and snowboarding, December to February is the best time to book your flights. These months also are full of discounts because it is winter and lesser tourist are visiting there. However, if you want to see the famous cherry blossoms visit Japan in springtime, which is in mid- March to mid –April, but you need to book ahead to avoid full bookings in hotels. If you want to experience lots of Japanese festivals, go there in summer, which was from May to July and, if you want to visit there during fall, you will experience the brilliant autumn colors and nice weather which is from September to November.
Best Places to Visit in that country
If you will visit Japan, you need to go to these places to really experience and see the beauty of the country.
- Explore the beauty of Tokyo.
- Feel like being in the past in Kyoto.
- Make a humble visit to the past in Hiroshima.
- Have a jaw-dropping sunrise at the peak of Mt. Fuji.
- Try some winter games in Sapporo.
- Get frenzied at Tokyo’s fish market – Tsukiji fish market.
- Visit and get mesmerized by the architectural structure in Gion District.
- Pamper yourself in their pseudo – apprentice geisha treatments in Maika.
- Get some selfies with the Sakura in the Heian shrine.
- Have a relaxing lunch in Ueno Park.
- Learn the history of Japan by visiting their Imperial Palace.
- Get mesmerized by the beauty of Miyajima Island.
- Have a tour of Japan’s original, still-standing castle, the Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
- Have some pilgrimage in the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in the Island of Shikoku.
- Try to hike around Nikko.
- Try a ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel in Osaka.
- Be like a monk and meditate in some monasteries and temples in Japan.
- Have a try in their ryokan – a traditional bed and breakfast.
- Visits some natural, geothermal hot springs known as Jigoku in Beppu.
- Soak in an onsen or their natural hot springs.
- Explore the Daisetsuzan National Park snd get amazed by the beauty of nature.
- Feel like in Hawaii by relaxing in Okinawa.
- Do some hiking in Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.
Do you need vaccines to travel?
Although Japan doesn’t require you to have a vaccine before entering their country as for your own safety, it is best to be vaccinated with some vaccines for health purposes. You may need to have these routine immunizations like MMR or Measles-Mumps – Rubella vaccines, DTap, Varicella vaccine, Polio Vaccine, or some Hepa A and B, Rabies shots, Japanese Encephalitis, and more. Also, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they may need you to show a negative test result of your PCR test, which will be taken the moment you arrive in their country.
How to stay safe?
Japan is a safe place in terms of crimes, but if you ever do encounter one, you can ask for help by making a call in their emergency hotline 110.
If you are a woman travelling alone, watch out for some lewd behaviour, and stay as safe as possible. If you ride a train, there are train companies that have “women only” cars, so follow the pink signs where you should board.
Don’t forget to give your itinerary to your loved ones and keep your important documents safe, or as much as possible, make a copy of it.
Have good travel insurance to protect you from any untoward incident that may happen.
What to pack when travelling?
In going to Japan only bring the following:
- Remember to pack light and pack clothes depending on the seasons or weather that the country will have during your visit.
- Pack some small medical kit.
- Some toiletries
Do’s and don’ts in that country
Every country has its own taboos and culture, so before visiting any country, it is basic to know the do’s and don’ts to avoid embarrassment. So here some of it:
Don’ts
Don’t play or misuses your chopsticks.
Don’t harass or force geishas or maikos for a selfie.
Don’t embarrass the locals by leaving tips or counting your change in front of them.
Don’t litter or deface any tourist sites.
Don’t make loud noises in any public transport.
Do’s
Do show respect to the locals by bowing properly to them.
Do make use of your two hands in accepting.
Do follow their rules.
Do slurp when having your noodles.
Do always keep to the left, whether driving, walking, or riding.