Japan

From beautiful temples to coastal towns, snowy mountains, and mega-cities Japan has everything. Whether you’re looking to explore hi-tech Tokyo or get lost in a mountainside village, come with us as we venture through this famous country.

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Japan Travel Info

Language

Japanese is the national language. The little English available is almost exclusively in Tokyo. Be prepared with a translation app. In our experience, Japanese people are very hospitable and willing to help our foreigners if they can. Be aware that important signage for navigation and public services has some English, but menus may not. NHK provides free Japanese lessons so you can brush up on basic phrases before your visit.

Demographics

Japan has a population of 125 million and predominantly follows Shintoism and some Buddhism. However religion is mostly cultural, and most people only take part in Shinto and Buddhist traditions during religious holidays. The ethnic makeup is over 98% ethnically Japanese, with smaller groups including Korean, Chinese, and Ainu indigenous groups. Expat populations are mainly concentrated in Tokyo and Osaka.

Weather

Japan is a temperate country with 4 distinct seasons. There are hot and humid summers and moderately cold winters, with some snow. Japan is a much larger country than most believe. From top to bottom, it is about 3000km, almost exactly as large as the United States east coast! Weather varies drastically based on latitude and elevation.

Public Transit

Japan has world-class public transportation. Every major city has subway and light rail lines that are very well connected. Many cities also have robust bus networks. The Shinkansen is a high-speed rail network that covers the entire country and is a perfect way to get to new cities. In addition to vast coverage from smaller rail lines, intercity buses, and ferries, nearly every town is reachable by public transportation. In our experience, the cost is a bit higher than in other East Asian countries, but it is still quite affordable.

Japan FAQ

Japan is one of the most prosperous and developed countries in the world. This means it is one of the most expensive countries for travel in Asia. However, it is still more affordable than many countries in North America and Europe, so proper planning will help you avoid a costly trip. We recommend making use of public transportation and traveling outside of busy season if possible to reduce costs.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. It has an incredibly low violent crime rate and scores very high on the Human Development Index. Because of this, it is an ideal country for solo travel. The safety is such that many Japanese people leave their bags at a restaurant table to mark their seats while they order, and walking outside at night is very safe. As with any country, be aware of your surroundings, and keep your belongings with you.

Broadly, no. Japan has a very low literacy rate of English or any other language. In Tokyo, there are some areas where English is understood, such as major tourist attractions. We highly recommend bringing a translator app with you. Our experience is that Japanese people are overwhelmingly lovely and helpful and welcome foreigners. Of course, please be a respectful and patient tourist.

Japan has four beautiful seasons. The city of Aomori in the north is the snowiest city in the world, while tropical Okinawa in the south rarely gets below 65°F. Rain is greatly increased from late May through July. We suggest researching your area of travel for weather.

That being said, the best time to visit Japan is late spring and early fall. Japanese summers are notoriously hot, so mid-summer is not usually a great option. Generally March-May and September-October have the best temperatures with little rain. This time avoids the scorching and rainy summer and cold winter.

No, Japan is not a tipping country. In fact, it can seem rude to tip in some situations. If you a tip leave at a table, it is possible the waiter will run after you thinking you accidentally left money.

The currency of Japan is the Yen. ¥1000 is usually about $7 USD or €6 Euro. Most establishments do take credit cards, however many services like temples, small restaurants and non-tourist businesses only accept cash. Because of this, and the exceptional safety of the country, we recommend using cash in Japan as much as possible.

This is very unusual for a modern country, but nothing is worse than having to shamefully walk out of a restaurant or skip an attraction because you only have a card.

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