Here we have compiled the tips that help you to enjoy your trip to this exotic island and assuage many of your worries.
Traveling to any foreign country can be stressful in many ways: geographical unfamiliarity and language barriers are the two of the concerns that arise. It is true for all the destinations even though they are popular and well-traveled by tourists. Still, it can be challenging to discover the tricks and tips for seamless navigation. And Japan is certainly no exception and can be one of the challenging countries for English-speaking visitors. How do you read a menu available in Japanese? You may find it hard to save on money. And it may be difficult to get a room at a top-notch restaurant.
Here we have compiled the tips that help you to enjoy your trip to this exotic island and assuage many of your worries.
1. Get a JR Pass to save money
If you plan to travel around the country, look into purchasing Japan Rail Pass. This ticket allows visitors to travel on any buses, trains, and ferries operated by JR, and this pass is valid for 90days. If you don’t know where you can purchase this pass, then no worries. You can visit https://japanrail-pass.com/en/ to get your Japan Rail Pass.
2. Buy smart cards
Suica and Pasmo are ubiquitous among natives. These cards are like the equivalent of a MetroCard in New York City, giving access to public transportation, saving time at ticket machines. They are particularly helpful on those platforms that are not covered by Japan Rail Pass. You can also use these cards to purchase at convenience stores or vending machines and also to pay for taxis.
3. Learn some key phrases
We have no excuse not to learn the basic Japanese phrases with technology like Google Translate in your pocket. By learning the key Japanese phrases, you can make your trip easier. Greeting phrases are a must as it is a sign of respect, so you should learn how to say “good morning,” “hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you,” and the like so that you can address locals. Also, look into “sorry” or “excuse me” in case you accidentally hit the fellow pedestrian, or you need to catch someone’s attention. And if you are having problems communicating with natives, you can use translation apps.
4. Carefully choose the season
Most of us want to ask this question: what the best time to travel to Japan is. Firstly, the best time entirely depends on your preferences and interests. Secondly, it is a subjective thing because each season has its good and bad traits. So it is all down to the individual.
Personally, I believe the spring season is the best time to admire the beauty of this land. No doubt the climate is still cold this season, but it is a wonderful time to visit. The one overwhelming positive trait to visit Japan in the spring season sees blossoms, and the negative trait is its crazy crowd.
5. Exchange money
The exchange rate in Japan is higher as compared to other countries. Plus, there are not many exchange counters on the streets like other countries. So it is wiser to have yen ready in your country before traveling.
