Are you planning a trip to Japan and have no idea where to start? Here are some travel tips and destinations we have experienced on our visits to Tokyo and surrounding precincts of the Honshu Island.
Japan has many modern (Western) style places to rent, as well as AirBnB and traditional Japanese Inns (Ryokens) where you can experience the traditions of Japan. Japan also has the best and most effective public transportation system in the world, making it easy to get around the country. Japanese trains always run on time and are super fast. Japan is a modern and clean country with a very low crime rate, making it an easy, comfortable, and safe country to travel in. Japan has incredibly varied and healthy food, but it can be a little confusing when trying to order. Most dining places have picture representations of what a dish should look like and generally it should not present a problem. We often just pointed to a menu picture and held up a finger to signify how many dishes we wanted. Also a good idea to read up on etiquette when eating out.
Do I need to get a JR Pass
The JR Pass is a public transport pass that covers the JR companyʼs train network, some buses as well as other inclusions. It is available for either 7, 14, or 21 days. The JR pass is good value if you are taking more than one return trip between cities, or if your trip covers proposed trips to Osaka, Hiroshima or other longer rail journeys. The JR Pass is better value than buying separate train tickets on the Shinkansens and is not available to Japanese citizens, who have to pay full fare. JR trains also operate locally within the city limits, so the pass can be used there as well. We found a saving of around 33% on our train fares. If, however you plan on just travelling by local trains, it may be cheaper to buy tickets, rather than invest in a pass. The passes have to be purchased in the country you reside in and cannot be bought once in Japan. They do have to be activated in Japan JR offices before you can use them, though. Most bullet trains have both non-reserved and reserved seats. For non-reserved carriages, you can simply show your JR pass at the train station gate then hop on. However there is no guarantee you can get a seat in those carriages, so you will probably have to stand. It is highly recommended to make a seat reservation in the reserved carriages before you travel and this can be done at JR ticket offices which are easy to spot in train stations. During busy periods you will have to make your reservations early, as trains can be completely booked out, days in advance. I recommend reserving seats on all your long distance trains at least two days before departure so you can make sure you will not be disappointed and have to try an unbooked carriage. JR passes also covers the Miyajima ferry and a few other services, like the trams in Hiroshima, as an example. You can your JR pass to enter train stations at any time to use the toilets in the station, if you get caught short. Ask me how I know.
Suica Card
As well as using your JR Pass in Tokyo, you may benefit from buying a Suica card which is a top-up prepaid card, similar to our Opal card, that you can use to pay for all non JR trains, subways, and buses in most of Japanʼs largest cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka etc. Suica can also be used to pay on vending machines and in shops and restaurants all over Japan. You simply touch the card on a reader for about one second and the things you buy will be paid by the card. When the card is empty, you just refill it at JR train stations. Suica is the best card for foreign tourists visiting Japan and they can be topped up with cash, at any JR rail stations.
Best Times to Visit Japan
We have been to Japan three times now, but have really only experienced two seasons – Spring and Autumn (Fall). If you’re considering a trip to Japan, you’re probably wondering what time of year is best to visit. The wonderful thing is every season is a great time to visit Japan. Japan in the Spring (March – May) is a popular time in Japan, as the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom and the crowds are overwhelming. There are also lots of festivals in the Spring and is worth the experience. Temperatures are pleasant and rain is infrequent. Japan in the Summer (June – August) is hot and humid. We have a daughter living in Tokyo and she suffers from the high humidity and packed transport in the summer. There are festivals, fireworks and Mount Fuji is open to climb. Japan in the Autumn (September – November) is spectacular for colours, with October being the best time to see the multi hued leaves. Still lots of festivals and exhibitions and the crowds are thinning out. By Aussie standards though, the volume of humanity is beyond belief. I do not know how they are all fed. Japan in the Winter (December – February) has some of the best skiing in the world and the snow lends a magical air to the countryside. We were surprised on a weekend in April, when an overnight dump of snow shut down public transport in Hakone, essentially stranding us. It was beautiful but cold.
Pocket WiFi
As well as using your JR Pass in Tokyo, you may want to rent a Pocket WiFi unit. This allows you to have internet service wherever you go so you can search for directions, get train schedules or look up restaurants in the area. Plus, you can connect up to 10 devices. The only downfall is that you need to be in range of the unit, so if you wander off to look at blokes shops and your wife has the unit in her handbag, you may get lost because Google Maps will be useless. You can of course buy a Sim card, if your smartphone is unlocked, but we have used the Pocket WiFi on all three occasions and found it to be perfect.