Japan essential info
A country of contrasts, Japan's city Tokyo dazzles with bright lights and high-tech gadgetry while the cherry blossoms in Kyoto’s Maruyama Park are symbols of peace and beauty
Travel in Japan: vital statistics
Capital of Japan: Tokyo
Population of Japan: 127 million
Languages in Japan: Japanese
Time in Japan: GMT+9
International dialling code in Japan: +81
Voltage in Japan: 100AC 50 Hz
Visas for Japan: Not required by UK nationals. Find out more about Japanese visas here.
Money in Japan: Yen (JPY). Do not assume because Japan is highly modernised that you can pay by card everywhere – many shops only take cash. Many ATMs don’t except foreign cards. Look out for Japanese postal ATMs – these do. Traveller’s cheques are accepted at most banks. Tipping is little practised in Japan. If you do wish to tip (room attendants in hotels, for instance) put the money in an envelope first.
Japan travel advice: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Japan tourist board: Japan tourism organistion
When to go to Japan
Climate and weather in Japan: Avoid the summer months – especially July and August – when temperatures soar way into the 30s, with mind-sapping humidity. Winters are cold, with heavy snowfall in Hokkaido and down the country’s mountainous spine. Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit when temperatures are comfortably in the 20s.
Flora in Japan: Spring is the time to see Japan’s famous cherry blossom and Japan’s autumn foliage rivals that of New England.
Festivals in Japan: During the
Gion Matsuri festival in July, Kyoto turns into a giant street parade. Also in July is the
Festival of the Dead when lanterns are symbolically floated out on rivers, lakes and streams across the country.
International airports
Tokyo-Narita (NRT) 65km from the city, Osaka-Kansai (KIX) 50km from the city, Fukuoka (FUK) 7km from the city. Central Japan (NGO) 35 km from Nagoya.
Getting around in Japan
There is an extensive network of domestic air services, which is useful for longer journeys, with fares on a par with rail services.
The myriad small islands are linked by ferries, with some serviced by flights.
The
train is king in Japan, whether you’re whizzing at 300mph along one of the country’s six major express routes or slowly winding along a scenic rural line. Consider a
Japan rail pass, which covers travel across the country and must be purchased before arriving in the country.
Long distance buses are a cheaper but slower option for inter-city travel. The Japanese drive on the left hand side of the road. Hire cars are good for localised travel but less so for long-distance as expressway tolls are steep and frequent.
Japan accommodation
Accommodation in Japan needn’t be expensive. For a full-on experience of Japanese culture, stay in a traditional ryokan (inn) complete with tatami¬¬¬-mat floors and sliding shoji screens for as little as £25.
Family-run minshuku (guesthouses) cost around the same price. A Western-style business hotel will set you back twice as much.
Japan food & drink
It’s not just raw fish. There’s plenty of tasty dishes made with the cooked variety too. While sushi and tempura (vegetables in batter) are now familiar to many Western palates, there are hundreds more local dishes that wont be.
Whether you splash out on a kaiseki – (a set course menu of up to 10 dishes) or stick to the cheap and cheerful ramen (noodles in broth) eateries, you’ll discover a subtle cuisine which emphasises textures and presentation over the strong flavours usually favoured in Asian cooking. Vegetarians, beware the ubiquity of fish stock in cooking.
To wash it all down, there’s
sake (a potent rice wine) and a wide selection of excellent
biiru (beers)
Health & safety in Japan
Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Japan. Crime levels are low and street crime is rare. Medical treatment is of a high quality but can be expensive; insurance is always recommended: www.wanderlustinsurance.co.uk.