How can you relax in Japan. Traveling to Japan: What you need to know about the country
Japan is a country with a unique nature, rich cultural traditions, ancient history and modern high-tech cities. It always attracts many tourists.
Holidays in Japan are presented in a variety of ways. Ski resorts, entire islands of entertainment, yachting and diving centers have been created for lovers of active movement. Connoisseurs of a calm, wellness holiday will be happy to visit geothermal springs, ancient temples, amazing landscape structures and parks.
Today, the women's online magazine Korolevnam.ru will tell you about the most popular resorts of this amazing country.
Sea resorts in Japan: medical, family, luxury
Okinawa
The wonderful places of Okinawa are suitable for scuba diving enthusiasts. Picturesque coral reefs and the diversity of the water world will not leave indifferent neither children nor adults.
Also, their attention is offered to water parks, dolphinariums, leisure centers.
Kamakura
An hour's drive from the Japanese capital is the resort town of Kamakura. This ancient city is replete with Buddhist and Shinto temples, statues that are of great interest to tourists. The convenient location of the city, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the Pacific Bay, has made it a famous resort. There are always a lot of vacationers here, especially young people: on sandy beaches, surfboards, yachts.
Kamakura hosts many festivals during the beach season.
The Japanese love children. Therefore, in all resort areas you can find a lot of entertainment for family tourists.
Miyazaki
A wonderful vacation with the younger generation will turn out in Miyazaki.
A visit to the famous water park "Ocean Dome" will leave the best memories for all family members.
Ibusuki
At the resort of Ibusuki, simple beach sand has a powerful healing effect.
This is due to the fact that thermal hot waters and underground steam are close to the earth's surface and warm up the quartz.
Ryukyu Islands
The Ryukyu Islands are home to divers and whale watching naturalists.
Sirahama
The dazzling sands of Sirahama amaze with their whiteness and smoothness. They were brought specially from Australia.
This thermal seaside resort is characterized by a combination of improved amenities, mild climate, developed tourist infrastructure, and a beautiful rocky landscape.
Features of a resort holiday in Japan: climate, prices
A beach holiday in Japan is similar in climatic parameters to the southern Russian one: it starts at the end of May, reaches a peak by mid-July, and ends in October. The optimum temperature ratio for air (+26?C) and water (+24?C) is reached in early October.
At this time, heavy summer rains no longer fall and intense heat subsides.
Japanese resorts stand out for their high level of service, luxury, technology, and scope.
It is quite natural to ask how much a holiday in Japan will cost. The price of such a tour is quite high. On average, a 10-day trip costs $2,000.
You can reduce the cost of your vacation by purchasing a last-minute tour or by lowering the level of service at the hotel.
Many domestic tourists are surprised by the very fact that a beach holiday in Japan exists. Everyone knows this wonderful country from the other side - as mysterious and inaccessible.
But the ever-increasing number of beach holidaymakers on the volcanic islands points to the growing popularity of the Land of the Rising Sun as a tourist destination among Russians.
Not all mobile phones will work on Japanese cellular networks. We recommend renting a phone at Narita or Kansai airports. For an Internet connection, we also recommend renting a portable modem for a while.
Some Russian tour operators provide tourists with pocket routers for the entire duration of the trip.
Language and communication
The Japanese language, as a means of communication, is truly multifaceted. There are degrees of politeness of the language, the highest forms of which are sometimes difficult to use even by the Japanese themselves. They sometimes use completely different words and grammatical structures when communicating within the family, with strangers, friends, colleagues, service personnel, superiors, women, men, animals and children. Words differ in male and female speech, in different dialects, depending on age and social status.
| Hi: 1. Morning 2. Afternoon 3. Evening | 1. おはよう 2. こんにちは 3. こんばんは | 1. Ohayo 2. Konnichiwa (relatively versatile) 3. Konbanwa |
| Thanks | ありがとう | arigato |
| Goodbye, bye | さよなら | Sayonara However, when parting, we advise you to say "Arigato" |
| Sorry | 1. すみません 2. ごめんなさい | 1. Sumimasen (simple apology*) 2. Gomannnasai (a request for forgiveness, in case of a serious misconduct, for example, if a person was pushed or something was broken) *also used when addressing a Japanese person or to attract attention. There is even a joke that the Japanese do not have names, they are all called "sumimasen" |
| What is the price? | いくら | *point (not with a finger) at the product you like* Ikura |
| Give me check | かいけいで | kaikei |
| I want to order this...this...and this | これと・・・これと・・・これをおねがいします | *point (not a finger) at the dish you like...and then to the next...and the next* Koreto...koreto...kore oh onegai shimas. |
| Not | いえ | Ie |
| Yes | はい | hai |
| I do not understand | わかりません | Wakarimasen |
Features of the mentality
The Japanese try to live without creating problems and inconveniences (“meiwaku”) for others. Therefore, they are sure that outsiders will not interfere in their personal space and their personal affairs.
The number of traditions and rituals is simply huge. Almost all areas of activity in the country are regulated, which is especially noticeable in communication between people.
Handshakes are not accepted, they are replaced by bows.
Hashi chopsticks should not be crossed or stuck in rice (associated with death). You should not point your chopsticks at anything or wave them while eating - this is considered a sign of bad taste. Also, do not move food on a plate or dishes on the table. Drinking "to the bottom" and pouring yourself is not accepted. It is recommended to fill a neighbor's glass or bowl, and he, in turn, should do the same for you.
It is forbidden to step with a shod foot on straw mats "tatami" - this is regarded as sacrilege. Especially in homes and temples. You should also change into special slippers before and after visiting the toilet.
Tipping is not accepted.
Shopping. What is worth bringing?
As a gift to your family and friends, buy souvenir maneki-neko cats, traditional Japanese sweet buns, daruma figurines, key rings and magnets.
Take a closer look at Japanese electronic wristwatches. Not only do they cost several times cheaper in Japan than in Russia, there is a discount for holders of foreign passports.
We do not recommend buy household appliances and electronics in Japan. Of course, from a technological point of view, Japanese household appliances are beyond any competition, but they are designed for a completely different mains voltage, so in Russia you can only use them with a powerful step-down transformer.
Consider buying alcohol even if you don't drink. It's not just about the traditional Japanese "sake". A bottle of good alcohol can be a great gift. Japan has a huge selection of drinks, and they are several times cheaper than in Russia. It's all about taxes.
Local kitchen. What to try?
Japan is a true gourmet paradise. But Japanese cuisine is not limited to rolls and sushi. This is an incredible amount of a wide variety of meats, seafood, noodles, desserts and exquisite combinations of traditional Japanese cuisine "kaiseki". The most popular dishes among the Japanese are:
Ramen. Japanese noodles in broth, the most popular type of soup in Japan. The broth comes in four varieties. It has a rich taste and high energy value. Meat, eggs, vegetables and pickles are usually added to ramen, and nori is dried seaweed. Other ingredients vary by region, season, and establishment.
Kare rice. Rice with a thick spicy vegetable and meat sauce. The most popular hot dish in Japan. Sometimes apples or pineapples are added to the sauce.
Katsudon. Rice with fried chop. The most popular lunch dish in Japan. Served in a bowl. A battered chop with scrambled eggs, onions and herbs is laid out on rice. According to Japanese legends, after serving katsudon in the police station, the criminal must repent.
Takoyaki. It is balls of dough stuffed with octopus. On top of the dish is sprinkled with onions and tenkatsu (fish shavings). Served with special sauce. The most popular Japanese fast food.
It is worth noting that in Japan, rice is the main dish, and everything else is perceived as a kind of side dish.
Holidays and events
Japanese holidays are, first of all, the atmosphere of a fairy tale. We will never forget how on a summer evening, on the Tenjin Matsuri festival in Osaka, we found a snowy mountain next to the house. The organizers of the holiday brought snow and built a mountain out of it so that the children could ride on it. Well, not only children, we also took a ride then. The attitude to the holidays in Japan is serious, everyone should have fun.
Initially, describing the holidays in Japan, we wrote almost 8 pages. I had to shorten it. Therefore, here are the most interesting, in our professional opinion.
April 29 - May 5. golden week. Golden Week is the longest holiday period in Japan. It coincides with the best weather of the year and is the perfect time to travel around the country.
1 - 29 July. Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto. It is one of the most lavish festivities in Japan, culminating in a massive procession of colorful floats. Each of them has a different design and is dedicated to a specific folklore theme.
July 7th Tanabata. This is the most romantic holiday in Japan, when the stars Altair and Vega meet in the sky. Representing Bootes and the Weaver, they are forever separated by the Milky Way and see each other only once a year. This evening, festivals and fairs are held where you can taste Japanese delicacies and play traditional games. The festivities end with colorful fireworks.
December 23rd. Emperor's birthday. This is a national holiday, when the people can see the imperial family live.
1st of January. Japanese New Year. A family holiday, when the inhabitants of the country go to Shinto shrines in their best kimonos in the morning to meet the sunrise and receive predictions for the next year.
Safety
Japan is a very safe country. You could even say "the safest in the world." For example, the Japanese can leave the phone on the table of the summer terrace in a coffee shop, thus making it clear that the place is occupied. They carry wallets in the back pockets of their trousers, car keys in the ignition. The police in Japan enjoy great prestige and respect, and the citizens are very law-abiding. In stores, goods simply lie on the shelves, there are no surveillance cameras. None!
During your stay in Japan, you are unlikely to encounter scammers as such, however, sometimes enterprising owners of restaurants or shops can take advantage of your lack of knowledge of Japanese and offer you, for example, a separate place on the terrace or balcony for a cozy dinner in a romantic setting. You really will have a wonderful dinner and atmosphere, but you may not understand the large inscription on the menu that a separate balcony costs a lot of money. Therefore, to the best of your ability, try to specify the price of "special offers".
3 tips that will definitely come in handy when traveling in Japan
1. If you get lost, do not ask for help from passers-by. The fact is that if the Japanese does not know the area, then he will never admit it, and he will not be able to refuse help. Therefore, it is very likely that he will send you in a completely different direction. It all depends on luck, your "friend" can guess. Therefore, try to find a policeman or ask the workers of shops or restaurants for directions. Combination shops will even print out a map for you.
2. Always carry cash with you. The Japanese pay mostly in cash, and not all stores have cashless payment terminals.
3. Try to buy an adapter for Japanese sockets and be prepared for the fact that your gadgets will be recharged longer. It's all about the voltage difference. In Japan it is 100 V.
Japan is a multifaceted country. Here you can find any leisure to your liking, whether it's walking in noisy neighborhoods or ultra-modern areas, viewing historical and architectural monuments, even a beach and ski vacation. You can just walk the streets and enjoy the thoughtfulness of the details. Even sewer manholes in Japan are sometimes a work of art. Go to numerous cafes and restaurants, arranging a gastronomic tour. Go shopping, admiring the Japanese service. Attend numerous workshops and try your hand at traditional Japanese crafts such as making fans, sweets, and even Japanese swords. You can have fun at Japanese holidays and relax in hot springs. Conquer mountains and raft down rivers. And most importantly, no matter what you do in Japan, you will be able to remain yourself.
Photos used in the material: allabout-japan, pixabay, unsplash.
We continue to consider the features of tourism in the Land of the Rising Sun. In order not to seem to everyone and everyone in this country as an ignorant “red-skinned barbarian”, who visited this wondrous land, you should know the rules and be able to follow them. In continuation of the previous article, we will tell you about the intricacies of the life and culture of the mysterious Japanese people.
The level of tourist safety in Japan is perhaps one of the lowest in the world. Of course, you should not forget about the elementary safety rules and precautions that are typical for all countries. Here you should just remember that foreign languages in Japan are not very favored and you will be incredibly lucky if you meet a person who speaks more or less tolerably English. However, the locals will quickly fuse the lost tourists to the police, and the duties of the latter include the delivery of noisy ignorant foreigners to hotels. Also, all the inscriptions in the subway and buses are duplicated in Latin. It does not help much, but at the very least you can navigate.
A few words about the seasons. The climate in Japan is divided into 4 traditional seasons and 2 rainy seasons. In winter, the islands are usually dry and above freezing. Snow falls in the mountains. Spring begins with plum blossoms (usually March) and lasts until the start of “bayou” (plum rain) - the summer rainy season. So, if you want to watch the legendary, many times sung sakura blossom, try to get to Japan exactly by the beginning of the month of April. The rainy season begins and lasts differently in different parts of the country. Summer is a really hot season that lasts until September, when the autumn wind finally brings coolness. Autumn is the most comfortable time of the year in Japan, in my opinion. It is important to remember that there are no “cheap” or “low” seasons in this country (as, for example, in Egypt or Turkey). At any time of the year, prices for most services for foreigners remain the same. Therefore, plan your trip according to your climatic and weather preferences.
Now about Japanese cuisine. The most popular, of course, are 3 products: rice, fish and algae (how else on the islands?). Hence the most famous Japanese “sushi” and “sashimi” (the Japanese themselves say “sushi” and “sashimi” and many of them do not pronounce the letter “sh” at all). In general, everything that one way or another floats in the sea near the islands indiscriminately turns into these same sushi and sashimi. Another interesting thing is the Japanese soup “miso”, “tempura” (fried fish in a special way) and the Japanese national barbecue - “kushiyaki”.
In all cafes and restaurants - full service with smiling polite staff. True, they speak only in Japanese, but that's okay. There is, of course, European cuisine, however, it is European only in appearance. Well, but full service. To compete with the level of service in all (I emphasize, in all) service establishments of the Land of the Rising Sun, perhaps, the Orekhovo Hotel in Moscow with its 400 hotel rooms and well-trained staff. Well, it doesn't matter. Be that as it may, it seems to me impossible to have a good rest in Japan without complete communion. And this means no European cuisine and everything else “Western”. Only local food, local hotels, local baths transport. Then a trip to Japan will remain unforgettable.
Safety
Crime rate inlaw-abiding Japan is extremely low, but forget about all elementary precautions it's not worth it.
Meet at the street of an English-speaking passerby- very rare luck. It is also a common misconception that in Japan hotels and restaurants all employees speak English. The language of communication in Japan is Japanese... and either a guide or gestures will help a foreigner...
Transport
Taxis in the country are very expensive.Tariff starts from 640-770 JPY in Tokyo and 500-580 JPY in other cities. Further- 80-90 JPY per a certain distance forevery minute of downtime is charged an additional 45-50 JPY. From 23:00 to 06:00 the tariff is 30% higher.
At Japanese taxi drivers are the opposite: a green "light" on the windshield means that the car is busy, red- free, yellow on empty car - rides on phone call.
Forgotten in taxi things can be returned with a high degree of probability by calling the Unified Lost and Found Taxi Companies.
Telephone communications
There are two standards for cellular telephone communication in Japan - CDMA and 3G . As a result, tourists oftenquestions arise whether their phone will work in Japan, and if not, how to provide themselves with cellular communications.
There are several options:
Rent a Japanese phone and insert yourSIM card. You will keep your old number. Everyone who calls you will dial your regular phone number and will not even suspect that you are in Japan. For calls to Russia, you must dial the international dialing code for Russia and the desired phone number.
You can rent a phone only at Narita Airport and in the business centers of large hotels ( Imperial Hotel, New Otani, Hyatt, Four Seasons ). The rental price is approximately $10 per day (including insurance in case of loss or theft). Outgoing calls are additionally paid according to the tariff of your telecom operator.
To rent a phone, you need a passport and a credit card valid in Japan.Don't forget your SIM pin. It will need to be entered in order to connect the SIM card to the phone.
Rent a phone with a Japanese number. You will have a Japanese phone number.Everyone who calls you must dial the international dialing code for Japan and the number of the rented phone.You should do the same when calling to Russia.
You can rent such a phone only at Narita Airport and in the business centers of large hotels ( Imperial Hotel, New Otani, Hyatt, Four Seasons). The cost of such a lease is $10. per day (including insurance in case of loss or theft).Outgoing calls are charged additionally at the rate of a Japanese telecom operator.
To rent a phone, your passport and a credit card valid in Japan are required.
Buy a special local phone. Softbank sells special phones for tourists. You buy a special pre-paid phone card for the phone and enter its number into the phone. The phone starts working like a regular Japanese phone with a regular Japanese number. When the limit on the card is exhausted, you need to buy a new one. The cards are sold in all convenience stores throughout Japan. The phone costs $80.
When you leave Japan, you can throw away your phone or take it with you as a souvenir.Phones are sold at the airport at the Softbank store and at any Softbank store throughout Japan.
All you need to buy a phone is your passport.Payment by credit card or cash.
Multisystem phone. The latest Nokia models are released with simultaneous support for several cellular communication standards - 3G and GSM. If you have such a phone, and you have paid for roaming with your telecom operator, then upon arrival in Japan you can call home directly from the gangway.
You can also call from the hotel.The cost of the international call will be charged to your account. You can buy a regular phone card and call from a gray phone booth in Japan.
Money
Banks work with 9:00 to 15:00-17:00 on weekdays and from 9:00 to 12:00 on the first and last Saturday of the month, Sunday- day off.
AT Narita International Airport (Tokyo) exchange offices are open around the clock. ATAll banks are closed on public holidays.
It is best to exchange large amounts inairport of arrival, ashotels do not change more than 300-500 USD per person per day, and in banks, the exchange procedure is complicated by bureaucratic formalities.
Currency exchange points in stores are extremely rare, and onthe streets don't have them at all.
All sales and services are subject to a non-refundable 5% consumption tax. For a refund of this tax in stores and departments of the system "
tax-free "You must show your passport.In expensive hotels and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is often added to the bill.
You can pay with common credit cards, but
it must be remembered that ina number of restaurants "credit cards" are not accept.Credit cards
There are times when a credit card does not work for tourists. Moreover, there is no system in failures: in one store the same credit card is accepted, and in another it is not. To avoid unexpected situations, before traveling to Japan, contact the bank that issued your card and ask to check whether the blocking for using a credit card abroad, and especially in Japan, has been lifted.
You will definitely need the card when renting a cell phone.
In Japan, credit cards are accepted in all major restaurants, shops, hotels and even in taxis. Although the Japanese themselves still prefer to pay in cash. It is best to always have cash with you.
Appliances
The voltage in Japan is 110 volts. Plugs for electrical appliances require adapters thatcan be bought at the airport for 400-500 yen. A 4* hotel cannot always providetourists with adapters.
Medicine, insurance
Japanese medicines are not always suitable for people of other nations, and therefore it is better not to rely on local miracle medicines, but bring your usual medicines with you.
Cosmetics - especially expensive lines - in Japan are different than in Europe and the United States. There are no European lines here, but there are their own, which differ in biochemical composition. Therefore, it is better to take the minimum necessary cosmetics with you.
Tourists usually buy health insurance in their home country before leaving. Therefore, their hopes that everything will be free in the event of an insured event are in vain. When you get sick, the first thing to do is to call your insurance company and find out which hospital in Tokyo or another city you can go to for help. In the hospital, you will have to pay in cash yen, take a check and then return this money in your home country. In a simple case, a doctor’s appointment and medicines will “pull” a minimum of about 30,000 yen.
The insurance does not cover appointments with a dentist, gynecologist, most of the surgical operations, with the exception of an injury in an accident.
To contact a doctor, you will most likely need an interpreter, for whose services it is also necessary to provide funds in the travel budget.
About using medical insurance abroad - we advise you to read:
Arguments and Facts
http://www.aif.ru/travel/article/43978
clothing
The sizes of clothes and especially shoes in Japan are small, gravel paths lead to the temples, so you need to take comfortable hiking shoes, a light windproof jacket, and sun glasses with you. It's not easy to buy something in your size in Japan....
Tips
Tipping is not customary in Japan. But the Japanese do a lot themselves, do not count on the help of service personnel. No one expects a bus driver to carry and load their belongings into the trunk of a bus. If the driver does, he usually expects a 100-200 yen tip from each passenger. If you want the guide to book a table for dinner, write the name of the store in Japanese for the taxi driver, advise and mark pharmacies and shops on the map after work, and provide other assistance, then it would be right to offer the guide a tip of about 1-2 thousand yen.
If you have received an additional or personal service in a restaurant or hotel, then no one will consider it offensive to receive a tip with which the client expresses his gratitude.
If you always and everywhere pay with a credit card, you should make sure that there are small bills in your wallet with which you can thank the person for the good service rendered to you.
Not nice
There are no prohibitions in everyday life in Japan, but there are some rules that are recommended to be observed by guests of the country.
It is not accepted to smoke in public places, in offices, at stations and railway platforms, as well as in houses and cars without the permission of the owner.
It is not customary to step on straw mats "tatami" in shoes - this is regarded as sacrilege.
It is not customary to enter a private toilet in shoes or barefoot - it is customary to change shoes into special slippers, which are usually placed in the toilet or in front of the entrance to it.
Lost things
Losses on the street are dealt with by the police, losses in the hotel are dealt with by the client himself, since the hotel is not responsible for the safety of things. At the same time, things left at the hotel usually go to the hotel's Lost and Found and are not lost.
The transport company sends the things left on the bus by mail to the hotel at the expense of the client.
In an earthquake
Japan is located in a zone of high seismic activity. The country's authorities are paying serious attention to preparing the population for possible emergencies that may arise as a result of strong earthquakes, providing assistance to victims, including foreigners temporarily staying in the country. The country has a system of preliminary or warning notification (from several minutes to several days) about a possible earthquake. However, most earthquakes happen unexpectedly.
In such cases, you should remain calm and try to follow the following recommendations:
while in the room, slightly open the front doors so that they do not block;
turn off heaters and open sources of fire (gas stoves);
stand in the doorway under the supporting structures, covering your head from possible falling objects, or take cover under a solid table;
in the event of a fire or the impossibility of staying in the premises for other reasons, leave it, taking at least documents and drinking water with you;
do not use the elevator, and if you are in the elevator during an earthquake, then stop it at the nearest floor and exit it;
for shelter in the city, use underground passages, open areas, keep your distance from glassed-in windows and walls of high-rise buildings, beware of falling objects;
while in a train car, stay in it until the end of the earthquake or until you receive permission from the employees of the subway or railway.
After the earthquake, the city's disaster prevention headquarters informs (in Japanese and English) the public about the situation, takes measures to eliminate the consequences, and provides assistance to the population. So use your radio or TV as soon as possible to get the latest information.
Help and emergency contact
Help - Japan Help Line (24 hours, English): 0120-461-997
Emergency contact:
Fire brigade, ambulance -119
Police -110
Called for free. When calling from a public pay phone, press the red button before dialing.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan:
Holidays in Japan, in this highly developed country rich in ancient traditions, will fill your baggage of impressions with new sensations. Japan cities are huge and bright garlands of multi-colored lights. Holidays in Japan it is impossible to imagine without visiting the capital of this wonderful country. is a place where the frantic rhythms of modernity collide with ancient foundations and traditions, this is a continuous restless madness, balanced by the temples of Zen.
Active holidays in Japan
Many of Japan's national parks have hiking trails. the most popular for walking tours are National and Chichibu-Tama. There are also good but distant routes in Gunma Prefecture and in the Kansai area near the city. To see Japan from an unusual side, rarely accessible to foreigners, visit the mountainous, sparsely populated areas of the Central Alps. Skiing is possible from December to April. Most resorts are located on the island, but there are also ski resorts in Hokkaido. Scuba diving is available on the Okinawa Islands in southwestern Japan. Cycling is appropriate in less mountainous areas, but some zealous cyclists even climb Fujiyama! Golf is prestigious in Japan. If you have a desire to set foot on a green lawn, you need a fat wallet and corporate connections. If you play golf, you will have to pay from $100 per day.
Holiday prices in Japan
Japan is possibly one of the most expensive countries to travel to. but you can always find ways to cut costs down to manageable levels. An approximate daily budget, considering that you will stay in inexpensive hotels, eat at modest restaurants and travel short distances, will be about 60 US dollars. Throw in another $10 just in case you feel like eating, drinking water, having fun, or paying a fine. If you are staying at an expensive hotel and eating at an expensive restaurant, this amount will rise to $100. Yes, even in inexpensive Japanese hotels, the cost of living is far from the OldPort Hotel in Boryspil or a Russian middle-class hotel, it is more expensive, which, when going to Japan, you need to be prepared for. Long distance travel in Japan can undermine your budget if you intend to move around the country a lot. You should buy a rail pass. If you look at this problem from the other side, wealthy people will not have any problems with where to spend the money they brought with them. Japan specializes in establishments where the higher the score, the higher the prestige of the guests. Cash is still dominant in Japan. But in big cities, more and more people are paying with credit cards. accustomed to the low crime rate in their country and often carry large wallets of money with them to enjoy the process of paying for purchases in cash, which has become almost a ritual. Foreign tourists can imitate the Japanese in this, without forgetting the minimum precautions. You can exchange cash or traveler's checks at the Foreign Exchange Bank, major post offices, large shops and hotels. Preference is given to American dollars, attempts to exchange Taiwanese or Korean money are doomed to failure. Most ATMs do not accept credit cards issued abroad. You will have to look for Cirrus or Plus logos ATMs or check with your credit card company before leaving. it is not customary to tip at every turn, as well as to bargain. If you want to express your gratitude to someone, it's better. Bargaining is almost impossible, with the exception of used electronics stores, where you can politely ask for a discount, and you will be given 10%.
Traveling in Japan
Traveling by plane is the most convenient form of transportation from the main islands to one of the smaller ones, and is often not much more expensive than traveling by train. Check just in case, you might be entitled to discounts, there are some pretty funny ones in Japan (for example, Japan Airlines offer discounts for three women traveling together, or for husband and wife if their combined age is 88 or over). It is even more profitable to buy tickets in advance at special prices: Japan Airlines offer discounts up to 72% on everything flights within Japan. In Japan, you can also travel by train, although they are often very expensive. fast, frequent, clean and comfortable. Trains are very diverse: from small, local significance, to superexpresses (shinkansen) or "bullet trains", which have become a symbol of modern Japan. Bullet trains reach speeds of 270 km/h, are very comfortable, and can be ridden on a rail pass. These passes must be purchased in advance and are valid for all trains in Japan. Intercity buses are significantly slower than trains, but they are noticeably cheaper. Unless you're traveling in a sleeping car, spending the whole night in a bus recliner is much more comfortable than sitting upright on a train seat. much easier than it seems, it is enough to have an international driver's license. In Tokyo, you don't dare to drive, but in most other cities the roads are well-signed in English, all drivers are polite and careful, gas is not much more expensive than in Europe (that is, almost 3 times more expensive than in America), and the place for parking is not so difficult to find, as the popular rumor says. You can get around the country perfectly on a motorcycle, while you do not need a motorcycle license. Driving in Japan is on the left. Exploring Japan by cycling around the country is a lot of fun. The secret to the success of such trips is to move away from busy main highways and travel on small roads. Ferries are also a great way to see parts of the country you haven't visited yet. A dense network of ferry crossings connects the islands and the southern coast of the West along the waters of the Inland Sea. Ferries also connect the main islands to smaller islands scattered along the coast, and also run between Okinawa and Taiwan. The local is very well equipped. In big cities, the metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the right place. Almost every Japanese city has a bus fleet, but many foreigners don't like to ride buses. Traveling by tram is much more pleasant. Taxis are also very convenient, but (unsurprisingly) expensive.
Money in Japan
Holidays in Japan
December 31 - January 2-3 - Bank holidays. 1st of January - . 2nd Monday in January - ("Seijin-no-hi"). February 11 - . March 20/21 - Spring Equinox. April 29 - Vegetation Day. May 3 - Constitution Day. May 4 - Non-working day. 5 May - . July 20 - Sea Day. September 15 is Respect for the Elders Day. September 23-24 - Feast of the autumnal equinox. The 2nd Monday of October is Health and Sports Day. November 3 is National Culture Day. November 23 is Labor Day. December 23 - Emperor's Day. By the number of various holidays, festivals and ceremonies, the country is clearly the world leader - there are more than 200 official holidays here, and the number of local ones simply cannot be counted. The most famous are such traditional festivities as the New Year's Eve - "Segatsu", the snow holidays "Yuki Matsuri" (January) and the ice festival (beginning of February), the girls' holiday or the "doll festival" - "" (March 3) and the festival of water drawings "Omizutori" (beginning of March), admiring the flowers "Hanami" (cherry blossom time, end of March), Buddha's Birthday or Flower Festival - "Hana Matsuri" (beginning of April), the largest Buddhist festival in the country - "Sanya Matsuri" (end May), Tanabata Matsun Star Festival (beginning of July), Gion Matsuri Grand Festival in Kyoto (mid-July), O-Bun Festival of the Dead or Lantern Festival (running from mid-July to late August), Festival folklore dances "Awa Odori" in Tokushima (mid-August), the grandiose Autumn Festival in Nikko (mid-October) and many others. The "Lilac Festival" is held in spring, and the "White Illumination Festival" in Sapporo is held in late autumn. The Yah-Yah Matsuri (the first Sunday in February) is held in Owashi, the Mifune Matsuri boat and raft parade (end of May) is held in Kyoto, and St. Valentine's Day is held in February-March.
Memo to a tourist in Japan
Tipping is not customary in Japan. Attempting to tip may be regarded as an insult. In expensive hotels and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is often added to the bill, so the tip is actually paid through these official bills. The best vacation abroad for a wealthy or desperate gaijin is, of course, holidays in japan. You just have to choose carefully. best time to travel to japan, among other things. Weather Spring (March-May) with clear skies and cherry blossoms is probably the most wonderful time of the year in Japan, but it's a holiday season of all kinds, so many of the more popular itineraries can get crowded with local tourists. Autumn (September-November) is a great time to travel: temperatures are mild and autumn colors, especially outside the city, look amazing. The middle of winter (December-February) can be very cold, and the exhausting summer months (June-August) can turn any trip away from air conditioners into a real "bath", where the only positive thing is that there is no such influx of tourists at this time . It is also worth considering whether it makes sense to travel in the midst of the holidays. Moving around and finding accommodation can turn into a real headache during the New Year celebrations, Golden Week (late April - early May) and the Au-Bon festival in mid-summer. It is not accepted to smoke in public places, in offices, at stations and railway platforms, as well as in houses and cars without the permission of the owner. You can not step with a shod foot on straw mats " tatami' is regarded as sacrilege. This is especially true for dwellings or visiting temples. You should also change into special slippers before and after visiting the toilet. The number of traditions and rituals that are obligatory or recommended for observance is simply huge. Almost all areas of the country's life are permeated with a network of traditions and ceremonies, this is especially noticeable in communication between people and in public life. Department stores are open every day from 10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00. Private shops, as well as shops at hotels, work according to their own schedule. There is a chain of small shops that work around the clock, but offer a limited range of goods, including, however, everything you need. The most expensive stores are located in the Shinjuku quarter, on Aoyama-Dori Street, Tokyo's Champs Elysees. Young people prefer to dress in Shibuya, there are many inexpensive trendy stores.
