Guide to Travelling to Japan
So you’re ready to go to Japan. What will you need? What might be helpful?
I’m hoping that this guide is able to answer those questions and more for you. Note that a lot of my guide will be based on Tokyo, since most of my experience involves Tokyo.
One disclaimer however, I am by no means a guru sharing expert advice. I’d just like to share my personal experience and hope it sheds some insight on what to expect.
First off, let me say that I highly recommend lengthier stays (i.e. 1 month) in Japan. Many people I know end up spending around 1 week or even less in Japan. You may be thinking “I’m going to get bored staying that long”, but let me assure you that will not be the case.
There were days that felt less exciting, but they were still great days. Having breathing room in your schedule allows you to actually enjoy the city more like a local, rather than your typical foreigner who is strapped for time and always in a hurry. I personally think it’s too tiring to keep up with a tight schedule like that; It’s a vacation, so you should have time to kick back and relax, not running all over the place trying to squeeze in time.
Personally I spent days in certain sections of Tokyo, such as a day in Shibuya, another in Akihabara, etc. Of course, I did end up going back to many places a second time. The city has plenty to explore, and a second trip usually lets you discover more. That being said, I personally would rather delay a trip then to go for a short period of time. The concept is much like watching a TV show; Nobody watches only one episode if they enjoy it.
So you’ve arrived in Japan, and you’re at the Airport. I’m going to assume that you will be at Narita, headed for Tokyo (it being a popular choice, and where I went)
Leaving the airport, you have several choices. There are several trains that will take you to different places, but I recommend taking the special buses. As far as I know they’re a fast way to get direct to where you need. Furthermore, many of them stop at hotels! It’s a much more convenient way I think as opposed to taking the train, which might require you to do some transferring and experiencing rush hour trains. Not exactly something you want to deal with while carrying luggage.
Accommodation
As far as how you’ll stay in Japan is up to you really, depending on preference and budget.
You have a choice between Hotels (Luxury, Business), Ryokan (Japanese Style Hotels), and Short-term Apartment Rentals.
- If you’re staying for a short period of time, Business Hotels are nice and affordable. Most cost around $50-70 USD a night.
- For longer stays, I highly recommend renting an apartment. This will save you lots of money per night as opposed to hotel.
- You can find many websites online offering apartment rentals to foreigners specifically. Since they’re aimed at foreigners you won’t have to worry, they’ll be able to communicate in English.
Most importantly, I think it’s important to consider transportation when picking a location to stay. Personally during my trip we picked a location that was only 3 minutes away from a train station. Being able to just walk to a train station quickly is very very convenient!
The entire guide is actually quite long. Head on over to my blog here to read the rest!
Some useful information here.
Transport in fo has been a problem with arranging my trip due to flights.
I can fly into Haneda or Narita from the UK, but flights out of Haneda is early morning and I cannot even find out if the transport system shuts down or not in the city
I'm going to be staying in a Business hotel in Akihabara, just 2 blocks from the station (so i'm told).
Can't wait for Sept/Oct 2011 for my 10 trip to Tokyo.
Public transport in Tokyo does shut down. It differs a lot depending on the line and company owning it. First trains typically start between about 5 and 7am, although lines running to the airport may well have a more flexible schedule (my experience with early trains in Tokyo were from staying out all night rather than from flying in or out...)
You can check Japanese train times online here: http://www.hyperdia.com/
The Link is what I've been looking for.
Still have to decide do i fly in to Narita or Haneda.
Haneda would be best but it's that damm 6.25 am depature that would be a killer and if the time tables are correct it will mean I'll have to make my way around 4am to get going so that I can clear check in.
Thanks for the help
I know that first train on the Tokyo Metro line is around 4am, oh New Years day partying how awesome you were.
For me, on the day I left Japan I actually went back to a hotel, even though I wasn't staying there, to take the bus back to the airport.
It beats carrying luggage around through trains and whatnot.
I would also leave my luggage at the hotel if i was flying out in the afternoon or early evening, as i could still finish off some more shopping.
But sadly it looks like BA and Virgin prefer either an really early morning departure or a mid-day.
Sadly Mid-day is not a option with BA from Haneda.
I had a 6 day tour around various parts of Japan(Hakone, Fuji, Tokyo). As well as 2 days to do whatever I wanted. Ended up going to the 1/1 Gundam in Shizuoka. Stupid me didn't realize the Bandai Hobby Center was just beside it...
Thanks for the guide I'll have to bookmark this for later. I'm going to Japan in the summer for about 2-3 weeks depending and having any type of guides help me a lot^^.
Good guide, although some people like traveling more than others so I wouldn't say that everyone should stay a month or so. I just got back from a month going all over Japan and I did get a bit bored near the end.
special bus? how much we need to pay for this? or is it free?
If you're talking about the bus from the airport, it will cost you around 3000 yen if I remember correctly.
I'm not sure about the cost of alternatives, but I find that this is a comfortable way to get to your hotel.
A month is a pretty long time for a trip, but more than a week is definitely a good idea, especially if you're travelling a long distance to get there. I had a twelve hour flight and a nine hour time difference, and I was sick from jet lag for about a week (granted I wasn't having fun or in a nice hotel, I was a confused exchange student).
You missed out the cheapest accommodation option - hostels. Not the nicest places to stay at, but very cheap and convenient for backpacking to different places. They're probably better for people with some experience in Japan or backpacking in general though, since they don't tend to offer any food so you have to explore a bit more.
I have something to add about transport into Tokyo from Narita airport.
The Keisei Skyliner is an affordable method into the city itself at 2400円 for a reserved seat stopping at major stations, Ueno and Tokyo.
There is also a service on the same line called the Morning Liner which operates from Terminal 1 at 7:49 and 8:38 for 1400円, however these services are non-reserved which means you may not be guaranteed a seat but since you get on at the first stop I assume you would. These trains also stop at more stations before arriving at the major stations for commuters which means there is a chance that these trains become more crowded. Generally though, it isn't an issue.
Also as for accomodation, people usually count out hostels and shared accomodations while travelling. However after 2 months going around Japan with a rather "strict" budget, I can safely say that they are affordable at around 30 USD/night and, depending on where you stay, they can be very nice. For personal taste, I found that places which were more established chains had a lower quality in facilities but still servicable.
Particularly in Tokyo, I can recommend the Toco Heritage Hostel simple for the great staff and atmosphere. It had only recently been opened up though a little more expensive than most of the other estrablishments around (300-500円 more) it is well worth the price. The only downside is that it is only serviced by the Hibiya metro line.
I agree that you want plenty of time in Japan because my first 2 trips were 1 week long and even though I planned carefully and saw a lot, it pales in comparison to the 3 week trip I had in 2010. Seeing the A-List places is fine but the real charm in Tokyo is just walking around and enjoying the simple day-to-day stuff.
Exactly my point with the one month thing. Although it's not for everyone, I highly recommend it if you would want to see it like a local, not a tourist.
Could you recommend any websites for or specific rental apartments?
If was to go I would stay for a 3 - 4 weeks..
Here's one,
http://www.sakura-house.com/
There are many others like it but I opted for this place.
They'll understand English so it'll make things easier.
Thanx!
What type of room did you rent out?
(out of curiosity)
I went with a fairly small one. It was cozy and affordable. Didn't matter much since you would only spend time there at night
Oh? your not able to chill out inside during the day?
may if your tired form the day before or something? =/
You can do whatever you'd like, I just say that I spent most of the day outside.