An independent trip to Japan

What is Japan? For this Asian country it is difficult to find words suitable for description, because it is unique and original. The country of the rising sun is the most modern technologies and ancient temples, cherry blossoms and snow-white cap of Fujiyama, incredible art objects and delicious dishes of national cuisine. But some words to describe the unique color of this country, still not enough. Only the trip to Japan can open the soul of this island state.

Country of the rising sun through the eyes of a tourist

Every schoolboy knows that the state of Japan consists of an archipelago of islands. The largest are:

• Hokkaido.
• Okinawa.
• Kyushu.
• Honshu.
• Shikoku.

Traditionally, the main island of the country is Honshu. The Japanese conditionally divide it into several parts, life in which essentially differs from each other. For foreigners, all the Japanese seem to be similar to each other, but in fact this statement is very far from reality. Each island has its own dialect, traditions and cultural monuments. Therefore, a short trip to Japan does not always give an opportunity to see all the diversity of this country. But even a week-long stay in the territory of the island state will give you unforgettable impressions and invaluable experience.

Japan as a tourist destination

It is worth noting that Japan has always treated exotic tourist routes, which not everyone can decide. This is influenced by many factors, including the remoteness of the country and the relatively high cost of a tourist voucher. Although in the early twentieth century, the Land of the Rising Sun began to experience a surge of interest in its culture. This was reflected in the opening of a large number of Japanese restaurants around the world, cultural centers and, naturally, the influx of tourists. Our compatriots also did not ignore the fashion trend and the Russians began to actively buy tours to Japan.

Travel to the Land of the Rising Sun stopped after the accident at Fukushima. It was a sad time for Japan - a large number of people died, there was a contamination with radioactive waste of the surrounding territories, a recession in the economy began, and tourists began to regard the trips to the Japanese islands with great concern.

Over time, the situation has changed, and Putin's trip to Japan in 2016 once again stirred the interest of Russians to their strategic and economic partner. It should be noted that our President was very warmly received by the Japanese Prime Minister and several important agreements were signed during the meeting. As a result, a tourist trip to Japan has become a very affordable and attractive way to spend a vacation. Today, many Russians prefer independent travel to the Land of the Rising Sun. Why are they more popular than package tours? We will try to clarify this point.

Tourist package or independent travel: pros and cons

Tourist trip to Japan is of two types:

• Independent;
• In the group.

In both cases there are pros and cons, so we will not advise you, but simply list all the nuances of the trip.

If the trip to Japan for you is a strict ordering, the company of compatriots and the absence of any worries, then, of course, choose the purchase of a tourist package. Thus, you deprive yourself of some feeling of freedom and excitement, but at the same time you will feel quite calm in such an unusual country as Japan. In addition, all the documentary issues will be taken over by the agency, and you will only have to pay a visa and arrive on time to the airport.

A trip to Japan alone involves a number of difficulties. But believe me, they can all be overcome. You will need some effort to issue a visa, make a route and find cheap air tickets and hotels. But in the end, you get an incredible journey, during which you can view almost any part of the country. Each of them has its own unique color and is worth it to spend there at least one day.

If you are attracted by an independent trip to Japan, our article will be for you an indispensable source of useful and important information. So, we start planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Planning a Trip

What do you need to travel to Japan? In principle, not very much, but training will still require some effort from travelers. Before you collect the suitcases, you need to complete the following items in the list:

• Choose the dates of the trip;
• Form a travel budget;
• Issue air tickets;
• to book a hotel;
• Draw up a route;
• Apply for a visa;
• Write a list of attractions.

It does not look too complicated, does it? Therefore, a trip to Japan is independently available even to those travelers who have never traveled outside our country without an accompanying guide.

Japan: the best time to travel

In the Land of the Rising Sun, it's just an amazing climate, thanks to which the air temperature seldom drops to minus signs. And this makes the country accessible to tourism at any time of the year.

Despite this, do not plan a vacation for the summer months - June and August. Usually in June, the mood of tourists spoil the frequent rains, and in August the journey will be complicated by high humidity and unbearable heat. This is especially felt in megacities, where asphalt literally melts from the hot sun. But in shopping malls you will constantly freeze from the full-power air conditioning.

Many tourists note that a trip to Japan for two can be very romantic. Therefore, wedding agencies often recommend this country for a honeymoon. Usually we offer a trip to Japan for a week, but the newlyweds, when they return home, always tell us that they did not have enough time to enjoy this unusual and unique country. Many come back here repeatedly in other seasons. This factor explains the incredible attraction of the country for romantic couples - every season in Japan has its own color and smell. Seasons here have a vivid characteristic, but each of them is surprisingly beautiful.

For example, April is the time of cherry blossom. The whole country plunges into a pink shroud, past which it is simply impossible to pass without stopping. Hard-working Japanese at this time take a few days off and spend it on contemplation of incredible beauty.

In autumn, Japan is very warm, and the whole country acquires a rich crimson shade. To fall into the autumn garden of stones is simply an indescribable pleasure for the soul. It is simply impossible to forget this spectacle.

If you want to plunge into a fairy tale, then for you - a winter trip to Japan. Reviews of tourists about this trip are simply replete with enthusiastic epithets. Despite the fact that the piercing wind can slightly spoil the impression of relaxation, hot springs and comfortable ski resorts will quickly change the state of things and add positive emotions.

Travel budget

Of course, you can go on vacation and one, but still we are more interested in a trip to Japan for two. At its estimated cost, you can navigate by planning a trip alone.

Naturally, the most expendable item of the budget is air travel, although you can get to Japan by sea. This method is chosen mainly by residents of Vladivostok and nearby cities. And other potential travelers choose the usual movement on the plane. From Moscow and St. Petersburg, two airlines operate in this direction:

• Japan Airlines;
• Aeroflot.

The cost of the flight is approximately the same, the comfort level of both air carriers is quite high. The price of a flight to all seasons is kept at a significant level, so it's better to book air tickets for half a year. Then there is an opportunity to save a little. On average, a round-trip ticket from Moscow to two people will cost seventy thousand rubles. And this amount often fluctuates in both directions.

Be sure to include in the expenditure line accommodation, movement around the country and sightseeing. We will discuss this in more detail in the following subheadings of the article. Food is the most insignificant part of the budget, of course, if you do not intend to turn your trip into a gastronomic tour of the country. In general, taking into account all the above items, the cost of a one-week trip to Japan will be one hundred and fifty-one hundred and seventy thousand rubles.

Visa application

This is the most difficult stage in preparation for the trip. Many Russians are experiencing great difficulties with the issuance of a visa to the Land of the Rising Sun. What documents are needed to travel to Japan? Unfortunately for inexperienced tourists, this list is very extensive.

In addition to standard papers, such as a passport, its copies and bank statements, you will need an invitation from the host party. And it can only be given by a hotel in which a room is booked, a travel company or Japanese friends. If you do not have either one, then you can forget about the visa to Japan .

Usually Russians prefer to transfer the right to draw up documents for a trip to Japan to a travel company. Of course, you have to pay about one hundred and fifty dollars. But in this case you can be sure that in two or three weeks you will have a passport with a cherished visa. Sometimes travel agents in addition to money for their services offer tourists to buy from them several excursion programs. Most often, the Russians agree, because all this in any case is easier than self-documenting.

Accommodation in Japan: options are budgetary and not very

In the Land of the Rising Sun it is difficult to stay for a long time in any one city, because you want to see so many interesting and unusual things. So be sure that in the same hotel you will spend no more than two nights. Many tourists are allotted one day to each of the major cities of Japan.

Looking at the hotels, keep in mind that they all fall into two categories:

• European;
• Japanese.

The latter will suit the lovers of national color. Already at the reception you will be asked to take off your shoes and put on a kimono, then you can visit a national bath that feeds on thermal water from geysers and taste delicious sushi that you could not taste in any other country in the world.

European hotels are focused on numerous tourists and are quite typical. The cost of a double room in a five-star Tokyo hotel is equivalent to one hundred and seventy dollars. In the morning, the staff will definitely offer you breakfast.

If you are not willing to spend on living such amounts, then look at the hotels class lower. The advantage of Japan is that even two-star hotels are usually well equipped, characterized by sterile cleanliness and a high level of service. The only inconvenience may be the size of the room - some of them do not exceed six square meters. Such a pleasure will cost travelers an average of fifty to one hundred dollars per night.

Japanese hostels are also a good option for one night stay. A bed in a room for several people will cost you forty dollars. For this money, you will have a shared shower, free internet and a kettle. You can not find a cheaper option.

Some travelers prefer to rent apartments, but please note that this is not the most convenient and cheapest option for living in the country. For a large amount you can get a small apartment with "cardboard" walls.

Routes of travel: traditional and not quite ordinary

The route depends on how much you learn the country and immerse yourself in its culture, so you should take it seriously. If you have a trip to Japan, the reviews of tourists who have already visited here, should for some time become your guide to action.

It is better to start acquaintance with the country with traditional routes, so leave all the delights for the next trip (and it will definitely happen). For a week it will be very acceptable to inspect Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. All of them are located on the island of Honshu. In each of the above cities you will be interested in any time of the year. In Tokyo, Europeans are surprised by absolutely everything, but in order not to overload yourself with impressions, limit yourself to several sights:

• Visit any local restaurant where you make sushi - we assure you the delight will be incredible;
• Examine Koke - the castle of the emperor and his family;
• "Disneyland";
• Museum Miraikan - an amazing place where the future is already becoming real.

After the noisy Tokyo of Nagoya, you may seem surprisingly calm. There are incredibly many thermal springs in which you can relax even under the winter snowfall. Such a holiday provokes simply inexpressible impressions, which you will necessarily want to experience again in the near future. Also, the ski resorts of Nagoya are good, but if they do not attract you, then visit a small village in the vicinity of the city. Here, the way of life of the Japanese survived in its original form, as if you went by the time machine for two hundred years ago. This incredible spectacle will definitely appeal to even those who have never been interested in the culture of Japan.

Osaka is ideal for walking along it. During a quiet walk you will surely stumble upon a couple of museums, look into the park and be sure to take time to visit the aquarium. This city is almost created for independent travelers, ready to patiently open it for themselves.

If you have few impressions, then deviate from the traditional route and visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These cities will turn your notion of the Japanese and the tragedy that happened to them over seventy years ago.

Those who can not do without a spot on the beach, we can advise Okinawa. The Japanese themselves do not like this kind of rest very much, but for foreigners they built numerous hotels with a high level of service and developed infrastructure.

Advice of a seasoned tourist

To ensure that the results of the trip to Japan are not deplorable, inexperienced travelers should know about some of the features of vacation in the Land of the Rising Sun:

• In a cafe champagne and sipping is welcomed, it is considered an expression of the pleasure of eating food;
• Move around the country better with high-speed trains, cheaper to buy a ticket for Japan Rail Pass;

• In Japan, a lot of free entertainment - morning visits to the training of wrestlers sumo, an observation deck on the building of the Tokyo mayor's office, national museums and the like;
• From the international airport you can take the metro to anywhere in the country (the station is located in the lower floors of the terminal);
• In the country it is not accepted to eat on the go, therefore in cities there are very few urns for garbage;
• Japanese yens must be bought back at home - in the Land of the Rising Sun there are few exchangers, and ATMs do not always accept European plastic cards;
• A taxi in Japan is extremely expensive, and at night and so a considerable price rises almost twice;
• At night in the cities of the country is quite safe, but still you should not wander around the outskirts alone;
• The most delicious food is sold on the streets and in a fast food cafe, there is such a delicacy not more than five dollars.

Of course, Japan is simply an incredible country. It captures the mind and penetrates into the heart of the European tourist. It is almost impossible to saturate it, every new journey reveals other facets of this island state. If we managed to arouse your interest in the Land of the Rising Sun, and you have firmly decided to go here in the near future, then do not forget to return a detailed report on the trip to Japan. Perhaps for someone it will be very useful.