Useful tips for tourists about Japan. Temple Etiquette in Japan. How to get from the airport to Tokyo Central Station

So, in order not to be looked at as a savage, you need to observe the following "commandments":

1. Turning to someone, be sure to show maximum respect, even if you ask a passerby what time it is. Since childhood, the Japanese are trying to put respect for their elders - and if you greet someone, just nod or say "hello" - for an ordinary Japanese who is not very familiar with the traditions of Europeans, this may seem like disrespect.

When greeting the Japanese, you must bow - you've seen it in the movies. The number and duration of bows are directly proportional to the position of the individual in society.

2. Table etiquette

If you are with a group of Japanese people in a restaurant, and everyone is waiting for an order, wait until everyone waits for their portion. That's when they bring all the food and drinks, then you can start the meal;

small wet wipe, served in most Japanese restaurants, is needed in order to dry your hands and put it on the edge of the table. Never use it as a handkerchief or face towel;

You will be surprised, however, during the meal you can make noise! This should please most readers;

You can bring the plate to your mouth itself, so that it is more convenient to choose products that are difficult to grab with chopsticks;

3. Tips. In no case do not leave a tip - the waiters simply will not understand you.


4. sticks. If you don't know how to eat with chopsticks, that's your problem. There is no a large number of restaurants where they can give out forks and spoons. However, your inability to handle chopsticks will not surprise or offend anyone.

5. Shoes. Be sure to leave your shoes outside - this applies to both private homes and most hotels and offices. In large companies, there are special employees who monitor the shoes of visitors.


6. Bandages on the face. The ghost of chicken flu still hovers in Japan, and don't be surprised if you meet a passer-by with a bandage - he is not sick, he is just afraid of catching a deadly disease.

7. averageness. Try to behave the way most Japanese behave - it is very undesirable to make noise on the streets, talk on a mobile phone in a public place and generally stand out strongly. For the Japanese, the main thing is society, but for us it is individuality. That's the difference.

8. Bathing. Quite popular in Japan public baths- only unlike ours, they don’t wash there, but relax, climbing into the water already clean.


9. English language. Almost all Japanese speak English. If you don't know Japanese or English, that's a big surprise for them.


10. Safety. Japan has a very low crime rate, but do not relax - murders, robberies and fights also happen there.

In general, it is best to watch how the Japanese behave and behave accordingly.

Japan is one of the few countries in the world where you can feel that there are still corners in the world that retain their authenticity and their own special way of life. Everything here is unusual - from souvenirs in shops to the way of thinking of the Japanese. But inside Japan is very multifaceted: each prefecture is famous for certain ceramics, dishes traditional cuisine. We expect to see megacities and super-modern neighborhoods everywhere. In fact, in Japan, traditions are highly valued and respected, which is why it is so interesting to plunge into the life of the patriarchal part of the country.

How to get there

Direct flights from Russia to Japan are carried out in Tokyo, at the Narita airport. It is most convenient to fly with Aerofolot (aeroflot.ru) or JAL (jal.com). The cost of tickets is from 30,000 rubles. You should also follow the promotions of airlines - this will allow you to buy a ticket at a better price.

The cheapest flights from Moscow to Tokyo for the year ahead

Visa

Obtaining a Japanese visa is simple, but you will have to collect a large number of papers and certificates. Visa processing time is 4 working days, consular fee there is none as such - only a fee for sending documents ($ 5-10) is charged. You can find out the details and clarify the opening hours of the consulate on the official website: www.ru.emb-japan.go.jp

Traveling in Japan

The most convenient way to get around Japan is on the Shinkansen - high-speed trains. But if your goal is a leisurely trip, then it is best to rent a car. Warn the company where you will order in advance that you need an English-language navigator, and download spare navigation programs to your tablet or smartphone. As experience shows, there are never too many navigational devices. You can rent a car through one of the global companies: europcar.com or economycarrentals.com

Currency

The official currency is the Japanese yen (Y). You can exchange money at the airport - the rate here is quite acceptable. ATMs are everywhere, but exchange offices- only in banks, and even then not in all. Almost all restaurants, hotels and shops accept card payments.

Season

Japan stretches from north to south for almost two thousand kilometers, and climatic conditions here are very different. If the northern island of Hokkaido and central Honshu have ski resorts, then subtropics already reign in southern Kyushu. The seasons differ accordingly. April stands apart - the time of cherry blossoms, and Golden autumn when all Japan is painted in red fiery colors.

Holidays

JANUARY 1 - New Year (Gandzitsu), one of the most magnificent holidays. As a rule, it is celebrated for 5 days: from December 30 to January 3. IN new year's eve it is customary to pray ha-tsu-mode (prayer for happiness).

According to legend, the stars of the Shepherd and the Spinner, separated by the Milky Way, met that night. The Japanese make wishes at night, writing them down on narrow pieces of paper, and then tying them to a bamboo stalk.

Japanese eYes

Going to Japan, you need to be prepared for the fact that it will not be easy to find European dishes in restaurants. Traditional Japanese cuisine is based on rice and fish. They eat all dishes with chopsticks, and sometimes even with their hands. Rice is the most popular ingredient, it is served with a huge variety of seafood and other additives. Marbled beef is especially popular, and in most cases you need to cook it yourself - on a stove that is built right into the dining table. A special delicacy is buckwheat noodles. For the Japanese, this is the same as for Europeans - oysters. It is usually served cold.

Housing in Japan

Choosing where to live in Japan is a separate issue. Can live in regular hotels, which are easy to find on sites like booking.com, or you can stay in ryokans - traditional guest houses. There are a lot of ryoka-novas in Japan, they used to be

Europeans were not very welcome, but now everything has changed and guests from any country can book a place in the ryokan through the ryokan.or.jp website.

You can also do this through a travel agency, but you need to indicate that you need a ryo-kan, and not just a traditional hotel.

As such, ryokans do not have stardom, although they differ from each other. The Japanese believe that hospitality cannot be judged by stars. Therefore, you should not trust guidebooks that strive to rank ryokans by rating.

The most common ryokan is a small Japanese-style building with an extremely simple device and minimalist furnishings. Many of them have their own legends.

Ancient wooden buildings are surrounded by a garden on all sides, guests are treated to dishes here haute cuisine- kaise-ki. There are even special gourmet ryokans called ryori-ryokan-ny, each of which is famous for its specialty. The most expensive ryokans are usually concentrated in areas with hot springs - onsen.

In this case, each room has its own hot tubs.

Cost in Japanese ryokans(as in hotels) is indicated per person, not per room.

The advertised price usually includes not only accommodation, but also breakfast and dinner, as well as the use of the onsen. In addition, a separate line in the bill is the tax for the source, which is usually equal to 150 yen per day.

Each ryokan can accommodate several people, then the total amount will be cheaper.

But according to the law, everyone must be allocated an area of ​​​​at least two tatami mats (3.28 square meters).

air travel

The airline-carrier is responsible for the implementation of air transportation, guided by the laws of its country and international agreements in the field of air transportation. Our company is not responsible for the obligations of the airline, including for the delay in the departure of the flight and the safety of luggage. Claims for the quality of air transportation are sent to the address of the carrier airline.

If the passenger violates the rules of the airline, the latter has the right to refuse to serve the tourist in the future. If such violation on the part of the passenger occurred on the way to Japan, and the airline refused to serve the passenger on the way back without refunding the ticket price, then the purchase return ticket on a flight of another company - at the expense of the passenger !!!

Customs control in Japan

Import and export of any means of payment is not limited. Payment means Japanese or any other foreign currency, checks, including travel, debt and securities. However, amounts over 1 million yen or its foreign currency equivalent must be declared. This can be done both in writing and orally. The same applies to products from precious stones and metals, if their total weight exceeds 1 kg.

It is strictly forbidden to bring into Japan pornographic materials, counterfeit securities and banknotes, books, magazines, photographs, drawings and prints of obscene content, printed publications and other materials that undermine public order, things and items that damage the trademark, copyright and patent law.

It is strictly forbidden to bring into Japan drugs, inhaled stimulants (including Vicks and Sudafed inhalers), psychotropic substances and certain medications (in particular, those containing 1-deoxyephedrine), as well as equipment for their use. The offender faces imprisonment, followed by deportation and a life ban on entry into the country.

The import of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as foodstuffs of animal and vegetable origin, is prohibited.

The transport of weapons is strictly regulated: firearms and cold steel and sports, as well as ammunition for it and parts of weapons, which require appropriate certificates.

We allow duty-free import of the following goods:

• no more than 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 gr. tobacco;
• up to 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages (up to 0.7 liters);
• up to 2 ounces (56 ml.) of perfume;
• gifts and souvenirs with a total value of up to 200,000JPY.

When these products are imported in excess of the established limits, an additional duty is charged, for example, alcoholic beverages obtained by distillation are subject to a duty of 225JPY per bottle (0.75 l), wine - 150JPY per bottle (0.75), other alcoholic beverages - 15 % cost. Some alcoholic beverages have a special premium rate. Thus, excess whiskey and brandy (all based on a capacity of 0.75 liters) are subject to a duty of 375JPY; rum, gin, vodka and the like - 300JPY; liquor - 225JPY, beer - 150JPY. You will also have to pay for each extra cigarette - 6.5JPY each.

Commercial items are not exempt from taxes and duties, as they are not considered everyday items.

The export of art and antiques from Japan without the permission of the relevant authorities is prohibited. When exporting these items from the country, a certificate from the Ministry of Economy will be required.

For other customs information, please visit the Japan Customs website: http://www.customs.go.jp

Passport control in Japan

Citizens of Ukraine cannot travel to Japan without a pre-arranged visa. A visa is also issued for children traveling with their parents, regardless of the age of the child and whether he travels on his own passport or is inscribed in the parents' passport. In case of violation visa regime fines and restrictions on visiting Japan in the future.

To cross the border of Japan, you must have a valid foreign passport, visa, return air ticket. Please note that in accordance with international conventions, the competent authorities of a foreign state have the right to refuse entry into the country to any person with or without indication of reasons. In the event of your deportation, you will bear all the costs associated with this.

In Japan, as in other countries, there is a system of "green" and "red" corridors. Going to the "green corridor", you thereby declare that in your luggage there are no items prohibited, restricted for import or subject to customs duty.

Health insurance

You should learn in advance about preventive protective measures, as well as other measures that are necessary based on your state of health. It is advisable to consult your doctor about health risks.

Please read the Terms of Service carefully medical care and insurance company services specified in your insurance policy. In the event of an insured event, you must call the phone in Japan or the 24-hour hotline indicated directly on the insurance policy. Collect all checks and receipts for medicines and medical services paid by you personally. It is also necessary to collect all documents and certificates about the treatment provided to you. All these documents will make it easier for you to receive the sum insured from the insurance company upon your return to Ukraine.

If you have any kind of complaints and reclamations, we recommend that you first of all contact the representative of the insurance company by phone. It is advisable, while in Japan, to draw up a protocol on the shortcomings of medical care with the participation of a guide and a representative of the hotel administration.

Currency exchange

The monetary unit of Japan is the Japanese yen (JPY). The exchange rate fluctuates in line with changes in the financial market. 1USD = 80 JPY (January 2011).

In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 yen, as well as coins in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 yen.

In addition to the Japanese yen, no other currency is accepted anywhere. Please be aware that the currency exchange rate at the receptionist at the hotel is limited to 300USD.

At Tokyo and Osaka International Airports, exchange offices operate during airport opening hours.

Banks are open daily from 9:00 to 15:00-17:00 on weekdays, from 9:00 to 12:00 - on the first and last Saturday of the month. On Sundays and public holidays - all bank branches are closed. Currency exchange in bank branches is associated with an extremely formalized procedure, sometimes protracted in time, which causes certain inconveniences.

Credit cards

In Japan, the system of payment by credit cards is widespread in almost all payment banking systems. Misunderstandings may arise in some cases when withdrawing cash from ATMs and in small shops. In some exclusive shops and restaurants credit cards they do not accept payment in principle - you can find this information at the entrance. Before traveling to Japan, we recommend that you contact your bank and agree on a cash withdrawal limit.

VAT and Tax-Free

All sales in Japan are subject to a 5% sales tax. Purchases over JPY 15,000 are subject to an additional 3% tax. When making purchases in duty-free shops, the cost of taxes is refunded, provided that these goods are taken out of the country. To do this, the buyer will be asked to present a passport, to which they will attach a check indicating the purchase. This check, along with the goods, will need to be presented to the customs officer when leaving the country. Depending on the store, the minimum purchase value for tax refund varies, as a rule, the purchase amount should start from 10000JPY.

Office Hours

Banks are open daily from 9:00 to 15:00-17:00 on weekdays, from 9:00 to 12:00 - on the first and last Saturday of the month. On Sundays and public holidays - all bank branches are closed.

Huge department stores, 10-15 floors, are open every day from 10.00 to 20:00. In the days national holidays and on Sundays department stores are open from 10:00 to 19:30. Some department stores are closed two or three times a month on weekdays, which is announced in advance.

Private shops, as well as shops at hotels, work according to their own schedule. There is also a chain of Convenience stores that operate around the clock, but offer a limited range of goods.

Most museums are open to visitors from 10:00 to 17:00 daily, including national holidays. In many museums, Monday is a day off.

The post office is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00. On Sundays and public holidays - all post offices are closed. Some major post offices are open seven days a week.

Phone, mail, internet

When calling from Ukraine to Japan to a landline Japanese phone, dial:

0 - beep - 0 - 81 - (area code) - (number of the called subscriber).

In Japan, telephone area codes begin with the number "0", for example: Sapporo - 011. But when dialing numbers from Ukraine, area codes must be dialed without the first "0" in the code. Here are the codes of some cities (for calls from Ukraine):

Akita - 188, Wakayama - 734, Yokohama (Kanagawa) - 45, Kawasaki - 44, Kagoshima - 992, Kyoto - 75, Kitakyushu - 93, Kobe - 78, Nagasaki - 958, Nagoya - 52, Okayama - 86, Osaka - 6 , Sapporo - 11, Sendai - 22, Takamatsu - 878, Chiba - 43, Tokyo - 3, Fukuoka - 849, Hakodate - 138, Hiroshima - 82.

pay phones

In Japan, you can call everywhere from street pay phones. They are of four types - international: gray or green with the inscription "ISDN" (they work with phone cards of various denominations from 1000 to 5000JPY), yellow and blue intercity ones work (they work with both phone cards and coins of 10 and 100JPY) and local red telephones, somewhat smaller and only accepting 10JPY coins. The rules for using the phones are explained in the pictures inside the booth.

cellular

Mobile phones of the generally accepted GSM standard in Ukraine do not work in Japan!!!

You should be aware that the Japanese operator cellular communication, with which Ukrainian operators have signed a roaming contract, provides services in the 3G standard (W-CDMA 2GHz "FOMA" or "Vodafone 3G"). This means that if you need to use the services while in Japan mobile communications this operator using your permanent number, then before the trip you need to purchase or rent a Nokia 6630, Nokia 7600, NEC V-N701 or another telephone that supports the specified standard in advance.

Mobile phones operating in the required standard can be rented for tourists who come to Japan at international airports in Japan. To do this, at the mobile phone rental point, you must present a passport with a visa. It is possible to pay for phone rental services only by credit card.!!!

Phones emergency assistance :

Transport

Japan is a country with one of the most developed transport infrastructures in the world. Transport works like a well-oiled mechanism, everything is clean, comfortable and completely safe to use. The service staff is extremely polite, ready to help with any question and, in addition, at airports and at major railway stations and subways, they are gradually becoming English-speaking.

Aircraft

There are several international airports in Japan, but tourists from Europe arrive mainly in international Airport Narita (Tokyo) and, more rarely, Kansai International Airport (Osaka). Domestic flights across the country are operated by JAL, ANA (All Nippon Airways) and JAS (Japan Airlines System). Domestic flights are carried out to all major cities of the country.

Trains

A well-developed railway network is very convenient for traveling around the country. Japan's railway system is considered to be the safest and most punctual in the world. Railways literally pierce through Japan, it seems that almost the most remote village can be reached by rail

Passenger trains in Japan can be divided into four categories: Local trains, Rapid express trains, long-distance trains and bullet trains "Shinkansen". Distance tickets are bought in the same way as a metro ticket - at special ticket vending machines.A ticket for long-distance travel is bought at special ticket offices at major stations.The ticket must be kept until the end of the trip.

"Shinkansen"

"Shinkansen", although literally translated as "new track", the more popular name is "bullet train". The network of Shinkansen lines consists of 6 routes: Sanyo (from Osaka to Hakata), Tokaido (from Tokyo to Osaka) and 4 radial lines diverging from Tokyo to the north and northwest. These are legally separate companies, trains never run from one line to another and are painted in different colors (exception: trains of the Tokaido and Sanyo lines). The frequency of movement is from 15 minutes ("Tokaido") to half an hour ("Sangye"). Trains do not run at night (from 24:00 to 05:00).

Superexpress cars are divided into general, without seat numbering, and with numbered seats, which require a ticket with a surcharge, which is checked by the conductor. It happens that passengers who entered at an intermediate station travel 200 or more kilometers while standing, but when you sit down at the final station, this usually does not happen. Station names are announced in Japanese and English and are duplicated in a running line. In the cars and toilets - perfect cleanliness.

JR trains

Trains run every 5-10 minutes on average. In train cars, citizens and passengers observe cleanliness and public order, do not smoke, do not litter, and ... do not give up their seats to either women or the elderly. Smoking is allowed on platforms only in designated areas. In the carriages hanging from the ceiling are "pendants" - handrails hanging on leather straps, as in old trams, and advertising posters hung across the carriage. All announcements in the car are accompanied by a variety of music and other sound signals and are made both by the conductor in the tail car and in a pleasant female voice, clearly of tape origin. Mobile phones they are used exclusively in vestibules, where there is a vestibule; many carriages are of the "metro" type, without vestibules.

In the schedule and in reality there are quite "distant" electric trains that go from one end of the "local" zone to the other. There are specialized express trains, for example, going from Tokyo to Narita Airport (Narita Express). In them, as a rule, the seats are numbered, and tickets are sold "with a seat". In many electric trains there are so-called "green cars", "green cars" - they are considered first class - there are also places with numbers, and an additional fee is charged for travel.

On the diagrams suburban area all lines have strictly fixed colors, and trains are painted according to the color of the line. This greatly facilitates navigation and orientation in the railway space, as well as the fact that the names of the stations are written not only in hieroglyphs, but also in Latin and Japanese alphabets.

Fares start at 120 yen. The ring road takes you to any station for 250 yen. Keep your ticket, as it must be returned at the end of the trip when exiting the turnstiles. At most stations you can find a stand with information about the stations in English. If it's not there, just take the most cheap ticket, you can pay extra at the end of the trip when returning the ticket. Tickets are valid only on the day they are purchased.

Metro

The Tokyo Subway is the third largest subway system in the world. In total, there are 30 lines and 224 stations in operation. Such a large number of lines and stations, as a rule, allows you to drive close enough to right place. You can change from one metro line to another or from metro lines to suburban trains private companies and JR trains. This makes commuter travel convenient, with the exception that the network configuration and transitions between lines are tortuous and confusing. The fare in the subway is comparable to the cost of public transport. The payment system is the same as on trains - a magnetic ticket at the entrance and at the exit. Escalators, of course, as well as other traffic, are left-handed - stand on the left, walk on the right. The metro is open from 5:00 am to 1:00 am. If you got off at the wrong station to which you bought a ticket, then you will have to pay extra in a special machine (if you traveled more than you paid) or get change (if you traveled less than you paid) and get new ticket, after which you will be released.

Bus

There are a lot of bus routes, like any other transport in Japan, buses as transport are quite convenient and affordable. Transportation services are provided by numerous bus companies and therefore ticket prices vary slightly from each other, but usually the fare on the intracity route is about 200 yen. There are intercity bus routes. The buses themselves are not particularly comfortable, with small and narrow seats and low ceilings. Majority intercity buses arrive and depart from railway station Tokyo or from Shinjuku Bus Terminal.

Compared to rail and air transport, the bus is more suitable for travelers who prefer to save on ticket prices and are not bound by time limits. Let's say on high-speed train shinkansen can be reached from Tokyo to Osaka in 3 hours, and scheduled bus overcomes this distance in 12 hours, but the cost of a bus ticket is 3 times lower.

Taxi

Japanese taxi is one of the most expensive in the world. It is curious that the green light behind the windshield means that the taxi is busy, the red one is free. Taxis are private and public. Taxis take a maximum of 3 people, but if you are going to take a taxi with four people, then the state taxi may not be put, you can negotiate with a taxi driver from a private company. Raise your hand to hail a taxi on the street. Do not try to open or close the car doors yourself - they are automatic. It is impossible to get into the car from the side of the roadway, the doors are closed tightly.

Taxi fares in Japan are among the highest in the world. The meter starts at 650 yen upon landing and then 80 yen for every 280 meters. If you get stuck in traffic, for every 135 seconds of inactivity, the meter will charge 90 yen. From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. the tariff increases by 30%. High prices offset by excellent service: taxis are clean and comfortable, doors open automatically. A polite driver will take you short route and won't wait for a tip. If you forget something in the car, you are entitled to compensation of almost 100% of the value of the lost item.

Time

Unlike Ukraine, Japan does not switch time between winter and summer. It always remains in one unchanged time zone and is + 9 hours GMT.

When in Ukraine they switch to summer time, the hourly difference between Kiev and Tokyo is + 6 hours, during the winter time this difference is + 7 hours.

Electricity

In Japan, the mains voltage is 100V everywhere with a current frequency of 50Hz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku region, Hokkaido) and 60Hz in Western Japan (including Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku and Kyushu), however, these differences cannot make any changes to the operation of ordinary household electrical appliances.

Be careful when buying electrical appliances in Japan that you intend to use upon returning to Ukraine. Not every store sells devices and devices that will work from electrical network with a voltage of 220V.

Before starting the trip, make a copy of your passport and other documents proving your identity ( driving license etc.), and air tickets, and keep them separate from the originals. In case of loss of documents, you will have fewer problems when processing documents for returning to Ukraine.

In case of loss of your passport, air ticket or baggage, please immediately inform the representative of the airline, the Ukrainian embassy or a representative of our company, who will tell you how you can solve the problem.

If you are on medication, please be sure to take it with you. Create a first aid kit that will help you with minor ailments, save time searching medicines and get rid of communication problems foreign language. In addition, many medicines have other names abroad. IN summer season it is advisable to have sunglasses and skin care creams. Do not neglect hats, being in the sun for a long time.

As a guest, you must respect and be tolerant of the customs of the country in which you have arrived. In order to prevent the occurrence of unwanted incidents, Ukrainian citizens are advised to: be friendly to the local population, take into account their way of life, be patient, do not be rude, do not raise their voices, do not humiliate their dignity local population, respect local customs and traditions, not show arrogance and disregard for local culture, and also not allow insulting statements in relation to citizens and leaders of the country. Do not appear in public places or on the street while intoxicated, as well as not drink alcohol or smoke in places not designated for these purposes. Travel company "Krugosvit" develops individual tours to Japan, Bhutan, South Korea, South Africa for those who like to travel on their own, who want to see more than in classic tours for those who don't like group tour dates...

Today I will tell you about how to take and go to Japan. This wonderful country about which I wrote a lot already in my blog. And now I offer you a simple guide with which you can organize your own trip. If you like to plan your own trips, but are more accustomed to traveling around Europe, this post is for you - here I will explain what to see on your first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

And if you've been to Japan before, scroll through this text to make sure you haven't missed anything. Or vice versa give me advice!

There are many links to other posts that describe in more detail certain aspects of a trip to Japan. But I tried to build this post as simply as possible to give a general idea of ​​​​how to ride for the first time. If you have friends who are going to Japan, feel free to send them to read this post, and if you yourself are not ready yet, but would like to go in the future, it is better to bookmark it for the future!

My friends here often ask me: "I'm going to Japan for the first time. Where should I go there? What to see? How is the security? Internet? English?" I also put together this post so that in the future they could just give a link! (Yes friends, this is for you!)

When is the best time to go to Japan?

Main tourist seasons this (usually at the beginning of April), and (at the end of November). These are approximate numbers for Tokyo and Kyoto. During these two periods, Japan is incredibly beautiful, but because of this, there will be many tourists everywhere, and many hotels will be booked in advance.

Summer is a great time to go if you're walking (I did it at the very end of June, a few days before the official season opens). And winter will give you the opportunity, this is also a very beautiful sight.

If it doesn’t work out for so long, then in general it doesn’t matter either, any time spent in Japan will make you feel that you need to come here for a longer time.

Where to go in Japan?

If you don’t have too much time, try to spend at least 2-3 days in Kyoto, and you’ll see how it turns out in Tokyo. If you have more time, then it is worth traveling around the country, and maybe even driving to one of the islands in addition to the main Honshu (there are four main islands in Japan).

How to move around the country?

Trains run strictly on schedule, and you can get on them wherever you need to - the Japanese love for rail transport shows itself on a national scale.

True, Shinkansen are an expensive pleasure. A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs about $100! To save money on these transfers, you should book yourself in advance JR Pass, a pass that allows you to use most trains for 7, 14 or 21 days. A seven-day pass costs about $250 (depending on the yen), and generally pays off if you go to Kyoto and ride some more shorter distances. Please note that it can only be ordered before arriving in Japan! ()

If you came to Japan for 10 days, then it is better to spend the first two in Tokyo, and then, after activating the seven-day JR-Pass, go to Kyoto and beyond. Then return back to the capital on the evening of the seventh day, when the pass expires.

And for those moments when the JR-Pass is not activated, or for private metro lines where it is not accepted, I advise you to purchase a card Suica. Suika costs 500 yen, which you can get back by returning it before you leave. Then cash is put on it, and the card is used to pay for trains, and a bunch of other things. Suiki accept more and more points, it is convenient to pay with them throughout the country.

Unlike JR-Pass, Suika can be taken upon arrival in Japan, at any railway ticket office. Do not forget to put money on it, and it will greatly facilitate your trip.

And is it safe there? Am I not lost?

Plus, Google Maps knows everything about Japanese streets and trains. You can click on a point on the map and Google will tell you the best way to get to it. public transport when is the next train and how much will it cost! ( .)

In addition to this, Japan is one of the most safe countries in the world, . Nothing bad will happen to you.

Tell us about Tokyo!

"So for two, or for three?!" you ask. "Yes!" I will answer you.

The whole secret is that upon arrival in Tokyo, you need to rent a hotel in the area Ueno- It is convenient to get here by express train from Narita Airport. Ueno is a relatively inexpensive and relatively quiet area. On your first day in Tokyo (let's say it's Friday) you can watch it eastern part, moving south from Ueno, or going down to Ginza, and rising to the north. Your JR-Pass won't be valid yet, so you'll be using Suiki to get around.

And on the second day (Saturday), you will go to kamakura- one of the ancient capitals of the Japanese Empire. It's a lovely place about an hour's drive from central regions Tokyo, here is the seashore, ancient temples and a statue Big Buddha. Here you can spend most day, and even ride on.

Well, on Sunday your JR-Pass will begin to operate, you will sit on a shinkansen and go to the side. It is important to take a seat by the window on right! You don't want to miss this view:

You will return back to the capital by the evening of the seventh day (Saturday), when the railway pass will expire. And this time you will settle in the west of Tokyo, in an area named Shibuya.

If you've ever seen a picture of Japan where crowds are running through a huge pedestrian crossing, that's exactly what Shibuya is. The drive is crazy and there seems to be an endless amount of people, but it's worth spending an evening here and you will be drawn into this crazy zen. .

Morning is the time to go explore western part cities - this is the second half of my guide. We'll see the trendy district Harajuku, the shrine of Emperor Meiji, and located next to it yoyogi park. Oh, did you notice that we ended up here on a Sunday? It's not easy! It is on Sundays that they pass in front of the entrance to the park!

Well, in the evening you can get to Shinjuku, the area where it is located! After an evening spent here, you will not be sorry to fly home.

And what about Kyoto?

But besides the temples, you should just take a walk along the old streets of the city. Here you will meet Japanese people in beautiful traditional clothes (most likely they, like you, tourists), you will be able to taste the old local cuisine, And .

I advise you to settle in the area Sanjo Ohashi Bridge and spend in Kyoto about four days. No, you will not be walking around temples all this time. In Kyoto, and besides them, there is something to see. Here are just some of the nearby attractions (you can spend half a day or a whole day on each):

• with a huge wooden temple and tame deer
• - red gate sanctuary
• Arashiyama- a mountain in the north-west of the city, where the famous bamboo grove is located
• Path of the Philosopher in the northeast, cherry blossoms are especially beautiful along it, and there are many ancient temples.

About other places.

If you have a few extra days of JR-Pass action and want to look at some more unique places, feel free to take a shinkansen in Kyoto and drive further to the southwest!

And between Osaka and Himeji there is also Kobe, the city that .

As you can see, there is enough choice to complete the seven-day, 14-day, and even 21-day JR-Pass. And what's great: all these places are easily accessible by trains!

What's with the money?

You can often hear that Japan is expensive. Compared to the rest of Asia, no doubt. But if we compare, for example, with Europe, then in Japan only housing and trains are expensive, and even then not much more expensive than European ones. We have already saved on trains with the help of JR-Paz, but you will have to pay for housing if you want to live in the center of everything (I recommended such places). But if you want, you can save money here. Yes, there are many high-quality expensive things in Japan - restaurants, clothes, etc., but if you wish, you can get through here on a modest budget.

One problem is that credit cards are not accepted everywhere (especially far from cities). Cash will help us out, but there are few exchangers, and some ATMs refuse to understand Western cards. Fortunately, ATMs at 7-Eleven are ready to dispense money to tourists from Europe and America. And there are plenty of these 7-Elevens in Japan. (ATMs are not in everyone, but many are.) Also, they say in post offices There are also friendly ATMs.

Hotels? Ryokans? Apartments?

Ryokans: These are classic Japanese "bedrooms", in the traditional style. Because of this, staying in them is the most expensive option. But it's very cool: you can sleep on straw mats tatami(don't worry, a mattress will be laid for you) and dress in. Many ryokan have traditional hot tubs - onsens, and the opportunity to dine the way the Japanese ate back in feudal times. In short, ryokan is total immersion. But they cost starting from $100 per person per night! Up to 4-5 people can fit in one ryokan room, although the price for each will not drop much from this, since payment is made precisely for the number of people.

Ryokan is the best place to live in Kyoto. But I advise you to book them in advance, as places in those that are relatively affordable can be occupied several months in advance.

Next we go rented apartments on sites like AirBnB. (and sometimes -!) but the price can be cheaper than comparable hotels. An apartment can be a good option for Tokyo, especially if you are traveling in a group of 3-4 people, it will be cheaper than taking several hotel rooms.

Ordinary western-style hotels in Japanese cities are quite expensive. Personally, I try to avoid these. But I love taking pictures. They are relatively inexpensive, and I love how thoughtful everything is to cram all the amenities into a small space. It is profitable to rent such hotels in small towns, where a double room can cost $60-80, or in Tokyo, where they will already be $80-120.

In Japanese hostels I never stopped, but I know they are. Although if you really decide to save money, I would recommend you. They cost $20-$30 a night, many have great onsens, and generally a great experience of Japanese culture. The only thing is that they are usually either only male or only female (less of the latter).

Every life - food, internet, English.

Sockets: Outlets in Japan are similar to North American sockets with two flat pins. Most plugs from the USA, Canada or China can be plugged without adapters (except for plugs where one of the pins is wider than the other). But Russians and other Europeans will definitely need adapters.

Here you go. I hope it is now approximately clear to you how to go to Japan, and what to see there. If you have questions or comments, I will be glad to them in the comments. I will also update this post as needed.

Japan is not Europe. Even if you have gone far and wide and passed all European countries, it is highly likely that in the East you will encounter something that you could not even think of in the West.

While the travel agency is issuing a visa to Japan for your independent travel, try not only to make a list of attractions, but also to learn more about what you can and cannot do in this country.

Gestures more important than words

The Japanese do not look into the eyes of other people. It is normal for them to look away during a conversation. But your open look, even on the street, can be perceived as a kind of challenge, a manifestation of aggression.

Sign language is more important to the Japanese than words. In communication with local residents do not violate their personal space, keep your distance. Avoid familiarity: do not hug the interlocutor or pat him on the shoulder.

In relations with Europeans, advanced Japanese can use handshakes, but bows are still more familiar to them. Sometimes they bow even while talking on the phone.

IN Everyday life barely noticeable bows are used, the back bend is about 15 degrees. Longer bows are addressed to respected persons, business partners - a back bend of about 30 degrees. If the meeting takes place with a very significant person, the Japanese is ready to bow 45 degrees.

Apologies Anytime, Anywhere

You cannot visit empty-handed. Gifts are given as a sign of respect, on holidays, in honor of what event, the main thing is that they must correspond to the occasion. The present must be wrapped and cannot be taken out immediately if it is presented to you.

It is customary to “apologize” for giving someone something, they say, your modest gift, even if it is very expensive, is nothing compared to your respect for this person. The guest needs to “apologize” for disturbing the hosts. The hosts you came to will also "apologize" for a modest reception, whatever this reception may be.

It is a gross violation of Japanese etiquette to enter a house with shoes on. Some Japanese take off their shoes even before entering the office. If you are visiting, then before entering the bathroom or toilet room, you must definitely put on slippers, which are usually right there.

Refusal of help

In transport, on the street, you cannot loudly call out to a person, even a well-known person, or push another passenger who is pushing you. Talking on the phone at stops and in transport is considered bad form. You can write sms.

Men are not allowed to board women's carriages, which are available on some trains in the evening. It is not necessary to give way to grandmothers and the disabled. There are special seats for them, which, by the way, cannot be occupied by other people.

In Japan, it is not customary to ask for help or accept it, except in the most extreme cases. Accepting someone's support is supposed to be only when it has been offered several times.

Tipping not accepted

In many Japanese restaurants a hot wet towel is served. Before the start of dinner, visitors wipe their face and hands with this towel. It is supposed to eat rice first, then soup, then try other dishes.

During a feast with alcohol, you should not drink to the bottom, otherwise you will immediately be poured again to the brim. If you pour drinks, then your glass should be filled last. You can’t leave the table silently, be sure to thank the owners of the house or the chef of the restaurant.

At the table, the Japanese can smack their lips, as they express the pleasure of eating. It is not customary to tip waiters.

Business card as a gift

It is better to be early for a business meeting than to be late. Being late will be seen as disrespectful. Business partners will say a clear yes if everything suits them, and they will say what they will think if something does not suit them, but no, they will never say.

It is very important to immediately exchange business cards, giving and receiving a card with the name of another person, as an expensive gift. The business card should be beautifully designed.

If you pay attention, you will quickly understand how to behave in Japan, what is politeness in Japanese. You will surely want to visit this interesting country more than once.

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