What a tourist in Japan should know. What you need to know during your first trip to Japan. Buddhist and Shinto shrines

When the bands Japanese tourists travel abroad, travel companies often explain to them what rules of conduct and customs are typical for a particular people. The Japanese think that they are representatives of their country, so everyone tries to make the best impression at a party. When traveling abroad, the Japanese are the most a prime example conscious behaviour. Treating others this way seems to expand their culture beyond Japan.

If you are visiting Japan for the first time, it will be great if you manage to find and learn as much as possible about the rules of conduct in this country. So it will be good for you, and the Japanese will be pleased. By learning Japanese customs, you can not only impress the locals, but also expand your travel experiences. Your first trip to Japan is sure to give you a lot of adventure, cultural experience, shopping, nightlife, entertainment and new knowledge. In communicating with the Japanese, there are several important general rules, characteristic of many situations, as well as a number of behavioral features characteristic of any specific situations.

General rules

Japanese slippers for home

Two of the most commonly encountered customs in Japan are related to shoes and greetings. When entering a house or a ryokan (Japanese-style hotel), it is customary to take off your shoes. You may be asked to put on slippers, but later, before stepping on the tatami, you will have to remove them too. Sometimes in hotels or private houses you can see slippers for the bathroom, which are customary to wear only there. Many Japanese restaurants will also ask you to take off your shoes. In such cases, you can usually see special lockers in the establishment where you can leave your shoes.

The Japanese often greet each other by bowing rather than shaking hands. A bow is considered the most appropriate type of greeting, but in a business environment a handshake would also be acceptable. Moreover, during official acquaintances it is customary to exchange business cards. The business card must be accepted with both hands and be sure to look at it before putting it away. Cards should never be folded or placed in pants pockets. You can also not sit on a business card in the presence of the person who gave it.

In Japan, there are different types of bows, which reflect the position in society and the status of the one to whom they bow. You can simply nod slightly - a greeting for those who are in a lower position or communicate with you in an informal setting - or bow at 90 °, which will indicate a deep respect. However, the Japanese do not expect foreigners to bow and shake your hand with pleasure.

Etiquette in specific places/situations

Everyone who comes to Japan for the first time is simply obliged to take the opportunity to try Japanese sushi, because in other countries their taste is always different. It's a sin not to try quality sushi on your first trip. It is believed that the best place for this is the most famous sushi restaurant "Sukiyabashi Jiro", which is headed by the world's best sushi chef Jiro Ono. It offers twenty types of sushi, which are definitely worth ordering. All this will cost about 30,000 yen and last 15-20 minutes, but you will not try anything like this anywhere else.

Sushi etiquette

After you enter a sushi restaurant, you should say hello to its owner or hostess. They greet guests with the traditional phrase irassiyimase"Welcome". Just pay attention to their greeting and answer the question about how your day or evening went. If you sit at the bar, you can ask the itamae, that is, the chef behind the bar, for only sushi. Drinks, soups and everything else should be ordered from the waiters. Never ask an itamae if the sushi is fresh. It's insulting. It is better to ask what he will recommend to you. Itamae is usually very busy, but if he has a free moment, you can try to talk to him. Don't leave food on your plate after you've finished eating. It's impolite because it looks like you didn't like something. If you're sitting at the bar, it's also polite to thank the itamae. Try to say in Japanese domo arigato"thank you" or gotisosama deshita"thanks for the treat".

Entertainment

If you are traveling to Japan for the first time and want to experience a unique kind of Japanese entertainment, visit the local pachinko (gaming machines) hall. The halls are reminiscent of a casino where you can get rewarded for your game. There are many pachinko halls in Japan. Espace - one of the largest (3 floors) - is located in the popular area of ​​​​Tokyo called Shinjuku. Every year, more than 30 million people in Japan play pachinko, and this is only a small part of the Japanese gaming industry.

In general, the Japanese are avid players. But they love not only pachinko, but also casinos and poker in Macau. Evidence that these games are starting to become pop culture in Japan is the example of model Yuiko Matsukawa, who loves poker very much and uses her popularity to play with her fans in Japan.

Yuiko Matsukawa - Japanese model, poker lover

Patinko etiquette

Although pachinko halls are somewhat similar to American casinos, there are a number of certain differences that you should be aware of. The first difference concerns the behavior of the players. The Japanese prefer to play on their own in solitude. The halls can be crowded with people, but most players do not want to be disturbed by anyone. For many, pachinko is a kind of escape from reality, so they prefer to ignore the surrounding reality. If you need to leave the machine while playing, just leave a pack of cigarettes or something like that in the tray - this will let others know that the machine is busy. This method works within 30 minutes. Never touch another player's pachinko balls. It is considered bad luck, and some players may find it offensive. If you see a lost ball on the floor, then the correct solution would be to point it out to an employee of the establishment. This is done because it is believed that if the lost ball enters the machine, it will spoil it and bring bad luck to the player.

Buddhist and Shinto shrines

Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Kansai, Japan

There are approximately 95,000 Shinto and 85,000 Buddhist temples in Japan, many of which are marvels of architecture, nature and culture. When tourists visit these sights, they acquire some special sense of harmony. There are Shinto and Buddhist temples in every city in Japan, and in big cities like Kyoto there are about a thousand. There are various rituals in the temples, the Japanese perform them and treat them with respect.

However, it is important for a foreign tourist to know how Shinto shrines differ from Buddhist shrines.

Shinto shrines are characterized by the presence of unique red gates called torii. They can also be distinguished from Buddhist temples by the presence of the word "jinja" in the name, for example, Akiba-jinja. At the same time, the syllable "ji" in the names will indicate that the temple is Buddhist (Senso-ji, Kencho-ji, Todai-ji, Daigo-ji).

Temple Etiquette in Japan

Of course, the rules of conduct in sacred places Japan will be different. In both Shinto and Buddhist temples, visitors are expected to show respect for the shrines. The differences mainly lie in how to enter the territory of a particular temple. So, before entering a Shinto shrine, visitors wash their hands and face and rinse their mouths.

The customs and traditions of Japan are different from those we are used to. Before your first trip to Japan, try to learn as much as you can about them. However, by far the most foreign tourists their respect for the culture of another country is valued. Be polite and humble, and let your first trip to Japan leave the brightest and most pleasant impressions!

Despite high prices, Japan is one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in the whole world. From majestic Mount Fuji to Bustling Tokyo Zen Kyoto, Japan is a colorful blend of a high-tech world with a respect for tradition. If you decide on an independent trip to Japan, then you have hit the Ares. Our free guide in Japan will help you.

I love Japan. It was my old dream to visit this country, and when it came true, the impressions of the country exceeded all my wildest expectations. Japan has fantastic food, beautiful temples and shrines, Zen gardens and national parks, a culture with a long and rich history. Although Japan is considered one of the most expensive countries, there are still little tricks that can make it affordable. Don't be afraid of high prices. And I, in turn, will help with good advice on how to plan an affordable trip to Japan.

Traveling to Japan - cost

Accommodation

The cost of a night in hostels varies between 2500 - 4000 yen in a shared room. Accommodation in a small separate room will cost 3,000 - 5,000 yen. A double room in an inexpensive hotel costs an average of 8,500 yen.

Food

There are plenty of inexpensive places in Japan that serve delicious ramen, soba, and miso noodles. These dishes cost from 250 to 1250 yen. If you buy food in stores, then your weekly budget will be 3,700 - 5,000 yen. You can order a dish in a restaurant for an average of 2,000 yen. The average check in restaurants is about 4350 yen. Sushi is 125 - 620 yen apiece. Fast food - 800 yen.

Transport

Transportation costs in Japan are high. Trains are the fastest and most expensive way to travel in Japan. A ticket from Osaka to Tokyo will cost you 20,000 yen. Most subway rides will cost between 125 - 250 yen. In major cities, you can buy a day pass for 1,000 yen, which allows you to travel on the subway an unlimited number of times during the day on certain trains. A ticket for an intercity bus costs about 2,500 yen.

Leisure

Visiting most temples and museums in Japan is free, occasionally tickets to popular attractions will cost you 1250 yen, and temples up to 620 yen. Entrance to most parks is free.

How to save money while traveling in Japan

Visit only free rides

Most museums, shrines, temples, historic districts and parks are free to visit. Japan is generous with the opportunity to get to know its culture.

Buy a JR Pass

If you plan to travel a lot around the country, then buy a JR Pass - this unlimited train travel ticket in Japan will save you a lot of money.

Get around on buses

Traveling by bus is much cheaper than by train, but it will take longer. Compare 2 hours by train from Tokyo to Osaka and 10 hours by bus on the same route. Although the unlimited train ticket is valid for 7 days and costs 29,100 yen, if you want to save money and have time, use the buses.

Stores all for 100 yen

There are many discount stores in Japan where all items cost 100 yen. In them you can buy set meals, food, water, toiletries and household items. In general, everything is the same as ours. Store names vary by region, so ask at the front desk of your hotel or hostel.

Eat at 7-11

At 7-11 (Seven-Eleven), Family Mart and similar small shops, you can buy convenience foods for 125-370 yen. Also in many supermarkets you can buy set meals for the same price.

cook yourself

All hostels have kitchens where you can cook your own meals, thus reducing the cost of writing to 745 yen per day. Combining "100 yen everything" trips with self-catering can cut your food budget considerably.

Eat curry, ramen and donburi

I actually lived off these meals for the entire 3 weeks I was in Japan. A bowl of curry costs up to 370 yen. Donburi (meat and rice) - 500 - 620 yen per plate. Ramen up to 870 yen. I think this diet is ideal in terms of price / normal to eat and eat.

Work in hostels

If you live in a shared room in a hostel, you can ask to clean it. A few hours of cleaning in the morning will be rewarded with free accommodation for any period.

Couchsurfing

This is my standard advice, if you want to live for a short time for free with a resident of the country who will not only provide you with a roof over your head, but also introduce you to the local culture - use couchsurfing. The main thing is to write to the owner in advance, in Japan for some reason they take a long time to answer.

Shop for groceries at night

After 20:00, supermarkets significantly reduce food prices, because. if no one buys them, then by law they will have to be thrown away. This little secret will help you save up to 50% on food.

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 Japan visa is easy, but you will have to collect a large number of papers and references. 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 the 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 the golden autumn, when all of 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. Based on the traditional Japanese cuisine-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. You can live in ordinary 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.

The 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 Japanese border, 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. Sundays and public holidays - all post offices 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 major railway stations and in the subway it gradually becomes 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 permeate 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, trains long distance and bullet trains "Shinkansen". The fare ranges from $15 to $440 depending on the distance traveled and the class of the train. A ticket for traveling a short distance is bought in the same way as a subway ticket - in special ticket vending machines. long distance are 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 suburban maps, all lines have strictly fixed colors, and electric 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 on English language. 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 the right place. It is possible to change from one subway line to another or from subway lines to commuter trains of 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. Most 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 are 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 Ukraine switches 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 an electrical network with a voltage of 220V.

Before starting a trip, make a copy of your international passport and other documents proving your identity (driver's license, etc.), and air tickets, and keep them separately 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. Form a first aid kit that will help you with minor ailments, save time searching for medicines and relieve the problems of communicating in a 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, who don't like group tour dates...