What tourists need to know about Japan. Tax free in Japan. Gestures are more important than words

It is the cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone succeeds in doing it because of high cost this trip. The Land of the Rising Sun is considered one of the most expensive in the world, and Tokyo has been in the top five most expensive cities for tourists for several years. But still, nothing can stop someone who wants to see Fujiyama and cherry blossoms in spring with their own eyes. Our article is for such travelers, it contains the most important information that will allow you to spend an inexpensive and interesting vacation in original Japan.

A little about the country

If you are planning a trip to Japan, prepare to be amazed. You will have to do this all the time, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot be compared with other Asian states. There is nothing from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling through Japan, you seem to penetrate into the very heart of Asia and hear it beating on every street of noisy megacities.

Tourists are attracted here by an incredible combination of modern technology with ancient traditions that are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, you can see a colorful festival dedicated to, for example, kokeshi Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms at sunrise or sunset. And in megacities you will be met by numerous cafes, shops and shopping centers. Here you can buy something, dine, and in some even stay overnight. In general, a trip to Japan will be the biggest and most significant adventure in your life. And, which is doubly pleasant, you will never regret the money spent on it.

Japan: solo or group trip?

First of all, before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to decide on the budget and travel options. And there are few of them - a group trip to Japan or an independent one. What to choose? It directly depends on your budget and opportunities.

Traveling to Japan on your own is quite possible, but it will require very careful preparation. You will have to think through absolutely everything:

• flight to Japan;
• hotel booking;
• route of movement around the country;
• food outlets and excursion program;
• money exchange options;
• types of communication with the local population.

All these aspects of a good trip will take you a very long time and also require some experience in solo travel. In addition, on the road you will meet certain difficulties, which can only be overcome by unspoiled and sociable tourists. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few people from local population knows English. Therefore, you will not be able to simply ask a passer-by for directions. Perhaps, after some time, a young Japanese who knows the basics of the English language will come across, but there is a high probability that this will not happen. In addition, the inscriptions in the country are not duplicated, they are all written in hieroglyphs. This fact significantly complicates the rest in Japan.

If the above difficulties scare you, then it is better to buy a travel package. Of course, it is not cheap, but you will be free from all worries, including visa ones.

Travel cost

If you are planning a flight from Moscow, then two weeks in Japan will cost you one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes flights, travel around the country, accommodation and several excursions. Meals are based on the breakfast system, the remaining meals the tourist must pay for on their own. A trip to Japan from Vladivostok is much cheaper. Our compatriots can choose a ferry tour, which costs about sixty thousand rubles on average. From Vladivostok, you can get to the Land of the Rising Sun in different ways and with various travel packages on hand. This is the most popular tourist destination for locals.

Reviews of independent travel in Japan allow you to plan your trip perfectly and save a lot of money. On average, brave tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than when buying a tour. This money will be very useful to you on vacation, because you can bring quite a lot of useful things home from the Land of the Rising Sun. How to plan a budget trip to Japan on your own, we will tell you a little later. And now let's try to find out the most important aspects of preparing for the trip.

When to go to Japan?

A big trip to Japan can be planned for any time of the year, but traditionally tourists try to visit the country in spring or autumn. During these seasons, the Land of the Rising Sun appears in a particularly beautiful form. In spring, she is dressed in pink foam of sakura flowers, and in autumn she simply hurts her eyes from red maple leaves. It seems that they are everywhere here, and the Japanese even came up with some special rituals for observing this beauty.

In winter, you can ski in Japan, several main resorts are characterized by high comfort and are equipped with the latest technology. But for those who are not attracted to skiing, it will be quite uncomfortable to see Japanese sights in winter and enjoy the trip. In addition, in the winter season it can be very windy in the country, which is rather unusual for most of our compatriots.

In summer, the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioners are everywhere in the cities, and tourists suffer from temperature fluctuations. Many people take sweatshirts or jackets with them to put them on in restaurants or shopping centers. But if you prefer beach holiday then go to Okinawa. Here you will receive an incredible level of service and enjoy swimming under the hot sun.

Where to go in Japan?

If you take the trouble to study reviews of independent travel in Japan, then it's easy to make your own travel itinerary. For the first time, a week will be enough for you to get acquainted with the Land of the Rising Sun. The following cities are suitable for this:

• Tokyo.
• Nara.
• Kyoto.

moving between settlements on high-speed trains, in seven days you will see beautiful parks, bathe in hot springs, visit the most famous temples and, of course, taste the bustling and noisy life of megacities.

If you are already a little familiar with travel, you can choose slightly different ones, and increase your stay in this country to two weeks. During this period, tourists will be able to see Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe and others extraordinary places. In general, you can plan to visit one city per day. In this case, the trip program will be very rich.

Applying for a visa: nuances and features

Any trip to Japan begins with the most difficult thing - obtaining a visa. This is not possible for every even a very experienced tourist. The thing is that in order to obtain a visa, Russians need a special letter on official letterhead. In addition to it, you will need to confirm the hotel reservation (and this is quite problematic when traveling on your own) and send a package of documents using special mail (the shipping cost will be at least seventy dollars).

Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel companies and pay for their visas. It usually takes two weeks and saves a lot of time.

Accommodation in Japan: where is the best place to stay?

To remember your trip to Japan for a long time, you need to take photos almost everywhere. Hotels deserve special attention. small hotels. It is worth noting that in the Land of the Rising Sun there is a fairly large selection of places to stay. But, if you want to save a little, then all of them will be very unusual and entertaining.

Many tourists stay overnight at spas. Don't be surprised, it's pretty common in Japan. For about thirty-five dollars you get a small room with a bathtub and a sunbed. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. Various treatments and massages are available for guests.

This is exotic for Russians. They are quite inexpensive and have a very high level of comfort. There are even double capsules for traveling couples. This pleasure will cost approximately thirty-five dollars per night.

Love hotels seem like a very unusual place to spend the night. These facilities are intended for love dates and provide the opportunity to rent from one hour to several days. These hotels are decorated quite exotic, but equipped with the highest class. In addition, they are much cheaper than regular rooms. A night in such a hotel will cost from eighty to one hundred and fifty dollars.

Meals while traveling

Of course, you can eat in restaurants every day, but a budget vacation does not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty here. No hamburgers or fries, just seaweed, sushi and seafood. Such a pleasure will cost approximately 5-6 dollars.

If the choice of dishes in a cafe confuses you a little big amount incomprehensible names, then buy a ready-made lunch at the supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through a transparent film you will always see the contents of the package.

gourmet trip

Experienced tourists choose a special type of vacation - a culinary trip to Japan. It is worth noting that this is something incredible. Of course, there are still few Russians who are ready to spend money on such a tour, but their number is increasing every year. What is it that attracts gourmets in the Land of the Rising Sun? Of course, restaurants with Michelin stars.

The fact is that as soon as Tokyo was included in the Michelin guide, restaurants with stars appeared in it. And tourists who want to experience gastronomic delight rushed to them. Annually, the number of restaurants with haute cuisine is increasing and Tokyo has already significantly surpassed the recognized gastronomic center - Paris in these characteristics.

For example, in the oldest quarter Tokyo, Ginze, are sushi restaurants with three Michelin stars. One of them employs the chef Jiro, about whom feature films have even been made. His work seems to be a real art, and the price of the dishes prepared by him exceeds several thousand dollars.

Each city in Japan has its own culinary traditions, so gourmets can travel all over the country in search of a special taste. One of the most popular Japanese foods is noodles. There are just a lot of options for its preparation - boil, fry, steam, and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. It can be said that a culinary tour allows tourists to discover new facets of an already familiar country.

money exchange

With the exchange of money, many inexperienced tourists often have problems. Keep in mind that buying yen is best done at home. Otherwise, you can get into a very unpleasant situation, because in many ATMs and terminals the card of the European payment system may not be accepted. This is due to the fact that Japanese terminals operate on their own system. Only a few ATMs in large shopping centers calmly accept absolutely all bank cards.

It will not always be possible to exchange money in a bank, because tourists can get on holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. That's why experienced travelers It is advised to carry the main amount of money in cash, and leave funds on a bank card to pay for restaurants and purchases.

Going to the Land of the Rising Sun, tourists need to know a few simple rules for staying in Japan, which will make the trip easier. We have compiled the most important recommendations:

• Don't try to tip in Japan, don't do it. There is no tipping system throughout the country.
• In Japanese bars, in honor of a friendly disposition, it is customary to pour alcoholic drinks from your own bottle, so if you are honored with such an honor, be sure to make a return gesture of respect.
• Never point at objects and people with your finger - this is extremely impolite, but you can show yourself.
• In a restaurant, it is enough to wave your hand in front of your nose, as the waiter will remove the dirty plates.
• In the Land of the Rising Sun, it is customary to take off your shoes in many rooms. You may be asked to take off your shoes in some areas of a restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, and so on. It is considered especially indecent to step on the mat with a shod foot; this is perceived as an insult.

• When going to the hot springs, keep in mind that those who have tattoos on their bodies are escorted to separate baths. They are not allowed to be in a common room with other vacationers.
• When you receive an invitation, be sure to bring a gift with you. This is considered a sign of courtesy and respect.

Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling through the Land of the Rising Sun, because a lot is known only after independent travel.

Japan, travel: reviews

Not a single tourist had an angry comment about Japan, in any case, we did not meet such. This means only one thing - you can and should go to this country. It will reveal a lot of interesting things even to those who are very poorly aware of the culture and traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Experienced tourists prefer Japan to all other Asian countries. Ask them why. We think the explanation will take several hours. After all, to describe this wonderful country and her people in a nutshell is simply impossible. Travelers are delighted with the historical monuments of Japan, its cities, cuisine and original traditions. Tourists say that you can come here many times, and each time you find something unusually exciting for yourself.

What do you need to decide on a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, quite a bit - desire, the spirit of adventurism and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what incredible journey in Japan you had.

Today I will tell you about how to take and go to Japan. This is a wonderful country, about which I have already written a lot 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 there by public transport, when the next train is, and how much it will 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 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. The apartment can be 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.

General 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 overall it's a great experience. 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.

How to organize a solo trip to Japan? Helpful information for travelers. Prices for tickets, visa, transport, hotels, food and attractions in 2019.

Exchange rate: 100 yen (JPY) ≈ 55 RUB.

Flights to Japan

Going to independent travel to Japan, be especially careful when buying tickets. The country is considered to be one of the most expensive for a holiday, but if you follow the airlines, you can find very attractive offers.

The cost of traveling to Japan will initially be lower for residents of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk, since the prices for tickets departing from these cities are the lowest in the country - from 15 thousand rubles.

A flight to Japan from Moscow costs from 25 thousand rubles, from St. Petersburg - from 26-27 thousand rubles. It is also relatively inexpensive to fly from Novosibirsk (from 26 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (from 16 thousand rubles).

Visa to Japan in 2019

Obtaining a Japanese visa is a very time-consuming process. Its type is determined by two main factors: the length of stay in the country and the purpose of the visit. Long-term visas are issued for study and work. Short-term - for tourist trips, business visits, visiting friends or relatives, as well as transit trips. In addition, there are some nuances with documents when applying for a child visa.

In addition to a voluminous list of documents, you should have a so-called guarantee in the country itself, ensuring both stay in Japan and timely departure. The guarantor can be either a resident of a country with a permanent status (an individual), or a tour operator ( entity). In both cases, the inviting party is obliged to provide a package of various papers.

With lists required documents can be found on the embassy website.

When organizing an independent trip to Japan in 2019, we recommend that you seek help from intermediary companies. They will solve all bureaucratic issues for you and will become your guarantor, taking a fee of about 10 thousand rubles.

(Photo © rurinoshima / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Transport in Japan

Buses

Both buses and trams are not the best solution for tourists in Japan. On these modes of transport, you will not always find the names of routes on English language. However, if you can read hieroglyphs, the risk of going to the wrong place is minimized. The cost of the trip is approximately ¥220-420.

In addition, if you study the routes well and do not limit yourself to trips within one city, there is a sure way to save money: moving from one city to another is cheapest on night buses.

Metro

The most convenient mode of transport for moving around the city is the metro. The names of all stations are duplicated in English. Trains run at five-minute intervals from 05:00 to 23:30. The fare depends on the city and distance. In Tokyo, for example, the price of a trip is approximately ¥120-320. A day pass will cost ¥1000. Tickets can be purchased at special vending machines in the subway.

Railway transport

Trains in Japan are considered high-speed transport for travel between major cities and suburban passenger transportation. They are divided into four main types: Local trains, Rapid express trains, long-distance trains and high-speed shinkansen. Tickets can also be purchased from special vending machines. The fare depends on the distance and class of the train: from ¥1500 to ¥44000.

Japan rail pass

When planning an independent trip to Japan, it is quite natural to want to save money, including on transportation costs. A pass can help with this. Japan Rail Pass. It was created exclusively for tourists by Japan Rail (JR), which is the country's main railway company. The travel card is issued in advance before traveling to Japan, as a rule, upon receipt of a visa. It applies to all JR transport: shinkansen, some subway lines and many suburban trains. There are three types of Japan Rail Pass: for 7 days - 28300 ¥, for 14 days - 45100 ¥, for 21 days - 57700 ¥.

Taxi

This type of transport in Japan is considered one of the most expensive. In addition, from 23:00 to 06:00, taxis provide services at a night rate, which means plus 30% on the cost of the trip. The price is formed as follows:

• boarding ¥580-720;
• for every 280 meters - 80¥;
• for every 135 seconds of downtime - 90¥.

The cost of traveling to Japan in general is a considerable amount even with savings. However, it's not a bad idea to use a taxi service a couple of times. Tired of the flight, with luggage in hand, it is more convenient to get from the airport to the hotel in a pre-booked taxi. You can order a transfer online on the service.

Do you want to know the minimum cost of a trip to Japan taking into account all items of expenditure? We calculated the main costs: flight, hotel accommodation, meals, public transport, as well as visiting the main attractions of the country. Read about what we have come to in ours.

(Photo © Loïc Lagarde / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Hotels in Japan

There are three main types of accommodation for tourists in Japan: capsule hotels, international hotels and traditional Japanese ryokans.

Capsule hotels

They are considered the most budget housing option in Japan. Capsules are small sleeping cells that are located next to each other in two tiers. Enough space to watch TV, read or just sleep. As a rule, in capsules, you can adjust the temperature and the desired brightness of the light. In hotels of this type, there are shared toilets, showers, as well as individual cells for luggage. The cost of a cell is from $20 per day. At this price, for example, you can stay in capsule hotel Capsule and Sauna New Century or Capsule and Sauna New Japan EX .

International type hotels

This type of tourist-friendly hotel is the most popular among those who travel independently in Japan. According to the level of comfort, they are divided into the following types:

• Delux (DX) - expensive hotels with the highest level of service (approximately 5*+);
• Superior (SP) - housing with DX elements, but at a lower price (approximately 5 *);
• First (F) - living conditions are above average (approximately 4 *);
• Standard (S) - standard class hotels with a basic set of amenities (approximately 3 *);
• Economy (E) - a budget option accommodation.

Ryokans

Ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere during an independent trip to Japan national traditions. The floor in such hotels is covered with straw mats (tatami), and the doors and some windows are sliding partitions made of translucent paper in a wooden frame (shoji). It is customary to sleep here on the floor, and to wash in common bath ofuro, however, given the shyness of many tourists, rooms are created with their own bathrooms. Ryokan can be rented from $90 per night for two, for example, at Sakura Ryokan Hotel Tokyo.

Food in Japan. Prices in 2019

Japanese cuisine uses fresh and natural products that undergo minimal heat treatment. This is done to preserve the natural look and, most importantly, the original taste. In addition, mixing a large number of ingredients is alien to traditional culinary creations. Aesthetic minimalism, clarity of detail and bright colors are the basis of Japanese dishes.

The main ingredients here are fresh vegetables, seafood, rice and noodles. Sushi, familiar to us, is considered far from being the main Japanese food, as the vast majority of tourists believe. We have identified several popular national dishes that are worth trying in Japan.

ramen- This is a broth with wheat noodles. There are four types of base for this dish: soy sauce, tankotsu (pork bone broth), miso (bean paste) and salty broth. Ingredients can also be: pickled mushrooms, eggs, bamboo shoots and spinach.

Onigiri- rice balls stuffed with fish, wrapped in seaweed. This common Japanese snack can be enjoyed for as little as ¥100.

Yakitor These are pieces of chicken on skewers grilled over charcoal. These skewers are usually served with tare sauce, which is made from mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.

Fugu- poisonous fish, which is considered a real delicacy. To neutralize it, certified masters, like surgeons, remove the internal organs containing poison, and only then proceed to the cooking process.

shabu shabu is a dish that got its name from the sound that occurs during cooking. And the chef here is the customer himself. In restaurants that offer this dish, small stoves are mounted in the tables, on which a bowl of boiling broth is placed. Thin slices of beef or pork are lowered into the bubbling liquid with the help of sticks, and after that the marbled meat is ready for tasting.

When calculating the cost of traveling to Japan, we found it useful to provide information on how much food costs in cafes and restaurants in Japan.

Prices in Japanese cafes:

• breakfast - 650¥;
• lunch - ¥850;
• dinner - 1200¥.

Prices in Japanese restaurants:

• breakfast - 800¥;
• lunch - 1200¥;
• dinner - ¥2000.

(Photo © k_t / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Landmarks in Japan

Each prefecture, city and village has the richest cultural heritage. Here you can endlessly admire both historical monuments and achievements in the field of modern technologies. We have highlighted some of the most popular attractions for those who are planning a solo trip to Japan.

It is believed that at least once in a lifetime a real Japanese must conquer the sacred volcano on the island of Honshu. Climbing to the top of Mount Fuji is officially allowed only from July 1 to August 27, when the snow melts. In turn, the mountain is especially beautiful in winter: you can contemplate the snowy peaks of the legendary volcano, lying in a hot spring (onsen).

ancient castles

Japan has more than a hundred ancient castles. Here are the most famous residences in which the history of the great state was born:

1. Nagoya Castle is located in Aichi Prefecture. Built in 1612, it was once main residence branches of the Tokugawa shogun family.
2. Inuyama Castle- located on the border of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Built in 1440, the castle is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
3. Kochi Castle- was founded in Kochi Prefecture in 1601 after the Battle of Sekigahara. Listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
4. Kumamoto Castle- Erected in 1601, it bears the second name "Crow Castle", and is also included in the list of national treasures of Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland

This is the first Disney park to be moved outside of the United States. There are 47 attractions of the famous cartoon brand on 465 thousand m². You can visit the park by buying a ticket, which is called a passport here due to the age categories of guests:

• from 18 years old - 6200 ¥;
• from 12 to 17 years old - ¥5300;
• from 4 to 11 years old - 4100¥.

ancient temples

There are two main religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. The first is based on the ancient animistic beliefs of the Japanese, and the second was brought by Chinese monks. The most famous Japanese temples are located in Kyoto, including: Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion, a Buddhist shrine Tongasan Kesan-ji and the Temple of the Resting Dragon Rean-ji.

(Photo © Travelbusy.com / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY 2.0)

Intro image source: © zoonyzoozoodazoo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0