Some practical tips for your first trip to Japan
The o-torii at Miyajima.
Money
Japan is still a heavily cash only society, credit cards are accepted in places but be aware that often it's cash only. VAT or GST is added at the cash register when you go to pay, so the price tag could read 1,200 yen but you're charged more when you go to pay to cover the tax. Unlike Australia, the GST is not included in the ticketed price.
Buy some Japanese currency in your home country before you come to Japan to get you started. You can't withdraw cash at a Japanese ATM with a nonJapanese bank issued card, you have to find either a foreign bank such as Citibank, or an ATM that allows cash withdraws from foreign cards. The convenience store Lawson, has ATMs where foreign cards can be used to withdraw cash.
Phone/wifi
Your phone won't work in Japan, something to do with different frequencies used? What most people do is hire a 'pocket wifi' box, you can do this online and then pick it up when you arrive, there are booths at all the major airports. Connect your phone and you'll have wifi and can use all your helpful apps. Renting the pocket wifi means you then return it when you leave.
Trains
As a foreigner you can purchase a JR Railpass which gives you unlimited access to the JR (Japan Rail) system which is government rail, there are some private rail lines as well. The Railpass needs to be activated in Japan at a train station, if you arrive at Narita, it can be activated at the station there and the pass covers the Narita Express.
When catching the bullet train (The Shinkansen) the rail pass can only be used on the Hikari and Kodama trains, not the fastest (and most frequent! Nozomi) Hikari trains are best for long distances as there are fewer stops, Kodama for short distances as they stop everywhere! The rail pass gives you access to the non reserved seating, on the Hikari trains it's the first 5 carriages, the Kodama the first 3.
It's well worth getting the pass, it makes travelling around very easy.
Get the app Hyperdia it's a navigation app for the Japanese trains, enter in the station you're leaving from, where you want to go and what time and it will give you the information you need, including what stations to change trains.
Public Transport that's not a JR train
Buses and the Streetcars in Hiroshima, you pay as you leave, you throw the exact fare in the box next to the driver. The fare amount normally is displayed above the front window and changes depending on the stop. There is a machine that makes change from a note usually on board to assist you with the correct change.
Subways, you can buy a prepaid Suica card, like an Oyster, Mikki, Opal, Metro card.
Trains in general you can buy tickets at the station from the ticket machines, you put in your destination and the machine gives you a price, you don't need the exact money as the machines will give you change.
Hiroshima Street car
Busy Season
There are two main Japanese holiday times, the first is over New Years where most Japanese have some time off. The other is April 28th to May 5th which is called Golden Week and there are 5 public holidays and it's very busy! Avoid visiting Japan during those times. Cherry blossom season, late March to early April, has now become busy with floods of foreign tourists.
Koi nobori at an Okayama school, travel in late April and early May and you'll see the banners that mark Children's Day on May 5th.
Weather
Winters are cold and crisp, you won't encounter much snow outside of the mountainous parts of Japan, from Tokyo down. June is the 'rainy' season, it's when rice is planted, so be prepared days of torrential rain, but it's not cold. July and August are very hot and humid! July to the end of September is typhoon season so keep an eye on the news for weather warnings. October, the weather is great, humidity dies down and the days are warm.
Tourist attractions
Check tide times for low and high tide when visiting the o-torii (the big gate in the sea) at Miyajima, low tide it won't look like it's floating in the water, it's just sitting on mudflats. If you want the 'floating' gate and shrine, visit when it's high tide, the information is online and in English.
Kyoto is very spread out! You need to factor travelling times between places, choose where you really want to go and then plan how to get there.
Shoes
Some traditional attractions such as the Himeji castle, Takayama Folk Village houses, you'll be asked to remove your shoes. Ryokan and traditional restaurants as well. Wear slip-on shoes, it will save you a lot of time! Forget the fashionable laceup boots, any footwear you can slip in and out of is the way to go!
Money
Japan is still a heavily cash only society, credit cards are accepted in places but be aware that often it's cash only. VAT or GST is added at the cash register when you go to pay, so the price tag could read 1,200 yen but you're charged more when you go to pay to cover the tax. Unlike Australia, the GST is not included in the ticketed price.
Buy some Japanese currency in your home country before you come to Japan to get you started. You can't withdraw cash at a Japanese ATM with a nonJapanese bank issued card, you have to find either a foreign bank such as Citibank, or an ATM that allows cash withdraws from foreign cards. The convenience store Lawson, has ATMs where foreign cards can be used to withdraw cash.
Phone/wifi
Your phone won't work in Japan, something to do with different frequencies used? What most people do is hire a 'pocket wifi' box, you can do this online and then pick it up when you arrive, there are booths at all the major airports. Connect your phone and you'll have wifi and can use all your helpful apps. Renting the pocket wifi means you then return it when you leave.
Trains
As a foreigner you can purchase a JR Railpass which gives you unlimited access to the JR (Japan Rail) system which is government rail, there are some private rail lines as well. The Railpass needs to be activated in Japan at a train station, if you arrive at Narita, it can be activated at the station there and the pass covers the Narita Express.
When catching the bullet train (The Shinkansen) the rail pass can only be used on the Hikari and Kodama trains, not the fastest (and most frequent! Nozomi) Hikari trains are best for long distances as there are fewer stops, Kodama for short distances as they stop everywhere! The rail pass gives you access to the non reserved seating, on the Hikari trains it's the first 5 carriages, the Kodama the first 3.
It's well worth getting the pass, it makes travelling around very easy.
Get the app Hyperdia it's a navigation app for the Japanese trains, enter in the station you're leaving from, where you want to go and what time and it will give you the information you need, including what stations to change trains.
Public Transport that's not a JR train
Buses and the Streetcars in Hiroshima, you pay as you leave, you throw the exact fare in the box next to the driver. The fare amount normally is displayed above the front window and changes depending on the stop. There is a machine that makes change from a note usually on board to assist you with the correct change.
Subways, you can buy a prepaid Suica card, like an Oyster, Mikki, Opal, Metro card.
Trains in general you can buy tickets at the station from the ticket machines, you put in your destination and the machine gives you a price, you don't need the exact money as the machines will give you change.
Busy Season
There are two main Japanese holiday times, the first is over New Years where most Japanese have some time off. The other is April 28th to May 5th which is called Golden Week and there are 5 public holidays and it's very busy! Avoid visiting Japan during those times. Cherry blossom season, late March to early April, has now become busy with floods of foreign tourists.
Weather
Winters are cold and crisp, you won't encounter much snow outside of the mountainous parts of Japan, from Tokyo down. June is the 'rainy' season, it's when rice is planted, so be prepared days of torrential rain, but it's not cold. July and August are very hot and humid! July to the end of September is typhoon season so keep an eye on the news for weather warnings. October, the weather is great, humidity dies down and the days are warm.
Tourist attractions
Check tide times for low and high tide when visiting the o-torii (the big gate in the sea) at Miyajima, low tide it won't look like it's floating in the water, it's just sitting on mudflats. If you want the 'floating' gate and shrine, visit when it's high tide, the information is online and in English.
Kyoto is very spread out! You need to factor travelling times between places, choose where you really want to go and then plan how to get there.
Shoes
Some traditional attractions such as the Himeji castle, Takayama Folk Village houses, you'll be asked to remove your shoes. Ryokan and traditional restaurants as well. Wear slip-on shoes, it will save you a lot of time! Forget the fashionable laceup boots, any footwear you can slip in and out of is the way to go!
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