How many dollars to take to Japan? Trip to Japan. What should you take with you to Japan? Japanese currency: convergence course

If you are planning a trip but don't knowwhat to take with you to Japan, be sure to check out this article. Although the main advice for all travelers is not to overpack, you should be very careful about the contents of your suitcase. At the same time, you shouldn’t be upset in advance if some of your everyday items are suddenly left at home - in Japan you can easily buy any missing little thing.

What to take to Japan: essential items

Valid passport.
Visa. Russian citizens require a visa to enter Japan. You can arrange it yourself or by contacting a travel agency. Please note: your passport must have at least 6 months remaining until it expires.
Flights. We recommend that you carry paper copies of your return tickets with you so that you can present them to Japanese border guards if necessary.
Hotel reservation confirmation. Having a printout will be useful both for you personally and for the hotel staff. If the form contains the address of the establishment in Japanese, this will help taxi drivers take you to your destination.
Railway tickets. Traveling around Japan by train is a great idea worthy of travelers. Plan your routes in advance and purchase the necessary tickets before departure.
Payment cards, cash. For everyone who is accustomed to non-cash payments, it is important to find out in advance from the bank the conditions for using your VISA or MasterCard abroad, that is, in Japan.
Copies of all documents. Take a photo with your mobile phone, send yourself by email copies of your passport pages, insurance and payment card details.
Maps and guides. Do you prefer paper editions? Stock up on them in Russia. The corresponding smartphone or tablet applications can be downloaded on site.
English phrasebook. Japanese is one of the most difficult languages in the world, and not everyone can speak it. Fortunately, the Japanese speak excellent English, and knowledge of basic words and expressions is enough to communicate and understand in a hotel or on the street.

What to take with you to Japan from wardrobe items

The choice of clothing is primarily influenced by the dates of the trip. Depending on the season, the country greets guests with either unbearable heat or unpleasant coolness. It is recommended to wear clothes made of breathable fabrics. Cotton is the best choice. Denim items are less suitable, as they are significant in weight, retain moisture, and take a long time to dry. You will have to walk a lot, so try to dress stylishly but comfortably.

Light dresses, linen shirts and cotton T-shirts, shorts and skirts are ideal for summer. Tracksuits may not be as prestigious, but they are incredibly comfortable. In winter, a jacket or warm coat, a pair of trousers and thermal underwear will come in handy. But don’t try to put everything hanging in the closet into a suitcase. In Japan there are many stores with clothes at affordable prices, so it is wiser to travel light and return home with new clothes, rather than initially taking a lot of unnecessary things with you.

The situation is similar with shoes. Make sure you take one that doesn't cause discomfort, is warm and waterproof enough, and is easy to remove. Yes, this nuance must be taken into account, since the Japanese are very sensitive to traditions. Be sure to take off your shoes when entering a room, preferably without outside prompting. Choose trekking sneakers or sandals, sandals, soft shoes, boots with comfortable laces or clasps.

List of necessary personal items

Shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush.
Sunglasses, a hat or a Panama hat, especially in spring and summer when the weather can be incredibly hot. When it comes to sunscreens, choose ones with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
Antiperspirant. To stay fresh during your trip, use dry deodorant.
Medicines for diarrhea or stomach upset. The chances of getting poisoned in Japan due to unsanitary conditions are negligible, but unusual food can cause gastrointestinal problems. Be prepared for this.
Flu teas, antipyretics, sore throat lozenges. It's sad if illness ruins your vacation. Finding a pharmacy nearby is easy in Japan, but when the temperature soars at 3 am, running around looking for the nearest pharmacy kiosk is not the most pleasant experience.
First aid kit for hiking. This traditionally includes plasters for calluses, bandages, cotton wool, and antiseptic for cuts.

Do you need electronics when traveling?

Undoubtedly, you need to take a familiar and convenient gadget with you. You will need a mobile phone with a charger, as well as an adapter for the socket. If your smartphone replaces both your phone and your camera, take a PowerBank with increased power. In addition, take care of an additional memory card - there will be many reasons for excellent photos! It is this fact that may convince youwhat to take with you to Japana good camera is the right decision. To protect your equipment, it makes sense to think about waterproof cases in advance.

This is perhaps a list of the main things that tourists need when traveling around Japan. Let the anticipation of the upcoming adventure bring only positive emotions.

How much does it cost to travel to Japan? We provide prices for tickets, hotel, food, transport, visa and attractions. We calculate the cost of a trip to Japan in 2019 in rubles.

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

How much does it cost to fly to Japan?

It is usually more profitable to fly abroad from Moscow. However, with Japan it is different: the cheapest tickets are from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Vladivostok (from 11,000 rubles), as well as Khabarovsk and Vladivostok (from 13,000 rubles). You can fly to Japan relatively inexpensively from Irkutsk - from 17,000 rubles, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (from 18,000 rubles) and Novosibirsk (24,000 rubles).

The cost of a direct flight from Moscow to Tokyo is from 36,000 rubles, with a transfer - from 30,000. Ticket prices from St. Petersburg start from 33,000 rubles.

Japan visa cost

To travel to Japan from Russia you need a visa. Good news: the rules have been simplified, and Russians no longer need a guarantor to get it! But citizens of the CIS, alas, need to look for a guarantor.

The visa is free if you apply for it yourself at a consulate or embassy. Only they are in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the cities of the Far East. Residents of other cities will have to pay visa centers for sending documents.

Japanese visa (Photo © Max Braun / flickr.com)

Hotel prices in Japan in 2019

We recommend looking for accommodation in Japan, from cheap capsule hotels to elite ryokans, on Roomguru - it compares prices of different services.

Capsule hotels in Tokyo cost from $16 per person.
A double room in a guesthouse in Tokyo costs from $27 per night.
In a 2* hotel - from $45 per night (for example, in Hotel Meigetsu).
In a 3* hotel - from $55 (Hotel Mystays Asakusa-bashi).
In a 5* hotel - from $100 (Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo).

The cost of traveling to Japan will increase if you choose to live in ryokan(ryokan) - a hotel in a traditional Japanese style. In ryokans, the floor is paved with tatami, instead of beds there are futons, and guests are given national slippers and robes. Sometimes there is an onsen - hot spring. The cheapest ones in Tokyo cost $70-80 for two people, usually with a shared bathroom. Ryokans with a private bathroom start from $100. $150-300 - spacious ryokans with onsen in other cities of Japan.

Advice: In large cities it is not necessary to live in the center. The main thing is that it is close to the metro.

(Photo © Toshihiro Gamo / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Food prices in Japan in 2019

Food in Japan is delicious, fresh and relatively inexpensive! Dishes are prepared from natural, minimally processed ingredients. Rice, noodles, seafood and meat are the basis of the diet. As in China, there is no language problem when ordering food: the cafe has realistic food models, and the menu has photos.

To correctly calculate the cost of a trip to Japan, you need to know the approximate costs of food. On average, breakfast will cost about ¥400-500 per person - about the same price as, for example, udon noodles with tofu, ramen, rice with curry. Tea or water is served free of charge. Some establishments serve breakfast combos for ¥300-400.

A hearty lunch or dinner in a cafe will cost ¥1000-1500 per person. And if you are used to eating a little, then for two! In general, in inexpensive establishments a dish costs on average 500-800¥, in a restaurant - from 1000¥.

You can have unusual and tasty food in conveyor belt restaurant(kaitenzushi). You sit at a table, and ready-made dishes pass by on a conveyor belt. A plate with two rolls or sushi costs from ¥105. The price of a dish can be determined by the color of the dish. At the end, they count by empty plates. Tea and ginger - free and unlimited. Examples of restaurant chains: Sushizanmai, Kappa-sushi, Hamazushi, Sushiro.

Street cafe in Tokyo (Photo © unsplash.com / @gluzman)

How to save on food in Japan:

In supermarkets from 20:00 or 21:00 there are 20-50% discounts on ready-made food or products whose expiration date is running out. Examples: Seiyu, Ito-Yokado, OK-mart.
Buy a bento - lunch box, lunch in a box. Inexpensive, convenient and very popular in Japan. Costs from 300 to 1000¥ depending on the filling.
You can eat inexpensively in restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, Korean and other cuisines that are aimed at local residents.
Tasty and cheap - in family restaurants.
As a last resort, you can buy ready-made inexpensive food in 24-hour minimarkets (convenience stores) Lawson, 7 Eleven, Family Mart. However, it costs more there than in regular supermarkets.

A Japanese woman tries Russian sushi. What kind of rolls are not available in Japan?

If you want to reduce the cost of an independent trip to Japan, cook yourself. For example, prepare breakfasts and dinners, and have lunch in a cafe. Vegetables and fruits are expensive in Japan and are usually sold individually. Meat is also not cheap.

Here are the prices for food in stores in Japan in 2019:

bread - 70-130¥;
sandwiches - ¥180-350;
milk (1 l) - 180¥;
eggs (10 pcs) - 230-250¥;
shrimp (1 kg) - 1000¥;
scallops (1 kg) - 1000¥;
potatoes (1 kg) - ¥390;
tomatoes (1 kg) - 730¥;
apples (1 kg) - 200-660¥;
oranges (1 kg) - ¥580;
beer - 80-200¥;
ready-made salads - from ¥400;
bento - ¥300-1000;
sushi sets or rolls - ¥300-1500;
desserts and pastries - 100-400¥.

Prices for attractions in Japan

Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and . Individual and group, without crowds of tourists and in Russian.

In Japan, every prefecture, every city has its own wealth! We will focus on the sights of Tokyo. Here are the prices for some interesting places:

Shinjuku Goen Imperial Park - ¥200;
Ueno Zoo - ¥600 for adults, children - free;
Tokyo National Museum - ¥620;
Nezu Museum - ¥1000;
Tokyo Tower - ¥1600.
Hot springs (onsen) - 1500-2000¥.

Plus, there are a lot of things you can visit for free in Tokyo. Among them are the Imperial Palace (make an appointment in advance), the Kaminarimon Gate "Thunder Gate", as well as some parks and temples.

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

Cost of transport in Japan

Subway and trains. It's difficult in Japan without a train. The main railway company is Japan Railways (JR). She created a travel card especially for tourists JR Pass. It is valid only for visitors and is issued before traveling to Japan on the JR Pass website. The document will be sent by email. Then, in Japan, at a subway station, find the company counter and exchange it for the pass.

The JR Pass is valid for all of the company's transport: shinkansen, some subway lines and many commuter trains. This is a personalized document and cannot be passed on to others. The most important thing is that you cannot lose it, because the card will not be reissued. It is expensive: for 7 days - $264, for 14 days - $422, for 21 days - $542.

The cost of a trip on the Japanese subway depends on the zones into which subway lines are divided in major cities of the country. Trains run every 5 minutes, from 5:00 to 23:30, sometimes until midnight. The color of the carriage corresponds to the line it follows. The fare depends on the distance and city. For example, in Tokyo it ranges from ¥120-320 per trip. A 1-day pass costs ¥1000.

Tokyo subway car (Photo © unsplash.com / @liamburnettblue)

Buses inconvenient for tourists, since the numbers and names of routes are almost always written in hieroglyphs. On average, buses run from 7:00 to 21:00, but in some areas departure occurs earlier (from 5:30) and ends later (until 23:30). The cost of one trip by bus and tram is ¥220-420.

Taxi in Japan - an expensive pleasure:

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

Better use the metro! In addition, from 23:00 to 6:00, taxi drivers drive at night rates with a 30% surcharge.

If you want to get from the airport to your accommodation by taxi, and the hotel does not provide a transfer, we recommend booking a car in advance at.

Neon Tokyo (Photo © unsplash.com / @erikeae)

How much does a trip to Japan cost - 2019

Let's calculate how much an independent trip to Japan from Russia costs in 2019 for two people for 7 days (in rubles and dollars):

tickets from Moscow to Tokyo - $910;
budget hotel - $27;
three meals a day - $44;
JR Pass for 7 days - $264.

So, the minimum cost of a trip to Japan in 2019 for 7 days is $1671, that is 110 thousand rubles. Add to this the costs of sending documents to the embassy (if you live in the region), attractions and souvenirs.

Sakura along the Meguro River (Photo © unsplash.com / @s_sagano)

Introductory image source: © halfrain / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-SA 2.0

It is the cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone is able to complete it due to the high cost of 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 Fuji and the cherry blossoms in spring with their own eyes. Our article is specifically for such travelers; it contains the most important information that will allow you to spend an inexpensive and interesting vacation in unique Japan.

A little about the country

If you're planning a trip to Japan, prepare to be amazed. You will have to do this constantly, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot compare with other Asian countries. There is nothing here from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling through Japan, you seem to penetrate into the very heart of Asia and hear its beating on every street of noisy metropolises.

Tourists are attracted here by the incredible combination of modern technologies with ancient traditions, which are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, you will be able to see a colorful festival dedicated to, for example, kokeshi. Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms at dawn or sunset. And in big cities you will be greeted by numerous cafes, shops and shopping centers. Here you can buy something, have lunch, and in some even stay overnight. In general, a trip to Japan will be the biggest and most significant adventure of your life. And what’s doubly nice is that 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 your budget and travel options. And there are not many of them - a group trip to Japan or an independent one. What to choose? This directly depends on your budget and capabilities.

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

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

All of these aspects of a good trip will take up a lot of your time and will also require some experience in solo travel. In addition, on the road you will encounter certain difficulties that only unspoiled and sociable tourists can overcome. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few of the local population speak English. Therefore, you won’t be able to simply ask a passerby for directions. Perhaps after some time you will come across a young Japanese who speaks the basics of English, 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 holidays 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 issues.

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 served according to the breakfast system; the remaining meals must be paid for by the tourist himself. Traveling to Japan from Vladivostok is much cheaper. Our compatriots can choose a ferry tour, which on average costs about sixty thousand rubles. 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 among locals.

Reviews of independent travel in Japan allow you to plan your trip perfectly and save a lot. On average, brave tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than when purchasing 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. We’ll tell you how to plan a budget trip to Japan on your own a little later. 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 the spring, she is dressed in pink foam of sakura flowers, and in the fall, the red maple leaves simply hurt the eyes. It seems that they are everywhere here, and the Japanese have even come up with several special rituals for observing this beauty.

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

In summer the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioning is everywhere in cities, and tourists suffer from temperature changes. Many people take sweaters or jackets with them to wear in restaurants or shopping centers. But if you prefer a 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, you can easily create 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 explore the most beautiful parks, swim 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 other extraordinary places. In general, you can plan to explore one city per day. In this case, the trip program will be very eventful.

Visa application: nuances and features

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

Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel companies and pay them for visas. This 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 and small inns deserve special attention. It is worth noting that the Land of the Rising Sun has quite a large selection of places to stay. But, if you want to save a little, then they will all be very unusual and entertaining.

Many tourists stay overnight at spa centers. Don't be surprised, this is quite common in Japan. For about thirty-five dollars you will get a small room with a bathtub and a lounger. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. Guests can enjoy a variety of treatments and massages.

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 buildings are intended for love dates and provide the possibility of renting from one hour to several days. These hotels are decorated quite exotically, but equipped to 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 holiday does not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty. No hamburgers or fries, just seaweed, sushi and seafood. This pleasure will cost approximately 5-6 dollars.

If the choice of dishes in a cafe confuses you a little with a large number of incomprehensible names, then buy a ready-made lunch at the supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through the 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 willing to spend money on such a tour, but their number is increasing every year. What attracts gourmets so much to 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 flocked to them, wanting to experience gastronomic delight. The number of gourmet restaurants increases every year, and Tokyo has already significantly surpassed the recognized gastronomic center of Paris in terms of these characteristics.

For example, in the oldest quarter of Tokyo, Ginza, there are sushi restaurants with three Michelin stars. Chef Jiro works in one of them, about whom feature films have even been made. His work seems like real art, and the price of the dishes he prepares exceeds several thousand dollars.

Every 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 simply a lot of options for preparing it - boiling, frying, steaming and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. We can say that a culinary tour allows tourists to discover new facets of an already familiar country.

Money exchange

Many inexperienced tourists often have problems exchanging money. Keep in mind that the best place to buy yen is at home. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a very unpleasant situation, because many ATMs and terminals may not accept a European payment system card. This is due to the fact that Japanese terminals operate on their own system. Only a few ATMs in large shopping centers easily accept absolutely all bank cards.

It will not always be possible to exchange money at a bank, because tourists may come on holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. Therefore, experienced travelers advise bringing the main amount of money in cash, and leaving funds on a bank card to pay for restaurants and purchases.

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

Don't try to tip in Japan, it's not worth it. There is no tipping system throughout the country.
In Japanese bars, in honor of friendship, it is customary to pour alcoholic drinks from your own bottle, so if you are awarded such an honor, be sure to return the gesture of respect.
Never point your finger at objects or people - this is extremely impolite, but you can point at yourself.
In a restaurant, all you have to do is wave your palm in front of your nose and 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 certain areas of a restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, etc. It is considered especially indecent to step on a mat with a shod foot; this is perceived as an insult.

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

Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling in the Land of the Rising Sun, because a lot can be learned only after an independent trip.

Japan, travel: reviews

Not a single tourist had an angry comment about Japan, at least we didn’t encounter any. 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 informed about 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, it is simply impossible to describe this amazing country and its people in a few words. 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 find something unusually exciting for yourself.

What do you need to decide to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, just a little - desire, a spirit of adventure and more money. And then you can tell your friends when you return home about what an incredible trip you had in Japan.

Japan is an amazing country with a place for lovers of both antiquity and modernity. A trip to Japan can cost a fortune, but with proper planning you can avoid the big expenses and enjoy your trip.

Steps

How to get to Japan

Food and shopping

Choose inexpensive bars and restaurants. Japan has quite a lot of inexpensive dishes on the menu, so don't deny yourself the pleasure of going to a cafe. The design of an establishment usually indicates the cost of food there, so be careful. In Japan it is not customary to tip, and this way you can save some more money. It's helpful to have a guidebook with you describing local dishes or a list of popular dishes on your smartphone so you know what you're ordering and how much it usually costs. We recommend that gourmets try it meibutsu. This word denotes a local delicacy, so such dishes will allow you to appreciate all the delights of Japanese cuisine.

Noodle bars and late night stalls selling traditional noodles ( ramen), is an excellent choice for a budget-conscious tourist, since you can buy a fairly large dish at a low price. Restaurant that serves ramen, can be recognized by the long benches and people bending over bowls from which steam rises. Udon and soba noodle dishes are other cheap options for Japanese food (provided you choose an inexpensive restaurant).
Izakaya is a Japanese eatery serving classic Japanese as well as European dishes. They serve simple food that is usually cheap.
Yakitori- These are small kebabs of vegetables and chicken meat grilled over coals. This dish is usually eaten with beer or sake at the end of the workday and can be enough to fill you up. There are restaurants specializing in this dish ( yakitorii). Such establishments are often located near railway stations. Remember that menus usually list the price for one yakitori skewer, so take this into account when planning your food budget.
Although sushi is considered a snack food, you can order it as a full meal for lunch or dinner. pay attention to kaiten sushi, that is, in cafes where sushi travels along a conveyor belt, and anyone can take the portion they like. The color of the plate indicates the cost of the dish, and the entire list of prices can be found on a poster on the wall. Choose your portion wisely and you'll be satisfied without spending a lot of money.
Choose places where locals eat, although in such places, knowledge of Japanese is usually appreciated, because English will not be on the menu. Search for restaurants nomiya And aka-chochin or cheap Chinese restaurants chuka-ryori-ya.

Buy food at grocery stores. The stores sell a large number of different semi-finished products, which will cost less than going to a cafe.

Take a closer look at food vending machines. They are found almost everywhere, and you can buy both food and drinks there: snacks, green tea, coffee, beer, etc.

Visit a familiar chain of fast food restaurants. Japan has McDonald's and other well-known chains. Try Mosburger, a Japanese fast food chain that offers hamburgers.

Eat at food courts and food markets. You can eat at these places not at all expensive, and there will be a large selection. Just like in stores, you can find fruits, vegetables and rice here.
- You can also eat at bakeries, but everything sold in such establishments will be sweeter than you are used to.
Don't buy alcohol or clothes. You've probably heard that everything is expensive in Japan, but if you stop buying clothes and alcohol, you'll find that prices for everything else are quite reasonable. However, sake is a must-try in Japan. Just don't go to bars every night.

Buy semi-finished products in regular stores. In stores you can find delicious and inexpensive ready-made dishes, ranging from noodles to beef. Some stores have bakeries. Most stores are equipped with microwaves where you can heat food, and you can take disposable utensils and chopsticks. In addition, stores often have a counter where you can eat.

Take as many pictures as possible instead of buying souvenirs. Photos are cheaper and more heartwarming, and they will definitely help you preserve memories for years to come.

Entertainment

Set aside money daily for entrance fees and other expenses associated with visiting tourist sites. This will allow you to understand what is worth spending on and what can be skipped.

Make a list of free or cheap activities. There are many ways to experience Japan without spending a lot of money. Here are some tips:

Buy souvenirs in cheap stores. In Japan, there are stores where all goods are sold at the same price: 35, 105, 175 and 350 rubles. There are also more expensive stores with the same price. Many of the items in these stores look like they cost more and would make great gifts for both you and your loved ones. Check out DAISO, Seiriya and 3 Coins stores, but there are many others in Japan.

Always carry cash with you. Although credit cards are accepted in many places, cash is often the primary payment method.
Osaka is famous for shopping. If you want to go shopping, this "city of merchants" is for you. Kyoto has very good flea markets and many fashion boutiques. Tokyo has everything, so it's easy to spend all your money there. Be careful.
Take less things with you. The less you take, the less you will worry and the lower the chance that you will want to buy yourself something to calm down.
Plan your trip in advance. Carefully calculated expenses will help you stick to your budget. Knowing possible prices in advance will help you save money or spend more than you otherwise would from time to time, knowing you can afford it.
If you are over 60 or 65, find out if you qualify for discounts. Many places, including some airlines, require you to show your passport to receive a senior discount.
If you decide to stay in a mountain hut on your trek, make sure to book your accommodation in advance. Some cabins include breakfast, but it's cheaper to cook it yourself.
Go on a trip with a friend. This will allow you to share some expenses, including food.

Warnings

If you want to visit Roppongi in Tokyo, be careful. The Japanese mafia (Yakuza) and other criminals gather in this area. It is not recommended to drink anything there, since tourists are often given sleeping pills in their drink, and in the morning they realize that all their cash and credit cards have been stolen.

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Today I will tell you about how to pick up 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 used to traveling around Europe, this post is for you - here I will explain what is worth seeing on your first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

And if you have already been to Japan, also scroll through this text to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Or vice versa, give me advice!

There are many links here 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 often ask me: “I’m going to Japan for the first time. Where to go? What to see? How about security? Internet? English?” I also compiled this post so that in the future they could simply give them a link! (Yes, friends, this is for you!)

When is the best time to go to Japan?

I have visited Japan in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and I am happy to say that any season is a good time to visit this country. It’s hot here at the end of July and August; if heat is not your thing, then it’s probably better to choose some other time.

The main tourist seasons are (usually early April) and (late November). These are approximate numbers for Tokyo and Kyoto. Japan is incredibly beautiful during these two periods, but because of this there will be a lot of 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 opened). 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’s not a problem either; any time spent in Japan will make you feel that you need to come here for longer.

Where to go in Japan?

You will most likely arrive at one of the airports, as this is where most international flights arrive. In addition to the capital of the country, you should definitely visit, this is the city that has preserved the old Japanese culture the best.

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

How to get around the country?

Here you can give a definite answer. You will ride trains. Japan has the most developed rail transport network in the world. Numerous subways and trains run in and around cities, and for long journeys there are trains that can cover 450 km between Tokyo and Kyoto in two and a half hours!

Trains run strictly on schedule and can take you wherever you need to go - the Japanese love of 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 moves, you should order 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 exchange rate), and generally pays for itself if you go to Kyoto and do some shorter driving. Please note that it can only be ordered before arriving in Japan! ()

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

And for those moments when 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 if you return it before leaving. Then cash is put on it, and the card is used to pay for trains, and a bunch of other things. Suika accepts more and more points of sale, it is convenient to pay with them throughout the country.

Unlike the JR Pass, the Suika can be purchased upon arrival in Japan at any train ticket office. Don't forget to put money on it and it will make your trip a lot easier.

Is it safe there? Will I get lost?

Safely. You won't get lost. All train stations have excellent navigation and signs to the main attractions. And in cities where tourists often come, there are information departments right at the railway stations, where they will give you a map of the area and explain in English what you can see in the area.

Plus, Google Maps knows everything about Japanese streets and trains. You can point at 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 safest countries in the world. Nothing bad will happen to you.

Tell us about Tokyo!

Tokyo is a huge, bustling metropolis. What's the best way to watch it? You won't be able to live in its center, because Tokyo has at least five different centers! Ask any resident of the city, and he will tell you that even a week is not enough to study it properly! But for the first time, three days will be enough for you. I wrote a post that talks about how to watch them in two days!

“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’s convenient to get here by express 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 see its eastern part, moving from Ueno to the south, or going down to Ginza, and rising north. Your JR-Pass won't be valid yet, so you'll have to use Suika to get around.

And on the second day (Saturday), you will go to Kamakura- one of the ancient capitals of the Japanese Empire. This is a beautiful place an hour's drive from the central areas of Tokyo, there is a seashore, ancient temples and a statue of the Big Buddha. Here you can spend most of the day, and even go for a ride.

Well, on Sunday your JR-Pass will begin to operate, you will board the Shinkansen and head towards . It is important to take seats 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 comes to an end. And this time you will live in the west of Tokyo, in an area called Shibuya.

If you've ever seen a picture of Japan where crowds are running through a huge pedestrian crossing, then this is exactly what Shibuya is. There is a crazy drive here, and there seems to be an endless number of people, but spend an evening here and you will be drawn into this crazy zen. .

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

Well, by evening you can get to Shinjuku, the area where it is located! After an evening spent here, you will not mind flying home.

What about Kyoto?

For a thousand years, Kyoto was the capital of the Japanese Empire. Built on the model of the Chinese capital (), it has a rectangular structure uncharacteristic for Japan. The city is located in a beautiful valley between two mountain ranges, and has preserved many aspects of the cultural heritage of feudal Japan.

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

I advise you to settle in the area Sanjo Ohashi Bridge and spend about four days in Kyoto. No, you won't be walking around temples all this time. There is a lot to see in Kyoto and beyond. Here are just a few 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 northwest of the city, where the famous bamboo grove is located
Philosopher's Path in the northeast, cherry blossoms bloom especially beautifully along it, and there are many ancient temples.

About other places.

You can usually squeeze one or two places from this section into a 10-day trip. Choose! There are two directions here...

If you have a few extra days of the JR Pass and want to see some more unique places, feel free to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto and head further southwest!

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

As you can see, there is enough choice to fill out a seven-day, 14-day, or even a 21-day JR-Pass. And what’s great: all these places are easily accessible by train!

What's with the money?

Perhaps it’s worth saying a few words about money. Japanese currency is yen. The exchange rate is constantly changing, but you can estimate that one hundred yen is somewhere around a dollar (in fact, recently the yen is cheaper).

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 they are not much more expensive than European ones. We have already saved on trains with the help of the JR-Pass, but you will have to pay for housing if you want to live in the center of everything (I recommended exactly these places). But if you want, you can save money here too. Yes, in Japan there are a lot of high-quality expensive things - restaurants, clothes, etc., but if you want, you can make your way here on a modest budget.

One problem is that credit cards are not accepted everywhere (especially away 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. (Not everyone has ATMs, but many have them.) They also say there are friendly ATMs in post offices.

Hotels? Ryokans? Apartments?

As I said, housing in Japan is not cheap. But some are more expensive than others. Let's look in order:

Ryokan: These are classic Japanese bunkhouses, in a traditional style. It is because of this that staying in them is the most expensive option. But this is very cool: you can sleep on straw mats tatami(don't worry, they will lay out a mattress for you) and dress in. Many ryokan have traditional hot baths - onsens, and the opportunity to dine the way the Japanese ate back in feudal times. In short, a ryokan is a complete immersion. But they also cost starting from $100 per person per night! One room in a ryokan can accommodate up to 4-5 people, although the price for each person will not drop much, since payment is made based on the number of people.

The best ryokan stay in Kyoto. But I advise you to book them in advance, as places in those that are relatively affordable may become occupied several months in advance.

Next we have rented apartments on sites like AirBnB. (and sometimes -!) but the price may be lower 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.

Regular Western-style hotels in Japanese cities are quite expensive. Personally, I try to avoid these. But I love filming. They're relatively inexpensive, and I love how well thought out everything is to squeeze all the amenities into a small space. It is profitable to rent such hotels in small towns, where a room for two can cost $60-80, or in Tokyo, where they will cost $80-120.

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

Every kind of everyday life - food, internet, English.

Well, let's talk about a few more things that are not included in other departments:

Sockets: Japanese sockets are similar to North American sockets, with two flat prongs. Most plugs from the USA, Canada or China can be plugged in without adapters (the exception is 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’s now somewhat clear to you how to go to Japan and what to see there. If you have any questions or comments, I will be glad to hear them in the comments. I will also update this post as needed.

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