Here are 40 of YOUR Japan Travel Questions Answered


How many days should I spend in Japan?

Spending one week in Japan — 3 days in Tokyo, 3 in Kyoto, and 1 in Osaka — is common for first-time visitors who want to cover the highlights.

How much is a trip to Japan for 2 weeks?

On average, a foreign tourist spends about 15,000 yen a day, so a 2-week trip should cost about 210,000 yen.

When should I visit Japan?

In general, the best times to visit Japan are late spring and late autumn, when the scenery is gorgeous and the weather is mild and dry.

Which airport in Japan is the cheapest to fly to?

Haneda Airport in Tokyo operates several international flights to and from North America, Europe, and others, and the average cost of a return flight is just around 1,000 US dollars.

Is Japan expensive to visit?

The average budget of a foreign tourist in Japan is 15,000 yen a day, but it can be lowered or increased, depending on your budget and travel style.

How many days in Kyoto is enough?

Allocating at least 3 full days in Kyoto should give you enough time to see the city’s top tourist sites and attractions.

Is food expensive in Japan?

Eating a full meal at Japanese restaurants can cost between 500 yen and 3,000 yen. At convenience stores, sandwiches, coffee, pastries, and others average around 300 yen to 500 yen.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Japan?

The Winter season, from mid-January to mid-March, is the best time to fly to Japan if you want to avail of low airfare.

What is the best airline to fly to Japan?

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are highly-rated Japanese airline companies that offer direct flights between Japan and the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

Where should we go in Japan?

If you are visiting Japan for the first time, doing to Golden Route Tour, i.e. Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto, is highly recommended, especially for a week-long trip. If you are staying longer, you can also add day trips to Mt. Fuji, Nara, Himeji, and other nearby cities.

Why is Japan so expensive?

Because Japan is a developed country with one of the highest qualities of life in the world, its hotels, transportation, food, and other goods and services cost more than the other Asian countries and the less developed nations.

How much money should I bring to Japan?

The amount of money that you should bring to Japan depends on what type of traveler you are. If you have a mid-size budget, it is safe to allocate 15,000 yen to spend per day. You can always go lower or higher, depending on your preferences.

How can I eat cheap in Japan?

Japan has an abundance of convenience stores that offer 300-yen sandwiches, 500-yen bento meals, and other cheap snacks and food. It also has plenty of restaurants and diners where you can get ramen, sushi, soba, and others for less than 1,000 yen.

Can you see Kyoto in a day?

If you only have 1 day for Kyoto, you should choose two or three areas of the city to check out (for example Arashiyama district in the morning and Higashiyama in the afternoon), and make sure to start early in the morning to see as much as possible.

What should I pack for Japan?

What to pack for your trip to Japan depends on what time of the year and which part of the country you are visiting. For example, winter temperature in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka is usually around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, but Hokkaido can go below zero degrees.

How much is ramen in Japan?

A bowl of ramen at regular ramen shops in Japan costs about 700 yen to 1,000 yen, but there are cheap ramen shops where you can get ramen for as low as 300 yen.

Which is the best city to visit in Japan?

Choosing the best city to visit in Japan is dependent on what you want to do and see. If you are into Japanese history, Kyoto is home to plenty of important historic and cultural sites. If you are into food, Osaka is the country’s food capital. If you like large and busy cities, Tokyo should be at the top of your list. 

Where should I go in Japan for the first time?

Visiting Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto is popular among first-time visitors to Japan who want to see the famous tourist spots in the country.

What is Japan best known for?

People know Japan as a country home to several ancient world heritage shrines, temples, and castles; samurai and ninja; sushi, ramen, sake, and other dishes; geisha and sumo; and high-speed bullet trains and hi-tech toilets.

What is the best currency to take to Japan?

It is best to take Japanese yen to Japan. Before your trip, buy some from your bank to avail of good exchange rates.

What is Kyoto known for?

Kyoto is best known for the 10,000 torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, the geisha district of Gion, the UNESCO World Heritage Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji temples, and the Edo-Period sites of Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace.

(Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto)

Do they speak English in Japan?

English is spoken in Japan, albeit not as widely and proficiently as in the other top destinations in the world.

Can you survive in Japan with English?

It is totally possible to get around Japan with zero Japanese, as there are English signages at the popular tourist sites and attractions, English menus at many restaurants in the big cities, and others.

Is Japan English friendly?

Airports, major tourist spots, train and bus stations, restaurants, and shops in the touristy areas generally have English signages. However, as you venture to the countryside, English translations become less available.

Is Japan safe to travel alone?

Because of its low crime and violence rates, Japan is a very safe country to travel to, even if you are a solo traveler.

Does Japan have a lot of tourists?

Japan has been visited by more than 20 million international tourists a year over the last few years, with cherry blossoms season and autumn foliage season recording the most number of tourists each year.

Is Japan expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Japan is on par with other developed countries in the world. The average rental cost of a small single apartment in central Tokyo is 100,000 yen per month, utilities per person cost around 10,000 yen per month, and food budget runs about 5,000 yen per day.

Is Japan safe for solo female Travellers?

Japan is perfect for solo female travelers, especially those that are doing it for the first time. It has low crime and violence rates, and offers efficient public transportation and other facilities.

Is Tokyo dangerous for tourists?

Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world, but tourists should be wary of the touts in Kabukicho and Roppongi that try to lure the naïve ones into their shady nightclubs and hostess bars.

Do you need injections to visit Japan?

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend getting vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, polio, influenza, measles, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, mumps and rubella (MMR), shingles, chickenpox, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

How much is Mcdonalds in Japan?

A hamburger or a regular-size softdrink at a Mcdonalds in Japan costs about 100 yen.

What is needed to enter Japan?

You need a valid passport to enter Japan. If you are from a country without a Visa Waiver arrangement with Japan, you also have to apply for a Japanese tourist visa.

Can I live in Japan?

To live in Japan as a foreigner, you have a number of options available — apply for a student visa, a work visa, or a spouse visa (if you are married to a Japanese national).

How can I teach English in Japan?

To teach English in Japan, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree, no criminal record, and some teaching certification.

What is the main food in Japan?

A traditional Japanese meal typically consists of rice, meat or fish, miso soup, and side dishes made of pickled vegetables.

Why is tipping rude in Japan?

Tipping is considered rude in Japan because paying extra makes it seem like you think the workers are not paid enough for doing their jobs. If you want to show appreciation for high quality service, just say thank you.

What should you drink with sushi?

The Japanese people like to pair their sushi with beer, tea, or fruit wine.

Is the water safe to drink in Tokyo?

Tap water in Tokyo and everywhere else in Japan is clean and safe to drink.

Are there Ubers in Japan?

There are Ubers in Japan, but they are only available in Tokyo and quite pricey. A regular taxi costs 730 yen for the first two kilometers, with an additional 80 to 90 yen per 270 to 300 kilometers, while Uber charges a minimum fare of 823 yen, with an additional 67 yen per minute and 308 yen per kilometer.

What should I avoid in Japan?

Ignoring the queues, tipping, sticking your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice, talking loudly in public, and not carrying cash or your passport at all times are just examples of things tourists should avoid doing in Japan.