Guided tours to Japan :: Practical Information

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Practical Information

Here you will find information covering our trips in Japan. We also have a have a Frequently Asked Questions page with answers to general questions about booking and payment. For background information on the history, culture and food of Japan please see our Japan Resources page.

We will sleep on comfortable futon (Japanese-style mattresses) on the tatami floors of inns and temples. The floor and pillows are often firm but offer good support. Western-style hotels are used in addition to traditional accommodation. As the inns and temples vary considerably in size, it may be necessary to share a large room with fellow tour members. Room sizes tend to be flexible, however, and it is nearly always possible to open and close the fusuma (sliding doors) to create the size of rooms we need.
We often use small, family-run inns (minshuku) where en-suite facilities may not be available. Single rooms are usually only available in major cities.

Resources (external links)
Japan Guide Ryokan page

One of the highlights of the tours is to taste real, home-made Japanese food. Vegetarian food can be prepared if we give advance notice. We recommend that you try to master chopsticks (o-hashi) before you go. Be prepared for the freshest of food. Japanese food is delicious. Fish, chicken, pork, rice, miso soup, tofu and vegetables are at the heart of many meals. It is not all raw fish, but sashimi will be offered, and really is worth trying. We will mostly sit on cushions on the floor at low tables for meals. So you should be able to sit comfortably on the floor - loose clothing is highly recommended.

There are more than 3000 named onsen (hot springs) throughout Japan, a by-product of Japan's abundant volcanic activity. They range from tiny rock pools deep in the forest to large resort towns with multi-story multi-bath complexes. Onsen run deep in Japanese culture and history, and are one of the delights of travelling through the country. The typical onsen in the countryside will have segregated male and female baths with attached changing and washing areas, and there is an established etiquette to using them. Bathers disrobe and rinse-off before stepping slowly into the hot water to soak. The baths themselves are never used to wash, this is done before or after the bathing using taps or showers with soap and shampoo usually supplied.

Resources (external links)
Onsen use and etiquette
Wikipedia Onsen page

Some of our tours include walking, or in winter skiing and snowshoeing. Grading walks is difficult as much depends on the perception of the individual.
Our grade Easy refers to relaxed walking of up to 4 hours on level paths or country roads with a small amount of gentle ascent or descent. Moderate consists of on-trail hiking of up to 6 hours with some moderate ascent or descent where you don't need to use your hands. Vigorous trips may include hikes of up to 8 hours with some steep ascent or descent over rocky ground. Ladders and chains are used on some mountain trails in Japan and may be part of a Vigorous trip.

All of our walking trips require some previous walking experience but anyone with an active lifestyle and in good health should cope well. In any case, it would be worth preparing yourself by toning up before you join. The walking will all be below 2000m on the Imperial Pilgrimage tour and up to 3,100m on the Mountains of Central Japan tour. There are other shorter walks in flatter countryside. The tour leader will ensure that the pace on all the walks is unhurried. See advice on what to wear below.

On walking trips luggage is sent ahead by vehicle so you will only need to carry a day sack with personal items, apart from walks where nights are spent in mountain huts, when overnight items must be carried.

Walking poles with rubber tips are strongly recommended. Much of the way on the Imperial Pilgrimage is paved with ishidatami or flagstones (poles can be provided if you do not have one). We always try to minimize environmental impact.

We use a combination of public transport and where this is not practical a van. For longer distances travel domestic flights or the super-fast shinkansen (bullet train) are used. Local trains or bus services are used where possible to get between overnight stops. Please note that you will need to carry your own bags on and off buses and trains, and for short distances to ryokan and hotels.

The weather in Japan is mild/warm in May and September. It gets cooler in October. Some rain is expected during these months but they are outside the main rainy season in June. Short, tropical cyclones can hit Japan between August and October.

rain gear
shorts for summer walking as well as warmer layers
comfortable walking shoes/lightweight trail boots for walking trips
slip-ons or slippers that you can use in inns and temples at night (the plastic slippers provided are often too small and uncomfortable) - you cannot wear outdoor shoes in Japanese dwellings.

Baggage should be limited to one backpack or medium-sized suitcase and a day sack for walking or exploring cities. The one bag limit is important as our tours use both public transport and vans, and space in both is limited. Transfers through stations and to accommodation can involve a little walking, and each traveller will be responsible for carrying their own luggage. Especially in cities the Japanese transportation system, while highly efficient and reliable, can be overcrowded, making the use of easily manoeuvrable bags important.

Cash is still king in Japan, and while credit cards can be widely used for purchases in shops and some restaurants, it is important to have a supply of Yen cash for small purchases. Meals, transport, the services of all guides are included in the cost of our tours, but incendental costs such as souvenirs and personal items as well as drinks wth meals are not included.

Yen cash can sometimes be obtained from larger banks in London or other major cities, though money changers often give a better rate. It is also possible to change money on arrival at Tokyo's Narita airport or Osaka's Kansai airport. Even in larger cities in Japan trying to change anything but US$ cash can be a time-consuming business. Most Japanese bank ATMs do not accept foreign bank or credit cards.

Resources (external links)
Exchange Rates

Nationals of most EU countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and some other countries only need their passport a return ticket to enter Japan as a tourist. Please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for more details, and a list of countries with visa exemption agreements.

Embassy of Japan in the UK
Embassy of Japan in Germany
Embassy of Japan in France
Embassy of Japan in Canada
Embassy of Japan in USA
Embassy of Japan in Australia
Embassy of Japan in New Zealand

There are no specific immunisations or medications necesary for Japan. We recommend you bring along with a prescription for any medications you take so they can be obtained if necessary.

Travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatration to your home country is a condition of joining our trips and proof will be required at the start of your journey by your tour leader. Please make sure to bring along a copy of your policy. It is also important to make sure that your policy covers you for any activities on your trip, including mountain walking and helicopter evacation in the unlikely event of an injury while walking in the mountains.

Resources (external links)
Center for Disease Control Traveller's Health (USA)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice (UK)
U.S. Department of State
Smartravaller.gov.au (Australia)

It will add greatly to the pleasure of your trip if you can learn at least a few Japanese phrases. Especially outside the cities many hotel or restaurant staff speak no English.
The following kanji (characters) would be very useful to memorise.

woman (onna)	man (otoko)	big (ookii)	small (chiisai)


exit (deguchi)		toilet (toire)

Japanese Online
About.com Japanese lessons

For questions on our booking and payment procedures, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page. For background information on the history, culture and food of Japan please see our Japan Resources page.