Travel to Japan for free It is much easier than it may seem at first glance, although for many travelers it may seem that it is a difficult country, both for the language and for the cultural difference with the West. Before these doubts, we can only tell you, that taking into account some aspects, in addition to several tips for traveling to Japan for free, we are sure that your trip to the Japanese country will be unforgettable, as well as incredibly enriching in all aspects and as we said at the beginning, much easier than you imagine.
That is why after our first trip to Japan for free in 18 days, in which we toured some of the most tourist spots in the country and our second visit to the Japanese country, of which we have written the guide to travel to Japan, we want leave you a series of tips for traveling to Japan for free, so that you can get to know this amazing country, just dedicating yourself to enjoy it, without fear of not understand.
Passport and visa. Tips for traveling to Japan for free
The first thing you should keep in mind to travel to Japan, is that Spaniards are allowed to stay in Japan for a maximum period of 90 days, without the need for a visa whenever the reason for the trip is tourist, visit family, meetings of business, attendance at congresses or other unpaid activities.
Although the access will always be given to you when you arrive in Japan at the Immigration Office, so it is recommended to take the flights, accommodation reservations, route ... etc., by hand, in order to show it if required.
Transportation in Japan
Flights to Japan
Although there are many ways to get to Japan, we on the two trips we have made, have chosen to fly to Japan with KLM, an incredibly effective airline for any problem we have had, something we value and much, making a brief stopover in Amsterdam , one of the best airports we know, where we find all the necessary services to spend a stopover time in the best way and without anything heavy.
On both occasions we have made a multi-destination flight, entering through Osaka and leaving through Tokyo, something that has allowed us to enjoy a quieter route through Japan, saving us practically one day of transfers the day of return.
It is important to take into account and value the Economy Comfort option, which allows, for a very tight amount, to make a trip much more comfortable, since the seats have more space and rest more, something really important, especially when the flight has a considerable duration.
KLM flight to Japan
Transportation in Japan
1. The first of tips for traveling to Japan for free What we want to give you, is about transportation in Japan.
We know that this aspect tends to cause some panic among travelers and it seems that initially it seems impossible to understand or use it if it is not with an instruction manual or by the hand of a local.
After our two travel to Japan, we can assure you that this is not the case, quite the opposite and that having the basics and some tips, use the public transport in Japan It is even much easier than in other countries.
In this article on tips for traveling to Japan for free we will give some more general advice, but we advise you not to miss these more specific ones so that you can have a broader idea of this aspect and thus be able to travel much safer and quieter.
- Transportation in Japan
- How to use the Japan Rail Pass
- How to use HyperDia
Transport. Tips for traveling to Japan
2. One of the most useful things in a Trip to Japan It is the Hyperdia website, a website where you can make any queries regarding train / bus routes, in which only by entering the origin and destination, it will show you with great detail, including the number of platform that will leave the train, all the details of the journey, such as the name of the train, the price of the tickets, the transshipment that you must do if necessary ... etc. Definitely an ideal travel companion! And they also have application and mobile version.
One of the most useful things in this Trip to Japan has been discovering the Hyperdia website. A website where you can consult any train route.
From this website you can enter the origin and destination and it directly shows you, with great detail, including the platform number, the train or trains that you have the option to take.
Definitely an ideal travel companion!
Ahhh ... and you have the mobile version.
- How to use HyperDia
Hyperdia Tips for traveling to Japan
Japan Rail Pass
A must to travel to Japan as a tourist, is undoubtedly the JRP of 7.14 or 21 days with shipping included.
What is the Japan Rail Pass (JRP)?
The Japan Rail Pass is a kind of train ticket voucher, which can only be purchased by foreign travelers and gives you unlimited access to all Japan Railways (JR) trains for a period of 7, 14 or 21 days.
Once you have purchased it, you will receive a coupon at the address you provided, with which you can directly pick up your pass, either at the airport or at one of the most important train stations such as Kyoto or Tokyo station.
Keep in mind that with JRP you will save a lot of money, since for a very tight price, you can use the train as many times as you want and throughout the country. If you want more information, don't miss the post how to use the Japan Rail Pass.
- Book here your JRP of 7.14 or 21 days with shipping included
Japan Rail Pass
Bus in Kyoto. Tips for traveling to Japan
1. In Kyoto, most of the places of interest, including the 50 things to see and do in Kyoto, can be visited by bus, one of the most widely used means of public transport in the city.
The price of the individual ticket is 230 yen for adults and 120 for children, each way, but there is a daily voucher, which you can buy at the Kyoto train station, right at the bus stops, with which for 600 yen you can Get on and off as many times as you want or need throughout a day.
2. Although there are countless bus lines, in general lines and for the places you need to visit in Kyoto, it is likely that you will always use the same lines, so at the moment you locate the closest stop to your accommodation in Kyoto, We assure you that it will be much easier than you think.
You also have buses 100-101-102, known as the tourist lines And we could say that they pass practically all the tourist attractions of the city and are the traveler's great ally during their stay in Kyoto.
Bus 100 Kyoto
3. To use the bus in Kyoto, it is advisable to download the map of the lines, to be able to have it on hand and consult it whenever necessary.
- Download here the Kyoto Bus Map
Metro in Kyoto
1. Although initially it may seem that the subway is not the transport in Kyoto more suitable to move between the places of interest, it should be taken into account and not lose sight of it, since sometimes, it can be a great ally, especially when it reaches one of the places to visit in Kyoto.
2. To use the subway in Kyoto, we advise you to download the map of the lines and thus be able to consult it whenever necessary.
- Download here the Kyoto Bus Map
3. Learn all the details of transport in Kyoto in the post How to use transport in Japan.
Transportation in Kyoto. Tips for traveling to Japan
Tokyo subway
1. As in Kyoto we recommend using the bus to explore the best things to see and do in Kyoto, the subway is the best option to know all the essential places to see in Tokyo, since it is the most appropriate means of transport and that It reaches all the sights of the city.
2. To use the subway in Tokyo, we advise you to download the map of all the lines, save it on your mobile and thus be able to consult it whenever necessary.
- Download here the Kyoto Bus Map
3. Learn all the details of transport in Tokyo in the post How to use transport in Japan.
Tokyo subway. Transportation in Japan
Use public transportation to travel to Japan
As we know that a picture is worth a thousand words, we leave you some photographs in which we indicate some of the aspects that we believe are more necessary to understand transport in Japan and that we hope to be one of the tips for traveling to Japan To help you on your trip.
1. Bus in Kyoto.
Buses in Kyoto
2. Interpretation of a train ticket in Japan
Interpret a train ticket in Japan
3. Train station in Japan
Although not all train stations are the same or all the processes to access the same trains, most of them are very similar, so understanding and having clear the general concept, we are sure that you will be able to interpret the signaling of the stations and check how intuitive and easy it is.
Platform signaling. How to use the JRP
Information on the platforms
Wallet cards Suica, Pasmo, Icoca
These cards will be your best ally when traveling through Japan, if you want to forget about cash in places like transport, where you must carry the exact amount to pay, something that is often a real headache, even if there are exchange machines.
Suica, Pasmo, Icoca have been gradually replacing cash and today you can pay with these cards in transport, shops, vending machines for drinks and even in some restaurants.
You can purchase any of them (you have to take into account that Icoca only serves the Kansai area), at any station vending machine and has an initial cost of 1000 yen, of which 500 yen is a deposit that you are will return when you return the card.
We have used Icoca in Kyoto and surrounding areas and Switzerland in Tokyo and we have to say that it is the best invention right to vending machines and toilets!
ICOCA card. Transportation in Japan
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Kyoto by travelers in Spanish:
- Guided tour of Kyoto
- Excursion to Nara and Inari
- Private Tokyo tour
- Himeji and Kobe excursion
- Excursion to Nikko
- Excursion to Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi
- Excursion to Kamakura and Yokohama-More Excursions and Tours in Japan here
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Kyoto by travelers in Spanish:Accommodation in Japan
The accommodation in Japan It is one of the most important points to consider when travel to Japan. We leave you some tips that we believe, they are important at the time of making the reservations and start shuffling the different options available in each of the places you are going to visit in your tour of the Japanese country.
1. Book in advance, especially if you travel on dates included in the high season such as the summer months, the Golden Week or the hanami (cherry blossom), as they usually run out quickly and prices rise as you get closer The time.
2. Both in Kyoto and Tokyo mainly, it is convenient to take into account the location of the accommodation, as this will determine the time it takes to reach the places to see in Japan essential. Sometimes for saving a few euros, we do not take into account the time we will lose in transfers, in addition to the extra price of transport.
3. In Kyoto we have stayed in the Gion area and it has been a success. Without a doubt, we will stay in this area again when we return, as well as being one of the areas we like the most in the city, it has a very good combination of both metro and buses and is an area with an incredible gastronomic offer .
- Find your accommodation here in Kyoto
4. In Tokyo, as in Kyoto, we advise you to look for a more than central area, since the city is huge, that is well connected by public transport, preferably the subway and better than better with the Yamanote line, with which You can access most of the essential places to see in Tokyo that are also included in the JRP of 7.14 or 21 days.
We stayed in the Shibuya area and it was a success, since it is a very busy area, in which there is a lot of atmosphere and it is also very well connected.
- Find your accommodation here in Tokyo
5. One of the most demanded accommodations in Japan is without a doubt, the typical Japanese ryokan or accommodation. Due to its high prices we advise you to leave it for locations specials like Miyajima or the Japanese Alps, in which we are safe, you can enjoy it in a much more relaxed way.
6. Do not forget that you can get 35 euros discount on AirBnb here.
Accommodation in Shibuya. Tips for traveling to Japan
Tips for traveling to Japan in the Hanami or cherry blossom
One of the most demanded times to travel to Japan in the flowering of cherry or hanami. This has been the one chosen by us for our second trip to the country and after the experience, we can only recommend it as it is one of the most incredible moments we have been able to live on our trips.
We leave you some tips to travel to Japan in the hanami.
1. Cherry blossom is a completely natural process, so there is no exact forecast, practically not even a few days before it occurs.
2. Although, as we said, it is something that does not involve anything other than nature, there are some websites where you can keep looking at the forecasts, such as the Japan Weather Agency, in which the planned dates of both the flowering as the maximum flowering, in different areas of Japan.
3. Being so little dates foreseeable, at least to determine exact dates well in advance, it is practically impossible to book accommodation and flights well in advance knowing exactly that your trip to Japan will coincide with the cherry blossom. In most cases it is a matter of luck but if you schedule it by the end of March-beginning of April, the chances of coinciding with some moment of flowering somewhere on your route are very likely.
4. As we mentioned before when we talked about accommodation in Japan, these dates are incredibly busy in major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, so it is highly recommended to book in advance, as prices even triple, in addition to availability usually decreases greatly as flowering forecasts are known.
Hanami Travel to Japan
Gastronomy in Japan
We always say that gastronomy is one of the best ways to get to know a country and its culture. Well, in Japan, this is still more relevant and we cannot deny that Japanese cuisine is one of the most complete and delicious in the world, in addition to being one of the most followers today.
As we know that eating well is part and increasingly, of the trips, we leave you some posts in which we talk about the typical dishes of Japanese cuisine that we believe you should not miss on your trip, and those that have been for us, the Recommended restaurants in Kyoto, Tokyo and surroundings.
In addition, you will find many tips to consider in restaurants and to enjoy a meal or dinner knowing the most basic aspects.
- Japanese food. Typical dishes of Japan
- Where to eat in Kyoto. Recommended restaurants
- Where to eat in Tokyo. Recommended restaurants
Japanese gastronomy
Route and tours / excursions in Japan
1. Another of the questions that most ask us to travel to Japan is the ideal duration to know the most interesting or tourist places in the country. Although logically this depends on many factors, we believe that 14-21 days would be the perfect duration to make a trip that includes the most known points and places in the country such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Alps and Fuji.
Our first trip to Japan was 18 days, including flights and we visited all these places, so we can confirm from experience that these days, you can know the most important of the Japanese country.
- Route to travel to Japan in 18 days
2. As we know that it is not always easy to decide that places to visit in Japan and that on many occasions it is also not easy to distribute the days we have on vacation, we leave you the posts we have written, in which we have included those that are for us the essentials of Japan, especially for a first trip.
- 10 essential places to see in Japan
- 50 things to see and do in Tokyo
- 50 things to see and do in Kyoto
- 10 essential places to visit in Kyoto
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Kyoto
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Tokyo
- 10 essential places to visit in Tokyo
- 10 essential places to see in Osaka
Kyoto Tips for traveling to Japan
3. Although Japan is a country that can be visited perfectly for free, there are times when it is highly recommended to take a tour or an excursion, to get to know the place much better or to know first-hand the history and anecdotes, by the hand of A guide in Spanish.
We leave you what are for us the best tours and excursions from the main cities of the country.
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Kyoto
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Tokyo
4. Something very important to move around Japan is to have some applications that you can use as a GPS as well as you can do it offline since the street names are not always visible or in English. We always use Google Maps and Maps.me, two applications with which in addition to being able to move around the country without problems, you can put two points (Google Maps) and see the transport options between them, in addition to the time you will take . Without a doubt, both have been our best travel companions.
Money in Japan
Something for which they ask us in a very habitual way is about the topic that exists and that refers to how expensive it is to travel to Japan. We cannot deny that the Japanese country is more expensive than many of its neighboring countries, but after traveling twice, we can assure you that it is not as much as you can think and that it is not more than any European city, even being much cheaper that many of them in some aspects, such as food.
We leave you some tips to travel to Japan related to money, in several aspects.
1. It is very common to read that in Japan it is practically unfeasible to pay by credit card. Nothing is further from reality, although this is especially applicable to tourist sites. With this in mind we can tell you that you can practically pay with a card in 75-80% of the situations that you live in Japan such as tourist restaurants or accommodation, taking advantage of that way they will charge you the amount with the change of the moment.
For the rest of the situations in which you have to pay in cash such as transport, tickets to tourist places such as temples or some restaurants or accommodations, we recommend you to take them out directly at the ATMs, such as those of 7Eleven that you will find in most cities, They do not charge commission, taking instead of the moment. If you opt for this option, it is interesting that you check with your bank before what commission will charge you per operation, so you don't get any surprises.
Money in Japan
Based on our experience, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
2. In case you prefer to carry cash and change directly in Japan, you can do it directly at the airport or at a bank or agency in any of the cities, although before we always recommend checking the applicable exchange rate in addition to the commissions in case apply.
3. Keep in mind that on buses it is necessary to have the exact money to make the payment on the same transport. In case of not taking it, look at the machine next to the driver, where you can put in addition to coins 1000 yen bills and that will give you change to be able to pay the exact price in cash.
4. As we mentioned at the beginning, Japan is considered a very expensive country, something quite far from reality, especially if we take into account many of the prices that apply to the things that you will have to buy throughout your trip .
We leave you a post in which after our two visits to the Japanese country, they reflect the prices of the things you should buy on a regular basis. We hope that through this review you can make your budget much easier as well as more real.
- Price guide in Japan
Language tips in Japan
1. Along with the issue of prices, another of Japan's tourist topics, is that they only speak Japanese, it is practically impossible to understand them, to understand you and to understand the indications.
Although all this is not we can say that it is uncertain, yes we must say that it is not something widespread and that with a little effort, less and less since in the tourist places the great part of things are in English, you can move without problems for Japan
- In most accommodation in tourist areas, there is always someone who speaks English. If not, you can always make yourself understood by signs. We are sure that with a little imagination, any situation is salvageable.
- Today, in most restaurants in tourist areas, they have letters and menus in English and if not, it is also very common to use photographs on the cards, resin plates in shop windows and even in some, Ipads where you can directly place the order.
- In public transport you will find directions in English, both in the signage and in the vending machines, and even in many of them today there is already the option of making the purchase processes in English.
- The same happens at ATMs. In 7Eleven, for example, you have all the functions in several languages, including Spanish.
- In some stores or supermarkets they do not speak English. Do not worry, in the end the universal language of smiles and signs will be able to reach an understanding.
- Although we understand that it is difficult, try to learn several words in Japanese as thanks, please or Good Morning. Good education and effort open many doors and help a lot, don't forget it!
- On many occasions you will see that the Japanese speak to you in Japanese as if you understood them. Be kind, get your best smile and try to explain that you don't speak Japanese.
Arashiyama Tips for traveling to Japan
Internet connection in Japan
Another of the most common questions we receive is how connect to internet in Japan. We leave you what are for us the best alternatives:
- In the most tourist cities, there are countless internet connection points, in addition to the fact that in hotels and in many restaurants and cafeterias it is usual to have free Wi-Fi. In case you do not need to be permanently connected, you can use these points and use offline GPS, such as Maps.me or Google Maps, by downloading the maps before traveling.
- Another option is to use the phone or pocket wifi provided by some accommodation in Japan or apartments. This service you will see added in the characteristics of the accommodation in case it is included in the price.
- In case none of the above options fit you, you can choose to buy a free SIM card. You can do this in advance and ask to be sent directly to the airport or to your accommodation.
This option is good if you do not need to consume a lot of data and you are only going to connect a device.
- In case you have to be permanently connected or have to connect several devices, the best option is to rent a pocket wifi. This is nothing more than a small router, with which you will have unlimited internet for up to 10 devices (normally).
In addition they usually add an extra battery. With this battery plus the charge of the pocket wifi, you can connect two phones throughout the day to the internet.
In this case, as with the SIM card, you can ask them to send it to the accommodation or pick it up directly at the airport, at the Post Office.
- The return of the pocket wifi is very simple. The day the rental is finished, you must put it in an envelope that they will have provided and put it directly in a mailbox. No more
- Both the SIM card and the pocket wifi can be purchased / rented directly on the same website where you can buy the JRP. We did it with Japan Rail Pass.
Airport Post Office
- In case you want to buy, be it the SIM card like the pocket wifi in Japan, you won't have any problem. Both at the airport and in stores, such as Bic Camera, you will have different options.
Holafly prepaid SIM card
Another option is to choose to buy one Holafly SIM card being in Spain, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, saving you all the time of the negotiations and making the whole process to have internet in Japan much more comfortable, fast and easy.
In this case, with the Holafly SIM you will have several Gb to surf the Internet (depending on the option you choose), they will send it to you for free at home, you will keep your WhatsApp number and you will have assistance service in Spanish. You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader
More information on the Holafly post, the best prepaid SIM card for travel
General. Miscellaneous Tips for traveling to Japan for free
- In Japan, the use of beverage vending machines is mandatory. And if you like coffee, you're in luck. There are hundreds of brands and hundreds of ways, in addition to cold or hot.
Vending machines work with coins, 1000 yen bills or purse cards and to identify drinks, if they are hot or cold, you should look at the color of the label below. Blue = cold and Red = hot
- Another discovery we have made in the Trip to Japan has been the possibility of ship suitcases from Kyoto to Tokyo or from any other point to another within the country.
This service works between all points of Japan and from the same hotel they fill in the forms, so you don't have to worry about anything, although the service is done by an external company.
If you manage it with the hotel, you just have to leave your bags the night before or on the same day they pick them up and in 1 day, in the service from Kyoto to Tokyo, they deliver your bags at the destination you indicate.
In our case, there were 2 medium suitcases, 20 kilos each and Shipment of luggage from Kyoto to Tokyo It cost us 2750 yen.
- Something we believe is very important and not only when traveling to Japan, is to be polite. As tourists we have to understand that we are guests in the country and our obligation is to take care of it and above all, respect it. And this includes its heritage, its people, its religion and its culture.
- We must be very clear that we are tourists and not for that reason, we can do anything or forget the rules.
- In Japan there are many cultural differences, so it is worth reading a little about the country before traveling to Japan to get to know it a little more and travel more responsibly.
- Unfortunately, on the second trip we have made to the Japanese country, we have seen many tourists skipping the lines or taking pictures in places where it was forbidden. Please, as we mentioned before, respect the rules just as you would like them to respect you.
- Although Japan is a country that has us in love, there are certain things that we do not understand. One of them is the existence of coffee shops / bars where they have animals (cats, dogs, hedgehogs, owls ... etc), which you can touch or feed after paying a ticket and a drink. We should be responsible with the animals and try not to go to these places, since that only encourages them to continue existing.
Beverage vending machine
Travel Insurance to travel to Japan
We always recommend traveling with travel insurance, but even more when you go to travel to Japan, since it is a destination in which the sanitary services are very high, being able to cost a simple visit to the doctor 500 dollars and several thousands any operation that catches you by surprise.
In our case we always travel insured with Mondo, with whom you can hire your travel insurance fully adapted to your needs, making the trip quiet and above all, safe.
We leave you an article in which we talk much more extensively about the reasons why in Japan it is important to have the best travel insurance.
- What is the best insurance to travel to Japan?
Remember, just for being a reader of Street Travelers, you have a 5% discount with Mondo, to hire the best travel insurance, in addition to 15% if you take out family or group insurance.
